The Bench Cookie Plus takes all that is good from the Bench Cookie one step further with the addition of a threaded insert in the face of the cookie. Attaching one of the optional risers into the insert lets users elevate their material higher off of the work surface to offer greater clearance for jigsaw blades, drilling, etc. The raisers can also be used in any 3/4" bench dog hole, or your own 3/4" holes for even greater stability. I like the idea of a slip free saw horse.

One of the problems with the bench cookies it that they are too handy, so much so that they were being used outside of the workshop and in the home. For this, Rockler has created the Bench Cookie Home Edition. It is similar to the original BC, except that the labeling has been moved from the sides to the top. This gives them a much sleeker look that will fit in with you A/V equipment, and other areas in your house.

The BC Plus is priced at $13.99 (4 pack) with risers selling for $3.99 or $7.99 for a 2 pack. BC Home is priced at $11.99 which is the same as the Original BC.

Bench Cookies [:cicn:] Rockler - Amazon

Let me start out by saying this saw is not available in the United States and if it ever does make it to the US, it will probably be many years from now. The Makita LF10000 10-inch saw uses a rather unique design to accomplish its dual purpose abilities. When you first see the saw, it looks like a typical miter saw, but hidden is the saw's ability to completely flip upside down to be used as a table saw. It takes around 60 seconds to change the saw back and forth between modes, so it is probably not going to work for everyone. But as with all dual function tools, there is always a tradeoff. Think about how much extra room you would have in your garage or truck verses having two saws. Video after Read More.

Via ToolStop Blog

Back in March of 2009 I broke news about the possibility of a cordless Dremel Multi-Max after coming across a concept rendering of said tool. In May of this year my local tool store let the cat out of the bag about the 12-volt Dremel Multi-Max, with a release date of October. This news pretty much guaranteed that the Multi-Max was indeed true. Now I have the press release from Dremel that makes the whole thing a reality. It is official.

The cordless Multi-Max runs off of a 12-volt lithium-ion battery, with a variable speed range from 3,000 – 21,000 oscillations per minute. It takes many of its styling and functions from the corded version, including separate variable speed and on/off controls. The cordless Dremel Multi-Max is compatible with all Dremel oscillating accessories and attachments.

The 8300-01 cordless Multi-Max kit features two 12-volt lithium-lon batteries, a one hour charger, deluxe storage case and seven Dremel oscillating tool accessories, at starting price of $149.99.

[:cicn:] Pre-order Amazon

In the past few years we have seen great advancements in the area of ultra compact cordless tools. Now, Dewalt is trying their hand, and pushing the market in the direction of compact routers with features you would only expect in a full size router.

So what sets the new DeWalt routers apart from compact (trim) routers of the past? Well, just about everything. Dewalt has taken all the features you would want in a router, sized them down, and put them in a more compact body. The 1-1/4 peak HP motor offers more power then the other trim routers on the market today, allowing users to do more load intensive tasks. It is not up to full-sized router par, but we wouldn't expect it to be. A variable speed control also puts it in a class with the big boys, as most routers in its class only offer a single speed. A variable speed control lets you customize your speed to fit the type of bit you are using and the type of material you are cutting.

Other features that should make your routing experience even better include: dual LED lights that provide illumination for your work surface, an extended 1/4-inch router collet that provides greater holding strength and less vibration. My favorite feature has to be the 12-point spindle lock, that eliminates the need for using two wrenches for changing or adjusting bits.

You can pick up the new DeWalt compact router in the form of a 4 lb fixed base unit, or a 6 lb plunge & fixed base unit. The fixed base unit (DWP611) is expected to retail for approximately $139.00, and the fixed/plunge base combination kit (DW611PK) is expected to retail for approximately $199.00. Look for these in stores starting October 2010

DeWalt - [:cicn:] DeWalt Tools - Amazon

We all love music, and a great soundtrack can really set the mood of the day, so it is not surprising to learn that Porter-Cable has decided to come out with cordless radio of their own. Not that everybody uses them, but cordless radios are now pretty much a standard in any cordless line. The new PC18JR radio runs off of both 18-volt NiCd and Lithium-ion PC batteries for when you want to go free range. When you need your batteries for actual work, the radio saves the day with a 120-volt power cord. The PC18JR even has two 120-volt AC outlets, so you don't have to worry about taking up one of your precious outlets. Sorry, the radio will not charger your batteries.

The radio keeps you digitally tuned in with 10 FM and 10 AM presets for your Favs, and good old Seek as a stand by. The backlit display keeps all your station information illuminated and a built-in clock will help prevent you from accidentally working overtime. For those of you that accept advancements in technology, a 3.5mm aux port will allow you to hook up your mp3 player or sat radio. The PC18JR wouldn't be any good if it couldn't withstand typical jobsite abuse. Thus is the reason behind a full roll cage and the use of premium weather resistant speakers.

Porter-Cable has just announced the products that will hopefully be just the first of many in their 12-volt line. The new 12-volt lithium-ion tools include a drill/driver, impact driver, and a compact reciprocating saw. As a direct result of the economy, Porter-Cable's goal with these tools is to offer quality at a low price that everyone can afford. While their big brother DeWalt went with a special battery in their 12V tools, Porter-Cable opted to stick with the in-handle design to cut down on costs.

Ridgid has just announced their partnership with Dell to offer a series of rugged laptop designed with the tradesman in mind. These new laptops in conjunction with Ridgid's SeeSnake LT1000 Interface will allow SeeSnake users to monitor, record, and save everything the SeeSnake camera picks up. This is a smarts move for Ridgid, which allows them to offer the complete inspection package.

The three Dell Laptops range in their amounts of ruggedness, from Fully Rugged to Everyday Use (which is basically just a standard laptop). The Fully Rugged Latitude E6400 XFR is not cheap, and comes with a starting price of $4754. But at that price you get Dell's Ballistic Armor protection system that can withstand falls from heights up to 4 feet. The body of the laptop uses PrimoSeal technology that allows for the highest level of water and dust resistance. To keep things cool, the QuadCool thermal management system allows the XFR to operate in temperature extremes without compromising performance. Besides the laptops, also available is a Semi-Rugged Multi-Touch Tablet PC that can withstand drops of up to 3 feet.

Included with all models is some Ridgid specific software: SeeSnake HQ, a 6 month subscription of RidgidConnect, Ridgid Electronic Resources, and additional Ridgid Software.

Interested? Check out Ridgid.com/Dell

I have a pair of Redwing boots that I absolutely love. They are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned, however there is one small problem. I have worn through the leather on the toes of both boots. I have had the boots for around three years, so they have pretty much paid for themselves, but if it wasn't for the holes, I could probably get another year or two out of them.

This problem lead me on a search for a toe protecting solution. Redwing does sell a rubber toe cap that is designed to prevent such problems, but to be honest, they look dorky. After a little bit of searching I came across a product called Tuff Toe. Tuff Toe is a two-part colored epoxy that when mixed and cured acts as a durable yet flexible protective layer. You can use it on your old warn-out boots, or you can protect your shiny new boots. Tuff Toe has been around since the 70's and was originally intended for baseball pitchers. If the product is good enough for the Major League, it is probably good enough for us little guys. A new pair of Redwings will cost me upwards of $120, or I can get the Tuff Toe for $20.

Application video after the Read More.

[:cicn:]Tuff Toe – Working Person's

Sharpie is the go-to brand when it comes to permanent markers, but they might not be your first thought when it comes to pencils. Sharpie is looking to change all that with their new permanent pencil. The new pencil uses a new liquid graphite ink that turns this pen into a liquid pencil. The liquid graphite is erasable for three days, after which the “ink” becomes permanent.

I am a fan of using pens for my cabinet scribes. They allow me to leave a nice dark line that is easy to see against white or even blue masking tape. They also allow me to use less pressure during the scribing process so I don't have to worry about pressing lines into soft woods. I like the idea of using a liquid pencil on my scribes because it offers all the benefits of a pen, but is also erasable like a pencil for those oops moments. However, I am not much of a fan of the permanent aspect of the new pencil. I hope they will come out with a non-permanent liquid pencil as well. Check out the video from Engadget after the Read More

Sharpie Blog Via Engadget

If you thought the Rockwell JawHorse was handy, you might get a kick out the of the new Rockwell JawStand (RK9033). Like the JawHorse, the JawStand acts as an extra set of hands when the ones you have are just not enough, but it also does a bit more. The JawStand works as both a clamp and as a material stand. There is also the obvious smaller size compared to the JawHorse.

The compact JawStand features a clamping jaw with a stated clamping range of of 0” - 1-1/4 1-3/4”. Though I am a bit confused because the photo shows what appears to be a clamped 2”x4”. We will just assume the pictured 2”x4” was ripped down to fit inside the jaws and move on. The clamping jaw also has the ability to swivel a full 360° and tilt 90° to handle clamping in horizontal, vertical, and everything in between. You don't have to worry about marring or scratching your materials, because Rockwell was cleaver enough to add a rubber surface on the inside of the clamping jaw.

Update: It pays to question things. It turns out the JawStand can indeed hold materials up to 1-3/4" which includes 2x*.

The other aspect of the JawStand, is the stand itself. If you have ever had to cut long materials at the miter saw or the table saw, you know what a lifesaver a material stand can be. Keeping control of the material, keeps you working safe. The height of the stand is adjustable from 25” up to 41” to accommodate a number of working conditions, and even has a measuring scale to help you get the correct height on the first try. The top surface of the stand is adorned with two low-friction slides and a built in bubble to help keep you on the level. The JawStand weights in at just over 13lbs, but can support loads of up to 220lbs.

If you ask me, the JawStand looks like it would be more handy then the JawHorse. I just wish it had a couple more inches of clamping width. At $69.99, it is no more expensive then a good quality roller stand. But why buy a unitasker, when you can get a multitasker? Keep a lookout for the Rockwell JawStand on [:cicn:] Amazon - RockwellToolsDirect or Sears.com