The TechShop team recently returned from the Mac Tools, Matco Tools and Cornwell Quality Tools tradeshows. The whirlwind tour of tools gave us great opportunities to speak with tool and equipment manufacturers, and find out what’s new, what’s been updated and what you should be talking to your tool distributor about.
Our first stop was the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for the Mac Tools Tool Fair. 
Greg Whitton, a 23-year Mac Tools distributor out of Waynesville, OH, attended the Tool Fair with his wife Candy, and says Tool Fair gives them “a chance to see new products and we learn so much.” He takes photos at the show, and when he returns home, puts them on a DVD to play in his truck. He boasts that his truck is more like a “mobile man cave.”
Distributors were raving about the DeWALT 12 Volt MAX* Lithium Ion LED Work Light, with a head that rotates 360° and pivots. In fact, while our team was getting a tour of the DeWALT display truck, a distributor came in talking about how he can’t keep them stocked on his truck because they’ve been selling so well. Click here for the Product Preview.
Distributors were also elated to hear a 2011 Mac Tools catalog will be available this month.
Then we were on to Orlando for both the Matco Tools Expo and the Cornwell Tool Rally.
Matco Tools held its 2011 “Own the Streets” Expo at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and Convention Center. 
The Makita booth was a popular stop with their many cordless tools displayed. The built-in LED light on the 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2” Driver-Drill illuminates the work area for 10 seconds after you let up on the trigger so that you can find the next “stop” easily. Click here for Makita’s Product Preview.
Zachary Parker, president of Redline Detection, gave demonstrations of the recently improved Smoke Pro diagnostic leak detector, and says it “will pay for itself in under a month by finding more repair jobs.” Click here for Redline Detection’s Product Preview.
The luxurious Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld was home to this year’s Cornwell Quality Tools Tool Rally.
Luke Tucker of E-Z Red Company said the ECMS3000 three-piece scraper kit was a big draw at the company’s Cornwell booth. The kit includes three scrapers with uniquely designed angled heads and five spare blades.
The Steck Manufacturing booth showcased the company’s specialty tools, including the Axle Popper, which breaks loose half shafts from transaxle on front-wheel-drive vehicles. President John Brill says, “The Axle Popper Kit is quick and sure every time and will save you time!” Click here for the Product Preview.
Guess the Tool
Our first Guess the Tool contest (February 2011) was a great success! Did you try your hand at a guess? Many people did, but only a few were correct. We can’t make it too easy for you!
The correct answer was Electronic Leak Detector. Remember, it’s a type of tool or piece of equipment.
Click here to see who won the $50, and see what the new contest is. If you think you have an idea, you could be in the running for the next $50.
