Jay over at Cop Tool put together a pretty simple and probably pretty accurate test, pitting the Bosch 2.6Ah batteries (BAT618) against the new Bosch 3.0Ah batteries (BAT619G). Now why did Bosch and the other manufacturers take years to start using 3.0Ah batteries, when Makita has been using them since they first introduced the world to Lithium-ion tools all those years ago? Well, I don't have an answer to this. Whatever the reason, Bosch now has batteries with a rating of 3.0Ah, and have also packed in a few other features. The new High Capacity or HC (as Bosch calls them) battery packs have also been engineered to work in super cold working conditions. One of the complaints of lithium-ion battery packs over the years, is that they do now work in cold temps, thus leaving workers in cold weather states with poor performing tools. In some cases the tools would not work at all. Bosch's HC battery packs have a low temp rating of 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which should solve most of those cold weather issues.

Another nice feature of the HC batteries is the built in fuel gauge. Now this is a feature that might only get used a fraction of the time, but it will save you time throughout their life. Now first thing in the morning you can check your battery status, and start with the battery with the most juice, and put the other on the charger.

To see how these two batteries battle it out, you will have to head on over to Cop Tool to see the final results. *Hint* The new HC batteries last longer.

Via CopTool

We can always count on Dremel to bring us some cool new tools that make diy and hobby projects even easier. Up first is a new Rotary tool, the tool that really put Dremel into household across America. The new Dremel 3000 rotary brings us a few great new features and might just make some of you past Dremel users long for a 3000 upgrade. The first feature is something we have all been wishing for since we got our very first Dremel all those years ago, on board wrench storage. The 3000 is the first Dremel to feature the EZ Twist accessory changing system. EZ Twist is a new design feature that has the changing wrench built right in to the nose cap of the Dremel. That is right, no more searching for that little wrench. No tool-less changing yet, but we are getting closer. The other most notable feature of the 3000 is its size. It is noticeably smaller then previous versions while still retailing a high 32,000 RPM speed with a 1.2 amp rating. Other design changes are said to make hold the Dremel like a pencil easier then before.

Dremel's other new tool is a corded mini saw called the Dremel Saw-Max. I can't find an exact size on the blade for the Saw-Max, but it has a max cutting depth of 3/4-inch. Using a verity of different saw blades, the Saw-Max can cut though a number of household material, such as wood, laminate flooring, plastics, drywall, tile, and even sheet metal. The Saw-Max has a variable depth adjustment guide to make cutting to the right depth easy, and a number of add-on accessories enable the saw to cut straight lines, as well as miter cuts.

The idea of a super small circular saw is intriguing to me, but it seems like this saw does the functions of other popular Dremel tools already on the market. The Dremel Multi-Max can do most of the cutting tasks of this saw, while their rotary tools can cut sheet metal and tile. The accessory guides do set the Saw-Max apart, but other circular saw have these as well. I am not sold on the Saw-Max, but if any of you can see a gap that this saw fills, please let us know in the comments below.

The Dremel 3000 will be available this September for between $55- $75. The Saw-Max will be available this October with a suggested retail price of $129.99.

Want to win one of the new DeWalt 20V Max (18-volt) cordless tools? DeWalt is running a giveaway on their Facebook page where they are giving away one 20V Max cordless tool every week, for five weeks. DeWalt is also giving away one Grand Prize at the end of the sweepstakes that includes A Recip. Saw, SDS Rotary Hammer, Compact Drill / Driver, 1/4" Impact Driver, Premium 3-Speed Drill/Driver, Premium 3-Speed Hammer drill, 3/8" Right Angle Drill, 6-1/2" Circular Saw, and an LED Flashlight.

If you want to enter, and I am sure you do, head over to the DeWalt Facebook page, fill out the entry form and correctly answer the simple trivia question. You can enter the sweepstakes once a day to increase you odds of winning both the weekly and grand prizes.

DeWalt Facebook

We have seen a couple of combination miter/table saws now enjoying freedom in the U.K., one from Bosch with a table mounted on top of a miter saw, and one from Makita that flips to transform. Now it is DeWalt's turn to join in on the fun with their very own flipping combination transformation miter/table saw.