High visibility yellow makes the hammer easy to locate on the jobsite

High visibility yellow makes the hammer easy to locate on the jobsite (hide)

The Black & Decker AS600 6-Volt Alkaline Battery Cordless Screwdriver features an automatic spindle lock for greater control when starting and finishing screws or for manual use if... read more

The Black & Decker AS600 6-Volt Alkaline Battery Cordless Screwdriver features an automatic spindle lock for greater control when starting and finishing screws or for manual use if desired. This screwdriver has a forward/reverse switch and a narrow nose-piece for extended reach in tight places. Rubber grips provide comfort and control while a narrow nose piece for extended reach in tight places. The motor performs at 130 RMP and offers 20 inches/pound of torque. This screwdriver is great for furniture assembly, installing blinds and other projects that need a quick fix around the house. This cordless screwdriver includes 4 "AA" batteries and a double-ended screwdriving bit. (hide)

Manually adjusting a wrench to fit particular nuts and bolts can be a real hassle, especially in tight spaces. Enter Black & Decker’s battery-powered Auto Wrench, a phenomenally... read more

Manually adjusting a wrench to fit particular nuts and bolts can be a real hassle, especially in tight spaces. Enter Black & Decker’s battery-powered Auto Wrench, a phenomenally handy tool that opens and closes with the push of a button. Boasting 220 foot-pounds of torque, this wrench is powerful enough to handle most household tasks, from car repair to fixing leaks.

The Auto Wrench is not meant to replace specialty tools like pipe or torque wrenches, but the jaws open wide enough (up to 1-1/4-inch) so that it could conceivably replace a range of manual wrenches sitting in your toolkit. This is an ideal product for someone looking to buy a wrench that’s both easy to use and versatile. At 8-inches, you could toss it in the silverware drawer and whip it out when you need it.

The area where this wrench really shines is in hard-to-reach spots where mobility is obscured, such as under sinks. A typical situation where the Auto Wrench would help might be one in which you’re awkwardly reaching for a nut underneath the kitchen faucet. With a comparable manual wrench, it’s conceivable you would fumble around with the adjusting mechanism for minutes on end, and then toss a fit. With the Auto Wrench, you’d simply press a button (positioned where you rest your thumb) and the jaws would open or close to your specifications.

We were a bit skeptical when we learned the Auto Wrench takes AA batteries and doesn’t include a rechargeable battery. This means you’ll need to keep some extra batteries around the house – or buy some rechargeable batteries -- if you use it frequently. However, the wrench isn’t a power hog by any means. Black & Decker says you can get 650 cycles out of two AA batteries, which should be plenty for most people.

What’s in the box
Wrench, AA batteries

The Black & Decker Story
Two young entrepreneurs, S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker, founded a small machine shop in Baltimore, Maryland. They called it The Black & Decker Manufacturing Company. Their shop has grown beyond anything they could have imagined. Today, Black & Decker is a global marketer and manufacturer of quality products used in and around the home and for commercial applications. It is also a major supplier of information systems and services to government and commercial client’s world-wide. With products marketed in over 100 countries and approximately half of its revenues from outside the United States, Black & Decker's product lines hold leading market share positions in their industries. The company is the world’s largest producer of power tools and accessories. Its household products business is the U.S. leader and among global competitors in the small household appliance industry (hide)

The Stanley 84-114 Basic Pliers Set includes 3 sets of pliers that feature forged-steel construction for durability. A rust-resistant finish protects the pliers from the elements and keeps... read more

The Stanley 84-114 Basic Pliers Set includes 3 sets of pliers that feature forged-steel construction for durability. A rust-resistant finish protects the pliers from the elements and keeps them looking fresh after a hard day's work. The jaws are machined to give you a slip-resistant grip, and the tool's double-dipped handle gives extra comfort. For extra durability, the pliers feature hardened cutting edges, and chrome-nickel steel gives them an extra-tough cutting edge. These pliers meet or exceed ANSI standards and include a limited lifetime warranty. View the comparison chart for the type of pliers that are best for you. (hide)

The Stanley Powerlock 25-Foot by 1-Inch Measuring Tape is a classic, and for good reason. Designed for professionals and weekend warriors alike, this top-notch product offers maximum usability... read more

The Stanley Powerlock 25-Foot by 1-Inch Measuring Tape is a classic, and for good reason. Designed for professionals and weekend warriors alike, this top-notch product offers maximum usability in all types of measuring situations. Equipped with a range of useful goodies, the highly-portable tape will meet just about anyone’s needs. Standard features include a lockable blade for precise measurements and minimal slippage, a belt hook for easy access, a 1-inch wide blade for easy reading, and 16-inch and 19.2-inch stud center markings. Plus, Stanley has added a heat-treated spring to increase the tape’s lifespan.

Two unique features make this tape a standout. First, the blade is coated with mylar to help it stand up to abrasion associated with repeated use. Second, the patented Tru-Zero hook doubles as a pivot for drawing circles and arcs, and it automatically adjusts to handle inside or outside measurements. What this means is that the hook on the end has a small amount of play that is equivalent to the thickness of the hook blade. This is so that when you measure with the hook inside a stop (like a window jam), the front end of the hook is the zero point. When you hook it over the edge of a board, the zero point becomes the back of the hook.

Stanley does make a host of other measuring tools that may be worth checking out. At such a great price, most users can’t go wrong with this one.

What’s in the Box
25-foot by 1-inch measuring tape

The Stanley Story
The Stanley Works, originally a bolt and door hardware manufacturing company located in New Britain, Connecticut; was founded in 1843 by Frederick T. Stanley. A few years later, in 1857, Frederick’s cousin, Henry Stanley, founded The Stanley Rule and Level Company. In 1920, The Rule and Level Company merged with The Stanley Works and would go on to become it’s famous Hand Tools Division. Over the years, The Stanley Works has produced some of the most innovative and useful tools ever made. Among these tools are the Bailey Plane, the Surform shaper, the PowerLock tape rule and most recently the FatMax line of products. Today, more than ever, Stanley continues to be an industry leader in tool innovation. In 2001, Stanley introduced more than 100 new products, bringing to 400 the number of new products introduced in the past four years. As a direct result of Stanley’s commitment to excellence, Stanley was awarded the Prestigious Golden Hammer Award, presented for New Product Innovation in both 2000 and 2001. (hide)

Great for drilling pilot holes and driving screws in wood, metal and plastic, Black & Decker's 9.6-volt cordless drill/driver kit is lightweight enough for fixes and upgrades around... read more

Great for drilling pilot holes and driving screws in wood, metal and plastic, Black & Decker's 9.6-volt cordless drill/driver kit is lightweight enough for fixes and upgrades around the house and durable enough for years of use. Equipped with a keyless chuck, bit changes with this 3/8-inch drill are quick and simple. A 6-position clutch adjusts torque to prevent screws from stripping. On-board bit storage offers easy access to a variety of bits for less downtime and more productivity. The drill's mid-handle design balances the meat of the tool over the hand for easy fore-and-aft control. And, soft grips ensure optimal comfort. Variable speeds between 0 and 700 rpm in both forward and reverse let you ease screws into place to avoid splitting, or zip them in quickly to get the job done fast. Cranking out 100 inch-pounds of torque, the tool easily drills and drives smaller bits through light metals, as well as tackling wood and plastic applications around the house. Best of all, at just over 8 inches long and 8 inches tall, this 2-1/4-pound drill is easy on the wrist. The purchase is covered by a manufacturer, 2-year warranty. --Brian D. Olson

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