TekPicks

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

If have you not seen it already, let us introduce to the hottest thing to hit the level scene maybe evar, yeah that’s right I said evar! The CH Hanson Precision Ball Level. Instead of the traditional bubble system, this new level uses an innovative aviation style ball that we found to be much simpler to read and just as accurate as any other level we have owned.

Because the Precision Ball Level can measure in multiple directions, in addition to it services as a level you can employ it to find plumb or other angles and pitches. So not only is it a sweet conversation piece but it is also one of the most useful multi-tasker you can add to your tool bag.

Link: CH Hanson 50024 24-Inch Precision Ball Level

One of our favorite unsung heroes around the shop is our clipboard collection.  They are great for helping us keep our various project papers neat and organized, plus we always have one with us in the trucks when we head out to a scene for better note taking.  Without them, we probably would not be able to read our own handwriting.  Despite their utility, we have never found ourselves sitting around thinking on how to improve this venerable tool.  Good thing there are companies like OXO out there.

With a one swipe of their design pen, they added a simple but very nice improvement to our friend: a concave edge on at the bottom making balancing it on our bellies much easier.  As an added bonus, the board is also coated with a non-slip surface to help better secure all those papers.  Pretty nifty if you ask us.  Available at Staples.

It should come as no surprising that our fanatical pursuit of a green lawn is one of the least green thing we can do. From rainwater runoff that is full of fertilizers and pesticides to our mowers spewing CO2 into the air the damage is significant. That being said most of us still want the lush green lawn that makes the neighbors “green” with envy.

The new Hustler Zeon Electric mower is a great way to shrink your eco-footprint. It is the world’s first zero turn electric riding mower. It doesn’t skimp on features either. Each charge is good for 80 minutes or about 1 acre with its 42″ mowing deck. Plus its basically silent, which is huge improvement over any other combustion engine model out there. Speaking of which, since the Zeon is powered with electric motors none of the typical maintenance on belts, filters, fluids, plugs, pulleys etc is necessary either.

Grab It: Hustler Zeon Electric Riding Mower

We love innovation, especially when it comes to tools. The Klenk Adjustable Length Nut Driver is just such an example. The shaft extends up to 3 inches just by pushing the button built into the handle. No more busting up your knuckles trying to get at that out of the way nut.

Grab It: Klenk Adjustable Length Nut Driver

Popular Mechanics has just posted a detailed review on 10 of the most popular cordless drills currently on the market. Their pick was the Makita 18V BHP454. The testers selected this drill as one of the best power tool they had ever used. The praise did not stop there. Highlights include: “Some talented engineers designed its high-torque motor and drive­train to squeeze every ounce of performance from the battery. It also exhibits excellent industrial design. For a large and heavy drill, it’s well-balanced and handles easily due to a nicely shaped handle with lots of rubber overmold.”

At over $100 less the Ryobi 18V P203 was the editor’s pick for best value. “This tool punches holes and socks down fasteners with the best of them. We liked almost everything about it, from its stone-simple magnetic bit holder to battery-charger icons that actually make sense. The tool’s relatively low price paired with its performance make it the ultimate home­owner drill.”

Amazon had the best prices we could find for either tool. The Ryobi is available as part of a 4 piece kit that includes 2 batteries, charger, reciprocating saw, circular saw, worklight and carrying case for a very reasonable $299. The Makita kit includes the drill, 2 batteries, handle charger and case for $343. If you don’t need the handle or case you can go with the tool only configuration for $125 and add two batteries and a charger for about another $150, saving about $75.

Grab It: Makita BHP454 18-Volt LXT 1/2-Inch Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammer Drill Kit

With Fall fast approaching we thought it would be smart to feature some of favorite or soon to be favorite yard tools. There are some pretty sweet power tools and gadgets to help you get your yard and house ready for the end of summer. First up, is the star of the recent Popular Mechanics chainsaw round up, the Echo CS-370 16 inch model.

This is the saw the Editors grabbed most often. Praise included: “It speaks well of the sturdy Echo that we turned to it for cutting chores during the test. It’s reasonably fast, easy-starting and quiet, and if you prefer an independent choke, throttle and an old-fashioned toggle On/Off switch, this is your saw.” Even their not so favorite feature the tip guard, proved to have its uses. Add in its mid-range pricing, its no surprise this was a top model.

Grab It: Echo CS-370 16″ Gas Chainsaw

Kreg has upgraded the traditional work bench with its new Steel Stand Combo. This bench has the exclusive Klamp Trak system that allows you to position your Bench Klamp and Klamp Blocks anywhere and everywhere you might need them plus they are removable so you regain a flat work surface when you need it.

In its September issue Popular Mechanics states:

“In our lab tests, it made typically tricky maneuvers (such as installing pocket screws diagonally through two wood blocks) far easier to execute than a typical workbench.”

Grab It: Kreg KKS2000 Klamp Table with Universal Steel Stand

Milwaukee makes some our favorite tools around.  Reliable, functional and reasonably priced.  The 15 AMP Super Sawzall is no exception.  It even took the top prize in a recent Poular Mechanics comparison of top saws by flying through a series of torture tests including the Nail Biter and the PM House sandwich.

Features include Constant Power Technology which maintains constant speed and power under load for unmatched cutting performance, the patented Gear Protecting Clutch extends gear and motor life by absorbing high impact forces caused by sudden blade lock-ups and the patented Counter Balance Mechanism reduces user vibration.

Check it out yourself and let us know what think in the comments.