Monday, I’m heading to Las Vegas for The National Hardware Show. The show, which runs May 5th through the 7th, is celebrating its 70th year. It’s expected to draw 2500 exhibitors form around the world trying to get a piece of the $340 billion the country spends annually on home improvement.

I’ll be walking the show floor for two days trying to find the best new products for Fine Homebuilding readers. The show floor is divided into 15 categories, from cleaning supplies and paint, to tools and outdoor living products. I’m going to try and make it through all the product categories, so I don’t miss anything good. 

This year’s show promises the largest New Products Corral ever. This special exhibit is where industry insiders vote on the very best new products exhibited at the show. In years past, I’ve seen things as varied as toilet tanks with fish inside to four-wheeled pressure washers that you can drag behind you like a canister vacuum.

If there’s anything you’re hoping I’ll track down, please include a comment below or on our Facebook page and I’ll do my best to look for what you’re seeking. (Please skip the requests for board stretchers and sky hooks.) I’ll be filing a couple of reports from the show with the cool and useful things I see. If I find what you’re looking for, I’ll be sure to give you a shout out. 

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

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Affordable IR Camera

This camera is super useful for tracking down air leaks in buildings. The one-hand pistol grip arrangement frees your other hand for steadying yourself while maneuvering tricky job sites.

Buy at Amazon

Handy Heat Gun

This heat gun is great for drying joint compound, primer and paint when patching drywall and plaster walls. Plus it can soften adhesive, get a very cold small engine to start, and shrink heat-shrink tubing.

Buy at Amazon

8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape

Available in 2- to 12-in. widths, this is a good general-purpose flashing tape that sticks well to most things. It features a two-piece release paper, water-shedding layers, and good UV resistance.

Buy at Amazon