If cutting with the SoniCrafter wasn't easy enough for you, their new SoniShear attachment simplifies the task even further. The SoniShear attaches to the SoniCrafter the same as their other accessories, and adds scissor like cutting capabilities to the tool.

The shearing blade operates at up to 20,000 strokes per minute, and Rockwell says it can cut materials up to 5/16” thick. Things like corrugated board, plastic packaging (I know we all hate this), leather, carpet, canvas, netting, vinyl sheet, paper, and rubber matting should be no problem for the new attachment.

“The SoniShear accessory zips through literally thousands of materials quicker thanever and with less operator fatigue,” said Jeanne White, Rockwell product manager. “It cutscontours, curves and straight lines with ease.”

The Rockwell SoniShear Model #RW9247 is set to be priced at $24.99 and is expected to be available online and in stores in early spring 2010.

[:cicn:] Rockwell Tools Direct - Amazon

Anyone that leaves their tools on the jobsite knows that there is always a risk of them growing legs during the night; this is also a problem for contractor's supplies and materials. We all do are best to make sure things are as secure as possible, but we can never really be sure if they will be there the next morning. If you have a multimillion dollar contract, then security guards are probably your best bet; but many contractors are on a much smaller scale.

The other day I spotted a product online called Tattletale which looks like it could solve some of these security problems. It is basically a portable alarm system that communicates wirelessly with a number of sensors you place around the jobsite. Sensors include everything from indoor & outdoor motion detectors, to smoke detectors, and even an alarmed security loop for heavy equipment and materials. Tattletale has pretty much everything covered, including 24/7 wireless monitoring, but of coarse all this protection comes at a price; the base station alone cost $800 plus $150 - $400 each for various sensors. Additionally you will need the 24/7 monitoring service which costs $420 a year. Depending on the size of the jobsite, the cost can really add up.

So, is your jobsite worth the cost of Tattletale protection?

Tattletale - Website
[:cicn:] Wood Werks

Oscillation tools seemed to top the list amongst DIYers this past year, but for many professionals, the step up to track saws was high on their list. Why track saws? Because they offer table saw quality and accuracy in a much smaller more portable tool. They also have the added benefit of being much safer to operate. Today I will be going over my experiences using the Eurekazone track saw system. Eurekazone sent over the EZ Smart Guide SGS-114" kit, which includes: (1) 64” rail, (1) 50” rail, (3) rail connectors, (1) Smart Base, (2) Smart Clamps, (2) AC-1 Anti-chip inserts, and (2) AC-2 Anti-chip inserts.

The Eurekazone system, as mentioned in previous articles, is the only track saw system that can be used with existing circular saws. This feat is accomplished by mounting the EZ Smart Base to the bottom of your saw, which then rides on the EZ rail/track. This means you can use a saw you already own with little modification, you can use a new saw with little modification, or you can purchase a pre-modified EZ Ready Saw directly from EZ. EZ will also custom make Smart Bases for any size saw, so using a 16” circular saw is not out of the question (Yes, they do exist).

Makita's 10” 4-rail saw has been out for a while now, and receives lots of praise around the internet so it comes at no surprise that Makita has moved up to next logical step.

The new LS1216L is built off of the same design as the 10” model, so many of the features are the same. The biggest difference is of coarse the added cutting capacity the 12” version offers. The 4-rail design offers a more compact footprint without the loss of any cutting capacity; this allows the saw to cut 15” material at 90 degrees. Even more impressive is the saws ability to cut 8” crown and 6 1/2” baseboard vertically nested.

If you liked the LS1016L but found you needed more cutting capacity you might want to upgrade to the LS1216L. Model LS1216LX is also available which includes Makita's Jobsite Miter Saw Stand. MSRP for the LS1216L is $679

LS1216L - Makita