Where's The Deal?

There is only one deal for me to report this week, and that's Picquic screwdrivers for half price in the Canadian Tire flyer. If you don't know them already, Picquics are multi-bit screwdrivers that take standard driver bits that are stored in the handle. To change bits, you push the bit you want out of it's recess with the bit you were using. The bits are always secured and, unlike the multi-bit screwdrivers with hollow handles and threaded caps, you will never lose one. Proudly Canadian, Picquics set the standard for multi-bit screwdrivers and are shipped around the world. Prices range from $3.49 for the stubby with 1" driver bits, to $6.47 for the regular size with 3" driver bits.
What a deal, eh?
Happy Canada Day!

Saturday update: I was in to Canadian Tire today to pick up a Picquic for myself. My old one uses a ball-bearing detent to hold the driver bit in place, but the new "Sixpac Plus" has a magnet. They have also added a 1/2" hex bolster to the shaft so you can torque it with a wrench for stubborn screws. The stubby wasn't the same as mine either. It was a new model that is considerably smaller - same style but with smaller sized bits instead of the standard 1" driver bits. There was another new Picquic called the "Multique" that was like a scaled down Sixpac. I got one to try and like it. The only trade-off for the reduction in size is that 1/4" driver bits won't fit in one. The black Robertson and the 1/4" slotted bits of the SixPac are replaced with a yellow Roberton and a 5/32" slotted, and that's enough to earn it space alongside the bigger Sixpac in my toolbox. I might just have to stop back in and get one of those new mini-stubbies as well.

Where's The Deals?

Canadian Tire has "Mechanix" gloves on for half price starting tomorrow. There's several styles of the fitted gloves starting at $9.99 and up to $19.99 for the ones with padded palms and knuckle protection. If you haven't tried any of these types of gloves yet here's the scoop. They won't replace a pair of leather fitter's gloves for rough work such a stripping forms or hoisting scaffold, but they do have the dexterity to pull nails from your pouch or feed Kelly screws on a screwgun. On steel framing, the $9.99 ones will last me about 3 weeks before the finger tips start to wear through. Trim the worn tips off and they'll last for another run. If you are shooting three or four hundred Hilti pins a day into steel you'll appreciate the padded palms of the more expensive pairs.
Also on sale are a range of knee pads for 30% off. Your knees will thank you the next time you're crawling around on concrete.

Two For One Screwguns

There's a good deal for the Drywallers at Home Depot. For $129 they have two DeWalt DW272 screwguns for the price of one. This is Dewalt's top of the line 4000 rpm board gun, with the metal gear case, the metal nose piece and the heavier 6.3 amp motor. I called Home Depot and was told they have at least 10 sets in stock. A reminder to all the first year Drywall Apprentices; along with the increase in wages when you reach your second year, you will also have to supply your own screwgun, so you and a buddy might wish to put together your nickles and dimes and grab this bargain now. For pictures and full specs go to www.dewalt.com
Thanks to S.W. for passing along this deal tip!

The Jack Plane

The picture of the jack plane I am using is of one from my collection. It is a Bailey No. 5C by Stanley. From the variations in markings and features I know that it was made in either 1929 or 1930. It is in beautiful condition and features an exceptional rosewood tote and knob, a corrugated bottom, and the "Sweet-Heart" markings. The corrugated bottom reduces friction and eases use when working resinous woods such as white pine. The "Sweet-Heart" labels or markings feature the notched rectangular Stanley logo much as it is today with the addition of a small slightly overlapping heart with "S.W." inside for "Stanley Works". The heart is in honour of William H. Hart who joined Stanley in 1854 at the age of 19. He was elected Director at age 21 and retired as the Chairman 61 years later with much of the credit for the building of the company. The markings appeared on the Bailey planes from 1920-1935. No. 5's have been in production since 1867 and have been copied and imitated by many companies around the world, so it is little wonder that they have become such an enduring symbol of our trade. Bailey Planes range from smooth planes, to jack planes, to fore planes and to jointer planes and vary from about 5" for a No. 1 smooth plane to 24" for a No. 8 jointer plane. Although they are still made today, the current production can not compare with the classics. Their plastic totes and knobs are pale shadows of the heft, life and beauty of the originals.

Where's The Deals?

Home Depot has all Makita tools on for 20% off from June 12-15.
Home Hardware has the LED lights that clip on the underside of your hardhat brim in their flyer for $2.39 reg. $3.99. For the Drywallers, who have to supply their own extension cord to their screwgun, Home Hardware also has 25m 16/3 cords for $26.99, reg. $35.99. Hind-sight says I should have bought shares in a copper mine, the same cords just a few years ago were $12.99 and went on sale for $8.99. Flyer runs 'till June 28.
If anyone is looking for work clothes don't forget members of the Carpenters Union get a 10% discount at Marks Work Wearhouse, just pick up the discount card at the union hall. If you have been shopping around online you've probably noticed how much cheaper the Carhartts are in the States. A hassle free place to order from across the border is Cabela's, the huge hunting supplies mail-order catalogue. They put the taxes and fees on their price right at the checkout so there isn't a surprise when you receive your order and their shipping charges are the same as I've paid from a mail order from Winnipeg. They often have some good deals on closeouts and the like in their "Bargain Cave" too. Cabela's website is at: http://www.cabelas.com/

What's The Tool?

Hey, do you know the name of this tool or what it is used for? Up for grabs are bragging rights around the job-box in the morning. I'll be revealing the answer here and in the next edition of Local 446's Newsletter. Check back and I'll try to upload some action shots showing it in use.

Where's The Deals?

The Father's Day sales are on now and there are some good deals on tools.
Canadian Tire has a "Gigantic 2-Week Tool Sale" that started June 7th. Tools that may be of interest include 40% off a variety of Channel Lock brand pliers including their lineman's and diagonal side-cutters, and 25% off an assortment of Stanley tools including items from the Fat Max and Fat Max Extreme lines. If you are looking for some cheap measuring tapes to use in the mud and concrete they also have the 25' or 26'/8m Lufkin Classics with 1" blades on sale for $4.99, reg. $13.99.
Home Hardware has a great deal on the Stanley Fat Max Extreme geared chalkline reel that comes with a good strong line and a small bottle of chalk. They're on sale for $13.99, reg. $17.99 and there's a mail in rebate for another $6.00 that brings the price down to $7.99. If they run out of stock before you get there ask for a rain-cheque.

Welcome to the Tool Box

Welcome to "The Carpenter's Tool Box" my online podium to talk about tools, give some tips and help locate some deals.