All types of tools, including refurbished workbench tools, are now marketed using e-commerce techniques such as web-based auctions. Moreover, online discussion forums continue to emerge, encouraging information exchanges about the Idem functionality of antique tools, usefulness. Newly designed tools, and prospects for innovative tool modifications.

The following sites have been selected as examples of the many versatile web resources that us on various aspects of tools. They provide insights about timely industry trends and best handling methods, as well as restoration, safety, and preservation techniques.

A Millers Falls Page
http://www.public.coe.edu/-rroeder/mf.htm
This educational site offers hand-powered woodworking and carpentry tool enthusiasts a id recounting of the heritage of the North American retail hardware industry. Echoes of the past and potential for the future resound as one navigates through this study of the historical growth of one successful manufacturer. Rich with illustrations, including artifacts, more than a century's worth of product development and marketing strategies can be traced. Hyperlinks drill down to descriptive information about implements, especially the bench planes and boring tools once sold by the Miller Falls Company. Metadata with thumbnail pictures that reflect catalogs, advertisements, brochures, and old price lists also con- tribute to this corporate success story.

Badger Pond
http://www.wwforum.com/index.html
This site serves as a portal into the woodworking industry and beyond. It features links to over 600 resources including discussion forums, general information, equipment reviews, guilds, manufacturers, museums, publications, online media, retailers, software, organizations, and schools. It offers many full-text articles that focus on instructional topics including how to select and effectively use various tools. Every Wednesday night this site hosts an open chat-like seminar, with the transcripts conveniently archived by date.

Do It Best Corp.
http://doitbest.com
This dealer-owned, profit-sharing, member-driven hardware cooperative affords more than 4400 independent tool retailers facilitated e-business trans- actions, as well as other marketing advantages usually enjoyed by large company-owned chains. Within the Tools Department, hand tools are indexed under 46 categories ranging from adjustable wrenches to wrecking chisels. Each is then hyperlinked to information about products and related services. This site also features an added-value How-to Encyclopedia. It serves to educate about tool development histories, comparative design features, usage hazards, safety tips, and maintenance techniques. Entries illustrating the best ways to complete project repairs, usually provide on-screen videos accompanying the text.

Georgesbasement
http://www.georgesbasement.com
An inviting entrepreneurial site offering insightful explanations and analytical studies about restoring old tools. It is maintained by a metallurgist with an interest in sharing resourceful theories and techniques for preserving the aesthetic heritage antique instruments, as well as demonstrating the best ways to convert defunct old implements into once-again useful tools. With clarity and conciseness, and at times sprinkled with conversational humor, cogent narratives serve to advise and teach. For example, step-by-step illustrated instructions explain best practices for modifying and mending broken plane totes. In a section on hand drills, digitized pictures and focused text explore the evolution of distinguishable tool designs both before and during older manufacturing eras of Stanley, Good-ell-Pratt, and Millers Falls. Other essays found here bear titles such as "Patents Applied to North I Bros./Yankee Drills & Screwdrivers;" "Taking Apart the Mysterious Stanley/Yankee 2101;" "A Brace's Ratchet Mechanism;" "Geared Braces-Used Also as Comer Braces;" "Pictures of Music Wire, Am Wire, & Pearlitic Strip;" and "Wooden Planes."

Hand Tools Institute
http://www.hti.org
This is the trade association website for North American nonpowered tools and tool boxes. It serves as a portal to industry associations, market data resources, occupational safety links, and standards information. For instance, industry association links facilitate direct access to the American Hardware Manufacturers Association and the Power Tools Institute. Hazard alerts can be found by linking to the National Safety Council, Prevent Blindness America, American Society of Safety Engineers, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), and the Occupational Health & Safety Magazine. Links to standard~ information are also provided, with, for example, a link to the full text of the public pages of the ASME B107 Standards Committee.

Hoovers Online Industry Snapshots
http://www.hoovers.com/industry/archive/0,2048,169,OO.html
In addition to in-depth subscriber-based business information, this site offers public access to advertiser-supported material including man industry snapshots. For example, the "Machinery ~ Tools Industry" overview tells the story from both historical and management perspectives. Throughout, links are provided to embedded information where company capsules unearth details about products, services, financial data, top competitors, press releases, corporate officers, market research reports, and jobs. Added-value options include glossaries defining industry-related jargon, as well as metrics charts reflecting market shares and production patterns. Examples of other snapshots are the "Construction & Building Materials Industry" and the "Mining and Metals Industry" reports.

NASA Tech Briefs
http://www.nasatech.com/about.html
In accordance with NASNs charter, it is here i that domestic and international NASA partner-contractors can report newly developed, commercially useful products that have resulted from I applied scientific endeavors. Among the 18 science and engineering categories covered are the following that may prove useful when researching information about tools: CAD/CAE software, electronic I components & systems, machinery/automation,manufacturing/fabrication, materials, and test & measurement. Several briefs focus specifically on tools. For instance, an innovative modification is described in the design of tools used in manufacturing laminated composite-material sandwich panels. Another example is the brief that explains production of saw tools using laser technology.

Oldtools Archives
http://www.egroups.com/messages/oldtools
Timely oldtools email listserv postings can be reviewed here and responded to at leisure. Searching by subject threads and author is facilitated at this heavily trafficked site. Message exchanges tend to be very informative and often technical. They can range from discussions about sharpening molding plane blades to tracing patent information to recommending informative new web resources.