|
Strong Door, Small Cut Saw Best of What’s New in 2007
A door that can withstand 236 mph winds and eight inches of rain an hour without letting in any wind or water and a saw that is nearly as powerful as standard reciprocating saws but fits in tight spaces and is easy to control with one hand are among this year’s winners of Popular Science’s Best of What’s New Awards in the Home Tech category.
To prevent water from coming into the home during a storm, Therma-Tru's Tru-Defense comes with L-shaped seals and is made of compression-molded fiberglass, polyurethane foam and 24-gauge steel.
“When it comes to driving rains, hurricane-force winds and flying debris, the door is often the Achilles heel of the home,” the magazine says. “Leaky seals can fill your house with water — not to mention heat and cold — and a weak structure can crack or collapse under duress.”
In tests, not only did the door resist high winds and torrential downpours, it even repelled a two-by-four fired from a cannon, earning it the highest structural performance rating in the industry.
The doors sell for $650 to $1,500.
Popular Science cited Black & Decker's VPX Cut Saw as a good alternative for the standard reciprocating saw, which is an ideal tool for cutting just about everything from pipes to plywood, but can be unwieldy and heavy for everyday jobs.
“The new Cut Saw is nearly as powerful, but it’s easy to control with one hand and fits in tight spaces, such as under the sink,” according to the magazine.
To squeeze big-tool power into a petite handheld, Black & Decker engineers replaced complicated levers and gearing with a simple planetary gear set and cam, enabling them to dramatically reduce the size of the reciprocating mechanism and make room for the battery and motor.
Selling for $60, the saw accepts jigsaw blades, which are easy to find and can cut a variety of materials.
Therma-Tru Corporation and Black & Decker are both members of the National Council of the Housing Industry — The Leading Suppliers of NAHB. The companies are headquartered in Maumee, Ohio and Hunt Valley, Md., respectively.
This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.
|
