We briefly mentioned DeWALT's new adjustable wrenches when we covered the announcement that DeWALT would now be making hand tools, but we didn't have any information other then the price range of $10.99 to $34.99. Today DeWALT let the rest of the cat out of the bag and gave us a full press release. The wrenches will be available in five sizes (6", 8", 10", 12", 15") and features a black DeWALT Tough Coat™ magnesium phosphate finish that is said to help prevent chipping and also provides a no-slip surface. The wrenches also feature an increased neck size and enlarged teeth and worm gear that all give the wrenches improved strength.

"Professionals turn to DeWALT power tools and accessories because they know our products won't let them down. As a result, contractors experience absolute confidence, knowing DeWALT has their back," said Chris Alagno, global product manager – wrenches, pliers, snips. "Our new hand tools, including these adjustable wrenches, are professional workhorse solutions that measure up to tough standards and deliver durability, strength and quality performance."

The wrenches are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, and will be available beginning in June 2011 at The Home Depot and independent distributors. The DeWALT Heavy-Duty Adjustable Wrenches are expected to retail for the following prices:

• DWHT70289 6 inch: $10.99
• DWHT70290 8 inch: $12.99
• DWHT70291 10 inch: $14.99
• DWHT70292 12 inch: $18.99
• DWHT70293 15 inch: $34.99
• DWHT70294 6 & 10 inch combo pack: $19.99

The Festool Carvex is probably one of the coolest tools Festool has announced since their Kapex miter saw, and Tools of the Trade has a video that goes into detail about the new jigsaw, how it functions, and the available accessory options. The video is from the JLC Live event, and TOTT has more videos from the same event that you would be a fool not to check out, including videos from Bosch, and Blaklader.

Tools of The Trade

The "New DELTA®" Taking Shape In Anderson, South Carolina

Anderson, SC – DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation's manufacturing, R&D, engineering and administrative facility continues to hit milestones with the transfer and installment of equipment and machinery from the Jackson, Tennessee location. The new location allows DELTA® to continue the Made in USA tradition of designing, manufacturing and marketing the world class UNISAW®, radial arm saws, line boring machines and BIESEMEYER® accessories.

"Passion for this incredibly powerful brand, love of the industry and drive to innovate true, solution-based products and accessories for our loyal customers are some of the most essential values leading our decisions for facility development, team deployment and customer support," said Alicia Hicks, Marketing Manager for DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation. "We strive to reconnect those loyal emotions of the 'Old DELTA®' with the reality of this 'New DELTA®'. Our desire is to show woodworkers that the 'New DELTA®' in Anderson, South Carolina is something to be excited about. We are proud to be a part of this strong heritage of products Made in the USA and to continue the plans set in motion over 90 years ago with the first DELTA product: Fulfilling the American woodworker's dream."

Located at 5530 Airport Road in Anderson, South Carolina, the new DELTA® facility is on schedule to have the equipment in place for training of the manufacturing staff in mid-April, with production runs beginning shortly thereafter. R&D and engineering facilities are also on track to be fully operational by early summer.

"Things are going well and we are on the schedule we set for ourselves when we closed the deal to purchase DELTA® from Stanley Black & Decker," said Bryan Whiffen, President and CEO of DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation. "Everyone at Stanley Black & Decker has been very helpful in smoothing the way for efficient transfer of equipment and data files, ensuring what we expect to be a seamless transition for our customers."

DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation also continues to add administrative, sales, engineering and manufacturing staff and now has 23 employees. When fully staffed, the new DELTA® will employ approximately 40 people at its Anderson facility.

DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation's management team has extensive power tool and woodworking equipment manufacturing, marketing and sales experience, and a proven track record of innovative product development and superior customer service that exceeds expectations. Just within the executive team, President and CEO Bryan Whiffen has 17 years of experience and Norm MacDonald, Executive Vice President and COO of Delta Power Equipment, has 20 years of experience. Management team members in marketing, sales, engineering, plant management, product sourcing and supply management bring the total to more than 135 years of combined experience.

The complete line of DELTA® professional and DIY woodworking equipment and machinery as well as BIESEMEYER® professional woodworking accessories will continue to be offered through woodworking distributors and retailers.

DELTA® and BIESEMEYER® customers can continue to obtain parts and service by calling 800-223-7278 or going to www.deltamachinery.com or www.biesemeyer.com.

Craig Walls Named National Sales Manager For DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation

Anderson, SC – DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation has named Craig Walls as its National Sales Manager. DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chang Type Industrial Co. Ltd., a Taiwan-based manufacturing company (Taiwan Stock Exchange symbol: 1541.tw), recently completed the purchase of the DELTA® brand of woodworking equipment and machinery and BIESEMEYER® accessories from Stanley Black & Decker.

"We are very pleased to have Craig Walls join our DELTA team as National Sales Manager," said Bryan Whiffen, President and CEO of DELTA® Power Equipment Corporation. "For Craig it's like coming home; with more than 30 years in the woodworking industry, 19 years of that experience was as a sales professional for DELTA® Woodworking Machinery when it was part of Pentair. With his vast history of the Delta of old, we anticipate strong, customer-centered results from Craig as he develops his team of expert Sales Managers, which is his first order of business."

In his more than 25 years with ROCKWELL/DELTA Machinery, Craig held a number of positions within the organization, including Area Sales Manager for Chicago from 1987 to 1999 and Director of Regional Sales, Central Region from 2000 to 2005.

Most recently, Craig was National Sales Manager for Montreal-based General International, a manufacturer of woodworking and metalworking equipment.

Craig and his family currently reside in Murfreesboro, TN but will be relocating to Anderson, SC in the near future.

Not too long ago I review the ChannelLock 9.5” 369 Lineman Pliers, but today I have the new smaller 368 8” version. As I mentioned in my previous review of the 369 Pliers, I am not a professional electrician, and any electrical work that I do is on a small scale. It is because my electrical work is DIY that I prefer the smaller ChannelLock 368's.I simply do not need the added cutting power that the 9.5” version offers. Sacrificing a little in cutting strength and gripping power is worth it to me because I am getting a smaller lighter tool with the 368. The features between the two models are nearly identical, with size being the only difference. I wouldn't necessarily call the 368 the DIY model, but if you are working with smaller gauge wires, there is no point in carrying around the added weight no matter if you are DIY or Pro.

Amazon has the 368 for about $24 and the 369 for about $27, so again this is really just about user preference.

Meadville, Pa. – Channellock Inc. is proud to announce the launch of its new 8-inch 368 high-leverage linemen's plier, the latest in high-performance design from the company known worldwide for manufacturing quality pliers. The new plier's high-leverage capability is achieved by positioning the rivet within fractions of an inch of the laser heat-treated cutting edges, giving it more power to cut through fish tape with less effort than competing professional-grade brands.

"The new 368 is the second release from our high-leverage linemen's pliers line that we will continue to expand throughout the year," said Ryan DeArment, vice president of sales and marketing at Channellock Inc. "We've been working closely with electrical professionals and do-it-yourselfers to provide them with significantly enhanced linemen's pliers that clearly provide more force and require less effort to use. So far, their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive."

With a measurement of 8.38" in length and a weight of less than one pound, the new 8" 368 high-leverage linemen's plier is perfect for those wiring on construction jobs where larger linemen's pliers may not fit. Unlike competing brands, the new 8-inch 368 high-leverage linemen's plier also provides noticeably more leverage and features knife-and-anvil cutters to ensure proper cutting edge alignment. This means less force is required to cut through high-tensile-strength fish tape or wire. The new 8" 368 high-leverage linemen's plier also provides even more utility with its useful, built-in crushing area.

Like all CHANNELLOCK pliers, the new 8-inch 368 high-leverage linemen's plier is fiercely made in Meadville, Pa. It features drop-forged, high-carbon C1080 steel and the signature CHANNELLOCK BLUE comfort grips.