Category: Tools of the Trade

All wet: here are four great wet saws that’ll handle almost any material and job – Tool test: 10-inch tile saws Ethan Landis Our remodeling projects often involve high-end tile and stonework, intricately designed layouts, and materials of all sizes, from tiny tile to 24-inch-square slabs. The only way to cut this wide range of […]

The Levelution PC1 comes in nine lengths: 12, 16, 24, 32, 36, 48, 72, 78, and 96 inches – Product focus: spirit levels The Levelution PC1 comes in nine lengths: 12, 16, 24, 32, 36, 48, 72, 78, and 96 inches. Keyed inserts allow accessories to be added easily, including a T-square and rafter hook. […]

Omission In our July/August jigsaw Tool Test (“Curve Appeal,” page 62) we inadvertently left out Festool’s Trion jigsaw from the group. We regret the error. The PSB 300 orbital jigsaw runs between 1,000 and 2,900 spm and has a patented three-way blade stabilizer, electronic speed control, and FastFix tool-free blade change. It cuts wood up […]

Pickup power: new trucks for 2004 are bigger, badder, and better – Annual Truck Report Michael Morris If you’ve been holding off buying your next pickup, or are just waiting for the 2004 models to hit the showrooms, you could be looking pretty smart right about now. The upcoming model year is shaping up to […]

Handle with care: tips for moving and installing glass and mirrors – SiteLines: dispatches from the field Mark Clement Every time you move a piece of glass, you risk breaking it. Since picture and clerestory windows, mirrors, and shower doors are often custom items, they take time to re-fabricate if they get broken. Smart, safe–and […]

First test: portable table saw stand Mark Clement Carpenter Scott Kahle wanted a better way to work with and move his portable table saw. The result is his new rolling, collapsible Kwik-Stand. In the open position, the unit is a wide, stable surface for ripping, including an integral outfeed that’s just the right height. Collapsed, […]

Jig saw accessory – Great gadgets: more new tools for less than $100 Bruce Guertin I enjoy using a hand coping saw; the cuts are precise and dependable and I’m good at it. But sometimes it takes too long to muscle through 5/4 or hardwood crowns. To speed things up, I’ve coped with my jig […]

Battery recycling – News Mark Clement Recycling your cordless tool, phone, laptop, and any other rechargeable batteries just got easier. While you can still collect and mail them in as you might have done before, now you can take your spent batteries to national retailers for drop off as they wear out; The Home Depot, […]

Rotary sander The RAS 115.04E rotary sander from Festool offers a variable-speed range of 1,500 to 4,000 rpm that is optimized for stripping coatings and prepping surfaces and remains constant under load, the maker says. Other features include a slim, compact design and a light weight, a swiveling dust extraction hood, spindle lock, electronic temperature […]

First test: great gadgets: cool tools for less than 100 bucks Mark Clement SAW & PRY BAR COMBINATION The Shark Saw and Pry Bar Combo is a must-have for any trimmer or remodeler. Saw. This 22-inch-long Japanese-style saw cuts on the pull-stroke. The design enables the blade to be extremely thin and extra flexible–a perfect […]