Is it part of a motor cycle? Is it a hair dryer? Is it a long view of a spacecraft?

No, it’s Skil’s 3/8-inch drill/driver with a high performance motor that delivers 300 inch-pounds of torque at variable speeds of 0-400/1,250 rpm for controlled starts and quick drilling.

This is a 11 lb. driller / fastener for the home handyman or professional who has no time for dickering around.

A slide on battery pack ensures easy power change, and a power gauge indicator shows how much power remains. An on-tool bit index allows handy bit storage and quick access.

The Skil Cordless X-Drive drill also Features a 3/8″ single sleeve keyless chuck for quick bit changes, and a 25-position clutch to match the tool speed to almost any application.

Go here to get your Skil Cordless X-Drive Drill (2 batteries, charger and case included) for a no-nonsense $104.99.

All the major power tool manufacturers want to capture the loyalty market for the heavy-duty battery-powered drill kit and this is Hitachi’s bid. They have made it lightweight and compact for maximum maneuverability and built in fan-cooled, rare-earth magnet motor for overload protection during continuous operation.

The Hitachi Cordless Drill Kit, 18 Volt features 2-speed transmission for more control with HXP Li-ion batteries (it comes with two) that are interchangeable with the Hitachi 18-volt DMR Series tools. It has a keyless all-metal chuck with a ratcheting lock mechanism and externally accessible carbon brushes for easy placement.

Those who are into precision screw driving will appreciate the 22-stage slip-clutch. The Hitachi Cordless Drill Kit, 18 Volt comes equipped with Hitachi’s 5-position belt hook with an integrated LED work light. As you would expect from a heavy-duty tool from Hitachi, the drill is ergonomically advanced with a non-slip elastomer grip for more control, comfort and to absorb vibration.

Other specs are:
* 0-200/400/800/1,600 RPM
* 570 in-lbs torque
* 4.9 lbs. tool weight
* 12.0 lbs unit weight

Get your Hitachi Cordless Drill Kit, 18 Volt with cross-compatible charger and case here for $329.99.

If you need to do occasional drilling round the house or workplace, and nothing too heavy duty, then this inexpensive drill is just the thing.

It’s good enough, with its sturdy plastic housing, variable 2-speed trigger, adjustable clutch and forward/reverse button. Is comes with a 1.2Ah NiCd battery, 12V 3hr LED charger, 2 onboard double ended bits and a blow molded case. It is equipped with a 3/8″ keyless chuck and features 24 torque positions with 110 in/lbs max. torque. It weighs about 5.8 lbs., so its not totally lightweight.

Get your bargain-basement cordless drill here for only $45.99 while stocks last.

I work with chain saws daily and I’ll tell you straight: I know what stresses and strains chain are subjected to.

I doubt this one would last very long, weighing in as it does at just 7 pounds. The selling points are its featherweight quality plus the fact that it is cordless (always an attraction when the tool is meant for field work). It has an easily rechargeable battery.

The manufacturer claims the Pro-Mac is “safer and quieter” than a gasoline-powered chain saw but they don’t actually substantiate it, apart from instant shut-off and the fact that a cordless tool does not produce fumes. How can it be quieter with such a light casing? Hard to imagine.

But the manufacturer claims this little chain saw still has what it takes to conquer most backyard cutting jobs. Well, it may be able to cut through 6″ branches, but how many branches and for how long? If you really need a light chainsaw (say if you are planning to buy your grandma one) then by all means give it a go.

Order it here. You have been cautioned.

Compared to Skil’s Cordless X-Drive Drill (18V) this 12V version is really small and modest. Let’s call it Skill Drill Lite.

Mind you, it’s probably adequate for most home applications and it’s about half the price of the 18V heavy-duty monster.

This drill driver is for the slightly dim: it has an LED forward and reverse indicator that indicates drilling direction (!) and a bit size indicator that accurately matches the drill bit to the screw size. Like its more powerful brother, the 12V version has a 3/8″ keyless check that allows fast and easy bit changing. Also the screw control matches the screw driving power to the particular job.

Also features variable speed and reversing with electronial brake that allows you to control your drilling speed. It seems to be drill driver for the very unsure, this one.

Here are some more specs:
* Double Ended Bit
* No Load RPM 0-700
* Weight: 6½ lbs

To order your Skil 12V Cordless Drill Driver go here. It costs $56.99 with battery and charger included.

Murphy’s law states if you drop something on the floor it will roll under the bed / sofa / car and come to the darkest and most inaccessible place.

This goose-neck torch also features a Xenon bulb for extra bright 325 lumen light for shining under bed / sofa / car. It has a wide angle beam for finding that items and lights up brighter than a traditional flashlight.

That flexible neck for hands-free operation, allowing light to be projected in any direction, is the main feature here. If you have an obsessive compulsive disorder about stuff rolling under the bed / sofa / car then this is for you.

It’s a great gift for the man who has everything, including obsessive compulsive disorder.

It comes with a spare Xenon bulb inside the lens cover for quick bulb replacement if he has a fear of being without his trusty torchlight, too. the DeWALT Flexible Flashlight has a 110 hr bulb life and a 3 hour run time. It weighs under 1 lb.

Buy a DeWALT Flexible Flashlight here for $54.99.

Whatever Bosch manufactures it tends to be a great tool built with the user and on-site realities in mind. The Bosch Digital Laser Range Finder is no exception, allowing fast and accurate measuring, even through obstructions and when walking off distances.

Bosch uses precision laser measuring technology to good effect here and the results show in the accuracy of this device, which is accurate to within 1/16″ and tackling a staggering 165′ range. It packs quite some punch for a pocket-size instruments just 4 ins. high.

It works by operating according to 4 measuring reference points and uses three measurement systems namely feet and inches, decimal feet, and metric. It measures length, area and volume.

In a number of respects Bosch has made this device super user-friendly. It has a continuous measurement mode feature where the measurement automatically adjusts when walking off distances. Another great feature is the continuous laser mode, which significantly reduces the number of key strokes when making rapid sequence of measurements.

The best feature, in my book, is the indirect length measurement mode allowing the range finder to calculate distances that cannot be measured directly due to obstruction or the lack of reflecting surfaces. That’s really useful when estimating what a job is going to entail. It works by using the Pythagorean theorem (a2 + b2= c2).

Learn more about the Bosch Digital Laser Range Finder at Bosch. The kit includes 4 x AAA Batteries, a hand strap and a case with a belt loop.

Don’t let the small, space-age appearance of this device fool you into thinking it is not a serious tool, built to take the strain of drilling and driving in the workshop or on site.

This high-speed tool has a powerful 7.2V motor for a wider range of screwdriving applications, drivingup to 3″ screws. It was deliberately designed to be compact and lightweight (it’s under 5″ in length) to work in confined spaces. The battery-driven feature is a huge plus for busy workshops and contractors. Dremel reckons the 7.2V integrated lithium ion battery holds a charge 6 times longer than Ni-Cd. I haven’t tested it myself but that is a reasonable claim.

It’s accurate too: a high-powered, rare earth magnetic bit-holder holds standard 1/4″” hex shank bits securely. While you do accurate work you can do it in comfort. The Dremel Lithium Ion Cordless Drill/Driver has an ergonomically-optimized grip with a T-handle design for balance, comfort and control, and a precision variable-speed trigger with reverse for superior control when starting, driving and removing fasteners.

The motor brake provides control and reduces screw stripping. There is an automatic collet lock for hand tightening when needed.

Get your Dremel Lithium Ion Cordless Drill/Driver here for sweet $69.97. Precision bit set included.

Here is yet another 18V Impact Driver, this time from little-known Firestorm. They are entering a crowded market for cordless drivers with big players such a Panasonic, DeWalt and Bosch already dominating the sector. A negative for Firestorm is that the battery and charger are not included when you buy the impact driver — you have to order them separately.

Firestorm claims rather expansively that their 18V impact driver has twice the torque (800 in/lbs) of other such drills and “drives screws and other large fasteners with ease” at an impact rate (BPM) of 0 – 6,000 / 0 -24,000.

That is a huge claim with the known and reputable names out there serving precisely this market. It also claims to be 35% more compact — which I suppose means 35% smaller — than other comparable driver/drills. Firestorm claims the impacting block “provides high torque without the kickback”.

Specs are given as speeds Low: 0 – 400 (RPM) and High: 0 – 1,600.

The body minus battery and charger is priced at $59.97 here but I would suggest being a bit cautious about the product. It might be worth spending a little more on a known, and proven, quantity.

If you are a Howard Hughes type of individual, scared and worried about the least little creepy crawly or cootie, the Lentek Electric Bug Vacuum is for you. If you are a Hindu, it is not.

If stamping on bugs, nuking them with spray, swatting them with tennis racquets or sweeping them out the door are not adequate solutions to your insect issues, and if you are prepared to fork out $70, then you need one of these “battery driven, stylish, high-power suction tools.” (Who dreams up these products?)

It even has a trap door feature that securely traps captures insects within the nozzle and prevents them from flying back out. Poor swine.

Plus you recharge it like a cell phone.

No one is telling you, though, how you clean your Lentek Electric Bug Vacuum. But they tell you cheerfully that it sucks in the biggest insects.

Speaking of suckers, if you want one then order one here for $69.99.