Tools of the Trade: David's Latest Articles

Grizzly’s New Track Saw

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:29:44 EST

Can you get a decent track saw for $180?

Can't Get It Here: Clamp Spike

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:26:45 EST

Piher is a Spanish company that makes clamps – all kinds of clamps.

18-Volt OMT with Something Extra

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:49:32 EST

Late this summer Bosch will release the MXH180, a cordless version of their MX series oscillating multi-tool (OMT).

A Trip to the Recip Blade Factory

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:50:28 EST

The Lenox plant in East Longmeadow MA produces recip saw blades, hole saws, band saw blades, and a number of other items. This story focuses on recip saw blades.

A High-Falutin $700 Hand Plane

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:48:52 EST

Move over expensive European hand tools, here's a plane that will give you a run for someone else's money.

Three Useful Specialty Tools

Fri, 31 May 2013 12:19:36 EST

Here are some Dewalt specialty tools that promise to make life easier and more pleasant on the jobsite.

The Average Pickup is 11 Years Old – But Perhaps Not for Long

Fri, 31 May 2013 12:08:08 EST

Truck sales were up sharply in April over the year before. Who came out on top? Let me put it this way, if you bought a Ford F-Series you have plenty of company.

Happy Summer

Fri, 31 May 2013 11:57:02 EST

I hope you enjoy yours as much as Kerry McLean seems to enjoy every day of his life – riding around on a home-made monowheel vehicle.

The Strangest Tool Using Contest of All

Fri, 31 May 2013 11:49:48 EST

I’ve seen carpentry and cabinet making contests before, but I’ve never seen anything like the wood planing contest that takes place each June in Japan.

12 Odd and Unusual Tools from NHS

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:29:47 EST

At this year's NHS show I saw number of odd and unusual tools – some of which will be useful to tradesmen.

DeWalt Mechanics Tools

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:28:40 EST

In June 2013 DeWalt will release its own line of mechanic's tools, which will initially be sold only at Sears.

A Wrench That Makes Bolts Beg for Mercy

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:13:54 EST

Pull with all your might but the nut or bolt won't budge? Enter the striking wrench.

The One Tool You Can't Buy – A Hand

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:36:44 EST

Ronald Walters has two hands. But he wanted a third. So he made one.

Making Doors with Loose Tenon Joinery

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:30:36 EST

The first time I saw the Domino XL I said to myself, "where was this thing when I was building doors in a millwork shop?"

Hand Built Wood Lathe

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:24:01 EST

Who says you need power tools?

Laborer Dies in Trench Collapse and Lives to Tell the Tale

Fri, 17 May 2013 02:30:13 EST

The doctors didn't think he would survive, and that if he did he’d have extensive brain damage. Fortunately, they were wrong.

The Work Van That Wasn’t

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:57:13 EST

In 2008 Nissan released sketches of a radical concept van. I’m not surprised they never built it or that an individual cabinet maker built something similar on his own.

Home-Made Wormdrive Gears

Fri, 17 May 2013 02:30:38 EST

Why is it so hypnotic to watch wooden gears turn?

Festool Systainers

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:13 EST

If you are familiar with modular tool organizers, then you know about Systainers.

What's New from DeWalt?

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:50:20 EST

I recently traveled to DeWalt headquarters in Towson, Maryland, for the annual unveiling of new tools and accessories.