We have all been in situations where we just can't read the vials in our levels. Sometimes the room is just to dark, but often it can be as simple as an inconvenient shadow. If only levels had built in lights we would never have this problem. Well, there are a couple brands that offer levels with lights, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for one more.

The Lightning is the latest level from Swanson Tool Co. to offer on-level vial lighting. The level has three vials that are all lit with long lasting LEDs that run on only two AAA batteries. A push of a button turns the lights on and off, and an automatic shut off feature will kick in after 10 minutes of non-use. This box beam level has an accuracy of .0005 inch per foot, so you know you are getting a tool that is

made for the pros. Some other features include a V-groove added on one side of the level to make sure you are centered when leveling any round stock, and a channel-groove added to the opposite side for leveling square corner stock.

The Swanson Lightning levels will be available in 24” (BLL240) and 48” (BLL480) sizes for around $45 and $65 dollars. What, you want magnets? Add an extra $10 to those prices and you can get the magnetic versions that use strong rare earth neodymium magnets (BLL24M & BLL48M).

Swanson

Have you ever found yourself in a dark room with a 16 penny nail in one hand, a 2x4 in the other, but you seem to be without a hammer. If you had one of the Jameson Work lights, you would be in a well lit room and you would have no problem using your Jameson work light to hammer away on that 16 penny nail; at least that is what Jameson claims. Knowing that this is the same company that makes portable tent lights for the military, their claim is probably true.

To ensure all of this protection, the Jameson high intensity work lights use fluorescent bulbs that are suspended in a shatterproof protective tube shield and use thermoplastic elastomer handles and endcaps that are designed to absorb impact. These lights are made for use in battle zones and other harsh environments, so they do not run cheap. The lights are available in 13, 24 and 50 watt models with prices ranging from $100 - $150

Jameson Lights - [:cicn:] Sears

It's a bird, it's a plane, nope, it is just a wild saw blade on the loose. A home security camera captured video of a 3-foot blade tearing down the homeowners yard after a construction worker started up the saw he uses to cut into the street and the blade somehow came loose.

I am sure the homeowners were thankful for the free lawn edging, but the neighbors were not pleased when they found a 3-foot gash in the side of their house. After the construction worker found that nobody had seen his little mishap, he retrieved the saw blade, reattached it, and continued his work without letting anyone know about the problem.

This is just another example of saw blades coming loose likely because the blade was not installed correctly. When working with any saw, it is always best to check the saw blade at the beginning of each work day. A simple 10 second check could save your life or one of your co-workers. Video after Read More.

Via - NewsNet5

No, I am not talking about drugs here, this is a family blog. The new Jointmaker SW is the little brother to the Jointmaker Pro. As odd as it may sound, the Jointmaker can best be described as a hand tool variation of the table saw.

The SW in this latest Jointmaker version stands for single wing. So while you lose quite a bit over the Jointmaker Pro's double wing design, you also lose a bit in cost. This brings the price from $1300 down to $900. However, you also lose in the features department; the SW only bevels 45 in one direction and 15 in the other.

The JM-SW (Single Wing) is big news. Rather than utilizing two sliding tables that are bridged (for most cuts), this saw functions similarly to most sliding table saws--there is one sliding table and one static table. The Jointmaker SW features the same linear bearing system as the JMP v2 on one side and is opposed by a static, extruded aluminum table.

Still an amazing tool, just not for everyone. (Video after Read More)

[:cicn:] Bridge City Tool Works