Stocking the winter workshop with new toys for the boys.

The days get shorter and the nights get cooler. Soon there will be no lawn to mow and no outdoor maintenance chores on the go. If you're looking forward to spending some of those free hours in the workshop, you may want to consider upgrades to your tools and facilities, to make that time as satisfying and productive as possible.

Maybe you're finally just getting around to outfitting a permanent shop in the garage or the basement - or you may already have a haphazard workspace that could be set up more efficiently. Are there certain jobs you'd like to be able to do faster, or with greater precision? Whatever your workshop needs, this fall Kent has a great lineup of tools and accessories to get you geared up.

John Beauchamp is a tool buyer for Kent, so he's on the "cutting edge", so to speak, of this industry.

"In the tool department, our contractor base is probably our largest customer," he says. Kent's product line reflects the power and durability demanded by professionals, though there's still a broad range, with something to match your commitment to the craft, and your budget. "You've got your weekend warrior, your hobbyist, and then you have the hardcore woodworker," says John.

Cordless power tools - so handy for moving around an outdoor job site or scrambling up and down ladders - have also become a staple of the indoor workshop. In a confined space it's vastly preferable not to have electrical cords draped across your worktable or tangled around your ankles. And improved technology has made this option more attractive than ever in drills and drivers, reciprocating and circular saws. "I think the biggest thing that's taking off right now is new lithium battery technology," offers John. "It kind of reinvents the way the world uses cordless power tools. You get three times longer run time, it's fade-free power, and it's almost half the weight of a regular Ni-cad battery."

It's possible to take a mix-and-match approach. You can buy a battery upgrade for a cordless tool you already own, or you can buy a "bare tool" without the battery if you already have a compatible power pack and charger from the same manufacturer. "It's one streamlined system," says John, adding that prominent manufacturers like DeWalt and Makita inspire brand loyalty partly because of their integrated product lines.

The only caution with lithium batteries is that they do not perform as well at low temperatures, so there are some limitations when it comes to winter projects that take you outdoors. But in the shop, their versatility is unmatched.

"With lithium batteries, a lot of these are quick chargers - 30 minutes or less," John points out. "You can work on the side and do some cutting, and by the time you're done, your drill is re-charged. That's a big innovation, and it's growing in leaps and bounds. There is some premium on lithium batteries, but the gap is not as large as one would think."

You can put a lot of power at your fingertips, with cordless units typically rated at 12 to 24 Volts, and some as high as 36 Volts. But depending who's using the tool, and the type of job it will usually be used for, appropriate size and weight may be more important than arm-twisting torque. Women and kids will likely prefer a smaller grip. Features such as a built-in light may be helpful for household repairs in dark corners. And for the once-in-a-blue-moon craftsperson, user-friendly controls are also an asset.

"If you don't read the manual", says John smiling, "icons are important."

Any time you can get one highly adaptable unit instead of several specialized tools, you're saving money and preventing clutter in the shop. John says there have also been major developments in oscillating multi-tools.

These are tools that are rotary in nature, that allow you to perform different jobs.

"There are accessories for removing grout, cutting metal, or sanding. It lends itself to home projects like scraping, carving, or bathroom renovations. They're very easy and safe to use. The standard kits come with basic attachments, and extra ones are available. Some modern sanders allow you to do three types of sanding. If you can get a tool that has three functions in one, I think people want that."

Of course, there will always be some jobs that are most easily done with the original cordless tools - the human-powered kind. While you're taking inventory in the workshop, don't forget those old standbys. Do you have chipped chisels, a handsaw with a few missing teeth, or a screwdriver set that's missing one or two key players? Kent has all the basics, in traditional or updated designs. "Contractor tools last," John says. "But people are acquiring ergonomic soft-grip tools, instead of hard plastic. Comfort and feel in the grip are important."

For health and safety reasons, make sure your workshop has a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher. For personal protection, think eye goggles and earmuffs or plugs. And make sure heavy-duty extension cords and power bars are up to spec.

"The electrical department at Kent has designated products for power tools," John says, adding that the clear plug is a popular feature, allowing you to confirm that a connection has been made.

If any amount of sawing and sanding is going to be done indoors, dust control is important. For those who don't want to invest in a commercial-grade air filtration system, there are sawdust collection accessories for wet-dry vacuums, such as a coupler that connects to your table saw, and there are high-filtration bags for collecting finer stuff like plaster dust. A mask rated N95 is what you should be looking for to filter out particles, John says, and Kent also carries respirator masks - important for paints and solvents.

As for organizing your shop, the portable workbench favoured by contractors is handy for small spaces, because it can be folded up and tucked away when not in use. And the pegboard is a time-proven way of keeping tools where you can see them and reach them. Workbench kits may include drawers and shelving as well as a pegboard, consolidating everything you need in an economical and convenient package.

"And an overhead fluorescent would be a must in any workshop where there's continuous use," says John. "You want good lighting."

After all, if it's a long winter and new projects keep appearing on your list, you could be spending a lot of time there.