Tool Test Rating System:

* = Below average quality
** = average quality
*** = very good quality/value
**** = excellent quality/value
***** = top of the line

We've got some interesting tools for you this morning--tools that could save you from uttering some expletives in your shop.

There is nothing worse in my mind than when you run a board through a power tool and see sparks. You know immediately that the sparks come from some sort of metal, like a nail or a screw, that was embedded in that board. The tools then, are metal detectors and they are made by Wizard in the U.S.

The first is called the Wood Shop Wizard and it is really three tools in one. The Woodshop Wizard will detect nails or screws or staples in wood up to a depth of 1 1/2". In addition, you can use it to indicate alternating or continuous electrical currents and finally, to detect the location of damaged insulation.

You simply hold the tool and scan the wood in circular motions and the tool will light up and emit an audible beep if metal is detected.

The second Wizard tool is called the Little Wizard and it looks much like a windshield ice scraper and is about the same size. The Little Wizard is strictly a metal detector and will penetrate up to two inches. Progressive LED's will light up as you get closer to the metal object. The 'blade' of the tool only measures about 3" in width, so it will take a bit of time to scan say, a 12" wide board.

For you people that have a small woodlot, the latter two detectors would be a little small so Wizard has some larger models to detect metal.

The Lumber Wizard looks much like a portable airport security scanner. It's 18" long and covers a broader area. It is also much more sensitive and can scan to a depth of 6". The Lumber Wizard has a loud buzzer alarm that will give you fair warning of the presence of metal. Because the Lumber Wizard is more than likely used when power saws are operating the tool also has a vibration feature to alert you.

Finally, the Wood Scan Wizard, the largest of the four tools, is in my mind, the ultimate in metal scanners. The Wood Scan is an open frame tool that either stands alone or may be carried. This tool will scan all sides of a board at the same time and it can handle lumber up to 6" x 12" at any length. The Wood Scan Wizard has a removable base so it can either be mounted permanently or hand-held.

Although metal scanners are not new innovations, these Wizard tools certainly are and for their accuracy, (we buried a staple between two 2 x 4's and got beeped by all four detectors) we give them a ***** rating.

Wizard Distribution is at 15500 Erwin Street, Ste 1049, Van Nuys, CA 91411.

You can get more information at www.wizarddistribution.com. ~Graham McCulloch is a Woodworker and writer and lives in Halifax.