Earlier this month Skil posted a recall affecting approximately 811,000 circular saws including the 5650, 5700, 5750, and 5755 models.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision press release, Skil says these these saws’ trigger switches “can be locked on or the switch can be turned on without the use of the safety lock out.  This can case unexpected operation of the saw, posing a risk of laceration.”

Check out the release (linked below) to see a list of the affected serial numbers/date codes, or contact Skil at (866) 761-5572 for more information.

(Thanks, Pat, for the tip!)

Skil Circ Saw Recall [CPSC.gov]

Skil’s new 1560 3-1/4” hand held planer looks like it was designed by Cadillac’s auto designers — you know, the “faceted” crowd.  But despite the over simple appearance, it looks like handy gear to have around the shop.

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The Skil 2100DAF is just what it looks like: a 14″ aluminum level with a swing-out arm for digitally measuring angles from 0 to 220-degrees.  Skil claims it’s accurate to 1/2-degree, and it’ll even calculate miter angles for you on the fly.

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Overstock isn’t somewhere I normally go for tools, however this reconditioned 14.4V Skil drill with a detachable stud finder for $35 caught my eye.  The drill isn’t exactly feature-laden with a single-speed transmission variable from 0-700 RPM, six torque settings, and a 3/8″ keyless chuck.  But when you consider $35 buys you a drill and a stud finder, it sounds better.  The charger, battery, double ended driver bit, and carrying case are also included.

Skil #2567-03 14.4V Drill/Driver [Skil Tools]
Skil-14.4V Drill/Driver with Stud Finder [Overstock]

Check out Skil’s site for instructions and the complete down-low on how to build your own sweet bird bath stand.  You’ll find a complete materials list and instructions on assembly, along with a few tips for the novice builder.  You can put together a bird bath stand like this one in an afternoon, and it’s sturdy enough to provide years of bird happiness.

What’s even better, though, is taking these plans and altering them create your own design, then building a custom bath.

Build A Bird Bath [Skil]

If you’ve been thinking about picking up any of Skil’s power tool offerings, now might be the time.  Amazon’s offering an instant 10% discount on most Skil power tools, as well as discounts on all kinds of cordless tools.

It’s worth a look, but always look around with a quick Google search or Google Product Search first to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

10% Off Skill Power Tools [What's this?]
All Tool Sales [What's this?]

Besides six amps of power and trigger-controlled variable speed, the new 4680-04 orbital scrolling jigsaw from Skil features — you guessed it – a ruby colored light show.

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Over at the Skil Tool Shop they’re having a 10% off sale on all reconditioned power tools.  To get this deal, enter the coupon code “RECONTEN” at checkout.  The deal expires April 30th and is limited to one coupon per order.

10% Off Skil Reconditioned Tools [Skil Shop]

If you liked Skil’s 10.8V drill but couldn’t justify $75 for it, you might want to keep an eye on the sales table at your local Lowe’s.  We saw five of ‘em on the sale table marked down to $30.

If you’re a part-time woodworker you probably don’t have dozens of spare jigsaw blades just sitting around.  And staring at the selection of jigsaw blades wondering how many and which ones you’re gonna need for a project sucks. So for those of us who want everything “just to be sure” (to avoid the dreaded second trip), Skil offers their 13-piece U-shank multi-pack.
 
In the multi-pack, Skil thoughtfully stuffed two or three of each type of blade they make into a single package for the decision impaired (or the over-prepared). The pack contains a variety of blades: wood smooth cut, wood fine cut, multi-purpose wood, wood fast cut, metal fast cut, and two “The Ugly” blades for super fast rough cuts. 

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While at first glance Skil’s new iXO2 — the second-generation of Skil’s entry into the low-cost li-ion cordless screwdriver market, the iXO — doesn’t look that much different from its predecessor.  But, after a little hands-on time around the Toolmonger shop, we’ve come to notice some significant improvements. 

Let’s start, however, with things that remain the same: The iXO2 is a li-ion-powered, 3.6-volt driver that fits in the palm of your hand.  Like other small household drivers, the iXO2 isn’t designed for heavy lifting but instead for more day-to-day tasks.  And, at less than $40 street, it doesn’t cost heavy, either.

Read on past the jump for our experiences with the improved iXO2 — and lots and lots of pictures.

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This generally wouldn’t constitute news anywhere but here.  But we are Toolmongers, which means we watch all things tool, even things like this: Skil redesigned their website.

From the press release: “The main goals for the redesign were to provide complete and detailed product information needed by our consumers to make an informed purchase decision, facilitate that purchase decision through our e-commerce partner links and store locater, and supply valuable content to our DIY audience to encourage return visits,” said Linda Mueller, website manager for SKIL Power Tools, probably cribbing from the office’s mission statement and stating the obvious goals of any retailer for their website.

Seriously, though, it’s a nice looking re-design, and the new site offers more pictures of each product and easier naviagtion than the old one, so check it out when you get a chance.

Oh yeah, and swing back by Toolmonger soon for reviews of the iXO2 and the new 10.8V li-ion driver.

The New Site [Skil, English/US]

Lasers are the new black this holiday season, and Skil’s following up their dual-laser circular saw (released earlier this year) by attaching similar dual-laser package to their miter saw.  The difference: the new miter saw uses a motion sensor to turn the laser on automatically whenever you approach the saw.

The concept is that your hands are freed up to manipulate the controls to clamp down the workpiece and adjust the saw.

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Considering that the original Skil iXO’s been on the market for over a year, it’d be safe to call Skil an “early adopter” of the inexpensive lithium-ion driver concept.  Since then numerous other companies have come out with quite successful (and competitive) products.

Later this year — before the holidays, of course — Skil will release their updated iXO, called (not surprisingly) the iXO2.  (OK, I’m way to lazy to create a superscript for that 2, so could we just take it as read that it’s raised as if to say, “to the power of 2?”)

Besides some form-factor redesign — including a shorter, wider trigger which we suspect will improve significantly on the old tool’s trigger — the iXO2’s improvements include:

• A built-in LED worklight
• An LED charge indicator
• A magnetized 1/4″ hex chuck (the old one wasn’t magnetized)
• And, a built-in bit storage in the charger cradle

Price will remain the same at $40 MSRP.  Look past the jump for some more photo goodness.

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Last week we wrote about our high expectations regarding Skil’s upcoming 10.8V line — and how we suspect that a Bosch PS20-class tool with some cost-cutting changes to bring it to the masses would be an superb idea.  Well, we received the press release today with a bit more information. 

Of course, the big question is, “How much torque will it make?”  And sadly, that question remains unanswered.   Skil says test tools are still a couple weeks away, but look below the jump for some pics and specs.

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We were talking to a Skil insider today and heard that this fall Skil will get a line of 10.8V lithium-ion tools.  As you can imagine, our first thoughts jumped to parent-company Bosch’s 10.8V-li-ion-powered I-Driver and PS20.

We’re big fans of the PS20.  If you don’t have one yet, shame on you.  Go get one right now, and if your friends give you any crap about buying a “small tool,” make them carry around a 5 lb. weight for a day.  Bigger isn’t always better — especially when smaller’ll do the job.

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As you’ve no doubt noticed, the cordless power tool industry is in the middle of a full-on lithium-ion revolution.  The new battery provides longer run times, longer shelf charge life, and the opportunity for greater torque, and tool manufacturers are rushing to apply it to all cordless tools.

We’ve watched as the revolution began with large, high-amperage tools, then moved to smaller tools, and finally we’re beginning to see it trickle down to tools designed for home use — such as the Skil iXO. 

Its feature set is impressive for a screwdriver that streets for just $40: an integrated Li-ion battery that holds its charge for up to 18 months and can be recharged at any point in the charge cycle without fear of battery “memory” issues, a slick charger stand, and lots of accessories in the kit.

Read on to see exactly what’s included with the iXO and how it performed in real life situations. (more…)