Where's The Deals?

There are 10 pages worth of tools on sale in this week's Canadian Tire flyer. Again, there is another new Mastercraft power tool. It is corded electric nailer that functions much like a pneumatic palm nailer in driving regular spikes. It caught my eye because it looks like a small rotary hammer with a d-handle and transverse motor. I can't imagine it being of much use when compared to a palm nailer - the idea of a palm nailer is in driving large spikes in confined areas, where as this electric model is so large and long. It is on for $79.99, regular $129.99 and seems like many of their tools to be targeted to the do-it-yourself market.
There are a few good deals on some DeWalt items including their skilsaw with the thick base-plate that is better for following against a guide. It's on for $99.99, regular $139.99. Stanley tool boxes and hammers/wrecking tools are on for 25% off and there is a great deal on the Stanley Fatmax Extreme torpedo levels on at 1/2 price for $13.49. It features plumb and level vials plus an adjustable vial and powerful rare earth magnets that will give good service on scaffold work or steel framing. Also on is workwear for 20% off including: jackets, jeans and some boots - check out their website or the store to see what is included. For the fans of the Mastercraft aviation snips they are on sale for 1/2 price from $8.99 - $11.49 with the 3-piece set (red, yellow green) for $14.99.
Home Hardware has some of their Benchcraft brand tools on sale for 1/2 price this week including 6 and 12" combination squares and 2 and 4' magnetic levels.
TSC has deals on work cloths again this week, including Tough Duck jackets, overalls and coveralls at up to 30% off. There are also work boots and safety rubber boots on among other things. Check out their flyer at: http://www.tscstores.com to see the full line-up.

Where's The Deals?

Canadian Tire has several pages of tools on sale this week, but mostly hand and power tools from their Mastercraft line. For $499.99 you can pick up a Lincoln Mig-Pak wire feed welder at $100 off and for $99.99 a Lincoln auto-darkening welding helmet at $50 off. The ad doesn't say much about the helmet, so just make sure that it has variable shades before you buy. For more information and spec's on both, check out Lincoln's website at:
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/
TSC has some Dickies brand work clothes on sale. Quilted flannel shirts and double front logger's jeans are on for 50% off at $16.99 and $19.99 respectively. They're claiming limited quantities on the shirts so don't wait if you need one. Also on sale are unlined overalls, work pants, and flannel shirts from 20 to 35% off.

Where's The Deals?

Canadian Tire's "Gigantic Tool Sale" continues this week. Deals that might be of interest are 30% off assorted genuine Vise-Grip pliers and clamps and 50% off various Mastercraft levels. There is a new power tool - a Mastercraft heavy-duty palm planer - on for $69.99, regular $99.99.
Porter-Cable/Rockwell used to make an electric block plane but haven't for at least 20 years or more. For a careless worker they are a dangerous tool in that you hold the tool with only one hand and are liable to get your other hand into trouble trying to hold a small work piece. After Porter-Cable cancelled production they tried making a safer alternative with an abrasive drum instead of blades. It didn't last very long and today Porter-Cable makes a mini-one-handed-belt-sander that will do the same tasks. I have an original Porter-Cable 167 that has given good service scribing millwork and trim. It doesn't replace either an electric-plane or a traditional block-plane but fills the small gap in between. I can't say what the Mastercraft version will be like, but it is interesting that they are trying to revive that class of tool.
KMS Tools and House of Tools flyers are up and there are some great deals in both if feel like shopping online. Links to both sites can be found in my list of suppliers.

Where's The Deals?

There is a big tool sale at Canadian Tire this week with many name brand tool deals. You'll find a large assortment of Stanley, Estwing and Olfa products on at 25% off as well as assorted Channellock pliers on at 35% off. The Olfa sale includes their replacement blades and their range of snap-blade knives including the extra heavy duty 1" snap-blade cutter. Like many name brand tools Olfa knives have their share of imitators. Some of these imitators might give you satisfactory service, but many of them are simply pathetic. Olfa is the original and still my choice. The founder of Olfa, Yoshio Okada worked as a printer and supposedly had the idea of the scored snap points along his blades from eating chocolat bars that were formed to be broken into segments. Breaking off the dull tip reveals a fresh sharp point and would have been a big improvement over the razor blades he was using. The name Olfa apparently comes from two Japanese words - the first meaning to fold and the second meaning a blade. He brought out his first snap-blade knife in Japan in 1956 and the company has led the market ever since. If anyone is familiar with the rotary cutters used for cutting fabric, they are another Olfa first from 1979.
Also on at Canadian Tire this week are some coveralls and other work clothes if you are needing to get ready for this cooler weather that's coming along.
On the front page of the TSC flyer this week there is a pair of Kodiak workboots for 1/2 price at $79.99 as well as more boots and work clothes inside.