A reader had a great idea for a poll. He wants to know the criteria you use when purchasing a new tool. Each one of us has different things we look for in a tool, but for the most part it comes down to Price vs Quality.

Some people are willing to spend whatever it takes to ensure a top of the line tool that will last forever. At the opposite end are people that buy the cheapest tool, and then replace it every time it breaks. Most of us are somewhere in between weighing out price vs quality.

I, for the most part, am willing to spend more for a tool I know I will be using a lot. For cordless tools my thinking changes a little. I know that newer battery technology, as well and power to weight changes frequently. Therefore I buy cordless tools, and usually replace the batteries once during its time with me. After that, I consider if it is worth it to buy more batteries, or step up to a newer tool.

What do you do?

 

There has been a lot of talk about track saws lately with both DeWalt and Makita coming out with versions to compete with Festool. A bigger selection of a tool is always good news, but with three major tool companies out with three great saws it makes things difficult when trying to make a choice. JLC has a nice review of the track saws from Festool (TS 55), DeWalt (DWS520), and Makita (SP600K). The article has some good information for anyone looking into getting one of these systems, and will hopefully make the selection process a little easier. JLC also has a video of the Makita track saw in action. Also check out The Wood Whisperer to see his video of the DeWalt track saw.

DAP has come out with a brand new line of advanced sealents named DAP 3.0. This new line of sealents has a number of new features that should make the job of caulking much easier. DAP 3.0 features a new Kwik Dry technolgy that allows the caulking to come into contact with water after just 3 hours of drying. Now you can wait to fix that leaky roof untill just a few hours before the storm. It can also be applied in temprature ranges between 35°F to 140°F. Unlike silicone DAP 3.0 can be painted with both latex and oil-based paints.

Pelican makes ultra tough cases as well as ultra tough flashlights, now Pelican has cool ultra tough Remote Area Lighting Systems, or RALS for short.

The 9450B Remote Area Lighting System combines our tough 1510 Case with 16 x 1 watt LEDs mounted in an aluminum heat sink. All items are stored inside the case and assemble in minutes. The aluminum pole extends to a height of 83" to provide 1280 lumens of light for any area. The rechargeable battery has 9 hours of life at maximum output tailing off to low light level at hour 17. The diffuser (included) can be mounted to change the beam from a focused spot to a diffused beam.

The 9450B weights 46 lbs which isn't exactly light weight, but it does offer quite a bit of portability considering the 9 hour run time at maximum. This definitely isn't something your everyday user could afford at around $800, but it does show you what the current technology is capable of, and where it is heading.

Pelican

Using my keen reporting skills I have come across some interesting news. It looks like Dremel is toying with the idea of making a cordless 12 volt version of their Multi-Max Oscillating Tool. It would be compatible with all of the current Dremel Multi-Max accessories, and run at 10,000 to 21,000 OPM with a variable speed motor. Right now the kit looks to include a one hour charger, a hard case, and 8 assorted accessories at around $140. So the question is... will this tool ever make it to market.

Dremel Multi-Max (Corded) - Amazon

Makita has added a new 3/8" crown stapler to its 18 volt LXT Lithium-Ion line. The new BST221 was designed for a wide rage of tasks, including furniture, upholstery, roofing, wrap, etc. The BST221 can drive 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 9/16", 5/8", 3/4", and 7/8" length staples (3/8" crown); and will also utilize Arrow® T50 type staples. Makita also says the stapler has enough power to drive staples flush into hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry. It weighs in at 5.1 pounds at just 9-7/8" long, and is available as a Kit (BST221) with 2 batteries, charger, safety glasses, belt clip, and a contractor bag for MSRP $469, and as Tool Only (BST221Z) MSRP $289. Of course the actual street price should be less.

This new stapler brings Makita's 18 volt LXT line to 35 tools, and they say more are on the way. So what tools could be next? My guess would be some cordless nail guns that would compete with the DeWalt line. What cordless tools do you want Makita to make?

Makita Tools
Makita LXT Tools - Amazon

Bostitch has a new 18 gauge brad nailer, and it looks like it has it all. Some of the key features this gun has that I like in a nail gun are the oil-free driver motor, and anti-dry fire. It is easy to forget to oil your guns, and sometimes difficult to know how much oil to add. Being oil-free, as simple as it sounds, makes maintaining a nail gun a much easier task.

Anti-dry fire, for those who have not heard of this, is a feature that does not permit the nail gun to fire nails when it is running low, or out of nails. For anyone who has tried to install some crown only to find out you were out of nails 20 shots ago, you know what a great feature this is.

More Features:

• Selectable trigger system converts from sequential to contact operation
• Swivel air fitting with internal filter improves maneuverability
• Reversible belt hook with integrated pencil sharpener
• Ultra-quiet rear exhaust with muffler directs air away from the user
• Dial-A-Depth^TM control for precise countersinking
• Shoots fasteners 5/8" - 2-1/8"

Bostitch Tools

[Photo by Jeffrey Roberts / Daily Hampshire Gazette ]

Golden Nozzle car wash customer John A. O'Leary was riding through the car wash when he noticed something was terribly wrong. Yards away, fighting for her life inside the car wash was 19-year-old employee Stephanie Carpluk. The lone attendant had taken a short-cut through the car rails and her scarf had become ensnared in one of the wash's rotating mechanical brushes. The machinery had pulled the scarf tightly around her neck and was quickly strangling her. Unable to free herself, Carpluk passed out. Within seconds, O'Leary sprung from his car and pulled out a pocket knife that he was carrying and cut her free. Noticing she wasn't breathing, he began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until Carpluk could once again breath on her own... undeniably saving the young woman's life. - autoblog

Be Prepared, the Boy Scout motto is simple but true. John was prepared and he was able to save a life just because he carried a simple tool and remembered the CPR training he received in the 70's. This is the reason every man and women should carry some type of pocket knife at all times. It doesn't not have to be big, and you want to be sure you are following your state and local laws, but it should always be sharp. One thing you learn quickly is a sharp knife is a safe knife.

This is the last week for voting so if you haven't done so yet, be sure to get your votes in. This week Blog Cabin has also revealed that they will have two "cabin cams" so we can see the daily progress of the project, as well as photo slide shows and videos to keep us all up to date. They have also mentioned a new feature built just for the readers, and say we will be "surprised and delighted". I guess we wait and see.

Here are the last 3 voting options:

Street Name Dreamcatcher Drive Lucky Dog Lane Castle Pines Drive Consensus Court	Treehouse Design Traditional Treehouse Modern Treehouse
Man Cave Wall Paint Color Umber Tigereye Enticing Red Basket Beige Alexandrite Gambol Gold

The voting has been close for just about every voting option so far. Up next is two more voting options that are sure to follow suit. The first vote is for the house exterior colors. Not something I am going to describe, so you will just have to head over to the Blog Cabin site and vote. The second voting option is the wood flooring choice. The 3 options are a very nice Virginia Mill Works Distressed Saddle Hickory Flooring with a 30-year warranty, a simple Clover Lea Plantation Charleston Chestnut Heart Pine Flooring, and a unique Bellawood Australian Cypress Prefinished Flooring with am amazing 50-year warranty. I am a fan of the Australian Cypress.