For tradesmen, contractors, DIY'ers or anyone who likes to be the first on the block with the coolest new tools-the National Hardware Show (NHS) is the place to be. From new framing hammers and <http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=61044> flashlights to the latest advancements in ShamWow technology, you'll find it here. Held this year in Las Vegas, Nevada, the NHS is a product showcase where hundreds of tools, gadgets and other home-improvement items are rolled out to the public. It's actually a trade show targeted to retailers who distribute the products on display, but that's incidental to guys like me that don't own a <http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=61044> hardware store
<http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=61044> http://konac.kontera.com/javascript/lib/imgs/grey_loader.gif . We're in it for the gadgets. The following is a roundup of the latest innovations that our staff thought might interest our readers, in case you couldn't make it to Vegas. http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TTLea d.jpg Slide-N-Pump A simple but effective design is all that's required for the new Slide-N-Pump, an easy-to-use device to manually move water from place to place with no mess. Just attach a standard garden hose to both ends, insert the open hose-end into any volume of water (or other liquids) and pump it away. The Slide-N-Pump also acts as a siphon initiator to create a continuous flow of water. At one-third the price of electrical pumps, the versatile Slide-N-Pump makes it easy to pump or siphon water anywhere, without the need to use electricity near water. Use it to drain aquariums, <http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=61044> hot tubs, post holes, utility meters, toilets, basements, foundations, clogged gutters and more. http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT01. jpg Quickloader Tie-down Ratchet If you find tie-down ratchets frustrating-and at times, nearly impossible-to use, then check out the Quickloader from Wessel Industries. The Quickloader is the first retractable tie-down ratchet that retains all the benefits of the traditional two-piece design combined with a spring-loaded mechanism to automatically roll up the strap. Compared to two-piece ratchets, the Quickloader is easier to use, reduces time spent loading and unloading, and is designed for a longer life cycle, because the retracted strap protects the webbing from dirt and debris. Simply attach the hooks on each side of the cargo then ratchet the handle to fasten it down. To release, move the handle 180 degrees forward. Then, retract the strap for orderly storage without tangles, twists and knots. Learn more at www.quickloader.com <http://www.quickloader.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT02. jpg Rescue Tape Attention DIY'ers and Tradesmen: You need some Rescue Tape. Rescue Tape is a self-fusing silicone repair product that was originally used by the U.S. Military. Using no adhesive, this versatile tape-like product is easy to use on all sorts of jobs from plumbing to tool repair. You can quickly fix leaks on hoses, insulate electrical wiring, wrap damaged tool handles and more. The EHT staff has used Rescue Tape to install drain pipes, to help repair patio furniture, and to seal an air compressor hose to an HVAC drain hose (so we could blast clean the clogged drain hose). The possibilities are endless. Simply pull the tape tightly and wrap back onto itself to create a strong, self-fusing connection. According to the manufacturer, Rescue Tape boasts a 950-PSI tensile strength, insulates 8,000 volts per layer and withstands 500 degrees of heat. It also remains flexible to -85 degrees. Visit www.rescuetape.com <http://www.rescuetape.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT03. jpg E-Zpro Dovetail Jig Traditionally, creating a professional-quality dovetail joint required considerable carpentry skill, a steady hand, and precision tools or expensive equipment. Most manufactured dovetail jigs were large, costly and complex machines. In response, the all-new E-Zpro DOVEtailer Dovetail & Box Joint Jig from General Tools & Instruments makes precision joinery a possibility for anyone who owns a router or router table. The new jig is set up to make perfect joints right out of the box, requiring no other parts or equipment. The jig is machined from a heavy-duty aluminum extrusion and features a sliding depth gauge that easily adjusts for routing both full and half-blind joints to the dimensions your work requires. Face-joints or box joints are just as easy to accomplish. Cut both pins and tails for dovetail or box joints in two quick passes with a router or router table. The DOVEtailer can be quickly repositioned to make continuous joints of any length using its provided alignment key. Each kit is available at The Home Depot for $39.97 and includes the dovetail jig, alignment key, a 14-degree 1/4-inch-shank dovetail router bit and two guide bearings. Visit www.generaltools.com <http://www.generaltools.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT04. jpg Ladder's Little Helper Chores like gutter cleaning, window washing, house painting and roof repairs require working on a ladder, which are notorious for accidental falls. The new device called Ladder's Little Helper uses patented technology to help reduce the risk of fall from a ladder. Ladder's Little Helper wraps around the lip of a gutter to provide a stable base to lean a ladder against. Rippled rubber on the underside and face of the device provides grip on both the gutter and ladder, while the raised sides prevent sideways movement. Its patented design fits 99 percent of gutters and ladders and is made of lightweight plastic. To use, simply insert a pole into the bottom, place Ladder's Little Helper on your gutter and lean your ladder against the device for a safer work environment. For more information, visit www.ladderslittlehelper.com <http://www.ladderslittlehelper.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT05. jpg Designer Drylok UGL now offers Designer Drylok, a decorative waterproofer formulated with an advanced color system that imparts a granite-like filler system with multicolored specks, providing an economical alternative to solid color. Until now, waterproofers have been a utilitarian paint, used to keep water from entering masonry. Now, customers have the ability to keep water out and create an up-to-date specked finish to add a decorative look. Latex-based Designer Drylok comes with a 10-year fully transferable warranty and is ideal for masonry walls, cinder and concrete blocks, stucco, brick, fieldstone foundations and retaining walls. The product is available in two introductory colors; Misty Gray with Midnight Specks, and Natural Sand with Brownstone Specks. Learn more at www.ugl.com <http://www.ugl.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT06. jpg Everun Tankless, Coilless Water <http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/article.asp?article_id=61044> Heaters American Hometec introduces the Everun line of tankless water heaters featuring coilless technology, which heats water differently than any other tankless heaters on the market. Other electric heaters immerse coils directly in the water in order to heat it, causing heat spots that produce buildup of lime scale and a decrease in heating efficiency. Because there are no coils with this coilless technology, the electric components are never in direct contact with the water being heated, preventing accumulation of lime inside the unit, increasing its longevity and providing a machine that is maintenance-free. The Everun line includes three electric and three gas units that are sleek in design and meet the hot water needs of everything from a sink to a whole home. Each model features modern styling and clean lines for a fashionable, sleek look, including a red LED Smooth-touch temperature control panel that offers an easy-to-use and easy-to-clean surface and prevents damage from dirt or moisture. The units are also compact in size (the size of a traditional medicine cabinet) for point-of-use installation. Since the units are designed to be installed in plain view, they feature an optional shelf skirt to hide necessary pipes and valves. Visit www.everuntankless.com <http://www.everuntankless.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT07. jpg StuckOn Tools Magnetic Boards StuckOn Tools presents a unique concept for storage and access to valuable tools, instruments and shop supplies. The new magnetic boards from StuckOn Tools provide a tool-organization system without the need for pegs, tool boxes or old coffee cans. The durable, rust-resistant steel boards feature a powder-coated finish and clean up quickly with a simple wipe of the surface. In addition to boards for general hand tools, StuckOn Tools also offers a Garden Board, a Woman's Board (Designer Set), and even a Large Tool Organizer Strip for items such as rakes and shovels. Visit www.stuckontools.com <http://www.stuckontools.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT08. jpg HeatTrak Safety Mats HeatTrak safety mats are electrically heated mats designed to melt snow and ice on residential walkways and stairs. The Heated Outdoor Walkway Mat and Heated Outdoor Safety Treads are made of durable material and lie on top of existing surfaces to melt snow at a rate of two inches per hour. The mats are designed to be left outside for the entire winter season. The heated outdoor safety mats reduce slip-and-fall accidents due to snow and ice on outdoor surfaces by keeping them clear and safe, providing a convenient alternative to shoveling or the use of calcium chloride. The Heated Outdoor Walkway Mat measures 20-by-60 inches, and the Heated Outdoor Safety Treads measure 10-by-30 inches. Both products come with their own watertight connector cables, enabling them to connect to additional mats to cover larger areas. A homeowner can connect a maximum of five walkway mats or up to 12 safety treads on a single power plug. Both the walkway mat and safety treads are charcoal gray and surfaced with waterproof ribbed carpeting. The walkway mat retails for $200, and the safety treads are sold in sets of three, each set retailing for $200. HeatTrak offers a two-year manufacturer's warranty on all products, which are now available at Costco.com, Homedepot.com, and the company's online store at www.heattrak.com <http://www.heattrak.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT09. jpg Rockwell JawStand The EHT staff looks forward to the launch of the new Rockwell JawStand, which isn't yet on the market, but we got a close-up peek at a prototype during the NHS. An outfeed support roller is a nice extra set of hands on the worksite, but too many roller supports are poorly engineered with a top-heavy design that tends to topple over, or have a roller that sticks and falls over when a board is pushed onto it. The new Rockwell JawStand is designed to address both problems. It features a heavy-duty, tripod-shaped base for extra stability while supporting loads up to 220 pounds. And, in lieu of a roller, the JawStand uses two low-friction slides. These slides allow material to pass over them freely, and unlike rollers, the slides keep the workpiece from drifting. The JawStand can also clamp work pieces up to 1-1/4 inch thick. Featuring a built-in bubble level, the stand can pivot from zero to 90 degrees, and swivel 360 degrees to assist with door installations and other vertical applications. Plus, the height of the support surface is adjustable from 25 to 41 inches, with a scale on the support column that indicates the working height. Use it to raise bath or utility cabinets for mounting, clamp work pieces for sanding and painting and more. The Rockwell JawStand is expected to be available in July at rockwelltoolsdirect.com and Amazon.com. http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT10. jpg AlligatorBoard For those serious DIY'ers and tradesmen who think a fiberboard pegboard simply won't cut it, there's AlligatorBoard. Manufactured from 20-gauge steel, AlligatorBoard pegboard is much stronger and more durable than ordinary pegboard; it won't warp, tear, discolor or rust. It features strength-reinforcing dimpled holes, and with the included hardware it's easier to install than other pegboards. There's no need to add framing-the built-in 5/8-inch flanges let you mount directly to any wall. AlligatorBoard holds up to 90 pounds when mounted on wall studs and comes with a 5-year warranty. A variety of panel and strip sizes are available, and the open corners make it easy to run speaker wire or extension cords behind the installed panels. http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT11. jpg Speed Drops This is the first advancement in drop cloths since-well, the invention of drop cloths. Speed Drops use semi-rigid panels with straight edges that unfold flat in accordion style when you drop them to the floor. This design eliminates bunching and twisting, and its low profile lays beneath the swing of a door without posing an obstruction. There's no need to bend down to situate its position. Just kick the Speed Drop in place against the wall, and the straight edges create an instant barrier with maximum coverage protection. When finished painting, just fold it back up to transport or store it. In addition to the Floor Drop, also available is a large Area Drop for use when painting ceilings, a Stair Drop designed with semi-rigid panels that fold easily over treads and risers, a Door Drop that fits around jambs, as well as a Toilet Drop and Ladder Sneakers to prevent scratching the floor. For more information, visit www.speeddrops.com <http://www.speeddrops.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT12. jpg PaintSmart Trayz PaintSmart-Trayz puts a clever spin on a roller tray, giving it a mounting hook for use atop a ladder. What we like about the design is its vertical orientation, which makes it easy to rake excess paint off the roller. In fact, the steep pitch of the PaintSmart-Tray makes wiping off excess paint even easier than with standard trays because the excess paint drains to the reservoir at the bottom. PaintSmart-Trayz also have clips for two brushes and a 9-inch roller. It's made of sturdy plastic, holds two quarts of paint and is backed by a lifetime warranty. PaintSmart Trayz also feature an easy-to-carry handle and a drain spout to collect and save unused paint with minimal mess. Visit www.PaintSmart-Trayz.com <http://www.paintsmart-trayz.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT13. jpg HyLoft Express For quick and simple overhead storage space that's easy on the wallet, Diamond Storage Concepts now offers a new, easy-to-install, smaller ceiling storage unit. The HyLoft Express is a compact and affordable option, measuring 27-by-36 inches with adjustable height from 16 to 24 inches and a weight capacity of 150 pounds. For homeowners who purchase items in bulk that end up clogging the pantry or stacked on the garage floor, the HyLoft Express provides an economical means of getting that stuff out of the way. Plus, the narrow width makes it easy to fit in a small walk-in closet. Retailers are expected to price the unit at $34.95. All HyLoft ceiling-mounted shelves, hooks and racks have a powder-coated finish and are designed for do-it-yourself installation. Visit www.hyloft.com <http://www.hyloft.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT14. jpg Electra-Base Power extension with a sense of style-that's what you get with Electra-Base, a new electrical solution that combines an attractive, modular baseboard with household wiring. Electra-Base allows for the addition of electrical outlets throughout a room without the need for a licensed electrician. Electra-Base is an easy-to-install product that fills the needs of those living in older homes with limited electrical outlets. No longer will out-of-the-way outlets go unused. No longer will it be necessary to string unsightly extension cords across the floor, walls or ceiling to access those outlets. Simply measure your space and cut the modular, hollow Electra-Base baseboard to fit. Peel off the adhesive backing and install against the wall. Place the outlet cord in the Electra-Base, add the trim pieces and it's ready for use. Learn more at www.electra-base.com <http://www.electra-base.com/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT15. jpg Rapid Warrior Multi-knife The Rapid Warrior multi-use utility knife tackles much more than general razor-blade applications. The Warrior from Rapid Tools is the only tool that converts from a standard utility knife to a variety of utility saws. Attach a hacksaw blade to cut off nails or screw heads. Attach a drywall blade to cut out an outlet box. With a general purpose blade, the Warrior can trim tree branches or cut heavy rope. It does the job of several tools without taking up much room in the toolbox, and its compact size permits work in confined spaces. When the rough work is done, switch back to a razor blade for the fine cleanup. The Warrior Value Pack includes a variety of blades, and the tool also accepts the standard reciprocating saw blades on the market today. Learn more at www.rapidtools.net <http://www.rapidtools.net/> . http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/hotprod_images/0%201a1a1HardwareShow2010TT16. jpg CanGun1 SafeWorld Int'l. brings us the CanGun1 premium spray can tool that features the world's first FullGrip trigger with a 2.5:1 leverage advantage. The CanGun1 makes spraying the contents of virtually all standard spray cans of paint, lubricant, adhesives, etc. up to eight times easier, while providing professional results every time. This patented pistol-grip accessory easily snaps onto standard aerosol spray cans, transforming them into professional-style spray guns with unprecedented control, for hours of effortless, pain-free spraying. CanGun1's exclusive ergonomist-tested and arthritis friendly design also makes it suitable for use while wearing gloves. The reusable CanGun1 is made in the USA with 80-percent recycled nontoxic plastic and zero-waste, space-optimized, recyclable packaging. For more information, visit www.cangun1.com <http://www.cangun1.com/> . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
