If you are in the business of doing house remodels you are probably aware of the EPA lead ruling and how it affects just about every aspect of your job. The EPA ruling requires all "paid" renovators who work on homes and childcare facilities built prior to 1978 to be EPA certified and follow proper safety protocol to prevent lead contamination and poisoning. Basically this requires all lead dust to be safely contained. If you fail to comply, you risk fines of up to $37,500 per day. Ouch.

The Kett KSV-432 Vacuum Saw, when used in conjunction with a HEPA certified vacuum, can remove up to 99.97 percent of lead particles, which should help to satisfy the EPA. The plunge saw features a cast aluminum head that attaches easily to most standard shop vacuums, and allows the tool to collect the dust at the source. Kett's KSV-431 plunge saw is ideal for making cutouts in everything from drywall, plywood, plastic, fiberglass, plumbing, and even ductwork. The saw is powered by a 5.0 amp variable speed motor that spins at 2,500 RPMs and uses replaceable saw blades.

Kett Tools [:cicn:] Amazon

If two cutting surfaces are good, wouldn't four or even eight cutting surfaces be even better? Simple logic tells us the answers is yes. So when Bosch comes out with a new concrete bit that has more carbide teeth, we can only expect better cutting results. While most carbide concrete bits have a single strip of carbide that offers two cutting surfaces, the Bosch SpeedX bit has two strips of carbide that offer four cutting surfaces. The SpeedX also goes a step further and offers four side cutting surfaces as well.

Cutting the concrete is only half the battle though. All of those teeth do a good job, but there is still the issue of clearing the hole of dust and debris during the drilling process. With previous bits, clearing the hole often required users to plunge the drill up and down to help with the dust removal. This often added quite a bit to the drilling time. The SpeedX looks to have the answers to this problem; by utilizing a shortened head design and enlarged dust clearing channels, Bosch says the SpeedX performs better as the hole gets deeper.

All of these new features give the SpeedX a 20 percent faster drilling time, and a bit that is 18 percent more durable then any other concrete bit available. Time is money; so I am always happy to read about new products that take things to the next level and offer a quicker answers to our problems. Video after Read More.

[:cicn:] Amazon

Did you catch the season premiere of Ask This Old House? If you did, the cool adjustable workbench they were showing off might have caught your eye.

The idea behind the Adjust-A-Bench is simple; to provide you with a workbench that is always at the right height for the task at hand. If you were doing assembly of a cabinet, you would want a lower working height, if you were routing, you would want a higher working height. The A-A-B offers a total adjustment range of 16.5-inches, with 12 locking height adjustments. It is solidly built using 1/8" thick mild steel with a powder coated finish. In testing the A-A-B was able to withstand 1684 lbs of weight, though they do not recommend exceeding more 850 lbs.

You can pick up the A-A-B as a complete package at a starting price of $800, or you can purchase just the lifting mechanism and retro fit your existing workbench for $430.

Adjust-A-Bench
Via – TOH The Hardware Aisle

The new exclusive powder paint coating that is now standard on the entire line of Knaack Jobsite products offers several improvements over the previous liquid enamel paint. In testing, they found the powder paint to be 5x more corrosion resistant, 2.5x more abrasion resistant, and 2x scratch resistant.

"We are pleased to offer our end users improved protection for their investment in KNAACK jobsite products," said Bill Zbylut, VP marketing of Knaack LLC. "Knaack is always looking for ways to continually enhance product performance, and our new powder paint process is another example of KNAACK leadership. We now offer an advanced solution to contractors who want and expect excellent resistance to corrosion, abrasion and scratching."

Knaack

Since it was announced, the GCM12SD Axial-Glide Miter Saw from Bosch has been the most popular tool here at Tool-Rank each and every month. This is pretty impressive for a tool that has only this week hit some stores. You picked up your saw on Monday right? I know we all can't afford to get the latest gadgets when they first come out, even though we want them. Some of you are still probably waiting to learn more about this weird, yet intriguing, looking creature. Well, I have good news for all, Bosch has released a video that showcases the GCM12SD in all of its glory. I am especially fond of the intro.

[:cicn:] GCM12SD Amazon - GCM12SD CopTool

You might remember that back in June I got word that Skil would no longer be selling their XBench in the state of California. This was due to new composite wood regulations pasted in the state that the Xbench did not meet. It was said back in June that new XBench models would be released, but that were not intended to be direct replacements to the original. Because of this, the new models seem to lack some of the key features that made the Xbench, the Xbench.

While the Original XBench could be enhanced past just plain old workbench duty with a verity of add-ons and accessories, it appears as though the new models are limited to basic clamping and bench needs. Both models feature a table top that separates and clamps in the middle, the main difference appears to be the weight capacity. Model #3100 is rated at 220 lbs, and uses bench dog holes to hold the clamping blocks. Model # 3115 is rated at 440 lbs, and does away with the bench dogs and instead uses sliding blocks on a t-track.

Skil - [:cicn:] Amazon

One of my most favorite tools I have never owned or even used is the Makita 18-Volt LXT Rotary Hammer. Just thinking about all the time I could save on a door job with one of these, makes me want to go out and buy one. Frankly, Makita can not be beat when it comes to the quantity of 18-volt lithium-ion tools, and the new BHR241 rotary hammer is just one of over 35 Makita LXT tools.

The BHR241 is not the first LXT rotary hammer from Makita, but they know there is always room for improvement. According to Makita, the new model is more durable and offers a shock absorbing handle that reduces vibrations. Less vibrations are not only better for the battery, but it also means you get longer run times.

The BHR241 uses a Makita-built variable speed motor that delivers 1-1,00 RPM and 0-4,000 BPM. It has the 3 modes of operation we have come to expects from all rotary hammers; rotation only, hammering only, and rotation with hammering. It also has a built in clutch that reduces gear damage by disengaging if the bit binds. The new roto hammer can be purchased as tool only (model BHR241Z), or as a kit (model BHR241) with 2 batteries, 30-minute charger, depth gauge, side handle, and contractor bag.

[:cicn:] Amazon

Remember when you were a kid and how you envied the school janitor because of his cool retractable key ring? Now you can be the cool one with a retractable tool tether. The tool tethers from Gear Keeper are very similar to retractable key rings, only they have a much greater weight limit of up to 32 oz. They offer great mobility because of the dual-axis rotation belt clip, this allows for a full 360 degree rotation, and a vertical swing of 180 degrees. Reaching shouldn't be a problem either because the retractable cord can be purchased in a 36-inch or 42-inch lengths, depending on the model.

When using my laser measurer while in a scissor lift, or up on a ladder, I am always worried about dropping it. The measurer does come with a wrist strap, but these don't really work if you are constantly using and putting away the tool. I could see the Gear Keeper working very well in this situation. The Gear Keeper tool tethers cost around $30, but they are a lot cheaper then a new laser measurer.

Gear Keeper

So you're off to the hardware store or local lumber yard to pick up some alder plywood. It is for an important project and you have a deadline to meet, so you rush out as fast as you can. It's a clear day out, so you don't expect much to happen. It is these situations that Murphy's Law likes to show its ugly head. The next thing you know, you are half way home when a thunder storm hits. Five sheets of alder plywood in the back of your pickup are ruined.

The above situation might not be typical, but non the less, things like this do happen. Though it would have never been a problem if you had purchased the Kerry-All plywood pouch. The Kerry-All is made up of 11-mil. woven polyethylene and is designed to be the ziptop bag of the construction world. Once your precious plywood is safely nestled inside, a Velcro strip seals to keep the weather out.

Oh, it doesn't rain where you live? No one is safe. Did you know that wood veneers will darken in the sunlight? Uneven color is not what you want. Of course, they wont darken if they are inside the Kerry-All, that just so happens to be treated with an ultraviolet inhibitor. It looks like they thought of it all.

The Kerry-All Plywood Pouch costs around $60 and is slightly larger then a 4' x 8' sheet to allow for a bit of wiggle room and can hold between 6 to 8 sheets of 3/4” material. It is more costly then some plastic or a tarp, but we all know how well those work to keep the water out. If plywood is not your thing, Kerry-All has a number of other options, including, the Trim Pouch, Drywall Pouch, Pallet Pouch, and more. If you want to support a small business, give them a try. Video in action proof, after the Read More.

[:cicn:] Kerry-All

I have talked about the WS2000 knife sharpening attachment in the past, and I have just recently talked about the new WS3000 knife attachment, but both of those require you already owning one of the two Work Sharp Sharpeners. For those of you that just want to sharpen knives, Work Sharp has a much cheaper solution with the stand alone Knife and Tool Sharpener(Model WSKTS).

The WSKTS is almost identical in function to the attachments for the Work Sharp Sharpeners, just at a much smaller scale. In fact, the smaller width of the belts might even offer a better sharpening solution to some of the more complex blade styles. The system works by using a sharpening guide at either 50 degrees for hunting & outdoor knives, or 40 degrees for kitchen knives to hold the blade, while one of the abrasive belts spins with the help of a 120 volt motor to do the sharpening. Using the three abrasive belts, 80 grit, 220 grit, and 6000 grit, ensures that you get a razor sharp edge on straight bladed knives, curved knives, tanto blades, filet knives, serrated knives, gut hooks, and more. The system even does scissors, or you can remove the guide and go completely freehand.

It would be nice to see Work Sharp come out with a cordless version for hunters, fisherman, and whoever else needs to do some sharpening in areas that lack power. The cost of the WSKTS is similar to one of the WS Knife attachments, so you might have a decision to make if you already own a Work Sharp. Video after Read More

Work Sharp - [:cicn:] Amazon