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.
Earlier we reviewed Veto Pro Pac's Closed Top LC bag. This is their lightest closed top bag and it represented a way to bring lots of specialized tools to the jobsite in a protected bag that could handle most any kind of weather or jobsite abuse. But it wasn't terribly large - by design - and so there was a longing to check out a bag that could handle a greater capacity of tools. Consequently, when we got the opportunity to review the Model OT-XL Open Top bag, we quickly realized we had gotten more of the same... I mean literally more. The OT-XL takes everything we love about the LC bag, opens it up for easier tool access (and less weight per square inch if you don't plan on using the zippered cover). More room. More tools. More... um, better.
I like a good tool bag. Veto Pro Pac's Model LC Closed Top zippered bag is actually a GREAT tool bag. The reasons are varied but mostly its greatness centers on its flexibility and durability. I mean, when people grab a tool bag from... well, wherever they grab them, it's often with the idea that they're getting the best they can for the money and "hopefully" it'll hold up. The Veto Pro Pac is for people who've already gone that route... and failed. It's for the professional who understands what a tool bag should be, and what it shouldn't. It's designed by people who have, frankly, been there, and done that - and it shows. The Veto Pro Pac Model LC comes across as a bag you don't have to baby. You can throw it, slam it, kick it around - it'll be fine and so will your tools. And that made us happy. 'Cause we like to throw and kick things around... and so we begin our review.
Back in 2003 I purchased a product made of recycled rubber tires and cut it to fit inside my Jeep Liberty's cargo area. It was one of the best purchases I've ever made. When Rockler announced their Recycled Rubber Bench Mat I immediately knew that this excellent product had more or less made its way into the world of woodworking shops everywhere. What's unique about it is the simplicity of design. There's nothing fancy about it - it's just rubber, but it's the perfect texture and protection for any surface. Let's face it, if your idea of the perfect worktop surface is linoleum, plywood or tile - this is going to revolutionize your life... or at least add a level of convenience and flexibility you hadn't thought of before.
If you are a professional contractor, electrician, plumber, or like to keep your stuff organized and easy to find, by now you've likely heard of Dymo's line of Rhino label printers. The Rhino labelers are one of few industrial quality products designed to serve the needs of journeymen and contracting professionals who need on-site labelers that can stand up to the tough elements and challenges faced on the jobsite. The company just released its Rhino 5200 to update and replace its already well-regarded RhinoPro 5000 label printer that has been an industry standard. The new product simplifies and augments an already impressive label printing tool. Dymo doesn't just stop at the machines, however, they have an impressive and well-rounded line of label products that cover the gamut and function in almost any environment. This includes entry-level nylon tape, vinyl tape in multiple color choices and also permanent polyester labels which are hearty enough to work for outdoor use or application onto rough surfaces. We were happy to put our grubby hands on the new 5200 and, when we did, we were quite pleased with the results.
Dymo label printers have long been the serious user's choice in label creation for quite some time now. With the new Rhino 6000 they have truly upped the ante in terms of features and capabilities. I say this for several reasons. One, the company has an extensive line of products that are specifically targeted for the professional and "pro-sumer" markets, and two, the Rhino brand is backed by labels that will work in a variety of applications and environments. From simple nylon tape that is perfect for cabling and simple label jobs, to vinyl which is available in many colors, to permanent polyester tape that can handle outdoor use and rough surfaces, Dymo has paid attention to the needs of custom A/V installers, electricians and journeymen everywhere.
So I walked into Lowe's about a month ago and spotted a new tool chest. Something was different about it. It was blue - no big deal there, but it had a strange door with no handle on the top right side of the top tool chest. Pushing it open I was greeted to the reveal of a Pioneer Stereo. Alas, had Kobalt finally unveiled a new tool chest with an integrated stereo that was slightly more manageable than their 53-inch behemoth stainless steel product? Indeed they had.
Have you ever showed up at your local building supply store, loaded up our truck with materials only to have it start to rain as you were driving home? Since most of us don't have vehicles or trailers to be able to transport larger size materials without them being exposed to the elements, how do you get them home with no damage? That's easy with the line of Kerry-All Pouches from Kerry Woodworking. These pouches come in many sizes that allow you to slip in your materials to keep the weather off of them for easy transport with any vehicle or trailer.
Just slip the Strap Sack over your existing tie-down ratchets for a simple and effective solution to eliminate the issues that come from tangled straps and long tails that flap in the wind. With the Strap Stacks installed over your tie-down ratchets you will also have a handy place to store the strap when not in use and protect the ratcheting mechanism from the weather.
At this year's 2010 Global Leadership Tour, Don Briner, who works in Bosch's Tool Organization and Storage department, gave us a nice preview of their upcoming adaptation of Sortimo's L-Boxx tool storage system. The new products seem to compete directly with Festool's Systainers (though Bosch was careful not to directly address this in their presentation). The L-Boxx obviously targets mobile work, but its simplification of the transport and storage of power tools, accessories and consumables makes it appealing to just about everyone.
The TracRac TracONE pickup truck rack system brings professional quality and features to a level that almost any sportsman, contractor or do-it-yourself type can afford and really use. With the ability to fit virtually any pickup truck on the road today, there is no excuse to have long material dangerously dangling off the back of your tailgate, or even worse, with the material balanced though the sliding rear window of your truck in the the cab! With the TracONE system, you can haul 800 pounds overhead on a super strong aircraft grade aluminum utility rack.
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