Socket sets: good.  Hauling around a bunch of parts: bad.  The Racheting ReadyWrench from Black & Decker combined 16 of the most popular standard (SAE) and metric (MM) socket sizes into a single wrench.  Just spin the rotating head to the socket size you want and ratchet away!  $35.

Filed in categories: Home Tech, News

Tagged: Tool

Racheting ReadyWrench Combines 16 Socket Sizes originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm.

The MyArk Ti-6Al-4V Alligator Wrench is a key ring multi-tool made from Ti-6Al-4V, which is an alpha-beta titanium alloy with medium to high strength. The tool features a bottle opener, a ratchet wrench for nut sizes from 3/8”- 3/16” on one end and metric 10mm- 4mm on the opposite end (perfect for car battery terminal nuts) and a built in PK and flat head screw driver. It’s available now for $49.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tool

An Alligator for your Keyring originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 24, 2010 at 1:31 pm.

The Key Tool and Shackle Set from I want one of those is a small tool kit that fits over a standard sized key. It is constructed of stainless steel and offers 8 different tools including three screwdrivers (small, medium and large), a file, bottle cap lifter, nail cleaner, tweezers and a wire cutter. Price – £9.99. Also available through Vat19.com for $7.95

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tool

Another keychain tool – You know you want one originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 14, 2010 at 11:00 am.

I’m starting to become an ECD (Every Day Carry) enthusiast.  While tons of items fit into this category, one that caught my eye is the Piranha from PocketToolX, which specializes in what I call keychain multitools.  It’s a single-piece, stainless steel, multi-purpose pocket tool with a built-in neoprene bit holder that secures up to 1.5″ long bits, such as the included double-ended Phillips/flathead.  Tighten screws, loosen bolts, pry things open and pop the tops on your favorite BEvERages.  And since you’ll barely notice this 1.9 oz, super-slim multi tool in your pocket, it’s perfect for everyday carry.  $49.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: EDC, Keychain, Tool

PocketToolX Piranha packs a lot into a keyring tool originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 14, 2010 at 10:59 pm.

You’ve no doubt heard of skeleton keys. They were keys from many years ago that were made to open any lock regardless of the make or model. The TAD Gear Skeleton Key won’t open any lock, but it does have a skeleton engraved on it. It’s a titanium keychain tool that has a built in bottle cap lifter, flat screw driver tip, and a nail pry bar / puller. There are two versions of this key. One with a spanner wrench tip for strider folders (pocket knives) and one with an e-key to open electronic cover panels. It’s expensive at $100, but it might make a nice gift for the EDC fan on your Christmas list.

[Via The Awesomer]

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tool

Modern version of the skeleton key from TAD Gear originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 6, 2009 at 10:55 am.

The Zilla-Tool is a 6-1/2″ long multi-tool that doesn’t require you to unfold it in order to use the pliers or knife blade. The Zilla focuses on the three main uses for a multi-tool: pliers, knife and screwdriver. It has tapered needle nose pliers, 3″ knife blade with combo serrated edge, wire cutter and stripper, flat and Phillips bits, plus a bottle opener. The body is drilled to reduce weight, and the liner-lock allows easy knife blade closing.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Knife, Spotlight Gadgets, Tool

Easier one handed multi-tool – Zilla originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 16, 2009 at 10:28 am.

I keep a multi-tool in the glove box of my vehicle, one in the tool drawer of Gadgeteer HQ and another in the junk drawer in my kitchen. Why so many multi-tools? Because they provide several functions in one handy package, that would otherwise take up a lot more space. Today I want to show you the Coast C5795 11 Function Multi-Tool Deluxe that was sent to me by LightsandKnives.com.

The C5795 is an 11 function multi-tool that is made of 440C stainless steel, has 4 snap out tools and 2 fold out blades.

A very nice rigid canvas belt case with a Velcro flap is included with the tool.

When fully opened, the C5795 is six inches long. The handles are spring loaded and will automatically spring out as you see here.

When folded closed, the multi-tool is 4 long by 1.375 wide.

The thickness of the C5795 is 1 inch, which is pretty thick for a tool that you need to grasp in your hand in order to use it. Comparing it with two of my favorite mulit-tools, the Gerber MP800 and the SOG S63 EOD PowerLock, it definitely felt less comfortable gripped in my hand.

This tool does have plastic grips, but they aren’t soft and the edges aren’t rounded enough to be comfortable in hand. I have soft girly hands, so I may just be a wimp, but I would guess that even someone with callused hands would not find the grips on this tool to be optimal after several minutes of use.

Let’s take a look at the 11 functions that the C5795 provides.

There is a one hand accessible blade housed in each grip that can be extended without unfolding the tool. A small knob at the base of each blade can be swiveled out with your thumb.

When fully extended, the blade will lock in place.

To fold the blade back into the handle, you have to depress the latch, which is located at the base of the blade. You can see it in the image above, it’s sorta popped up.

Here we see the two blades – a knife with a serrated section, and a saw blade. The other tools that are housed in the grips include a small pair of scissors, flat screwdriver tip, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver tip and a small flathead screw driver. Of course there’s also a set of needle nose pliers, with built in wire cutters.

The C5795 is ruggedly constructed and feels like it could stand up to some significant abuse. The blades and tools feel sturdy as well.

Because of the uncomfortable hand grips, the C5795 11 Function Multi-Tool from Coast isn’t going join the list of my favorite multi-tools anytime soon. But with a price tag of $29.00, and a decent selection of basic tools, I can’t get too down on it.

Price: $29.00

Pros:
Price
Knife and saw blade accessible even when tool is folded

Cons:
Grip thickness makes the tool uncomfortable in hand

Filed in categories: Gear

Tagged: Multi-tool, Tool

Coast C5795 11 Function Multi-Tool Deluxe Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 19, 2008 at 3:05 pm.

If you’re interested in saving money and energy, Black & Decker’s new Power Monitor device is a viable solution. It is an easy to use device that allows you to wireless monitor your whole house energy usage.

This device takes the Kill-A-Watt electric usage monitor product idea a step farther, to give you information about your total power usage. The Kill-A-Watt is perfect for checking the power consumption of individual appliances that plug into a wall socket. But, it can’t give you information about your dishwasher, furnace or air conditioner. The Black & Decker Power Monitor can show you real time usage and charges.

Hardware Specifications

Frequency: 433.92MHz
Update Rate: Approximately every 30 seconds
Range: Up to 60ft through a single external wall
Temperature range for outdoor sensor: -40F to 140F
Minimum power measurement: 300W
Power resolution: 100W

Package Contents

Digital display
Wireless sensor
Rubber shim
Instructions

I’ll admit, when I was first approached to review this device, I thought it was exactly like the Kill-A-Watt product, but from Black & Decker. I agreed to do a review because my review of the Kill-A-Watt EZ continues to be one of the most read reviews on The Gadgeteer. I figured a similar product might be popular too. Then when the product showed up on my door step and I realized it wasn’t quite the same thing at all, which made me even more excited…

The Power Monitor has two main components. A digital display and a wireless sensor. The always on digital display runs on 2 AA batteries (not included) and continuously displays your $ per hour usage, total usage, temperature and time of day. The display can sit on a table or be hung on the wall.

The second component of the power monitor is the wireless sensor. It also runs on 2 AA batteries which are not included. It is made of plastic, with an adjustable metal loop. What do you do with the sensor? You attach it to your outdoor power meter.

At first, I was a little worried that I would have to do some wiring to connect the wireless sensor to my meter. Not to worry though, no wiring is necessary.

In the image above, you see my power meter (wow, I should have wiped off the cobwebs huh?). It’s an electromechanical style of meter. The Power Monitor will also work with electronic meters with an optical port on the face or top.

Installation is super easy and quick. All you have to do is to load 2 AA batteries into the sensor and then slip the metal ring around the meter. Line up the arm on the sensor with the revolving disk and tighten the the screw, which snugs the metal loop around the meter dome.

Then, you just press the reset switch on the front of the sensor so that it will start reading the spinning disc.

The second part of the setup involves plugging the right data into the Power Monitor’s digital display. You’ll need to know if your electric company charges you on a flat rate, tiered rate or a time-of-use rate system. In my area, we have Duke Energy. Staring at my online bill didn’t help me figure out what my kWh rate was. I was confused by the fact that every month, the rate appeared to change slightly. I ended up calling customer service, which turned out to be a good move, because I learned some important facts – at least about Duke Energy.

A flat rate system charges you a set fee per kWh used. In my area, we have a tiered rate system which works like this:

Tier 1 – The first 300 kWhs used are charged at 0.092945
Tier 2 – The next 700 kWhs used are charged at 0.054178
Tier 3 – Remaining kWhs used are charged at 0.044464

Depending on where you live, you might have a time-of-use rate system (TOU). That system will charge a different fee per kWh based on the time of day.

One thing I learned by calling Duke Energy is that there are other fees that make up your bill besides just your power usage. For Duke, there are 9 different riders with fees like: pollution control, emission control, fuel adjustment, clean coal adjustment, etc. These riders fluctuate month to month. We also have a $9.40/mo. fee that we have to pay just for the privilege of having electricity. All these little fees remind me of my land line and cell phone bills… But the information to be gleaned here, is that the Black & Decker Power Monitor will not be able to give you your exact billing amount each month to the penny. It can only tell you your power usage charges.

Once you have set up the display with the rate information for your area, you’ll immediately begin seeing various information such as the temperature (from the wireless sensor outside) and the time of day. It will also show you your cost per hour and total accumulated cost. If you click the Total / est button, it will toggle between the accumulated cost and estimated monthly cost. If you click the $ / kW button, it will toggle between displaying cost per hour and kWhs used per hour.

Another great feature of the Power Monitor is that it can also show you how much your major appliances are contributing to your bill. To see that info, you use the Tare button. First make sure all your other main appliances like your refrigerator compressor, sub pump and air conditioner aren’t running. Press the Tare button and then turn on the appliance that you want to measure. In a few seconds, cost and kWh information about that device will begin displaying.

I like this product, but I do see a couple of problem with it. The Power Monitor doesn’t take into consideration the start and end dates for your monthly bill. The power monitor isn’t going to be able to give you very accurate information if you don’t reset the accumulated data on the right day of the month. If you’re using a tiered or time of use system, it might give you inaccurate results when you are gathering data based on Tier 1 costs, when you’re really already in Tier 2 or 3. For that fact, this product is best used as a measurement device that can help you learn your own power usage trends. The Black & Decker Power Monitor is a great tool to use to keep an eye on your power usage habits. By seeing how much energy an appliance is using or your total usage, it can help you change your habits to save both money and energy.

Filed in categories: Home Tech

Tagged: Tool

Black & Decker Power Monitor Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 21, 2008 at 3:00 pm.

I enjoy carrying stuff in my pocket or gear bag to take care of everyday annoyances or that can be useful in emergencies- the ‘Be Prepared’ Boy Scout in me. Thanks to a link on The Gadgeteer, I have discovered EDC Forums, a place dedicated to talking about the stuff you usually have with you- they call them ‘Every Day Carry’.

One thing I enjoy carrying is a multi-purpose tool with a knife blade. I really like the Victorinox Midnight Manager pocketknife with the small scissors, Phillip’s screwdriver blade, pen and small LED light, but the $20 tool keeps ending up in the wash or getting lost (as does my beloved Fisher Bullet Pen). Besides, the Midnight Manager is kind of thick and just a tad flimsy for many of my purposes.

I’ve used the Swiss-Tech Utili-Key for a couple of years on and off, and was turned onto the Gerber Artifact by people at the EDC Forum. When I found an Artifact at Target for under $10, I could not resist getting one to try it for myself.

SIZE COMPARISON-

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alt="Pocket Tool 02"/>
alt="Pocket Tool 03"/>

[Size Comparisons]
The Utili-Key is the silver one.
Overall length of the folded tools: Utili-Key- 2.75″. Artifact- 3.5″
The Artifact is the bigger, heavier, STRONGER tool

BLADE COMPARISON-

alt="Pocket Tool 04"/>
alt="Pocket Tool 05"/>

[Blade Comparisons]
The Utili-Key offers a plain and serrated blade section, the Artifact uses a replaceable Xacto #11 blade.
The second photo shows a cut in some nylon cord. The Utili-Key took about 3 tries and made a rather ragged cut, while the Artifact made a clean cut the first time. (Disclaimer- I have used the Utili-Key a lot without resharpening, and the Artifact has a new blade in it, but an Xacto blade will generally outcut a typical blade.)

While the Utili-Key blade works fine in most cutting situations, and can be resharpened, the Artifact has a definite edge in sharpness- but the replaceable blade is also thinner than the Utili-Key blade, which can be a problem sometimes. Another interesting bit is that the dang super-sharp Xacto blade keeps cutting me at annoying times (Suggestion- watch your fingers as you open or close this blade!)

SCREWDRIVER COMPARISON-

alt="Pocket Tool 06"/>
alt="Pocket Tool 07"/>

[Screwdriver Comparisons]
Phillips: The Utili-Key is a bit smaller than a typical #1 Phillips tip, while the Artifact is a bit smaller than a #2 Phillips.
Slotted: Both Utili-Key slotted drivers are smaller and thinner than the Artifacts. None of them are especially well positioned for many tasks.]

OTHER FEATURES-

alt="Pocket Tool 08"/>
alt="Pocket Tool 10"/>
alt="Pocket Tool 09"/>
alt="Pocket Tool 11"/>

[Other Features]
- Both tools offer a cap lifter, and both work fine on typical caps
- Both tools have a wire stripper- between the cap lifter and serrated blade in the Utili-Key, between the slotted bits on the Artifact.
- The Utili-Key does offer a serrated knife, while the Artifact’s blade is removeable.
- The Artifact offers a pry bar and the utili-Key can open at right angles for more leverage on the Phillip’s tip.
- The Artifact has a lanyard loop, and the Utili-Key can close itself over a cord or keyring

SUMMARY-

While both tools are similar in many ways, including price, and the Artifact wins for toughness and the blade… I think I am going to stick with the Utili-Key for my Every Day Carry tool- it is smaller and lighter and does what I need a quickly available tool to do. Plus, its size and weight means I am more likely to leave it on my keychain so I am more likely to have it when I need it AND less likely to send it through the wash.

Filed in categories: Gear

Tagged: Tool

Gerber Artifact vs. Swiss-Tech Utili-Key Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 19, 2008 at 8:00 am.

Here’s my quick look video review of the Tool-Light.

Features

3 tweezer tools: needle tip, chisel tip and gripper tip
LED flashlight with 3 additional sets of batteries

Video Notes

At this point, the Tool-Light is so new that it isn’t posted on their website yet.

Orders can be placed over the phone by calling (818)255-1482 x 105 Attn: Ani.Or, customers can send an email to info@tweezlight.com and they can take email orders as long as you provide your name/phone # and email address for them to get back to you. The Price is $19.95 + $6.95 S/h.

Filed in categories: Gear, Home Tech, Video Reviews

Tagged: Tool

Video Quick Look at the Tool-Light originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 13, 2008 at 4:25 pm.

We live in a world of convenience and what is more convenient then wireless technology. Now power tools are probably not the first thing to pop into your head when you think of wireless technology, but if you have ever had to unravel an extension cord, navigate it around obstacles then coil it back up, all to complete a five minute job, no wires or cords sounds pretty nice.

So when Julie asked me to review the Black & Decker 1 VPX Starter Set, I tried my best to imitate Tim Allen’s Tool Man trademark grunt of happiness.

Hardware Specifications

All 3 tools powered by 1 VPX 7V Lithium-Ion Battery
VPX Batteries interchangeable with all other VPX products
VPX Chargers include Daisy Chain Cord to power multiple chargers on one outlet

1 VPX Starter Set Includes:
VPX1101 Screwdriver
VPX1301 Cutsaw
VPX1401 3 LED Flashlight
VPX Battery
VPX Charger
2-year warranty

3 LED Flashlight:
Up to 5 hours of runtime per charge
3 LED bulbs
Length (inches): 6
Width (inches): 2
Weight (lbs): 0.46
Charge Time: 3-6 hours
Integrated belt clip and lanyard

Screwdriver:
2 speed transmission
Forward and reverse
Weight (lbs.): 3.5
Width (inches): 4.25
Height (inches): 9
Easy bit changes with ¼” hex shank collar
Low speed (RPM): 195
High speed (RPM): 650
Low torque (inch-lbs.): 40
Low torque (inch-lbs.): 140

Cutsaw:
Up to 1-inch cutting capacity in pine, PVC, and more
Tool free blade change
Accepts standard jig saw blades
2 jig saw blades included
Weight (lbs.): 3.7
Length (inches): 13

Battery:
Daisy Chain System Allows Multiple Chargers To Be Powered Off 1 Outlet
Dimensions (inches): 7.3 x 5.5 x 8.8
Weight (lbs.): 2

Opening the clamshell-type box revealed the individual items very secure in their own compartment and wrapped in plastic bags. Unpacking each item, exposed the fact that there is not assembly required. Plug in the charger, load the battery and wait for it to charge. Nice and easy.

Black & Decker has updated their common branding strategy with its VPX line of tools. All the tools are white, silver, black and orange. The black and orange have been synonymous with Black & Decker for as long as I can remember and the white and silver is a nice change to the B&D’s common look.

Waiting for the battery to charge, I am struck with a dilemma, which tool do I play with first? Let’s start with the battery. That is the source of power for each one of these tools, so better start with the common denominator.

Battery:
The entire VPX product family is driven off the 7V Li-Ion battery technology. Understand that certain tools in the product line require more than one battery to operate but each product in the Starter Set utilizes 1 VPX 7V rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery for power, which is very convenient. Three different tools, one battery, just remove it from the flashlight and pop it in the screwdriver.

Black & Decker plan is to unveil new tools in the future that continue to utilize this common 7V Li-Ion battery technology, some 7V and others that require 2 VPX batteries to achieve 14V of power.

The VPX battery is compact in size yet feels very stout. Black & Decker states the VPX is 60% lighter than there Ni-Cad power tool batteries. I bet 70% of the weight in one of my cordless drills is from its battery alone.

The technology in the battery charger is smart in that it stops charging the VPX battery when it is full. It also periodically tops off the charge too. The manufacturer also promotes that the Li-Ion battery holds its charge longer.

The other cool part about the charger is that even though its capacity is for a single battery, it has the ability to connect to another charger via a Daisy Chain Cord. So you can have multiple VPX batteries being charged of a single power outlet. The engineer/designer who thought of that needs a raise.

A charged battery and I am ready to try my first tool. So I loaded the battery into the flashlight.

Flashlight:
The mold of the flashlight is shaped like an oval tube and at only 6 inches in length; it fits very nicely in the palm of your hand or it can lay flat on a surface or stand on its base. It features 3 LED bulbs which are fairly bright.

The specifications say up to 5 hours of runtime per battery charge so I turned it on and left it for 4 continuous hours and when I returned it was still beaming brightly. Never had to use a flashlight for that long of a continuous period, but nice to know it is possible.

A belt clip and lanyard are included in the designed too. The lanyard incorporates an adjustable gizmo, which allows you to tighten it down, which is nice if you want to wrap it around a pipe or a piece of wood while you are working.

The best part of the VPX Flashlight is the pivoting head, which allows you to direct the light where you need it most. I know there have been times when I have been in a tight spot and my old light was too big and rigid to hit the target I was working on. The VPX Flashlight gives the user a great amount of flexibility with its size and pivoting head.

My one concern, and it is a small one, would be the narrow base of the unit. It is the compromise of a stabile base to maintain a small device.

Screwdriver:
The next tool is the VPX Screwdriver. It is a light and compact option for a cordless screwdriver. I wish I had this baby when I was trying to install a cabinet drawer rail inside my mother-in-law’s desk.

The tool fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and the size allows it to be utilized in tight spaces where other cordless devices might not fit. Plus it is nicely balance, so it does not feel awkward.

This is a screwdriver. Keyword here is screwdriver, this is not a drill. The screwdriver includes two speeds a low speed (0-195 RPM) for higher torque functions, including small diameter drilling, and a high speed (0-625 RPM) for tasks like assembling furniture. The dual speed transmission does a nice job of providing the power needed for driving and speed for drilling.

I have owned some other cordless screwdrivers that have lacked much power at all. I really wanted to give this one a good test. I placed 15 1-inch screws into a standard 2×4 using small pilot holes. I then screwed each one down flush and then put the screwdriver in reverse and took all 15 out.

The device passed the test without any trouble. I even switched the speeds midway through and was unable to notice a loss in performance. I expected the screwdriver to get hot, but I was unable to detect much difference in temperature after completing my test.

The VPX Screwdriver accepts ¼” hex-shaped bits, which makes for quick and simple bit changes but can limit the ability to utilize common bits between such tools. The other concern is that the bit seemed to come out to easily. During my test, I left the bit in a screw on 3 different occasions. In other words, my bit was left in a screw on 10% of my tests.

Cutsaw:
Like the other tools in the set, the cutsaw is light and compact, yet large enough to use two hands comfortable and sturdy.

It has a full ½” blade stroke and has a max speed of 1950 strokes per minute. The cutsaw accepts standard jig saw blades and two are included in the set (wood & metal). Black & Decker engineered the saw to require no tools to change the blade, which is a nice convenience. Just pop one out and load the next one.

The saw includes a nice safety feature too. You must slide back the switch at the top, and then squeeze the trigger to activate the blade. As a father of two young kids, I appreciate features like that a lot more.

My first test with the cutsaw was some 1 to 2″ diameter tree branches in my back yard. I cut about 5 branches with ease.

Next, I found a piece of pine 2×2 leftover in my garage. I easily cut completely through the wood 20 times without any complications. I even purposely made 3 cuts through tight wood knots.

So that was 25 cuts and I noticed no slip in performance. The cutsaw did feel slightly warm afterwards, but nothing extreme.

The saw has a face plate that is 1-3/4″ wide and is made out of 1/8″ thick steel. This plate provides a stable base that helps the user make nice, tight cuts.

Conclusion:
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the Black & Decker VPX Starter Set. I think it is easy to see that B&D spent a significant amount of time designing these products to deliver for the light project weekend warrior.

If I had to pick one of the three tools, I think I was most impressed by the VPX Cutsaw. I honestly was not expecting much from the lightweight saw but I could definitely see using the device for quick and easy cuts.

Each tool in the starter kit is nicely designed, lightweight yet sturdy and compact for use in some very tight places.

The Black & Decker VPX Starter Set sells for around $100, which is a steal, for the three tools plus a battery and charger. Consider that I found a battery and charger unit retailing for $39.99 at a major home improvement store and you can really see the savings from buying the set.

The one drawback I noticed from buying these tools in the Starter Set as opposed to buying each individually is that in the set Black & Decker does not include the accessories. For instance, the screwdriver comes with a storage case and 10 bits when purchased separately.

In closing, I would recommend adding the VPX Starter Set to your cordless power tool collection. I do not think you will be disappointed.

Filed in categories: Gear, Home Tech

Tagged: Tool

Black & Decker VPX Starter Set Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 12, 2008 at 1:46 pm.

Everyone has spilled something small and had to pull out their vacuum, unwind its cord and plug it in to clean up the small mess. I know at my house, it is almost a daily occurrence with my two young children.

Well Black & Decker has released a cordless hand vac to help you out. The 2 VPX Hand Vac (VPX2102) is one of the eight tools in B&D’s VPX line. I recently reviewed the VPX Starter Set which includes three other tools from the family.

The entire product family is powered by Black & Decker’s VPX 7V Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries. Some, like those in the Starter Set, require only one VPX battery while others, like the hand vac, require 14V of power which comes from two Li-Ion batteries.

Hardware Specifications

Powered by 2 VPX 7V Lithium-Ion Batteries (sold separately)
Voltage: 14
Cyclonic action filtering
AccuReach extension nozzle
Crevice tool
Upholstery brush
On-Board storage for accessories

Opening the box, I see that this tool has some assembly required. As normal, I decided to throw the instruction manual to the side to see if I can put the hand vac together without assistance. Happy to say that I was successful in my attempt.

The VPX Hand Vac has the same updated color branding as the entire product line, white with black, orange and silver accents. The black and orange are synonymous with the Black & Decker brand of tools and the white and sliver complement them nicely.

The hand vac is nicely weighted and its handle fits comfortably in the palm of the hand. Even with the nearly 4 lbs. of battery weight, I find the unit to be appropriately balanced for comfort.

The two 7V Li-Ion batteries are loaded in the rear of the vacuum. Here you can see one loaded on the left and an empty bay on the right.

With both batteries loaded, I go searching for some messes to clean up. Lucky for me, I have two small children.

I immediately notice that the sliding power switch is extremely stiff. To say the least, it is not easy to turn the power on and off. My wife was able to turn the vac on and off but she did struggle slightly. I was hoping that stiffness would subside as the device was broken in but it never did in the course of this review.

I am impressed by the initial feel of power the vacuum gives when turned on. It seems like the 14V are providing sufficient muscle, but after sweeping up around the house, I start to notice something affecting the power. The filter was getting clogged up. The cyclonic action filter is designed to keep the filter clean from debris but unfortunately, it did a poor job for me, especially with lent-like (dust bunnies) fragments. When the filter starts to clog, the power is noticeably affected in a negative manner.

The cyclonic action is visible through the clear container where your dirt is stored. I swept up some dried cereal and you could see the cereal circling the filter, like a cyclone.

Emptying the hand vac is very simple. Just push the silver button and pull on the unit’s nose and the two halves separate.

Dump the dirt stored in the nose of the unit and reattach the halves. Simple and easy, just the way we like it.

The biggest plus for the VPX Hand Vac is the cool accessories. First, there is what Black & Decker calls the AccuReach extension nozzle that you pull out from the front of the unit.

It is sort of like the hand vac’s tongue but I have to admit AccuReach extension nozzle sounds a lot better then tongue when read off the side of a box. Anyway, the built-in extension nozzle is great to get into those hard to reach places like the track of my sliding glass door or inside my dryer’s lent trap.

The hand vac also has some other accessories that are not built in but are stored on the unit, which is extremely convenient if you are like me and tends to misplace small things. The crevice tool and upholstery brush are stored on the underneath portion of the base. The hidden tools just snap in and out.

The included accessories fit into the built-in extension nozzle. The crevice tool is great for getting in the creases of your car seats and other tight spots.

The upholstery brush can be used to clean up messes on your furniture.

In conclusion, I like the look and feel of the VPX Hand Vac. The simple push button mechanism to empty the dirt compartment is nice too.

The built-in AccuReach extension nozzle and accessories, which are stored on the device, really show the creativity of the designers that work at Black & Decker.

Alas, the Black & Decker VPX Hand Vac does have some serious drawbacks. The fact that this unit sells for around $40 without the 2 VPX batteries required for power, which run about $35 a piece, plus the ease in which the filter clogs on lent-like dirt are things to consider before adding this device to your cordless collection.

Filed in categories: Home Tech

Tagged: Tool

Black & Decker VPX Hand Vac (VPX2102) Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 12, 2008 at 12:00 pm.

It’s probably no surprise when I tell you that I get a lot of products in the mail each week. With the receiving of these products, comes the task of opening the package that they were shipped in. More often than not, these products come encased in clear plastic sealed containers that defy easy opening. Today I want to show you an easy to use inexpensive tool that can help you open those #$@!@ plastic packages with ease. It’s the Zibra Open It!

First of all, the tools that you see pictured above are what I have been using to open packages. A regular box cutter and a mini Craftsman box cutter. Scary huh? Although I’ve never cut myself using these tools, I’ve come close… I’ve actually cut myself on the darn plastic packages though! That’s why I was very interested in testing the Open It!

I couldn’t help but laugh when I first opened the box containing these shears…

Why? Because they are packaged in the same type of sealed plastic container that they are designed to open. Hmmmm, is someone trying to be funny here? Luckily, I was able to quickly wrestle the shears from the package without needing to use my box cutters.

Available in 5 colors including Fire Orange, Berry Red, Midnight Black, Mocha and Sky Blue, I was sent the Orange model. Measuring 8.5 inches from end to end, these rubber gripped shears will fit in almost any toolbox or tool drawer.

The spring loaded handles lock closed for storage, by using an easy to use latch built into the handles.

The angled and offset jaws are made of thick hardened alloy steel.

There are a few extra goodies built into these shears, including a small screwdriver housed in one of the handles. The plastic bit holder unsnaps from the handle for use.

After you unsnap it and rotate it out of the handle, you lock the handles closed so that you can use the screwdriver. The bit pulls out of the holder to reveal both a Phillips and flat head bit. This is a great little added feature. While you would not use this screwdriver for heavy duty jobs, it is perfect for such jobs as opening screw-in battery compartments.

Another hidden feature is a slide out utility knife blade that is housed in the other handle. I doubt I’ll ever use this particular feature though. For one thing, the blade can not be locked in the extended position. You have to slide and hold the heavy spring loaded button forward to keep the blade extended. There’s also the fact that there doesn’t seem to be any way to replace the blade if it becomes dull with use. I think I will just stick with my mini Craftsman box cutter.

To test the Open It! shears, I didn’t need to wait for packages to arrive. I already had plenty waiting and ready, like the one shown above.

In hand the shears are very comfortable to use. The rubber grips allow you to keep a secure hold on the tool. I’ll admit that I wasn’t really expecting this tool to work all that well. I figured they would feel awkward and not do a very good job of cutting into the plastic.

I could not have been more wrong… The moment I started cutting the packaging with these shears, I think I heard a choir of angels singing Hallelujah. Cutting the sealed area around the package had never been so easy and effortless. I’ve used regular scissors and even tin snips for this same task. The Open It works so much better that it’s no contest.

I really really like the Open It! shears. Get a pair of these cutters for everyone you know. Trust me, they will thank you and you will thank me. My regular box cutters are history!

The Open It! shears are available at Walgreens and Amazon.com.

Filed in categories: Home Tech

Tagged: Tool

Zibra Open It! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 14, 2008 at 10:00 pm.

Is it weird that as a girl, I like tools? I mean, I don’t have a job that requires tools… I’m a corporate america techie that sits in a cube all day long pecking away on a PC and answering / making phone calls for my CAD and data management user support job. Not exactly the type of career that requires me to carry around a pair of pliers, screw driver or saw. But I have always loved pocket knives and small pocket type tools. I guess it comes from my Dad who had a wonderful little pocket knife collection, that I would ‘play with’ whenever my parents would leave my sister and I unattended.

Just to give you a clue to the fact that it takes so little to please me, this past Christmas, my Dad gave me a tiny folding pocket box cutter from Craftsman. I love that little thing and use it all the time given how many boxes I receive. So, when the fine folks at SOG Specialty Knives asked if I would like to take a look at their SOG S63 EOD PowerLock w/V-Cutter Multi-tool, I didn’t have to think about my answer.

I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard of SOG before they contacted me. A quick look at their website while I was waiting for the sample to show up, let me learn a little more about them. First of all the name SOG originally stood for Studies and Observation Group. This was an elite joint services military group designed for covert operations in the Vietnam War. This group was sanctioned to develop and purchase their own equipment, SOG created a knife for use in one of the harshest environments in the world. It is in the spirit of this elite group that SOG Specialty Knives was founded.

A few days later the S63 PowerLock arrived in the mail. Available in polished stainless steel or Black Oxide finishes, I was sent the stainless steel version to review.

The tool arrived packed in a wonderfully protective heavy duty leather belt case with a snap flap and metal rivet design.

Upon removing the S63 from its leather case, I knew I held a quality multi-tool in my hand. I’ve reviewed a few other multi-tools over the years, so I am familiar with them. I’ve actually kept a Gerber tool from a past review in my computer room tool drawer for several years now. The SOG definitely feels different the tools I’ve used / reviewed in the past.

The differences are quite evident when you swing open the handles to reveal the pliers. The swing action is so smooth, quiet and easy that it made me actually say “wow”, the first time I did it.

The S63 PowerLock is 7″ long while fully open and 4.6″ long when closed. It weighs in at 9.6 oz.

In the regular open position, you see the needle nose pliers and wire cutter. Below the gears between the handles, you can also see the feature that gives this tool the EOD moniker. EOD stands for (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) which translates to a blasting cap and demolition cord crimper. A feature which I doubt that I’ll ever get the chance to try out, but hey, if I need it, I’ll have it! ;o)

Most plier type tools have a 1 to 7 leverage ratio. The S63 has a 1 to 14 ratio which can allow you to cut through a quarter with one hand. I tried this myself, but I guess I have a wimpy grip, because I couldn’t quite do it. I could cut a penny, but not a quarter.

The rest of the tools are housed in each handle. Pivoting metal ‘doors’ cover the tools and make the handles comfortable to grip while you’re using the tools.

The Left handle houses a 1/2 inch serrated blade, V-cutter, bottle opener / medium flat screw driver and a 1/4 inch socket driver.

The Right handle has a double tooth saw, awl, can opener / small screw driver, large flat screw driver, Phillips screw driver, and 3 sided file.

All of the tools are easy to fold out from the handle and click securely into place when fully extended. You can then close the ‘door’ over the handle and use the extended tool. When extended the tools are solid and do not wiggle around like some multi-tools that I’ve used. Each individual tool feels very rugged and sturdy.

The PowerLock feature is what holds each extended tool in place while it’s extended from the handle.

To unlock the tool, press the PowerLock spring loaded lever under then handle and fold the tool back into the handle. It’s easy!

In hand, the S63 PowerLock is very comfortable. There are no sharp edges or ridges that dig into your fingers or palm of your hand. Even when you are squeezing the handles, I didn’t feel pain or discomfort. The weight and balance of this tool also makes it comfortable to use.

The S63 has one unique feature that I’ve not seen in other multi-tools. You can actually open it using one hand. Think butterfly knife…

See it in action…

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3mb). The video is encoded in the H.264 codec. You will need the latest version of
Quicktime to view it.
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Yeah, I’m not as good at closing the S63, as I am at opening it with one hand. ;o) But it’s a cool maneuver none the less.

This SOG multi-tool is the best made multi-tool that I have had the opportunity to review so far. The construction is excellent and ease of use is wonderful. It has replaced the Gerber tool in my gadgeteer tool drawer.

Filed in categories: Gear

Tagged: Tool

SOG S63 EOD PowerLock w/V-Cutter Multi-tool originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 2, 2007 at 10:00 am.

Ok, this is going to be one of those reviews that will probably not to appeal to regular ole Joe Geek. Unless Joe Geek also happens to have a crafty side. Today I’m going to tell you about a glue gun. Wait, don’t go away yet! It’s cordless! Yeah, I knew that get you interested… The Freestyle cordless glue gun from ColdHeat is just what you need for those marathon refrigerator magnet making parties.

Package Contents

Glue gun
Battery pack
Battery charger dock
AC adapter
Glue sticks
Instruction / idea guide

This product has 2 main things going for it that your typical glue gun does not. The first feature is the fact that it’s cordless. This feature is accomplished by a snap on battery pack.

The battery is charged through a small docking cradle that is in turned plugged into AC. The cradle has an LED on one side that blinks Green while the battery pack is charging, and then glows steady once the pack is fully charged and ready for use. Recharging a fully discharged battery can take approximately 3-4hrs.

Once the battery is fully charged and snapped in place, you’re ready to glue something! A power slider switch is located on one side of the barrel. In the middle position, the gun is turned off. The outside positions have no effect on the temperature, they just effect the intensity of the small LED work light located directly below the nozzle.

In my testing, I really didn’t find the light to be all that useful. It’s not big enough, nor bright enough to help except in very dim light. Most people won’t be using a glue gun in the dark, so…..

7-10 (I forgot to count them) glue sticks are included with the Freestyle to get you started. You can use any mini sized glue sticks on the market, which you should be able to find at most craft stores, or Walmart.

You will notice two LEDs below the glue stick feeder orifice (yes, I made that up). The top (Yellow) LED lights up when the gun is in powersave mode. This occurs if the gun is left unused for more than 8 minutes. The other LED is the low battery indicator. The LED will glow Red when the battery is nearly discharged, and will blink when it is fully discharged.

To use the gun, you just push a glue stick into the glue stick feeder orifice and squeeze the trigger. As you squeeze, the stick will travel down the barrel till it reaches the heating element, where the glue will melt and flow out of the nozzle. I had to feed at least 2 sticks into the chamber before melted glue started flowing. The gun only takes about 45-60 seconds to reach a temperature hot enough to melt the glue sticks. But once it did, I was then faced with the task of finding something to glue… After staring at objects in my computer room for several minutes, I came to the conclusion that hot gluing sequins to my iMac might NOT be such a nifty idea.

Then a light bulb went off and I headed outside. I had been meaning to put house numbers back on the house after it had been repainted, but being the mistress of procrastination, I haven’t done it. In the mean time, I had misplaced a few of the tiny nails required to nail them up. This was a perfect job for a cordless glue gun! I switched it on and tapped my foot for about 60 seconds while I was waiting for it to heat up. When it was ready, I squirted glue blobs on each metal numeral and stuck them to a wooden post. Easy!

Then I proceeded to repair the flapping sole of an old pair of sneakers and a ceramic flower that had broken off of a vase. I also hot glued the little cap thingies that go over the bolts that hold your toilet to the floor. Yes, I was finding it hard to come up with things to glue. ;o)

The other feature of the Freestyle is that it is pretty difficult to burn yourself with this glue gun. You can even touch the tip when it’s powered on and hot glue is flowing out. The finger above was not from my stunt double, it’s actually my finger. The tip does get warm. Very warm. But it won’t burn you as long as you don’t touch the very tip of the tip (the silver part).

The ColdHeat Freestyle is an easy to use, inexpensive glue gun that frees you from the shackles of a power cord, while protecting you from burning your fingers. What more could anyone ask for?

Filed in categories: Home Tech

Tagged: Tool

ColdHeat Freestyle Cordless Glue Gun originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 25, 2006 at 7:44 am.