You know the deal with glue: you buy a normal size container, use a little bit of it, set it on the shelf, and then forget about it – and next time when you try to use it, the tip is all plugged up. Sometimes you can fashion a new opening and get to the nearly full container of glue – other times it’s too much of a hassle and you throw the whole thing away and go get another. Now Gorilla Glue has solved your life-long problems (glue-wise) with a mini version. Yay! And take a look at Bosch’s surface laser below – the first of its kind. Very cool. Plus, we have loads of additional news from the likes of Milwaukee, Klein, Porter Cable, and even LaGesse! La Who? Read up, and you’ll wish you La-invented it!
Gorilla Wood Glue – Now in Mini Size
Gorilla Wood Glue – useful to both carpenters and crafters alike – is now available in a smaller 4 oz version. GG sent us a few samples, and we like the one size does NOT fit all approach. The new size fits conveniently into a toolbox and it’s less wasteful of the product if the container dries out. The formula is the same design; good for a variety of wood surfaces, dries a natural color, has a short clamp time of 20-30 minutes, and cleans up easily with water. The miniature size will be available for a measly $2.99 wherever Gorilla Glue products are sold.
Milwaukee Moves Forward Again in Cordless Power Tools
Milwaukee has expanded its FUEL line to include M12 products – specifically six different drilling and fastening tools that integrate Milwaukee’s POWERSTATE brushless motor, REDLINK PLUS intelligence and new REDLITHIUM 2.0 battery pack. These new models, available this winter, will run longer and stronger than many compact 18V tools currently out there. We saw them at Milwaukee’s recent media event and they are hot, hot, red-hot! M12 Fuel drills will include a 2-speed screwdriver, drill/driver, and hammer drill/driver. A ¼” hex impact driver and both ¼” and 3/8” square impact wrenches are included in the M12 FUEL impact tools.
New Cable Cutter from Milwaukee
This new cable cutter is designed to be small enough to fit into panels and boxes, but powerful enough to cut large diameter cable. It has a 2 speed gear case which provides a lower speed for the larger wires, and a higher speed to slice through smaller wires (4/0 and smaller) quickly. The tool is designed to cut through several wire types including copper, aluminum, SER Cables, G-Type, paired communication cable, and underground cable. The versatility and small design make it a useful tool both at the commercial level and for service tradesmen.
For a more extensive review, check out my buddy Todd’s write up at ToolBoxBuzz (and really, our intrepid Editor Marc claims to not be stoned in that picture, and claims he didn’t cut off anyone’s finger, despite what it looks like). And check out this fabulously exciting action shot by the crack smoking video team of Tools In Action fame with Marc wielding the cable cutter:
Coax Radial Stripper from Klein Tools
As another addition to the voice/data/video (VDV) line, the new Coax Combination Radial Stripper strips both utility and standard cable sizes including RG6, RG6-QS, RG59, RG11, and RG7, and does so at two different levels – outer jacket and dialectic – in one step. The tool is equipped with a sliding depth gauge to pre-measure cable for repeatable strips. The design is also supposed to eliminate the need for the installer to use his fingers as a backstop for sharp wire tips.
PORTER-CABLE Rolls Out an 18 Volt ClampSaw With Innovative Features
PORTER-CABLE’s new 18 Volt ClampSaw® Reciprocating Saw (PCC475B) delivers some real improvements for working with smaller material such as pipe or strut, which tend to move during cutting. A shoe extends around the material and clamps it into place for a fast and accurate cut. On top of this, a three-position pivoting handle allows the saw to fit into and work well in tight spaces. Brilliant! The PCC475B will be available next month at Lowe’s and independent distributors.
LaGesse Introduces the LaSquare Combination Square
This the classic, “Why didn’t I think of that” product. The folks at LaGesse re-created the classic combination square with an extra-wide 2” base for added stability. This baby can be used with odd shaped materials such as round or square tubing, handrails, pipe, crown molding, cement blocks, wooden posts and other materials. The base is aluminum for increased stability, and the built-in level and stainless steel blade are added for convenience and durability. There are four different blade sizes available for multiple applications, and prices range from $32.95 to $92.95.
Milwaukee Amps Up the Next Generation of Lithium Batteries
Always pushing the envelope, Milwaukee has introduced their 6th generation of Lithium-Ion batteries – REDLITHIUM 2.0 and XC4.0, which are spec’d-out to provide up to 2X more run-time, 20% more power and 2 or more times as many recharges than standard Litihum–Ion batteries. The REDLITHIUM 2.0 batteries also provide more run-time, power and recharges than standard Lithium-Ion batteries, and perform best-in-class in extreme job-site conditions, including fade-free performance in temperatures below 0° F/-18° C.
Bosch Releases the First Surface Laser
The new GSL 2 surface laser from Bosch is the first of its kind – with a capability to continuously check floor levels and flatness. It scans an entire floor within a few minutes and detects any uneven floor surfaces, raised bumps, or recesses more efficiently than spirit levels, optical levels, and rotary and line lasers. The three-step system can be performed by one person alone, using only the Surface Laser. Users can remain close to uneven spots without having to stay near the tool, by using a target plate and RC 2 remote control. The tool self-levels in five seconds and has a leveling range of +/- 4 degrees. The Bosch Surface Laser is available this month at authorized dealers and comes in two different options: the tool alone, or the GSL 2 Kit which includes batteries, a remote control, and the target plate. Check out this video with a very hot beat for the sexy little laser (which makes me want to sing the Transformers theme song):
http://youtu.be/2AUWh10LEfI
You can pick up the Bosch GSL 2 Surface Laser for Floor Leveling and Preparation from Amazon for just over five Benjamins. Just beware of robots in disguise!
I am buying the Legesse square tomorrow. That is a cool mod to an indispensable tool.
Cool! Come back and let us know how it works out here if you get the chance Robert.