How many times have you needed to use a flashlight, but it was missing batteries or the batteries were dead? This problem is compounded by the fact that you have to find new batteries in the dark! Needless to say, flashlights with alternate power sources have caught my eye. NightStar’s shakable flashlight is one great solution. With every shake, it passes a magnet through coils embedded in the flashlight to produce electricity. Thirty seconds of shaking produces up to 20 minutes of light for use in or out of your home. Applied Innovative Technologies sells the flashlight for approximately $30 on its site.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Robert Bosch Tool Corp. have announced a recall of about 9,700 hammer drills. The drill can continue to operate after the trigger has been released, posing a risk of injury to users. The recalled hammer drill is blue with “BOSCH” printed on the side. The model number 1191VSR can be located on the product nameplate mounted on the side of the motor. Only drills with a serial number that begins with “7” are included in the recall. The drills were sold at Menards and other hardware retailers from July 2007 through April 2008 for about $100. Consumers should stop using the recalled hammer drill immediately and contact Robert Bosch at (877) 472-0007 for a free repair.
Handymen and women have always relied on precise measurements in order to complete a job in or around the home. A replacement for your standard issue tape measure can now be found in Bosch’s Laser Range Finder. This device is mostly appealing because of its compact size and its time-saving qualities. Bosch’s product finds distances instantly and can even compute simple equations such as the area of a room. It’s ability to find measurements from four different reference points on the device makes it more precise than other range finders. Personally, I think another notable feature is the fact that there is no chance that measuring tape will come flying back in your face when released.
The Energizer Hard Case Professional Series flashlights are the newest must-have in your tool box. These lightweight but hard-working flashlights boast bold, bright LED lights and many also have night vision and pipe inspection features, as well.
In the most recent DIY project in our house, Hubby Dearest strapped on the 4 LED Headlight to install a cat door for the downstairs bathroom. We've been having a problem keeping our dog out of the cats' litter box where she liked to eat "recycled food," if you know what I mean. Anyway, the headlight with pivoting head and 15-hour run time freed up Hubby's hands and gave him plenty of time to cut a hole in the bathroom door and install the new pet door.
These heavy-duty flashlights all carry a lifetime guarantee to boot. And if you're still looking for a Father's Day gift for your dad (or a gift for your kids to give their dad) this Sunday, the Energizer Hard Case Professional Series of flashlights is available at Lowe's and Ace Hardware. Just don't give him a chore along with the gift. Wait 'til next Sunday.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of about 23,000 Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers. The blower’s fan can separate from the base and break apart, causing plastic pieces to be blown out of the machine and pose a laceration and impact hazard to consumers. Thirteen injuries have been reported so far, and this product was previously recalled because it posed a fire hazard. The recall involves Shindaiwa Models EB8510 and EB8510RT, all models up to serial #7014728 included. Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact Shindaiwa at (800) 521-7733 for the closest dealer location to schedule a free inspection and impeller replacement.
DeWALT is recalling about 13,000 table saws because the pivot bracket can separate and cause kick back, posing a severe laceration hazard. The table saws were sold nationwide from April 2007 through January 2008 for approximately $500. The recall affects 10-inch DeWALT table saws with model number DW744 with date codes 200715 through 200740. The model number and date code are located on the name plate on the front of the saw. Saws stamped with an "X" on the name plate are not included in the recall. Consumers should stop using the saw and contact DeWALT at 888-742-9178 to obtain a free replacement table saw.
Living in the Northeast, I can tell you from experience that shoveling snow is one of the most arduous tasks you will ever have to complete. Now, a company called I-Shovel is looking to automate this chore with a Jetson-style robot. Its patent-pending technology allows the robot to detect snow accumulation and determine the perimeter of the area to be shoveled. Once it determines the area has received enough snow, the bot goes to work. While only in the prototype stage, it looks promising from the video. The makers believe it will be affordable and hope to get a production model out later this year, hopefully just in time for next winter.
