What's in Store

Comparing Apples to Apples: Basement Edition by Jeff A. Edvenson is a book written by a general contractor for homeowners looking to refinish their basements. It provides an overview education of processes, materials and code issues, including a glossary of terms defined, tips on selecting a contractor and understanding inspections. It includes 22 pages of forms that homeowners can use to create a consistent "job specification packet" for each contractor submitting a bid, creating a consistent comparison for the customer to use in making a choice. Comparing Apples to Apples: Basement Edition is priced at $19.95.

The Carpenter Pro application for iPad and iPhone devices will calculate how many plywood sheets you need to cut parts for your project and generate detailed cutlist diagrams for every stock sheet. You can specify the dimensions and required grain direction for each part; grain direction will be indicated on each cutlist diagram. Developed by Yousef Mannaa, the Carpenter Pro app is priced at $14.99.

Metabo's new ASR 35 is a heavy-duty vacuum with wet/dry capabilities with automatic electromagnetic vibration filter cleaning: in other words, you don't need to shut it down to clean the filter. A power takeoff allows you to connect a power tool directly to the vacuum, without an extension cord, and turn the vacuum on by turning on the tool. The ASR 35 weighs 39 pounds, has a 9-gallon capacity and generates an airflow of 130 cubic feet per minute with maximum vacuum pressure of 248 millibar. It comes with a 1-1/2" x 14' suction hose, a polyethylene collection bag and two pleated polyester filters; a HEPA version is available. Its list price is $968.