News

When we are looking for accurate and repeatable measurements, we often turn to the trusty story pole. Though, our story pole usually consists of just a scrap piece of wood that is either cut to the right length or has measurement markings drawn on it. After all, being able to use the scraps we already have on hand, is what makes the story pole great. But what if you are doing a lot of measuring, and you need something that is going to be able to handle the abuse that goes along with production work? ...

We often find ourselves using duct tape outdoors to repair camping equipment and other outdoor gear, so doesn't it just make sense for Gorilla Tape – who boasts about being able to withstand harsh UV rays, cold winters, etc. – to offer their tape in a camouflage variety? Well, that it just what Gorilla did, and it looks like they did it right. If you have ever looked at a hunting supply catalog, you have probably noticed that just about everything they sell is covered in a camo pattern by Mossy Oak, and there...

What do you use if you want the delicate touch and control that comes with a hand saw, combined with the precision you get with a powered scroll saw? Up until now I would not have had an answer for you, but thankfully for those interested, I came across the Precision Saw from Knew Concepts. Knew Concepts is becoming a well know name amongst people looking for high quality fret saws and when you just look at their tools, you can see why. Not only do they impress with their no-flex titanium fret saws with quick tension cam-lever, but...

Before there were loud but powerful electric routers, there were quiet and serene hand powered router planes. If you ever watch Roy Underhill on his woodworking show, you have seen how valuable these tools were, and still are. Sure powered routers can cut fast, but sometimes you just want the light touch that can come with hand powered tools. In an episode of Rough Cut, Tommy Mac demonstrated how the router plane easily cleaned up a dado cut with a router, without the need for any jigs or templates. Lee Valley has just introduced...

Senco took cordless nailers in a new direction when they introduced their Fusion line. Instead of using fuel cells or fly-wheels, Senco developed a recharging close-looped compressed nitrogen system that acts kind of like a mini air compressor built right into the gun. Senco initially released 15-gauge and 18-gauge versions of the nailer, and now they are expanding to include a 16-gauge straight nailer (F-16S), and a 16-gauge angled nailer F-16A. "We've had tremendous success converting pneumatic, battery, and gas-powered customers to the F-15 and the F-18," says Dave Moore, Senco's director of Fusion technology....

Check out this new multifunction table that is sure to give the Festool MFT some competition. If size matters to you, take a look at the Benchmark Portable Work Table from Hagar Tools. The Benchmark is a foldable aluminum work table that is big enough to allow users to rip down full 4'x8' sheet goods.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Consumer Product Safety Commission voted on Wednesday to move toward tougher safety standards for table saws. This comes as bad news for the Power Tool Institute and its members who believe the safety standards they adopted in 2007 are adequate when used properly; many of us actual tool users would agree. The problem is, the CPSC has been lobbied pretty heavily by inventor Stephen Gass, who wants every table saw in the US to use his safety invention which can stop a table saw blade as...

Over these last few years it seems as tough anything that is both small and cordless is by default made to run off of the 12V rechargeable batteries. But what about the people that are invested into the 18-volt battery system, or people without either? This is where Porter-Cable has done something that I really like, they have introduced both an 18-volt (PCC581B ) and a standard alkaline 9-volt version (PCC582B ) of their new Infrared Thermometers. I should also note that the 18V version is compatible with PC 18V Lithium-ion and NiCd batteries. ...

Personally I think right angle drills are becoming more and more irrelevant, primarily because of the smaller sizes of regular ultra-compact drill; and every year these ultra-compact drills get smaller and smaller. Even though the ultra-compact drill has taken away many a job that the right angle drill could do, there are still times when we need something even smaller. The PS11 is the latest right angle drill from Bosch, but unlike other right angled drills on the market, it has an articulating head. The new head allows the tool be used in standard...

For many Festool owners it is either Festool tools or nothing, and in a time when just about every tool user has an impact driver, these same Festool fans have been making excuses as to why they don't need an impact driver. I have heard excuses like, "I don't need an impact because my Festool drill has more than enough power". Really? More torque than an impact driver? Sure their reasoning is a joke, but we have to admire their loyalty, even though it is annoying. But soon all those Festool owners that don't need impact...