We're big fans of the inspection camera, having reviewed several on PTR. They allow home inspectors, plumbers, appraisers, HVAC technicians and electricians document and troubleshoot problems with an ease that was impossible before the advent of LED and micro-camera technology. Ridgid's newest inspection camera, the micro CA-300 is the company's next evolution of the microEXPLORER family. You can record both still images and videos of problems in hard-to reach areas and then share these findings with the RIDGIDConnect solution. On top of that, an embedded microphone means that you can also document your video with live commentary, so your notes are more complete.
If you ask ten electricians which company makes the best lineman's pliers, all ten would say 'Klein' (trust me, I actually asked ten... and I'm an electrician). In fact, most electricians call any lineman’s pliers “Kleins” - though they probably shouldn't. They have set the standard for lineman’s pliers in the way that Xerox set the standard for copying machines back in the day, or Kleenex did for tissues. Klein tools are on the top of the list for electrician's tools because it's their specialty - and when that's all you do, you tend to get good at it. The Klein lineman’s pliers are said to be the best made. With all of the recent competition, and years of other manufacturers crafting competing products, we were curious to see if they still held the title.
Kershaw's Clash, model 1605X, is possibly one of the more attractive assisted-open folding knives we've seen in a while. It fits the hand perfectly, is easy to use, and has a glass-filled nylon handle that's just grippy enough, but remains comfortable as you use it. The drop point blade has a nice belly and comes with a bead-blasted finish. We used the Speedsafe-enabled Clash in a variety of applications and carried it for weeks. We have to say, once you pick up this knife and start to use it, you may not put it down again... at least not anywhere your friends might "accidentally" walk away with it!
Tape measures are great, but for anyone who's done layout work or estimated for a significant construction project, you aren't going to get much joy out of dragging out a physical tape 200 feet tape measure. The new Johnson Level and Tool 40-6005 Laser Distance Measure is a tool that takes the walking and dragging out of the distance measuring game. It's super compact in size, yet it has an incredibly useful range. But that's all common features of a technology that's commonplace now. Where Johnson attempts to distinguish itself is in its flexibility and speed. The Johnson Level 40-6005 can handle taking measurements from as little as 2 inches out to its maximum of 230 feet. On top of that, it's lighting quick, thanks to a fast on-board processor that delivers results faster than just about any other similarly-priced laser distance measure we've used. Accuracy is also an astounding +/- 1/16 of an inch - even out at long distances. And, just to make sure that you are on target, a built-in laser pointer shows you exactly where you are aiming. Now let's break down the features a little at a time.
Getting a quick and accurate bead on the temperature differential around an AC duct or a door can be a lifesaver for air mechanical technicians and energy efficiency specialists. While there are a lot of tools on the market that can help you do this, it's nice to be able to reach for a familiar name - particularly when your shop is already equipped with compatible batteries and chargers. Recently Porter-Cable launched the PCC581B Infrared Thermometer, which comes as a bare tool, making it a great choice if you're already vested in their 18V cordless platform. And if you're not, Porter Cable also offers a 9V-powered version, the PCC582B. Both of these infrared thermometers incorporate a tri-color beam that indicates temperature changes visually along with the digital readout. When you pull the trigger, the thermometer takes a reference temperature reading while it projects a circular green beam onto the surface at which it is aimed. The projected beam colors change when a difference in temperature is detected as you scan it across an area. A blue beam identifies a cooler spot, and a red beam indicates a hotter area.
For some, a hammer isn't all that important. If you're serious about tools, however, or a framer by trade, a hammer is an extension of your arm and something you use almost all the time. With that being the case, issues like weight, features, and balance become very important. In fact, when you're striking nails almost non-stop, it's possible to actually calculate the time-is-money factor, and you'll see that your choice of hammer becomes something that could net you literally hours of labor-savings over the course of a year. It was with that mentality that we turned our fascination to Hart's line of Mill-faced Steel Framing Hammers.
Craftsman is taking on the big boys - or at least the big boys who like to listen to tunes while they work. Last week at CES, Craftsman revealed a couple new tool chests that really got our attention. The first piqued our interest because it was coated in a completely matte black finish. That's right, black as the night sky in a Kansas... you get the idea. The main thing Craftsman was about, however, was its other rolling tool chest. The big one with the speakers on the front. The new Contour Powered Series of tool rolling chests feature a power tool recharging station that can recharge up to four tools or personal electronics devices.
The Kershaw Compound 1940ST is a partially serrated knife that features the company's Speedsafe assisted open and a durable glass-filled nylon handle with pocket clip. The knife is a tad unusual in that the handle tapers down to a very thin, just 5/8-inch depth at the base of the handle. With a partially serrated blade, the Compound 1940ST is perfectly suited for both slicing and cutting tougher cords or rope. We liked the weight of the knife and the way it fit snugly and deeply into our pocket, with only the smallest amount peeking out - so as an every day carry (EDC) knife this may be an excellent choice for you.
While the thought of a "portable" miter saw is appealing, carrying one around by hand is not my favorite past-time. I'd rather use a dedicated miter saw stand. We've used a bunch of these over the years, and when DeWalt announced it had put out a new gas-assisted model, the DWX726, we thought we'd give it a try to see how they might have improved upon what was already on the market. First and foremost, the job of a good miter saw stand is to support the saw, while also providing a consistent feed and support for the work material. There are two basic types of miter saw stands, the compact fixed stand (with or without roller feeds) and the heavier-duty rolling stand that is made to be a more permanent yet portable solution. DeWalt has both, but the new DWX726 promises to be both robust and highly portable.
With the rise of cordless finish nailers, Senco takes a different approach by using a sealed nitrogen cylinder and a lithium-ion battery to keep them powered. Recently we had the chance to try out the FN55AX Fusion F-18 Cordless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer. We found that this nailer packs in a pile of useful features, has plenty of power, and will keep up with pneumatic nailers. More and more we are turning to brad nails for our finishing projects because of their great holding power combined with the very small head size. A smaller head size means less patching and putty when you are done. There is a lot to like with this nailer and it comes in near the top of our list of must-have tools.
If you have a lot of DeWalt, Ryobi or Craftsman 18V cordless tools and find yourself frequently running out of battery power, the Ultimate Battery Power Battery Belt is something you should definitely check out. Repetitious or continuous use of cordless power tools can be troubling, since you normally need to keep a collection of batteries on the ready. Recently, we spent some time with the new Ultimate Battery Power UBP5000BT-DW-CH Battery Belt which came with the battery adapter for top post style 18V DeWalt cordless tools. The concept behind this battery belt is that it gives you up to 3.5 times longer run-time - and that means getting through a project on a single charge and with no battery changes.
See All Articles In This Section
