Working near electricity can make even the bravest soul a bit squeamish. No one enjoys getting accidentally “zapped,” especially if your project doesn’t involve any electrical work at all. There are times, however, when basic household repairs can place one close to live wires (example: behind a wall) whose precise location just can’t be foretold. Professionals have long taken precautions such as pulling the fuse or tripping the circuit breaker before a repair, and most will... more

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

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

Mounting hardware on your doors, walls, and windows is usually a simple affair. You mark the position of the screws, drill pilot holes in the old wood (always!), and then fasten the part on. If you’ve ever completed this task, only to discover that you marked the pilot holes imprecisely, then you should check out the following “trick” tools. Combination Center Punch and Nail Set First up is the double-ended spring tool commonly referred to as a “Snapper.” It is a center punch on... 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

Below are offerings from four major manufacturers of the 18-19.2V combo tool kit. These kits contain the basic tools for any homeowner. Each offer four to eight different tools but all offer a drill, reciprocating saw, and circular saw. In addition to the three main tools are flashlights, jig saw, blower, chain saw, vacuum, stud finder, and digital measuring laser. Prices for these kits vary. Consider checking out the Internet... more