The All-In-One Laser Level (BDL100AV) from Black & Decker makes it easier than ever to hang pictures, paintings, shelves, or mirrors.  It can also be used to space any items evenly apart on a variety of surfaces.  Let’s give it a closer look.

To use the Black & Decker All-In-One Laser Level, attach it to the wall with the temporary wall mounting suction cup, or use a push pin for non-smooth surfaces.  It was very easy to press in the wall suction cup button.  The button has a broken red line at the base to let you know if you need to compress and create more suction in order for the unit to stay mounted to the surface you are attaching it to.  I used the push pin to mount the laser level to a soft, solid wood (Douglas Fir) and when I tried to remove it, the pin part pulled out from the plastic head and so the push pin is no longer usable.

The Black & Decker All-In-One Laser Level can be used as just a level or laser and level combined.  This image shows the on/off switch, which is labeled on both sides of the level body.  The laser level can be flipped to project a horizontal line right or left.  It has a metal plate on each side to connect with the wall attachment by a magnet.  The metal plate is located under the Black & Decker label.  There is an adjustment of about 0.75″-1″ that allows movement up and down between magnet and metal plates.  With the magnet and metal plates both being smooth surfaces to allow play, I feel there could be some discrepancy in reading when going from one direction and then flipping it over 180 degrees to read the other direction to keep the same level plane.  It maybe could be more accurate if there was a spring lock mechanism built into the magnet for more of a consistent attachment.

The top image shows the red light in the bubble vial if the device is not level.  The image on the bottom shows the green light that indicates level or near level.  There is also an audio button on the right end that can be used to notify when an object is level, which is helpful when you can’t see the level itself.  The laser level will beep and the beeps will increase in frequency when the object is near level.  It will then have about a two second solid tone before it stops when the object is level.

The laser light is said to illuminate up to 15 feet, depending on light conditions.  I thought this was correct.  The projecting horizontal was listed as +/- 1/4″ at 10 feet.  While the level light displayed green,  I moved the laser level up and down on the magnet and got a difference of 3/8″ at 10 feet.  Even when the laser level displays green, you should still look at the location of the bubble in the vial for a perfectly level reading.

Make sure when you use the Black and Decker All-In-One Laser Level that the back is completely against a solid surface.  I had it mounted with part of it hanging over a ledge and it threw the electronic internal level (sensor) into a state of malfunction where the LED light that illuminates the bubble vial was flashing and then the unit needed to be turned off and then back on to be reset.

The Black & Decker All-In-One Laser Level has a suggested retail of $30.  The unit comes with 2 AAA batteries.  The door to the battery compartment is removable and unhinged so there is potential of it being misplaced.

Overall, the Black & Decker All-In-One Laser Level is good for the do-it-yourself person.  If you are doing a reading that needs to be precise, do not rely on solely the green light – check the position of the bubble also.  It is user-friendly, lightweight, can be used on multiple surface types, and it can be used as solely a small level or laser level.  The cons are: play in the magnetic mount can skew the accuracy when changing direction 180 degrees, personal experience with pin breaking, and if entire device does not rest completely against a solid surface, you may experience an error that can be cured by resetting the device.

Filed in categories: Home Tech, Reviews

Tagged: Tools

Black & Decker Laser Level BDL100AV Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 7, 2012 at 11:00 am.

I live in the woods of Southern Indiana and often find that I need to trim low hanging limbs on the trees in my yard. I’ve resorted to using a saw before, but most of the time, we’ll wait till we have a lot of limbs to trim and will ask Jeanne’s brother to come over with his chainsaw. A chainsaw is a tool that’s missing from my collection and for various reasons, is one that I never really had a desire to purchase till now. The OREGON PowerNow 40V MAX Cordless Chainsaw might be the tool that changes that. First of all, it doesn’t require stinky gasoline and oil mixtures. Second, it doesn’t have one of those darned pull cords to start it. I hate those… because I’m a wuss and it takes me a zillion tries to get them to start. It’s also quieter to use. The PowerNow is powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can slice up to 250 2-3 inch branches on a single charge with the Endurance battery pack version of this chainsaw. Of course, the thicker the wood the less cuts per charge. The PowerNow with the Endurance battery pack is available now for $499.

Filed in categories: News, Outdoor Gear

Tagged: Outdoors, Tools

Skip the Gas with the OREGON PowerNow Battery Powered Chainsaw originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 18, 2011 at 10:00 am.

This Digital Voltage Meter for iPhone from ThinkGeek doesn’t reduce the number of gadgets you carry, so it doesn’t lighten your load.  It does add to your feature set, though, because the free app from the iTunes store lets you capture data in a variety of ways and display it, email or post it to the web.   The meter connects wirelessly to your iPhone, and the app makes your iPhone look like a multimeter, so there’s no learning curve to use the app.  Features include: user definable data acquisition rate up to 20 Hz, user-definable audible measurement reading intervals up to once per two seconds, auto ranging and hold functions are built in,  and fully-customizable on-device graphing functions (like graph scales and colors).  The meter has a battery that’s rechargeable more than 300 times.  It works with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad with the free app that’s available in the iTunes app store.   The Digital Voltage Meter is $219.99 at ThinkGeek.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Tools, Voltage meter

Digital Voltage Meter for Apple iOS Devices originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 12, 2011 at 8:14 am.

Wallets were designed to carry cash, but who knew they’d make a great ‘toolbox’ too. Check out all these stainless steel credit card sized tools from Touch of Ginger. Priced from $8-$16, there are lots of different tools to choose from. Need a comb? Guitar picks? Dice? I guess they aren’t really tools, but they are interesting and would definitely make a fun gift and a good conversation starter.

Filed in categories: Gear, News, Wallets

Tagged: Tools, Wallet

Stainless Steel Tools that Store in your Wallet originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 21, 2011 at 6:38 pm.

I am sure all of you have had a moment where you’ve been in a pinch to find tools to hang a picture, tap in a nail that has stuck out on a piece of trim, or needed to get a quick measurement.  These are some of the projects the Kelvin.23 can help with.

The Kelvin.23 multi-tool is “The Urban Super Tool” that fits into the palm of your hand and features 23 tools.  It has a hammer head, LED light, 5 1/2 ft tape measure, magnet to hold loose screws, spirit level, and 16 screw bits.  The screwdriver can lock at 180 degrees or 90 degrees for extra torque.  Kelvin.23 is priced at approximately $30-35, is 5 1/2″ long, 1 1/2″ wide and weighs approximately one pound.  It was invented by Kevin Royes of Vancouver, Canada, and is made in China.

Kelvin.23 feels well built in my hand and is made of a cast aluminum body.  It has a hammer head on the lower right end of the device in the above picture. Please note this is for small jobs and not for full carpentry projects.  The website, http://www.kelvintools.com says “for any of those jobs where the heel of a stiletto would make a good solution, then we’ve got your back. Zinc die cast and chrome plated…hammer away and save those shoes for Saturday night”.  It would be nice if the hammer head would be placed out a bit further from the body so there was less possibility of hitting the body of the unit or fingers when swinging.

The screwdriver can lock in at 90 and 180 degrees.  The bits seem to sit securely in place.  There are two magnets on the sides of the screwdriver, which are ALNICO magnets and seem quite powerful to hold loose screws.

A tape measure is included.  The packaging says it’s a 6 foot tape measure, www.kelvintools.com says 5 foot, and comfortable working length is 5 1/2 feet.

The bit compartment holds 16 bits that are of standard sizes.  The bits may be hard to remove for someone who has large/thick fingers.  There is no lock for the hinged portion that contains the level and sits over the bits.  If it wasn’t shut all the way or if debris got in the hinge, level function could be off.  The battery cover is to the left of the bits, under the hinge, with a thin cover.  Once the battery cover has been opened, it seems difficult to keep it locked in place.  I have a fear of batteries falling out with longer use.

There is an LED light above the screwdriver that is nice to give some extra illumination.  It works well as a small, portable flashlight to help locate objects too. The light does disperse and it would be nice it would be a bit more fine focused for use.

Overall, it does seem handy to complete small kitchen tasks.  This gadget is said to be 23 essential tools, which are the 16 bits, level, LED light, hammer, tape measure, two magnets to attract the loose screws, and the extra angle to the screwdriver.  I wish it would combine some essentials from the Leatherman, like pliers and maybe a cutting tool.

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, Home Tech, Reviews

Tagged: Multi-tools, Tools

Kelvin.23 Multi-Tool Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 29, 2011 at 4:06 pm.

The Kelvin 23 is a toolbox for your hand. It includes a hammer, level, measuring tape, LED light, and even a 16 bit magnetic screwdriver. It’s available in Black or Pink and is priced at $29.99

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, Home Tech, News

Tagged: Tools

Pocket Multi-tool with a Built in Hammer originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 26, 2011 at 12:30 pm.

Black and Decker's PlantSmart plant sensor. Taking the guesswork out of gardening.

Fish Finders, to those who don’t know, are these electronic mechanisms that either assist greatly in not having to stop by the fish shop on the way home or are a blasphemy on the sacrosanct sport of fishing. Depends on who you talk to.

Electronic gardening equipment quite possibly could be seen in the same context…except by me.  Frankly, I’ll take all the help I can get.  Black and Decker does what the Farmer’s Almanac is too smug to do:  puts gardening into terms even I can understand.

Yes.  I, too, thumbed my way pathetically through every gardening manual only to wind up with spindly flowers, weak shrubs, bug eaten vegetables but a bumper crop of weeds.  So what if Martha Stewart featured dandelion pancakes on the cover of one of her magazines. (Oh yes she did!).  I’ve been schooled practically from birth to view dandelions as an enemy to be eradicated.  And despite RoundUp’s best efforts, apparently a bowlful of weeds is considered “House Salad” by the Rachel Ray set but who said Hollywood made any sense?

Black and Decker understands the Green Thumb Challenged and to that end, they’ve developed the PlantSmart PCS10 digital plant sensor.  The digital sensor is attached to a USB connector.  At the top of the connector is a sunlight sensor.  Inserted into the soil for at least 24 hours, PlantSmart takes into account everything happening in the soil surrounding your plant be it indoors in a container or outdoors in the ground or outdoors in a container.   After 24 hours, you detach the USB, plug it into your computer and you will get an hour by hour read out actual temperature conditions, soil moisture and sunlight exposure. By registering your plants online (http://plantsmart.easybloom.com/myplantsmart?key=1807ef0216e6dc09a0233a79a0fce27b) you can build a library of the plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables in your garden.  You can track the moisture and sunlight levels in various parts of your garden and whether your indoor plants are receiving the conditions they need to thrive.

Instead of trying to determine your growing zone from color coded maps (and if you’re like me, your region falls on the cusp of two regions) you plug in your zip code and PlantSmart gives you  top recommendations of those vegetables, shrubs, trees and flowers that will thrive the best in your zone.

Everything that is included with the plant sensor: soil sensor, USB plug, USB cord, instructions, warranty card, flower shield, bag to store everything in.

What You Get:

Digital Plant Sensor
Flower shaped shield
USB Plug with sunlight sensor
AAA battery
USB computer cord
Instructions
Warranty
Store it all in a waterproof bag.

What You Do With It

Put it together (obviously) and pick your plant. Activate your sensor. Stick your sensor in the soil. (Sorry, I can’t think of a more graceful way to write it.) Wait 24 hours.  When time is up, go online, set up your profile and start viewing the conditions under which your plant lives.

Black and Decker's PlantSmart PCS 10 Digital Sensor gathering information from an indoor Zonal Geranium.

Now What?

I tested PlantSmart on three types of soil for three types of plants:  Blueberry bush, Delicious Apple tree and inside Zonal Geranium.

In all three test cases, the PlantSensor moisture levels were off of the charts.  Not surprising.  These tests were run in the final days of April in central Indiana where we’ve been experiencing more rain than Seattle so it’s pretty much a “Well duh!” moment.  The inside Zonal Geranium registered as over watered as well because I’d placed the plant outdoors at one point and brought it inside to run the indoor tests before the soil had a chance to dry.

The Sunlight Data chart above was taken outdoor in the soil where a two year old Red Delicious Apple tree is planted on Saturday, April 3o, a day of rare sunshine.

Temperature Graph for Zonal Geranium Indoor

The temperature graph to the left shows a steady temperature for the Zonal Geranium which was placed inside.  Temperature graphs for the apple tree and blueberry bush showed far more diverse temperature increases and decreases due to their soil exposure.   It’s one thing to follow the instructions on the tag that comes with your plant, it’s another to know exactly if you are correctly following those instructions.

In the case of the Geranium, the soil was far too wet and I need to increase the plant’s exposure to sunlight.

And that’s what PlantSmart helps you do.  In reading some of the consumer reviews on other websites and my own experiences with the PlantSmart forum, (oh yeah, there’s a forum to ask questions), it occurs to me that PlantSmart is both a very useful and perhaps misunderstood tool.   The sensor takes readings of the soil and measures four components: sunlight exposure, moisture, temperature and fertility.   If you’re like me, you’re not always sure that the spot you planted something or put a container is getting the proper amount of sunlight despite the fact that you think that spot gets all the sunlight possible which could lend itself to soil temperature but not necessarily so.  My geraniumwas placed in a westernmost window and my readings tell me that this plant is not getting the amount of sunlight it needs to get yet the soil temperature is steady.

A word about fertilization. The geranium, blueberry and apple plants were all planted in different soils.   The geranium was planted in a container, the apple tree in the hollow area in my front yard where a white oak once stood and the blueberry bush was planted in soil bought from a local vendor when I filled my raised beds in my backyard.  I took fertilization readings on all three and only the blueberry bush’s soil has the proper amount of nutrition in the soil.   Where I thought I had an issue was that the fertilization reading on the apple tree and the geranium was merely reported as ” Soil is lacking in proper nutrients.”   My first inclination was to ask, “Well ok, what fertilizer does this need?”   That’s up to the plant and what the plant’s tag says the fertilizer should be.  What is good for apple trees (soil that is light on salts) might not work on the geranium.   As in many cases, the plant’s tag gets lost.  PlantSmart’s library of plants, trees, shrubs, fruits and vegetables expands every day so you can look up the needs of your particular plant.  The PlantSmart forum is where I asked my question regarding the fertilization question being as how this reading comes at an additional fee. ($3.00 a month or $25.00 a year)

PlantSmart does take a lot of the guesswork out of what to do to ensure the best condition for your plant.  Where I see PlantSmart being misunderstood is that the device does exactly what it is reported to do.  I’ve read many reviews where the reviewer was disappointed that PlantSmart was not more forthcoming in more specific, detailed advice.  But the device was never advertised to do everything for you, just take the guesswork out of key components and provide precise recommendations for plants based on the customer’s zone.    And it does that.

I love plants.  I kill most of them unintentionally.  But I still love pretty trees and flowers and things that bloom and attract honeybees and hummingbirds.  But what I like might not grow unless I do my homework.  Books, articles, gardening magazines, these things all help.  But they do not address the immediate questions I have that PlantSmart does.

Black and Decker’s PlantSmart website also boasts a forum for troubleshooting problems with the device, questions about the readings and general discussions from other gardeners sharing tips and anecdotes.

At the end of the day ( or this review) the PlantSmart PCS10 will run you about $50.00 although you can purchase it at Amazon.com for about $47.99.  It’s worth it.  I have a sketchy background in gardening and little patience for soil testing kits found in hardware stores.  What I need to know, PlantSmart helps me find out.

Filed in categories: Home Tech, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

Tagged: digital sensor, gardening, Outdoor, plantsmart, Tools, USB

Black and Decker’s PlantSmart PCS10 Plant Sensor Review: The Gardener’s Fish Finder originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 18, 2011 at 2:15 pm.

The PIRANHA from PocketToolX looks like a great addition to your EDC gear. It made from a single piece of stainless steel and is able to perform several jobs. It has a bottle opener, pry tips, scraper tip, open and box wrenches, and includes a full sized double-ended Phillips/flathead bit. The PIRANHA is available for $49 – $59 depending on the type of finish.

Thanks to Clive Tutt for sending this in!

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: EDC, Tools

PocketToolX PIRANHA – A Multi-tool that is TSA Compliant originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2011 at 10:00 am.

They may look like an alien instrument of torture, but they are really a pair of stainless steel tweezers for your EDC (Every Day Carry) gear. PockeTweez tweezers are precision made and super sharp. They fold up into a small 2.5 inch long package that makes them perfect for your keychain, gear bag or pocket. They are available for $25.00 at PockeTweez.

[via Gear Patrol]

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: EDC, Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

PockeTweez – Splinters and eyebrows should be afraid originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 12, 2011 at 12:00 pm.

Now this is cool.  I’ve been to Italy several times and the ingenuity of the ancients is truly remarkable.  Colosseums, aqueducts, and now this.  I dental colleague of mine had a post on his dental blog about this awesome gadget, yes, GADGET, found in the Mediterranean area, dating from the Middle Roman period, that’s 200-300AD!

So,  the Roman Army Knife must be the precursor to the hallowed Swiss Army Knife! Look at this folding gadget with three-pronged fork, knife, spoon, pick and spike.  It is housed at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, UK.

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

Tagged: Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

When In Rome……! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 11, 2010 at 12:05 pm.

I have wanted an impact hammer/driver for a long time now….for years, if not decades. Several of my construction buddies have them and I have marveled at how effective they are at driving screws and bolts into very dense materials. I have used a standard cordless drill on MANY projects, fighting/stripping countless screws in the process. So, when Julie asked if anyone wanted to review the Bosch PS41-2A 12V Lithium Ion Impact Driver, I jumped at the chance.

Bosch manufactures a large assortment of battery operated hand tools ranging in power and size. The PS41-2A 12V is one of their smallest, most portable, yet powerful tools. Many (as in too many) of the folks I have shown the PS41 to, have called it ‘cute’. Yes, men and women alike….to include Julie herself. After using it on a couple of moderately sized projects, I have to say this little guy packs quite a punch .

Contents:

• PS41-2A 12V Impactor
• 12V Max Litheon Charger
  
• 12V Max Litheon Battery
• Carrying case
• Manual

Features:

• Shortest Head Length in Class – 5.4″
• High Torque 930 in.-lbs. with Pocket Size Body – Can cover 80% of standard size impact driver applications
• Light Weight – only 2 lbs.Highest Speed in Class at 2600 RPM
• Fuel Gauge – Easy battery management
• LED Light Ring — 3 LEDs illuminate work area for use in dark areas
• Variable speed Trigger – For complete control
• Ergonomic Soft Grip Handle — For extended comfort and control
• Bumpers on Side of Tool — Protect work surface and prevent slipping

• Country of Origin: Malaysia
• Length: 5.39″
• No Load BPM: 0 – 3,100
• No Load RPM: 0-2,600
• Rating: 12V Max
• Torque (in. lbs.): 930
• Weight (lbs.): 2.13 lbs.

Measuring in at just 7″ tall and 5.4″ wide, the PS41-2A is an ideal size for tight places. But do not be fooled, this tiny impact wrench/hammer can generate a great deal of force. According to Bosch, this 12V tools has 85% more torque than a 18V drill/driver – 930 in.-lbs. of max torque and can accomplish 80% of standard size impact driver applications. It’s quick load/release hex drive allows it to be use the latest drill and driver bits.  Its excellent torque rating (for its size) makes it worthy of all but the toughest efforts.

The Bosch PS41-2A 12V lithium ion impact driver is very comfortable to hold and use. At 2.2 lbs, it is 50% lighter than their 18V impact driver,  extremely easy to maneuver and carry around with you. Bosch has engineered some great features in this device; a bright, three LED array that does a stellar job of lighting what you are working on and a small battery indicator (aka Fuel Gauge) display to let you know when the battery is getting low.

It has a variable speed trigger which allows for great control of how fast/hard the driver is driving. The handle has an ‘ergonomic soft grip’ for long lasting comfort and relaxed feel. Similar to most drills and impact wrenches, the PS41 has a directional/lock switch as well.

Bosch includes a smart, quick charger that can recharge the 12 volt battery in less than 30 minutes.  The battery charger knows when the battery is too hot to recharge and refuses to work until it is the battery is cool enough to not ruin it. I did find the batteries would last a relatively long time driving in small to medium sized screws but chewed through the battery very quickly when driving in long, thicker screws/bolts.

The battery loads into the impact driver like a clip into a small handgun (versus the big bulky batteries you see on the bottom of the handle of most cordless drills).

To illustrate how ‘awesome‘ (the Gadgeteer Kid and I both agreed this is the appropriate term) the PS41-2A drives screws and lag bolts, we grabbed a handful (between two to six inches) from the garage. Once I set them in place, he proceeded to drive them into a standard 4×4 piece of wood.

The Gadgeteer Kid was able to drive these various screws and bolts like a hot knife through butter….or there a bouts. For those of you who have never used an impact driver before, what makes them so much more effective than a typical drill is that they vibrate at a high rate and/or provide greater torque on several axises. Thus making the force you put on whatever you are trying to screw in or tighten so much more effective.

As you can see from this photo, all four were quickly and efficiently driven in to the block of wood. The longer, thicker six inch lag bolt took a bit longer than the rest but was still easy for my 8 (soon to be 9) year old to get the job done. That said, on those moderate sized projects, I was driving in a dozen or so 4 inch screws at a time. Towards the end of the project, the upper portion of the PS41 became pretty hot, not hot enough to burn you but definitely enough to notice. So warm, the smart battery charger would not recharge the battery until it cooled down for 10 minutes or so.

I grant you this is a Bosch ad but here is a video of the PS41-2A in action:

Bottomline, I love the PS41-2A from Bosch and would recommended to anyone needing a tool like this. The PS41-2A is an incredible tool that can be used in a very long list of applications. For its size and weight, it is ideal for quickly and effectively driving decent sized screws and lag bolts into things. It’s weight (or lack there of) makes it easy to carry around and diminutive size enables it to get into tight places. It does not have the power to drive foot long, inch thick bolts into concrete but that is not what it is engineered to do. The Bosch’s PS41-2A 12 volt lithium ion impact driver does a great job at what it was designed to do, to quickly and easily push small to medium screws into (more or less) whatever you need it to.

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, Home Tech, Reviews

Tagged: Tools

Bosch PS41-2A 12V Lithium Ion Impact Driver Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 15, 2010 at 12:03 pm.

Crafty geeks will appreciate the new Dremel Trio multi-tool. It can sand, cut and rout materials including wood, plastic, drywall, sheet metal, wall tile and more without switching tools. It has a non-marring base and is capable of a speed range of 10,000 – 20,000 rpm. I think this tool might come in handy for my new hobby of making Cigar Box Guitars. It’s available now from Amazon for $99.

Filed in categories: Home Tech, News

Tagged: Crafts, Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

Ditch your Router, Jigsaw and Sander for the Dremel Trio originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 10, 2010 at 8:58 pm.

We’ve all seen Leatherman tools with a wide variety of useful blades and tools, but did you know that they also offer a multi-tool designed specially for soldiers? It’s the Leatherman MUT and has tools to help a soldier (or civilian gun enthusiast) work on his/her firearm. Some of the tools include a replaceable firearm disassembly punch, replaceable carbon scraper and cleaning rod/brush adapters. These tools are available through Amazon with a range in pricing from $149 – $159.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Multi-tool, Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

Leatherman MUT – A Specialized Multi-tool for Soldiers originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 8, 2010 at 1:03 pm.

I suppose for many of us who write for or read this fine blog our fascination with ‘gadgets’ probably started with our first “Swiss Army Knife”.  My  ‘junk box’ still has most of the ones I’ve owned over the years, but my answer to the question “How many gadgets is enough” will always be the same, “Just One More!!” It is with that in mind that I present the Gerber Strata, one serious multi-tool.

If you read Gerber and thought you’d be reading a review of a baby food jar opener or something like that, you’d be thinking of the OTHER Gerber.  This ‘baby’ is made by Gerber Gear.  To quote from the company’s website:

Joseph R. Gerber started Portland, Oregon’s Gerber Advertising back in 1910. For client Christmas gifts in 1939, he hired a local knife maker to craft 25 sets of kitchen cutlery. The knives and presentation walnut boxes and literature were so popular, Mr. Gerber asked his sons Ham and Pete to launch a new business, Gerber Hand-Made Blades, which became what we know today, Gerber Legendary Blades.

I’d be careful going on their website if you are weak in the credit card, as their tool and knife options are many!

The Strata is a listed as a “butterfly opening” tool.  Of course opening the Strata brings out the very sturdy plier jaws.

In each handle is stored approximately four other “appendages”.  The listed tools are: pliers; carbide pinch cutters;  saw; 1/2 fin edge and serrated blade; can and bottle opener; scissors; large flathead driver; retail package opener (Yeah!) and small flathead driver; large Phillips head; and small tipped file.

I gave the tool a good workout on an up-North trip a few weeks ago (Explanation: here in Michigan, generally when you go on vacation you go “Up North” to beautiful Northern Michigan). The saw worked well on 1″ branches.  Bottle opener, check.  Bottle opener, again, check!  The scissors, while being a bit difficult to get into position,  cut paper well. The screwdrivers worked well as long as a great deal of torque was not necessary.  The pliers are the most sturdy tool in the set, which makes sense as they are the largest, so if you use pliers a lot, then this model if probably the one for you.

The technical specs are as follows:  length 6″; folded length, 4″; weight 7.4 oz.

In this view you can see the locking/unlocking mechanism on the handle.  It is the black sliding portion of the handle just below the black hex bolt.  You slide this to disengage whatever ‘appendage’ you are using to be able to fold it back into the handle.  I found it a bit awkward at first, but got the hang of it.

Below are photos of the  ‘appendages’ in the other handle….and a closeup of the pliers.

This is a very well built tool. As such, it carries a bigger price tag, $104.  Again, I warn you about their website!  Lots of stuff.  If the layout of this tool is not exactly what you are looking for check out their site, you will probably find something that will work for you (or that you want just because it is so darn cool!)

Filed in categories: Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Tools

Gerber Strata Multi-Tool Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 10, 2010 at 1:22 pm.

The Inchworm is an EDC (Every Day Carry) tool from TEC Accessories that you keep on your keychain. It’s a 3 inch long 6Al-4V grade titanium rod of 3/16″ diameter with grooves cut at 1/8″, 1/2″ and 1 inch increments with a bead blasted matte finish surface. Having a small ruler always at your fingertips can be really handy. The Inchworm costs $18.00 and is available now from TEC.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: EDC, Gear, Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

Inchworm – A Ruler on your Keychain originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 25, 2010 at 1:00 pm.

Have you seen A Christmas Story?  Remember the “oh fudge!” scene when Ralphie is helping his dad change the flat tire and dropped all the lug nuts in traffic?  Ralphie could have been spared having his mouth washed out with soap if only his dad had owned a MagnoGrip wristband!  The MagnoGrip wristband from ThinkGeek is made of a heavy-duty canvas, industrial grade Velcro, and the magnets are strong enough to hold a hammer.  If you’re a DIY type, you could make your job easier with one of these things.  Give it to your dad for Father’s Day and he can keep up with his own lug nuts!  The MagnoGrip is $14.99.

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, Gear, News

Tagged: Tools

MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 24, 2010 at 9:57 am.

Not only do I love pocket tool kits, I have a real need to carry a variety of tools with me at work. Not just the pliers and screwdrivers common on most multi-tools, but other tools as well. I was pleasantly surprised by Doc Allen’s Versatool.

I got my first Versatool from a local hardware store and used it extensively for a couple years until I lost one of the parts. Recently, I found the website and ordered myself another.

Doc Allen’s Versatool is an interesting design- a 1/4″ socket holder is mounted on a sturdy metal oval. It comes with a 1/4″ socket to hex bit magnetic adapter. The adapter has crosshatching etched into the side so you can use it alone for a low-torque driver.

It also comes with an extension bit for hex drivers, and 22 assorted hex bits- slotted, Phillips, and Allen (with some duplicates. See the note at the end.) All of this fits neatly in a small zippered pouch with a simple belt loop.

What you get in the package

So, what is the big deal? The genius of the system is the oval loop- there are two small dimples on it that let the main adapter lock into a couple places- on the big end of the oval for maximum length and decent torque, along the middle of one side for medium torque, or near a short end for high  torque.

Showing the adapter, that can act as a small driver on its own, and the 1/4" socket holder

Low torque setting

Medium torque setting

High torque setting

Combine this torque with the ability to hold any hex bit or compatible tool, or any 1/4″ socket or compatible tool- like extensions or adapters. There are whole sections of the hardware store that has stuff that will fit this well-designed tool.

I customize mine by tossing a few common sockets (3/8, 7/16, 1/2″), long #1 and #2 Phillips bits, and swapping out some of the included bits to meet my work needs better. This pack, my Leatherman Juice multi-tool for the blade and pliers (I like the small size of this version), and a few other easily pocketable tools, and I am set without carrying much weight at all. You can customize yours for photography, computer repair, biking, boating, making, or whatever just by swapping parts.

What I often carry in my pockets at work

All the stuff in the black pouch.

In use, this pocket tool is both more comfortable than many multi-tools, and works more like the full-size tool analogs than most pocket-size tools do. The dang thing is nearly indestructable- laughing at the Gadgeteer Creak Test and made of high quality materials- hence A 99 year warranty on the ring and attached driver.

The biggest downside is one all multi-tools and pocket tools share- screws and fasteners are often buried, surrounded, trapped, etc. and can be tough to deal with using these sorts of tools. I carry a pair of long Phillips bits to help when I run into recessed screws, etc. for this very reason. But no tool works in every situation!

So… a tool set that is only about the size of a wallet, can handle almost any screw, fastener, or bolt you throw at it (with the right bits and sockets), and has a great warranty?  Get one, you’ll love it! Hint- this tool is available from a few sites, but if you get it from the main site, it only runs $12.95 and just $2.50 for s&h, and they ship quickly. Thats less than some other sites even without s&h fees!

Note: The site seems to indicate that the package includes one set of bits, but I got two with mine, 22 bits total, including duplicates. They did not know I was going to review the tool when I ordered it so it may just be some good customer service or a thank you for going to the main site.

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, Reviews

Tagged: multitool, Tools

Doc Allen’s Versatool Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2010 at 10:00 am.

Many things we review here at The Gadgeteer are devices somewhere between tech-toy and tech-gadget or accessories meant to protect, carry or power those devices. All perfectly well and good, mind you….most of those (still) make my tech-geek heart a flutter. But, other than iPod speakers or noise isolation earbuds, few assist me in my other passion; fixing up old houses, home improvement projects, working on the yard, etc.  The Bosch DLR165 digital laser rangefinder is a great gadget-tool, designed to replace your old tape measure in a multitude of construction applications.

My initial impression of the DLR165 was that it was a slick/high-tech tape measure. Allowing you to measure distance quickly and easily without the hassle of stretching a tape across a room or whatever distance you are looking at. But after playing with it I come to find out, it can do a great deal more. Once you figure out how to use some of its more complicated capabilities, it can take care of the burdensome/heavy-lift calculations that are potentially needed during construction efforts; standard length (A to B), area (A x B), volume (A x B x C), continuous length (adjusts while moving), and indirect length (Pythagorean theorem (a2 + b2= c2)) plus being able to add or subtract measurements as you go (M+ or M-, just like a calculator).

Measuring Modes:

• Length
• Area
• Volume
• Continuous
• Indirect Length

The DLR165K, where the ‘K’ stands for kit; includes instructions, batteries, belt case, strap/handle, and the the range finder itself.

Features

• Precision Laser Measuring Technology – Laser beam does both pointing and measuring
• Pocket-Sized Only 4″ tall
• Four Measuring Reference Points – Back, front, swingout extension pin for measuring from inside corners or channels, or center of optional tripod
• Three Measurement Systems — Feet and inches, decimal feet, and metric
• Length, Area and Volume Measuring Capability
• Continuous Measurement Mode — Measurement automatically adjusts when walking-off distances
• Continuous Laser Mode — Reduces the number of key strokes when making rapid sequence of measurements
• Indirect Length Measurement Mode — Calculates inaccessible distances that cannot be measured directly due to obstruction or lack of reflecting surface using Pythagorean theorem (a2 + b2= c2)
• Limited 3-Year Warranty
• Ergonomic Soft-Grip Area — For sure grip and comfort

Specifications

• Accuracy: +/- 1/16″ (1.5 mm)
• Battery Life: Approximately 30,000 Individual Measurements
• Dimensions: 4″ x 2-15/16″ x 1-1/4″ (100 mm x 68 mm x 32 mm)
• Laser Class: 2
• Laser Diode: 635 nm, < 1mW
• Measuring Time, Max: 4 sec.
• Measuring Time, Typ: < 0.5 sec
• Power: 4 AAA Batteries
• Range: 2″ – 165′

On the front of the DLR165 are the laser and distance sensor. The rear has a swing out extension pin for measuring from inside corners or channels. The rangefinder has four measuring points of reference; front, center, rear, and end of the extension pin. The device can measure between two inches and 165 feet with an accuracy of 1/16″. The measurement appears on the display almost instantaneously. Distances can be displayed in three systems of measurements; feet and inches, decimal feet, and metric.

The device has an ergonomic form and is lightweight, much lighter than a quality tape measure. Bosch includes a very simple but functional belt holder for the measuring device. Allowing the rangefinder to be at your side whenever you need it, much easier to get on/off your belt than the typical clip of your tape measure.

I have found the DLR165 laser rangefinder very accurate (using a standard tape measure as my reference). As you can see, both are measuring exactly 5 feet. I compared the two in several scenarios, all of which showed within 1/8″. That difference can easily be attributed to human error (especially over longer distances).

The DLR165 rangefinder is ideal for measuring distance with some sort of backstop (aka a wall or side of a hill or building). It would be difficult to measure a board for cutting or plotting out an area of land to put a foundation.

Unless you have someone to hold something at the desired point of measure for the laser to hit. That limitation not withstanding, this compact, lightweight, highly accurate rangefinder will be a great benefit to many future construction projects.

Filed in categories: Home Tech, Reviews

Tagged: Tools

Bosch DLR165 Digital Laser Rangefinder Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 11, 2010 at 3:04 pm.

ThinkGeek has some handy, credit-card sized tools that you can carry with you in your wallet.  These wallet tools are made of stainless steel, and as ThinkGeek says, are “perfect for your inner MacGyver.”   ThinkGeek has the hex-head spanner wrench for metric bolts 6-14 mm, guitar plectrums, ice scraper, and a bottle opener.  Prices are $6.99 for the ice scraper, $9.99 for each of the others.

Filed in categories: Gear, News, Wallets

Tagged: Gear, Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

Carry a Toolbox in Your Wallet originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 7, 2010 at 12:14 pm.

I wouldn’t consider myself someone who collects lots of tools.  But I do have enough tools that it has gotten a little out of control in our garage.  It has reached a point where I have to question myself about where that tool is that I am looking for.  So I jumped at the chance to review the Veto Pro Pac LT-XL Laptop Toolbag.

My first impression when I pulled the Pro Pac out of the box was “wow, this thing is made of tough stuff”.  You can tell by looking at the corners and at the places where the pieces of the canvas fabric are put together.  You can tell by picking it up too.  The handle is beefy.  The zippers are thick and sturdy. And the various hooks and pouches are just plain tough!  I can see this bag lasting me a very long time.

Now, let me say that about 3 years ago I went to my local big box store and got me a big toolbox to replace my average, smallish toolbox.  Several birthdays and Christmas’ later, my big toolbox wasn’t sufficient enough to hold all my new little tools.  So the Veto Pro Pac came at just the right time.

The shoulder strap is wide, and padded, and the toolbag itself is tapered from the bottom to the top making over-the-shoulder use realistic.  All the zippers on the bag can be pad-locked, which is great.  I have owned a lot of over-the-shoulder type bags, and the first thing to break on me has always been the handle d-rings because of flimsy design.  It looks like they got this one right.

The Pro Pac was designed for the techy side in me as well, because this bag can carry 2, that’s right, 2 laptops!  Just on either side of the handle are 2 padded zippered slots for laptops, or file folders if you want.

On the outside edge of both sides are large zippered slots that completely open the inside of both sides.  Or you can only unzip the sides halfway down and snap the top of the flap to the side of the bag, which is a nice touch.  One side is designed to hold 75 tools with a ton of pouches.

The other side is meant for business, with larger pouches meant for sunglasses, cellphones, digital cameras, calculators, power cords, notepads, pens, business cards, and so on.

My old toolbox is looking very empty and lonely now because I moved my most-used tools to the Pro Pac.  What I really like about the Pro Pac over a regular tool box is that all my tools are standing up with the handles sticking out so it is extremely easy to find the tool you want.  With a regular toolbox the tools are all laying down on top of each other like the silverware in the kitchen drawer, and it is a hassle to find what you want…. you end up having to remove half the tools in the toolbox just to find that one tool in the bottom of the box.

Some other nice touches are that there are 7 hooks/loops on the outside of the bag so you can attach things that you need quick access to… keys, tape measures, etc.  There are also 2 hooks inside the bag.  The shoulder strap is removable of course, and each end of the strap connects to the aforementioned D-hooks.  In fact, every time I look at the bag, I seem to discover some new pouch, or nook, or cranny (did I just say cranny??).  The bag measures almost 17 inches wide and 10 inches wide, and about 20 inches tall.

Now, there are a few final things about this bag that I should mention.  The bag isn’t big enough to hold larger tools, like a power drill or a sander.  If you load it up with a bunch of tools and a laptop, it can get quite heavy.  You do have the shoulder strap to help, and the beefy handle is comfortable, but it can still get heavy.  And I do wish that the metal strip that runs down both sides of the handle had a ruler on it.  Every toolbox I have ever owned had a ruler somewhere on the box so you can quickly lay something down to see how long it is.  The handle on this bag is the perfect place for this!

I love this bag.  It isn’t cheap though at $225, and it won’t replace every toolbox or storage bin that I have in my garage, because it wasn’t designed to hold everything I have.  But it will hold the tools I use the most.

Note: Links in this review are affiliate links. The Gadgeteer earns a small percentage of $’s for any sale that comes from this review.

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Toolbag, Tools

Veto Pro Pac LT-XL Laptop Toolbag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 3, 2010 at 10:39 am.

Everyday carry fans will love the Screwpop tool. It’s a 4 in 1 keychain tool shaped like a key, that has a Phillips screwdriver tip #2, flathead screwdriver tip #2, 1/4” hex. nut driver, and a bottle opener. At only $4.95, it would make a great little stocking stuffer.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

Screwpop 4-in-1 Keychain Tool originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 30, 2009 at 1:50 pm.

Dremel. My all-time favorite power tool, just the name gets my creative juices flowing. I have owned several of these tools and was excited to be offered the chance to review this edition along with their EZ Lock mandrel system.

To me, the Dremel is the powered equivalent of the Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman Tool – a well-made, general purpose tool that either gets the begeebers used out of it, or tends to mostly to inspire dreams without much actual use.

If you’ve been bitten by the Dremel bug, you already know the basics of what it can do but even us regular users can be surprised by some of the ways other people use these things. At work, I have a 400XPR with the EZ Lock mandrel that always has a heavy-duty metal cut-off wheel on it. I use it for a lot of rapid fabrication, light metal work, smoothing edges, etc.

If you have not been bitten by the Dremel bug, you should at least check it out. Dremels come in AC and battery versions. I love the battery units for their handiness, but the real joy of Dremel is best discovered with the more powerful AC units. There are four main units, or ‘series’- the 100, 200, 300, and 400. Each is progressively stronger, more feature-laden, and has a longer warranty.

The 300 Series features:

• 1.15 Amps
• 5k-35k rpm, with variable speed control and integrated ‘off’ switch
• Soft grip areas
• 18.0 ounces
• 4 year warranty

The 300 features a ‘Dove Tail’ feature, a rail attachment near the end of the tool (I cannot see that they offer anything yet that uses this feature, but Dremel is always offering new stuff), and an on-board storage slot for the little wrench. The slot is good news for those of us who misplace that sucker all of the time.

The 300 also shares features with most of the other series- things like a hanging loop, universal collet lock (that accepts several add-on tools like the flex shaft, multi-cutting head, right-angle attachment, and multi-saw), and the ability to use just short of a bajillion bits and tools.

Holding a 300 is a pleasure. The soft grips are comfortable and help ensure a more secure grip. The balance of the tool is such that you do not fight it when using it in the ‘pencil grip’, although it may be a bit thick for small hands. (Hint: The smaller battery unit is much easier to hold if you have smaller hands.)

Holding it in the 'pencil grip'

Turn this sucker on and feel the power. The mojo of the Dremel is the high rotary speeds.  In fact, this tool’s speed can be its worst enemy since many people mistakenly think that the higher the speed, the better. The problem is that many of the tools, like the sanding wheels, are designed for lower speeds. When you match the right speed to the right tool for the job, it is like cutting warm butter.

‘Doing stuff’ is what this tool is all about, and to do stuff we need to use and generally change bits a lot. Some bits, like the cutting wheels and buffers, need to be changed even more often because they wear out or we need to adjust the coarseness. This is where the EZ Lock System is outstanding.

EZ Lock starts with the EZ402 mandrel (or tool holding bit) that has a little ‘push down and twist’ mechanism on the end that holds other EZ Lock bits and ends securely without having to take things apart in-between. As a guy who has gone through several cut-off wheels in a single job, I see this as a major improvement.

EZ Lock mandrel and brush- the gold part of the mandrel slides down to install the brush.

I was sent a set of ‘Detail Abrasive Brushes’ that use the EZ lock system and come in fine (EZ471SA), medium (EZ472SA), and coarse (EZ473SA). These are low speed stiff bristle things that can do cleaning, light sanding, etc. I found a lot of use for them cleaning in very tight places. The photos show a headrest mount that is mildly corroded, rusted, and dirty. A few minutes with the medium brush took off most of the bad stuff, and even some of the paint. I could have minimized that by using the fine brush and adjusting speeds and pressure.

Mounting- BEFORE

Mounting- AFTER. I did not try for perfection, just basic crud removal. Not as dramatically different as I had hoped, but it IS cleaner!

Besides the Detail Abrasive Brushes, you can get abrasive buffing pads, polishing cloths, and a variety of cutting wheels in the EZ Lock series. One thing about the EZ Lock I really like is that the wheels can also fit the standard 402 mandrel- the one with the little screw that goes in the end.

I was also sent the 300 1/24 Kit, which has 1 tool attachment and 24 bits in a decently designed plastic case. The tool in this selection is the Circle Cutter and Straight Edge Guide (678-01) a tool that cuts circles or helps you guide your tool along the edge of a piece of work, in case the name did not give it away. It is a nice tool and works well in testing… but I admit that I have never used a previous one I have owned for several years.

Circle cutting tool

The kit- nice assortment!

The 24 included bits are a nice general purpose selection mostly focused on sanding and polishing. There is plenty of room in the case for expansion, and room for a few more tool attachments as well.

The included documentation is almost overwhelming and covers everything you need to know for years of fun and repairs. What little it does not tell you, you can find on-line at the customer gallery or message boards.

If you are feeling the pull of Dremel, great! To jump in full blast with a good, functional, powerful set-up, try the 300 series. I might suggest the 300-2/28 kit for the good selection of bits and tools to start with. If raw power is not the biggest issue, you may want to try one of the battery units. Definitely give the EZ Lock system a look if you are doing a lot of work with the tips and wheels it uses.

Just grab it and give it a whirrrrrr!

Filed in categories: Do-It-Yourself, Home Tech

Tagged: Tools

Dremel 300 Series 1/24 Kit, with EZ Lock Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 30, 2009 at 10:13 am.

Columbia River Knive and Tool offer two carbiner sets that have interchangeable hext bits. The Get-A-Way Driver includes four standard flat and Phillips bits and the Get-A-Way Driver Torx set offers four standard Torx sizes, T5, T6, T8 and T10. Both tools have an oxygen bottle wrench on the underside, which makes it useful for emergency rescue use and also include a 10 mm wrench and hex bit wrench reliefs. You can buy either one for $19.99.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Symbian OS Related, Tools

Screwdriver and Torx driver sets for your pocket originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 25, 2009 at 11:15 am.

This looks like the ultimate utility knife. The SpeedPak from Clauss, uses replacement blade cartridges. Carry a cartridge in your pocket and when needed, just pop it into the knife. This seems easier and safer than messing with individual blades. Each cartridge holds 10 Titanium Bonded double-edged blades that are 3x harder than steel and stay sharper longer. You can buy the knife and one cartridge for $15.

Filed in categories: Gear

Tagged: Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

Cartridge based utility knife – Clauss SpeedPak originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 8, 2009 at 5:40 pm.

Every once in a while, I stumble upon a product that makes me say to myself, “Yeah!  Why didn’t somebody think of that a long time ago?”  The Ratcheting Hex Wrench from ProTool Manufacturing is one such product.  Each tool contains a full set of either standard or metric hex wrenches that can be folded down into one compact tool.  The user selects the desired size hex wrench and grips a handle that is integrated into the case body.  The beauty part is a mechanism that allows the tool to ratchet while tightening or loosening (a switch reverses direction), allowing an easier torquing action.  Unfortunately, at this time of this writing, the ProTool Manufacturing website seems to be down, but the Ratcheting Hex Wrench can be quite readily found on the web by doing a search, usually for less than $10.00 per set.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

Ratcheting Hex Wrench originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 24, 2009 at 11:17 am.