The First Cordless Drill Here we are in the 21st century, and everything is just so high-tech. There are exceptions of course, and in the world of cool tools, there are plenty of oldies that serve a useful function while still having a neutral carbon footprint. So today I give you the Yankee Screwdriver, still the quickest “green” way to turn a screw. The earliest versions of this tool were manufactured by the Decatur Coffin Company in the late 19th century and were not reversible, leading... more

The invention of the laser beam is widely considered a ground-breaking technology. In commercial construction, lasers have replaced plumb bobs, chalk lines, measuring tapes, and even surveying instruments because of their unparalleled accuracy and ease of use. As this technology has moved into the consumer market (under $100), the race to the bottom has fostered tools and toys of questionable function and durability. Who hasn’t witnessed the “laser pointer at the cinema” experience?... more

Impact drivers have been a staple of the automotive repair world. If you’ve ever had a tire replaced, the lug nuts were spun off and on by these noisy, powerful air-driven tools. Now they have been redesigned for driving woodscrews and lag bolts. These tools are cordless, much more compact than drills, and have features that give them significant advantages over the standard drill for driving fasteners. Though many power tool manufacturers are now producing this class of tool, I’m going... more

What goes around comes around. It’s an old saying, and these days it applies to youthful homeowners and apartment dwellers alike who are seeking to re-capture the moment when I Love Lucy ruled the airwaves and foil-wrapped TV dinners — served on TV trays — were an amazing innovation. For baby-boomers who grew up with the eye-jarring bubblegum pink bathrooms of the 1950s or the soothing lines of minimalist furniture that distinguished the 1960s, this fashion re-run is inexplicable. But the look... more

No gadget column worth its salt can ignore the burgeoning field of cool flashlights, so at the risk of repeating myself, I’d like to revisit the increasingly “enlightened” category of portable illumination. The LED (light emitting diode) is actually a semiconductor — think transistor — that emits light, and it’s the future of flashlight applications. The reasons are simple. Your batteries last substantially longer, light intensity is greater, and the LED’s themselves last thousands... more

Today’s kitchen tools let you grind, pound, and smooth your way to culinary success. Even the family handyman will be impressed because he (or she) will know you did it yourself the next time you serve up a bowl of hot soup fresh from the blender or a tart serving of homemade yogurt. One-Stop Cooking This is no ordinary whirlybird. The Vita-Mix Professional Series blender defines one-stop cooking: It mixes, chops, whips, grinds, and purees — even cooks soups and sauces you can serve steaming... more

ProTouch The new ProTouch line of knives shows a surprising number of thoughtful details. The ergonomic rubberized grip feels just right. The blade is canted at an optimized twenty-degree angle which helps reduce fatigue, and a small indent for your pointer finger assures you a safe cut every time. This tool is made in both retractable and fixed versions, and both feature “tool-free” entry, with no parts to lose. The retractable ProTouch retails for $12.99; the fixed version is $9.99. Blue Blades... more

Owners have always been involved in some way in building their own homes or remodel projects, and in the last 15 to 20 years the phenomenon has mushroomed along with stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. Some homeowners are fearless and take on the projects solo, while others prefer to have professional guidance to help them through the confusing process of planning, design, budgeting, finance, permits, and... more