Tool News Nirvana – New Tools and Contests from Channellock, Wilton Vise and Frog Tape

If you’re still feeling the pain of this lousy economy, step right up folks; we’ve found four contests  that could bring you camping gear, $5,000 of Wilton Vise gear, an imperial blue Chevy Camaro SS coupe, or, from Frog Tape or Genie, even $5,000 clams (dollars, not the mollusks).  Plus, just for sending your photo and story to the Wilton contest, you’ll get a C-clamp worth $84, whether or not your story sucks is not a winner.  

A Chance to Camp Courtesy of Channellock

Channellock is giving away $5,000 worth of prizes to one lucky winner – and it’s all stuff that’s perfect for the ultimate camping trip. Prizes include: $2,000 worth of CHANNELLOCK® tools, a tent, kayak, portable burner stove, Omaha steaks, sleeping bags and more. (All of the prizes are made in the USA, too!)  Participants can enter daily until July 8, 2012 on Channellock’s website.

Have a Wilton Brand Vise?  Tell Your Story

If you’ve got a Wilton brand vise in your workshop, snap a photo – it could be worth $5,000 of Wilton merchandise. From now until September 14^th, 2012 Wilton Vise is running a contest that’s awarding some pretty good stuff.

Wilton, known for its stalwart American made vises (see our earlier Wilton vise review here) is celebrating their 71st anniversary with the Holding Strong contest. The best Wilton vise story could earn its owner $5,000 worth of Wilton gear. Participants submit a story and picture of their Wilton vise and in turn they’ll receive a Made in America C-clamp ($84 value) for entering. Separately, Wilton is running a sweepstakes to give away a brand new Imperial Blue Chevy Camaro SS coupe!

So tell your story: Where did you get your Wilton vise? Who gave it to you and who will get it after you?  Tell Wilton how you’re part of the history.

Here’s More Incentive to Get Going on That Room Renovation

Do you have a fancy or challenging paint job in the works – like with stripes or chevrons?  Don’t forget to take some before, during, and after photos.  The Frog Tape Earn Your Stripes contest is offering a chance to win $5,000 for the project with the sharpest lines, the most creativity, and the most beautiful results.

Frog Tape is a leader in painter’s tape, and is the only painter’s tape treated with PaintBlock technology.  You might remember that wrote up a Frog Tape Review and did a heads-up painting war between Frog Tape and a competitor last September.

The runner-up in this contest gets $2,500, third place gets $1,000, and the best in each of seven different room categories will be awarded $100 each.  Enter before July 31^st, 2012 for your chance to win.

Porter-Cable® Solves the Run Time Problem with the 18 Volt Oscillating Multi-Tool

The Porter-Cable 18V Oscillating Multi-Tool was a hit with users for its versatility in its original cordless incarnation, but the main complaint was that it had a short run time.  This month, Porter-Cable has released the new Oscillating Multi-Tool which provides double the run time per charge when used with the compact battery, and triple the run time per charge when used with the extended runtime Lithium Ion or NiCD batteries.

Still great for a variety of applications like cutting, sanding, scraping and grinding, the Oscillating Multi-Tool is compact and comfortable to use with an oversized, easy-to-reach switch and an ergonomic handle with an over–molded, non-slip grip.  It’s also a pretty good value with more than $135 in accessories included for use with any type of job.  If you want to compare it to the corded version, see our earlier review of the corded Porter Cable Multi-Tool.

The 18V Oscillating Multi-Tool is available at Lowes for purchase on its own, or as part of a tool kit which comes with one Lithium Ion battery, one 18V Multi-Chemistry Charger, 32 accessories, an accessory box, and a kit bag.

Two New Brushless Lithium Ion Tools from Hitachi

Now available at Lowes, the 18V Brushless Hammer Drill and the 18V Brushless Impact Driver by Hitachi are the new kids on the block. Ergonomically designed, the Brushless Hammer Drill delivers professional grade power with an impressive 654 in-lbs of turning torque. Stay tuned for a HomeFixated review of that tool in the not too distant future. It features an all metal ½” ratcheting keyless chuck, a 22-stage clutch delivering 22 torque settings, and 8 different speed/power calibrations.  Check out Hitachi’s hammer drill video to see all the features:

The brushless technology for both the Brushless Impact Driver and the Hammer Drill eliminates energy loss from heat and friction.  The Impact Driver is equipped with a micro-processor chip that efficiently delivers current flow to the motor.   The result is longer run time between charges, increased power, and extended durability with low maintenance (in other words, the usual brushless motor advantages companies like to tout).

Like the Hammer Drill, the Impact Driver body is ergonomically designed and balanced, and it’s lightweight for easy use and precision.   But don’t let the size fool you – it’s capable of delivering an impressive turning torque of 1,420 in-lbs, making it perfect for heavy jobs like tightening and loosening carriage bolts, driving lags, and sinking deck screws.  For everything you ever wanted to know about the impact driver, take in this video:

Each tool is available at Lowes separately or in a Hitachi 2-Tool 18-Volt Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Brushless Cordless Combo Kit (say that 10 times) which includes, in addition to both tools, a quick charger, two Lithium Ion slide type batteries, side handle, double sided Phillips driver bit, and carrying case.

The most fun feature overall?  Possibly the adjustable metal belt hooks that can be switched to the right or left side of the tools based on the user’s preference; the wearer has total control over where he hangs his tool on his body for best manly effect.  We suggest clipping it on and checking yourself out in the mirror – make a full runway turn and act out your favorite Western – before you decide.
 
Makita (Too) Expands its Growing Line of Brushless Tools
 
Makita has launched two new tools: The Brushless Impact Driver and the Brushless Motor Hammer Driver-Drill.  Both tools are cordless and brushless for convenience, cooler operation, extended battery, and longer tool life.

The Impact Driver’s brushless motor offers variable speed that delivers 1,420 in-lbs of torque and 0-2,500 RPM for a wide range of fastening applications.  The compact design, (under 3 1/2 lbs with the battery and less than 6” long) offers a good power-to-weight ratio.

The Driver-Drill delivers 400 in-lbs of torque and has 16 clutch settings to cover a wide range of applications, plus hammer and drill modes.  Check out both tools on Makita’s website.
 
Klein Tools Introduces Demolition Screwdrivers

For anyone who has a screwdriver or two in their toolbox that takes frequent hammer hits, Klein Tools has launched a line of demolition screwdrivers.  Manufactured for prying and chiseling, this screwdriver design transfers impact force directly to the work surface.  A plated metal strike cap protects the handle from hammer blows.

Made in the USA, the slotted drivers are available in 4” and 7” blade lengths, and ¼” and 5/16” tip sizes. Check out the video, or visit the Klein Tools website for more info.