You’ve heard circular and recip saws called “high amp draw” tools? An angle grinder’ll make those look downright girlie-man in comparison. This is the first cordless angle grinder we’ve seen, and we suspect it’s a good thing that it’s lithium-ion powered. It takes standard 4-1/2″ discs and spins at 10,000 RPM.
If it’ll grind for more than just a couple of minutes, it’d be handy as hell.
When you’ve got a serious drilling job on your hands, you need a rotary hammer. Example: Drilling a large holes in masonry. Makita’s taking a bit of an interesting direction with their new 18V rotary hammer though — they’re making it smaller.
The idea is that you don’t always need a 1″ rotary hammer, and during those times when you don’t, a lighter, easier to handle tool would help save your back (and tool bag) some stress.
Sometimes you just don’t have a spare (third?) hand for a flashlight, and that’s when you need a fluorescent; Its light scatters widely so you don’t have to aim it carefully. Most manufacturers now include a flashlight in their cordless lineup, but Makita’s the first we’ve seen offering an incandescent/fluorescent combo.
There’s a great article in the current issue of Woodworker’s Journal (the August issue) about bargain priced miter saws. They review the gamut and select eight that they recommend. Most of them were less than $300, and the list includes the:
Of course, you’ll want to read the article for the details. They point out numerous feature differences between the eight they selected, and it’s quite informative.
And if you don’t have a miter saw in the shop, go get one. They’re incredibly useful even in a small home shop or garage as they take most of the pain out of wood projects!
[Via Woodworker's Journal]
Makita’s definitely made a move in the right (price) direction in releasing a four-piece grouping of their new 18V LXT Li-Ion-powered cordless tools for a street price of around $600. The kit includes:
You also get two LXT Li-Ion 3.0 Ah batteries, a 45-minute charger, and a “contractor bag” to carry the tools in.
Add to this the fact that Makita’s currently offering to throw in an 18V LXT Reciprocating Saw by mail if you buy before June 28. This is one heck of a great way to join the Li-Ion revolution.
The 18V LXT Li-Ion 4-PC. Combo Kit [Makita]
Street Pricing [Froogle]
Free 18V LXT Recipro Saw Offer [Makita]
Following the trend of installing low-voltage, long-lasting LED lighting in everything from glasses to gloves, Makita recently released their new model 5008FA 8-1/4″ Circular Saw with built-in LED lighting.
The corded saw has a 15-AMP motor operating at 5,200 RPM and an electric brake as well as a flat motor housing to keep the saw stable when you place it on its side to swap blades. But the real addition is the two LEDs that light the line of cut “for increased accuracy.”
The 5008FA is available now, and street pricing starts around $170.
Watch those fingers while cutting at night…
Press Release [Makita]
Pricing [Froogle]
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