Rolling toolbox
Every collection needs a display case. And the Stanley Fat Max rolling toolbox is suitable for holding your favourite DIY tools. This toolbox has two medium-size bins, a portable tool tray and a large lower bin for bulky items such as power tools. And since it's on wheels, it's easy to move from job to job. But the best part is, unlike a conventional toolbox, the hinged compartments are tiered to allow easy access to all four storage areas at the same time. The handle telescopes for easy manoeuvring and a large latch locks the compartments, preventing them from opening. All in all, it's a very mobile organizer. Stanley Fat Max: $100, www.stanleytools.com or 800-263-6292.
Affordable combination
Not only does the new Ryobi line of cordless tools have a distinctive look, but they're also unique for their price! At $350, the four-piece Ryobi combo kit brings the benefit of lithium-ion cordless power-twice the run time and 20 per cent lighter than 18-volt nickle cadmium power-at a price that makes it reasonable for the average DIYer to upgrade their tool kits. Since most other lithium-ion kits are in the $600 range, these tools are bound to be popular. And if you're not quite ready to give up on your old blue 18-volt Ryobi cordless tools, the new lithium-ion battery is fully compatible and will be available separately with a charger for about $100. Ryobi combo kit: $350, www.ryobitools.com or 800-525-2579.
Beck & Call
With its rubber keypad and roll-bar style antenna, the General Electric 27420GE9 shop phone is specially designed for life in the shop or any place that doesn't have a jack. Simply plug the small, black accessory box into a power outlet and a phone jack inside your house, then plug the base station into a power outlet outside and you're good to go. The 900-mhz phone has an extra-loud ringer and flashing light for noisy environments, as well as all the usual options you'd expect from a cordless phone, including caller ID, call waiting, speaker phone and adjustable volume. The base includes a radio and a backlit digital clock. General Electric 27420GE9: $100, www.home-electronics.net or 800-448-0329.
Buy In Bulk
If you're looking for a deal in the power-tool aisle of your hardware store, look no further than the stack of cordless combo kits. These kits give you great value for about half of the cost of buying each tool separately. A case in point is the five-piece professional-grade Hitachi 18-volt kit. These tools are powered by the latest in battery technology, lithium-ion. But the latest combo kits are more than just a good set of batteries-they're great tools too. The Hitachi 1/2" hammer drill cranks out 570 in.lb. of torque and the impact driver cranks out a whopping 1,330 in.lb. The kit also includes a lightweight 6 1/2" circular saw, a recip saw that features tool-free blade changes and a flashlight that can be switched between a fluorescent area light or a battery-saving LED beam. Hitachi 18-volt kit: $850, www.hitachipowertools.com or 800-970-2299.
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