When we were kids, our first stop when we got home from school was... naturally... the kitchen. Mom always kept a basket on the counter heaped with thin-sliced dark, Russian rye bread.

A quick search of the bottom drawer of the refrigerator rendered some kind of cheese find, usually a package of freshly sliced yellow American. A piece of super-crunchy bread with a slice of cheese was our standby afternoon snack.

Once our growing teen-age bodies were refueled, we eagerly headed for our second destination... dad's workshop. Dad has always remained in our hearts as our fix-it guru, the epitome of do-it-yourselfers. He wasn't as vocal as Tim the Tool Man but was every bit as enthusiastic. He had at least one of every tool ever made, and every one of his tools had its own special spot in his workshop.

Now that we're older and have come to understand his fascination with tools, we can't imagine anyone who loves working on his home not having the same intense interest. That's why we have so much fun when we get to attend trade shows like the National Association of Home Builders Show and the International Hardware Show. Tools, tools everywhere! This year was no exception when it came to tool innovations.

One cool tool that we found at this year's hardware show was a battery-operated device that the manufacturer refers to as their "multi-tool." Essentially, this tool does it all, and it's cordless. What you get is an ergonomically designed handle that is incredibly easy to hold and remarkably well balanced for one that is so inexpensive. The grip reminds us of a suitcase handle in that it wraps around the user's hand, protecting fingers and knuckles from little smashes and big crashes.

As usual the handle is what houses the battery, but that's not all. At the front of the handle is a push-latch system that allows three different tools to be attached. The choices include a drill, a reciprocating saw (jig saw) and a detail sander. You couldn't ask for more versatility in a compact design. With one contraption, you can cut, sand, screw drill, grind, shape and buff.

If you regularly use your bench vise as an anvil, you might not find our next offering as interesting as we do. You can now purchase a portable, plastic bench vise that can clamp down on an item in less than 2 seconds and with over 1-quarter-ton of force. The manufacturer calls it the "quick vise." No, it can't be used as an anvil, but with the quick-vise handle, spinning is a thing of the past. Simply slide the jaw closed, turn the clamping dial a half turn or so, and you have achieved instant grip. And, the quick vise weighs less than 3 pounds, and thus is portable. The flip of a latch on its base releases the vise from its mount, allowing you to move it to another location in your workshop. We feel that this is one new tool that will completely change how people perceive the term "vise."

For gardeners, a new a tool is now available that is used with a cordless electric drill to help plant flowers and bulbs in half the time... and almost without effort. Hate digging but love planting? If so, this is the tool for you. It's a 6-inch round metal auger whose sole function is to drill holes in the ground. The twisted shape makes it self-driving, and that makes the digging much easier. If you like planting, you'll want to add this one to your tool chest. Dad would have.