Ultra-Portable 10-Inch Table Saw
The GTS1031 is Bosch’s answer to the smaller table saw (DW745) that DeWalt introduced several years back. I’m glad Bosch is offering a compact saw of their own because as much as I like being able to make 24-inch rips, most of the time I can get by with less and it’s more convenient to transport and store a smaller tool. The working parts (fence, tilt, blade raising, guard, etc.) of the GTS1031 are similar to those of the popular model 4100 but the housing is different – instead of a plastic enclosure, the lower part of the machine is contained within a sturdy all-metal roll cage. The saw is very easy to carry because it weighs 52 pounds (8 pounds less than the 4100) and has a comfortable rubberized grip built into the side of it.

The fence, blade guard, and anti-kickback pawls can be removed without tools and store under the table for transport – as do the push stick and miter gauge. An optional folding stand (GTA500) makes for quick setup on the jobsite and the optional dust collection bag is an alternative to using a dust-collecting vacuum. The saw has a rip capacity of 18 inches, takes a 10-inch blade, and will accept up to a 1/2-inch dado stack. It retails for around $399 and the stand for around $79. Click this link to see a short video demonstration of the tool that was taken at JLCLive.

Multiple Plane Line Laser
Since acquiring CST Berger several years back, Bosch has moved aggressively to expand their offerings in the laser tools and measuring category. One of the tools they showed us was the GLL3-80, a line laser that projects three 360-degree planes of light – which is another way of saying it projects plumb, square, and level layout onto all surrounding surfaces. For more on this tool (and others like it) see Greg Burnet’s review of combination lasers in the spring 2011 issue of Tools of the Trade. The GLL3-80 retails for about $599.

Laser Distance Measuring With a Difference
I don’t usually get excited about laser distance measuring devices (must be my fear of instruction manuals) but Bosch’s GLM 80 grabbed my attention. A built-in two-axis tilt sensor allows the tool to do a number of very cool things. It will compute the height of inaccessible (distant) objects and more accurately measure distances by telling you when the device is level. The most unusual feature of the GLM 80 is that you can convert it into an electronic level and inclinometer by snapping it into an optional R 60 level body. There’s no need to switch modes; the instrument “knows” when it’s inside the level. Remove the tool from the level body and it goes back to being a laser measuring device that can measure distances, compute areas, and store dimensions.
The GLM 80 and the R 60, available August 1, can be purchased separately or as a package. Each tool comes with a protective bag; the GLM 80 includes a mini-USB charger.

Bits with Built-In Stops
The idea for Bosch’s Stop Bits is incredibly simple – put a shoulder on the drill bit so that it stops at the correct depth for drop-in concrete anchors. It’s easier and more reliable than using a stop rod or gauging depth against a piece of tape wrapped around a standard bit. Stop Bits fit SDS-Plus rotary hammers and are available for 3/8″, 1/2″, and 5/8″ diameter holes between 13/16″ and 2 1/16″ in depth. According to its maker, these sizes will accommodate 80% of the drop-in concrete anchors now in use.

GTS1031 Saw

Integrated Carry Handle

GLL3-80 Laser

GLM-80 in R-60 Body

R-60 Level Body

Smooth Random Orbit Sander
There are many 6-inch random orbital sanders on the market; what’s different about the ROS65EVC is how little it vibrates. The outer housing and handle are isolated from the motor by a series of hard foam blocks. The only other connection is the wiring between the trigger and motor.

When I arrived at the outdoor test area the sander was on a table with a number of competing models. I sanded with all of them and felt that Bosch’s had the least vibration. How little it vibrated was driven home when I ran it against a Festool sander. With the Festool in one hand and the Bosch in the other I squeezed both triggers and began sanding a piece of red oak. I released the Bosch’s trigger to concentrate on the Festool and when I turned back to the Bosch I saw that I had accidentally engaged the lock button and that the tool had been running the entire time. It was so smooth I hadn’t noticed it was on.

The dust port of this sander can be connected to a vacuum hose or to a collection canister with a filter on the exhaust. Users have the option of removing the included 6-inch backing pad and replacing it with a 5-inch pad. The ROS65EVC will be available in August and is expected to retail for about $229

18-Volt Portable Band Saw
A carpenter might be able to afford the time it takes to cut metal with a hacksaw or recip saw, but the mechanical trades cannot because they’re cutting pipe, conduit, and threaded rod all day long. The machine of choice for cutting these materials is the portable band saw – the BSH180 is Bosch’s first. I tried it out on conduit and angle-iron and found it to be a whole lot easier (and faster) than cutting the same materials with a recip saw.

What stands out about this band saw is how small and light (7.7 pounds) it is compared to other models. This won’t matter when you are cutting material in a vise but it will when you are trying to get at material that’s attached to a building because big machines won’t always fit where you want them to go.

The BSH180 can cut up to 2 1/2 inches deep, the same as DeWalt’s band saw but less than Milwaukee’s (3 1/4″) and Makita’s (4 3/4″).There are trades and applications where you’ll need more capacity than this tool can deliver but in most cases, 2 1/2 inches is more than enough. According to Bosch, the saw can make more than 150 cuts in one-inch conduit per charge – presumably with the FatPack battery. It will be less with a SlimPack. The BSH180 is already on the market; the kit version (tool, case, charger, 2 FatPack batteries) retails for about $399 and the bare tool for about $179.

Second Generation 18-volt Lithium Ion Drills
Bosch was late to the game with 18-volt lithium ion tools, but has been at it long enough to be into its second generation of lithium ion drill/drivers and hammer drill/drivers. There are four new tools, a Brute Tough Drill/Driver, Brute Tough Hammer Drill/Driver, Compact Tough Drill/Driver, and Compact Tough Hammer Drill/Driver. The new models are smaller and lighter than their predecessors and are available with a number of battery options. You can get them with the existing (standard) FatPacks and SlimPacks or with the new High Capacity (HC) FatPacks and SlimPacks. The new HC batteries have a built-in fuel gauge and are said by their maker to have greater run time and better cold weather performance than competing lithium ion batteries. All of these drills have compact 4-pole motors and all-metal gear trains and clutches, and come in a case with a charger, two batteries, and bits.
As for how they stack up against competing models – I won’t know that until we have an opportunity to test them more thoroughly. In the meantime, I have created a spec table (see below) for the tools in this series with links to their pages on the manufacturer’s website.

Fig.1- ROS65EVC Sander

Fig.2- Sander With Housing Removed

Fig. 3- Competing Models

Fig. 4- BSH-180 Band-Saw

Fig. 5- Cutting Conduit

Fig. 6- Compact Tough Drill-Driver FatPack HC

Fig. 7- Brute Tough Drill-Driver FatPack HC

Fig. 8- Compact Tough Hammer Drill-Driver FatPack HC

Fig. 9- Brute Tough Hammer Drill-Driver FatPack HC

Porter Cable’s oscillating tools accept multiple blades and heads and can be used to cut, scrape, grind, and sand a variety of materials. The most unusual feature of this product line is its Tool Free System, which allows the user to change accessories or adjust the angle of the blade with the press of a lever. Except for the Fein FMM 350 Q, this is the only multi-tool that does not require a wrench or use a washer and bolt to hold accessories in place.

With its 2.5-amp motor, the PC250MTK delivers 10,000 to 20,000 oscillations per minute. It has a 10-foot cord and comes in an injection-molded case with four blades, a rasp, and several accessories for sanding. The kit retails for around $149. The PCL120MTC-2 is powered by 12-volt lithium-ion batteries and runs 7,500 to 15,000 oscillations per minute. It retails for around $159 and comes in a soft-sided bag with two batteries, a 30-minute charger, and assorted blades and accessories.

This article was originally posted on Tools of the Trade Online.

In March I went to the JLC LIVE trade show and conference in Providence, RI. I have been attending this show on and off since the late 90s and it has always been great. The conference focuses on construction technology and business; the trade show is all about tools, building products and live demonstrations. As is always the case, a number of new tools caught my eye. Instead of describing them in a written report, I decided to post some video so you can see what I saw at the show. There are three videos here, with more to come in the next newsletter.

A quick reminder – the folks in these videos work for tool companies and it’s their job to convince people like you and me that their products are better than the competition’s. This is the first time I saw any of these tools so I can’t vouch for what the manufacturers are saying. That said I wouldn’t post these videos if I didn’t think the tools had merit. We will be testing some of them in the coming months and publishing the results in future issues of Tools of the Trade.

Lenox Speed Slot Hole Saw

I know what you’re thinking – why would anyone get excited about a hole saw? To tell the truth, I wasn’t excited about this tool until I saw it in action at the Lenox booth, at which point I realized it was way better than the hole saws I used when I was a carpenter. The walls are thinner than normal (like a thin-kerf saw blade) so it cuts fast and the plug comes out easily because you can pry against steps in the slot. Click here to see for yourself.

Festool CSX Cordless Drill

In the last couple of years, subcompact lithium-ion tools have really taken off. The CSX cordless drill is Festool’s entry into this category. As is often the case with Festool products, the feature set and accessories were carried to the nth degree. This is not a tool that every carpenter or tradesperson can afford to buy, but it’s hard not to want one once you have seen it. Here is some video of it that I shot at the show.

Blaklader Bantam Utility Pants

Are work clothes tools? Well, maybe not, but they can certainly enhance your efficiency by making it easier stay organized and carry the tools you need to carry. They must really care about this in Sweden, because the clothing fromBlaklader Workwear (which is based in Sweden) has features that go beyond anything found in the Carhartt andDickies I wore as a carpenter. I shot this video away from the exhibition floor because there were too many people milling around.

This article was originally posted on Tools of the Trade Online.

Go to Survey Results

I would like to thank everyone who completed the Tool Survey we posted a couple of weeks back. It contained a long list of questions and yet over 1800 of you took the time to fill it out and add comments of your own. The survey is still open and can be found on the home page of our website, along with a link to the results. Your responses confirm many of the things we already believed about our readers and show how incredibly well tradespeople understand the tools they use to make a living.

The first question had to do with the types of improvements you would like to see in tools. Out of six possible answers, improved durability won by a wide margin. It was surprising to see safety beat out “ease of adjustments” and “ergonomics and comfort”. That’s good news if it means tradespeople are becoming more safety-conscious. Dust collection was ranked near the bottom, though that may change as remodelers adapt to the new RRP lead rules, which require power tools to be connected to HEPA vacuums when used to sand, plane, or grind surfaces that contain lead-based paint.

Question number ten had to do with things that affect your purchasing decisions. Quality was far and away the most important consideration. When looking at rankings such as these I like to combine the number of first and second place votes for any one item. If you do that, brand reputation and price emerge as the clear second and third place issues. I thought “performance features” would do better than it did, though in today’s economy it’s hard to argue with folks who rate it well below quality and price.

Some interesting things showed up in the comments people wrote in the “other” category. To see them yourself, go to the results and click the links for “show results”.

Two comments appeared again and again, that people want lower price tools and more tools made in the USA. Of course both things can’t happen at the same time. One reason why tools have become less expensive (and they have relative to inflation) is because so many are now made in low-wage countries such as China. As much as I would like it to happen, I don’t see tool production coming back to this country any time soon.

Many respondents complained about cordless tools and batteries, which is not surprising given the short lifespan of these tools. The tools themselves hold up pretty well but it would be unusual to get more than two or three years out of a battery. Tradespeople understand that batteries don’t last forever but forcing them to buy over-priced replacements or replace tools when the batteries go is like telling someone to buy a new truck when the battery dies or charging them a third of the price of the vehicle for a new battery.

A number of people said they wished batteries were forward and backward compatible. It so happens that some already are; for a list of products for which this is true see the Q&A column column in the October 2010 issue of JLC.

We heard from a lot of folks who said they want straight-forward tools that do not contain a bunch of worthless bells and whistles. It’s not just a matter of having to pay for things that don’t get used, added features make tools bigger and heavier than they need to be. This is rarely a problem with stationary equipment but is a serious concern with hand-held tools.

There are some interesting things in the survey results and I encourage you to take a look at them. We hope to do surveys on a regular basis because your input is valuable and it helps us improve the magazine. If it pushes manufacturers to produce the kind of tools you want, then that’s even better. –David Frane

This article was originally posted on Tools of the Trade Online.

12-volt 1/4-inch impact driver

Representatives from DeWalt gave ebuild editors a test drive of the company’s newest launch—a lineup of seven 12-volt lithium-ion cordless tools. The introductions include four power tools—a 1/4-inch screwdriver, a 3/8-inch drill/driver, a 1/4-inch impact driver, and a 3/8-inch impact driver—along with an LED work light, an inspection camera, and an  infrared thermometer.

Like other lithium-ion products, the four power tools offer similar performance to nicad tools (about 10% lower) but at half the weight and a more compact body. The screwdriver weighs in at 2.2 pounds and delivers 0-1,050 rpm; the 2.4-pound drill/driver offers 0-400 rpm/0-1,500 rpm; the impact driver weighs 2.3 pounds and offers 0-2,450 rpm; and the impact wrench, at 2.3 pounds, delivers 1,150 inch-pounds of torque.

A bottom-mount battery design allows for a comfortable grip for the drill/driver and other tools.

Seeing the tools up close, it was clear the company’s design teams once again spent ample time on the jobsite to research the features and details that contractors want and need. For example, for the driver tools, the manufacturer says it eschewed an in-handle battery design in favor of a bottom-mount battery like higher-voltage models have, which provides for a narrower, comfortable grip and allows the tools to stand upright.

Simple extras include a reversible belt hook with nail slot and optimally placed and bright LED work lights on the screwdriver, drill/driver, and impact driver. The 1/4-inch screwdriver and 1/4-inch impact driver also feature one-handed bit loading and will accept bit tips as small as 1 inch.

12-volt inspection camera

Another ingenious detail we hadn’t seen before: the inspection camera’s removable screen, which means no more crawling on the ground to see the image as you snake the camera cable up a wall cavity. The wireless screen works from 20 to 30 feet away, and the tool takes pictures and video that store on an SD card for easy emailing.

The infrared thermometer kit measures temperatures from -20 degrees F to 932 degrees F and includes LED indicator lights and an audio alarm that alert users to temperature changes so they don’t have to continually scan back and forth from work surface to screen.

The work light's powerful magnet and bright LEDs provide easy illumination in tight spaces.

Even the compact work light is taken a step further, incorporating a rotating and pivoting head, a magnetic belt clip, and a kick stand.

The tools range in price from $139 to $299 and will be available this fall. –Katy Tomasulo

Model DFCR175C, which is rolling out to 10 markets through the end of the year and across the country in 2011, weighs 7.5 pounds and includes a quick-loading fuel cell designed specifically for the tool, adjustable depth-of-drive, and a quick-clear nose. It drives two nails per second; the fuel cell lasts for 900 to 1,000 shots and the battery charge drives 2,200 shots.

Along with the tool, Duo-Fast is introducing complementary PowerBoost nails, which the manufacturer says feature a vertical-groove design for greater holding pattern and a black tip coating for ease of drive. Buyers can purchase Fuel + Nail packs, with one fuel cell and six coils of nails that together will accommodate about 200 square feet of shingles.

The tool retails for $530 with a battery, charger, a Fuel + Nail pack, tether, and bag. –Katy Tomasulo

Ryobi is expanding its One+ system, an 18-volt line that allows users to switch between a nicad battery, a high-capacity lithium-ion battery, or a compact lithium-ion battery. The interchangeability and the fact that the tools are sold without batteries helps to keep prices down, the maker says. Among the new products is an Impact Wrench  ($99), a drill kit ($89), an impact driver kit ($99), a jobsite radio ($30), a Hi Beam worklight with 60 minutes of continuous runtime per charge ($50), and a paint sprayer with a Quick-Lock container and three spray patterns ($199).

18-Volt Paint Sprayer

Among Ryobi’s accessory introductions is a nifty series of door hardware installation kits that simplify the process and eliminate measuring. The Door Lock Installation Kit shown here, for example, features an auto-strike locator that aligns a template with the strike plate; installers simply set the template, tap to mark, and then drill and install. Latch and hinge kits also are available.

Metal and Wood Door Lock Installation Kit

Five new saws are being offered under the Ryobi brand, including a 10-inch portable table saw with wheeled stand ($299), a 10-inch portable table saw with QuickStand ($199), a 10-inch portable table saw with steel stand ($299), and a 7 1/4-inch miter saw ($79). The new 5-inch portable flooring saw, priced at $150, is said to capture two times more dust than competitors. It weighs less than 20 pounds and includes a tool-free fence and a 7-amp motor.

5-Inch Portable Flooring Saw

Finally, Ryobi is adding to its Tek4 line of jobsite-tough gadget-like tools with an MP3 player, a utility light, a stud finder, and an inspection scope.

Tek4 Inspection Scope

Ridgid’s upcoming introductions include:

–10-inch variable-speed commercial tile saw, which the company says offers the largest cutting capacity of any portable tile saw (34-inch rip, 24-inch diagonal) as well as one-step setup ($899)
–10-inch cast-iron table saw ($499)
–7-inch tabletop wet tile saw with professional-grade rip/miter guide and rugged T-square design ($199)
–JobMax multi-head tool with four-position handle ($99 starter kit)
–Compact orbital jigsaw described as the lightest and most compact in its class ($99)
–Tri-Stack 5-gallon compressor that can be used in five different configurations ($279)

"The Beast" 10-Inch Commercial Tile Saw

–Katy Tomasulo

The manufacturer says it concentrated on two factors for its new roundup of 12-volt Max products: innovation and value. As such, the 12-volt lineup–starting with a drill/driver, an impact driver, and a clamp saw–include a range of helpful features, including some unavailable on other tools, while shunning unnecessary bells and whistles that add weight and cost, all while providing loads of power for their class. With glass-filled-nylon housings, the tools felt rugged enough for the jobsite, yet boast comfortable grips and light weight for easy maneuverability.

The Compact Lithium Clampsaw holds small-diameter materials for smoother cutting.

One addition to the company’s new 12-volt MAX Lithium line of cordless power tools is the Compact Lithium ClampSaw Kit. Some of Porter Cable’s clients mentioned that small diameter materials, such as PVC pipe, would vibrate too much for them to make quick cuts with other reciprocating saws. So, the manufacturer added a built-in, adjustable clamping shoe to this saw that steadies materials with up to a 2-inch diameter. The clamp slides from an unobtrusive spot on the nose using an onboard wrench.  A three-position handle helps users maneuver this compact tool into a variety of hard-to-reach spots. Weighing less than 3 pounds, the tool delivers up to 3,000 spm and features a variable-speed trigger and a tool-free collar for easy blade changing. It has a suggested retail price of $129.

The Compact Lithium 1/4-inch Impact Driver sports 950 inch/pounds of torque.

The 12-volt line’s Compact Lithium ¼-inch Impact Driver Kit delivers 950 inch-pounds of torque, which the company says is a leader in its pricing class. The impact driver reaches speeds of up to 2,400 rpm without kickback and weighs slightly over 2 pounds. It also features a magnetic bit holder, a metal belt hook, and an LED worklight. The tool kit’s suggested retail price is $119.

The Compact Lithium 3/8-inch Drill/Driver weighs slightly over two pounds.

The maker also included a 3/8-inch Compact Lithium Drill/Driver Kit in the 12 Volt line. Weighing slightly over 2 pounds and measuring 7.4 inches long, the tool was designed to help contractors drill in tight spots, such as cabinetry. An adjustable clutch provides 20 driving and drilling settings. The high-speed drill performs at up to 1,200 rpm, includes a variable-speed trigger and a single-sleeve chuck, and also sports a magnetic bit holder and LED worklight. Its suggested retail price is $90.

The new cordless/plug-in radio is designed to be jobsite-tough.

Porter-Cable also previewed its new jobsite radio, a rugged unit with a roll cage, flexible antenna, and weather-resistant speakers. The radio runs off of 18-volt lithium-ion or nicad batteries or can be plugged into an outlet. It includes a backlit clock, digital tuner, auxiliary input for CD and MP3 players, and front outlets for plugging in tools. It has a suggested retail price of $90.

All of the new tools, as well as other introductions, will be available in October. –Victoria Markovitz