Channellock Ratcheting Screwdriver & Laser Level

A few days ago I received Channellock's 13 ‘N 1 Ratcheting Screwdriver and the 620L Professional Laser Level to review. Boy oh boy do I get excited to try out new tools!

I started with the Channellock 13 ‘N 1 Ratcheting Screwdriver as I am always excited about a good screwdriver. The very first thing you notice about the 131 driver is its weight and quality. The driver is heavy and solid and feels great in your hand.

The bits are hidden in the handle (like many drivers out there), but slide out and back in for easy access. I HATE drivers that require you to twist off the cap to get at the bits and Channellock came up with a great solution with the slide out tray. The next feature I raved over is part of the bits themselves. The bits have tiny spring loaded ball bearings to help them stay in place when driving! I know everybody reading this has had bits stay in the screw or simply fall right out of the handle before. Channellock fixed that issue with another clever solution.

I must say the Channellock 13 ‘N 1 Ratcheting Screwdriver is the best driver I have used.  The innovative solutions to common problems and the smooth and hardy ratcheting mechanism really make it the best.

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The next tool I had the fun of trying out was the 620L Professional Laser Level. The 620L is a simpler tool than the driver but no less impressive. Like the driver you notice the weight of the tool right away, this thing is solid and clearly built to survive banging about in a toolbox.

The level can measure 3 different angles and has a built in laser to project the level to the far wall or surface. The built in laser is bright and uses AAA batteries, none of these expensive and hard to find watch style batteries!  This level also incorporates rare earth magnets to stick to metal surfaces for hands free use.

Overall I am very impressed with both of these fine tools from Channellock. Both the driver and level are of fantastic quality and are clearly designed to spend a lifetime in your toolbox. Although the level is a specialized tool and will be used accordingly, I will use the 13 ‘N 1 Ratcheting Screwdriver every single day.

To learn more about Channellock, visit Channellock.com, as well as Channellock on Facebook and Twitter.


Thank you to Channellock for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon and for providing additional products for our contest prize.

Good luck in the drawing!

125th Anniversary Channellock Tool Roll Gift Set

Recently I received the Channellock Tool Roll No. 3 for review and the timing could not be better. It was only a few days before I had the perfect repair to test my new set on. After the kids' bath one night the bathtub would not drain.

To fix this issue I need to use a pipe snake, but in order to do that I needed to remove some pipe end caps to gain access behind my tub. The two sizes of adjustable tongue and groove pliers in the Channellock Tool Roll were perfect for that task. The work area was tight and I did not have much leverage, but the pliers worked just fine. The no-slip grips worked perfectly even with my wet hands.

It was nice to have most of the tools I needed for the job in one place, I did not need to run back and forth to try different tools, they were right there in one place.

Another tool that came in handy in a hurry was the Slip Joint Plier. A few days ago I was moving the cushions on the couch and noticed something pointy coming through the fabric right where your lower back would be if the cushions were out of place. After looking more closely it was a protruding nail! My kids play all over that couch.  It is an absolute miracle they have not cut themselves wide open on that nail. I grabbed the slip joint pliers and pulled it right out, they were the perfect tool for the job.

This set contains the following pieces:

• 430 tongue and groove plier
• 420 tongue and groove plier
• 337 cutting plier
• 3017 long nose plier
• 526 slip joint plier
• 5-pocket tool roll with tie-closure

The Channellock Tool Roll No. 3 was a great addition to my tool collection. Everything I need in a compact roll that I can throw in a drawer to keep handy. Great product!

Visit Channellock.com to view their full selection of quality tools and tool gift sets.

Thank you to Channellock for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive Channellock Tool Roll No. 3 (engraved with "1886-2011 -- 125 Years Strong"). [ARV $79]

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of Channellock tools. Then leave a comment telling me the name of one tool you think a Dad you know would love to own because it would be so useful or just plain cool. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1)  For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


2)  For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3)  For 10 extra entries, subscribe to Channellock's YouTube channel. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.

4)  For 1 extra entry each, Friend me on Facebook and/or "Like" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5)  For 1 extra entry each, follow Channellock on Twitter and/or "Like" Channellock on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.


6)  Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)  Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)  Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)  Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, June 20th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Holiday 2010 Giveaway: Channellock Tools 4-in-1 Ratcheting Wrench Set [CLOSED]

All of us need tools. Some of us need lots of professional grade tools and some of us need just enough basic tools to keep our homes in good order. But one type of tool set always seems only available in mega sized 75+ piece sets: The Ratcheting Socket Set. No matter what your actual wrench needs are, everybody I know owns a giant ratchet set (myself included). As nice as it is to be prepared for any size bolt or nut, metric or standard, I only ever use a handful of the sizes.

The box my mega ratcheting socket set comes in is the size of a brief case and I leave it in the basement, hardly convenient. What we all really need is a tool or small tool set that accommodates the most standard sizes and is small enough to keep handy. When I learned I had the opportunity to try out Channellock's 841S Ratcheting Wrenches I was very excited These wrenches had the potential to replace my giant socket set.

The 841S ratchet set includes just two ratcheting wrenches but replaces 8 of the most commonly used standard sizes. The set would easily fit into a kitchen utility drawer (try that with your socket set!).

The wrenches have hardened steel sockets and laminated steel shafts. The switches to change ratchet direction are easy to engage and intuitively placed. The ratcheting movement is tight and precise. This set is high quality and I should be able to count on years of use.

For less than $35 Channellock's 841S Ratcheting Wrench set is a must have in any home or shop. The ability to handle the majority of your standard size wrench needs out of your kitchen utility drawer is a no-brainer. The 841S Ratcheting Wrench set would fit very nicely in a stocking this holiday...

You can order this wrench set and other Channellock tools right on Channellock.com .

Thank you to Channellock for sending us a complimentary product sample to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a set of 2 Channellock Ratcheting Wrenches.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of Channellock gift sets. Then leave a comment telling me which set would make a great gift for someone you know. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2)

For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, sign up to receive Channellock email updates. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.

4)

For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 1 extra entry each, follow Channellock on Twitter and/or "Like" Channellock on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.

6)

Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)

Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)

Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)

Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10)

Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Thursday, December 16th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Giveaway & Review: Channellock Pliers VJ-1 Gift Set [CLOSED]

Warning, blatant stereotype coming up:

Being a guy, I love tools (wasn’t too bad) and I was excited to try out Channellock’s VJ-1 two piece adjustable pliers gift set. It didn’t take long to need these around the house after they arrived.

The first thing I noticed was the double wide grips. Most “lesser” sets have the same size steel all around making for an uncomfortable grip on long projects. Not so with the Channellocks. The extra wide steel also helps keep the rubber grips in place. I can’t tell you how many pairs of pliers I have had where the rubber grips slip off.

Once you start using them, you can feel the quality of the joint and adjustable movement. The joint is tight with zero play, no chance of slipping into the next adjustment with these. The teeth are sharp and offer a nice bite for good grip. The teeth are so sharp I wouldn’t use them on a finished or polished surfaced pipe or bolt. But that’s not a big deal for 95% of what you will use the pliers for. They have such a good bite I used mine to pull out a 2.5” stripped out wood screw!

Overall the Channellocks VJ-1 gift set is a wonderful value. Tools that last a lifetime are a good deal at any price, and these will easily be the last set you will ever need.

Through June 20th, 2010 you can save 10% off the VJ-1 Gift Set when you use Code: CP3Q1 at checkout on Channellock.com .

Thank you to Channellock for sending us a sample gift set free of charge to base this review upon and for providing another gift set for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Channellock VJ-1 Gift Set.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of Channellock Gift Sets. Then leave a comment telling me which gift set would be perfect for someone you know. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2)

For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND Channellock.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4)

For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 1 extra entry, follow Channellock on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6)

Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)

Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)

Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)

Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10)

Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, June 28th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!