07.24.07

A wrench with a twist

Posted in Tool Bits at 2:07 pm by GadgetGuy

Crescent Rapid Slide Adjustable Wrench Like most guys, I like seeing newly-designed tools and attempts to improve old tools. Unfortunately a lot of new or improved tools you see are a bit on the gimmicky side, like hammers that also work as wrenches and those multi-function plier/screwdriver/corkscrew/nose hair trimmer tools. But once in a while I see something that just might be a cool tool to have. At least that’s what I thought when I saw the Cooper RapidSlide adjustable wrench.

Now first off, I will say that I was basically taught that an adjustable wrench is not a ’serious’ tool. That is, no self-respecting mechanic would use this type of shortcut tool but would always opt for the proper size of open or box wrench. On the other hand, over the years, I’ve been in the same situation as millions of others where you don’t know the exact size of the fastener, and rather than guess or bring 4 single size wrenches, you grab the old adjustable.

Anyway, back to the RapidSlide. I first saw a press release for it in Machinery & Equipment MRO magazine. I don’t know where they got the info, but it wasn’t from the Cooper site (link below). MRO said that the slide actually locked into place, which is a great idea. I think we’ve all used a regular adjustable with sloppy jaws that rounded off the fastener corners. The locking aspect would make it easier and safer (no sudden slips where you crack your knuckle!). It also said that the slider had a debris guard which would be a must to keep it moving freely.

The Cooper site is not a selling site, nor are there even any suggested prices shown. I found it at Amazon, where they seem to be having a fire sale for it. The list price is $45.95 but today at least it is selling for $9.99. Definitely a steal at that price, but $46— not so sure. At any rate, it looks like a good idea from a well- known brand, and one of those cool tools you’d like to have.

http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-AC8NKWMP-8-Inch-Adjustable-Wrench/dp/B000EOJUI0

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103211453

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07.08.07

Black And Decker Laser Levels

Posted in Tool Bits at 11:16 pm by pake

Ever notice how those laser levels have exploded into the tools scene in the recent years. It seems the plumb and strings are no longer used now that a laser will do the job quicker. While surfing around looking at all the different laser levels I was a little shocked to see how many laser levels Black and Decker produces, between auto and manual laser levels there is a total of 12 different models. I decided to dig a little further in to the auto leveling lasers to find out why so many model for a specific job. As I started to dig into the background of the Black and Decker Line I kept an open mind about these lasers and possible uses. All of them can line up pictures on a wall, tiles on a floor, square a new wall, plumb a new wall and so much more. To find out which will be the best suited for all round purposes I had to go though the entire list of them.

The Black and Decker 360, I feel is a great laser for finishing jobs. It can be nested on a tripod that comes with the 360 or it can hang from a ceiling object. Another great feature about the 360 is that it can be set it up in the middle of the room and have the laser beam on all of the walls. This is perfect for doing an elegant room trim where accuracy and precision is needed. It works well with hanging pictures, shelves, trim and even doing paint deco work. The laser of 360 has two different modes the 360 mode will give a complete 360 degree laser and the 120 mode, as guessed, 120 degrees. The 120 degree mode using the tripod will be sufficient since the tripod has the ability to lock its positions so the level will not lose accuracy but the tripod also has the ability to swivel the laser, this preventing the loss of an accurate line. When work is being move to a different part of the room, the swivel on the tripod can turn to the working section and no more adjustment will need to be made. The Black and Decker 360 is a nice laser level, but it is limited to what it can do. For example, hanging four pictures with the same size frame in rows of two. The 360 can level them horizontally, but not vertically. So unless a frame square is kicking around or an alternate method of lining the pictures you are out of luck. Black and Decker does have a similar model of the 360, but it does not provide a laser in the 360 mode, but it does provide a vertical lasers along with the horizontal. It is called the Black and Decker Crosshair.

The Black and Decker Crosshair looks much like the 360, but performs differently. First the Crosshair does provide a hanging strap, and instead of a tripod it has a wall mount. The mount is also adjustable to allow the laser to move up or down within the mount. This is great if the laser needs to be adjusted higher or lower when hanging pictures. Going back to the four pictures example of the Black and Decker 360.With the Crossfire the horizontal laser will level the top two pictures then it can level off the bottom pictures with its vertical level. This making the pictures perfectly inline with each other. The Crosshair does have more uses than just hanging pictures, it can be used for tiles, shelving units, trim, ceiling panels and more.

The Black and Decker Bullseye is quiet similar to the Crosshair, but in a different design and comes with a built-in digital tape measure. The Bullseye is my pick out of these laser levels, because it can can perform both horizontal and vertical lasers, one for plumb job and two for leveling, it can mount on a wall, has an LCD display, built in tape measure and auto leveling laser. Like the others it can perform the same jobs such as tiles, pictures, shelves, trim and ceiling panels, but the built in digital tape measure is a plus. The digital tape allows placing of items along the wall so that they are spaced a specified distance apart.The Bullseye in my opinion is great for home improvements, but do not get models of the Bullseye mixed up with others, because there is three more BullsEye lasers.

The Bullseye with Stud finder is different from the Bullseye with digital tape in two ways. First The stud finder over the digital tape measure and second it has no vertical laser only horizontal. This model of the Bullseye more designed for home finishing as carpenters can use it to find the studs behind drywall, so screws can be placed. Hanging pictures, positioning trim and tiles, leveling ceiling panels are just a few jobs the Bullseye with Stud finder can do. Almost all the lasers can do the same jobs, but they get even more advances with the Bullseye Angle Pro.

The Bullseye Angle Pro is designed to do perform angle laser lines. Like the Bullseye with Digital Tape measure it has both vertical and horizontal lasers, but the real difference is that it will cast the laser and show the angle the laser is sitting on. The nice thing about this is that it will be easy to hang pictures parallel with a stairs. This save a lot of time from doing this particular job manually. Other than its unique ability to cast a laser and return an angle it can perform the same jobs the other lasers perform.

Bullseye Laser Level with Swivel Head has both horizontal and vertical lasers built into a swivel head that allow the user to adjust from right to left. For example, if the need to attach two board together so they are square, once one end is attached the swivel head rotates and placed on other end to attach the second side. It is much like flipping a framing square over, and basically this is what the Bullseye Laser Lever with swivel head is, a framing suqare. Most times a framing square will do the job just fine, but if accuracy is needed and framing square is too short the Bullseye Laser Level with Swivel Head will come in very handy. It is perfect for squaring off tiles, new walls, or installing cabinets.

There are many uses for these Laser levels, but a lot of people avoid them because they do not trust them for accuracy. I bought a laser level about 5 years back, and prior to writing this I set it up and the laser gave me a 20 foot line on the wall. I grabbed and old fashion level and tested it out. There were no faults, the laser beamed a good 20 feet and it accurately level. So in the end choosing a laser level that suits your needs all depend on what you need to do, keep in mind though that this is a tool you will use again in future.

Black and Decker Leveling Lasers

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07.06.07

Dewalt D55140 Heavy-Duty 1 Gallon Compressor

Posted in Tool Bits at 2:17 pm by pake

If you think about it, a compressor can save a lot of money during carpentry work, cleaning computers or whatever else you might find it useful for. Every time I go to the hardware store I see compressors big bulky heavy compressors. Most people will avoid these compressors because it is not what they want, or they do not know how useful a compressor can be. While searching around the net for compressors I found the Dewalt D55140 Heavy-Duty 1 Gallon Compressor, the size was right, the price was right, and it is powerful enough to perform the duties of a hobbyist or small business contractor.

The compressor itself, it is only 9 inches wide and very lightweight at 24 lbs. It comes wrapped up in a roll cage which doubles as a carry handle that will protect it if dropped. The electrical cord can be easily wrapped around the protruding cord holders on the side of the unit. Looking further at the compressor the rubber feet will protect the surface that the compressor is placed of to prevent damage if the compressor is kicked or bumped. Even though this compressor has a smaller tank than most compressors, it is capable of performing jobs that other compressor with bigger tanks can perform. It can produces .75 SCFM at 90 PSI, 135 PSI (Max) and recover quickly ensuring that it is always providing the maximum performance to meet the job at hand. To add to this the compressor runs at only 69 dBA ensuring a quieter working environment. Last the compressor does not need maintenance, it is an oil-free compressor, when done for the day unplug and store.

I love this little compressor because it is small, power, quiet, and clean. If I do not use it for finishing wood work, I can use it for blowing the dust out of a computer, cleaning dust off a door tracks or other hard to get at places. I really recommend this compressor to the everyday handyman because of it uses and ability to do what other compressors can do yet more.