I have been working on some reviews and haven't been able to post anything for a few days, but I wanted to share some great work that our friend Rob over at A Concord Carpenter is doing with Build America.

What Rob is doing is training 21 recent college graduates on how to properly use tools, and how to use these tools to build. Over a 6-week span the 21 young men will be heading across the country where they will use their newly found skills to help give people with disabilities access to recreational activities that the rest of us probably take for granted. Some of their projects include building accessible fishing piers, nature trails, climbing walls, wheel chair ramps, and more.

If you would like to learn more about what Rob and Build America are doing and how you can help, please visit his website. His has also setup a Facebook gallery.

Just in case you still thought of Milwaukee as only a power tool company, they are continuing to expand in their Test & Measurement line of tools with the addition of two new Electrical Testers. Their goal, they say, was to come out with a simplistic Voltage/Continuity tester with a digital readout.

One tool that everyone wants to be able to have as cordless, is the circular saw, and cordless multi-kits have been including them for years. But were these cordless circular saws any good? Nope. For years we have had to suffer with cordless saws that were so underpowered we wondered why we even bothered lugging them around—because they were convenient, that’s why. When Makita announced their new XSH01 18V X2 Circular Saw, they promised us that their saw finally delivered the power and runtime that contractors need. And to make sure it is actually true, they sent us one that we could review.

For those of you wanting a small portable miter saw with a big cutting capacity, Makita has introduced their new Model LS0815F 8-1/2-inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw. Other than their 18V Miter Saw, it has been more than a few years since Makita has come out with a compact slider, and I am sure it will be a welcomed addition.