JAMES AND MORRIS CAREY \ On the House Low input, high output gizmos to save time

We recently returned from the 60th annual National Hardware Convention in Las Vegas, where more than 3,100 exhibitors displayed their latest and greatest offerings to 30,000 hardware industry attendees. It was at the new products pavilion that we found the newest and most interesting products.
Here's a look at some:
UWhen they're on sale, you can usually purchase a 25-foot retractable measuring tape for under $10. So, you are really going to be surprised when we suggest that you look into the new Autotape from Black and Decker that sells for a whopping $25. It's a bit larger than a conventional 25-foot measuring tape -- making it more bulky and a bit more difficult to handle -- at least until you get used to it. What's so cool about it is that the tape measure ejects automatically at the press of a button -- and it doesn't snap back when you press the retract button. Why an electric tape measure? Very often when making a measurement we find one hand occupied holding something or other. Sending the measuring blade across a full sheet of plywood, for example, is as easy as pressing that button we just mentioned. This may not be a tool "for absolutely everyone," but we know of no serious do-it-yourselfer who won't want one. For more information check out the Autotape at www.blackanddecker.com.
UInventors across the globe have come up with every kind of brow, tool and hat-mounted lighting device imaginable. Unfortunately, you can't always get your head into alignment with your work when in unusually tight places. Just because you can see it doesn't mean that a head- or hat-mounted light will illuminate the task at hand. One solution for any and every "task at hand" is the newly released Illumiglove - a lighted work glove from Craftsman. For about $30 you can own your very own pair of battery operated, LED penlight gloves -- and each one comes with its own on-off switch. The light is mounted along side the index finger and the on-off switch is on the back of the hand. For more information you can go to www.craftsman.com.
UWhen it comes to our houseplants, we hate fumbling with fertilizer. You've got to open the fertilizer container, measure out the appropriate ingredients, mix it into the water -- and then clean up the mess. Well, there's no longer any reason for all the mess, fuss or bother. There is a new water can on the market that does all that work automatically. The Aquavor is a watering can with its own built-in, removable fertilizer dispenser. Pushing the fertilizer dispenser plunger a few times is all it takes to inject just the right amount of chemical. The next step is to fill the can with water, allowing nature and physics to mix the concoction. You are now ready to water and fertilize your plants all at the same time -- and there is no mess and no cleanup. For more information on the Aquavor, check out their Web site at www.aquavor.com.
UHere's one you'll really love: Puttying up a small gouge in a wall or ceiling can be a pain. Go out to the workshop, get the can of putty. Then, find a screwdriver to open the can, find a putty knife to mix the putty to get it out of the can, apply the putty and so on. Why does something so simple have to be so complicated? Well, with a container of the new Erase-a-hole from Elite Products, puttying a hole is quick, easy and anything but complicated. Erase-a-hole is a putty of firm consistency that comes in a container that looks very much like a stick of deodorant right down to the dial at the bottom of the vessel. All you do is open the top, wipe the putty over the hole and used the edge of the container to wipe away the excess. For more information on this $7.50 work-saver, log on to www.solutionscatalog.com.
XFor more home improvement tips and information visit www.onthehouse.com.