https://www.old.toolrank.com/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/images/stories/toolrankcom_100x358.png https://www.old.toolrank.com/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/first-79-searskmart-closing-stores-announced-201112291089/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/first-79-searskmart-closing-stores-announced-201112291089/ Sears Holdings promised that a full list of the 100-120 closing Sears and Kmart stores would be coming soon, and today they have announced the first 79. The closures are pretty evenly split between Sears and Kmart, however, a good portion of the Sears closings are for Sears Grand/Essentials stores. The Grand and Essentials stores, as well as Kmart, more closely resemble Wal-Mart stores which could be the reason why they are not doing as well. I think my idea of making Sears into tool/appliance stores could do them some good by not having them compete... ]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:10:24 -0600 1089 2011-12-29 https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/3d-concrete-printing-could-be-the-future-of-construction-201112281088/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/3d-concrete-printing-could-be-the-future-of-construction-201112281088/ I think one of the coolest advancements over the last few years is in 3D printing. The process is desirable because it allows architects, designers, inventors, etc, the ability to see their concept in 3D in a matter of hours. One of the most common 3D printing methods involves inkjet printing a binder onto a layer of powder. Each layer is stack printed in place, thus creating a 3D model. If you are watching the current season of This Old House, you have seen the method in action. Looking to take 3D printing and... ]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2011 08:00:00 -0600 1088 2011-12-28 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/videos/original/56/c0/61/EfbhdZKPHro.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/sears-announces-plans-to-close-down-some-stores-201112271087/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/sears-announces-plans-to-close-down-some-stores-201112271087/ Is my prediction of the end of Sears already starting to come true? I made this prediction when it was announced that Craftsman tools would be sold at Ace Hardware stores, then just two weeks ago a Wall St. analysis made the prediction that Sears would disappear in 2012. Today it was announced that upwards of 120 Sears and Kmart stores would be closing their doors due to lackluster Holiday sales. The exact locations of said stores have not been determined just yet, but a list will be available at www.searsmedia.com once the decision... ]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:51:06 -0600 1087 2011-12-27 https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/customize-your-extension-cords-201112191083/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/customize-your-extension-cords-201112191083/ Walking onto a commercial jobsite you might find 50 or more extension cords being used throughout the site with many of them looking the same as the others. At the end of the day, when these cords are covered in a layer of dust, it can be tricky figuring out which cords are yours. One solution is to show up to the job with a completely unique cord that has been customized to your specifications. Kustom Kords is a new custom cord service that is being offered by Ohio Power Tool and it might... ]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:00:00 -0600 1083 2011-12-19 https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/origin-laser-tools-lasercube-only-costs-1-grand-201112151082/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/origin-laser-tools-lasercube-only-costs-1-grand-201112151082/ We first learned about Origin Laser Tools when they introduced the world to their $5000 3-axis self-leveling 360-degree line laser. Not only is it the coolest looking 3-axis laser on the market, but it has an incredible accuracy of ±1/32" @ 100 feet. Origin Laser Tools is at it again, this time with the LaserCube ML-3. While their previous laser used brushless DC motors to provide the self leveling and the accuracy, the Origin Laser Tools LaserCube ML-3 ditches all of that and leaves the leveling, or non-leveling up to the user. The ML-3 was designed with... ]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:00:00 -0600 1082 2011-12-15 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/65/cf/27/1082_ML31plain_1323939966.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/two-senco-metal-connector-nailers-coming-in-2012-201112081078/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/two-senco-metal-connector-nailers-coming-in-2012-201112081078/ Senco hasn't been on the radar much lately, though they made a pretty big splash with the introduction of their cordless Fusion line of nail guns a while back. However, it looks like Senco has several products they will be introducing in 2012, and they are starting with a couple of metal connector nailers. Coming in February 2012, Senco has two new JoistPro nailers that drive .131" to .162" diameter 34-degree paper tape collated nails. The JoistPro 150 takes only 1-1/2" single strip nails, but the tool's nose exposes the nail tip to make nail placement a... ]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 -0600 1078 2011-12-08 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/89/93/a7/1078_SencoJoisePro150_1323333170.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/help-shape-the-future-of-building-products-201112071077/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/help-shape-the-future-of-building-products-201112071077/ One of the reasons I started Tool-Rank was so that everyday average DIY'ers or construction workers would have their voices heard by the manufacturers. This is done through user reviews, user comments, polls, and today, a survey that pays you $$$. One of the top brands (a personal favorite of mine) has come to the Tool-Rank community in search for a few people to take product surveys (that pay you) and do product testing throughout the year. To see if you are a match you will have to take a quick 2 minute survey;... ]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:00:00 -0600 1077 2011-12-07 https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/make-your-voice-heard-on-the-cpsc-table-saw-rules-201112061076/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/make-your-voice-heard-on-the-cpsc-table-saw-rules-201112061076/ Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:00:00 -0600 1076 2011-12-06 https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/blackhawks-hawkhook-rescue-knife-wants-to-be-your-everyday-carry-201112051075/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/blackhawks-hawkhook-rescue-knife-wants-to-be-your-everyday-carry-201112051075/ I do not cover many knives here on Tool-Rank, though I used to try and find any excuse to use them as a child in the Scouts, but after seeing the Blackhawk HawkHook on a TV show the other day, I knew I had to share this compact rescue knife/tool with you. There are a ton of rescue knives and tools on the market these days that can do everything from cut away seat belts, to break cars windows to help you escape from danger, or assist in a rescue. What sets the HawkHook apart from all... ]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:00:00 -0600 1075 2011-12-05 https://www.old.toolrank.com/media/listing/photos/original/2d/39/18/1075_blackhawkhawkhook_1323120676.jpg https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/ridgids-compact-table-saw-is-back-at-home-depot-201111211074/ https://www.old.toolrank.com/tool-blog/News/ridgids-compact-table-saw-is-back-at-home-depot-201111211074/ There have been a few small portable table saws on the market over the years, but DeWALT started a whole new table saw class with their DW745 Compact Table Saw. Following shortly after DW, with a saw of their very own, Ridgid came out with the R4516 Compact Table Saw, though it's life was short lived. But now after a few years, it looks like the time for the Ridgid R4516 has come again. Just this year Bosch introduced their first compact table saw, and either the timing is a coincidence, or its arrival... ]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:00 -0600 1074 2011-11-21