The tools for relaxation

After a successful project or a hard day on the jobsite, nothing could be better than cracking a cold one. Well, Klein Tools was thinking that way too when they came out with their screwdriver handle bottle opener.


If your drinking is happening around the grill while you sizzle a steak, brat or burger, then the BBQ Tool Set will also be a welcome addition to your tool collection. Constructed with the same cushion grip screwdriver handles as the bottle opener, it's a one of a kind way to combine your hobbies.

Summer is coming - get your wooden patio ready!

Summer is here and it's time to put that wood patio deck project on speed dial. If you haven't already started, the time is right to begin planning.

You'll certainly need the right tools. A nailer for hidden decking fasteners is one that I'd recommend. You won't have to worry about nails pulling up, and it will look very clean and hold better than standard nails.

The best holding power, although not as nice looking, is from screws. Auto-feed screwguns make that a whole lot easier. Of course, lag bolts will need a socket set and joist hangers could use a joist nailer as well, but what's most important is enjoying your patio.

Once you're lounging and feeling that summer sun, you might want to get a patio umbrella. That will make all the hard work of putting it together in the first place so much more rewarding.

Forged vs Milled Phillips Bits - Irwin Torsion Bits

Phillips bits are just a + shaped piece of metal, right? What's the big deal how they get that plus shape? After all, they all just wear out eventually.

Irwin didn't think that was the case. They thought the manufacturing process mattered, and they came out with new bits, named torsion bits, late last year that were designed to be different. They're forged instead of milled.

But what's the big deal?

When phillips bits are milled, they generally get produced with almost a "Scooping" motion. This leads to slightly rounded sides on the four pieces of metal, and the screws only touch at the tip of the bit. By forging the bits, they not only get a precise fit into the screws, but the bit lasts longer due to the decreased slipping and higher strength.

Irwin didn't shop there, though. They also tumble all of the bits to make them shiny, then paint a blue band around them to really make them stand out as being unique. In fact, more users liked the blue band than anything in field tests.

What makes them a real value though isn't just that they last longer, but they only have a marginal premium on the price. I'm using them right now at home and really like them, so I'll keep on buying them. Not that a bit wears out all that often for home use, but I can actually feel the difference in the fit inside the screw, and feel makes a difference to me. I'd recommend the Irwin Torsion Bits to anyone that's using phillips bits on a regular basis.

Makita TD020DSEW 7.2V Li-Ion Impact

When Makita decided to come out with a 7.2V Li-Ion impact, I was expecting a smallish drill looking device with half as much power as their 14.4V model. What they came out with instead looks more like a cordless screwdriver with 177 in. lbs. of torque.

While this isn't going to be anywhere near 1/2 of the 14.4V in terms of power (1240 in. lbs.), the size and usability of this device makes it incredibly attractive in place of a screwdriver. It also costs considerably less. In fact, it's about 1/3 the price of a 14.4V LXT impact.

While the 14.4V impressed me at 3.1 lbs, this 7.2V model is amazingly light at just over 1 pound. It's listed at 1.17 lbs with battery, so the weight shouldn't be an issue regardless of use. It also has an LED light for dimly lit work areas and comes with a second battery. With 2 batteries and a 30 minute charge time, it makes for some serious usefulness.

I'm thinking about picking one up for computer desks and other ready-to-assemble furniture. That seems like a great use for the Makita TD020DSEW to me.

Sabertooth Tools - High Torque Screwdriver

As an employee at a large online tool retailer, I get to see many odd tools get pitched to us. One of the more interesting ones that I was recently contacted about is a high torque screwdriver. While it's not earth-shattering, it's certainly interesting.

As you can see, there is a simple flip-out "T" handle. This allows for a larger area to grip, which results in more torque. But the toys don't stop there. You see, this thing is available as a standard screwdriver or a racheting model. Stubborn screws can come out easily AND at record pace. Very nice.

While I won't be ditching my Makita cordless drill any time soon for this, I can certainly see keeping one of these in the glove box or in the drawer for those times when I need a little more leverage without all the power of my drill/driver.

I'm looking for any comments based on experience with these - are they as nice as they look? If you don't want your comment published, just say so and I'll keep it off of the blog. But this certainly looks cool and I'd love to hear from anyone that's used one.

Flexible power - the Bosch I-Driver

Every once in a while, a new tool comes along that just says, "Why hasn't anyone done this before?" Well, in 2006 that tool is the Bosch I-Driver.

Being flexible in the past has meant bending behind the motor, such as some of the Milwaukee cordless screwdrivers. They would bend at about the middle of the tool, making for something more usable in tight spaces. But the I-Driver goes well beyond that. By using some fancy gearing, they made it only move the actual bit end of the tool. This makes for a great many uses where a traditional cordless screwdriver just wouldn't do.

But Bosch didn't stop there. Instead, they added in a few features that power tools aren't used to seeing. For example, they added an electronic clutch. The traditional mechanical clutch clicks when the screw is tight. This one simply stops the motor. It was a bit weird feeling the first few times it engaged, but I got used to it after a few times.

Also new to me is the soft start mechanism. My first reaction when pulling the trigger was the feeling that the battery was dead. It's not normal with most cordless tools to pull the trigger and have it go slow unless the battery needs charging, so that's what I thought was happening. However, it was not only fully charged, but the soft start mechanism can actually allow it to drive more screws per charge than the pocket driver. The reason is that you're able to pull the trigger full and let it drive the screw without having any struggle starting the screw without the bit slipping. Slipping when trying to start a screw really shortens useful battery life, so this minor improvement is actually a very big deal.

Finally, since it is a Li-Ion tool and has Bosch engineering behind it, you've got enough life to drive 100 screws and the quality to last a long time. This is one tool that's very high up on my list of toys to purchase, especially since the pricetag is pretty attractive. Any time a professional tool is under $150, it's got to end up on my wishlist somewhere.

Twist-Lok Round 2

Lynn gave me a call again today (he finally read this post), and he is sending me some samples so I can see how it holds up to some abuse. He said that he had personally tested it through 12ga sheet metal using a #14 hex bit and the unit held up. If that's the case, it should handle anything I throw at it just fine.

As for the materials, he said that they used hardened steel pins, then threw buzzwords like "6061 Aluminum" and "T6 Hardening" at me. Ok, so it should be tough.

He also told me that he used to build gas stations... er... assemble seems more appropriate now that I think about it. That involves driving a lot of screws through sheet metal and steel, and he said that this tool is designed for that type of abuse. That seems like an interesting strength test to me.

Well, he's going to have some samples sent over and we're going to give them to a few of our customers to really give a test (after we abuse them a bit). He's also having one of their people contact one of our guys to see about carrying them here. It should be interesting, and I'm fairly excited to see how well it holds up for my tests.

Twist-Lok - An interesting twist on a rapid load setup.

I got a call today from Lynn Bauman, Inventor of the Twist-Lok. He had read some of my blog and said he and his engineers agreed with a lot of what I had said, especially about the Dual Drill. First off, it was neat that he gave me a call after reading some of my posts and I thank him for the recognition (and a topic to write about). Secondly, his product actually looks cool. (Clicking the picture below will open a much clearer version.)

Twist-Lok Strengths

As I see it, the Twist-Lok has several strengths. I'll list a few below.

1) It works with any bit. You don't need to buy those funny "Rapid-Load" style bits.

2) No inline gears, which means that the power of your drill is passed through to the bits (unlike the Dual Drill.)

3) Quick. You don't even need to pull a bit out to change from drilling to screwdriving.

4) Long, narrow nose. At first glance, it seemed awkward. After thinking about where screws normally get installed, a chuck is in the way a lot of times so that long nose would actually be helpful.

5) Inexpensive. Notice I didn't say cheap. ;-) It's not as inexpensive as a rapid-load kit, but it is still very reasonable.

Twist-Lok Concerns

There are a few things which still concern me about this setup, but nothing like that other one I wrote about. (I know, I need to quit referencing it.)

1) Trueness of drive. If I put that long screwdriving shaft on the end of my drill and pull the trigger, how much wobble will there be at the bit?

2) Length of bit. Ok, so that's not normally an issue when driving drywall screws, which is what most pilot holes are likely for. But they did show a lag bolt on a deck being installed, which will take a much larger bit and those are usually longer.

3) Materials. Sure, driving most screws won't be something you've got to worry about twisting the shaft with, but being hollow and that length makes me wonder what it's made out of that can take some abuse.

The True Test

The true test for me will be when we get them in. Yes, our branch manager was interested in carrying them. (Hint: Lynn, get me some info.) As an industrial supplier, we're positioned to have them evaluated on some heavy-duty jobs in a very short amount of time. Once we have a few of these in use, I'll report back with how people like them. Until then, you'll just have to wonder and do some research yourself.

Rapid-Load Bit Set with Screwdriver

For the next 2 weeks, we're featuring a DeWALT 30 piece rapid-load set with a bonus screwdriver for just $14.99. I got one of these for my father and my father-in-law for Christmas this past year and they both love it.

What's Included?
There are 13 of the most common screwdriver bits, 5 of the longer "Rapid Load" screwdriver bits, 1/4" and 3/8" socket adapters, the rapid load holder, a magnetic drive guide, 6 rapid load drill bits, a carrying case and a 7-in-1 screwdriver.

What is Rapid-Load?
Rapid-load bits lock into the holder and change quickly with just a tug. The key is that there is a notch at the end of the bit which is held on to by the holder. To release, you just pull the outer ring of the rapid-load holder and the bit is released. Do the reverse to quickly install a new bit. I've got a few and feel lost when I don't have one handy now. I also keep most of the commonly used bits on my drill with a bit band so I don't have to search for them.

A Screwdriver?
Yeah, it isn't really used with all of the bits included in this kit (well, it could be, although drill bits are a bit tough to use with a manual screwdriver handle), but it's still a cool addition. It's got several bits and a switchable holder so you can keep phillips and slotted on the screwdriver at all times. In fact, since the bits reverse as well, you're essentially keeping 2 sizes of each type with you. There are also a few nutsetters included on the ends of the bit holder and one on the handle itself. I normally keep a screwdriver like this in my trunk just in case I need one.

Once again, also available with parts
We're also making this one available with parts - just click here for the kit, then add your parts to your shopping cart as you would normally. You can always call and place your order via the phone if you'd prefer as well. We're not picky.