I spent the first day of the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas walking the show floor, looking for cool new tools and products to share with Fine Homebuilding readers. The three exhibit halls are divided by product category. Today I covered Paint and Sundries and Tools and Hardware. Tomorrow I’ll tackle Lawn and Garden, Outdoor Living, and Plumbing. So far, it’s a great show. It seems like there are a lot more interesting products this year than last, and I think the attendance is better, too. Click on the photos to see some of the most promising new products I found today, and check back tomorrow for my report from the second day of the show.
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8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape
Affordable IR Camera
Handy Heat Gun
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This is Grant Minor, the inventor of the magnetic Mag Vest, which holds tools and hardware. I can imagine it would be very useful when you're up on a ladder or working in attics and crawlspaces. The product looks well made and sells for $80. You can learn more at mag-vest.com.
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This is 3M's new sanding sponge. Unlike conventional sanding sponges, this one has a dimpled surface. The dimples allow the sponge to conform to round and irregular surfaces, so you get a more uniform sanding surface.
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If you're lacking storage space, you might want to build a bed with the Platform Bed Lift Kit. The space created is great for seasonal or seldom-used items, and it keeps them safe and out of the way. The kit includes the gas lift arms, hinges, and detailed instructions, with a cutlist for the lumber and plywood components. Prices start at $60 for a double and go up to $73 for a king-size version. The lumber and plywood are not included.
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This is the hardware for the Platform Bed Lift Kit. The small joist hangers let you easily remove the intermediate bed supports when storing larger items.
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You can put this item in the "Why hasn't somebody thought of this before?" category. It's the Jobsite Dustpan ($16) from Quickie. It's the first dust pan I've seen that's wide enough for a standard push broom. It has a center handle for light loads and a pair of outer handles for heavy loads that require two hands. Rubber feet on the bottom prevent it from sliding while you sweep into it.
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The Quickdraw-XLR folding utility knife accepts standard utility-knife blades and longer breakaway blades, available from the manufacturer. The long blade's three breakaway sections mean that you get five fresh cutting edges from every blade. And when it's new, you can cut thicker materials than you can with standard utility-knife blades.
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These are the long serrated blades available for the Quickdraw-XLR. They're made for cutting foam, fiberglass, and polyiso insulation. The maker says the serrated edge cuts these materials like butter, and since it's longer than a standard utility blade, you can cut up to 1-1/2-in.-thick materials in a single pass.
View Comments
As a guy who specializes in magnets, I like this product. It is a clever idea.
Has the product been checked for safety with pacemakers? Some pacemakers are affected by magnetic fields in the area. Clearly this product may create a magnetic field around the heart. Better safe than sorry.
I will stick to my tool belt. I think I would feel a little silly having my hammer magnetically hanging off of my chest.