The folks at Toolmonger.com got a great scoop on one of Milwaukee's upcoming products. Milwaukee is gearing up to release a bunch of new tools in October and this looks to be one of them! It's a compact pocket-size driver very similar in function and appearance to the popular Bosch PS20-2. It's powered by a new 12v lithium ion battery. We like the battery "fuel gauge" built right into the drill, similar to the gauges built into Milwaukee's full-size V18 and V28 batteries. We're also glad to see Milwaukee is starting to modernize the look of their tools, in fact, this new tool may be even better looking than the PS20 (but maybe not the PS40!)

[Via TOOLMONGER.com]  

In the left hand corner of the page folks, weighing in at only 37.4 pounds and packing a plunge depth of 6-1/2 inches is the fiercest looking tool known to mankind. It is the Makita 7104L Chain Saw Mortiser. This powerful plunge cutter packs a punch with a 12 amp motor and a razor sharp chain to quickly notch or cut holes for timber framing and log home building. It has a large adjustable vise with a clamp tension lever for latching firmly onto logs anywhere from 3-1/8" to 12-1/8" thick. It also boasts a sliding rear clamp that is adjustable to the desired width with a quick adjust tension knob. It has a built-in carrying handle for portability and externally accessible carbon brushes for easy serviceability.

This mean machine is portable, fast, flexible and razor sharp. At $1330, it doesn't come cheap, but it's not for everyone.

Resources:

• 7104L @ Makita.com
• 7104L Chain Saw Mortiser @ toolking.com

We just received notice that Delta will begin shipments of their new 20-950 20" woodworker's drill press next week! This large capacity production machine has power, capacity and versatillity at a great price. Features include a one horse power induction motor, 6" quill stroke, mechanical variable speed and the dual bevel Woodworkers' Table.

Unlike the already available and somewhat smaller Delta 17-959L, the 20-950 does not feature the cool laser crosshair targeting system. However, woodworkers have lived without a laser targeting system for decades, so we're not sure how essential that feature truly is. 

The 20-950 should be available soon from your favorite Delta dealer, which is hopefully ToolKing.com! 

Are you tired and sore from working with power tools all day?

Well- now the power tools that you love can give you some of that love back.

Turn your old Jigsaw into a massager. Portable, lightweight and uncomplaining, this tool will never use the "I have a headache" excuse.

This simple project entails removing the parts of the jigsaw that are used for cutting, and replacing them with an attachment that will massage.

Want to know more? Check out the tutorial @ instructables.com

Ahhh.... it's nice to have power tools that love you ...

 Joe P. of American Builders set out to fix the problem. Here's how:

We just unpacked the new Makita LXT700 7-piece combo kit and have a brief review of it. It's like Christmas all over the floor of our office! The tools are all  powered by Makita's 18v Lithium-Ion LXT Battery and the kit comes with an Optimum Charger. 

Here's the lowdown on the Makita LXT700:

• Makita heavy-duty job site radio (model BMR100) - Included a headphone output and AC adaptor. Does not charge batteries. Has an alarm clock and a nice big backlit screen.
• 6-1/2 inch Circular saw (model BSS610) - Very lightweight. The instructions showed a dust nozzle accessory that you could hook up to a vacuum but we couldn't find it in our box. I guess you had to purchase it separately? The blade guard on the saw appears to be metal, but is in fact silver-colored plastic. 
• Reciprocating saw (model BJR182)- Again lightweight, but the power button seems to have more 'play' than I'd like to see in a tool. 
• power drill (model BHP452)- Was nicely balanced with an LED light.
• Angle grinder (model BGA452)- Comes with a 3/64" and 1/4" grinder wheel and a few guards.
• Impact Driver (model BTD140)- Driver bits were not included in the package. I guess those need to be purchased separately. The Impact Driver has a plastic casing around the chuck which is useful for protecting cabinet wood and such when you are working inside cabinets and small areas that you don't want scratched. Also, the LED light is useful for those small, unlit areas as well.
• Optimum Charger (model DC18SC) - Charges the Lithium Ion batteries in 30-45 minutes (beeps when it's ready). The combo kit comes with 2 LXT 18v Li-Ion batteries.
• Flashlight (model BML185)- Can be adjusted from 90-180 degrees but that adjusting mechanism wasn't tight and didn't seem like it would work for long before breaking. It's also a halogen bulb - it would be nice if it was an LED instead.
• A very cool heavy duty suitcase with accessory pockets and wheels. I would use this bag when I travel. I bet it would fit right in the overhead bin on the airplane. And, it would fit my ski boots and just enough clothes for a ski weekend away. Ahhh, snow season is coming soon ! ! !

All in all, the tools are lightweight and quiet. BUT - for the money you pay, Makita should have thrown in a few more accessories like the dust nozzle for the saw and at least one Impact Driver Bit. For $629, it is a good all-encompassing power tool kit for the homeowner, handyman or contractor and anyone would be stoked to receive it is a holiday present. With two 3-amp Lithium Ion batteries included, it's easy to add bare tools to the kit relatively inexpensively.

• The Makita LXT700 Combo Kit is available now from ToolKing.com! 

Lee Jesberger - Inventor of the Ezee-Feed Infeed/Outfeed System

Lee Jesberger is a general contractor. For most folks, 30 years of running a General Contracting business is enough but obviously this man needs no sleep. In addition to his contracting business, he is a master woodworker, writer, webmaster, instructor and inventor of the Ezee-Feed Infeed/Outfeed System.

Lee runs a contracting business that specializes in high-end renovations in Sewell, New Jersey, with his partner in crime, Bruce Driscoll. This dynamic duo is the Batman and Robin of the fine furniture/cabinet making world. I have posted a few of their projects below but you should really view more at their website: www.prowoodworkingtips.com/braggin_board.html

 Lee's typical day begins at the job-site where he calls himself a cabinet/furniture maker. This is an understatement. What he creates are works of art like this home office masterpiece shown left.

 He then comes home and works in his backyard shop. Not a simple shed, this "man shack" has "(almost), all the professional toys a woodworker could want". Later into his night, he writes instructional articles and posts projects on his website: http://prowoodworkingtips.com. Sometime later, perhaps after a midnight coffee break, he works on his side business: http://ezee-feed.com.