Bosch is bringing us a smaller more compact cross-line laser with their new GLL2-40. I have the older GLL2-50 laser that I purchased when it first came out, and judging by the photos, the GLL2-40 appears to be quite a bit smaller. After a quick look at the specs I can see that the GLL2-40 is smaller in length, width, and height. The smaller size does come in handy in many cases, but the small size of the laser does indeed come at a cost to the laser's accuracy. The GLL2-40 has an accuracy of ±1/8-in @ 30-ft, while the GLL2-50 is ±1/4-in @ 100-ft. So it would seem as though the GLL2-40 is in no way meant to be an upgrade to the 50, but rather another option in the Bosch laser lineup.

We have seen a few small CNC routers in the past, the CNC Shark that Rockler sells, and the DIY build kits, but the Torchmate 2x2 CNC machine has a unique feature that sets it apart. The Torchmate 2x2 is the first CNC that I have seen that can do both CNC routing and CNC plasma cutting on the same machine. Torchmate likes to call it a prototyping machine, and because of its small size and its multiple functions, I would have to agree.

“Carpenter's Pencil” is a horrible name for those rectangular pencils commonly used on jobsites. Sure they have the advantage of being easier to hold, their shape prevents them from rolling, and the lead is strong, but as a finish carpenter they are absolutely useless to me. There is no way I can make an accurate line with lead so thick. Yes it can be sharpened to a point, but that doesn't last long. Carpenter's pencil? No, more like a framers pencil.

Are you tired of being told you can only cut up or down with your reciprocating saw? Most reciprocating saws use a blade clamping system that allows the blade to be inserted facing up, or more commonly, facing down. This simple feature lets users better position the saw so that the handle is out of the way when cutting up to a wall or to the floor. DeWalt doesn't seem to think 2 positions is enough for some users and has a saw with four blade clamping positions. These additional positions really come in handy when you are cutting something flush to a perpendicular surface. Eg. flush cutting a pipe that is sticking out of the floor.