Smart new tools for homeowners

Digital mitres

No more counting hash marks as you try to determine mitre settings. With the Hitachi C12LCH, knowing the mitre or bevel angle is as simple as a quick glance at the saw’s LCD screen. And things are even easier with positive mitre stops at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6° and 45°, right and left, as well as a laser projected onto the cutting line. A 15-amp motor provides plenty of power and there is a 5 1/8″-high fence. Approximately $550. Visit hitachi.ca or call 800-448-2244.

Low-profile sander

At first glance, you might think the new 6-amp Black & Decker sander is more flashy than practical. But the sander’s low-profile design vastly increases the number of spots you can get this tool into. The small front wheel lets the sander get closer to baseboards, and the retractable cover exposes the top of the sanding belt for sanding from the bottom. A three-position handle is adjustable for improved control and comfort. Approximately $100. Visit blackanddecker.com or call 800-544-6986.

Compact impact

If you’ll be driving lots of screws-that means anything from lag bolts to drywall screws-then you should seriously consider adding an impact driver to your toolbox. An impact driver is not only smaller and lighter than an average cordless drill, it’s also much more powerful. In fact, most 12-volt impact drivers produce almost double the torque of typical 18-volt cordless drills. The Makita 14.4-volt impact driver shown above produces 1,110 inch-pounds of torque, it’s only 6 1/2″ long and it weighs only 3.7 lbs. Approximately $575. Visit makita.com or call 800-462-5482.

Super-safe tablesaw

If you’re like most people, you consider a tablesaw without a blade guard to be an accident waiting to happen. That all changes with the new SawStop line of tablesaws. Instead of a blade guard, the built-in safety system recognizes the difference in the electrical properties between what you’re supposed to be cutting and, say, your finger. If the system notices a change in those properties, it immediately forces a brake into the blade, bringing it to a complete stop in approximately five milliseconds. The company is taking orders for their 1 1/2-hp contractor saws ($1,015) and 3-hp cabinet saws ($3,175). Visit www.sawstop.com or call 503-638-6201.