TOOL TUNES
The Black & Decker’s FireStorm cordless 18-volt drill and radio charger is not the first on the market, but it’s the newest one and just a bit different from the rest.
First, it comes with a drill/driver that, when not in use, sits in a docking station on the radio/charger. The drill has an electronic level that illuminates at 90 degrees.
The AM-FM radio has an accessory drawer on either side that holds extra drill bits, nails and screws.
It comes with two 18-volt batteries. When you aren’t near a power source, you can use one battery to operate the drill and the other for the radio.
$109.99, www.blackanddecker.com.
NEW TWISTS
Stanley Tool’s ZAG folding workbench is offered with a new feature: a storage bag for tools.
The bag has 13 different kinds of pockets, straps and pouches. It attaches to the bottom half of the unit, so the tools are easily accessible while you work.
The workbench surface has a molded ruler, a built-in storage compartment for two adjustable vise clamps that come with the bench, a drill holder and a fastener organizer. A shelf underneath can hold more tools.
$40, www.stanleyworks.com.
HORSE, OF COURSE
Stanley introduced an adjustable sawhorse a couple of years back but has decided to go one better with a sawhorse that has telescoping metal legs.
The ZAG sawhorse is made of metal and resin and can hold up to 2,900 pounds per pair.
$30 each, www.stanleyworks.com.
BEAM ME UP
Strait-Line tools has just introduced a measuring device that employs a laser rather than tape to determine lengths.
Simply point the device and push the read button. A laser beam pinpoints the surface to be measured and calculates the distance.
The laser tape measures distances from 2 feet to 50 feet quickly .
You can calculate area and volume, convert feet to meters, read measurements and add a measurement to memory or recall it.
$59, www.strait-line.com.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and alBerto Trevino (atrevino@tribune.com)
