Hitachi Drill Kits
Hitachi Power Tools' new DVF3 series of 18, 14.4 and 12-Volt cordless power drills are compact, lightweight, powerful and durable enough to stand up to job site abuse, and they are being introduced at a very competitive price. They feature two-piece magnet motors and deliver 400in/lbs (DS18DVF3), 300in/lbs (DS14DVF3) and 230in/lbs (class leading- DS12DVF3) of torque. All three come with two 1.4Ah batteries and have 2-speed transmissions controlled by a one-touch speed shift knob.

Measuring just over 7-1/2", they weigh in at 3.3 to 4.4 lbs, which means great access in tight places, and your arm won't fall off with fatigue after installing a few sheets of OSB. There's a 1/2" keyless chuck on the 18-Volt, and 3/8" keyless chucks on the 14.4 and 12-Volt, and all three models have a 22-stage clutch. These drills also have Hitachi's patented 5-position belt hook with an integrated bit holder, which can make life a lot easier up a ladder. Covered by Hitachi's industry leading 5-year warranty, they're packaged in durable molded plastic carrying cases that include a quick charger, two 1.4 Ah batteries, a flashlight and a driver bit.

For more information, visit www.hitachipowertools.com.

"The Toughest Tape on Planet Earth!"

That's how Gorilla describes their brand new duct tape - only it's not just for ducts. We've had a couple of rolls of this stuff in the shop and it is most definitely the strongest, stickiest stuff we've ever used. The outside is black (not the usual gray/silver), and it's designed to handle a great deal of abrasion, moisture and UV onslaught.

The mesh backing underneath the black skin is exceptionally strong, yet can still be ripped by hand. The glue is twice as thick as most others, so it fills gaps and bonds with semi-porous surfaces, even concrete. Wood, of course, is no problem at all. It's a bit spendy at $10 aroll, but the Woodezine gang think this tape will become the industry standard as soon as everybody tries it. Visit them online (www.gorillatape.com) for a local retailer.

New Augers from Bosch

For more info, visit Bosch online.

Norton is now offering their highly rated waterstones in a molded, hard-plastic case for a cleaner, easier way to sharpen your tools. They're engineered to be softer than oilstones, so they sharpen very quickly. Manufactured with abrasives graded to a consistent particle size so you achieve a perfect result time after time, these manmade stone are designed for use with water as a lubricant and flushing agent. The water flushes away metal particles and prevents the stone's surface from becoming clogged. This makes clean-up of the stone easier and it won't leave an oily residue on your tools. The new hard plastic cases are stackable, which is great for storage. The case also serves as a mini-sharpening station with rubber feet securely holding it in place while sharpening.

More Power in Less Time
New batteries from Bosch provide up to 50% more cordless battery life, while new 30-minute single and dual-bay chargers cut charge times in half. The Bluecore(TM) batteries are compatible with all current Bosch cordless power tools. Each of the new NiCad batteries - 9.6 through 24 Volt - has advanced cooling rods positioned between the pack's individual cells. This keeps the battery cool and functioning at optimal levels. There's a special sensor in each battery pack that tells the charger to maximize the battery's charge capacity. Users can expect up to 50-percent or more battery life over previous Bosch batteries. On the new chargers, two LED light indicators constantly report the status of each battery. All individual Bosch cordless tools - jigsaws, reciprocating saws, circular saws, planers - will be available with Bluecore by the end of 2005.

For more info, visit them online.