Festool posted a teaser video on youtube of their new CXS Ultra Compact Cordless Lithium-ion Drill. The drill is expected to be released this May (the month of my birth *hint hint*) and will be powered by a 10.8 volt 1.3Ah battery that can be charged in 20 minutes. Festool didn't share very much in the way of specs, but the dill is already for sale in Europe and specs are probably the same. The CXS has a 2-speed transmission that gives us speeds at 0-400/0-1200 RPMs. The drill can be purchased as a standalone kit with a hex chuck, or as a kit that includes the hex chuck, a drill chuck, and a right angle chuck. No word on pricing.

Festool also posted a video of a new Workcenter attachment (WCR 1000) for their dust extractors. The WCR 1000 attaches to the top of the extractors and adds additional shelving, storage, and organization options. It will cost you $350 and includes one peg hook tray, one universal double hook, one double hook tool rest, one pivoting storage tray and six peg hooks. Kind of makes me wish Festool made a just a standard work cart.

Lasers have been one of the most useful and most popular tools in the last 10 years or so. Technology in a whole has been advancing more rapidly then ever before. This allows us to buy more advanced tools from the past at a much lower price today. Case in point is the Johnson Model: 40-0918 manual-leveling rotary laser level that Johnson sent over for review. Just a few years ago it would have been impossible for a DIYer to go out and buy a rotary laser level, but today the 40-0918 can be purchased for between $60 and $70.

There is no denying that the 40-0918 is a laser that is intended for a DIYer, the build quality makes this quite clear. But that being said, the 40-0918 offers a good bang for the buck. The 40-0918 Laser Level comes in a kit that includes everything you need to get started right out of the box. Included with the laser are 4 AA batteries, red glasses (makes the dot more visible), a compact tripod that extends to about 4', and a tool case.

Right out of the case I noticed that the laser looked a little like a toy, and after picking it up and handling it, it felt like a toy. As stated, this tool is meant for home use, and is priced as such, and I always take price and intended market into consideration for product reviews. Just for comparison, Johnson's contractor grade manual-leveling rotary laser level costs about $100 more. DIYers will be less worried about the build quality of the laser and more concerned with accuracy and function. I have used a DeWalt contractor grade manual-leveling rotary laser for years now, and I can say that the leveling mechanism on the Johnson is far superior. What would take me a few minutes on the DeWalt to level, would only take me seconds on the Johnson. Accuracy on the Johnson 40-0918 was also spot on. This is a manual level, meaning you have to level it out using a couple of vials, but once dialed in, the laser matched a line set by hand. An added bonus is that the vials light up when the laser is on, so you can see them in the dark. In case the laser ever does go out of level, there are a few adjustment screws that are hidden behind some plastic screw caps. I should also add the the laser has a plumb dot that projects out of the top, and the laser can be placed on its side to make vertical lines.

The biggest problem I had with the laser was the rotary function; my laser seemed to be under powered. The specifications list the laser as variable speed at 0 – 600 RPM, but I could not get the laser to spin at anything under full speed. Swapping out the included batteries with name-brand batteries did help a bit, but there was no way I was going to get 5 RPM out of it. This was not a huge problem for me, but if you plan a working longer distances away, or in brightly lite areas, this could be an issue. The laser even says "reduce rotation

speed to maximize visibility". I haven't seen this issue mentioned in any of the other reviews online, so it could be possible that I got a bad laser, but I can only go on what I see for myself.

Even though the 40-0918 manual-leveling rotary level from Johnson has a few problems, it is still a good buy for light duty use. The 40-0918 is one of the cheapest priced leveling lasers on the market today, despite it including a handy little tripod. If any of the problems mentioned above have you worried, you might want to step up to a contractor grade laser.

Last week we saw a little about the latest dust extraction accessories Makita announced at WOC, and today I have some more information from a new press release to share.

New Dustless Hammer Attachment (193472-7)

The new dustless hammer attachment works with Makita SDS-PLUS corded and cordless rotary hammers. It features a 17" hose, telescoping spring-loaded barrel, depth stop, bit size adjustment knobs and a built-in ruler. World of Concrete attendees tried out Makita's new attachment and discovered several advantages versus competitive built-on systems, including better tool performance (competitor built-on vacuum motors share power with the tool resulting in less impact energy/BPMS), and longer cordless run time (battery has to power both the vacuum and tool motor on competitive tools, decreasing the tool runtime on one charge).

Use of this attachment with most jobsite vacuums results in better suction and more efficient dust extraction. Because there is no vacuum motor or components attached to the tool, the Makita solution is more compact and has less weight than built-on systems. Lastly, most built-on systems have only a half-gallon capacity, increasing downtime from the frequent disposal of the collect material.

New Grinder Dust Shroud (195236-5)

Makita's new grinder dust shroud is designed to fit Makita 4-1/2" – 5" grinders. It features a spring-loaded suspension system that keeps the shroud flush to the surface during movement and compensates for blade wear. The shroud has a removable edge piece for surface work flush to edges or other objects. It also has soft brushes that help contain the dust and allow for smooth movement over the work surface. The outside diameter of the extraction port will work with most standard vacuum hose systems. The new dust shroud is ideal for concrete finishing, concrete material removal and paint or surface coating removal.

I am happy to see that Makita is providing accessories that will help prevent dust from getting into the air and more importantly our lungs, and we all know how bad concrete dust is. So now that Makita has shown us these new dust extraction accessories, I am surprised that they have not come out with an actual dust extractor.

We knew this was all but finalized, but now we have the official word that the deal has closed.

Delta Power Equipment Corporation Closes Deal with Stanley Black & Decker

(Anderson, SC, February 7, 2011) – Delta Power Equipment Corporation announced today that its deal to purchase the DELTA® brand of woodworking equipment and machinery from Stanley Black & Decker closed on Friday, February 4, 2011 as expected.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Chang Type Industrial Co. Ltd., a Taiwan-based manufacturing company (Taiwan Stock Exchange symbol: 1541.tw), Delta Power Equipment Corporation is based in Anderson, South Carolina. This new location will continue the Made in USA tradition of designing, manufacturing and marketing the world class UNISAW®, radial arm saws and BIESEMEYER® accessories.

"We are right on track with our transition plan and expect to begin moving machinery and equipment from the Jackson, Tennessee location very soon," said Bryan Whiffen, President & Chief Executive Officer. "We expect to have the Anderson facility fully operational in April. In addition, I'm pleased to announce that Alicia Hicks has been named Marketing Manager for the organization and additional staffing is well underway."

Delta Power Equipment Corporation is located at 5530 Airport Road, Anderson, SC 29626. Their phone number is 864-231-5888.

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.