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LumberJocks Summer Build-Off Starts July 1st

by Chris     June 25, 2009    

Twice a year LumberJocks (a woodworking community) hosts build-off contests for its members. Each contest is different and asks the community to build useful and unique woodworking projects. This summer's task is to build a Garden Bench.

Whether you live in an apartment or on a grand estate a garden bench is the perfect place to sit, relax, and savour life's gifts. Create the ideal bench for your outside environment and join our Summer Awards! Be sure to describe why you selected the design and show us the finished product in its new home.

While most contests only reward the top 1-3 entries, LumberJocks rewards the top10. Prizes include

  • 1st place - 5-Piece Picture Frame Bit Set & Build-A-Box Value Package by Eagle America
  • 2 nd place - Archive DVDs by Fine Woodworking
  • 3rd place - Stock Electric Branding Iron by Custom Branding Iron
  • 4th place - SkilSaw by Skil
  • 5th place - Home Run Four Pak and Maple Marking Gauge by Major League Woodworking
  • 6th place - BowlSaw by Steussy Creations
  • 7th place - $75 Certificate by Lee Valley
  • 8th place - Lit-ion Power Cutter by Skil
  • 9th place - Lit-ion Screwdriver by Skil
  • 10th place - $25 Certificate by Lee Valley

The contest runs for the entire month of July, so you better get started on your Garden Bench today. Head over to LumberJocks for complete rules and details.

The Solution To Smashed Cords And Hoses

by Chris     June 24, 2009    

Check out this great new soon to be tool called Thin-Air. I say soon, because the Thin-Air is still in the final prototyping stage. It is pretty obvious from the photo as to what it does, but if you are a bit confused, I will explain. The Thin-Air is the solution to the pinched or flattened cords and hoses you get while running them under doors. It looks like this could also be mounted on the side of the door, for those occasions where you need to keep the floor clear for other trades. The Thin-Air is also a finalist in DIY Cool Tools Search for Americas Coolest Tools Contest, so be sure to vote.

What do you think of this tool, and would you buy it? Let us know in the comments below.

Makita's New 18V LXT 3-Speed Impact BTD144

by Chris     June 22, 2009    

Makita has long been an innovator when it comes to cordless impacts, so it comes as no surprise that they have added even more features to their new BTD144 18 volt impact, and at the same time were able to shorten the length by 1/4-inch from the previous BTD141.

The main new features for the BTD144 are the 3-speed selection switch, and a new brush-less motor design. With the speed selection switch, users will now be able to select a lower amount of speed and impacts for jobs that require a more delicate touch. Select the Soft Impact setting (0-1,300 RPM and 0-1,300 IPM) and you wont have to worry about stripping or breaking small screws. The Hard Impact setting (0-2,600 RPM and 0-3,400 IPM) acts like an impact normally would, and the Medium Impact setting (0-2,000 RPM and 0-2,800 IPM) is for everything in between. The new brush-less motor is said to provide longer battery life, up to 20% and is the reason for the shorter overall body length of 5-1/2". Makita was also able to increase the maximum torque to 1420 inch pounds, up from 1330.

The BTD144 also features a built in LED light that has pretty much become the standard for Makita cordless tools, but it also includes something we didn't expect to see... an independent on/off switch for the LED light. Now you don't have to hold the trigger open to get a bit of extra light (something I do all the time).

The complete kit which includes two 3 Ah LXT lithium ion batteries, charger, and tool case, has an MSRP of $349.99. Tool only (BTD144Z) is priced at $189.00

For more information please visit Makita Tools
Makita BTD144 - Amazon

Win $1200 Worth Of Your Favorite Tools

by Chris     June 17, 2009    
Do you need tools, but are strapped for cash? Or maybe you're just too cheap to buy them for yourself. If you borrow more tools then you own, now is your chance to get some that you can call your own.

CPO Outlets, which sells certified pre-owned tools as well as new tools from all the major brands, is running a bunch of contests this summer. You could win up to $1200 to spend on CPO stores from most of the major brands, including Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and more. Here is where it gets good... you can enter the giveaway for each brand, to increase your chances.

Here is how to enter. Head over to CPO Outlets, and click over to one of their different brand stores. Look for the Summer Sweepstakes banner or link in the sidebar, and fill out the entry form. Next, go to another store - lather, rinse and repeat. Good Luck

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