Festool has 3 new tools on the market. The one that has really caught my eye is the new MFK 700 Modular Router. It can go from the standard vertical routing, to horizontal routing with the simple change of a base. This comes in very handy for doing edge banding.

You can check out all three tools below, also via their websites.

Also check out TheWoodWhisperer.com to enter to win a free Festool

MFK 700 Modular Router

Features:

• 720 Watt Motor
• Tool-Less Base System - Quick, Easy Base Changes From Horizontal to Vertical Applications
• One Motor, Two Bases- Takes Full Advantage of Modular Design
• Super Fine Micro-Adjustments in 1/256" (1/10mm) Increments
• Multiple Dust Extraction Options
• 1.5° Horizontal Base Incline Provides Perfect Results With Edge Routing

We cant get enough of new tools, and Bosch is not one to let us down. They have announced that in October they will be releasing 6 new Litheon (lithium-ion) drill/drivers; 3 of 14.4 volts, and 3 of 18 volts.

 Introducing the...

• 18V Litheon BruteTough Hammer Drill/Driver - 17618-01
• 18V Litheon BruteTough Drill/Driver - 37618-01
• 14.4V Litheon BruteTough Hammer Drill/Driver - 17614-01
• 14.4V Litheon BruteTough Drill/Driver - 37614-01

And for the home user...

• 18V Litheon CompactTough Drill/Driver - 36618-02
• 14.4V Litheon CompactTough Drill/Driver - 36614-02

I am sure most of you have seen the infomercials for the Fein MultiMaster over the past few years. Their tool does everything: it slices, it dices, cuts tile, drywall, etc. But it also comes with a pretty big price tag. You are looking to spend around $200 for the tool, and attachments are around $60. Good thing for all of us, patents expire.

Toologics has some info on a Bosch rival PMF 180 E Multi that is available in Europe for only $130 US equivalent.  Bosch has no word on when or if it will be available in the US. :(

Toolsnob also has news of a Dremel version . The Dremel Multi-Max will retail for around $100, with accessories costing between $4- $40.  It will be available in the US :) I am sure you can expect an overwhelming amount of attachments, and accessories to go with it.

 

There has been a bit of  information floating around the  internet about DeWalt's new plunging track saws. This is somewhat big news for the building community because DeWalt is the first of the well known US companies to offer such a saw. From what I understand, these types of saws are really popular in Europe, but DeWalt is hoping to make a showing in the US. Festool is another brand that offers a plunging rail saw, but they are not as well known to your average builder or woodworker.

DeWalt will be offering both a corded and 28 volt cordless version of the saw, and both will feature a dust port that you can connect you vac/dust collector to. They will offer 3 different size rails to fit your needs, a 48" 59" and 102" and also offer a connection kit to join rails together to make them even longer. They same rail system can also be used on DeWalt routers, with a rail attachment.

Another great addition, is the anti-kickback feature. When engaged it will prevent the saw from kicking back while in the rail. This will not only save your wood and rail from the kickback cut, but it is also a great safety feature to save your much loved body parts.

The corded saw is expected to cost between $500-$700, and the cordless between $700-$900. Both saws will launch at the end of  October. The corded version cost around the same price as the Festool versions.

You can see a video of the saw in action on the DeWalt UK site. The UK site also lists an 18 volt version; we will have to wait and see if it will be available in the US.

Review your DeWalt Track Saws at Tool-Rank.

 

Introducing the SpeedRocker-SS fixed blade utility knife, the newest creation from C.H. Hanson. It's a small lightweight knife that is perfect for many applications but is the ideal tool for drywallers, or any other job that requires measured cutting.

It features a slot built into the head of the knife that allows the user to measure and cut, while at the same time keeping your fingers out of harms way. The slot is positioned in such a way, that it allows your thumb to not only hold the tape in place, but it is also in the ideal position to apply pressure directly over the blade.

When you have some drilling to do in some 2x4's or some plywood, what kind of bits do you use? If you are like me, you turn to the always reliable spade bits. A lot of the time when you need to use these bits, you are are in a dark and enclosed areas. Vermont American has come out with a new 10-piece set of their most popular spade bits and included a LED headlamp to make those hard times, not so hard.

The kit include six black oxide 6-inch bits ranging from 3/8” to 1”, three 4-inch “Stubby” bits in 1/2”, 3/4” and 1” diameters, and a head light. The stubby bits are ideally suited for those enclosed areas between joist applications or wherever space is at a premium, which plumbers, electricians and HVAC tradesmen will find extremely useful.

These black oxide spade bits cut 3 times faster than standard spade bits due to the innovative RapidFeed™ tip. The tip is threaded like a wood screw, and allows the bit to do the work, and gives your arm a much needed rest.

Visit www.vermontamerican.com to find a retailer near you.

The guys over at CopTool put together a really good video comparing the two carbide hole saws, but they make it very clear that these two hole saws are not in the same class. While the Milwaukee Big Hawg is meant mostly for wood, the Bosch Carbide Saws are meant to cut through a range of materials.

While watching the video keep in mind the 2-1/8" Bosch Carbide Hole Saw costs a little more then double the price of the Milwaukee Big Hawg

{youtube}QfyGhSOmq4c{/youtube}

You can pick up your Milwaukee Big Hawg or Bosch Carbide Hole Saw at Amazon.

 

Related reading:

New hole saws from Milwaukee

Bosch has carbide hole saws.

The Clarke Crocodile saw fitted with one of  five different saws blades can cut through a wide range of materials like wood, copper, aluminum, plastics, fiberglass, drywall, ceramic tile and marble. It even cuts conduit, pipe, and sheet steel, including truck bed diamond plate. Using 4 amps of power, the 3-1/4" diameter blade spins at 4000 rpm's giving the Crocodile its solid performance.

"It's a go-to saw for any number of projects," said Craig Valentine, president of Clarke Power Products.  "It's great for basement remodeling, handling cutouts for outlet boxes, tile flooring and kitchen backsplash jobs, cutting away rusty quarter-panels on cars, as well as custom cutouts for stereo sound system installations, plunge cuts,  HVAC cutouts for whole-house humidifiers and vents, trim work, crafts, hobbies - all kinds of jobs."

  For information on the Clarke Crocodile Circular Saw (Model CT5000) visit www.clarkeusa.com

Are you a hobby woodworker, or maybe you just have a small woodworking business. The new JET JJP12 12-inch Jointer/Planer might be the perfect tool for you. Sure it is ideal to have both a jointer, and a planer in your shop, but not all of us can afford such things, or even have the room to house them. In the past you would have had to choose one or the other.

The Jet JJP12 can joint and plain at a width of 12 inches, and features a long 55 in table to accommodate your longer pieces of wood. The dual-purpose machine uses a 2-1/2 inch diameter three-knife cutter head, which spins at 5500 rpm for both jointing and planing. It has a max jointer cutting depth of 1/8 inch, and a max planing depth of 5/32 inch. The JJP12 is powered by a 12.5 amp 3 HP single-phase TEFC (totally enclosed, fan cooled) motor, and is housed in a welded-steel base cabinet.

 

 

The long days of summer are over, and all that is left are darker mornings at the jobsite. This is the time of year for me, when flashlights get a real workout. It is no fun getting to the jobsite at 6am and then having to navigate the jobsite hazards using only the moonlight.

Bosch comes to the resuce with the new  Bosch FL11 12 volt Litheon Flashlight. The best part is, it runs on the same 10.8 or 12 volt Litheon system as their popular PS40 Impactor and PS20 Pocket driver. Powered by the 12 volt Litheon battery the FL11 can provide you with up 7-1/2 hours of continous runtime, and can be compleatly recharged in 30 minutes.

Even with its long lasting battery life, the FL11 is able to provide bright light thanks to a 3 bulb LED beam. Thanks to the same LED technology the FL11 has a bulb life of 10,000 hours, and can handle all types of abuse.

The Bosch FL11 Litheon High Intensity LED Flashlight is avaliable as "flashlight only" for $39.99. Bosch 12V Max batteries and chargers are available separately or with other Bosch 12V Max cordless tools.