Sean posted about Bench Dog’s ProMax Cabinet back in 2006, and now in 2008, for a limited time, Amazon is listing the Bench Dog ProMax Complete Router Table System with free shipping for $970. This “system” — really the whole kit and kaboodle for routing — includes the ProMax cabinet, ProMax router table, ProFence, cast iron end cap, Porter Cable router, and four Cab-Loc casters.

The cabinet features integrated router bit storage, pull-out shelves and flip-up doors, and a lower cubby for router storage. Bench Dog makes the cabinet with bolt and cross dowel construction, birch plywood side panels, and steel hardware for vibration dampening.

Promax Complete [Bench Dog]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

When I’m doing heavy grinding, I hate having to stop and change over to a flap wheel for the finishing work, so this is the perfect deal for me. Home Depot’s offering a two-pack of Makita 4-1/2″ grinders for $80. Most comparable grinders cost $80 for just one, so when I spotted this combo package while wandering through Home Depot’s tool corral, I couldn’t pass it up. But it’s in-store only, so keep your eye out!

Makita Grinder (In-Store Only) [Home Depot]

What’s better than one tool bag? Thats right, two tool bags. You can get this duo over at Sears for $7.50.  Each bag — one is 10-inches and the other 12-inches — features a large interior, three outer pockets, two full-handle grips, zipper top with a steel reinforcement bar, and double stitching on the base, which provides resistance to both water and abrasion.  Offer ends March 22.

Craftsman Tool Bag Two-Pack [Sears]

I’m finally getting into the world of routing, and my entry point is this Hitachi KM12VC plunge and fixed-base router kit, available from Amazon for $130. The router features an 11A, 2-1/4 HP variable speed motor (8,000 to 24,000 RPM), and it includes the plunge base, 1/2″ and 1/4″ collet chucks, template guide adaptor, centering gauge, sub-base plate, three wrenches, and a five-year warranty.

I chose to save a Jackson and a Hamilton and get the refurbished model from the folks at Reconditioned Sales for $102.

KM12VC [Hitachi]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Hitachi KM12VC Refurb [Reconditioned Sales]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

The hot weather hasn’t arrived yet, and those early-morning, outside jobs still bring a chill.  Luckily, Sears is offering their Craftsman heated work jacket on sale for $70. Thanks to the conductivity and heat delivery of the rechargeable Thermotex system, this durable, washable jacket will keep you warm for up to five hours, with three temperature settings between 85 and 110 degrees.

The outer shell is made from 100-percent cotton with a quilted nylon lining.  The jacket features a built-in Teflon fabric protector, triple-stitching, and a heavy-duty zipper.  You can get it in sizes Medium - 2XLarge, and Sears covers it with a two-year warranty.

Heated Work Jacket [Sears]

If you’re in the market for a cheap portable workbench, you can pick up this Denali benchtop work stand over at Amazon for $20. The bench’s steel frame and strong bamboo top will hold a hefty 60 lbs, and the whole unit weighs a reasonable 7-1/2 lbs. You can secure the workstation to most smooth surfaces with four heavy-duty suction cups.

The worktop features a protractor and ruler, in both SAE and metric units. You can insert the four included pegs into 18 available slots. You’ll have to throw another $5 worth of merch into your cart to qualify for the free shipping, which is a better value than paying the standard shipping rate.

Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

The Home Depot’s “Race For Savings” event is going down right now and for the next week. Among other discounted gear, the Ridgid 7-1/4” circ. saw that normally goes for around $100 is marked down to $80 plus free shipping.

It’s not a super steal, but it could mean the difference between being able to afford one and not. Check out the site for more details and the entire lineup of DeWalt and Ridgid gear that they’ve marked down. There are some good items on the list, especially if you were in the market anyway.

Race For Savings Sale [Home Depot]
7-1/4″ Circ. Saw [Ridgid]

The light-emitting diode — low-powered, long-lasting, bright, and cool — makes the perfect bulb for a work light. Toolsale.com is selling this Tooluxe 130-LED, rechargeable, cordless floodlight with stand for $48. The 130 pure-white LEDs, rated to 100,000-hours, run off of a 7.2V lithium battery. The battery will last 3-1/2 hours after each charge from either the included 12V DC charger or a 110V AC charger.

130-LED Work Light [ToolSale.com]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]

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?]