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• Position: What's New? Small Appliances, Tools And Gadgets - FireStorm Cordless Multi-Tool - Brief Article - Evaluation

* Handheld tools have made home improvements a lot easier than they used to be, especially once they became freed from being anchored to an electrical outlet. Outdoor jobs no longer require a jerry-built arrangement of extension cords the farther you get from the house. The one continuing annoyance, though, is the need to drag out a toolchest to have all the implements necessary to accomplish the task.

The latter problem has been solved by Black & Decker, Towson, Md., with its FireStorm Cordless Multi-Tool. The key is the three attachments that easily lock into the basic pistol-grip handle, then release at the push of a button as a different one is substituted. First, there is a drill/driver with a 24-position clutch that assures the proper torque level, whether you're drilling through the toughest wood, reaming holes, or driving or removing screws. The attachment runs up to 700 RPMs off a rechargeable 12-volt battery and comes with a reversible Phillips/slothead screwdriver bit, three-hour charger, and a keyless chuck for switching heads. The combination of a variable-speed switch and electric brake that operates in less than a second gives total control for precision work.

Second, the jigsaw comes with a blade support roller that allows the saw to glide over surfaces practically frictionless, assuring a more-accurate cut, as well as extending the life of the blade. The Quick Clamp blade-changing system works at the push of a lever, rather than having to loosen a screw as most other electric saws require, providing speed and safety when a blade has to...