I've compiled a list of 5 common tools that you should keep in your vehicle in case of emergency, just for their sheer usefulness, inexpensive cost and the 99% probability that you will need them at some point in your driving endeavors.

1. Pocket Tool:
You could spend $100 on something like the Leatherman Juice Xe6 tool shown in the photo or, to just store in your vehicle, Performance Tools has a similar pocket tool for $5.99. The Performance Tool Pocket Tool includes: sharp blade, Pliers, wire cutter, can opener, bottle opener, phillips head and regular screwdriver, fish scaler, ruler, file, hole punch and a storage pouch.

2. Flashlight:
LED lights are inexpensive, bright and super to keep in your car for emergencies, camping, changing a flat tire at night, etc. GRIP makes a Battery Less LED Flashlight that is powered by a squeezing action. You basically pump a trigger on the handle and in a few seconds it produces an ultra bright LED light. One minute of pumping will produce 4 hours of light, for $10.99 that's a real deal.

3. Jumper cables:
Look for extra-long jumper cables... many jumper cables are barely long enough to reach the battery terminals unless you have both cars nearly touching each other. Or go for a Battery Jumper Pack. These are packs that you charge and keep in your vehicle. They have a big 12v lead-acid battery in them, so if you get stranded, you just hook the pack to your battery and jump your car from it instead of from another car.

4. Tow rope:
This helps someone help you out if you slide into a ditch, etc. GRIP makes a basic and inexpensive one that will tow up to 4500 pounds for $6.99. Or, Smartstraps.com makes a spring-loaded retractable tow strap for $25.

5. First Aid Kit:
You can put together a small one yourself that includes: bandaids, first aid cream, aspirin/ibuprofen, gauze, and antiseptic pads. Inexpensive First Aid Kits can be purchased at any drugstore, hardware or general home store for a few bucks. Some hospitals even give them away for free as a promo. Add a small pack of baby wipes to your first aid kit. These are great to clean off your steering wheel after a greasy snack, wiping up coffee spills or to freshen up the smell of your car by wiping off your dash with one while you're waiting at a red light. The resealable packs can be purchased for a buck at Target and other general stores.

**Tools already in your car: Car jack, tire iron and spare tire (inflated): Yup, your car should come equipped with these items but do you know where they are located in your car AND better yet, do you know how to use them? Be sure to routinely check your spare tire for air - why not check it when you check your oil. (you do check your oil, don't you?)

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! JUST IN CASE YOU NEEDED THIS LIST, WE'VE POSTED IT AGAIN ~ gobble, gobble.

We've tallied up the Christmas wish lists that we've received from ya'll and have come up with the categories below. Here's the place to look folks if you need ideas for Christmas presents for that tool loving friend of yours. And for all you computer chair potatoes, we've even conveniently placed links to where you can get that tool at a good price without even moving from your spot! Happy Shopping!

Top Five Gifts for Under $100
1. Dremel Router Kit  $50
2. Stiletto Dimpler  $85
3. Grip-On-Tools Rolling Knee Dolly  $35 
4. Fowler 12" Combination Square with Protractor and Center Finder  $57
5. Jorgensen Deep Reach Steel Bar Clamp, 24"  $32.99

Eight Tools for Under $250
1. Kreg master jig system  $140 
2. Fein Multimaster XL - reconditioned for  $239
3. Bosch DLR165K Digital Laser Rangefinder Kit  $160
4. Bosch Random Orbit Palm Sander   $140
5. Fowler 12" 4-pc Combination Square  $125
6. Ridgid 6-1/2" Compact Framing Saw  $150
 7. Bosch PR20EVSNK Colt Variable Speed Palm-Grip Router Kit,  $200
8. Porter Cable 3-nailer combo/compressor kit  $250

Five Under $500
1. The DeWalt DCX4230 Combo Kit includes both new NANO tools, two 18v NANO batteries, charger, and a bag  $449.00
2. Dewalt DW056K-2 Cordless Impact Driver Kit $239
3. Bosch Airsweep wet/dry vacuum $450
4. Porter-Cable 3812S Portable Table Saw with Stand  $359
5. Hobart Welder Stickmate 205AC $329

Five Under $1000
1. Jet JPS-30 Table Saw $800
2. Delta 50-761 2 HP 2100 CFM Single Stage Dust Collector, 230V - $677
3. Storage Cabinet For Elite 2500/2000 Benches #146474  $669.99
4. Hobart Plasma Cutter Airforce 250ci  $620
5. Makita LXT700 7-PC 18V Lithium Cordless Tool Combination Kit  $629 . Includes: 1/2inch Hammer Driver-drill, Reciprocating saw, 6-1/2 inch Circular saw, Impact Driver, 4-1/2inch Cut-Off/Angle grinder, Jobsite Radio, Flashlight, 2 LXT Lithium-Ion 3.0Ah batteries w/ charger, contractor carrying bag (man purse)

These two Special Requests from one of our favorite woodworkers, Pat Morrow :
1. Powermatic 1791297 209 20" Heavy-Duty Cast Iron planer, 5 HP, 3 Phase, 230-460V - $2,100
2. SJÖBERGS Elite 2000 Workbench #146471 Price:$1500.

All saw blades are not created equal and the best woodworkers will purchase after market, quality carbide saw blades to replace the factory blades that come with their tools. When choosing a saw blade, you must consider the material that will be cut, the type of machine to be used for cutting and the desired outcome. Features to look for in a quality saw blade include expansion slots, hardness and durability, carbide teeth and engineering.

Expansion slots:
Choose a saw blade manufacturer who uses only the very best steel in their blades. Steel should be tested for consistency, tensile strength and hardness. Saw blades should incorporate some type of laser cut expansion slot so they do not warp or twist when they heat up while working. Amana incorporates a copper plug into their saw blades which reduces the turbulent noise created by the saw blade while it is being operated.

Is your blade hard?
Another feature to look for in a steel carbide saw blades is the HRC rating. HRC is the Rockwell method of measuring the hardness of materials or resistance to penetration. A high quality saw blade such as the Tenryu for example, will have a HRC rating of 40.

Thickness of Cut
Saw blades should be flat and true, distortion free, and have uniform thickness. The Kerf measurement (width of teeth) on a blade is what actually determines how wide of a cut you will make into your material. Kerf measurement is key to uniform thickness. The width of the saw plate itself determines the amount of relief you have between the material and the blade. The manufacturing process of a quality saw blade will include using special Hammers to Level and tension a saw blade. When the tensioning is within tolerance, the saw blade teeth will be ground until each is perfectly honed. A high quality carbide saw blade such as the Tenryu or Amana will cost around $100 but will cut more accurately, will not leave saw marks and will last a lifetime if maintained.

Why carbide teeth?
Carbide is composed of cobalt and tungsten. This combination results in sharper cutting edges, longer lasting tips and greater impact resistance on the teeth of the saw blade. The number of teeth will have an effect on the cutting action of the saw blade. More teeth will result in a smoother but slower cut and also a decrease in the distance between each tooth. This distance reduction will have the effect of reducing the size of the gullets (valley between the teeth), making chip ejection from that space more difficult. According to Oldham-USA.com, "This is where the design of the gullet, shoulder, tooth style and hook angles become of the utmost importance. Placing more teeth in the same amount of space can only be successful if everything matches perfectly."

Using the proper saw blade for the material you are cutting and maintaining your carbide tipped saw blades will result in a lifetime of quality material cutting fun. 

Resources:
www.toolking.com
www.tenryu.com
www.amanatool.com
www.oldham-usa.com
www.madeleycabinetry.com