Press Release - MARCH 25, 2009 La Mirada, CA - Makita U.S.A., Inc., manufacturer of high quality industrial power tools and accessories, is proud to announce the release of its new 10" Contractor Table Saw, model 2705. The new table saw is also available with a portable table saw stand (model 2705X1). The new saw combines a range of convenience and ease-of-use features with large capacity

"The new tool-less blade guard system is easy to adjust and remove," said Joe Soto, product manager - pneumatics and residential construction. "But in addition to the convenient features, the 2705 combines accuracy and a large cutting capacity with plenty of power to rip 4x material in a single pass. This versatile table saw is ideal for use at the jobsite or in the shop."

Just as the title say, Greenlee has some T-Slot hole saws with an adjustable depth stop. The stop will help in situations were you could come into contact with wires or plumbing behind the cutting surface. The stop will not only protect the wires and plumbing, but can also protect you from serious injury.

The stop will work with all Greenlee T-Slot hole saws, ranging in size from 7/8" to 6". The stops can also be removed and transferred between hole saws, allowing you to use up to 4 stops on one saw. The stops are included with some popular hole saw sizes, and can also be purchased separately.

Greenlee

Bosch Tools has some cool new bits they say can drill through a number of common construction materials. A common problem for construction workers is attaching one material to a completely different material. An example would be drilling through wood into masonry. A drill bit for masonry doesn't do a very good job of cutting through wood, and a wood bit does a horrible job at drilling through masonry.

The new Bosch Multi-Construction Bits are designed to drill through wood, masonry, ceramic tiles, plastic, and metal. A special diamond ground tungsten carbide tip along with some smart Bosch engineers have made this possible. A steep spiral flute provides traction for the different materials, while also quickly removing the debris. The drill bit can also be used in both rotary and impact modes.

Bosch Multi-Construction Bits - Amazon
Bosch Tools

In the past people wanted the biggest and the most powerful of everything. Now the times are changing and people are looking for something small, can get the job done, and at a great price. Fortunately Makita offers options for both.

The DF330DW 10.8-Volt Ultra-Compact Drill-Driver is Makita's latest addition to their Ultra-Compact line, and alternative to Makita's 1/4" Hex Shank Drill-Driver. The 1/4" Hex Shank Drill-Driver, as the name indicates, can only use 1/4" hex bits. The new DF330DW Drill-Driver uses a 3/8" keyless chuck which allows the user to use standard drill bits, as well as 1/4" hex bits. The Makita built motor delivers 200 in.lbs. of torque with two variable speed setting (0-350/0-1,300 RPM) and 18 clutch stages.

Makita has also made available their ML100W Cordless LED Flashlight which was previously only available when purchasing the LCT302W Combo Kit. The ML100W offers 540 minutes (9 Hours) of continuous light on a single charge, and weighs just over one-half pound (.55 lbs.). Specs after Read More

Mount Prospect, Ill., March 6, 2009 - Bosch Power Tools and Accessories has built a long-standing global reputation for innovation and leadership in the rotary hammer category. Bosch is building on that reputation with yet another innovation - the introduction of the company's new Vibration Control^TM technology. The vibration dampening system will now be featured on Bosch's new 11264EVS and 11265EVS 1-5/8" Rotary Hammers and the 11321EVS 12-pound Demolition Hammer.

While competitor systems rely on elaborate shock absorbing systems and other added parts, Bosch's Vibration Control system utilizes two simple, common sense components to achieve the same - or better - results. The system starts with an optimized impact mechanism. A slightly longer air cushion between the piston and the striker pin significantly reduces vibration at the point of impact while increasing impact energy by about 10% at same time. The new design ultimately yields significantly faster drilling (+ 20%) in concrete. The second component of the system is a shock-absorbent main handle. Rubber damping elements at the top and bottom of the handle further isolate the user from vibration. The end result is greater productivity and all day comfort. Continued after Read More

I was wondering when we were going to see something new from Festool, and not just a new version of one of their other products. Considering Festools popularity among woodworkers, I am surprised they do not make more woodworking tools. I have no idea how long it takes Festool to go from idea to working tool, and maybe I just expect too much from them.

Like all Festool tools, they put dust collection right at the top of the list when they designed the EHL 65 E. You can connect this to any Festool dust collection system. One thing that I like right of the bat, is the ability to collect dust on either side of the planer. Its the little things that make me happy.

Specs:

• Power Consumption 720 Watts / 6 Amps
• Drive Shaft Speed 15,600 rpm
• Cutting Depth 0 - 5/32" (0 - 4 mm)
• Rabbeting Depth 0 - 29/32" (0 - 23 mm)
• Head Width 2-9/16"  (65 mm)
• Base Plate Length 10-3/16" (259 mm)
• Noise Level at Idle 76 db (A)
• Weight 5.3 lbs. (2.4 Kg)
• Product No. 574 543

As always, Festool makes high quality tools that come at a price. I found the EHL 65 E for pre-order from Ace Tool for $390.00. Makita makes a planer that costs over $600, and one at over $1700, so you could be spending a lot more.

For full Specs and a video check out the EHL 65 E micro site

Enter to win a year's worth of RIGGS WORKWEAR® by Wrangler®. One entrant will win each month during 2009. You don't need to enter each month to be eligible each month; all eligible (non-winning) entrants are considered in all subsequent monthly drawing(s). A year's worth of RIGGS WORKWEAR equals seven RIGGS jeans, eleven RIGGS shirts and one RIGGS utility vest - a $480 (US) value! Enter now. Next month's lucky winner could be you!

Check out User: PutnamEco's reveiw of the Riggs Ranger Pants

Got an extra $3700 lying around the house and a few extra trees. That is all you need to get started in milling your own lumber. The LT10G7 from Wood-Mizer is a compact manual push sawmill that is ideal for the hobby woodworker that wants to cut out the middle man (pun intended). Powered by a 7 HP gas engine, the LT10GT can cut up to 100 board feet an hour at a maximum log diameter of 24" and 11' long. If 11' isn't long enough for you, you can purchase additional 7' bed extensions to your hearts content. Got some really big trees? You can always step up to a larger trailer mounted version, and take your milling business on the road.

Head over to YouTube to see the LT10G7 in action. Embedding has been disabled. : (

Update 3/5/09: Moving this back to the top because the giveaway is now open.

I was surprised to find a box in the mail yesterday from Bosch containing a custom guitar. So why would Bosch send me a guitar? It is part of a promotion for their new line of Edge reciprocating saw blades. Everyone knows guitars and reciprocating saws blades go hand in hand... OK not really, but this this guitar looks so cool who really cares.

I failed to mention my guitar is only 10" tall (Photo), but you can enter to win the real thing by visiting BoschEdge.com. Bosch also sent me a sample of the new Edge saw blade, so you can expect a full review of it later on.. One thing I find odd is that Bosch doesn't have a reciprocating saw as one of the prizes, instead you can win the Custom Guitar, a $500 StubHub! Ticket Gift Certificate, or Nintendo DS.

If I were to win, I would sell the G.C. and DS to get more tools, the Guitar I would keep.

Bosch Edge Blades $14 - $20 - Amazon
Review Coming Soon

Festool, a popular choice for hobbyists, and professional woodworkers has announced that they will be increasing the prices of their tools starting February 1st. This is not surprising to me, but it is bad news for anyone who is saving up to by a Festool product. Prices for Festool products are already double the price of any other manufacturer, so what is a few more dollars, right? I have always been critical of Festool for their prices. My belief is that Festool charges as much as they do, simply because they can. Festool fans say they are worth the price, but what they are worth, and what they should cost are two different things.

The iPhone cost $500 when it first came out, and now it costs $300 and has more features. It is clear Apple charged $500 for the phone because they knew it would sell for that price. In all honesty I believe people would still pay $500 for the iPhone.

The World is in a recession; now is not the time to raise prices for anything. So what is logic behind Festool? Here is what I think. Festool says they are going to raise the price of their tools. This will force people that were waiting, for whatever reason, to buy the tools now. Then a month or two after the February 1st date, Festool will come out with a press release stating they will be lowering the price because of the economy. This way Festool gets sales from people that were waiting, plus they get the sales from a higher price tag. A win win for them and a lose lose for everyone else.

I could be wrong, only time will tell.