A deceptively simple-looking tool, the BoWrench is a boon for both professional deck builders and do-it-yourselfers. The BoWench gives you a fast, one-person way to straighten decking boards. This is great, because decking material--whether redwood, cedar, or another, more exotic rot-resistant wood--is often warped, especially in 14- to 16-foot lengths. To operate the BoWrench, you simply fit the tool on a joist, swing the lever arm, and release. You can either push or pull boards into alignment, and when the handle is perpendicular, the tool locks in place, holding the board securely and leaving you free to drive nails or screws. The BoWrench is better than toenailing. Burying nails in the sides of decking to close gaps works, but it gives water more ways to enter the decking, which eventually leads to rot. With the BoWrench, you'll save time, create a longer-lasting surface, and maximize material. Using the special cam attachment (sold separately), the BoWrench replaces the clumsy beater block as the best way to close gaps in tongue-and-groove plywood and paneling. --Jon Groebner
