Michael Springer

The Year in Tools–2009

mspringer — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:00:00 GMT

2009 will be remembered as another bittersweet year for the building industry. Businesses still struggled and some went down for the count, while others drastically downsized to keep afloat. Many guys reinvented themselves as remodelers and installers and found a new wave of work spurred on by the federal energy tax credits. Through this all, new efficiencies are being found in building practices and workforce sizes and the streamlined business models that emerge and lead the building of tomorrow will likely be different that what we were used to before the housing crash. Think with flexibility while planning the success of your business in this new frontier that the adverse economy has created and envision what it will really take to thrive in the reality of today's economic climate. Many think we've seen the worst already, so it's never too early to start planning for the best.

Those following the housing industry at large are starting to see the turnaround, so we look to this new decade with renewed optimism for building our futures, building our businesses, and building the future USA. Join us in embracing this fresh start with a positive attitude and make 2010 your year to make it happen.

A few tool industry highlights of 2009.

We were pleased to see the full implementation of the new "UL guard" on table saws in 2009. Designed by a consortium of power tool manufacturers wrangled together by the Power Tool Institute (PTI), these modular, tool-free guard systems are a really practical redesign of the problematic guard systems of the past million or so years. We urge you to actually try cutting with them before tearing them off your new saw like you have always done in the past. These new designs work well, are easy to adjust, and keep safety at the forefront of one of the most dangerous tools on the job for you and your employees.

We were also excited to see some manufacturers embrace and implement new voluntary testing methods recently established by the PTI. The use of standardized test equipment and procedures to determine numbers such as cordless drill torque helps to present an even playing field for those of us who test and report on these specs.

In the world of nailers in 2009, Bosch released their first models in company history while Milwaukee quietly backed out of making nailers altogether. Makita brought their new high-pressure system nailers over from Japan to the US market, and Senco premiered a new hybrid nailer that uses a battery to power an internal air piston–both interesting developments for the future of nailers on the jobsite.

In other tool news, Milwaukee keeps adding cordless tools to their 18-volt compact and 12-volt subcompact lines at a record pace, Bosch also introduced laser levels, and the biggest buzz of the year is the acquisition of Black and Decker (DeWalt, Delta, Porter-Cable) by Stanley Tools. What this merger of giants means to the industry is still unknown, but will help form the future of tool buying for much of the world with its wide-reaching influence on the global tool market.

Tools of the Trade magazine has continued to build our website and we include web extras from the tool tests that won't fit in the magazine so give us another read at www.toolsofthetrade.net.

Be sure to check out the Tools of the Trade's ultimate work truck, the Site Commander, on its Road to Recovery 2010 tour. While you are on the website you can register to win the truck and all the goodies our sponsors have outfitted it with. Go to www.thesitecommander.com for all the details.

A hearty congratulations goes out to last year's Site Commander contest winner, Minnesota builder Larry Allar.

For 2010, there is no better way to open your eyes to the changing building market than by going to a trade show and putting yourself in the midst of the manufacturers, store buyers, and other like-minded building professionals from around the country. If you haven't gone to a trade show in a while, you should plan on going to one this year to start the decade with knowledge of the latest in materials, processes, and new avenues for professional growth for you and your business. Unknown opportunities await at these events, so go to one and get in the mix.

Here's a list of some trade shows for 2010. More specialty shows can be found here.

January 19-22
IBS–International Builders' Show
Las Vegas, NV
www.buildersshow.com

February 1-5
WOC–World of Concrete
Las Vegas, NV
www.worldofconcrete.com

February 2-4
Surfaces (Floor Covering)
Las Vegas, NV
www.surfaces.com

February 22-24
International Roofing Expo
New Orleans, LA
www.theroofingexpo.com

February 28-Mar 3
International Hardware Fair
Cologne, Germany
www.hardwarefair.com

March 24-27
JLC Live–Residential Construction Show
Providence, RI
www.jlclive.com

April 14-18
KBIS–Kitchen and Bath Industry Show
Chicago, IL
www.kbis.com

May 4-6
NHS–National Hardware Show
Las Vegas, NV
www.nationalhardwareshow.com

August 25-28
IWF–International Woodworking Fair
Atlanta, GA
www.iwfatlanta.com

September 14-17
Remodeling Show / Deck Expo
Baltimore, MD
www.theremodelingshow.com
www.deckexpo.com

November 7-9
STAFDA–Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association
Phoenix, AZ
www.stafda.org

TOOLS of the TRADEshow-STAFDA 2009 Edition

mspringer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:36:00 GMT

Last week I attended the 33rd annual STAFDA convention and trade show in Atlanta, Georgia. For those of you not familiar with the trade association's acronym, it stands for Specialty Tools And Fasteners Distributors Association, and its membership includes distributors, retailers, and manufacturers of light construction tools and related products. This show is always interesting for Tools of the Trade because it is where we find the latest in tools and equipment that relate closely to the trades of our readers.

Heavy rain showers associated with Hurricane Ida scared a lot of people to the airport early so the second day was sparsely populated, but it gave the rest of us more room to maneuver the hall and get face time with the manufacturers.

Here are some of the highlights from the floor.

(For more products featured at the show, check out our Launch Time article in the current issue of the magazine)

Bernzomatic has their new Quickfire mini torch out and ready to fire. Its tiny 5.45-ounce tank of propylene gas is the key to its compact size and very light weight, and the mini tanks will also fit other torch tips rated to use propylene or MAPP gas. This mini torch isn't intended as a replacement to a plumber's everyday rig, but as the most convenient tool to grab for smaller jobs.

Bosch's biggest news seems to be their rapidly-growing laser tool line, and the most interesting development is their two-plane laser that projects a 360-degree plane without a motorized spinning beam. Instead, it projects the laser beam onto a reflective cone that flattens it out into a plane. This unit is the first to have a vertical plane created by a cone. The level has no motors and is being touted as an economical alternative to 360-degree plane lasers that rotate.

Cadex led the way in our 23-gauge pinner test a few years ago with one of the first tools to shoot up to 2-inch pins, and now they have an updated version of their smaller 1-3/8-inch model with all the bells and whistles such as dry-fire lock-out, a swivel air fitting, and a built-in blower. An improved 2-inch model is on the way too. Cadex also displayed 21-gauge pinners which they say work better in some hardwood applications when using pins over 1-3/8-inches long because the thinner 23-gauge pins are more are likely to curve with the wood grain.

DeWalt showed off a new worm-drive circular saw that is made to be even more durable than their previous model which won our tool test in the category years ago. The new model has extra-sturdy pivot-point hardware to keep the cuts at 90-degrees, a magnesium shoe, and a dual-thickness rafter hook that fits over both 2-bys and I-joists. The saw is designed to be safely lifted by its cord thanks to a suspension joint in the handle that isolates the wiring from shock loads in both the fixed-cord and twist-on cord versions. An extra large accessory rip fence for the saw folds up for transport and storage, and its two long arms accommodate rips up to 17-inches wide.

Fein premiered a new 4-1/2-inch round sanding attachment for its Multimaster that covers more surface area than previous sanding accessories, and it also features through-the-pad dust collection. And one of the most innovative products of the entire show was the brand's new angle grinder design with four contact-patch switches recessed in different places in the tool body. Named Tip Start, this feature provides true dead-man switch operation but adds flexibility as the user can keep the tool on with either a thumb or forefinger on the front or rear hand. For safety, a front and rear switch must be held down simultaneously to turn the grinder on, and a contact switch can be let go of for up to 1-1/2 seconds to allow for hand repositioning. The grinder motor is isolated from the tool's body which is said to greatly reduce vibration, and its commutator-forward design provides more direct venting of heat. This new design can be found on five grinders in 4-1/2-, 5- and 6-inch sizes. For more on this new grinder design, see the Hot Finds section in our next issue.

Greenlee's latest products include two auger bits that are designed to cut through more nails than previous designs. The Nail Eater extreme has a curved cutting edge that pulls nails toward the center of the bit to shear them cleanly instead of scraping against them repeatedly, and the cutting edge is hardened through instead of being case hardened to survive more nails and more sharpenings. The Nail Eater RT has a replaceable cutting edge tip and a replaceable feed screw to last longer than one-piece auger bits and to provide better cutting economy over its lifetime. The quick replacement of the extra-hard tip is also intended to reduce downtime on the job.

Hitachi showed a lot of new products in different categories in their booth including a long-awaited 23-gauge pinner that shoots fasteners up to 1-3/8-inches and a tiny palm nailer that may or may not be introduced into the US market. A 6-1/2-inch blade corded circ saw premiered and may prove to be the impetus to get other brands to compete in this category that previously had only one player-we'll see. A new metal cutting circ saw and a small rotary hammer with a dust collection unit also made their trade show debut. Hitachi-owned outdoor power equipment manufacturer Tanaka occupied an adjacent booth and we were told that some of their select tools would also be marketed in green trade dress as a Hitachi product.

Irwin has a new jaw design for their Vise-Grip locking pliers that shifts under a twisting load and self-tightens, similar to the action of a pipe wrench. This means that the grip strength of the tool isn't determined solely by the crushing force of the jaws, and may prevent the deformation of some materials the pliers are used on. The brand's 4-point utility knife blade is also new. For cuts in most materials, the tip usually wears out first so the blade is scored so it can be snapped off a little ways behind the point to expose a new tip, possibly increasing the blade's life two times for some uses.

Jet displayed industrial hammers with handles that are guaranteed to be unbreakable. The super-tough plastic handles have 4 steel rods embedded throughout their length to keep them in one piece despite the best efforts of your strongest employee. Available in ball pein, cross pein, and sledgehammer models in many sizes.

Makita's biggest hits were their high pressure nailers and compressor. We already tested them for our current issue, but this was the first time most folks got to see them in person. The first in a new line of drywall screwdrivers debuted, as well as two new compact angle grinders. Makita's sequential hit pattern technology used in their larger hammers is now available in a small 7/8-inch rotary hammer. This mechanism synchronizes the blows and rotation of the bit so the bit doesn't strike in the same place twice in succession. Pulverizing the concrete evenly in a hole adds to the tool's efficiency and reduces drilling time.

Milwaukee has two new standard-duty Sawzalls with 12 amp motors. One has a 1-1/8-inch stroke for standard wood and demo applications and the other has a short 3/4-inch stroke for metal and other hard material cutting.

Milwaukee's Stiletto brand announced they are coming out with a new version of their all-titanium framing hammer called the TiBone 3. (Its predecessor–The TiBone 2–was a favorite in our test of new-technology framing hammers a few years ago.) The first all-titanium trim hammer-dubbed the TrimBone– is coming from the brand too. And we were privy to a sneak peek at a few other hand tools under development; all we can say is they are tools found in a carpenter's nail bag, but you will have to wait until next year to hear any more about them.

ModBox is a modular job box that a lone contractor can carry and assemble from seven interlocking panels without the use of any tools. The fact that the box comes in multiple pieces means that it can be set up in places where other boxes can't go such as up the stairs at residential jobs or in older buildings without spacious elevators. The modular construction also makes the box easier to ship, transport to jobs, and store when not in use.

Pneu-Tools showed a unique mid-pressure nailer that can shoot pins into steel at 150 to 180 PSI. Some newer compressors pump up to 200 PSI to provide more storage capacity so this tool does not necessarily require a special compressor to run. Gas powered framing and trim nailers were also displayed, as was a coil nailer that uses a plastic collation strip that the nails shoot all the way through so they won't leave any collation scraps embedded under the nail head.

Rapid Tools has the first serrated utility knife blades we've seen. The undulations in the blade are designed to help them slice through some thick materials longer than straight blades because the raised parts of the serrations stay sharp even when the bottoms of the teeth are beginning to dull. Sounds like just the thing for cutting carpeting, cardboard, shingles, vinyl flooring, etc..

Rockwell is starting their collection of subcompact cordless tools with a 12-volt drill/driver, an oscillating-blade multi-tool, and what must be the smallest rotary hammer in the world. Another interesting tool is their compact corded 3-1/8-inch blade saw that can be fitted with blades for cutting wood, metal, or tile.

Stanley Bostitch is in the middle of a game-changing business deal that has everyone abuzz-namely being in the process of buying Black and Decker which owns the DeWalt, Porter-Cable, and Delta brands among others-but we won't let that overshadow their new product news. The Fat Max Extreme tool line name is being discontinued, and new construction-grade hand tool products will be marketed under the Bostitch name. The minds at Stanley Bostitch figured that since guys are using their nailers on site, the Bostitch name already has a certain heavy-duty brand equity that can be applied to their job site tools such as tapes, chalk lines, levels, hammers, pry bars, and a few others. The most interesting new tool is a 4-foot level with clamping arms that grip 2-by and 4-by materials for hands-free use. Their booth was also the place to get autographs from This Old House star Tom Silva, and our very own ToolHound from our current issue, Chris Dutra.

Senco Out of alphabetical order here, but in just the right place to receive my highest trade show honors.

Senco's innovative Fusion nailer design was a real show-stopper and I hereby bestow upon it the "COOLEST THING AT THE SHOW" award.

The Fusion is a battery powered nailer design with a real difference-it works more like a pneumatic nailer. Instead of using a flywheel that has to get up to speed before a nail can be shot, the Fusion uses pressurized nitrogen gas in a closed system that drives the piston down just like an air-powered nailer. The gas is re-pressurized when the motor forces the piston back up after each shot, and can cycle about three nails per second. A 15-gauge trim nailer and 18-gauge brad nailer were at the show and we can't wait to test them. When we do, you can be sure we will let you know what we find out.

For more on this new nailer design, see the Hot Finds section in our next issue.

Michael Springer

i4 tnceo

Our Next Tool Test, a Few New Concrete Tools, and Two Hands-On Tool Events This Week

mspringer — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:59:00 GMT

Executive Editor Michael Springer here with a quick update on our next Category Tool Test, the introduction of a few noteworthy concrete tools we discovered since our last issue went to press, and some tool events you might want to attend.

We are excited about Tools of the Trade magazine's first-ever test of Portable Vertical Panel Saws for shop and jobsite use, slated for publication in our Fall 2009 issue.

If you think of vertical panel saws and envision giant, programmable European wall units that cost as much as a new car, you are not alone. But we did a little digging and found compact units capable of crosscutting and ripping 4- by 8-foot sheet goods easily single-handed, and priced like decent table saws.

AVT Demolition Hammer; Model: HM1214C

5" Concrete Planer; Model: PC5000C

In these (temporary) days of less available work per contractor, a lot of contractors have had to lay off their help and are going it alone to keep the work flowing. So instead of wrestling a costly, 97-pound MDF-core veneer panel onto the table saw alone, the benefits of cutting a sheet set on the rollers of a panel saw becomes readily apparent, whether in the shop or on the job site. And even for fully-manned operations, the efficiency gained by one employee making cuts without a helper could make the addition of this often-overlooked tool a boon to productivity.

Our tester's business is already enjoying the speed and safety benefits of using the panel saws for larger pieces that would previously have been cut on table saws, especially on the days when the proprietor works alone. We are also testing accessories that add to the cost of the base units, but we plan to list the prices of each piece so you can see what it would take to put together the best unit for your company's needs. So stay tuned…

In tool news, here are some new concrete tools that caught our attention recently:

Makita has released a lightweight breaker and a concrete planer.

The 27-pound HM1214C breaker is in the size class we determined to be the best to have on hand for a variety of smaller jobs in our breaker test last year, because the tool can be handled easily enough against both horizontal and vertical surfaces. And the tool boasts the same AVT vibration-reducing feature that helped make Makita's 70-pound breaker our winner in the heavyweight class in the same test. According to Makita, the breaker delivers 19 foot-pounds of impact energy, and lists for $889. Check out the March/April 2008 issue for the complete test.

Makita's PC5000C concrete planer uses a special 5-inch diamond grinding wheel to flatten and smooth seams on concrete surfaces. The variable-speed tool has electronic motor controls that provide soft starting, constant speed under load, and motor overload protection. The planer has a dust shroud surrounding the diamond wheel to direct more dust into the attached dust-collection bag, or through the dust port into a vacuum. The 8.9-pound unit lists for $399.

Hilti TE 1000-AVR Breaker

Hilti has a new 26-pound breaker in the lightweight class too. The TE 1000-AVR has a brushless motor, and delivers 16 foot-pounds of impact energy according to the manufacturer. I don't know much else about the unit yet, but I will find out everything I need to know and even spend some time breaking concrete with the tool later this week as part of Hilti's Heat Wave Event on Thursday, August 20, held at Hilti centers in more than 70 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Check with your area Hilti store to get in on the action and get your hands on some of their latest tools.

And speaking of hands-on, Lie-Nielsen Toolworks is taking their show on the road again with hand tool demos and free instructional demonstrations by a variety of presenters at the Red Rocks Community College shop in Lakewood, CO this Friday and Saturday, August 21 and 22. Hand tool aficionados in the Denver area, including me, should find this event informative, and quite fun. Check Lie-Nielsen's website for more info.

And tell them Tools of the Trade sent you…

Michael Springer

TOOLS of the TRADEshow: AWFS 2009 Edition

mspringer — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:44:00 GMT

Last week I attended the biennial trade show of the AWFS, the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers, in Las Vegas.

As a sign of the times, many tool companies skipped the show, conserving their marketing resources, and many that were there had fewer new releases than in past years.

One major shop tool manufacturer admitted that all new tool development was on hold as they concentrated on moving existing stock to lower the company's overhead, but they were optimistic, as we all are, about sunnier skies ahead as the sluggish building and furnishing markets pick up.

This show had aisle after aisle of room-sized machinery for large-scale cabinet production, but I'll assume that like me, our readers want to hear more about the tools that cost less than a new luxury car. Giant automated equipment like this is fascinating, but any shop machine with a window to peer in is beyond our scope at Tools of the Trade.

Here are some of the more affordable highlights of the show:

Delta / Porter-Cable has new full-kerf premium woodworking blades on the Delta side that feature larger teeth for easier and more resharpenings, and precision-honed arbor holes for a tighter tolerance fit. The blades are available in a variety of sizes and tooth configurations and the arbor holes come sized for imperial or metric size shafts so they can be used even on industrial European machinery.

Porter-Cable's latest is a six-inch right-angle random orbit sander with more power and a higher top speed. The variable-speed sander also has a new dust shroud surrounding the pad for use with a vacuum or dust collector.

DeWalt showed off their two new vacuums that are tool-activated and specialize in fine dust collection. The 10-gallon unit is a bit more bare-bones, but the 12-gallon unit has a variable-suction dial and an automatic filter cleaning feature that interrupts suction through the filter every 15 seconds to allow dust to dislodge. The auto clean feature can be switched off for wet clean ups or whenever else you need to keep the suction constant

A new jobsite radio scheduled for release this fall features an MP3 player connection and the ability to charge the brand's lithium-ion batteries as well as older 7.2- to 18-volt Nicad batteries. The radio can be powered by the brand's 12-to 18-volt batteries or line voltage, and has three pass-through power outlets.

DeWalt's premium thin-kerf woodworking blades in 8 ½- through 12-inch sizes also debuted at the show

Fein followed up on the success of tool-free blade changing on their standard MultiMaster tool by adding the feature to their stronger and more expensive SuperCut version.

Festool had a surprise for fans of the Domino joining tool: the second generation version launches in a few weeks. Improvements include retractable plastic indexing tabs that are easier to hold in against unexpected obstructions than the original metal indexing pins, and flip-up guide stops that let you reference Domino slots closer to the outside edge of small work pieces. With smaller assemblies in mind, a miniature 4- by 20-mm Domino and corresponding 4-mm bit are also new.

General showed their new 7-inch wide planer/molder that can mill straight stock or curved pieces as small as eight inches in radius, and their 13-inch drum sander they claim is the sturdiest in its size because both sides are enclosed and built with lots of cast iron. General's new Magnum Helical jointer and planer cutter heads are constructed with two-sided insert blades that index into a fixed-height holder that is said to lock the blades more accurately than most insert systems. The cutters' 22-degree angle is also said to work more smoothly on softwoods than a standard insert's 14-degree angle of attack.

A new 17-inch drill press powered by an AC motor uses a digital inverter to change speeds rather than using variable pulley sizes, and it features a digital display to indicate its speed which ranges from 150 to 4000 RPM.

General's Excalibur brand premiered a new sliding table saw extension that fits onto full-size saws to transform them into horizontal panel saws.

In other brand news, General will open its first US distribution warehouse in Nashville, Tennessee, and begin operations here as General International US Ltd..

Grizzly displayed their smallest-perhaps the smallest anywhere--dedicated sliding-table horizontal panel saw which has a 34-inch crosscut capacity, a built-in scoring blade, and a removable arbor spacer that allows the saw to fit a dado blade.

As for big band saws, the brand's newest 19-inch model has full 19-inch cutting width and depth capacities and is powered by a 5-HP motor. The saw's blade-guide post is motorized so it rises and lowers with the push of a switch, and a rack-and-pinion lifting mechanism for the large work table provides sturdy support for the heaviest stock.

Also new is a 1 ½-HP dust collector with a cyclonic separator that moves 866 cubic feet per minute at a relatively quiet 65 decibels. The wheeled unit is portable, has a wireless remote control, and features a hand-cranked filter agitator to brush its .2 micron filter clean. The most unique feature of the dust collector is the hose connecting the cyclone section and the bottom of the collection barrel; it serves to equalize the system pressure so a liner bag used in the barrel doesn't suck up toward the vacuum inlet.

Kreg, the maker of pocket screw fastening systems, demonstrated their new system for milling and screw-assembling beaded face frames for cabinets and other built-ins. A mechanism for feeding the stiles and rails across the router bit and an assortment of specialty router bits work together to create different profiles of beaded face frames out of solid stock, which is easier and faster than gluing them up out of separate pieces according to Kreg.

A smaller pocket hole drilling jig and bit for use with ½-inch stock was also new at the show.

Makita showcased their new 10-inch sliding miter saw with four sliding rails and a retractable guard at the back of the blade for increased cutting capacity. According to the company, this new design detail allows the saw to cut taller baseboard and crown molding than most 10-inch saws, and puts it more in line with the capacity of 12-inch saws.

Makita also showed their new impact driver with three speed/power settings controlled by internal electronics that allow the user to limit torque for specific applications, and their latest variable-speed random orbit sander designed for better ergonomics.

Rikon premiered a new 16-inch band saw with cast iron wheels, dual dust ports, and the same six-point calibration system found on their other band saws. The saw has 16-inch width and 12-inch height cutting capacities, and to make replacement blades easier to find, it uses a standard 133-inch blade common to 18-inch saws. Built with the1K price barrier in mind, the tool should roll out this fall for just under $1000.

Rikon also has a new variable-speed 18-inch band saw for wood and metal cutting, four new lathes, and their first combination 12-inch jointer/planer.

Robert Larson displayed a first-production sample of a new premium smoothing plane made by German plane maker Kunz. The 4Plus plane features a Norris-type adjuster and a single-screw frog adjustment. Following the number 4 smoothing plane will be numbers 4 ½, 5, 5 ½, 9 ½, and eventually a version of the Preston #1368.

Saw Stop did such a good job of taming the most immediate danger of the table saw, that they set their sights on the second most hazardous element of sawing-airborne dust. A new dust collection hood and lower blade-surround include special channels and baffles to streamline the turbulent air around the blade for more efficient dust collection.

According to the company, the dual port system can collect 99 percent of airborne sawdust when attached to a vac or dust collector. The dust collecting feature is available on new saws, and a retrofit blade guard hood will be available this fall for around $100.

Shinmax, a manufacturing partner of Steel City tools, displayed their line of Accu-Head aftermarket cutter heads that fit many popular brands of 12-to 13-inch planers and six-inch jointers. These heads have the same segmented construction as those found on Steel City tools and feature two-edged blade inserts set in a spiral pattern. The widely-spaced inserts are said to leave a finer finish and lower the amp draw of the tool's motor while planing or jointing.

Steel City expanded on their unique stone-bodied lathe design first shown last year with new mini and midi lathes with solid granite ways and headstocks. The driveshaft hole through the monolithic headstock means that the speed-changing pulleys are mounted outboard where they are easy to access.

Besides their granite-surfaced jointers, and table and band saws, Steel City also has a novel set-up gauge milled from scraps left over from their table production. The granite block has one 90-degree and one 45-degree side, and both sides have edges beveled to 45-degrees for calibrating compound angles. At $29, the gauge is affordable, and a real shop conversation piece to boot. And if you ever need to buy the ultimate paper weight for a gift, look no further for a handsome piece of form-meets-function.

Like I've said before, they should change their name to Stone City; their recent relocation from Tennessee to California would have been an opportune time to reincorporate.

My Coolest Thing at the Show Award has to go to the evolution of the new-style table saw guards with riving knife and anti-kickback pawl assemblies that recently became a requirement for table saws sold in the US. It's refreshing to see a modern, tangible piece of safety engineering on a commonly-used tool where it is sure to make an improvement in worker safety.

Michael Springer

New Milwaukee Tools--The Very Latest

mspringer — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:13:00 GMT

I visited the Milwaukee Electric Tools headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin last week for a preview of upcoming products set to debut later this year. Milwaukee has 48 new products launching throughout 2009, and I think I saw and tried out most of them during my time with the product teams.

With all of their cordless development being for the M12, M18, and V28 lines, Milwaukee’s focus on lithium-ion power--that they pioneered in 2006--means that they are no longer making nicad battery tools, even though nicad and their compatible lithium-ion replacement battery packs will continue to be available for years. A few older niche tools like the 14.4-volt caulk gun will probably survive this shift, but LI-Only is the overall strategy at Milwaukee.

Here is a glimpse at a few tools that I found to be the most notable.

Hot on the heels of their new Electronic Test and Measurement product line launch in the spring comes the advanced version of Milwaukee’s remote digital video viewer, the M-Spector AV. This watertight video-camera-on-a-cable now has a recording function that can take and store 8000 photos or up to 90 minutes of video with audio. The included two-gigabyte SD memory card can be removed for data transfer or storage, or a cable can be connected directly to the tool to download images and video to a computer. Like its predecessor, the unit runs on an M12 battery pack.

Another interesting M12 subcompact series tool is the PVC Shear. This companion to last year’s Copper Tubing Cutter is another unique hand tool replacement for the trades. The cutter slices up to 2-inch diameter schedule 40 PVC in just a few seconds, and can easily handle smaller tubing such as plastic conduit, PEX, and flexible hoses.

An M12 two-speed drill/driver with a 3/8-inch chuck also made its first appearance last week. This tool shares the small stature of Milwaukee’s tool-test-winning subcompact driver (Tools of the Trade Winter 2009 issue) but has the ability to take all types of bits and run in two speed ranges.

The 18-volt M18 line’s most exciting new development is a compact portable band saw with a throat capacity of 3 1/4- by 3 1/4-inches—sized to handle 85% of the cuts commonly made with portable band saws according to Milwaukee. The big idea behind this little saw is the size and weight benefit of a short, one-handed saw that weighs 40% less than its full-sized counterpart. This new tool also features a sliding shoe that retracts to allow flush cutting against a wall, an impact-resistant, one-piece shroud assembly that is easy to replace, and a novel blade “pusher” you press to release a hot blade from the wheels while protecting your fingers.

In the corded tool arena, a corded model of the compact band saw is available that is even one pound lighter than the M18 model.

As a product line footnote, Milwaukee is discontinuing their line of pneumatic nailers in the US. This move is part of their increasing focus on tools made for their core trades users. You heard it here first.

Stay tuned for future sneak peeks at the latest tools we can find, including my New Tool Report article in the upcoming Summer issue of Tools of the Trade magazine.

Michael Springer

M-Spector AV

PVC Shear

Subcompact Drill/Driver

Compact Bandsaw

New Tool Report - May 2009

mspringer — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:35:00 GMT

Click here to see a slide show of new tools

We have been seeing lots of new tools all spring, so our Summer 2009 issue will include a report detailing many of the major tool line releases. For now, here's a peek at some of what we will be revealing, so stay tuned. Some prices are included if I have them, but many of these tools still lack final market information.

Ridgid has two totally redesigned tile saws that are replacing its previous model. The new 7– and 10–inch blade models are built onto folding, rolling stands like their table and miter saws have, and they feature a unique water management system that relies on a bucket to hold water instead of the usual flat pan. The models will be priced affordably at $499 and $699. Look for the larger tool in our tile saw test also in the Summer 2009 issue.

A new one–hand trim router is also new for spring with a threaded micro–adjust mechanism, a rubberized body grip, and a variable–speed motor for $99.

Ryobi is introducing five tile–cutting saws for the less–frequent tile cutter market including three 7–inch blade stand or benchtop models from $149 to $299, and corded and cordless handheld circular–saw models for $88 and $199 respectively.

Also new for summer is a line of painting power tools ranging from a $60 heat gun to corded and cordless paint sprayers and roller pumps for up to $329.

A six–port charger that works on all of the brand's 18–volt batteries will be $80. Batteries can be left in the unit indefinitely as its electronics will sense when to leave them alone and when to top off their charge automatically, ensuring that your batteries are always ready to go to work when you need them.

The biggest departure from their core tool market is Ryobi's new Tek 4 system which seeks to eventually replace the disposable alkaline battery market with its compact, rechargeable 4–volt lithium–ion battery pack. Ryobi envisions the creation of a standard size rechargeable battery format that will be included on all brands of consumer electronics someday, and they are releasing a small line of lifestyle products and tools to kick off the concept. From a digital multi–tester to a digital camera, all of the new Tek 4 products fit the same battery. It's an interesting idea. We would never give up our cordless tools, and as we rely on cordless tool batteries to power more everyday gadgets such as flashlights, worklights, small vacuums, and jobsite radios, having reliable rechargeable battery packs available for even more products starts to make sense. The battery format seems too large for some of the items such as the headphones, but this is a start. If this standardized rechargeable format takes over for double–A batteries someday, remember you saw it here first.

TOOLS of the TRADEshow: IBS 2009 Edition

mspringer — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:32:00 GMT

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A few weeks ago I attended the 65^th annual International Builders’ Show. About 60,000 show-goers wandered three halls of the spacious Las Vegas Convention Center to check out the 1,600 exhibitors. Both numbers were down from the shows of recent years, but whatever’s happening in building was happening there.

Many tool brands have been pulling out of the show for the last few years to conserve their resources, but this gives a more intense audience to those that do show up. Here’s a recap of some of what was new for the show.

Tiger Claw unveiled a nailer that attaches their deck-board clips with UFO Ballistic NailScrews. To use, you simply slide a clip onto the special nose of the nailer, and the fastener shoots right through it. This is much faster than screwing each clip into place with a screwgun or drill/driver, but the NailScrew can be snugged or backed-out like conventional screw.s

Ridgid is on a roll of new product development that makes them one of the great optimism builders for those who follow the tool market.

From their cordless lithium-ion power tool line they had a new compact drill/driver and a new version of their Micros subcompact with two speeds and higher torque, a cordless Fuego one-handed recip saw, and their smallest 18-volt impact driver yet. A 15-gauge trim nailer with a compact 18-volt battery appeared in a new gray color, and there were also brand new cordless and corded collated screwguns. Other new corded tools included a mini 10-inch table saw with the new UL guard system and an amazing 24-inch rip capacity, and the Euro-styled Smartcart vacuum with built in drawers for accessory storage.

Bosch recently bought Stanley’s CST/berger--who specialize in laser tools—so now Bosch has an entire new line of laser measuring and layout tools. The current models take standard AA batteries, but look for future versions to run on Bosch’s 10.8-volt subcompact lithium-ion batteries.

Festool premiered an improvement for any of their rail-guided saws or routers—end attachments that set the rail parallel cut after cut. The device also has stops that let you cut the same width with repeated cuts.

DeWalt announced in December that their popular XRP line of drill/drivers was undergoing a major design revision and that their lithium-ion drill/drivers would also share the premium XRP designation. The new models were at the show, and dressed to impress.

Rockwell showed off their Nicad and lithium-ion lines of drill/drivers as well as their corded recip, jig, and oscillating saws. They also had new attachments for their Jawhorse clamping sawhorse to extend its uses and fulfill more needs in the small workshop.

Little Giant had a new Revolution ladder line that uses a lighter aluminum alloy reduces weight by about 20%. They also showed a new latch system that works by rocking an attached lever rather than pulling out pins like the older system.

Muro made an improvement to make their collated subfloor screwgun a little faster to use—a simple spike on the end to keep the tip in place when screwing into the floor. They also had an impressive new decking screw called the Ejector, which is designed to go right through ipe decking without the need for a pilot hole.

The “Coolest Tool at the Show” award has to go to the Goldblatt Bladerunner drywall cutter. Demos of the tool always had a crowd and everyone just had to try it for themselves. This kind of hands-on excitement is what a good tradeshow is all about.

Of course Tools of the Trade already had our hands on this tool a long time ago.

Look for our First Test of it in the next issue of the magazine.

Michael Springer

The Year in Tools—2008

mspringer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:43:00 GMT

Wrapping up the tool trends we liked in 2008.

Even though the building economy was still down in 2008, tool manufacturers kept up development at a pretty good pace. It seems no one wants to be seen as falling behind when times are tough, and of course everyone wants to emerge with a strong brand position in the market when things pick up.

Despite all the bad economic news, it is interesting to note that some tool companies reported growth in their sales last year. A sales executive for one such company attributed their growth directly to their push for innovation as they introduced dozens of new power tool models in 2008. He theorized that buying the latest, most advanced models was even more important to the pro user when times are tight because it represents a better investment. Whether that was the reasoning used by consumers or not, we all still bought enough tools last year to keep the market largely intact.

An interesting twist of the weak economy and high energy costs gave chainsaw giant Husqvarna a record year in dealer sales of chainsaws. It seems that high fuel oil costs in the Northeast literally sent folks heading for the hills to procure and process their own firewood in an attempt to save money.

Reluctant but cash-strapped DIY’ers might have also followed a similar plan, reasoning that it was more economical to buy the tools to attempt a job themselves rather than hire professionals—a move that may have helped the toolmakers prosper but made things worse for the building and remodeling markets.

Whatever the reasons, we are glad that tool manufacturers are thriving and continuing to deliver the latest and greatest tools—while still at prices often lower than they were a decade ago.

Some of the notable trends we liked in 2008 deserve a mention in tribute.

LED headlights on drill/drivers, impact drivers, recip saws and more are a great addition to portable tools and were well liked by our testers in use.

Fluorescent and LED lamps being used in work lights provide cooler and safer operating temperatures than incandescent lamps and use far less energy to produce the same amount of illumination. This is especially welcome for battery powered work lights that rely on cordless tool batteries. And a special kudos goes out to the brands that use a common fluorescent bulb in their lights that is easy to replace without having to order as a tool “part”.

Compact cordless tools with full-voltage yet compact batteries have done well in our testing lately. As long as the tool has enough oomph for the job and you can’t outpace the battery charger, why lift and maneuver more tool than you need?

Subcompact cordless tools of all sorts have exploded onto the market, and just like the compacts, why carry more than you have to? In addition to existing 10.8-volt drivers and impact drivers, 2008 saw the introduction of chucked drills, mini-recip saws, and even an oscillating cutting tool and a copper tubing cutter.

Oscillating cutting tools similar to the Fein Multimaster have hit the market and are available in corded and cordless models from at least four brands.

Precision circular saws that plunge cut and are guided along straight-edged rails have come from Europe to stay. Many craftsmen find these portable saws precise and capable enough to sub out for table saws or even panel saws on the jobsite.

Soft side tool bags made of fabric are becoming increasingly popular as standard kit bags for power tools. They are easier to carry, stack into truck boxes and gang boxes more efficiently, and save valuable space wherever you use them.

Vegetable based oils made from renewable and even recycled sources are a good idea for lower toxicity and pollution, and for decreased reliance on petroleum sources. These oils are available as fuel oils, fuel-additives, and all sorts of lubricants.

PTI standards for torque and horsepower ratings announced early in 2008 were a great step forward for tool buyers. As soon as all the major manufacturers adopt them as hoped, it will be much easier to see through the marketing claims and compare the power of tools more accurately.

The new UL guard for table saws is another celebrated achievement that we saw introduced last year. The requirements of the new system (as reported in our November/December 2008 issue) make for a safer modular system composed of separate guards, anti-kickback pawls, and a riving knife.

For Tools of the Trade, 2008 saw the latest incarnation of our Site Commander truck and a revamped tool test format with many more up-close detail shots that really show the reader what our testers saw.

Keep reading—here’s to a great 2009!

Michael Springer

TOOLS of the TRADEshow: STAFDA Edition

mspringer — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:46:00 GMT

The 32^nd annual STAFDA (Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association) show was held in Denver a few weeks ago and Tools of the Trade was there. According to STAFDA, 616 exhibitors and 4,469 attendees were at the show. Even in a time when some tool brands are pulling back from trade shows and marketing events to save money, everyone still exhibits at the STAFDA show because of its exposure to professional tool users through leading supply houses to the trades and industry.

Our last issue of the magazine featured a product launch article specific to this show so many of the tools being showcased as new have already been revealed to our readers, but we still found some interesting things to report.

Overall, it was really refreshing to see that the development of new tools and related technologies seems to be moving full steam ahead despite lackluster economic conditions. It gives a real sense of optimism for building the future.

Bernzomatic was all gassed up for the introduction of their Fat Boy propane and propylene cylinders. These are the same squat containers that have always been available for use with camp stoves, but with green twist: They come with a key that lets the user fully depressurize them when empty so they can be harmlessly tossed in with regular metal recycling. Bernzomatic also has a new belt-carry torch rig with a 5-foot hose that fits the fatter cylinders. Its trigger start allows for quick, one-hand operation.

Bosch’s new recip saw is their biggest and strongest yet. It boasts a 15 amp motor and has a counterweight system and an anti-vibration handle connection to improve the user’s comfort and control. Bosch also has new grinder and rotary hammer designs that incorporate similar anti-vibe features.

Bostitch showed off three new finish nailers in 16- and 18-gauge sizes as well as the latest version of the Hurriquake nail—now available in coils. Bostitch just completed their comprehensive nailing guide that shows recommended nailing connections along with specific code information entitled: “Fasteners: A Complete Guide”. Every builder could use this helpful manual to answer many fastening questions.

Delta’s top-to bottom redesign of their venerable Unisaw was live on the show floor and provided many with their first up-close look at this highly-anticipated machine.

DeWalt announced a full-line update to their line of drill/drivers for ’09 with an all new transmission design, among other improvements. Look for new Nicad battery models in 12-, 14.4-, and 18-volts, and new Lithium-ion models in 18-, 28-, and 36-volt platforms. Also, the Nano designation of their Lithium-ion products is being replaced with the more familiar XRP branding that indicates DeWalt’s premium offerings. An all new 5-inch capacity metal cutting bandsaw also premiered at the show.

Grip Rite has a new 3 ¼-inch framing nailer coming out that is lighter and sleeker than its predecessor. This model features a unique top or rear nail loading system that fits the preference of the user, and an easy-to-switch firing mode lever on the trigger.

Hitachi is now in the flooring fastening business with their introduction of five new flooring nailers and staplers. There are oil lube models for staples, T-nails, and L-nails, and an oil-less model that shoots both types of nails. Hitachi also had a new 25.2-volt rotary hammer at the show—the first we’ve seen of this voltage from them.

Irwin expanded their WeldTec line with the addition of this technology to their recip blades and auger bits. The welded, not brazed cutting edges are designed to give their products longer life.

Makita announced that they are going all Lithium-ion with their cordless tools in the near future, phasing out older battery technologies—at least for new tool releases. The latest cordless tool in their LXT collection was revealed to be a thin-wire staple gun.

Milwaukee unveiled a brand new metal cutting bandsaw with greater cutting speed. And despite an updated design, the tool shares 80% of its parts with the previous model so maintenance is easier for large-volume users. Milwaukee also introduced 17 new angle grinders of different sizes and a redesigned 10 ¼-inch circular saw.

Sawstop had their contractor saw mounted on a rolling jobsite cart for the most portable version of the Sawstop technology yet.

The Coolest Thing at the Show award has to go to our truck, The Site Commander. It was easily the most eye-catching item on display at the entire show, and it garnered a lot of attention for Tools of the Trade and our primary sponsor, Lenox.

Michael Springer

Too Big Tools?

mspringer — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:49:00 GMT

There are properly sized tires for your car, filters for your furnace, and shoes for your feet, but how do you know if some of the tools you are using are too big for the job?

With hammers and wrenches it is pretty easy to tell, but what about your most-used cordless power tools? If you reach the power limits of your drill/driver frequently, you are in the minority. Most guys are probably using way more tool than they need. That means they are constantly carrying and lifting more weight than necessary-with every hole drilled and every screw driven. It also means they are trying to jam bulkier tools than necessary into tight spaces on the job, often adding to the frustration of an already tricky installation. Tools like drill/drivers can definitely be too big for some jobs. With some18-volt drill/drivers approaching 700 inch-pounds of torque, there's got to be more moderately-sized tools being developed for everyday tasks too. There are. They are the new compact class of cordless tools that exploit the lightweight benefits of Lithium-ion battery technology for the sake of making light, comfortable tools with half-size batteries that are "strong enough".

For the last few years, we have watched the rise of increasingly compact cordless tools develop, and decided to wait until the market was full enough to start a comprehensive tool test of the category. Well that time is now. Compact and subcompact drill/drivers are a really hot category, and we tested 19 of them for our January issue.

How fast is this category growing? Well, a dozen of the tested tools have come out since the beginning of this year, half of them have just come out since this summer, several have been out for less than a month, and a few haven't even hit the market yet.

So stay tuned for the latest tools from the hottest categories from Tools of the Trade magazine, and Tools of the Trade Online.

Deconstructing Houses, Building Your Business

mspringer — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:34:00 GMT

Think ahead: this niche market can serve you well as an alternate in this economy. Here's how.

This tough economic climate has builders thinking creatively and moving laterally when it comes to their businesses. They are becoming remodelers, renovators, even repairmen to keep work lined up for themselves and their crews.

As green building practices evolve and change the market, other opportunities arise in the name of environmental sustainability. One such opportunity is deconstruction. It's bigger in some areas than others, but I can see this practice growing into waste management statutes across the country.

About 20% of the solid waste processed into U.S. landfills is construction waste and demolition debris. Much of it can be recycled or reused. Like household recycling before it, municipalities that aim to reduce this pointless burying of our country's material resources will someday be common.

Besides the obvious reuse of intact cabinets, doors, lighting fixtures, and hardware, framing lumber can be reused for some purposes too. Any metal on the jobsite, from copper to cast iron, has salvage value. Concrete, brick, block, plywood, OSB, asphalt shingles, drywall scraps, and old carpeting can be reconstituted into other products. Even the smallest or trashiest pieces of wood can become mulch, compost, or refuse-derived fuel.

There are long-term holistic benefits of downsizing the country's waste stream, but there are cash perks as well. Deconstruction benefits contractors with savings on tipping fees at the landfill and provides them with a valuable green specialty. There are tax deductions available to the homeowner based on the value of reclaimed building materials that they donate to non-profit sales yards-a nice incentive to make them decide to pay the extra for deconstruction over demolition.

That is, until the practice is required in their area.

Jay Williams, a Denver area contractor, goes deconstruction one better by using reclaimed materials in his building and remodeling work. He named his company after the process: RE-construction.

"For the last five years, RE-construction has specialized in building and remodeling new homes with reclaimed materials," Williams says. Having worked in construction several years before starting his company, Williams was privy to what he calls "the wasteful habits of our industry," seeing all kinds of high-quality materials land in the dumpster. "We felt a change was long overdue and, as luck would have it, so did many homeowners," Williams says.

As concern for the environment grew, municipalities began to take notice, and fingers began to point in the construction industry's direction, says Williams. "Building departments in our area began to mandate many policies geared toward greening up our industry," he says. "Now, in certain cities and counties in our area, 65% or more of an existing home slated for demolition must be diverted from the landfill."

Williams notes that not all materials in old homes are reusable or meet today's code requirements, "but thankfully, much has been done in the way of new recycling programs to help keep more construction and demolition waste out of the landfills."

Williams says that the deconstruction mandates opened an alternate avenue for RE-construction and other like-minded builders. "We now systematically take apart old homes, salvage the high-quality materials for reuse in our new construction projects, and recycle much of the nonreusable materials," he says. "In fact, there has been so much demand for deconstruction, we put together two additional crews. In just over a year, we have fully deconstructed nine homes with landfill diversion rates well above 80%, as well as built two new homes with a high percentage of beautifully reclaimed components."

Williams says that deconstructing a home to reclaim the reusable materials takes what he calls a "velvet hammer" approach. "Gone are the days of the sledgehammer-wielding, Sawzall-armed, bash-and-dash. We now need to balance speed, safety, and precision on all our jobs," he says. "Solid cherry cabinetry is no good to anyone if it's all chewed up."

For more information on deconstruction and recycling house components, take a look at www.thereusepeople.org. The Reuse People of America Inc. is a non-profit organization that specializes in training and certifying deconstruction contractors. It has resale yards in some areas where tax-deductible contributions of used or surplus building materials can be made. Another relevant Web site is www.buildingreuse.org.

In upcoming issues of Tools of the Trade magazine, we will feature some tools particularly valuable for deconstruction work in our First Test section, so keep reading our print publication for updates as well.

Trade Show Report: Our report from the 2008 IWF, Part II.

mspringer — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:37:00 GMT

In the last newsletter, we wrote about the new machinery at the IWF, or International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair that was held in Atlanta in August. This time, we will talk about some exciting new power and hand tools from the show. While not all of these tools made their debut at the IWF, for many showgoers, this was the first chance to get a hands-on look at the tools.

DeWalt's booth was abuzz with their newest saws. Their portable table saw models both got a welcome upgrade in the form of the new guard system that will become the industry standard by the end of the decade. (More on this in our November/December issue with our portable table saw test). The latest 10-inch sliding miter saw was there too, but the biggest attention-getter was the TrackSaw. This precision-cutting circ saw plunge cuts and rides on a track for straight cuts, and is available in corded and cordless models. This is an example of a European-market tool being crossed over into the US market by a major brand. It was released overseas first where these types of saws are more common.

Makita has been busy introducing tools into their 18-volt lithium-ion cordless line-there are now 31 different tools. Less common and trade-specific tools are being added such as a blower, sheet metal shear, and a right angle drill. The standard and self-feeding cordless drywall screwguns were there too. For new corded woodworking tools, Makita showed off their new random-orbit sander that is noticeably taller than older units for grip comfort and control as well as a new trim router. An improved portable planer with a beefier motor and dual direction chip exhaust also made its debut at the show.

Festool premiered a new portable planer that is a size smaller than their current model. Dubbed a "one-handed planer", this more compact tool still boasts a spiral cutting knife and directional exhaust like its big brother. Festool's largest capacity vac was also new for the show. We also got a back room peek at a few of the interesting next generation tools from Festool-check the November/December issue for the first look at them.

Freud has been expanding their Quadra-Cut router bit line to almost 60 profiles. They are replacing their line of standard bits with these newer technology cutters which provide a smoother cut by shearing both up and down with alternating bit faces angles. A new double doweling machine that looks like a biscuit joiner with two boring bits was at the booth too. This tool is to make it easier to drill dowel holes that will line up joints more precisely than laying out and boring two separate holes. Also new was Freud's glue line ripping blade that is now available in a thin kerf model.

Lee Valley always impresses with their new takes on classic hand tools and this show was no exception. Skew rabbet planes in both right and left models just begged to be tried out as they sat gleaming in their display case and LeeValley's supply of wood and workbenches allowed such test drives. And their modern take on side rabbet planes allows rabbet or dado sides to be shaved with just one tool, instead of having right and left models which was traditionally required to work properly with the grain. A convertible handle and cutters on both sides of the plane allow this versatility in one tool.

Bessey showcased the new Revo parallel-jaw clamp that is replacing the venerable K-Body clamp. Messing with a beloved classic like the K-Body could be risky, but the improved features of the Revo should gain it its own loyal following and convert the rest. And Bessey's new mini bar clamp with a u-shaped head was ingeniously designed both for more head clearance, and to keep consumer prices down in light of rising zinc costs-who knew?

Tormek introduced a new sharpening wet grinder with a more affordable price. Folks who don't need all of the capacities of their flagship model can now own a legendary Tormek at less than two-thirds the price. The smaller model takes the same sharpening jigs as previous models except for the largest planer and jointer knife holder.

Veto Pro Pak, the company synonymous with high-quality fabric tool bags had their latest open top bags at the show. These tote bags come in three sizes and the easy tool identification and access of such a system will make you reconsider all of your piles of tools tumbling around in tool boxes.

Rockler presented an easy answer for those folks who have dust collection systems but still drag around a portable vacuum for cleaning up their shops: four-inch vac attachments. From blast gates and extension tubes to brush nozzles and handles, they had parts to customize a system for your shop.

Carter may be best known for their premium bearing guides for bandsaws, but who knew that they are a leader in laser accessories? A large variety of lasers that can be attached to cutting machinery of all sorts were at the show. Basically anything that needs lined up with a blade can be sighted with a laser and they offer productive solutions from butchers to sawmills. It really makes you wonder what you could apply lasers to in your own shop.

Michael Springer

New Tools Preview Part II

mspringer — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:16:00 GMT

Go to Slide Show

Two weeks ago, we told you about some upcoming Fall tool releases from some of the biggest brands that will be profiled in the September/October issue of Tools of the Trade. Since then, we've found a few more launches that we can reveal.

Milwaukee started two new lithium-ion cordless tool platforms last year but only had one tool in each. The 12-volt subcompact line featured a lone driver, and the compact 18-volt line had one drill/driver. Milwaukee has expanded those two lines with a dozen new tools. The M12 subcompact tools include an impact driver, a mini-Sawzall named the Hackzall, and an innovative motorized copper tubing cutter. The M18 line features both the original compact battery and a new full-sized 18-volt battery. New tools include a Sawzall, circ saw, drill/driver, and impact driver, among others.

Panasonic has an entirely new voltage coming out for their new drill/drivers--21.6-volts. These lithium-ion tools will be the first in a line that will see additions next year. Panasonic's well-established 14.4-volt lithium-ion line also has several new tools coming including a rotary hammer/driver, jigsaw, grinder, and metal-cutting circ saw.

Craftsman has news with the introduction of their 12-volt lithium-ion NEXTEC line. These subcompact tools will start out with a drill/driver, worklight, and combination recip/jigsaw. A cordless nailer will be unveiled soon after. This interesting little tool is said to work like a palm nailer, but is shaped like a 90-degree drill.

Be sure to check out the September/October issue for all the details.

New Tools Preview Part I

mspringer — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:06:00 GMT

Go to Slide Show

Even though the building economy is slumping, new tool launches don't seem to be slowing down a bit. Rapid in-house prototyping allows companies to move designs to market quicker than ever, and fiercely competitive overseas production keeps many prices as low as they've ever been.

And were not talking about just a few improved models; some brands are rolling out entire new product lines and adding tools to existing platforms by the bushel.

Some of these new products profiled in the upcoming September/October issue are still being kept under wraps so we can't share all the details with you just yet, but here's a taste of the new crop.

Porter-Cable has a new line of corded and cordless tools loosely called the "Tradesman" line that is aimed at the lower-priced market defined as "between what is needed for the homeowner and the serious professional". The corded tools are circ and recip saws, drills, and angle grinders, and the cordless range includes drill/drivers, and circ and recip saws-all with 18-volt Nicad batteries. Not totally ignoring the lithium-ion battery craze, Porter-Cable is also introducing a more compact 18-volt drill/driver with a compact lithium ion battery.

Bosch has big news with the long awaited arrival of their lithium-ion cordless drill/drivers in 18- and 14.4-volt platforms. These drill/drivers will be sold in two different variations for each voltage: heavy-duty Brute Tough and lighter-duty Compact Tough versions. There will be full size and compact battery packs available for each voltage for maximum versatility. One of the last to market with 18-volt lithium-ion cordless tools, Bosch will undoubtedly fill out this product line with subsequent releases. Also new are additions to Bosch's 10.8-volt subcompact line such as the second generation of the Pocket Driver, a two-speed drill with a standard chuck, an LED flashlight, and another tool that we have to keep secret until the next issue.

Ridgid has new versions of just about every cordless tool in their 18-volt cordless lineup including a revolutionary new self-shifting drill/driver. Called AutoShift, this new feature downshifts the drill's gears automatically when the load is too much for high speed use and then shifts back when the trigger is released. This keeps the user from having to decide which speed to work in to balance productivity with motor protection. In Ridgid's launch of several innovative corded tools, standouts include a one-handed recip saw, a fiber cement circ saw with a built in blower, and a granite-topped table saw.

DeWalt is poised to reveal their new TrackSaw in both corded and 28-volt cordless models. It is a circ saw that rides on a straight base for making precise cuts without a table saw-a type more commonly found on European jobsites-so far.

Milwaukee has us biting our tongues for a while longer on what we know, but we really like what we've seen. Be sure to check the September/October issue to see it all.

Tools of the Trade Show -- Report from the 2008 IWF, Part I.

mspringer — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:16:00 GMT

The IWF, or more accurately, the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair was held in Atlanta two weeks ago and Tools of the Trade was there. We got a look at the latest and greatest from a large range of tool manufacturers, many of whom only travel to the US once a year to exhibit at such a large show. It is always amazing to see the high end European cabinet and furniture shop machinery that takes a log in one end and rolls a finished cabinet out of the other end, well almost anyway. Seriously though, lasers, robotics, and CNC cutters of all types are prevalent in much of the specialized production woodworking equipment. Besides ever-increasing automation, another interesting trend is the recovery of wood waste. To combat high energy costs and to avoid landfilling a recyclable material, machinery is available to shred scrap wood and press it into clean-burning fuel pellets. And flexible fuel furnaces are available that can burn a variety of unprepared wood waste or other biomass, and can generate steam from the waste as well as heat. It's nice when an industry at large makes an effort to reduce its waste-especially when they can create energy from it. And realizing ways to make it profitable for wood product manufacturers both large and small makes it more likely to be embraced.

As for the tools we are more familiar with, there was still plenty to see at the IWF. Some brief highlights of the machinery:

Steel City has expanded their use of granite in woodworking tools so much that I think they'll change their name to Stone City soon. In addition to last year's table and band saw tops and jointer fences, granite is also being used in band saw drive wheels and as the bed (ways) of a new lathe. Six- and eight-inch jointer beds are now in granite too. Other innovations include the first portable thickness planer with a replaceable insert cutterhead, and a new-tech, pulsed motor drive lathe for the smoothest running and greater low speed torque.
Saw Stop had their third saw model in the booth this year. This hybrid cabinet saw will fill the market between their full sized cabinet saw and their newer contractor saw at a price right between the two.

The Hain Company was taking orders for the finalized version of their FMEA portable motorized miter saw stop system. We have been big fans of this tool since we first laid eyes on it last year and we can't wait to get our hands on one to test when they ship late this year.

Jet made design improvements to increase the stiffness of their largest bandsaws and added quick-tensioning levers too. Their newest 14-inch bandsaw has a taller frame to increase cutting capacity without the use of riser blocks. Also new are a woodworking drill press and a unique oscillating thicknessing sander that provides optional side-to-side movement of the drum to provide cooler sanding and more versatile results.

General had a few interesting tools to premiere including a flatbed CNC router setup and a CNC wood lathe. They also have a unique adjustable-height bandsaw that will fit a variety of blade sizes and an adjustable radial drill press with a head that slides front to back, pivots left to right, and drills at angles to the right and left of 90-degrees. They are also offering chrome-plated table saw tops to prevent rust and reduce feed friction.

Grizzly has been working on perfecting insert-style cutting heads for jointers and planers, and their newest design is somewhat of a surprise. The benefit of having a series of small cutters on a rotating cutterhead is that it is easier to change out a nicked section, and all four sides of each cutter can be used before any sharpening is necessary, unlike a full length knife cutterhead. The latest development leaves spaces between the sides of the cutters for less cutting surface area overall. This allows for better chip clearance, and less noise and vibration. Grizzly also showed off a new electric brake feature on one of their largest bandsaws that stops the blade in less than three seconds when the machine is turned off.

Powermatic has a shop air cleaner that can be set to run for eight hours after you leave the shop that is activated with a radio frequency remote that does not need a line-of-sight aim to work. And for the lovers of big bandsaws (we know who we are), Powermatic revealed their no-expense-spared, ultimate 18-inch saw after three years of development. Standing in awe in the presence of this five-horsepower monster, you now knew your shop was not complete. Oversized wheels give this saw full 18-inch cut capacity in both height and width, unlike many other 18-inch saws. And from separately adjustable bearing guides, to dual dust collection ports, to a brake pedal that also cuts power to the motor, it has all the premium features you want.

Delta had really big news with the launch of their newly remodeled Unisaw that will be available in 2009. We saw a shadowy prototype of it at a show one year ago, but now it is the real deal. Improvements include dual front adjustment cranks, a huge bevel angle gauge with fine adjustment accuracy, and the new modular guard system to meet UL's new standard coming for 2010. One of the biggest announcements that drew loud applause from the crowd was that this machine will be made entirely in the USA. Even the cast iron top and electric motor will be sourced domestically. So even as much as I love a big bandsaw, with the excitement surrounding the new Unisaw, I have to give it my Coolest Thing at the Show award.