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The Best DIY Gift From Black+Decker

It’s the most wonderful time of year!

Still looking for the right gift for the special people in your life?
As your “to-buy” list grows each year, sometimes you have to think outside the box. It’s important to give meaningful, yet useful gifts. If you’re like me, practical is often the way to go.

Black + Decker’s GoPak 4-Tool Combo Kit contains all the tools needed for small DIY projects around the house or fun projects with wood. You can't get more practical than tools!


This cordless tool set contains a drill/driver, detail sander, jigsaw, LED work light and GoPak battery to charge all of your tools. You can even charge mobile devices, so if you’re working outside and need to charge up your phone, this is perfect. While these cordless tools are not made for professional projects, they have just enough power to tackle those small tasks or DIY projects effectively.

My husband was thrilled to receive this GoPak. The timing couldn’t be more perfect! We’ve been doing some work on our back deck, and he was able to do the finishing touches with these tools. He used the sander to smooth out the handrails and the drill to install new solar lights so we can see at night. The sander was his favorite tool. Because it’s not as loud as an electric sander, our dog didn’t go ballistic when he heard it. The best part is that all of these tools are cordless, so no more dragging around those heavy extension cords. He plans to purchase an additional battery pack so that he always has an extra charged and ready to go. This means my 'honey-do' list will be growing every weekend.

The GoPak is ideal for the crafter in your life. Those who love doing small projects with wood will make good use of it. Whether it’s making wall art, or a side table made from a pallet, the possibilities are endless. As a matter of fact, this set is excellent for new homeowners, or as a housewarming gift for a first apartment.

Here is an overview of the features and benefits:

Battery: 2-in-1 GoPak Battery powers your tools and charges your mobile devices
Battery: 2.4 Ah USB output provides fast rate charging to phones, tablets and other USB devices
Battery: 4 LED lights provide battery state of charge
Battery: Compact lightweight design for on-the-go portability
Drill: 11-position clutch on Drill/Driver prevents stripping of screws and damaging materials
Drill: LED work light on Drill/Driver illuminates work surface
Jigsaw: Tool free blade release on Jig Saw for quick and easy blade changes
Jigsaw: Built in blade storage on Jig Saw for convenience
Sander: 3.5 in. triangle platen on sander to access corners and tight spaces
LED Light: 90-degree rotating head on LED Flashlight to access hard to reach angles

Where to buy: Lowes, Walmart, and Amazon. The regular price is $99, but is currently available at a reduced price of only $79+ tax. Not a bad deal for this 4-piece cordless tool set. Black + Decker has been a trusted brand in our household for many years. We are very pleased with our GoPak kit, and look forward to many years of use.


For more information about the Black+Decker GoPak 4-Tool Combo Kit, visit their website, and be sure to follow on their social accounts (Facebook, IG, & Twitter) for product updates and promotions.
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Wood Smarts: How to Find the Right Table Saw

Attempting to find the best table saw can be a little overwhelming at first, which is okay. There are a lot of options out there, making this choice that much harder. The following guide will help you find the kind of table saw that you need.

Know Your Saws

The first thing you should know is that there are three main categories of table saws. The first category is the cabinet saw, which is considered the largest of the bunch. Of course, this table saw is normally the most expensive, but it comes with several perks like a heavy cast iron table. The precision on these tables is admirable, and their durability is impressive.

The contractor's saw is the second category you should remember. This is a portable saw that can be taken to your job site if needed. The price is reasonable, and it comes with several noteworthy features such as a belt-driven blade, making continuous cutting quite dependable -- search online before you make any purchase by reading some portable table saw reviews to help you understand the benefits of owning a portable table saw.

The last category to consider is the hybrid saw. Some hybrids come with a cast iron main table, which increases accuracy while others are constructed with lighter materials such as aluminum. This makes hybrids versatile. This is perfect for those who need a little bit of both.

Understand the Voltage

You need to know your voltage requirements and how much power you can actually handle. Cabinet saws use 220-volts, which usually means that you do not have to worry about the saw slowing down on you during heavy jobs.

Hybrids can be switched between 110-volts to 220-volts while contractors normally stick to 110-volts.

You want to stick to 110-volts if you travel a lot or if you are not sure that you are going to have access to enough power to ensure that the 220-volt cabinet saw works efficiently.

A Good Fence

Knowing the kind of table saw you are going to get and if you have enough power to work the tool are just some of the factors you have to consider. You also have to ensure that your table saw's fence is accurate, which will make your job easier.

You do not want a fence that bends because it can be dangerous to you. Fences that are not as stable as they should be may cause the wood to bind with the blade's metal, which can lead to those jolting kickbacks.

One of the most effective types of fences is called the T-style fence. The reason most enthusiasts like the T-style fence is because of its construction.

It normally comes with a heavy bar, though sometimes it comes with a square tube that is locked on the front of the tool. The fence can be easily adjusted, and it is quite wide. The fence's locking mechanism is one of the best, making it pretty dependable.

This is just one example. In the end, you just want to make sure that your fence is as sturdy as possible when choosing your table saw.

Consider Dust Collection

You know that woodwork leads to dust, so making sure that your table saw comes with a collection system is important. Most cabinet saws come with a dust collection system, but this does not apply to other types of saws.

For example, contractor's saws do not normally have a dust collecting system because these tools are made to be used outside. Naturally, the saw dust does not need to be collected since it will just end up falling to the ground.

Angles Perfected

The next thing you want to pay attention to is the miter gauge. This aspect of your table saw needs to be sturdy but also adjustable when needed.

You need to make sure that the miter gauge does not move when locked in place, or you will not cut good angles. Be sure to glide the miter gauge before purchasing to make sure that it glides smoothly. This ensures that your cuts remain accurate.

These are just some of the things to look for besides good safety features. Some of the most important safety features you want for the table saw is blade guards and anti-kickback technology. Hopefully, the tips in this guide help you find the tool that fits your needs

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Husky Tools stocking stuffer giveaway (closed)

I recently posted about The Home Depot offering Husky Tools for under $20 just in time for the holidays. The Husky brand is very familiar to me since my dad worked for the Home Depot for 20 years. I think he had every tool that was made (an probably still does).

I have received the 13pc PowerTek Precision Screwdriver Set. This great little hand tool features:

* Easy to Grip, Soft Touch, Forward and Reverse Precision Cordless Screwdriver Set
* Ideal for Toys, Electronics, Eyeglasses, Hobbies, Crafts and More
* Contains 12 Multiple Use Mini Bits with a Single Tool Design
* Includes Easy Use Bit Storage Case
* Ready to Use with 2 - AAA Batteries
* And it is guaranteed forever!

This is a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for husbands, neighbors, teachers, crafters, tech freaks...just about anyone! It is so useful and compact that you can travel with it. Check out the video to see this great tool in action.



Giveaway:
I have one of these cute little guys to give away to one lucky Momfiles reader. *Mandatory: Entering is easy, just tell me who you would give the prize to if you win or which of the other tools you would be interested in.

For additional entries: *Please leave a separate comment per entry method for each entry to count.

~ you can "like" Momfiles and Husky Tools (Iron Bridge Tools) on Facebook
~ mention this giveaway on Facebook (once daily)
~ follow Momfiles through Google Friend Connect
~ sport the Momfiles button on your blog
~ Follow Momfiles on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (once daily) :
Enter to win the Husky Tools stocking stuffer #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/34wpvln @momfiles Ends Dec 14

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on December 14, 2010 at 9:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received no compensation for my post.
Shelly, Mom Files
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