TekPicks

Filed firmly under you can never own too many screwdrivers…our current favorite is this Klein 10-in-1 model. Bit Includes: No. 2 Phillips with 1/4″ slotted, No. 1 Phillips with 3/16″ slotted, No. 15 Torx with No. 10 Torx, and No. 1 square with No. 2 square. The reversible bit holder also works as 1/4″ and 5/16″ nut driver. The rubber grip is a nice touch as well.

Its time to update our flashlite recommendation. Over the last few years the Inova T4 has emerged as our go to unit for several reasons. First, is durability. The housing is aircraft aluminum the has been hard annondized. We have beat the heck out of it around the shop and in on the job site and they still look new. Next is size. The T4 is impressively small but still comfortable to handle. Finally, we love the LED bulb that can pump out up to 175 lumens for 2 hrs before killing your battery.

The kit comes with a Lith-Ion battery, charging cardle and both AC and DC plugs.

Link:Inova T4-WB 175 Lumen Rechargeable LED Flashlight with Knurled Hard Coat Anodized Aluminum Housing, Black

I have been looking to augment my home theather setup with a Slingbox, but for that to be possible, I will need to add an access point for additional dataport that I will need as I have no intention of taking my xbox offline. I have been looking around for a cheap but faster router for a few days and stumbled on the TRENDnet this morning. It has something the company is calling “green” technology where as the router is smarter enough to know what ports are actually in use, devices are on or based on the the length of the cable run. The reviews are great and the prices are right starting at just $14.99 so if you are in the market be sure to check out the whole line including the wireless-N options.

Link: TRENDnet Green Routers

It is no secret that I have hearted the recent explosion of Lith-Ion powered microtools from manufactures like Bosch and Milwaukee. The good news I am not alone in my admiration of these tools as they have proven to be a retail sucess as well. This means the 2nd generation of these tools are starting to roll of out the factories bringing some much appreciated improvements. The Bosch PS21 is a perfect example that you can no longer judge a power tool by its size.

At first glance, you might be wondering what the heck was Bosch thinking? This looks like a toy! But just see what the guys over at Tool Snob had to say…

“First off, the power out of this little tool is incredible. Not to mention that it’s smaller than the competition. We were stunned when it had no problem sinking a 6″ Timberlok screw into a 2×6. We tried out a few of the other 12-volt drivers we have around (including the older Bosch PS20) and the results were pathetic in comparison, they could hardly even sink the screw half way. We then used the PS21 as our primary tool building a workbench and it had no problem dealing with 3″ screws. Sure, it’s not as fast at a 14.4-volt, but it’s getting there.”

All we can say is WOW!

Link: Bosch PS21-2A 12-Volt Max Pocket Driver

Over the last few months, Milwaukee has introduced a ton of new tools to its M12 Lith-Ion lines establishing itself as the defacto leader in the segment. Highlights include the M-Spector, a cordless camera kit; a 3/8″ Right Angle Driver; the Sub Scanner Detection Tool (location and depth finder that works in concrete, gypsum, PVC and even marble); a PVC Shear Kit and a weather proof radio as well upgrades to their drill/impact drivers. Prices are averaging about $150 per piece on the internet with 2 batteries or less then $100 for a bare tool configuration. We can’t wait to see what the company has in store for us next!

Source: Milwaukee M12 Tools

For the last several years, Milwaukee has produced my favorite bit sets which now includes the new Shockwave line. Shockwave bits are specifically designed to handle high stress and torque applications where an impact driver is needed. By taking the standard drill bit and juicing it up with custom engineered steel that is heat treated and then compression forge, Milwaukee has improved fit, flexibility and shock resistance which means we get a safer more durable bit. Pretty nice.

Link: Milwaukee 48-32-4401 Shockwave Driver Bit Set, 29-Piece

Last year I had a deck added onto my house but opted not to have the contractor add stairs, thinking they were not necessary. I was wrong. So this weekend, I put my DIY skill to use adding two steps on. Around the house I do not do much woodwork, so the only saw I have is an old and cheap Craftsman circular saw that I have had for years. For the size projects I generally tackle it has been fine, unfortunately not so this time out.

I needed to cut a few 45 degree angle where the stairs wrapped around a post and continued to the other side of the deck. For some reason, my Craftsman just did not want to behave. The blade kept flexing, distorting the cut no matter what I tried. Finally I had to go borrow my buddy’s saw to finish. Which lead to this research project, finding an affordable unit that did not compromise on features or performance.

And the winner is…The new Skil HD 5687. It combines properties of both worm-drive and sidewinder saws. It uses a sidewinder motor and housing to keep the weight to a very manageable 10.8 pounds plus the profile and handle style or a worm-drive model, all for less the $90. Sure is it not as sexy as say the Bosch 1677MD , but it has all the power for 60% of the cost.

Link: Skil HD5687-01 20 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw Kit

My love of multi-tasking tools is well documented, with the reciprocating saw right at the top of the list. Several months ago, I featured the Milwaukee Heavy Duty Sawzall as TekPicks choice for an electric saw. Not to say that I can influence the choices of the Popular Mechanics editors, but in the September issue, they agree with my choice. From price to power the saw impressed testers, leaving no complaints. Highlights include a spring loaded chuck that makes blade changes a snap. If you are in the market for a new saw, this is the guy to get.

Link: Milwaukee 6538-21 15.0 Amp Super Sawzall Recip Saw

Source: Popular Mechanics

I spend a good portion of each day researching various topics and products on the internet for both TekPicks articles and my real life job. One of the best tools I have found for aiding me in these endeavors was the now defunct Google Notebook. No bells and or whistles, it was just a simple way to help me organize and tag URL links for later reference. The nifty Firefox plug in made life easy. The problem is or rather was, Google decided to stop development on Notebook several months back, meaning that with the next major release of Firefox (i.e. 3.5 a few weeks ago) the product would be dead. The good news, Evernote is everything Google Notebook was and more.

There are 4 ways to access the application: web, mobile device, Firefox plug in or the desktop app. All the same basic features I loved in Notebook are still there, but pumped up. You can create multiple notebooks and synchronize them across all the platforms. The filter and tag functionality has been expanded making searching for a particular note quick and painless. You can also save searches and even tag and upload photos from your mobile phone. The best part for me was the ability to directly import all of my existing Google Notebooks in just a few minutes.

Evernote comes in both a free and premium additions so start with the freebie and only upgrade if you need to upload 40 MB or more per month.

Link: Evernote

UPS just dropped off a box full of power tool goodness in the form of the Bosch 18-volt 1/2-inch Compact-Tough Litheon Drill/Driver. No time for a full review tonight but so far my initial impression is very positive.

It is extremely lightweight especially compared to my old NiCad Craftsman it is replacing. I also really like the handle. It is quite comfortable even for my small hands. Small not girlish thank you. More later once I have had a chance to fully check it out.

Link Bosch 36618-02 18-volt 1/2-inch Compact-Tough Litheon Drill/Driver with 2 Slim Batteries