Bill Farrell has been in the hardware business for 30 years, but he says he still loves browsing in hardware stores. He calls them the adult equivalent of a candy store. ”I invariably buy something that I didn`t even know existed,” he says. ”You can`t keep up with the introduction of new products.”
Farrell, president of the American Hardware Manufacturers Association, says the economic downturn hasn`t prevented manufacturers from launching new products this year. ”We like to think that we are not recession-proof, but recession-resistant,” he explains. ”When consumer spending is reduced to a trickle, people who own homes still have to protect their investment and when people can`t afford to move to a bigger, better home, they decide to fix up the one they have.”
Farrell estimates that several thousand new products for do-it-yourselfers were launched at the National Hardware Show this month at McCormick Place, where members of the trade chose items to sell in their stores. Many of them are ingenious products that people buy on impulse. ”They are small items that are just as handy as anything,” says Farrell, ”and when you see them you say to yourself `Gee, why didn`t I think of that ?` ”
Other new products continue trends seen over the last few years: enhanced versions of familiar products such as the cordless drill, which is now lighter in weight and has longer lasting battery power; improved electronic home security devices; and a growing number of environmentally friendly products. The spirit of ecological sensitivity has also affected packaging, which is more and more often made of recycled materials. Packages are also becoming more user-friendly. Says Farrell, ”They have extremely vivid installation instructions and illustrations that say `you can really do this.` ”
While the products described below were introduced at the National Hardware Show, they should already be available in stores. You can contact the manufacturers listed for help in finding a retailer in your area who carries a specific product. The prices given are suggested retail prices.
Mice on a one-way street
To cope with your mice problems, Pied Piper is launching Mice Cube, which it calls ”ecologically correct.” This mousetrap in the shape of a rectagular box has a one-way door that pushes in, but not out. Air holes in the door allow the scent of the bait to escape, but when the mouse is enticed to enter the cube, it is trapped. The Mice Cube eliminates the need for toxic poisons, and those anxious to protect all wildlife can release the trapped mouse out of doors. To kill the mouse, however, the trap can be set down so the air holes blocked, thus suffocating the critter. Price: $1.99. 50 Stiles Rd., Salem, N.H. 03079. Phone: 603-898-8925.
Security coach lights
Homeowners can add an element of safety and security to their entranceway without sacrificing aesthetics, by installing one of the new series of Reflex coach lights introduced by Heath Zenith. The 11 models, each equipped with motor sensors that turn lights on and off automatically when someone approaches, offer a choice of decorative styles in finishes that include black or white, polished or antique brass. Some models offer the possibility of selecting the length of time the light remains on after the motion has stopped. All the lights are pre-wired for easy installation. Price: $22.97 to $43.97. Heath Zenith Reflex Brand Group, 455 Riverview Dr., P.O. Box 1288, Benton Harbor, Mich. 49023-1288. Phone: 616-925-6000.
Measuring electronically
High-tech makes the job of measuring easier and more accurate with the SONIN 45 Electronic Measuring Tool, designed for the do-it-yourselfer. It takes measurements up to 45 feet in length and can add and multiply distances to calculate total linear footage as well as square and cubic footage. The tool can also convert feet and inches into meters and centimeters. Price:
$39.99. SONIN Inc., 672 White Plains Rd., Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583. Phone:
800-223-7511.
No crooked pictures
Getting pictures to hang straight is a cinch now with Easy Hang. This piece of plastic, about the size of a ruler, has a level embedded in it and a series of holes at regular intervals. When Easy Hang is held against the wall and the bubble in the level reaches the center, you can either use the holes to mark the place where the nails should be or drive the nails directly through them. Price: $2.99. Worthington Integrated Technology Inc., P.O. Box 56646, Riverside, Calif. 92517. Phone: 714-780-3455.
Goodbye to squeaks
To get rid of those annoying noises in the floorboards, E & E Engineering has created Squeakender. It has two major parts: a square anchor plate with a carriage bolt that is screwed under the floor near the joist where the floor squeaks and a joist bracket. The two are joined together and tightened so the floor is pulled securely to the joist, thus eliminating the squeaking. Price: $6.99. E & E Special Products, 33901 Riviera, Fraser, Mich. 48026. Phone:
800-323-0982.
Tub refinishing
Tough as Tile is designed to take the high cost out of refinishing worn bathtubs and sinks, countertops and tiles. It is packaged with two cans that are mixed together to create an epoxy enamel that is applied in two coats to create a tough, stain-resistant surface. It can be applied to most surfaces, including tile, porcelain, Formica, wood, metal, concrete, vitreous china and all forms of hard plastic. Price: $17.95 per quart. Rhodes American, 2825 W. 31st St., Chicago, Ill. 60623. Phone: 312-247-6000.
A primer on paint
Ed Dwigans Private Stock paints, manufactured by United Coatings Inc., are designed for people who don`t know the first thing about painting. The products, which include primer and stains and paints for inside and outdoors, are labeled with easy-to-understand descriptions of where and how to use them. The colors, including ones that kids will like and high fashion ones for adults, have meaningful names such as medium light blue. Free brochures include ”Ed`s Guide to Just What the Heck is the Difference Between All These Paints” and others describing such topics as how to turn junk into treasures and how to figure out how much paint you need. Price: $13.99 to $16.99. United Coatings Inc., 980 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1120, Chicago, Ill. 60611. Phone:
800-621-1000.
Hang it up
Hinge-It, which installs on the hinges of a door, gives rooms an extra place to hang clothes or towels. The Birch Multihanger model has a varnished natural finish and 16-inch bars that can be used to hold towels or be cut down to be used as hooks to hang clothes. The multicolor clothes tree called Kids Hinge-It comes in red, white, green, yellow and blue and the hooks are low enough to be within the reach of children. Since Hinge-It is installed directly on the door hinges, it leaves no holes or marks. Price: $29.95. Hinge-It Corp., 3999 Millersville Rd., Indianapolis, Ind. 46205. Phone:
800-284-4643.
The Garden Table
The new Garden Table from Plastics Research can help with end-of-the-summer cleanup and repotting, or serve as a decorative place to set out fall flowers. And, it can be set up in the garage to store gardening materials through the winter. The table, with a grid top and a solid surface shelf, is made of molded lightweight plastic that is resistant to fungus. It is available in green or taupe. Price: $129.95. Plastics Research Corp., Horticultural Products Division, P.O. Box 70, Fenton, Mich. 48430. Phone:
313-629-1595.
