Miter Saws Recalled by WMH Tool Group Due to Potential Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with WMH Tool Group Inc. (WMH), of Elgin, Ill., today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 7,100 10-inch sliding miter saws produced by Performax (model number 90206) and Wilton
(model number 34570) . The saw handle's switch can fail, causing the saw to smoke, spark, and trip circuit breakers, and disable the safety brake. The saw also can keep operating unless the unit is unplugged, posing a laceration hazard to consumers. WMH has received reports of six incidents with the saws but fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Click the link below to see the rest of the details of this recall. 

What are Remanufactured Power Tools?
According to a case study from Berkeley.edu, remanufactured means that power tools are remade or rebuilt with used products to a condition as good as new. Bosch is one company that is committed to environmental awareness, including the recycle-reuse materials component. Extensive quality control at the Bosch facilities ensures that the quality of remanufactured power tool is equivalent to the quality of a new power tool. Bosch also is reusing high-grade plastic polymers from recycled power tool housings in their remanufactured power tools.

Remanufacturing processes are very similar to manufacturing processes and there is certain criteria that a power tool needs to qualify for to be remanufactured.
Specifically at the Bosch facility:
1. The power tool must fail functionally meaning, there must be a "core" - a discarded, malfunctioning, or used power tool that becomes the remanufactured power tool.
2. The technology must exist that can restore the power tool to its original shape, condition and function.
3. The power tool must be factory-built, standardized, and made with interchangeable parts.
4. The recoverable value added in the remanufactured power tool is a high percentage of the power tool's original market price.

The advantage of buying remanufactured power tools is that you keep more money in your wallet. The retailer can price these at 60% or less of the new power tool price and still make a profit. You get to purchase a high quality power tool that has a manufacturers warranty and have money leftover for lunch.

So then what's a refurbished power tool? and what's a reconditioned power tool?
According to Dictionary.com, the word "refurbished" means: To make clean, bright, or fresh again; renovate.
On the other hand, the word "reconditioned" means: To restore to good condition, especially by repairing, renovating, or rebuilding.

If a seller claims that a power tool has been "refurbished", it means it has been returned, lightly tested, cleaned, repackaged and then resold. However, "reconditioned" power tools have been thoroughly tested, repaired (if necessary), cleaned, repackaged, and resold. Reconditioned power tools are required to meet the same stringent quality-assurance standards that a "fresh" power tool from the same factory would have to achieve. In fact, most power tool manufacturers offer the same warranty for reconditioned power tools that they offer for their brand new counterparts! The main advantage to reconditioned power tools is that you save money.

One place to get professional grade reconditioned power tools is TKRecon.com. At TKRecon.com some reconditioned tools cost as much as 50% less than their brand-new brethren. Buying reconditioned or remanufactured power tools is a great way to maximize your tool budget and still purchase name-brand power tools.

But be wary if someone is advertising a "refurbished" product.
Refurbished power tools have probably not been rigorously tested and are usually just eyeballed, repackaged, and resold. Reconditioned power tools are tested and repaired in accordance with tool manufacturer standards before being resold, so they are always the better choice.

Remember "Tool Time" from Tim Allen's popular sitcom "Home Improvement"? It appears as if it's real life equivalent has finally began! Last week on Thanksgiving, DIY Network launched a brand new show that chances are, would be right up your alley. "Cool Tools", a new half-hour informative program lives up to it's name as it explores some of the coolest tools currently on the market. In one of the episodes, they did a great bit on Toologic's writer Judes favorite tool, the Fein Multimaster. The same episode showed how the cool Little Giant ladders are made in their Utah factory, and also gave a behind the scenes tour of the factory that produces everyone tool lover's favorite multipurpose repair aide, Duck Brand Duct Tape.

The show doesn't focus entirely on power tools, but also shares the spotlight with other useful utility products that tool-centric people would probably be interested in, like a nifty garage pulley storage system (The Garage Gorilla), or, every cyclist's favorite product, Slime Tire Sealer. However, at the current time, tools are definitely the main focus of Cool Tools.

We particularly liked the host of Cool Tools, Chris Grundy . An alumni of famed improv troupe, Second City (who also brought us Mike Myers, Chris Farley, and Dan Akroyd, amongst many other famous comedians), Grundy contributes informative and often humorous narration to each tool segment. Mr. Grundy also appears in the brief segments that bookend each featured tool, often comically demonstrating his own approach to using each tool. While ripping down a wall with a Stanley FuBar, Chris Grundy enthusiastically exclaims "Who's your daddy?!"

Cool Tool's airs on Thursdays at 9 and 9:30 Eastern Time, but repeats periodically throughout the week. Our suggestion is to just set your Tivo to catch it the next time it's on. So far, we really like the show and are glad DIY Network is making it!

• Cool Tools on DIYNetwork.com
• Cool Tools Episode Index, Including Air Dates
  

 I've compiled a list of 5 common tools that you should keep in your vehicle in case of emergency, just for their sheer usefulness, inexpensive cost and the 99% probability that you will need them at some point in your driving endeavors.

1. Pocket Tool:
You could spend $100 on something like the Leatherman Juice Xe6 tool shown in the photo or, to just store in your vehicle, Performance Tools has a similar pocket tool for $5.99. The Performance Tool Pocket Tool includes: sharp blade, Pliers, wire cutter, can opener, bottle opener, phillips head and regular screwdriver, fish scaler, ruler, file, hole punch and a storage pouch.

2. Flashlight:
LED lights are inexpensive, bright and super to keep in your car for emergencies, camping, changing a flat tire at night, etc. GRIP makes a Battery Less LED Flashlight that is powered by a squeezing action. You basically pump a trigger on the handle and in a few seconds it produces an ultra bright LED light. One minute of pumping will produce 4 hours of light, for $10.99 that's a real deal.

3. Jumper cables:
Look for extra-long jumper cables... many jumper cables are barely long enough to reach the battery terminals unless you have both cars nearly touching each other. Or go for a Battery Jumper Pack. These are packs that you charge and keep in your vehicle. They have a big 12v lead-acid battery in them, so if you get stranded, you just hook the pack to your battery and jump your car from it instead of from another car.

4. Tow rope:
This helps someone help you out if you slide into a ditch, etc. GRIP makes a basic and inexpensive one that will tow up to 4500 pounds for $6.99. Or, Smartstraps.com makes a spring-loaded retractable tow strap for $25.

5. First Aid Kit:
You can put together a small one yourself that includes: bandaids, first aid cream, aspirin/ibuprofen, gauze, and antiseptic pads. Inexpensive First Aid Kits can be purchased at any drugstore, hardware or general home store for a few bucks. Some hospitals even give them away for free as a promo. Add a small pack of baby wipes to your first aid kit. These are great to clean off your steering wheel after a greasy snack, wiping up coffee spills or to freshen up the smell of your car by wiping off your dash with one while you're waiting at a red light. The resealable packs can be purchased for a buck at Target and other general stores.

**Tools already in your car: Car jack, tire iron and spare tire (inflated): Yup, your car should come equipped with these items but do you know where they are located in your car AND better yet, do you know how to use them? Be sure to routinely check your spare tire for air - why not check it when you check your oil. (you do check your oil, don't you?)

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! JUST IN CASE YOU NEEDED THIS LIST, WE'VE POSTED IT AGAIN ~ gobble, gobble.

We've tallied up the Christmas wish lists that we've received from ya'll and have come up with the categories below. Here's the place to look folks if you need ideas for Christmas presents for that tool loving friend of yours. And for all you computer chair potatoes, we've even conveniently placed links to where you can get that tool at a good price without even moving from your spot! Happy Shopping!

Top Five Gifts for Under $100
1. Dremel Router Kit  $50
2. Stiletto Dimpler  $85
3. Grip-On-Tools Rolling Knee Dolly  $35 
4. Fowler 12" Combination Square with Protractor and Center Finder  $57
5. Jorgensen Deep Reach Steel Bar Clamp, 24"  $32.99

Eight Tools for Under $250
1. Kreg master jig system  $140 
2. Fein Multimaster XL - reconditioned for  $239
3. Bosch DLR165K Digital Laser Rangefinder Kit  $160
4. Bosch Random Orbit Palm Sander   $140
5. Fowler 12" 4-pc Combination Square  $125
6. Ridgid 6-1/2" Compact Framing Saw  $150
 7. Bosch PR20EVSNK Colt Variable Speed Palm-Grip Router Kit,  $200
8. Porter Cable 3-nailer combo/compressor kit  $250

Five Under $500
1. The DeWalt DCX4230 Combo Kit includes both new NANO tools, two 18v NANO batteries, charger, and a bag  $449.00
2. Dewalt DW056K-2 Cordless Impact Driver Kit $239
3. Bosch Airsweep wet/dry vacuum $450
4. Porter-Cable 3812S Portable Table Saw with Stand  $359
5. Hobart Welder Stickmate 205AC $329

Five Under $1000
1. Jet JPS-30 Table Saw $800
2. Delta 50-761 2 HP 2100 CFM Single Stage Dust Collector, 230V - $677
3. Storage Cabinet For Elite 2500/2000 Benches #146474  $669.99
4. Hobart Plasma Cutter Airforce 250ci  $620
5. Makita LXT700 7-PC 18V Lithium Cordless Tool Combination Kit  $629 . Includes: 1/2inch Hammer Driver-drill, Reciprocating saw, 6-1/2 inch Circular saw, Impact Driver, 4-1/2inch Cut-Off/Angle grinder, Jobsite Radio, Flashlight, 2 LXT Lithium-Ion 3.0Ah batteries w/ charger, contractor carrying bag (man purse)

These two Special Requests from one of our favorite woodworkers, Pat Morrow :
1. Powermatic 1791297 209 20" Heavy-Duty Cast Iron planer, 5 HP, 3 Phase, 230-460V - $2,100
2. SJÖBERGS Elite 2000 Workbench #146471 Price:$1500.

All saw blades are not created equal and the best woodworkers will purchase after market, quality carbide saw blades to replace the factory blades that come with their tools. When choosing a saw blade, you must consider the material that will be cut, the type of machine to be used for cutting and the desired outcome. Features to look for in a quality saw blade include expansion slots, hardness and durability, carbide teeth and engineering.

Expansion slots:
Choose a saw blade manufacturer who uses only the very best steel in their blades. Steel should be tested for consistency, tensile strength and hardness. Saw blades should incorporate some type of laser cut expansion slot so they do not warp or twist when they heat up while working. Amana incorporates a copper plug into their saw blades which reduces the turbulent noise created by the saw blade while it is being operated.

Is your blade hard?
Another feature to look for in a steel carbide saw blades is the HRC rating. HRC is the Rockwell method of measuring the hardness of materials or resistance to penetration. A high quality saw blade such as the Tenryu for example, will have a HRC rating of 40.

Thickness of Cut
Saw blades should be flat and true, distortion free, and have uniform thickness. The Kerf measurement (width of teeth) on a blade is what actually determines how wide of a cut you will make into your material. Kerf measurement is key to uniform thickness. The width of the saw plate itself determines the amount of relief you have between the material and the blade. The manufacturing process of a quality saw blade will include using special Hammers to Level and tension a saw blade. When the tensioning is within tolerance, the saw blade teeth will be ground until each is perfectly honed. A high quality carbide saw blade such as the Tenryu or Amana will cost around $100 but will cut more accurately, will not leave saw marks and will last a lifetime if maintained.

Why carbide teeth?
Carbide is composed of cobalt and tungsten. This combination results in sharper cutting edges, longer lasting tips and greater impact resistance on the teeth of the saw blade. The number of teeth will have an effect on the cutting action of the saw blade. More teeth will result in a smoother but slower cut and also a decrease in the distance between each tooth. This distance reduction will have the effect of reducing the size of the gullets (valley between the teeth), making chip ejection from that space more difficult. According to Oldham-USA.com, "This is where the design of the gullet, shoulder, tooth style and hook angles become of the utmost importance. Placing more teeth in the same amount of space can only be successful if everything matches perfectly."

Using the proper saw blade for the material you are cutting and maintaining your carbide tipped saw blades will result in a lifetime of quality material cutting fun. 

Resources:
www.toolking.com
www.tenryu.com
www.amanatool.com
www.oldham-usa.com
www.madeleycabinetry.com

DeWalt just sent us an interesting analogy explaining their new Nano technology by comparing it to a bucket filled with balls: 

There are many types of lithium ion batteries- you can add many different combinations of chemical formulas. We specifically use phosphate in ours. Nano is a measurement of size. It is very small- there are 25 million nano-meters in an inch. Nano sized particles gives you energy density. Imagine two identical 5 gallon buckets. In the first bucket, you fill it with softballs. In the second bucket, you fill it with marbles. The bucket with marbles will be more densely packed (less air around the marbles due to the smaller size). Nano is like the marble example.

So essentially, DeWalt's Nano batteries allow more energy to be stored in the same amount of space. Interesting!