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…)

Skil announced today that they’re freshening up their grinder line with the introduction of an updated 4-1/2″ angle grinder targeted at homeowners, advanced DIYers, and occasional pros.

As you can see from the photo, the new 9290 is a barrel-grip type with a top-mounted switch, which we’re fond of.  The bottom-paddle-switch types can really hurt your hand after a bit of use, and they also have a nasty tendency to turn on when set down on a workbench.  It sports a 6 amp motor spinning at 11,000 RPM, and it features a special guard which can be rotated into different positions without the use of additional tools.  This can be handy for getting to those tough-to-reach spots.

The grinder’s packaging will include a metal grinding wheel, wheel guard, flange kit, locknut wrench, assist handle, and the whole shebang in covered by a standard two-year warranty.

It’s going to retail for $39.99 through home improvement centers, so if you don’t already have an angle grinder you really won’t have any excuse after this one hits shelves in August.

Skil recently released a new finishing sander featuring a large triangle-shaped sanding head as well seven other uniquely-shaped detail attachments — hence, the “Octo.”

It’s a corded tool with a .8 amp motor which orbits 12,000 times a minute.  It also features a built-in worklight and a dust canister to keep you from making too much of a mess (or breathing too much dust).  But what sets the Octo apart are the detail attachments, which include the following types: finger, slot, outside corner, inside corner, concabe, flex, and extended delta.  The nose of the Octo also locks into three different positions to let you reach those tough spots.

Street pricing starts around $40 for the kit, which includes the sander, attachments, 32 pieces of sandpaper, and a carry bag.

Octo Multi-Finishing Sander, Model 7300-01 [Skil]
Street Pricing [Froogle]

We saw Kevin Kelly’s mention of the Skil iXO cordless palm-size screwdriver this morning and thought we’d pass it on.  We actually received a tip about this tool from a reader as well, and we’re looking forward to checking it out in person.

It appears that we’re starting to see the Li-ion technology that’s making incredible tools like the Bosch I-Driver possible trickling down into much less expensive consumer-line tools, bringing with it longer runtimes, longer charge shelf-life, and easier charging maintenance patterns.  In the case of the iXO, this translates into a tool that can accept a full charge at any time and can hold that charge for 18 months on the shelf.  Black & Decker also offers a virtually identical product called the SmartDriver Compact Screwdriver.

While the 3.6V iXO and SmartDriver aren’t torque monsters, they’re really intended for household tasks anyway.  Kevin Kelly mentioned selecting the iXO for his college-bound daughter’s toolkit, for example.  When you consider that these drivers retail for less than the cost of the I-Driver’s battery, you can begin to see how they fit into the scheme of things (and your toolbox).

Street pricing for the iXO starts around $50, and the SmartDriver comes in a little less at $40.  Look for more in-depth posts about each of these tools in the future.

[via KK’s Cool Tools]

The iXO Cordless Palm Size Screwdriver [Skil]
iXO Street Pricing [Froogle]
SmartDriver Compact Screwdriver [Black & Decker]
SmartDriver Street Pricing [Froogle]

We’ve all wanted sharks with “frickin’ laser beams on their heads” at one time or another, and tool companies have read our minds and responded in force with a mass of new laser-guided cutting tools.  But Skil’s upping the ante with the release of their LaserX2 circular saw with not one, but (count ‘em) TWO lasers on-board. 

Kidding aside, the LaserX2 is a pretty slick idea.  The two laser beams shine in parallel and the area between them is the section of material that’ll be lost to the blade.  So, no more struggling to remember whether or not to cut on the left or right side of the line — just place the mid-beam area wherever you’re not going to mind losing it.

In addition to its abundance of lasers, the 5755 also features an anti-snag lower guard to reduce hang-ups on narrow cutoffs, a spindle lock to ease blade changes, and rear depth adjustment to make identifying the depth of cut simple.

It’s got a 2.5 HP, 13A motor and a 7 1/4″ blade and will carry a suggested retail price of $79.99 when it ships this July.

Each year the INPEX new invention trade show offers inventors the opportunity to pitch their inventions to businesses seeking the “next big thing” in their respective industries.  This year’s INPEX show — June 7th -10th, 2006 in Pittsburgh, PA. – will include Bosch, Dremel, Skil, and RotoZip, as well as a number of non-tool manufacturers. 

Bosch specifically seeks new products that fall into these catagories: 

• Rotary tool attachments and accessories for hobby/craft/DIY, and also for professionals
• Application ideas for power tools and rotary tools
• Power tool products and accessories
• Power tool gift giving ideas and concepts (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, etc.)
• Yard care, gardening and cleaning tools

If you have a tool invention to show or if you’d just like to get a preview of what’s to come in the tool industry, the Inpex website still has an entry form available for exhibitors and attendees.

And since we can’t make it, if you see something exciting there don’t forget to drop us a line and tell us about it.

INPEX: The Invention Show [inventionshow.com]
June 2006 Tradeshow Entry/Info form [INPEX]