Festool has a lot of great tools, and most if not all of them make use of a Systainer (Festool's tool boxes). The problem for some fans is that Festool does not make a Systainer compatible radio. Fans want a radio with built in support for MP3 players, additional outlets, etc; they basically want what the latest Bosch 360 radio has to offer but in a Systainer format.

What Festool hasn't built, one Festool fan named FestFan has. He has taken an empty Systainer III, and turned it into a customized radio. The basics behind it are simple: power, an inverter to convert his 220V down to 12 volts DC, a car radio, and a couple 40 watt speakers. A pretty good start if you ask me, but that wasn't enough for this users; he also built in a LED work light and added a couple power sockets.

Systainers come in a number of sizes, so if you want to rock the jobsite with a couple 10” speakers, it is probably doable, just stay away from me.

via FestoolOwnersGroup

I am talking about the Lock Jaw Self Adjusting Clamps and Pliers. When I first saw the Lock Jaw clamps in a magazine a few years ago, I knew I had to pick up a pair. Half of my job involves using clamps, so the faster they are to use, the better. The hard part I had was trying to find a place that sold them. After a bit of searching I was able to find some online, but after only a few months they could no longer be found.

Lock Jaw was a small company with an amazing looking product that was going up against a giant know as Vise-Grip, things must have been hard. Now it looks like they have the backing of another big name in tools, C.H. Hanson. Not only has C.H. Hanson been able to bring the tools back, but it looks like they have also added to the line. More sizes and options are now available for both the clamps and the pliers, and many of the Lock Jaw tools can be found in online stores. To say I am happy is an understatement.

C.H. Hanson - Lock Jaw - [:cicn:] Amazon

The latest Husqvarna Automower Model 260ACX is a technology lovers dream mover. Not only will it mow your entire lawn automatically, but if it runs in to a bit of trouble along the way, it will let you know about it via SMS. It seems as though the text message is the king of communication these days; everyone is using it for everything, so why should your lawn mower be left out?

The Automower is very similar in function to the automatic vacuums that are becoming more and more popular. The Automower does its job all on its own, but it uses a low voltage wire to keep it contained to your yard instead of the walls your vac would use. The 260 ACX uses a NiMH battery that allows a typical mow time of 1 hour on a single charge, and the charge time is about 40 minutes. When it is time for a recharge, your Automower will head on over to its charging station so it can get ready for another run.

Actually it's both.

A tool combination of a ratchet and a hammer is probably not something you would think of when you look back at all the great multi-tools in existence, but the picture you see says it all. Or does it? The truth is that what looks like some cleaver DIY gizmo is actually a rather good “photoshop” that ToolGuyd found. After all, who needs a combination ratchet/hammer?

Well I guess someone does, because the tool actually does exist. It turns out that Wera just recently announced their new ratchet/hammer called Koloss. What was fake just a couple of seconds ago is actually real; but I am not sure I can be sold on this as a great tool for the everyman. Sure it can save you some space in your tool drawer, and it is one less tool to reach for, but you will lose the ability to get your ratchet into tight spaces. So unless this is something you will be using quite often, it might be better to pass and just use two tools like everyone else.

Yeah, I will never buy one, but it is still way cool

via ToolGuyd & ToolGuyd

I talked about the new Dust Deputy Festool Kit back in February. If you remember, I questioned whether it was really worth it to buy the kit, or to save a bit of money and make your own using a Systainer.

There is nothing like the joy you experience when you look through a new tool catalog for the first time. You flip a page, see the tool of your dreams, then imagine all of the things you could build if only you owned it. Sure it sounds pretty pathetic, but it does make us happy.

Sears is taking the catalog to an all new level with their new interactive online catalog. While their typical print catalog features 2,500 tools that we would all love to own, their enhanced online interactive catalog has more then 40,000 tools to choose from and 1,200 online exclusives. Sure we can be happy with just a bigger catalog, but the Sears Interactive Catalog is much more; also featuring handy instructional videos, tool selectors, garage planers, etc. I was even surprised to see a video from TheWoodWhisperer about an Earlex HVLP sprayer in the catalog.

Be sure to Check it out for yourself. Sears Interactive Catalog

There is no question that I love a good looking tool, as do many people, but it is probably not a good idea to base your tool purchases on looks alone. The good thing is that the tools from Veritas not only look good, but according to the woodworking community, they work great as well.

As you would expect, the new rabbet planes from Veritas look good, likely work great, and have a price you would only spend if you were looking for high quality. The body of the plane is made out of cast iron, and the handle is made out of hand friendly polished brass. The 30 degree blade is made of oil hardened tool steel, and is set to 45 degrees in the tool body.

Rabbet planes, as the name implies, allow its users to cut rabbets or dados into wood. Veritas has five sizes (6mm, 1/4", 5/16" (8mm), 3/8", 10mm) for you to choose from, but any serious hand tool woodworker would probably want to buy the complete set; that is if you credit will allow it. They are individually priced at $65 or you can buy one of the sets of three for $149, or five for $239. Please note that these are introductory prices for the sets, and the prices will increase after March 25th 2010.

[:cicn:] LeeValley via ToolGuyd

Bosch has officially announced the new GLL2-80 line laser, big brother to their GLL2-50 line laser. Let me just start out by saying that I love the GLL2-80, I have never used it or even seen it in person, but I love it. Why, because it can project a solid 360-degree laser line on both vertical and horizontal planes. Typical lasers in this class can only do solid laser lines at around 180 degrees. The only other option for 360-degree laser accuracy is a spinning dot laser, but these cost much more and can be harder to see.

The Rockler Bench Cookies have been a hot hot item ever since they came out, so it is not that surprising to find out that Bench Dog is now selling them under their own name. Maybe in this case they should be called Dog Biscuits; only kidding. What this re-branding does for Rockler is allow their product to be sold in non Rockler stores. Smart move if you ask me. The only difference appears to be color, so the question is, do you want orange or blue?

But what good are Bench Cookies without accessories. Accessories? Yup, how about a Bench Cookie Storage Rack. For just under $10 you can pick up a stainless steal storage rack that can hold up to 8 Bench Cookies. You can also buy a complete pack of 4 or 8 cookies including the storage rack. Now you will always know where your cookies are; that is if you can remember to put them away. If you are not interested in the storage rack, Rockler also has a 20oz glass mug set, and a Rockler t-shirt set... because your cookies need friends.

Bench Dog Bench Cookies – Bench Cookie Accessories

A man from Malden, MA was recently awarded $1.5 million after a jury found that injuries to his fingers were the result of negligence by One World Technologies Inc., maker of Ryobi saws. The lawyers for Carlos Osorio blamed the lack of flesh detecting technology, the same technology used in Saw Stop saws, for the injuries he sustained while using a Ryobi saw to install oak wood flooring.

The ruling of the case is simply unbelievable, and puts all saw makers in a hard place. Flesh detecting tech. in power tools is still very new, and this case was filed back in 2006 when it was practically unheard of. Why do people use Ryobi tools to begin with? Simple, because they are cheap. Flesh detecting technology, in conjunction with a braking system is not cheap. The cheapest Saw Stop saw is still around $1500. The fact that the man was using a Ryobi saw shows that he likely would have not opted to pay the added price had it been available at the time. Ryobi needed better lawyers.

Are saw manufacturers now going to have to license the technology from Saw Stop, as I am sure Saw Stop has a pretty good set of patents protecting their company. If they do have to license from Saw Stop, and add all the safety features, we will be looking at a huge price increase. Tables saws, miter saws, circular saws, jig saws, scroll saws, band saws, radial arm saws; where will it stop?

via – Boston.com