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hcartwright1 posted on December 18, 2008 13:58 
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Every year we're proud to announce the winners of the HANDY Innovation Award. They are always the best of a big batch of excellent tools and home-improvement products. But this year we're especially puffed up. Not only did we editors vote on on our top 10 winners and our list of Honorable Mentions, but we also asked you members to weigh in on your favorites.
Thousands of members did just that throughout the year as we posted new candidates. Then, in a special two-week voting period, members cast their ballots for candidates that they believed were the "outstanding of the outstanding." Turns out, you and we editors were in agreement (mostly) -- proving once again that great minds think alike! The results are indicated below as a Members' Choice Winner.
BTW, each winner receives a huge trophy (shown above) that, we are happy to say, we often see proudly displayed at trade shows and in offices of the manufacturers.
Here then, are the "Champions of Innovation" and descriptions of each of them, written by Associate Editor Jenny Stanley and Senior Editor Connie Bastyr. We invite you to visit the Web sites below for more information.
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2009 HANDY Innovation Award Winners
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Sweet Workshop Treats
The Bench Cookie from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware ($12 for a pack of four) may look like a hockey puck — and it’s certainly as tough as one — but the durable disc does much more: It holds projects in place on a bench top or other work surface without the need for bulky clamps. Bench Cookies can also be placed underneath a workpiece so all edges are accessible while you’re routing, sanding, painting, etc.
800-279-4441, www.rockler.com
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Members' Choice Winner!
Cleverly Curvaceous
The Diamond Wave Sharpener by DMT Diamond Machining Technology ($60) may look like a work of art, but it’s a hardworking tool with grit. Its convex and concave abrasive surfaces (with radii from 1/16 in. to 1 in.) allow you to sharpen tools with curved edges in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The tool requires no lubrication, and it can sharpen faster than traditional slip stones.
800-666-4368, www.dmtsharp.com
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Safer Angle Grinder
Fein has redefined safety with its WS 14 angle grinders with TipStart (about $287 to $361). Designed to prevent accidental activation, the tools won’t start until users touch, in rapid succession, one of the front and one of the rear electronic Tip pads. (Once started, the tool will continue to operate when pressure is applied to only one pad.) In addition, the AutoStop feature deactivates the grinder when pressure is removed, so you don’t have to manually turn it off. To further improve safety and ease of use, each WS 14 grinder is also equipped with soft start and a restart lock.
800-441-9878, www.feinus.com |
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Heat Harvester
Rather than waste the combustion heat a power generator produces, the Freewatt Home Heating System by ECR International (about $20,000, installed) channels that energy to help heat your house. As a natural gas or propane-fueled Honda generator produces electricity -- to power your home or to be sold back to your electric company -- its cast-off heat is harvested to lessen the load for a high-efficiency gas furnace or boiler. Freewatt’s Micro-Combined Heat and Power (Micro-CHP) system has been recognized by the EPA for its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
ECR International, www.ecrinternational.com
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| Bike Hike
Hanging up your bicycle can be a real pain in the back, but the Gladiator Claw Advanced Bike Storage Device ($60) makes that awkward task easy and intuitive. Its ingenious push/pull mechanism opens or closes the retaining arms when you press your bicycle’s tire against the Claw’s plunger pad. To install, simply screw the device (which supports 75 pounds) to a ceiling joist.
866-342-4089, www.gladiatorgw.com
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Members' Choice Winner!
Harness the Wind at Home
With the Honeywell Wind Turbine ($5,995) from WindTronics, homeowners will soon be able to produce up to 18 percent of their home’s electricity needs by tapping the wind in their own backyard. Designed for residential settings, the turbine weighs only 170 pounds and measures 6 ft. in diameter. Unlike traditional turbines, it generates power at its blade tips rather than using internal gears, so it can create electricity from winds as light as 2 mph.
The unit will be available in early 2010. 866-632-7840, www.windtronics.com
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Water-Saving Standout
Gain major water savings with an inexpensive retrofit by installing the HydroRight Dual Flush Converter ($30) from MJSI in any standard toilet. The device features a two-button flush valve that lets you set the amount of water used for two types of flushes. No tools are required for installation: Simply remove the old flapper and handle, tighten the converter onto the overflow tube and add the flush button. And because the dome gasket sits in the drain hole rather than a flapper, there’s no pesky chain to deal with.
888-466-5741, www.gomjsi.com
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Easy Angles
The Craftsman 10-in. MiterMate Saw ($250) offers a foolproof way to measure and cut miters. To achieve the correct angle for mating molding pieces, the MiterMate’s Angle Finder tool measures and transfers the angle directly to the saw. All you have to do is move the fences and blade to match the Angle Finder setting; then cut both pieces to form a perfectly mitered corner joint.
800-349-4358, www.craftsman.com
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Jack of All (Demo) Trades
Sleek, simple and oh-so-useful, the Nail Jack from Nail Jack Tools ($30) can dig, grab and pull stubborn fasteners out of wood and other reusable materials with ease. It improves upon common nail-pulling devices such as the claw end of a hammer or a cat’s paw by allowing users to grip and pull even the smallest tip of a deeply driven brad nail or broken staple. The Nail Jack helps saves time during demo jobs and makes reusing materials a no-brainer.
877-785-5624, www.nailjack.com
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Power From a Bottle
In developing its Propane Powered Eco Trimmer ($200 to $220) for environmental advantages, Lehr has produced a tool that is also user-friendly. The four-cycle string trimmer runs on a standard 16.4-ounce propane canister (available at hardware and home-improvement stores) and is easy to fuel up, start and maintain. There’s no need to mix oil and gasoline – and no spilling or storing of gasoline or inhaling its fumes. Now that’s a breath of fresh air!
866-941-5347, www.golehr.com
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Honorable Mentions
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Members' Choice Winner!
Highlighting Curves
A laser is helpful when cutting straight lines, but it can’t help you with curves. The new Linefinder Orbital Jigsaw with Smart Select Technology from Black & Decker ($60), however, can: Simply mark your cut line using a fine-tip yellow highlighter, and the saw’s ultraviolet spotlight illuminates the mark for precise cutting. As part of the Smart Select tool line, the Linefinder also comes with an easy-to-read dial that automatically adjusts the saw’s settings for various applications.
800-544-6986, www.blackanddecker.com
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Electric Rider
Promising the same drive and cutting power as traditional gasoline-fueled mowers, the AMP Rider electric mower ($3,299) from Ariens Co. has three motors (one 4-hp and two 1.7-hp) powered by four 12-volt AGM batteries and can cut a one-acre lawn in about an hour. Because it doesn’t require gasoline or oil for power or maintenance, it produces no harmful gas emissions and operates more quietly than most riding lawnmowers. A single charge powers the mower for an average of 75 minutes.
www.ampbyariens.com
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Vanishing Vacuum Hose
If you like the idea of a central vacuum system but don’t want the hassle of storing a lengthy hose, Electrolux Central Vacuum Systems has the answer: The Beam Q Power Team ($570) sucks its 30-ft. EasyReach Retractable Hose back into the inlet when you’re finished vacuuming. The push of a button sends the hose right into the vacuum line. For added convenience, the hose extension has the power to operate an electric brush attachment.
800-369-2326, www.beam.com
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Real Synthetic Tiles
Cut your AC costs by as much as 15 percent with DaVinci EcoBlend synthetic roofing tiles by DaVinci Roofscapes ($450 to $525 per square). The heat-emitting Weathered Gray and Castle Gray tiles reflect sunlight and heat away from the home. They’re a cool way to save energy and money – and look cool as well.
800-328-4624, www.davinciroofscapes.com
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90 Degrees of Clean
Pressure washing can be a pain. But with the Pivot Nozzle Wand from Hyde Tools (about $84 to $95, depending on size), the once-tedious task becomes more manageable — maybe even fun. The wand’s 90-degree pivoting head allows users to adjust the spray direction for comfort: Tip the nozzle down to clean crevices along the ground; tip it up to wash high places without a ladder.
800-872-4933, www.hydetools.com
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| Mastering Tool Innovation MasterMind Tools’ LockDriver by SMC-Innovations ($17 to $31.50, depending on size) clamps onto various sizes of hex nuts using an internal locking mechanism, so you can tighten and loosen items without having to continually adjust the driver. The LockDriver works particularly well with hose clamps, which are often in tight or awkward locations. It is available in 1/4-in., 5/16-in., 7mm and 6mm sizes and at 7-in., 10-in. and 20-in. lengths.
866-450-0200, www.smc-innovations.com
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Brush Wash
For most DIYers, refreshing a room with new paint is fun, but cleaning up afterward can be a real pain. The Ryobi Paint Brush Cleaner ($30) promises to make washing brushes easier — in other words, more thorough and less messy. The tool’s soft rotating bristles gently scrub brushes as wide as 4 in. and wash away all types of paint, containing the waste in the included 1-gallon bucket.
800-525-2579, www.ryobitools.com
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Smart Settings
Be prepared to answer a few questions when you install Honeywell’s Prestige Comfort System. The unit’s thermostat understands three languages and conducts an interview so it can program all of the settings based on your lifestyle. The full-color, high-definition (highly visible) screen displays indoor temperature as well as outdoor temperature and humidity, and an optional handheld thermostat allows you to adjust temperature settings from anyplace in your house. The system costs $400 to $700, depending on the accessories you choose.
800-328-5111, www.yourhome.honeywell.com
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Boundless Home Security
Taking wireless home security to a whole new level, the Schlage LiNK System from Schlage allows homeowners to control their locks from anywhere in the world. Both locks provide keyless entry via keypad or Web-enabled device such as a computer or mobile phone. And because they come equipped with standardized two-way wireless mesh networks that require no new wiring or complicated installation, the locks can be seamlessly integrated into home-automation systems that feature the corresponding network.
800-847-1864, www.schlage.com
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Smart Home Security
Kwikset’s new SmartCode with Home Connect Technology allows homeowners to wirelessly lock and unlock their doors using a remote control, cell phone, a home-automation touch panel or a secure Internet connection. The motorized deadbolt simply replaces your existing lock, and it’s powered by four AA batteries, eliminating the need for hardwiring. It also boasts two-way functionality with home-automation systems, meaning it can communicate wirelessly with other devices throughout a home
800-327-5625, www.kwikset.com
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Short-cut Connection
Compared with traditional drain installations, the Speed Connect Drain from American Standard Brands makes attaching the pop-up stopper and handle easier and faster — so you spend a lot less time under the sink. Installing the pop-up and drain requires only two tools: your hands. With just four pieces to attach, there’s no potential for error or leaks. Faucets with the Speed Connect Drain start at $100.
www.americanstandard-us.com
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Fantastic Four
Ryobi’s 4V Lithium-Ion Battery ($13) is the power source behind its TEK4 Cordless Electronic Tools, which offer DIYers several affordable gadgets once reserved for the pros. The small but mighty Infrared Thermometer ($70), for example, can pinpoint energy leaks in a home’s envelope. The Audio Plus Noise Suppression Headphones ($70) reduce dangerous noise while enhancing close-range conversation. And the DuraShot 8MP Digital Camera ($199) is shock-, dust- and water-resistant, making it durable enough to snap pictures during a home-remodeling project.800-525-2579, www.ryobitools.com
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Open Wide
Offering all of the features you’d expect from top-quality windows, the Ultimate Casement windows by Marvin Windows and Doors go one step further by opening beyond the standard 90 degrees. Unique hardware allows the outside glass to face toward the inside of the room for easy cleaning. For window replacements, Marvin offers a model that can be installed by DIYers or professionals. There’s also a version that simulates the appearance of a double-hung window but offers the advantages of egress clearance and easy operation.
888-537-7828, www.marvin.com
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A Whole New Level
Changing the way we think about levels, the Wood Magnet by Swanson Tool Co. ($12) can transform any 2x dimensional lumber into a custom leveling device. Its three vials make quick work of adjusting horizontal and vertical studs, joists and beams, and its cut-out saddle fits rounded items such as pipes. The Wood Magnet’s Compression Fit design allows users to work hands-free, and its high-impact construction and rubber grip make it ultra-durable.
www.swansontoolco.com
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Content ID: 37538
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