13 must-have tools for 2008

Whether you're dropping hints or treating yourself, here is 2008's choicest workshopper selection

By Douglas Thomson

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Fiery idea

Here’s a potentially life-saving test-where’s the nearest fire extinguisher? If you can’t put your hands on it in a few seconds or, worse yet, you don’t have one at all, the new Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray is for you. The fire-extinguishing spray won’t put down a raging inferno, which is probably why they stop short of calling it a fire extinguisher, but it is small and inexpensive enough to keep one in any area you might need it. The spray-can design is also completely intuitive to most people, so they won’t be slowed down as they try to figure out how the thing works when time is at a premium. Tundra fire extinguishing spray: $20, www.firstalert.com or 800-323-005.

Cool Light

Take a nice, cool break from super-hot halogen lights. The DeWalt DC022 features a 38-watt fluorescent bulb that casts an even light that’s cool to the touch. It won’t light up a whole room, but the articulating hinged arm can be positioned to shine right where you need it. An added bonus: the DC022 can be powered by the same batteries as DeWalt’s cordless power tools. Also, when plugged in, the light can charge the batteries and provide power to other tools through a GFCI-protected plug. DeWalt DC022: $200, www.dewalt.com or 800-433-9258.

Drivin’ a Porsche

Judged simply as a tool, the Porsche p7911 hammer drill is solid but largely unremarkable. Sure, it will drill stone, wood and metal, but, unlike a good book, this tool really should be judged by its cover. The hammer drill’s casing is a sleek mix of shiny aluminum and matte carbon fibre, giving this tool a big boost in the looks department. The handle/trigger combination is unique too; it’s positioned so that you instinctively pick up the tool in an upside-down fashion, and once you get a grip on it, the position feels quite natural and well-balanced. The drill was developed as a co-operative project between Porsche Design and power-tool maker Metabo, and, as with the sports car, the P7911 looks and feels like a finely tuned combination of aesthetics and quality. Plus, it’s a Porsche-who doesn’t want to drive one? Porsche P7911: $680, www.metabo.ca or 905-761-0023.



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