Hardware show spotlights some neat new gadgets

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, May 24, 2006

We recently attended the 61st annual National Hardware Show and Convention in Las Vegas where hardware manufacturers from all over the world come to show off their wares to retailers. We got to see, touch and experiment with the latest and greatest in home improvement tools and products of all kinds.

There were more than 3,500 exhibitors and the choices were endless.

Note, however, that most of the items listed here have not arrived in stores, but all are currently available on the Internet.

The DripCatcher is nothing more than a standard clear plastic paint bucket – except the top rim of the bucket has two lips instead of one. There is about a half-inch space between the lips. The paint brush is wiped against the inside lip. Paint that spills over the edge runs down into a trough (between the lips) and drains back into the bucket. Even a youngster would have trouble getting paint drips on the outside of this bucket. The product sells for about $5.

For more information go to www.dripcatcher.net.

Handy Mark: Cutting out for a plug or switch box when installing a new sheet of drywall can be a heartbreaker. If you have ever installed wallboard you know that properly measuring for a wall plug cut-out can be confusing at best.

Someone has finally come up with a solution. It’s called the Handy Mark and it takes all of the guesswork out of marking electrical boxes. Snap this tool onto the electrical box, hold your wallboard in place, press against the area of the electrical box and the Handy Mark perforates the back of the wallboard with six pinholes. Connect the dots, cut the line out and there is perfect alignment between wallboard and receptacle.

For more information go to www.HandyMark.net.

Ladder Pack: Over the years, we have seen dozens of ways to store tools on a ladder. And so far, we have never used one that really worked. However, we found a tool bag that solves the problem. It’s called the Ladder Pack.

It is a canvas tool bag with a soft carrying grip and gobs of assorted-size pouches all the way around. It’s sort of pyramid-shaped just like the top of a ladder. Fill the pouch with tools, fit the hollow atop your ladder, and go to work. It even has a hammer loop and a drill pocket.

For more information go to www.wagic.com.

Sassy Signs: Ever have a garage sale? Didn’t you hate having to go through the process of making up a sign big enough for everyone to see? Well, three sisters have solved the problem. Yes, they have created signs in a bag that come with a fold-up metal frame that has legs that you can stick in the lawn. The sign kit also includes a multicolored pinwheel.

For more information go to www.sassysigns.com.

We wish we had space enough to share all of the great new innovations we saw at the show. At least we can tell you this: You can expect a real volley of new and interesting products at your hardware stores and home centers over the next several months.

For more home improvement tips and information from James and Morris Carey, visit their Web site at www.onthehouse.com or call 800-737-2474 Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The Careys are also on KRKO (1380-AM) from 6 to 8 a.m. every Saturday.