This was my second and final day walking the floor at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas. Today I saw another hall devoted to tools, a section for plumbing and electrical, and the outdoor tailgating exhibit. Next year I may have to devote a third day to the show, because I didn’t have enough time to look at everything. There are 2200 exhibitors here, so you have to be light on your feet, while still keeping an eye out for interesting new things. Click on the photos to see some of my best finds today. And if you didn’t see yesterday’s post, check that out, too.
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Handy Heat Gun
Reliable Crimp Connectors
8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape
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I hate my modern trigger-controlled gas can so much that I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the Sure Can. The Sure Can has the spout on the bottom of the can, so you don't have to tip it to dispense fuel, and you only need one hand to hold the can and control the flow of fuel. Gas is dispensed when you press the trigger on the top of the can with your thumb. For transport and storage, the nozzle rotates upward and is capped with a half-turn, tethered cap. The 2.2-gal. version sells for $35. A 5-gal. version (available on May 11) is $43.
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Leaning an extension ladder against an aluminum gutter is scary. Because of the gutter's slipperiness, the ladder has a tendency to slide, sometimes when you're on it. The Lock Jaw Ladder Grip ($80) holds onto the gutter and the ladder rail with fast, easy-to-use clamps, so the ladder won't slide. The rig looks easy to use and is a lot safer than a bungee.
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Available in October 2015, Stanley's new iPhone case looks perfect for the job site. It's waterproof to 2 meters, protects the phone from 6-ft. drops, and is dust tight. It even comes with a lifetime guarantee. The iPhone 6 version sells for $80, and the iPhone 6 Plus version sells for $90. Matching belt holsters sell for $25.
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Recipro Tools is a line of scrapers, brushes (nylon and wire), files, rasps, and even grout saws that connect to your reciprocating saw. The adapter (under $15) uses the saw's existing blade clamp and allows you to install the hex-shank acessories ($5 to $15) at almost any angle. You can see and buy the tools at reciprotools.com. You can also find them at Lowe's under the Kobalt Reciprofit brand.
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This is the Triton Work Center ($450) with it's optional router table ($230). The work center's standard MDF insert is a series of 3/4-in. holes for attaching clamps and accesories from Kreg and others. The company also offers a tablesaw insert ($400) with a riving knife and the Project Saw insert ($250), which includes a fully shrouded blade with dust collection for cutting laminate flooring and materials up to 3/4 in. thick. The table's smooth-operating fences guide the work.
View Comments
It's really fascinating that there are people who create tools for other people to create more stuff with these tools. Keep it up, guys(the core makers)!
A one year warranty for the Surecan is not adequate given the moving parts and seals that this product depends upon. A failure of these mechanisms would have potentially catastrophic results in an enclosed space. Also, the price tag of $44 (including shipping) is much too high for a product with a one year life.