Extension ladders are great for reaching high places or granting access to roof tops, but I have never been a fan of having to swing around the side of the ladder to step off. One thing that eases my mind is knowing that the ladder is properly tied off according to Cal-OSHA regulations, but that is just part of the solution. The Safe-T hand rail system has a new method that allows users to step through the ladder instead of swinging around it.

The Safe-T extension system simply attaches to both sides of the ladder, past the last step, and extends the side rails enough to allow a person to step through. The extensions meet OSHA's requirement of extending a ladder more then 3-feet above a landing, and lock into place with a safety latch. Cushioned pads on the back of the extension help protect the eave of the roof, and hand grips provide that extra bit of user security.

At $150, the Safe-T Ladder Extension System is not for everyone, but serious ladder users might what to consider it.

Guardian Fall Protection – via Toolmonger
[:cicn:] Amazon

CPO Outlets has been quickly, but somewhat quietly, expanding their selection of tool brands and tool stores over the years, which I have covered on occasion. This time though, they have gone from expansion to acquisition by buying the long-time online tool store "Tyler Tools".

"For years, Tyler Tool customers have enjoyed a great selection of leading brands and low prices, not to mention good old fashioned customer service. Now Tyler Tool is powered by CPO's fully stocked warehouse, with more than 5,000 items in stock and ready to ship the same day. "

What does this do for CPO? They have been known for having good prices on manufacturer reconditioned tools, but maybe not so well known for selling new tools as well. Up until recently they have had several different online stores for each brand, this only changed when they added Reconditionedtools.com to sell them all in one place. Tyler Tool now gives CPO a place to sell all of their new tools in one place. Sure they could have built a new web store from scratch, but Google already knows who Tyler Tools is, and that has its worth.

TylerTool

We have shown you the Veto Pro Pac (review) tool bag and we have shown you the Occidental Leather Dr. Wood tool bag; but how do these two kings of tools bags compare to each other? Gary Katz has a video that shows us what you get when you spend over $450 on the Dr. Wood tool bag. For one, you get a bag that is even heavier then the 9lb (when empty) Veto Pro Pac XL. If you can afford the $450 bag, you should also make sure you can afford an apprentice to carry it for you.

via This Is Carpentry

Unless you are using a standard angle crown molding that matches you saw's presets, and you are only doing 45 degrees corners, calculating the correct angles for your crown is no walk in the park. This is why miter finding tools are so handy. But if you are a DIYer, you probably don't want to spend money on a tool you will probably only use once or twice. Good thing for you, with a little bit of work, Google SketchUp can calculate those angles for you. All you have to do is photograph the profile of the crown you will be using, trace it into SketchUp, work a little magic, and Shazam. It can be used to find both the miter angle and the bevel angle. This whole process might sound a bit tricky, but Matt Jackson over at FineHomebuilding has the whole thing documented on video. The video is in five parts, so head on over to FHB for the complete series.

Your other option is to use good old trigonometry. Good Luck. Though in today's world you can probably just find an app for your phone.

• X = arctan(cos(B) * tan(A/2)) for Miter Angle
• Y = arcsin(sin(B) * sin(A/2)) for Bevel Angle

FineHomeBuilding
WoodCentral - miter formula

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

Photo: John Tetreault

What happens if the power goes out while you are using a power tool? You probably set the tool down and head over to the power box to see what the problem is. You find that the breaker has been tripped so you reset it. There is one problem though, you forgot to turn off the tool you were using when the power went out. The tool powers on and cut into the project you have been working on for a week.

The scenario above is just one example of what could happen, with injury being the worst. We would never have this problem if our brains worked at 100%, but sadly science has yet to discovery the secret to unlocking our brains. The next option is to use the SafetyGate. Its design and function are simple enough, yet so very handy and useful. If the power goes out, the SafetyGate prevents power from reaching and turning on your tool. To get the tool working again all you have to do is turn off the tool, then turn it back on again.

The SafetyGate costs around $25. They have versions for both consumers and professionals.

[:cicn:] SafetyGate via FineWoodworking

Ultra compact drills are on everyone's wish list and Festool now has their fans covered with their very own 10.8-volt. Their new CXS drill has a special design that is said to offer better ergonomics and more comfort. Most other ultra compact drills use a battery-in-handle design because there is really no other place to put the battery. Festool chose to go with a D-handle design similar to their other drills, and moved the battery to the bottom of the drill. This allowed Festool to design the handle around comfort instead of the battery, and it also gave the tool better balance. Anther feature setting the Festool above the rest is its interchangeable chuck system. Torn between a hex chuck drill and a keyless chuck drill? The Festool CXS gives you both in one tool. The CXS battery is capable of driving over 200 screws on a single charge and can be fully recharged in under 45 minutes.

The CXS starts at $225 which includes 2 batteries, a charger, the drill, and both chucks. For $275 you get everything in the first kit plus a right angle chuck. Both kits also come with a Systainer T-Loc storage box. The CXS will launch on June 1st 2011

Festool CXS

When Black & Decker merged with Stanley we knew there would be some changes, but we had no idea Stanley, which is known for their hand tools, would be all but replaced by first Bostitch, and now DeWalt. But in fact the news is true; the DeWalt name will soon be found on a number of hand tools. DeWalt and hand tools just seems odd to me, but I am sure B&D has a plan. I guess it would help DeWalt if their yellow tools out numbered the other tools in one's tool bag; after all, we often buy the same tools our coworkers own.

DeWalt will be offering over 100 products in their hand tool line, so it is probably safe to say that many of them will be the same or very similar to what Stanley was offering. But they do have some new goodies as well, including a 15 Ounce Framing Hammer DWHT51138 ($59.99) , a 1.25 inch, 25 Foot Short Tape DWHT33385 $24.99, a Power Tool Case with Tote DWST24070 $25.00, a Folding Retractable Utility Knife DWHT10035 ($9.99) and multiple Heavy-Duty Adjustable Wrenches ($10.99 – $34.99). You will start seeing these tools in stores starting in June.

If you are hungry for more details, check out the press release after the Read More.

In a market now flooded with oscillating tools manufactures need to try and set their tools apart from the rest. The big advantage for Fein, the original oscillating tool, is their massive head start. Because of this, they have features such as tool-less blade changing. This is the feature Porter-Cable has chosen to use to set them apart. Besides Fein, Porter-Cable is the only other brand that offers a tool-less blade change system. Fein still holds a patent for their tool-less design, but it looks like Porter-Cable's own design differs enough to get around it.

Unlike the other brands, Porter-Cable's first jump into oscillation brings us both a corded and a cordless version at the same time. Both models have an oscillation degree of 2.8, which we noted with Bosch's oscillation tools, is slightly less then that of Fein or Rockwell. The corded PC250MTK is powered by a 2.5 amp motor that delivers a variable speed of 10,000-20,000 oscillations per minute. PC was also kind enough to equip the corded model with a long 10-foot cord. The cordless PCL120MTC is powered by a 12 Volt Max battery (10.8V) the delivers a variable speed of 7,500-15,000 oscillations per minute. The cordless model also features a LED work light and weighs in at 2.2 lbs.

The corded PC250MTK will retail for around $150 and will include 35 assorted accessories, and a hard tool case. The cordless PCL120MTC is expected to retail for around $160 and will include 2 batteries, a 30 minute charger, 31 assorted accessories, and a soft-sided case. Both models should be available later this month, and will be found at Lowe's or Amazon.com.