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]

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]

Porter Cable’s new Omnijig joinery system looks like a great way to cut dovetail joints like a pro. They’re offering two versions: a 16″ featuring a fixed-width template, and a 24″ model with infinitely adjustable fingers. Both models feature a built-in router depth setting system (pictured, on top) and a front stabilizer bar designed to steady your router while deflecting chips downward onto the floor — or into your dust collection system via an optional dust shroud.

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There probably isn’t an angle this saw can’t reach — and with Tools-Plus selling it for $188, there are probably very few reasons for me not owning one right now. This Porter Cable “Tiger Claw” variable angle reciprocating saw boasts 180 degrees of adjustability on the rear gear housing and 360 degrees on the front housing. Both gear housings adjust smoothly on ball bearings, with 13 position stops in the rear and 12 positions in the front — that should just about cover every conceivable angle.

An 11.5A variable 0-2900 SPM motor powers the saw, which has a cutting stroke of 1-1/4″. A detachable “Quik-Change” front shoe, to utilize more teeth in the cutting action, and “Quik-Change” keyless blades make this saw truly variable.  You also get blades, a heavy-duty case, and a one year limited warranty.

Tiger Claw [Porter & Cable]
Porter Cable 9750 [Tools-Plus]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Looking for a new charger for that obsolete Black & Decker multi-tool? Did you take your Dewalt vacuum apart and can’t get it back together now? Dewalt Service Net can help. If you own any Black & Decker, Dewalt, Porter Cable, or Delta Power tools you should bookmark this site. Services available include instruction manuals, product explosion drawings, parts lists and ordering, and service center locations.

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Here’s a refurbished Porter Cable profile sander for $37 over at Tool-Plus.  It’s fairly basic in its features: it’s got a 120V 1.8A single speed motor delivering 6,000 strokes per minute, and it accepts standard-holed hook-and-loop paper.  Even if you’re not a seasoned woodworker, you really don’t need much of an excuse to pick one of these up for $37.

Profile Sander [Porter Cable]
Refurb Profile Sander [Tool Plus]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Porter Cable is offering a $30 mail-in rebate on their Model 310 production laminate trimmer and Model 892 router kits.  The Model 310 features a 4A, 27,500 RPM motor, a 1/4 collet, a micrometer ring depth accurate to +/- .015″, and an aluminium housing and base.  The Model 892 features a soft-starting 12A motor with full-time electronic feeback spinning at 10,000 to 23,000 RPM, a 1/2″ collet, and fine depth setting with a micro-adjustment knob. 

Model 310 Laminate Trimmer $139 [Tool Plus]
Model 310 Laminate Trimmer Rebate Form [Porter Cable]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]

Model 892 Router Kit $189 [Tool-Barn]
Model 892 Router Kit Rebate Form [Porter Cable]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]

Porter Cable’s offering up $25 to $50 rebates on a variety of their routers.  Specifically, they’re offering a $25 rebate on their 9690 or 690LR routers, a $50 rebate on any router purchase that includes a Model 4212 Deluxe Dovetail Jig, a $50 rebate on any series 7500 router, and a $50 rebate on any router kit.

For what it’s worth, it’s been our experience that most pro shops use PC routers almost exclusively.  If you’ve been thinking about a purchase, this might be the time.  Be sure and check the fine print.

Promotions [Porter Cable]

Porter-Cable’s dropping news today about this oil-free pancake-style air compressor — complete with 13-piece hose and accessory kit — that’s supposed to hit shelves in a few weeks.  Operating at 150 psi, it’ll cram a good bit of air in that small tank, and its low-amp-draw motor should go easy on your long extension cord.

The accessory kit includes a 1/4″ air hose with quick-connect coupler, a tire gauge, a tire chuck, a blow gun, and a 5-piece OSHA safety nozzle with inflator adapters.  The whole thing weighs 34 lbs., which should be pretty easy to carry.

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Nothing’s quite as sweet as “hand-polished” look on your car , but when it comes to uber-shine, pros reach for a power polisher.  Together with a quality polishing pad, the combination can make for a show stopper — and we’ve seen more than one Porter Cable 7428 in show car toolboxes. 

The 7428 always seems to be the polisher you see in pad manufacturers’ advertising, too. It’s no wonder; it has a 1000 to 3000 rpm pad speed adjustment and a powerful 10 amp motor with a variable speed trigger.

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I love my palm sander.  It fits in all sorts of tight spots and saves tons of work hand sanding.  It seems to be the tool that comes out most often for quick sanding work — or sometimes for other crazy things.  Hell, in the current issue of MAKE magazine Adam Savage (of Mythbusters fame) recommends using one to vibrate the bubbles out of silicone rubber before pouring it into a mold — a cheap alternative to a $1,200+ vacuum chamber.

Now Porter-Cable has released a few updated palm sanders.  Most of the updates are designed to increase reliability and servicability.  My favorite change: The top cap is now removable so you can clean the tool out without disassembling the whole thing.

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Make no mistake: Porter Cable makes great routers.  When we spent a day riding with one of the members of Stanley’s Discovery Team, we visited a number of professional wood shops — both large and small — and almost all of them used Porter Cable routers.

Now Porter Cable’s releasing some of their router bits in sets — some of which offer great selection and value.

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Porter Cable says this new compact belt sander will hit shelves this month, bringing with it some pretty slick features — most of which center around its small form factor.  Specifically, its sides are flat, which allows you to sand right up to vertical surfaces.  There’s also a grip incorporated into the spot where the power cord exits the tool to give you another way to hold on to it when you’re sanding in tight, difficult spaces.

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Apropos of nothing whatsoever — certainly not the comic we posted earlier this week — we bring you RoboToolz’ 5-beam laser level, plumb, and square.  Attach it to a stud, joist, or other flat surface and it pumps out laser beams upward, fore, aft, and to both sides at perfectly square 90-degree angles to simplify the task of installing cabents, countertops, and other square items.

The laser includes an auto-leveling mechanism which not only levels the unit after attachment, but also flashes the laser beams if you happen to knock it out of level afterward.  According to RoboToolz — now a part of Porter Cable — it can also be calibrated by the end user (you!) right on the jobsite with a flat-head screwdriver.

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The guy down the street has a peg board set up to hold his tools, just like every one you know.  You’re a DIY/tool guy; you want need to have something slicker than he does to hold your gear, yeah?  How ’bout your own custom-made slot-wall? 

Porter Cable’s got your back with their Slot-Wall Self feeding bit. This bit, when hooked to your router, will cut a “T” shaped slot into a 2×4 or wooden board of your choosing. That “T” slot will hold peg board hangers or standard slot-wall hangers.  Do you see where we’e going here?

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Reciprocating saws are incredibly handy.  Once you’ve used and owned one, you’ll never be without.  We’ve used ours to cut difficult-to-reach wood and metal and for demolition.  We’ve also carried cordless versions to the junkyard; There’s no easier way to free a part or get exactly what you want from that rustbucket.  But someties it can be tricky getting the saw in where you really want it.  Enter Porter-Cable’s TigerClaw Variable Angle reciprocating saw.

It’s pretty much like any other corded reciprocating saw you’ve used with the significant advantage of a gear housing on the front that can rotate through 360 degrees and angled up to 180 degrees.  What this means to you is that you can “bend” the front of the saw around to make it just about any shape you want to fit it in where you need it. 

Besides its Gumby-like abilities, the TigerClaw is a capable saw with an 11.5 AMP motor and a 1-1/4″ cutting stroke.  It’s got a soft grip handle, and a keyless blade clamp.

Street pricing starts just shy of $200, and you can find these saws all over in stores and on the ‘net.

The TigerClaw Variable Angle Tiger Saw [Porter-Cable]
Street Pricing [Froogle]

If you hang around old school carpenters and woodcrafters they will give you two bits of advice pretty regularly: don’t cut your wood too short, and the finished edges on a wood project are what separates a good project from a great project.  To create those edges you need a good set of router bits, and Porter Cable just made obtaining them easier with the release of their 10 pc. “Master Woodworking” router bit set.

This set, like other Porter Cable “Professional Edge” series bit sets, features the POZI-STOP shank, which allows for a perfect repeatable depth set each time.  The set also features 10 of the most commonly used routing bits in common sizes including: 1/4″ 2 flute straight, 3/8″ 2 flute straight, 1/2″ 2 flute straight, 3/8″ V-groove, 1/2″ core box, 45-degree chamfer, 1/4″ Roman ogee, 3/8″ rabbeting, 3/8″ cove, and 3/8″ corner rounding.

The diversity of this bit set makes it a good place to start for DIYers looking to do finish, cut-out or molding work.  It’s a good deal considering all the bits in the set, but it’s not for the weak of wallet, though, with a $180 price tag (with some shopping).

10pc Master Woodworking Router Bit set [Porter Cable]
Street Pricing [Froogle]