May 15, 2008
This hybrid water heater from GrandHall combines the best of both worlds with the advantages of both tank and tankless sytems. It provides endless hot water via a turbo heat exchanger but also has a tank to maintain constant water pressure and temperature. Eternal was released last year but now has a thermal remote control.
Photo: Carolyn Blackmar
May 8, 2008
Nothing defines a good paint job so well as a clean sharp edge where walls meet the trim and ceiling. And nothing takes more time than making those edges sharp, a process called cutting in. This work is often done with a brush, or a paint pad with wheels, which in addition to being slow leaves a slightly different texture than paint applied with a roller. The Quic-Key mini roller sleeve takes care of both problems.
MoreMay 8, 2008
An ex of mine used to get mad that I insisted on keeping my bikes in the apartment. It’s not that they were dirty or anything. I think she was just jealous of them. But my racing machines are my prize possessions. One of them I’ve ridden for almost 20 years and in a number of countries; it’s like a trusty old friend. Another put me back some $5,000. If I were to lock them up outside my building at night, how could I possibly trust they’d still be there in the morning?
But I'm still living in a cramped urban dwelling. So I really appreciate space savers like the Dual-Touch Bike Stand from Topeak.
MoreMay 7, 2008
Any hammer can drive a nail with relative ease. Removing that nail can be something of a challenge with most hammers because it's so hard to apply enough leverage on the claw. The Stewart hammer gets around this problem with a small, forged claw on the back of the hammerhead, close to the striking face.
May 7, 2008
The hardest thing about using a drill driver is keeping track of all the various screw bits that you need. That's why Paul Kielland invented the Scruzol, a bit holder that stays with the drill, so your bits are right where you need them. The Scruzol's hex-shank end fits in the drill chuck; the other, strongly magnetized end holds the bit you want to use.
May 7, 2008
We've seen spackling packaged in buckets and tubes and containers that resemble deodorant applicators, and now, in a spray can. Jig-a-Patch makes the filling of cracks and holes in walls and ceilings about as easy as topping a pie with Reddi-Whip.
May 7, 2008
From the first, reciprocating saws have been great for two things—and pretty much only two things— cutting wood and cutting metal. But with the new accessories from Recipro Tools, a recip saw instantly becomes much more versatile. An adapter invented by Scott Paulsen attaches to any reciprocating saw just like any blade. Its other end has a spring-loaded chuck that accepts Recipros hex-shanked accessories. You just pull back the chuck and pop them in.
MoreMay 6, 2008
Inventor and industrial designer Charles Hoffman hit upon a new way to cushion hands and arms from the damaging hammer-head vibrations: turn the handle back on itself so it will flex with each blow. You hold the hooked end, and the hairpin-shaped epoxy-and-fiberglass handle does the rest.
