Looking for a great deal on Power Tools, Ohio Power Tool is the place but in addition to great deals like a Bosch 18v Impactor & Drill combo kit - $219, for the month of AUGUST you can also get FREE SHIPPING on some of your favorite Power Tool brands including Milwaukee, Bosch and Ridgid! The deal is also good on accessories from these brands as well. Simply use coupon code AUGUST on the first page of the checkout and the UPS ground option will be FREE. If you would like to call your order in to 800-242-4424 and simply tell them you want the August Free Shipping Deal and they will be happy to accommodate you, but you need to mention the promotion.  

Milwaukee Tools - Bosch Tools - Ridgid Plumbing Tools

Posted by Jay A. at 03:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The DVDPak monitor and DVD recording units are available and shipping now! Super news, however there are 4 model options to choice from and you might want to spend a minute to make sure to get the right one for you. The big decision is LCD vs OLED screen. The LCD screen is larger at 5.7” vs OLED which is 4.3”. Both units are priced the same so you would think it’s a no brainer right. However OLED has higher resolution (480x272 OLED vs 320x240 LCD) but this also means the screen ration is slightly wider. I don’t know if there is possible visibility loss from the camera but traditional screens are 640x480 the same ratio as LCD screen. That would lead me to believe if there were image cutoff or stretching it would occur on the OLED (this would be a very minor effect). The OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) is the newer technology and is in debate on whether it will take over LCD as the new TV technology. For this application however the OLED has a big advantage in that it can operate in temperatures from -30f to 130f which is huge if you are going to leave this monitor in the truck during winter nights or summer days. The choice is yours, choose wisely.    

All the units feature full SeeSnake controls on the monitor, the ability to fully power any size SeeSnake camera reel from the microDRAIN 32663 to a 325’ self-leveling SeeSnake Plus. The units also features the new line trace technology which allows you to energize the entire camera and trace the full path of the camera (not just the head) using Ridgid locating equipment.

Ohio Power Tool has all 4 models available OLED 32923, OLED w/battery 33203, LCD 32673 & LCD w/battery 33198. If you get the unit by without batteries now and decide later you want to add the Ridgid batteries & charger, no problem. As always the Ridgid experts at Ohio Power Tool are happy to work with you to configure the right SeeSnake system and answer any questions you might have. If you are in the area all these units will be available to demo Friday August 14^th at the Ridgid Roadshow in Columbus, Ohio.    

See more live pictures of the OLED DVDPak unit in this Album

Posted by Jay A. at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check out all the latest Bosch 18V Lithium Ion Tools at Ohio Power Tool. Also the 18V line up is compatible with the cordless Rotozip tool (checkout the video on that tool on Youtube).  If you have any questions about these tools please call Ohio Power Tool ay 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com. Remember these are limited time specials, act fast to ensure current pricing.

Posted by Jay A. at 02:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It is a proven fact if you make safety equipment more attractive people will be more likely to wear it. If everyone is wearing their safety equipment all the time, you will see fewer injuries, saving time and money in the long run. Safety Glasses manufacturer Edge Eye Wear took this idea and ran with it. The Edge Safety Glasses look as good as many of the most popular sunglasses but protect the eyes from jobsite hazards as well as the sun’s rays. Edge was the first to offer safety glasses with features like polarized lens, anti-fog lens, blue light filter, aqua precision, high-definition lens and G-15 lens as options on their eyewear. They have also done extensive laboratory testing to ensure their eyewear meet and/or exceed all safety standards.

Each of the frame styles is also available in a wide range of lenses from clear to Welders IR 5.0, each with a specific task in mind. There are 15+ styles of frames to choose from so it should be fairly easy to match the right lenses with a frame you will want to wear on the job and after. Popular models include: Brazeau, Reclus, Khor, Baretti, Kazbek, Dakura, Delano & Kirova.

Lens Technology:
Clear Anti-Reflective – Designed to keep glare down. Allows 99% light pass through.
Yellow – Enhance available light in low light conditions or after dusk. Allows 80% light pass through.   
Polarized Yellow – Enhance available light in low light conditions or after dusk with added advantage of polarized lenses to eliminate glare and reflections. Allows 36% light pass through.
Amber – High contrast lens for overcast days. This lens also has blue filter properties. Excellent for activities where the light is flat of contrast is minimal, such as skiing. Allows 57% light pass through.
Copper - Filters out blue light of haze which can cause eye fatigue, tired, strained or sore eyes. Specifically engineered as a high contrast driving lens to give greater depth perception. Allows 8% light pass through.
Polarized Copper - Filters out blue light of haze which can cause eye fatigue, tired, strained or sore eyes. Specifically engineered as a high contrast driving lens to give greater depth perception with the added advantage of polarized lenses to eliminate glare and reflections. Allows 12% light pass through.  
Smoke – The perfect all around tint for standard shading in normal light conditions. Allows 16% light pass through.  
Polarized Smoke – The perfect all around tint for standard shading in normal light conditions with the added advantage of polarized lenses to eliminate glare and reflections. Allows 16% light pass through.  
Silver Mirror – Similar to smoke lens properties, but has the added Silver Mirror lens coating which reflects more light, making it ideal for bright light conditions. Allows 13% light pass through.  
Polarized G-15 Silver Mirror – The G-15 technology was designed by the US Air Force to maximize transmission of light at 555nm. Provides contrast and image definition while offering cooling sensation to the eyes. Allows 9% light pass through.  
Blue Mirror – Similar to Silver Mirror lens but more reflective power. Allows 12% light pass through.  
Polarized Aqua Precision Blue – The Aqua Precision lens technology was designed by NASA as a reflective coating for satellite portholes. The Aqua-based color of this lens maximizes clarity and contrast. Allows 9% light pass through.  
Rose Mirror – Reflects light in bright light situations. The Rose color base offers a warm color for the eyes and is coated with a Silver Mirror for additional light reflection. Details are enhanced in flat light. Allows 11% light pass through.  
Aqua Precision Red - The Aqua Precision lens technology was designed by NASA as a reflective coating for satellite portholes. The Aqua-based color of this lens maximizes clarity and contrast. Allows 13% light pass through.  
Welding IR 3.0 – Filters out low levels of intense Infra Red light, such as gas welding, brazing or torch cutting. Allows 12% light pass through.  
Welding IR 5.0 – Filters out medium levels of intense Infra Red light, such as gas welding, brazing or torch cutting. Allows 2% light pass through.  

 All the colored lenses provide 99.9% protection from UVA/UVB/UVC rays. For those with larger heads, like me, check out the oversized Kazbek XL models which have a 152mm front with 120mm at the temples. I’ve been wearing mine around for a few weeks now just as sunglasses when biking and they have been really awesome with better lenses than my old pair of more expensive glasses. Priced from $5.95 to $24.95 it’s not hard to imagine getting a few pairs with different styles and lenses. Contact Ohio Power Tool if you have any questions about the Edge Safety Eyewear.     

Posted by Jay A. at 02:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are a lot of reasons to come checkout the Ridgid Road Show at anyone of the stops on their nationwide tour. There will be several knowledgeable Ridgid employees on hand to answer questions, train on equipment and demo the newest products. You will get free Ridgid products like tee shirts and hats with additional chances to win prizes such as a Micro SeeSnake. There will be a Ridgid Calendar Girl to meet and have sign your Ridgid Calendar, CJ Perry will be at the Ohio Power Tool Event, with different models at each stop. There will also be Free Lunch and who doesn’t love free food. I’ve seen two grown men put on dresses & wigs and race each other on ice in front of 10,000+ for free pizza, at a hockey game. All you need to do for this free food is stop by the Roadshow between 11am-2pm.

As if all this wasn’t good enough to get you to come to Ohio Power Tool in 3 weeks (Friday, August 14^th) there are also some amazing deals on all Ridgid Products. Ohio Power Tool is supporting this event with some really nice specials such as a limited number of FREE Wet/Dry vacs (model 96877 above) with any order over $250, nearly $80 in free goods, instantly. For larger orders the deals look just as good and leasing options are also available through 3^rd parties working with Ohio Power Tool specifically on the Ridgid Roadshow event. An example I saw for a short term lease payment was around $300/month for a Full Size SeeSnake & Scout Locator.   

These deals are only good the day of the event however it is highly recommended that you call Ohio Power Tool and pre-order your Ridgid Products now, so the products will actually be in-stock the day of the show. Even the $250 orders should be pre-ordered if you are hoping to get one of the FREE wet/dry vacs.  Lease options can take up to a week to setup so there is no time like the present. Call Ohio Power Tool at 800-242-4424 or email Sales@ohiopowertool.com for more information on the Ridgid Roadshow event and specials.

Posted by Jay A. at 07:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Recently Campbell Hausfeld introduced a new line of air nailers (www.chnailers.com) as well as a new line of air compressors (www.chcompressors.com) primarily aimed at the DIY market. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to test out the 15 gauge Finish Nailer CHN706000 which will retail for around $139 at your local home center.

Out of the Box

Well I was not terribly impressed by the packaging for this tool, there is a pikaboo window which is probably unnecessary and the inside was a thin plastic shell with twist ties holding the tool in place. It reminded me of opening a GI Joe toy when I was little which was kind of cool from a nostalgia point of view but didn’t give me super high hopes for the tool. Also the nailer requires 2 AAA batteries and **batteries not included, again another flash back to childhood but in this trip there was no childhood glee. Not that it's important, if the lower packaging costs are what keep the price down super, put it in a plain brown box I wouldn't care. Eventually I found some batteries and we were good to go.

New Technology

All the new CH nailers have some new/adapted technology incorporated into them. The CHN70600 finish nailer has the most added technology of the new nailers including laser pointer, low nail warnings and even a stud finder. This seemed like a lot of technology, before I ever got my hands on it and to be honest I’m still not convinced it is necessary. The laser pointer works great but when you line the nailer up it’s only about an inch away from the work surface. It’s right in the middle of the tiny window in the shoe and you can even push the nose against the wood before pulling the trigger to get it super lined up without the laser. The low nail warning also works fine but you can see the cartridge with the nails going down. The nailer also has Anti-Dry Fire feature which locks up when you are almost out of nails which is a much better feature and seems like it would neglect the need for the warning lights. Finally the stud finder, which is hanging on by a thin piece of plastic below the no-mar tip, was tested. At first I didn’t think it even worked and then read the directions to figure out how to calibrate it. Once calibrated the stud finder worked pretty accurately although since it hangs it wasn’t totally flat against the wall so I found myself pushing the stud finder plate against the wall with my free hand which made this job a two handed operation. Also I’m left handed and the stud finder trigger is set for right handers. I am still wondering about the speaker on the left side of the tool which beeps when it finds a stud. With sawdust, drywall and everything else on a jobsite is that speaker going to hold up?

Low Tech Improvements

If all the electronics weren’t enough there are some other technological improvements that don’t involve laser beams. There is a small level on the back on the nailer, and when I say small I mean tiny. I’m not really sure how necessary a level is on a finish nailer anyway but it is not easy to read. It was fine outdoors but inside it became much harder to read and typically you will be inside with a finish nailer. A low tech feature which I thought was a real good idea was the swivel air hose connector which seems obvious to put on a tool like this as it is more comfortable, convenient and allows the hose to hang in a more natural fashion which I think would result in less malfunctions with the air inlet in general.

Most Important – How Does It Work as a Nailer

Like when you get a new iPhone with all the bells and whistles where you can stream video from NASA astronauts but can’t make a phone call across the street. I think the most important question to answer is how does the Finish Nailer work as a Finish Nailer?  Overall I have to say I was very impressed with the how the tool works for what it is intended, and really isn’t that most important. The tool feels well constructed, the nail depth adjuster helps set the proper nail depth and loading the nails was very easy. I did find at 70 psi (minimum) I wasn’t getting the nail to get all the way through the wood and drywall every time however at 90 psi it worked beautifully every time. The tool can operate in “sequential mode” or “bump mode” which allows you to hold down the trigger and nails to fire when the nose is compressed. I didn’t have any nail jams while using the tool but clearing a jam seemed pretty strait forward to fix with the easy to open latch on top of the tool that exposes where you would have a jam.  

Overall

I think overall this is a real nice nail gun for the price. The swivel plug, adjustable exhaust, ADC nail depth adjuster and Anti-Dry Fire are all real nice features for any nailer. I personally don’t think some of the electronic features were necessary and could see running out of batteries, never replacing them and still think it’s a good tool. I get that a lot of the added electronic features on the tool give a less experienced user more confidence in what they are doing. The lasers and stud finders will sell more tools and probably will hold up fine to occasional use by a DIYer over the next several years. I will say I would look at these features completely different if this tool was going into stores like Ohio Power Tool to sell to professionals than I do knowing the tool is made for the DIY shoppers at the Depot Center. Can I see these features ever making it onto pro tools, nope. 

The tool has been donated to the www.ColumbusIdeaFoundry.com (thank you Campbell Hausfeld) where it has already begun taking abuse and will certainly get used for everything it was never intended. I will update down the road several months on the long term performance of this tool, stay tuned.      

Posted by Jay A. at 09:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

 

July 17, 2009 - Nationwide housing starts and permits posted substantial gains in June as home builders responded to improved market conditions and the impending expiration of the first-time buyer tax credit, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. Commerce reported a 3.6 percent gain in overall housing starts to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 582,000 units and an 8.7 percent gain in permit issuance to 563,000 units.

“The upcoming expiration of the first-time home buyer tax credit on December 1st is encouraging some builders to get homes started now so that they can be completed in time for clients to take advantage of this attractive buying incentive,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “However, there is still much concern about the difficulty of financing new-home production and continuing weakness in the job market.”

“Today’s report was in keeping with our forecasts for some glimmers of improvement on the single-family side in the second quarter, and also with the results of our latest builder surveys,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “Many remain very cautious, however, in the face of the severe tightening of credit for acquisition, development and construction financing and increased instances of low appraisals tied to improper use of distressed properties as comps, both of which threaten to derail a housing and economic recovery going forward.”

Single-family housing starts rose for a fourth consecutive month in June, posting a 14.4 percent gain to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 470,000 units, while single-family permits rose for a third consecutive month, posting a 5.9 percent gain to 430,000 units. Meanwhile, the multifamily side, which characteristically displays greater month-to-month volatility, posted a 25.8 percent decline in starts following an unsustainably large gain in the previous month, to 112,000 units. Multifamily permits rose 18.8 percent to 133,000 units from an abnormal low in May.

Regionally, housing starts were mixed, with the Northeast and Midwest posting big gains of 28.6 percent and 33.3 percent, respectively, and the South and West posting declines of 1.4 percent and 14.8 percent, respectively. However, the declines in both the South and West were entirely driven by dips in multifamily production.

Permit issuance was up across the board in June, with the Northeast posting a 5.4 percent gain, the Midwest a 3.4 percent gain, the South a nearly 14 percent gain and the West a nearly 2 percent gain.

http://www.nahb.org/ 

Posted by Jay A. at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Bosch isn’t the first company to introduce a diamond grit hole saw however they are the industry’s first to have AutoStart. The AutoStart feature is basically a carbide tipped pilot that compresses just enough to start the hole. Once the hole is started the bit is removed and the hole saw can cut through the material be it porcelain, marble, granite, tile or glass. The competitors hole saws traditionally have problems walking when trying to start the hole, scratching up the surfaces and since the saw starts at an edge and not centered they potentially can move the hole. With the Bosch diamond hole saws there is much less likelihood of damaging high priced materials, potentially saving a fair amount of time & money.

These new Bosch Diamond Hole Saws will be available on Ohio Power Tool in individual sizes from 3/16” to 4-1/8” at very reasonable prices, ranging from $10-$65. There will also be complete kits available with 7 piece HDG7 ($161.65) & 11 piece HDG11 ($239.70). The new hole saws will of course work on the Bosch Quick Change System which has become incredibly popular and is the same system the Bosch Carbide & Bi-metal holes saws use. For more info read the full Bosch press release below.

Mount Prospect, Ill., July 21, 2009 – Precision is the name of the game when it comes to medium to large hole-cutting in porcelain, granite, marble, ceramic tile or even glass. Slip-ups mean wasted money due to scratched or broken material or, worse, a hole that isn’t where the user wanted it. Thanks to Bosch’s innovative AutoStart™ system, users no longer have to worry about their hole saws skittering away during startup. The AutoStart design delivers sure and precise cuts every time.

Bosch’s AutoStart is an industry first mechanism that allows users to quickly and accurately drill a hole without first drilling a small pilot hole. With AutoStart, the pilot hole mechanism and the desired diamond hole saw cup are both already in place and ready to go, enabling – for the first time ever - one-step hole cutting in hard surfaces.
The heart of the system is a spring-loaded retractable shaft and a conical carbide tip that creates a tiny indent to ensure the hole saw doesn’t skate or walk, resulting in cleaner holes and less waste. The durable carbide-tipped AutoStart mechanism can easily center more than 1,000 holes - or 15 times more holes than a typical diamond hole starter.

The AutoStart system is available exclusively with Bosch’s new Quick Change Diamond Hole Saws. Available in sizes ranging from 3/16” to 4-1/8”, Bosch’s new lineup represents the best and most complete range of products for hole-cutting extremely hard tile materials.
Bosch’s vacuum brazing process increases diamond cutting edge life and delivers faster cuts. In addition, the tip is segmented allowing water to reach the cutting edge and keep the contact surface free of debris and reverse threaded reduce heat build-up. Further, the overhanging edge of vacuum brazed diamonds gives users more control during start up, ensuring more accurate cuts. A deliberate startup and sure cut minimize the pressure needed to execute a cut, greatly reducing the chance of accidental material breaks.

The complete product line consists of the “mini” and the “pro style” hole saws. The mini hole saws are 3/16” to 5/8” and are equipped with a quick change shank for use with Bosch’s Quick Change mandrel or other clic-change systems.
  
  

Posted by Jay A. at 04:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The New 10” Miter Saw from Makita LS1016L is now available and I was lucky enough to get a chance to demo this unit. I had seen different marketing and press information on this unit and to be honest I had pretty high expectations when I finally got my hands on it.

Freakin Laser Beams

The unit I had was the LS1016L, which I am assuming the L is for Laser. Makita did some nice things here where they put a micro adjust on the handle, so you can control if you want the laser on the cut edge or left or right. They also put an on/off switch so you can simply turn it off, brilliant. Let’s spend no more time debating lasers usefulness and simply turn it off if you don’t want to use it.

Sliding Rail System

By having 2 pairs of independent rails, this 4 rail slide system is incredibly compact and does not require a huge work area behind the saw. I tested this unit out on an outdoor workbench behind the shop which would be way to shallow for any other sliding miter saws. This also makes the saw much more compact for travel and easier to carry around. Total weight out of the box is only 52lbs, so that also helped make it easier to lug around. Also either set of rails can also be locked if you don’t need all that travel. Each rail features 6 linier ball bearing and while I’m not sure what other saws have I can tell you the sliding motion on the Makita is exceptional smooth and very sturdy. 

Working the Angles

The one touch miter locking system is very clever and easy to use. There are the standard set positions but it is also incredibly easy to lock the saw into any other measurement simply by letting up on the trigger once you have it in position. It does a real nice job of holding the angle, even before you tighten it down. The scale has also been moved to the front, where it should be. The bevel angle is also very easy to adjust using the large rear handle which is very accessible from either side of the saw. The 4-3/4” dual sliding fence features a top and bottom adjustment on either side to really get the perfect support when making beveled cuts.

Making the Cut

This is a of course a 10” saw but is has some features that make it work as good as or even better than a 12” in some cases. The clearance height allows for 4-3/4” vertical clearance or 6-5/8” nested, for crown moldings. The powerful 15 amp motor is angled and out of the way for a clear line of sight on the work surface. The slide action allows for the LS1016L to cut a full 12” wide cross cut at 90 degrees. The electronic speed control maintains the 3,200 RPM speed under load and the Soft Start feature made it very smooth to operate.

Added Touches

Some additional features that make the Makita saw easy to operate are the little extras like the vertical clamp. This clamp can easily be moved around to several fixed locations on the saw and you do not need to secure it to the saw in anyway. As you tighten the clamp to the material it automatically tightens itself to the saw. I could lift the whole saw by the clamp but the second you loosen the material, the clamp is again free to move to another location on the saw. Also I thought it was pretty cool that they made the work surface 4.5”, the exact height of 3 stacked 2”x4”. So for about $2 you can make yourself an extended work supports in a pinch.

Conclusion

Overall the Makita DXT 10" Miter Saw LS1016L lived up to my high hopes. I was really impressed by the quality of production with the heavy base and just an all around solidly built tool. This has got to be one of the best 10” miter saws on the market today and could hold its own against many 12” saws. Priced at $589 on OhioPowerTool.com, which is very reasonable for a professional quality miter saw like this.

Posted by Jay A. at 06:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

WINTON, CALIFORNIA- Stiletto Titanium Tools continues to expand its line of professional and innovative titanium tools with the introduction of a full line of flat bars and glazer bars. These new multifunctional and lightweight titanium bars provide numerous functions to the professional in various trades including carpentry, remodeling, finish work, window installation, demolition, and concrete work.

Featuring high leverage fulcrum points on each bar for maximum prying power (patent pending), as well as innovative and patent pending staple pullers, these tools truly set themselves apart from the competition. Check them out here: http://www.stiletto.com/coming-soon.php.

Additionally, these bars include numerous nail pullers including our 180 degree Top Nail Puller to allow users to pull all types of nails in a variety of difficult positions. These all titanium bars weigh 45 percent less than competitive steel equivalents. This means the user is taking weight out of his belt, bag and hands. Due to popular demand, we have also included a bottle opener so there is no delay in quenching your thirst at days end.With the addition of this full line of flat bars and glazer bars, Stiletto never ceases to set the standard for tools amongst skilled tradesman. Stiletto will continue to pursue new and innovative products in these professional categories in order to build an unmatched loyal user base and brand equity. 

NEW FLATBAR SPECS

The new SawStop 10" Professional Table Saw is the saw you might have seen on TV or around the internet which has an electronic sensor that can detect if one of your beloved body parts should make contact. The blade will instantly stop, saving your finger, arm, leg or hotdog (see video below). If you are interested in taking home this $2899 amazing piece of technologically advanced equipment for say nothing, you might want to spend a few minutes and register for the Popular Woodworking & Woodworking Magazine Contest. 

A table saw injury occurs in the United States every nine minutes resulting in over 3,000 amputations per year. SawStop’s brand new Professional Cabinet Saw features the award-winning, patented braking system that stops the blade within five milliseconds when it contacts skin. The safety system has significantly improved safety, preventing hundreds of serious accidents.

SawStop’s safety system works by inducing a small electrical signal on the blade. When the blade contacts wood, there is no change in the signal. However, when any part of the body contacts the blade the saw instantly releases an aluminum brake that engages the teeth of the blade causing it to stop within five milliseconds.

Designed for expert woodworkers and craftsmen, the Professional Cabinet Saw also offers a patent pending dust collection system that directs the turbulent air coming off the blade into a directed jet stream. The dust in then whisked through a 4-inch tube to a dust port at the rear of the saw, resulting in highly effective dust collection.

SawStop has also made it easy to change between blade guard and riving knife with their tool-free blade guard clamping mechanism. Operators can remove the quick-release zero-clearance insert and make blade guard changes quickly with no tools required, minimizing disruptions to workflow.

Other standard features help make the saw a breeze to operate, including a rigid and accurate, infinitely adjustable T-Glide fence, a true vertical elevation system for consistent alignment at all blade heights, and a hands-free on/off paddle. The Professional Cabinet Saw features a left-tilting blade, a 3HP motor and is available with a 36” or 52” fence system.

Posted by Jay A. at 03:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mount Prospect, Ill., July 14, 2009 – Bosch Power Tools & Accessories made a stir earlier this year when the company entered the pneumatic fastening category and introduced Full Force Technology, one of the most significant innovations in the category in 30 years. This month, finish carpenters, remodelers, woodworkers, cabinet makers and other users will get their first chance to test drive the new product lineup when three Bosch finish nailers and an 18-gauge stapler begin hitting retail shelves nationwide. Each of Bosch’s new finish tools also includes a tool-less selectable trigger, to enable users to switch between bump and sequential modes of operation. The convenient tool-less Quick Clear jam removal system is also standard. All of the tools come complete with a sturdy carrying case, safety glasses and the no-mar tip.

Bosch’s new finish tools are currently available through authorized Bosch retailers nationwide. Additional Bosch pneumatic fastening products are slated to become available in the next few weeks.

Posted by Jay A. at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here are the new mail-in rebates available from Milwaukee Tools for FREE Grinders & Accessories. These are can be pretty significant deals if you are in the need of several high quality grinders or use a lot of Sawzall blades or hole saws. Also the V28 Cordless free battery or impact tool deal is still available until the end of July if you want to take advantage of that mail-in rebate.

Milwaukee Grinders – Buy 2 Get 1 FREE

This promotion reduces your cost by 33% on quantity grinder orders. The promotion starts Wednesday July 15^th and goes through September 30^th. No mix & match, so the free grinder will be the same as the other two purchased. The promotion is redeemable for up to 5 grinders per customer. For complete details checkout the PDF - FREE MILWAUKEE GRINDER.

Milwaukee Sawzall Blades – Buy 3 Get 1 FREE

This promotion is good on 25 packs of Sawzall blades including popular models like “The Ax”, “The Wrecker” & “The Torch”. Milwaukee is the inventor of the Sawzall Reciprocating Saw and continues to be the name brand for Sawzalls and accessories. No mix & match on Sawzall blade packs. The offer is good for July & August. For complete details checkout the PDF – FREE SAWZALL BLADES.

Milwaukee Hole Saws – Buy 2 Get 1 FREE

This promotion is good on select Hole Saw Kits as well as bulk packs (9-25) for individual hole saw sizes. No mix & match on hole saw kits or packs. The offer is good for July & August. For complete details checkout the PDF – FREE HOLE SAWS.   

If you have any questions about any Milwaukee Tools and Accessories please contact the professionals at Ohio Power Tool at 800-242-4424 or sales@ohiopowertool.com. If you see a model number on the Mail-In Rebate form that is not on the website, you can simply place the order over the phone.  

Posted by Jay A. at 03:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The landscape of Power Tool specific bloggers has grown over the past year or so and thought it might be a good time to update the old Yahoo Pipe (combination of all these Power Tool Blog RSS feeds). I also thought it might be a fun idea to give some awards out for all the hard work these guys & gals put in writing tool reviews, making videos, answering emails, entertaining their readers and everything else that goes into running a tool blog. The good lord knows they aren’t doing it for the money.  

Most Likely to Give Himself the Super Awesome Award – Yep I won again – www.coptool.com  

Most Posts Award - In any given time period, days/week/months/ever, they win I’ve done the math. Even if you take out the daily TV posts they still are spitting out more posts in a day than I can read on any/every kind of tools imaginable. They are also very objective and do really nice work. -  www.toolmonger.com

Best Looking Award – Erica a new comer, does videos on power tools, we’re not even sure if she can write anything and the videos are becoming less and less about tools but she defiantly wins the best looking award. (Only kidding, I’m clearly just jealous you’re not a professional journalist for Coptool.com) - www.hotfortools.com

Best How To Videos Award – The obvious winner goes to Matt Webber. He’s actually some sort of ninja with super powers, not to be messed with, who also happens to make How to Videos about proper tool use and remodeling projects. -  The extreme How To Youtube Video Channel

Best Woodworking Blogs Award – Now I should say we're only looking at strictly online publications here. All the woodworking magazines with their super fancy, gold plated, million dollar workshops don’t count for these awards. Not to take anything away from the winners. - www.thewoodwhisperer.com & www.toolcrib.com/blog/

Rookie of the Year Award – It looks like Chris’s first post was just shy of 1 year ago (August 2008) and already the website has become a very popular place for tool geeks to come together. The attached Forum is also very nice addition and seems to be getting lots of action. - www.tool-rank.com  

Rookie of the Year Award (Runners up) – If Chris should give up his crown for any reason the runner ups would need to cage fight it out for the title along with all the responsibly this title carries with it. Luckily there are no responsibilities for any of these nonsense awards. And the awards go to… - www.toolguyd.com (December 2008) & www.protoolreviews.com (March 2009) & www.professional-power-tool-guide.com (August 2008)  

Disclaimer to The Power Tool Media: The awards for the 2009 Tool Talkies were made up completely on my own, are strictly for fun, not to offend anyone and do not represent the wished of the high tool council we all must bow down before. That being said if you won an award or were a runner up (also a very significant honor) it would probably be wise to promote it very heavily on your twits, spacebooks or whatever else you kids are into these days.      

Posted by Jay A. at 03:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new program available from Ohio Power Tool on select Ingersoll Rand Air Compressors promises to ship them within 48 business hours. This includes configuration for different electrical voltages. In addition these select Compressors, noted on the website with “Quick Ship” in the title, will also include a free start-up kit and an Ingersoll Rand Impactool of your choice. The Ingersoll Rand start up kits should always be purchased with the units as the purchase alone takes your 1 year warranty to a 2 year warranty on the units. The free Impactool options are different for each compressor but can include popular models like the 2115TiMAX, 2135TiMAX, 261, among others.

The 6 models of compressors, 4 electric & 2 gas, included in the Quick Ship promotion are: 2340L5, 2475n7.5, 2475N7.5-FP, 2545E10V-FP, Kohler 2475F12.5G & Honda 2475F13GH. As always with any Air Compressors from Ohio Power Tool there is free shipping on the compressor units. It is highly recommended that you talk to an expert about selecting and configuring any air compressor. Ohio Power Tool has several experts on hand able to help you make the right decision. Feel free to contact them with any questions by email sales@ohiopowertool.com or phone 800-242-4424.    

Posted by Jay A. at 01:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Goodguys 12th PPG Nationals July 10, 11 & 12 Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, OH This is it! The big one for Goodguys! The PPG Nationals has become the summertime gathering for the entire hot rodding industry. The 12th edition promises to be a weekend full of awesome hot rodding action! Over 6,000 1972 & earlier rods, customs, muscle cars, tricked out trucks and street machines make the event a must-attend for any car enthusiast. Annual event traditions include the crowning of the Go... Official event website:www.goodguysnats.com

Posted by Jay A. at 09:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This contest looks pretty cool, 10 prizes up for grabs (listed below) and a limited amount of time so if you are good, chances are you could be a winner. The Category is “Garden Bench” which you can get pretty creative with if you want. For full details, rules, deadline, etc check out the official Summer 2009 Woodworking Awards on the LumberJocks site. I also like that the judging will be done by fellow LumberJocks, with a top 5 rating system.     

Posted by Jay A. at 04:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Makita is the official Power Tool of Major League Soccer and from July 1 – September 30^th, 2009 you can ENTER TO WIN a VIP trip for 2 to see your favorite MLS team play an away game. The prize includes hotel accommodations, VIP field experience and VIP seating. The runner up “first place” prize is a Makita LXT Lithium 4 tool combo kit and a framed MLS jersey of your choice. The contest doesn’t cost anything to enter and should only take a few seconds to fill out and pick your favorite MLS team.  

Personally I am becoming a bigger fan of MLS soccer and not just because the Columbus Crew won the 2008 MLS Cup. The games are really fun to go to and I think the sport in general is picking up fans across the board. If you aren’t a MLS fan, I am guessing you are at least a fan of power tools so it’s still worth the time to register. Good Luck.       

Posted by Jay A. at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ridgid has again improved upon this design by incorporating a ratcheting handle. The model 118 cutter attaches to the handle but can still be removed and used without. Together they can fit into extremely tight spaces and with the ratcheting action operate with as little as 10 degrees of movement. The New model 118 w/ Handle 32573 is only a few dollars more at $29.57.

If you have any questions about any of the Ridgid Cutters or other Ridgid plumbing equipment contact the guys at Ohio Power Tool either by phone 800-242-4424 or by email at sales@ohiopowertool.com. Also don’t forget if you are going to be in Ohio Friday, August 14^th to check out the Ridgid Roadshow. It will be a great chance to play with all the new Ridgid Plumbing Tools, meet a calendar girl, get some free lunch and take advantage of some really great special promotions at the show for that day only.

Posted by Jay A. at 02:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We recently had the opportunity to review the Work Sharp WS2000 Tool Sharpener with the knife sharpening attachment. My first concern before even receiving the product was, how good could it be for only $99. On receiving the unit and setting it up I was surprised by how solid it felt. The unit is compact, perfect for storing away when not in use but still stable enough for use when sharpening tools, even without bolting it down.

The WS2000 is a simple design with 1 speed (1,750 RPM) and an on/off switch; the attachment wheels are very versatile and can be used right side up with solid sheets or upside down with the slotted sheets. The slotted sheets work great because at high speeds they allow you to see through to the sharpening edge as you are working. A fixed port on the front of the unit is set at 25 degrees and has a 2” wide opening. It works great for most applications putting a very straight edge on some scrapers we tried out. The port is most commonly intended for wood chisels but I found the height to be a little limiting for some other applications. A nice feature would be to have the ability to adjust the angle but if you need to be that exact with the blade angle you might consider looking at the WS3000 model. The kit comes with 2 wheels and several sheets of different grit so you can have 1 wheel for slotted sheets and the other one for solid sheets. Going from one wheel to the other is also very simple, just remove the hand tightened knob on top and within a few seconds you can go from one to the other.

The knife sharpening attachment ($35) is a fairly easy to put on, first you need to remove the stabilizing bar and tightening knob on the wheel. Then attach the wheel where the knob was and secure the sharpening piece with screws and nuts. The kit includes 3 sharpening belt of different coarseness for getting a finely sharpened edge. The belts are easy to switch in theory but I kept having trouble getting them to line up perfectly after switching the belts. Once everything is setup and working this sharpener does a really nice job. The smoothest belt for honing is like a very fine polishing belt. I’d recommend getting all the blades you need sharpened together and go through them all on the necessary belts and save yourself some setup time. The general purpose belt is all you really need to get a sharp edge but my guess is if you are considering purchasing the Work Sharp and this attachment you are going to go the extra step and make that edge shine like a diamond.

There are also some additional accessories available for the WS2000 Work Sharp such as leather Hone disks, tempered glass, additional solid and slotted disks, among others. I was a little surprised to see the accessory packs of disks costing $15-30 when the unit itself is such a deal at $99 but the accessories provided in the kit should get you through all of your tools that need sharpened right away.

Overall everyone who had a chance to use it was very impressed. The price is right and it is a very versatile tool for a wide range of people; DIY & Professional.  For most home owners it could be something that would only get used a few times a year but even so you would keep your tools and accessories sharper and lasting longer saving money. There is also always the route of buying it as a present for a someone close, friend, brother, father, etc and simply dropping by to give it a whirl every once in a while, not that it isn’t obvious what’s going on when you do that. Checkout the video below for more details.

Posted by Jay A. at 03:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The new line of Bosch Litheon 18v tools recently added some great Impact Drivers with ½” and 3/8” square drivers on the way. For a limited time you can actually get the Impact Driver tool, 25618B for only $99 from Ohio Power Tool. The new Impactors are also available in several combo kits including CLPK22-180 which includes the Hammer Drill & Impactor for only $335. There is also a 4 tool combo kit which basically swaps out a circular saw for the Impactor CLPK41-180 which is $475 (same price as the CLPK40-180 with circular saw).

I really love the new line of Bosch 18v cordless tools, tons of power, built solid, great warranty, electronic cell & motor protection and growing list of cool new tools coming. At the same time I can’t figure out why keep the 14.4v line of tools? With the 12v Max tools & SlimPack & FatPack battery options for the 18V added to the fact that the 14.4v tools are basically the same size & weight as the 18v why keep both?  The higher powers at www.OhioPowerTool.com had even priced the 18v Litheon Tools less expensive and eventually stop listing/stocking the 14.4v tools all together. With less power, priced higher, same weight and less tools in the line-up it’s a tough sell to make to someone. Wouldn’t it make more sense to focus all the effort on new 18v tools, instead of trying to make both a 14.4v & 18v tool for every application?  We want more tools, less battery platforms.  

HAVE A HAPPY 4^th of JULY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!!  

Posted by Jay A. at 05:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check out the CHcompressors micro-site for the new Campbell Hausfeld compressors, looks like a great option for the garage and around the house. Some very cool features including on-board tool storage and no tilt rolling for the larger model. The smaller unit is perfect for wall mounting out of the way and also works with the take-away 8 gallon unit perfect for small jobs such as inflating car tires. Both units feature nice large knobs and gauges. Read the full Press Release information below.

Posted by Jay A. at 02:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)