It looks like there is a little bit of product moving going on amongst the brands owned by parent company Black & Decker. The very popular scroll saw that was once the DeWalt DW788, is now the (soon to be popular?) Delta 40-690. As far as specifications go the tools are exactly the same, but here is why the change is a good move for future scroll saw buyers. The Delta version of the saw comes with a 5 year warranty, while the DeWalt version comes with only a 3 year warranty.

The move also makes sense for both brands. Delta is a brand that is known for their shop and woodworking tools, and DeWalt is a brand that is known for their contractor tools. The scroll saw is hardly a saw I would consider to be a contractor tool, and would be much better represented by the Delta name. So why was the saw under the DeWalt name to begin with? Because when the DW788 was first launched Delta was not yet owned by B&D; this would not take place until years later.

It would be interesting to see if the country of origin has changed in any way because of the move. Suggested retail price for the 40-690 is $599 including stand (DW788 does not include stand).

Delta

It would be interesting to see if the country of origin has changed in any way because of the move.

It looks like Porter-Cable has filled an RPM gap with their latest 7-1/4" circular saw. The PC15TCSMK looks to be Porter Cables blade-right replacement to the much loved MAG line. To be honest, I am a bit confused as to why the blade-right versions of the MAG saws were discontinued, while the blade-left models still remain; but I digress. Porter Cable does have a couple other blade-right saws on the market right now, but none of them offer the higher 5600 RPM's at 15 Amps the PC15TCSMK has to offer.

Based on user feedback, Porter-Cable built the PC15TCSMK to be a lighter saw, with better weight distribution, and better ergonomics. Taking some features form the MAG line, PCs latest creation uses a similar cast magnesium shoe. In total, their new saw is only .1 lbs lighter then the MAG saw, but every little bit helps, plus the MAG was already amazingly light. Another improvement over the MAG, besides being smaller and lighter, is the angled front handle (the first thing I noticed from the photo), which allows your hand to be in a more natural relaxed position during use. Some other honorable mentions include: a soft trigger grip handle, optimized trigger force, bevel stops at 22.5 and 45 degrees, and a 10 foot cord.

The PC15TCSMK includes a 24-tooth carbide thin-kerf framers blade, wrench, rip fence, and kit box. The saw will be available in May 2010 and carries a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Porter Cable

It is almost time for the 2nd Annual Power Tool Drag Races taking place in Columbus Ohio. I have never been to any of these races myself, but from the videos I have seen, they sure do look like fun. Think of it as pinewood derby races but for adults, and with more power. The Races will feature two classes: Stock (Single engine. Limited mods. Built on own) , and Top Fuel (Multi-motor. Open mods. Built on own).

The Race will take place on Saturday August 21st 2010. Registration to enter is $25, and the Fans get to watch for free. Our friends over at Ohio Power Tool will be sponsoring a number of prizes at the event. Looks like it will be a fun day for all. I don't know if there will be any tailgate BBQ's, but what kind of sporting event would it be without them?

For more information and complete rules, visit PTDRC

This might offend some of those die hard green mechine lovers, especially since this particular tool is not yet avaialbe in the USA, but the rest of us will have no problem seeing a Festool belt sander being used as a Festoolmobile. I wonder if Go-Carting is covered under the Festool warrenty? The retail price for a Festool riding belt sander: $670 - $950. Do you think this would do well in the power tool drag race?

How often do you say to yourself, “If only I had a light on my jacket zipper, I could [insert fun task here]”? I know I say it at least 4 or 5 times a day. OK, maybe I have never said it, but I know that you know that a small flashlight on your zipper would come in handy. Having a light on hand - or in this case - on zipper, is more then just convenient, it could actually save your life.

My Father was on a job a few years ago where some environmentalist wackos broke in during the night and placed booby traps throughout the jobsite. One of the worst was a loaded bear trap set up inside an electrical room. In the morning when it was still dark, the electrician went to turn on the power and he almost stepped right on the trap. He got lucky and missed the trap, but if he had a light, he probably would have seen it. Ever since then, I always carry a flashlight with me on the job.

The ZipLit is a small light that is attached to a durable cord loop. You can easily attach it to your jacket, backpack, purse, etc. The LED light is housed in a water-resistant plastic housing, with an easy to use on/off twist switch. The ZipLit is sold as a two pack, which included extra batteries, for just over $5 for the set. You can pick up a set of Red or White ZipLit lights.

[:cicn:] ZipLit - Amazon

Is the EZ Sander really an easy sander? Well, kind of. It does make the task of changing paper easy, but it doesn't make the actual physical sanding process any easier; you will still need those little things called muscles for that. The EZ Sander works by wrapping a standard 2-1/2” x 14” belt sander belt over the expandable EZ Sander body. With a few turns of the side thumb wheel, the internal plungers of the EZ Sander expand forward to tension the belt. To remove the belt, you do the above steps in reverse.

I am not sure where I came across the EZ Sander, but when I did, I quickly noticed how similar it was to the SandDevil sander. The SandDevil uses the same concept as the EZ Sander, but instead of using thumb wheels to tension the belt, it uses a single lever. The other difference, besides the shape, is that the SandDevil uses a more common 3” x 21" belt. I am not saying any one of these is better then the other, it is just nice to have options... but I do love my SandDevil

The EZ Sander is available in six colors, the idea is to use a separate color for each grit of paper. For $20 you can get the woodworking kit which includes three wet/dry belts: #60, #120, #220, or you can get the automotive kit which includes three wet/dry belts: #60, #440, #1000.

[:cicn:] EZ Sander

No, the Hammer Bumper does not protect your hammer during unwanted accidents. It does, however, protect your striking surfaces from your hammer. The Hammer Bumper, quite simply, converts a hammer into a mallet. By slipping the Hammer Bumper over any hammer face that is 1-1/8” to 1-5/16” in diameter, you can turn that hard steel or titanium face into a much softer non-marking rubber face.

Why would you want this? Well, instead of carrying around both a hammer and a mallet, you can now carry your hammer and a much smaller, much lighter, Hammer Bumper. I have always been a fan of simple products that make the job a little bit easier; the Hammer Bumpers looks to be one of them. For around $7, this USA made product seems well worth the price.

Hammer Bumper - [:cicn:] Hammer Source

When you are on the job, do you like to do things the easy way, or the hard way? The fast way, or the slow way? Unless you work for the government, you would probably pick the fast and easy way. The new Speed Feed bits from Milwaukee were designed to be both faster and easier to use versus your typical spade bit, and are obviously not meant for government workers. “How much faster?” you ask. Up to 10x faster. I know what you are thinking; A cut that fast must leave a blowout on the backside of the lumber and an ugly hole. According to Milwaukee, the Speed Feed bits were specifically designed to do things faster, but also leave you with a super clean hole.

From what I can gather from the photograph, the Speed Feed bits look like a cross between a Bosch DareDevil bit and a tapered auger bit. I know the Bosch bits work great and leave a clean hole, so if that is any indication, we are probably looking at a winner.

Milwaukee Speed Feed bits will be available in 6” lengths, ranging in sizes from 1/2” - 1-1/4”. They will also sell in 3 piece, 4 piece, and 6 piece sets. No word on pricing or when they will hit stores.

Milwaukee Electric Tool

It only takes one slip to turn an otherwise great day into a horrible day spent in the ER. For the most part I have been able to stay clear of those nasty injuries – knock on wood – but accidents can happen at any time. The most obvious way I know of to keep all your body parts attached, is to keep them as far away from moving parts as possible. This is reason for push sticks, push blocks, etc; but for those extra small parts, the Rockler Small Piece Holder has you covered.

The idea behind the Small Piece Holder is simple, you turn a small hard to handle piece of wood into a larger piece with handles. It features a quick release for fast clamping, because we all know that if it isn't easy to use, it will end up with a permanent home at the bottom of a drawer. It looks like the small parts holder really shines for use with a router table, but it really can be used on just about any piece of power equipment. It even has a swing out arm that allows for angle cuts up to 45 degrees while riding against a rip fence. For just under $25 it seems like a good finger saver.

[:cicn:] Small Parts Holder – Rockler

So you just finished outfitting your workshop; you have your drill press on one side of your workbench and your bench grinder on the other. Underneath you have quick access to your shop vacuum, and a roll away router table. Above is mounted a work light that shines brightly onto your work surface. But most importantly, you have plenty of room for your 500 watt stereo system. All is right with the world, that is, until you realize that your 1950's built garage turned workshop only has one electrical outlet.

The above statement might not be applicable in your case, but this is the problem many of us face when trying to outfit those work facilities that were built before electricity ran the world. Sure, if you are going the Roy Underhill route you have nothing to worry about, but most of us like to use a bit of power to get things done faster. The Snap-On Power Strip might not be the answer to all of life's problems, but it could be your answer to a lack of electrical outlets. Mount this over your workbench and you will have enough outlets to power everything in the area, as long as everything in the area that requires power totals 12 or less. The power strip features an anodized aluminum housing that is complete with a built-in 15 amp circuit breaker. It is powered via a 6 foot 14 gauge cord, that should be plenty long enough for most installs. Mounting hardware is included, which is a plus, and the complete package can be had for only $30 at your local Costco.