Smart new tools for homeowners

Highlights of this year's most innovative power tools

By Douglas Thomson

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Over the course of a year, a lot of new power tools pass through the hands of the editors at Canadian Home Workshop. While most of those tools are capable, only a few really manage to impress us.

Our 12 favourite tools of 2005 share a common trait-once you click on the power switch, it immediately becomes obvious that their engineers have made things faster, safer or more accurate than the previous industry standard.

Laser tools

The Ryobi Airgrip laser level uses a small battery-powered vacuum to help it stick to walls (even unpainted drywall) without marring the surface underneath. It's a great tool for help with installing wainscotting, crown moulding, stair railings and even aligning pictures. Approximately $60. Visit ryobitools.com or call 800-323-4615.

The Zircon MultiScanner elevates the once-lowly stud finder to a whole new level of utility. As well as detecting the centre of studs up to 1 1/2" deep, the scanner also looks for live electrical wires, copper plumbing and even rebar up to three inches deep in concrete. Approximately $80. Visit www.zircon.com or call 800-245-9265.

High-tech, high performance

If Luke Skywalker owned a drill, it would probably look like the Hitachi DS14DMR. In addition to its futuristic good looks, this 14.4-volt cordless drill delivers a near-perfect balance of power and weight. Other features include a two-speed transmission, externally accessible carbon brushes, an industrial-grade 1/2" ratcheting chuck to reduce bit slippage and a 22-stage ratcheting slip-clutch. We also liked the five-position belt hook and LED work light. Approximately $315. Visit www.hitachi.com or call 800-448-2244.

Tool-less blade change

This 7 1/4" circular saw from Porter-Cable is a classic case of a good tool that's made a whole lot better by a few fairly simple tweaks. The saw's new (and surprisingly simple) quick-change keyless arbour means blade changes are fast and easy. And the saw's magnesium construction helps keep its weight down to a fairly trim 9.6 lbs. A dust exhaust port that rotates helps keep sawdust off your clothes, and an on-board cord clip keeps the cord away from the blade side of the tool. Approximately $180. Visit www.portercable.com or call 800-321-9443.

Powerhouse circular saw

Milwaukee has recently upped the ante for powerhouse cordless tools. Until now, 24 volts were top of the heap when it came to power. Unfortunately, all that power also came at a price: weight. That's what makes the new 28-volt lithium-ion-powered circular so great: it has lots of power, but it's lighter. In fact, the saw's 28-volt battery weighs approximately the same as an 18-volt battery. It comes with an aluminum shoe and a built-in fuel gauge, and it spins a 6 1/2" blade. Approximately $570. Visit milwaukeetool.com or call 800-729-3878.

Built-in dust collection

On the surface, the Ryobi BS1001SV is a 10" bandsaw in a compact and convenient benchtop-size package. Even if you look a little closer, you may still miss the saw's truly ingenious design. That's because its built-in dust collection system is driven by the saw's lower pulley, which means that although it's effective enough to make for almost dust-free sawing, you'll barely be able to hear it working. Other features include a built-in LED work light and a large, easy-to-adjust tension adjustment lever. Approximately $250. Visit www.ryobitools.com or call 800-323-4615.

Cord-free nailer

Sure, it shoots a wide range of 16-gauge finishing nails, anything from 1 1/4" to 2 1/2". But the true beauty of the DeWalt DC616KN is that it can shoot nails as fast as you work, and it does so without an air hose. It's powered by a 18-volt battery and features an easy-to-adjust, six-position, numbered depth gauge and a pair of trigger-activated LED lights to make things a little brighter in low-light conditions. There are several other models in the line, including one with an angled nail magazine for tight work areas, and lighter 12- and 14-volt models for those times when weight is more important than battery power. Approximately $600. Visit www.dewalt.com or call 800-433-9258.

Battery-powered planer

It's hard to imagine a tool that benefits as much from cutting the AC cord as the Ridgid R848 power planer. An 18-volt battery provides the power, so there's no fussing with cord length and no tangles as you work. Spiral-cut blades make for smooth, fast work and an automatic rear kickstand keeps the blades elevated when you set the tool down. The large dust bag keeps things tidy. Approximately $300. Visit ridgid.com or call 800-474-3443.

Smooth operator

Although the Bosch 3725DEVS random-orbit sander hasn't made huge technical leaps forward, seeing its refined performance in action makes it worthy of note. The engineers at Bosch have obviously focused their efforts on making small but important improvements, such as the sander's impressive dust-trapping abilities, allowing it to capture particles as small as 1/2 micron in its integrated pleated filter. Add the supple polyurethane backing pad, which is designed to last up to five times longer than other pads, then toss in the thumb-operated, variable-speed dial and the ability to remove the auxiliary handle (not shown) for work in tight quarters, and you have one smart sander. Approximately $200. Visit www.boschtools.com or call 877-267-2499.

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.


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