Amazon is selling this 38-piece impact-ready accessory set for $24 — you’ll have to throw something else in your cart to get the free shipping. The set includes eight #2 Phillips 1″ insert bits, eight #2 Phillips 1″ reduced-diameter insert bits for drywall, five #2 Phillips 2″ black oxide power bits, eight #2 Phillips 1″ double-ended bit tips, a 1/4″ nut driver, a 5/16″ nut driver, a 3/8″ socket adapter, a pivoting bit tip holder, and a 3″ stainless steel bit tip holder with a hog ring. You also get 3/8″ drive sockets in a variety of depths — 9/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″, and 1/2″ deep.

Impact Driver Set [DeWalt]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

With all the tools posted on Toolmonger, you’re gonna need somewhere to put ‘em all. Stanley recently added this 4-in-1 Mobile Work Station to their FatMax line, and Amazon is selling it for $80, with free shipping. The cantilever multi-level rolling cart gives you access to all of the storage areas — a toolbox, part bins, portable tray, and a larger oversized bin on the bottom — at the same time.

The handle telescopes for added maneuverability, and a single locking latch secures the entire cart. Stanley offers a limited lifetime warranty.

FatMax 4-in-1 Mobile Work Station [Stanley Tools]
Via Amazon (B000V29B7K) [What’s This?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

I was looking for a gift for my better half on Overstock.com when I got sidetracked by all these Black Rhino hammers that’re on sale. Black Rhino has built their reputation on high-quality, ergonomic tools for the professional. These hammers in particular caught my eye:

Black Rhino tacker for $25 
Black Rhino 32-oz dead blow hammer for $18 
Black Rhino 4-lb engineer’s hammer for $20 

I discovered a couple of other nice things about Overstock.com: the flat shipping rate of $3, and their “guaranteed best on the net” pricing.

Black Rhino [Corporate Site]
Black Rhino Hammers [Overstock]

Throw away the apple crate and cardboard box, and get yourself a Rousseau 2850 miter saw stand kit — ok, maybe that’s just my workshop setup. At 39″ tall, it stands at a comfortable working height for the average user. The large 19″x31″ platform will support all sizes of miter saws and planers, and easy fold-down wings give support for long lengths of lumber. Two larger storage shelves hold your accessories.

The Dynamite Tool Company has the lowest listing at $95. Amazon sells it for a few bucks more, but they’re offering free shipping.

Miter Stand [Rousseau]
Rousseau 2850 [Dynamite Tool Co.]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

I came very close to buying this belt sander last weekend at the big box, but I’m glad I waited, since I found it at Ace Tool online for $99. This 5-pound sander — more of a palm belt sander, really — uses smaller 2-1/2″ x 14″ belt paper for scribing, chamfering, edge sanding, or preparing a small surface.

Overmolded rubber surfaces make it easy to grip in multiple positions, and a 5A motor delivers ample power for sanding hardwoods. The sander also features a removable dust port, a removable handle, and a flush side for sanding in tight areas, up to 90-degrees.  Note: you can get refurbished models for about $10 less.

Belt Sander [Delta Porter Cable]
Belt Sander [Ace Online Tools]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Meet the new 18V 1/2″ LXT lithium-ion hammer drill/driver kit from Makita. I know, I want one too. This baby’s four-pole torque motor delivers up to 560 in-lbs of torque, which is a lot of power considering the Makita is only 9-7/8″ in length and 4.9 lbs. It drives in three speeds, and with Makita’s shift-lock system you can quickly shift it from hammer into driver mode.

The lithum-ion battery gives the tool a longer running time with 5x lower self-discharge; the battery also sports 16 firm-holding contact terminals for constant high-power output. The fan-cooled charger can charge the battery in 45 minutes and has three active controls for current, heat, and voltage, to optimize the charging capacity of the battery.

The tool comes in a carrying case and includes two batteries, a charger, screwdriver bits, and Makita’s standard three-year warranty on the tool and one year on the battery. The lowest price I found was $266 over at Tool Plus.

BHP451 [Makita]
Makita BHP451 Kit [Tool Plus]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Milwaukee unveiled their new line of gas-powered generators this month, so if you’re in the market for one, now might be the time to pre-order. Ace Tool Online is taking orders and have priced it at $1,770 which is a deal considering list price on this generator is over $3,000.

The generator’s power plant — an 8 HP, 240cc Honda GX engine with a 7-1/2 gallon gas tank — provides 4,300 watts of power. The generator sends the juice to several outlets: four 20A/120V three-prong outlets, one 20A/120V twist-lock, one 30A/120V twist-lock, and one 20A/120-240V twist-lock. A dedicated, branch-rated breaker protects each circuit.

Thanks to the hand truck design, you can move the generator easily around the job — it also has a fold-away lift hook. Milwaukee provides a two-year warranty on both the generator and engine.

Press Release [Milwaukee]
4943-24 [Milwaukee]
Milwaukee 4943-24 [Ace Tool Online]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

In their Hot Buys section, Sears is deeply discounting a few select tools for their President’s Day Sale. The sale runs through Tuesday the 19th, but notice that the socket sets are half-off only this Friday and Saturday. So if you need to fill out some empty 1/2″ socket spaces in your toolbox, you’d better get crackin’.

• Craftsman 3 pc. Pliers Set, Locking $24.77 $36.99 Exp. 02/19/08
• Craftsman 4 pc. Tool Set $24.77 $39.99 Exp. 02/19/08
• Craftsman 2-1 / 4 Ton Floor Jack $19.99 $39.99 Exp. 02/19/08
• Craftsman Clean N Carry® 2 Gal. Wet-Dry Vac, Portable Tank Style, 1.5 Peak HP $19.77 $29.99 Exp. 02/19/08
• Craftsman 6 pc. Hex Bit Socket Set $14.99 $29.99 Exp. 02/16/08
  
• Craftsman 6 pc. Hex Bit Socket Set, Metric $14.99 $29.99 Exp. 02/16/08
• Craftsman 10 pc. Easy-To-Read Socket Set, 6 pt. SAE, 1 / 2 in. Drive $14.99 $29.99 Exp. 02/16/08
• Craftsman 10 pc. Easy-To-Read Socket Set, 6 pt. Metric, 1 / 2 in. Drive $14.99 $29.99 Exp. 02/16/08
• Craftsman 12 in. Bar Clamp $9.99 $19.99 Exp. 02/19/08
• Craftsman Multimeter, Digital, with 8 Functions and 20 Ranges $9.99 $19.99 Exp. 02/19/08
  

Hot Tool Buys [Sears]

Black and Decker’s VPX tools and accessories are hitting the clearance bins at many home improvement stores less than four months after the products’ initial release. It seems that some stores simply removed their VPX stock from display, but others, such as the Home Depot shown above, are offering their leftovers at a sweet discount.

While we wouldn’t recommend these tools for heavy-duty work even at clearance prices, they’re decent homeowner-grade products that you may want to keep an eye out for, next time you’re at the store. Although I’ve heard rumors that the VPX system has been discontinued, several online stores and discount retailers are still offering a variety of VPX tools and add-ons at full price.

Many thanks go to MrsMcDreamy at Slickdeals.net for sharing the above photo recently taken at Home Depot.

VPX Tool System [Black and Decker]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
VPX Starter Set Via Amazon [What’s This?]

DeWalt recently added this impact driver to its tool line, and now Wholesale Industrial Supplies is selling it for $206. Its compact weight and size — 3.3 lbs. and 5-3/4″ — allow you to get into tight areas without arm fatigue. Its 9.6V motor, magnesium gear housing, and all-metal transmission drive the impact mechanism at up to 2,400 RPM and provide up to 80 ft-lbs. of torque without kickback.

With the quick-release 1/4″ hex shank, you can switch bits quickly and easily. The impact driver comes with a heavy-duty plastic case, battery, and quick one-hour charger.

Impact Driver Kit [DeWalt]
Impact Driver Kit [Wholesale Industrial Supplies}
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Lowe’s has placed the Gardner Bender Circuit Alert wire stripper on clearance. This little gem of a wire stripper packs an AC current detector in the handle. Its clearance price of $12 brings it down to the price range of more frugal Toolmongers such as myself.

Check out your local Lowe’s to see if you can snatch one up before they’re all gone.

Store Locater [Lowe’s]

Big D Bolt and Tool is selling this DeWalt hammer drill for $240 — it’s one versatile tool. The 8A motor makes 2-1/2 ft-lbs of impact energy and operates in three modes: hammer-action drill mode for tough concrete/masonry drilling jobs; hammer-only mode for mortar chipping; and rotation-only mode for wood and metals, using an SDS-to-round shank adapter.

At 11-1/2″ in length and 6-1/2 lbs., its size and weight add to its versatility — it can work in some tight spots without arm fatigue. Another nice feature: a dust extraction connection on the hammer drill allows you to use DeWalt’s D25300D dust collection system with it. If you want to save another $60, Tool King is selling refurbished units for $170.

Three-Mode SDS Hammer [DeWalt]
Three-Mode SDS Hammer [Big D Bolt and Tool]
Refurb Three-Mode SDS Hammer [Tool King]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

How many improvements can be made to the common prybar? Well, the GripBar, I think, adds a major one: the knuckle guard. Along with all the features you expect from a prybar — a curved shape for extra leverage and a U-shaped channel for nail removal — you can flip the prybar over and pound nails with the built-in hammer head.

For me, though, the clincher is the padded handle/knuckle guard — because grazed or bruised knuckles, even with gloves, come with the territory of demolition. The 18″ GripBar weighs in at 2-1/2 lbs., and you can get it at the Duluth Trading Company for $20.

GripBar [Tool Innovations Inc.]
GripBar [Duluth Trading Company]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

I wish most trades people would carry this tool in their kit — cleaning up the aftermath never seems be part of the job or in the quote. Toolup is selling this DeWalt heavy-duty, 18V, cordless, wet/dry, portable vacuum for $130.

This wet and dry vacuum is a lightweight at 7.4 lbs, and with a 1/2 gallon tank it won’t require constant emptying. The dual clean-up feature allows use of either the front nozzle or an extendable rubber hose.

The washable HEPA filter traps dust as tiny as 0.3 microns, so it’s good for most job functions. The vacuum runs on an 18V DeWalt battery with a one hour charge time. And the best part: you can clean up as you work.

Wet/Dry Vac [DeWalt]
DeWalt DC515K [Toolup]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Until February 13th, Sears is offering free shipping on portable power tools, power tool accessories, and mechanics tool sets. Select ratchets and wrenches also qualify for the promotion, but we’re not sure how eligibility is determined. Also, until 2/9/08, Sears will throw in a free 3D sander for all tool purchases over $49.

The standard exclusions apply — Sears will ship “mailable” products via the cheapest method to the 48 states, and orders shipped via freight will carry delivery fees.  A few words of warning about Sears’ shipping: You can’t cancel an order once it enters the “processing” stage, and Sears’ shipping department occasionally runs into inexplicable delays.  If you need a tool urgently, pick it up at the store, or purchase it elsewhere.

Tool Department [Sears]
Free Shipping Details [Sears]
Free Sander Details [Sears]
Craftsman 3D Sander [Sears]

One of my favorite tools, the angle grinder oozes testosterone, with its metal-grinding noise and showers of sparks. This Makita 18V cordless LXT lithium-ion grinder offers the same macho experience, except it’s smaller at 12″ in length, lightweight at 5.4 lbs., and portable with its 18V lithium-ion power-pack.

The included Makita Optimum Charger charges the battery in 45 minutes — it also communicates with the battery to optimize the charge and increase the battery’s life by 280%. The battery powers the grinder to 10,000 RPM. The grinder features a built-in overload protector and a sliding power switch with lock-on.

Makita protects the tool with a three year warranty and covers the battery with a one year warranty. All2ools is selling the grinder for $310.

BGA452 Angle Grinder [Makita]
Makita BGA452 [All2ools]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Sears is holding a “buy one, get one free” sale this week on a few select items, including their durable hydraulic stool. With a padded and adjustable seat and backrest, it’ll keep you comfortable and productive during your longest projects.

This stool is all about the details — even the feet are adjustable to compensate for uneven surfaces. For $80, less cash than for a task chair, you get two stools appropriately sized for the garage or shop.

This deal would be a lot better if the stool was discounted by 50%, but with two for the price of one, now might be a good time to start shopping for Father’s Day. You can also get the two-for-one deal on a few other items: a 10″ steel saw blade, a five piece Companion screwdriver set, and a 13″ tool bag. Since I have nothing nice to say about those items, I’ll leave it at that.

To check out this week’s promotions, take a look at the Sears Book flier, linked below. If the link doesn’t work at first, enter your zip code and try again.

Weekly Ad Pg 16 [Sears]
Hydraulic Stool [Sears]