From the editors of Tool Box Buzz, Home Construction Improvement and A Concord Carpenter
Volume 49
Another week has come and gone and tool news continues to roll in at a breakneck pace. This week we've had press releases for a number of tools both brand new and incremental updates. It seems that new tools are coming
faster than ever and they're flush with new and meaningful innovation. Tool companies are competing really hard for your hard earned dollars and in that scenario, everybody wins.
todd fratzel
DEWALT takes the Strapshot Cordless
It seems with every code revision, more metal connectors are required. It is all in the name of safety but with all of these brackets required, it is time consuming installing all of the fasteners in them. It isn't uncommon for some of the brackets to have 20 fasteners or more. I recently found one bracket that took 72 fasteners! Imagine driving those by hand.
Enter DEWALT and the new
20V Max cordless metal connector nailer. For years, Stanley Black and Decker has had a pneumatic metal connector nailer under the Bostitch brand called the Strapshot. Last year, DEWALT added a version of the Strapshot under their brand as well. It is a
fantastic nailer but is limited by the air hose. Now you have another reason to leave the compressor in the truck.
While being cordless is its greatest attribute, the second best thing about this nailer is that it shoots both 1-1/2" nails as well as 2-1/2" nails.
One of the easiest ways to add almost instant curb appeal to your house is to change out the old and dated exterior light fixtures. It's an easy job requiring just a few hand tools. In this article we give you complete step by step instructions so that you can do it yourself in short order.
More than any other room in your house, a bathroom combines intense usage needs with tight space constraints. This makes it a tough room to remodel. Analysis paralysis can set in when you’re just thinking about cosmetic features like tile and paint. But that’s just the fun stuff. Where will the shower go? The toilet? The sink (or sinks)? All the lights – and the ventilation fan? And don’t forget outlets for
those electric shavers and hair-dryers!
So: where in the design process should design and functionality meet?
Conceptualizing your bathroom layout, plumbing, and electrical considerations really must be made together and in conjunction with the overall design concept – especially if cost is a concern.
A couple years ago, Milwaukee introduced its first iteration of Torque Lock locking pliers that offered one of the greatest innovations to the "Vice Grip" style tool since its inception. Announced yesterday is an expansion to the lineup with 20 new tools. The lineup ranges from small 4" curved jaw up to a whopping 18" deep reach c-style jaw.
If you've never tried them, the Torque Lock
knob is a real game changer in this category and worth a look.
