Tools of the Trade: Tool Tests and Reviews

Modular Tool Organizers

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:13:27 EST

Modular organizers share the same footprint and can be stacked and latched together for storage and transport.

Modular Tool Organizers

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 03:22:12 EST

Modular organizers share the same footprint and can be stacked and latched together for storage and transport.

Crescent 18-Inch Indexing Flat Bar

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:14:45 EST

The curved head of this pry bar can be pivoted and locked into 16 different positions.

Full-Size Oscillating Multi-Tools

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 03:24:55 EST

Look for a powerful model that offers quick blade changes and is easy to grip in any position

Tools Up Close: Erecta-Rack Drying Rack

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:15:15 EST

Erecta-Rack consists of 40-inch steel cross bars that snap into plastic support blocks, which stack and snap together like Lego blocks. As the rack goes up, the individual sections begin to resemble ladders, with towers of blocks for the sides and cross bars for the rungs. It's designed to be assembled as you go: Set up one level of the rack, fill it with freshly painted material, add another level, and so on.

First Test: Protective Hammer Caps

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 03:37:23 EST

Prefinished siding and trim – whether fiber-cement, plastic, or wood – are becoming more popular. Factory-applied finishes are hard to beat, and it's great not to have to schedule another sub or deal with weather-related painting delays. For the best look, matching color-coated nails should be used, and care must be taken to protect both the heads of these nails and the adjacent material surface. We found polyurethane Protect-O-Cap hammer caps at the request of one of our testers and gave him some to test. Here are his results.

FirstTest: Two-Handed Sanding

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:48:15 EST

Just after we completed our 5-inch random-orbit-sander tool test for the Winter issue, Makita announced the release of an updated model.

Hands-On Hand Tools

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 03:51:10 EST

We've carefully selected more than 50 hand tools to share with you this issue. This diverse collection of tools represents the next generation of designs, with features that will help you carry on your own legacy of quality and provide continued enjoyment in your particular trade.

2010 Editor's Choice: Nail Kicker Denailer

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:38:10 EST

With more and more emphasis placed on salvaging building materials for reuse and reducing the volume of material sent to landfills, a lot of contractors are taking a new look at the value of nail-infested lumber that used to end up in a Dumpster.

Milwaukee 11-in-1 Screwdriver With ECX Bit

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:32:37 EST

Milwaukee's new hand-tool line is growing, with several everyday tools for the electrical and plumbing trades.

Bridge City Tools Kerfmaker and CT-17 Dual Angle Block Plane

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:32:33 EST

Bridge City Tools' KM-1 Kerfmaker is an ingenious little device that accurately figures a table-saw blade's kerf into repeatable cut lengths for lap joints.

Stanley Sweetheart Socket Chisels and #92 Shoulder Plane

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:32:31 EST

Stanley is reviving its old Sweetheart branding yet again, this time for a line of bench chisels.

Tajima Tool Combination Drywall Rasp

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:32:27 EST

Tajima Tool's Combination Drywall Rasp ($16) has teeth made of chromed die-cast aluminum.

Greenlee Nut-Holding Nut Driver and Screw-Holding Screwdrivers

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:32:20 EST

Greenlee has some interesting fastener-holding drivers.

Bessey TSC4.516 Staircase Clamp

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:32:13 EST

Bessey is known for its strong industrial and shop clamps.

Nail Jack Pro Model, Nail Hunter and Staple Jack Pliers

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 01:29:23 EST

Nail Jack extraction pliers have an 'anvil' behind the head that you pound on to drive the tips into the wood surrounding a nail.

Irwin Vise-Grip 10CR Fast Release Pliers

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 01:29:19 EST

Irwin's newest Vise-Grip pliers have a 'self-energizing' jaw design that shifts under load and self-tightens, similar to the action of a pipe wrench.

SOG Knives PowerLock Pliers

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:26:32 EST

Like many multi-tools on the market, SOG's PowerLock pliers ($110) have a knife blade, screwdrivers, and a 1/4-inch hex-bit driver adapter.

Green Grass Group DoubleVsquare

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:26:29 EST

Green Grass Group's DoubleVsquare ($25) — which consists of two triangular-type aluminum squares hinged down the center — makes it easier to transfer marks around corners

Craftsman Universal Design Ratcheting Wrench Set

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:26:26 EST

Craftsman wrenches are synonymous with lifetime-warranty quality.