More stories about Features

  • 2012 Editors' Choice Awards

    Innovation, invention, and refinements that improve the way we work

  • Tool Test: 18-Volt Drill/Drivers

    Today's cordless drills are significantly better than the ones I used four or five years ago — they have more power and greater runtime, and take less time to charge. Many of them are lighter, too. The most obvious change has been the move from nicad to lithium-ion batteries, with lithium-ion...

  • Tool Test: Affordable Line Lasers

    For this article, my crew and I tested 11 self-leveling line lasers that can be purchased for $300 or less – an amount any tradesperson should be willing to spend for a tool that can pay for itself. Our pricing came from reputable online dealers; you may pay more or less based on when and where you...

  • Tool Test: Affordable Line Lasers

    For this article, my crew and I tested 11 self-leveling line lasers that can be purchased for $300 or less – an amount any tradesperson should be willing to spend for a tool that can pay for itself. Our pricing came from reputable online dealers; you may pay more or less based on when and where you...

  • Tool Test: Demo-Blade Showdown

    We pushed 18 recip-saw blades to their limits to determine their ability to cut quickly and resist wear.

  • Tool Test: 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Impact Drivers

    For this article my crew and I tested 18 lithium-ion impact-driver kits. Some companies sell the same tool in two kits – each with different batteries – and in such cases we tested both versions. We used all the drivers for several months, trading them around so that everybody had experience with...

  • Launch Time 2011: RotoZip Direct Drive Attachment

  • Launch Time 2011: Combination Laser

  • Launch Time 2011: Johnson Planreader Tape Measure

  • Launch Time 2011: Paslode Framing Nailer