Handy Tool Guide

Even if you are not a motorcyclist the review of the Brookstone and Warmthru Battery Heated Vests on Web Bike World should be of interest especially if you considering a purchase of this type of wear. 'Both the Brookstone and Warmthru vests have hidden switches; the Brookstone switch is located inside a zippered pocket on the outside of the left chest and the switch on the Warmthru is located in a small Velcro covered pocket inside the right chest area. The Brookstone vest switch controller is a two-part affair and is relatively bulky. It is supposed to control both the heat level and the location of the heat (front or back or both), but the vest doesn't put out enough heat to notice a difference.'

Read: Brookstone and Warmthru Battery Heated Vests - Web Bike World

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An informative article on the maintenance of the battery in your vehicle has been posted over at Jalopnik.com. ‘The battery in a modern automobile is not of very modern technology. Despite promises of atomic cars and everlasting power, the old tech lead-acid battery still rides under many hoods. So-called maintenance-free batteries are really just updated versions of the first automotive lead-acid battery used to kick over a production Cadillac in the year of 1912. While design improvements have of course been made, the automobile battery still requires occasional help. Regular battery inspection and maintenance can make the difference between a five-year battery lasting five years, and a battery that gives up a year or so after purchase on a wicked cold night in a dark far corner of the airport long-term parking lot.’

Read: And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Parts: Battery Maintenance - Jalopnik.com

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The new eCoupled technology which works by transferring energy from one device to another through a shared magnetic field eliminating the use of wires is set to be showcased at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2007) in January. ‘Power cords and chargers have been the bane of consumer devices for years, with bulky cords and cables contributing to office and home clutter and presenting a potential safety hazard. Difficulties in charging devices result in lost business and social opportunities. For manufacturers, cords and chargers are a primary source of product failure and customer complaints. Fulton Innovation is poised to solve all of these problems through its novel eCoupled intelligent wireless power technology.’

Read: eCoupled Intelligent Wireless Power: Press Release Via: Gizmodo

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Toolmonger has posted a review of the handy Leatherman Squirt E4 pocket tool. 'For those of you who haven’t seen a Leatherman Squirt before, you’ll also be pleasantly surprised at how small it is. It’s just shy of 2-1/2″ long (including the key chain loop) and is light enough (at just shy of 2 ounces) to live on a keychain without wearing out your car’s ignition switch over time. Or, to put it in better perspective, it’s not much bigger than a standard auto keyless entry fob. MAKE’s logo is screened on the opposite side of the Leatherman logo, so it looks very natural. '

Read: Hands-On: MAKE’s Warranty Voider - Toolmonger

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The new Uniden Win1200 VoIP phone has been reviewed over on BuzzMeBaby. 'The Win1200 is a cordless VoIP phone with a base station which runs on 5.8GHz wavelength which means it won’t interfere with 802.11b/g home wireless connections. It comes with 15 ringtones, 10 polyphonic ringer melodies and a full-color backlit display. It will alert you of incoming messages, contacts and even email. It features a phonebook, calendar, preset wallpapers, 100 number caller ID, voicemail waiting indicator, battery indicator, speakerphone and a 2.5mm headset plug.'

Read: Uniden WIN1200 Windows Live Phone Review - BuzzMeBaby

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A review of a pair of Warmthru Fingerheater Heated Gloves has been posted over at Web Bike World. ' The gloves come with a separate charger and UK adapter; European or U.S. adapters are available for an extra £6.00 (~$12.00) but you can use adapters found in any electronics store. Simply plug the two wires from the charger directly into the batteries and wait until the red LED light goes out. The Fingerheaters battery heated gloves sell for £118.50, which, at the outrageously ridiculous current exchange rate is nearly $230.00, making them pretty much out of reach for U.S. motorcyclists.'

Read: Battery Heated Gloves - Web Bike World

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Reg hardware have reviewed the iKey Plus portable USB recorder which is designed to record audio directly to any external USB storage device and write it directly to MP3 or WAV format without the need for a computer. ‘Able to record audio in uncompressed WAV format or as MP3s encoded up to 320Kbps, the iKey Plus is the higher specced version of two similar products from iKey-Audio, a division of GCI Technologies. Compared to the standard iKey recorder, the 'Plus' model features additional inputs, a VU meter display and a headphone monitor output. Measuring a compact 13.8 x 8.3 x 2.8cm, the main body is constructed of gloss black plastic and feels sturdy enough in the hand. A full metal construction would have been preferable, but the snazzy aluminium faceplate-cum-battery cover should keep the metal junkies happy. Alongside this is a row of seven multi-function LEDs, as well as the main Record and Select buttons.’

Read: iKey Plus portable USB recorder - Reg hardware

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Little Giant Ladder Systems has expanded its product line to include new professional-grade ladders which are built with double-pass welds and high-impact rung guards. 'Designed for professional contractors and trades people who rely on constant durability, the PRO Series ladder is built tough with double-pass welds and precision components. Black anodization helps protect the ladder from oxidation and keeps hands clean and free from aluminum oxide. The ladders are individually serialized allowing for easier identification and asset tracking.'

Read: Ladders feature industrial-grade design. - Thomas Net

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Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation has announced the Anti-Vibration System (AVS) available on larger hammers will be introduced to two compact models. 'Delivering 2.0 lb-ft of impact energy and up to 5,980 blows/min, 1 in. Compact SDS Rotary Hammer features 7.0 A motor, rotating brush plate to provide equal power in forward and reverse, and all-metal magnesium gear case. Equipped with 7.5 A motor, 1 in. D-Handle Rotary Hammer delivers 2.4 lb-ft of impact energy at 5,900 blows/min. It has 1 in. solid bit drilling capacity in concrete and optimal concrete drilling range of 3/16-¾ in. Both offer 3 modes of operation and tool-free bit changes.'

Read: Milwaukee Introduces New 1" SDS Rotary Hammers - Thomas Net

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A review of the Vise Grip Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper has been posted over at Web Bike World. 'Weighing in at 305g (10.75 oz.) and made entirely (well, almost) of metal, the Vise-Grip stripper definitely feels like something that will still be in your toolbox when the grand-kids collect the inheritance. The tool even has replaceable jaws, which is amazing, because I can't remember the last time I came across a hand tool that wasn't designed with the built-in obsolescence so often found in products today. The only problem is that the tool doesn't come with instructions, believe it or not. Nor could I find any instructions on the Irwin Tools website. Now you wouldn't think that instructions would be required to run a pair of wire strippers, but there are a couple of adjustments on the tool that could benefit by some guidance to the owner.'

Features:
• Self-adjusting stripper strips wire from 10-24 AWG
• Adjustable stopper controls the length of the core strip
• Swivel knob micro-adjusts for gauges smaller than 20 AWG
• Wire crimper crimps 10-22 AWG insulated, 10-22 AWG non-insulated and 7-9mm ignition terminals
• Wire cutter extends versatility
• ProTouch™ grips provide maximum comfort and reduced hand fatigue

Read: Vise Grip Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper - Web Bike World

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The Pocket-sized Fluke LVD2 Volt Light combined voltage detector and LED flashlight is a neat tool for checking the presence of voltage since the device does not have to come into contact with the source. 'The LVD2 Volt Light features dual levels of detection, glowing blue to indicate proximity (within 5 inches) to an AC voltage source, and changing to red when it is at the source (within 1 inch). This enables users to quickly and conveniently check for the presence of AC voltage without the risk of contact with a voltage source. Operating temperature is 0 °C to 50 °C, its ultra-bright LED is good for 100,000 hours of use, and it comes complete with an AAA battery. The Fluke LVD2 Volt Light is available immediately at a US list price of $29.95. For more information on the Fluke LVD2 Volt Light or other Fluke non-contact voltage detectors, visit www.fluke.com, or contact Fluke Corporation, PO Box 9090, Everett, WA USA 98206, call (888) 308-5277, fax (425) 446-5116, or e-mail fluke-info@fluke.com.'

Read: Voltage Detector provides non-contact operation. - Thomas Net

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Toolmonger have posted their review of the iRobot DirtDog garage/workroom sweeper. ‘The iRobot ships in a box that’s not much bigger than the robot itself. For something this futuristic — it’s a robot that cleans for you! — there are few separate parts and there’s little assembly. The ‘Dog ships with its battery, a brick-type power supply for charging, and the same small cleaning tool that comes with the Roomba. It’s kinda difficult to see in pictures, but the ‘Dog is significantly larger than its Roomba brethren. This is in part due to the thoughtful addition of a much larger debris bin; garages and shops get a bit messier than living rooms — or at least they should.’

Read: : The iRobot DirtDog – Toolmonger

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The Philips digital photo frame can hold up to 150 shots at 720 x 480 pixels which you can easily transfer from your digital camera, Mac or PC by inserting a memory card or using a USB connection. 'Like its predecessor, the frame looks a lot like a miniature version of the display on Apple's original iMac flat-panel all-in-one computers, with clear plexiglass around a white border that surrounds the 6.7 x 4.5-inch (8-inch diagonal), high-pixel-density LCD panel. Philips calls the 9FF2M4 a 9-inch frame, but that dimension includes the width of the white border, not simply the width of the LCD. While you couldn't swap out the white border on the 7FF, the 9FF2M4 comes with three extra borders in red, silver, and black that are easy to change (they adhere magnetically). The adjustable--and removable--stand on the back lets you set the frame vertically or horizontally in landscape or portrait orientation. You also get a wall-mounting kit in the box.'

Read: Philips 9FF2M4 digital photo frame - CNET

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Installing Smoke alarms should be done by trained electricians however if your home is already wired you can install the DuPont Screw-In Self-Charging Smoke Alarm simply by attaching the fitting to your ceiling-mounted light socket. The screw-in smoke detector does not require batteries since it has a rechargeable battery which is recharged by keeping the light on for just two hours per week. The battery also powers the smoke detector for up to 30 days in case of a power outage. The DuPont Screw-In Self-Charging Smoke Alarm is available from Target for $29.99.

Target: Product Page Via: Shiny Media

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The SolarPort 4.4 solar charger from Brunton is not cheap, however, it is powerful enough to charge any of the various portable gadgets which may be in your possession. ' SolarPort 4.4 allows you to charge electronics via USB, and its durability is unprecedented. Take advantage our cable-free 12 volt connection in the hinge, and link up to three units together to increase power output. Lightweight but sturdy, our SolarPort 4.4 could mean the difference between a life saving phone call or a dead battery. Use the included BattJack™ Rapid Charger to juice-up your rechargeable batteries away from home.' The SolarPort 4.4 is avaialble on site for $119.

Brunton SolarPort 4.4 Via: Red Ferret Journal

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Metabo Corporation has announced that its ASE 18 cordless reciprocating saw is now available with a lithium-ion battery. 'The ASE 18 is Metabo's latest cordless reciprocating saw, and its "Quick" blade changing system provides for easy, tool-free blade changes. The use of lithium-ion battery technology with this tool, which is ideal for a wide range of carpentry, roofing, and heating and air conditioning applications, is essential because lithium-ion batteries weigh 40 percent less than traditional rechargeable batteries and make the overall tool lighter and easier to use. The tool also features an ergonomically designed handle to reduce operator fatigue and allow closer access to difficult to reach locations.'

Read: Cordless Reciprocating Saw utilizes lithium-ion battery - Thomas Net

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Bosch Power Tools has upgraded two of its small angle grinders with Electronic Kickback Protection technology which "shuts the tool off should the wheel get in a bind situation". 'Bosch Electronic Kickback Protection provides users with enhanced confidence without sacrificing grinding efficiency and productivity. Innovative electronics monitor the tool for a rapid slow down in RPM, for example, a wheel binding in material. In this condition, the electronics would shut the tool off, minimizing the effect of the tool kicking out and back towards the user. Once the user regains control of the grinder, they should inspect the wheel for damage. If none is found, they would simply turn the switch to "off" and then back "on" to return to work.'

Read: Small Angle Grinders feature kickback protection. Thomas Net

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PC Magazine assesses the capacity of the affordable Artec T14A Digital TV Tuner to assist in the acquisition of high definition television programming. ‘While much of the television-viewing public is now getting their television viewing content via cable or satellite providers, good old-fashioned over-the-air broadcasting still exists. In fact, most major networks offer high-definition content over the air (OTA) for free. The problem is that most of us don't have any way of grabbing that content. The Artec T14A Digital TV tuner is among a growing number of small, portable, USB-based HD antennas that fix that.’

Read: Artec T14A Digital TV Tuner – PC Mag

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PC Magazine have reviewed the new portable WorldNav 3100 GPS system. ‘Two significant features differentiate the WorldNav 3100 from similarly priced products in the shirt-pocket GPS category: a text-to-speech function and a large POI (Points of Interest) database. The Premium version, which ships with a 2GB storage card, has 12 million POIs. You can search the database of businesses either by address or by phone number. The Premium version also gives you a choice of either a male or female voice for turn-by-turn directions. The Deluxe version includes more than three million POIs. Unfortunately, the POIs aren't searchable by phone number. Also, this version offers only a female voice. If POIs are important to you, $60 is a small premium to pay to get four times as many POIs and more search options.’

Read: WorldNav 3100 – PC Mag

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Weldcraft has announced that its air-cooled WP-17 TIG torch series now feature Diamond Grip which helps operators maintain secure grip for optimal torch control in all welding positions. 'The addition of the Diamond Grip to the WP-17 torch series is only one of many exciting steps our engineering and product development teams have taken to optimize the quality of our entire TIG torch and accessory product lines" says Mike Sammons, sales and marketing manager, Weldcraft. The ribbed handle remains cool even after prolonged operation. "The Diamond Grip will help operators deliver excellent results on critical or limited-access TIG applications," continues Sammons.'

Read: TIG Welding Torches feature ergonomic grip. Thomas Net

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The Paul N. Gardner Co has launched the new Head-Mounted MaxDetail Glasses which provide 2.1x magnification and can be adjusted so that each eye lens is able to be focused separately. 'Hands-free MaxDetail Glasses offer focusing range of 8-28 in., depending on focusability of eye, and will focus on near objects with working distances of 16 in., making them adaptable to most inspection applications. Hands-free MaxEvent Glasses also offer focusing range of 8-28 in. and will focus on objects from distances of 10 ft to infinity. Both provide individually focusable objective lenses and come with protective, zippered case.'

Read: Hands-Free Head Mounted Glasses - Thomas Net

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An unflattering review of the Keylock Fingerprint and Keypad Lock has been posted over at The Gadgeteer. 'The lock has 3 modes of operation: fingerprint detection, keypad and key. Unfortunately, the instructions are written in fractured English and have statements such as, "When add the same fingerprint randomly for N time, you should also delete the fingerprint for N times all the same". We were able to decipher most of the document and after entering the master password into the keypad, we set up several keypad passwords. These have to be exactly 8 digits and are comprised of the limited 4 digits (0-3) available on the key pad. The * and # characters are used for commands.'

Read: Keylock Biometric Fingerprint Door Lock - The Gadgeteer

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Toolmonger has posted a hands-on review of RIDGID’s Fuego 6-1/2″ compact framing saw. ‘Lets start with the cord and plug. The Fuego has a 15′ power cable, which is significantly longer than the short tail you get with most circ saws. (I suppose they figure you’re going to cut it off on the second day anyway.) Fifteen feet seems just right — long enough that you can actually use the tool without having to drag the extension cord into the air, but still short enough to wrap up cleanly. And RIDGID includes a nice plastic and velcro wrap to keep the cord under control, too.’

Read: RIDGID’s Fuego 6-1/2″ Compact Framing Saw - Toolmonger

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The day may not be far away when you would be able to access your telephone and cable services via you electrical utility company but for now you can still access your land line and internet connection from an elcetrical socket with the assistance of a DECT Wireless Phone Line Extender. ' This product turns ordinary electrical sockets into telephone outlets. It uses DECT technology which means it is digital, works faster and quieter, and is an all round higher specification than the old version. It is suitable for use with a PC, set top box, telephone or fax machine. No extra wiring is required and it is completely portable. Compatible with PC modems. Simply plug in the base unit near to the master telephone socket, a through connector allows connection to the master socket without interrupting the existing phone. The extension unit can then be plugged in anywhere in any room where a mains socket is located to give you an additional telephone socket without having unsightly cables trailing around the house.

Maplin: DECT Wireless Phone Line Extender Via: Red Ferret Journal

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