The Extreme How-To staff recently spent a week in Las Vegas for the 2013 National Hardware Show. We exhibited our magazine at the show as well as walked the aisles in search of cool tools. Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights.
HomeRight SteamMachine
The SteamMachine from HomeRight is a multipurpose power steamer for the DIY homeowner. Looking for a quick and easy way to remove wallpaper? The SteamMachine is a fast and easy way to release the wallpaper adhesive, plus it’s chemical-free. Using the steam plate attachment, steam is applied to the wall so the paper peels away easily. Use the handle attachment to clean stoves, ovens, bathrooms and grills. Use the extension handle to sanitize resilient flooring such as tile, vinyl and linoleum. The high-pressure steam blasts the surface clean, and the cleaning pad wipes away the grime. Have ugly grout joints? When the EHT staff tested the SteamMachine we particularly liked the small scrub-nozzle attachment, which concentrates the steam for detailed applications such as cleaning grimy grout in a tile floor. The canister comes equipped with two wheels to move across the floor with the mop as you work. www.homeright.com.
Top Star Shim Screw
The Top Star from GRK Fasteners is a special “two-phase” screw for installing doors. It takes the place of shims when plumbing the jamb. Check out this video to see how it works. www.grkfasteners.com.
Hyde Quickly Clean Glove
Got a jobsite mess? Clean it up quick with the new, eco-friendly Hyde Quickly Clean Glove. Developed by a house painter, the Hyde Quickly Clean Glove has a patented weave that turns it into a “miracle glove” for cleaning almost anything without harsh chemicals that can lead to dry, cracked skin. The glove removes oil-based and latex paint, caulk, adhesive, grease, dirt, grime and more, using nothing harsher than plain water or mild hand soap. Many products currently in use are chemical-based and labeled “avoid contact with skin.” By contrast, the Quickly Clean Glove actually rejuvenates the skin. It’s a healthful alternative to chemicals and to the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) products that are being removed from the market. www.hydetools.com.
General’s E-Z Pro Crown King
It’s often considered difficult to cut crown molding accurately, and accuracy is critical for seamless joints at inside or outside corners. The new E-Z Pro Crown King (880) from General Tools & Instruments makes it a snap to cut crown molding, reducing trial and error and saving time and money. Unlike similar jigs on the market, the Crown King requires no assembly and is easy to use. It enables woodworkers and DIY’ers to produce inside and outside corners with the three most common crown molding spring angles (38, 45 and 52 degrees). In combination with a miter saw, the Crown King can create precisely joining angles every time. Simply measure the corner angle, divide it by half, set your miter saw to that angle, cut and fit. No complicated compound miter angle calculations are necessary. And, since the molding is cut in the same orientation that it will hang on the wall, it eliminates the challenge of thinking “upside-down and backward” as required with traditional miter-saw cutting. www.generaltools.com.
Picobello Repair Kit
A floor repair kit for the homeowner, the Picobello Repair Kit can fix scratches, chips and dents in hardwood and laminate flooring, kitchen cabinets and furniture. The kit contains 10 assorted colors that can be mixed to match almost any color finish. Also included is a battery-powered melting tool used to apply the wax into the damaged area, as well as a leveling tool and clear finish to complete the repair. The repairs are durable and easy to make. www.konigtouchup.com.
Spring Tools Nail Set
This is a hammerless nail set that utilizes a spring to generate kinetic energy to the driver tip with 3,500 PSI of striking force. Just pull back the end of the tool and let ‘er rip. Spring Tools offers nail sets and punches, as well as chisels and an ID stamping tool. Check out the video below for a demonstration. www.springtools.com.
Gorilla Super Glue Gel
Gorilla Glue serves up its latest Super Glue formula as a gel. Why a gel? Because a gel doesn’t run, making it easier to control without super-gluing your fingers to the bottle, and so forth. Plus, the gel formulation is less rigid and brittle, making the bonded repair more resistant to impacts and shocks. The gel bonds wood, metal, ceramic, rubber, leather, paper and most plastics. Gorilla Glue packages it with an anti-clog cap to keep the glue fresh after use. www.gorillaglue.com.
Dickies Tool Gear
Work wear maker Dickies has a licensing agreement with JS Products, Inc. to manufacture Dickies-branded tool bags and accessories. The core pieces of Dickies-branded tool gear include utility pouches, rigs and aprons, belt systems, tool holsters, bucket organizers, general utility sheaths and accessories, work totes, tool bags and more. The painter line will offer work bags and totes, paint accessory pouches and aprons, paint brush and tool rolls, belt systems, bucket organizers and other soft-sided painting tool accessories. www.williamsondickie.com
— M. Weber
