Makita has hit their 12V Max compact cordless power tool battery with a shrink ray, give it a higher capacity in a smaller size. A reader (thank you Michael F!) gave us the heads-up in a comment: Revisiting this thread to just mention that even the CXT 12V line has gotten a new 5Ah battery with 21700 cells in Japan. I just saw it on YouTube this morning. The CXT line must be more stale than LXT? I have no idea what they’re doing in terms of battery lines and strategy at this point. Indeed, Makita has the new battery, BL1050B, listed on several of their official websites. For context, this ..read more

Skil recently slashed the price of their new cordless telescoping pruning saw kit. The kit, which recently launched at $149, is now eligible for a $20 coupon that takes the price down to $129 before tax. At this time, the $20 savings looks to be exclusive to Amazon, as I could not find any other retailer offering a similar discount. The chain saw features a 6″ bar and chain, and can be extended to a length of 2.8 feet. It’s kitted with a 2Ah battery and charger. Price: $129 after coupon Buy it at Amazon Don’t forget to toggle the coupon, either via the product page checkbox or after adding it ..read more

This Dewalt 20V Max XR series brushless oscillating multi-tool kit is on sale right now, for just $99. The kit, DCS356C1, comes with the tool, compact battery, charger, tool bag, and a couple of starter accessories. This is the XR tool, with brushless motor, 3 speed selector, and tool-free blade change system. It comes with a universal accessory adapter for use with blades that don’t directly fit the split-style tool-free interface. Brushless motor Tool-free blade change system 3-speed selector Low: 0 to 13,000 OPM Medium: 0 to 17,000 OPM High: 0 to 20,000 OPM 1.6° oscillation angle Dual ..read more

Bosch has launched a new line of 18V cordless outdoor power tools, and at least one of them – a leaf blower – will be available in the USA. The European tool brand is no stranger to cordless OPE products – we reported on Bosch’s dual battery mower back in 2015. In the years since then, Bosch refrained from joining competitors and has not brought cordless outdoor power tools or lawn and garden equipment to the US market. Bosch USA has posted a new listing on their website for an 18V battery-powered cordless blower, indicating that their long absence from North America is about to change. The ..read more

A new bill proposes that table saw safety rulemaking be prohibited for the next 19 YEARS. United States lawmakers, Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, Washington) and Jeff Duncan (R, South Carolina), just introduced a bipartisan bill intended to block the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from imposing any rule that would require table saws be equipped with flesh detection and injury avoidance technology. The legislation, titled “Preserving Woodworking Traditions and Blocking Government-Mandated Monopolies Act,” if signed into law, would: prohibit the CPSC from implementin ..read more

Chervon Holdings, headquartered in China, owns EGO, Flex, Skil, and Devon tool brands. In the USA, EGO, Flex, and Skil have retail exclusivity at Lowe’s – among big box stores – and are also available at independent dealers. The company’s latest financial report is out, and it reflects that the brands had a pretty bad year. EGO has branched out into new product categories, such as battery-powered mini dirt bikes. EGO says that, according to a “highly esteemed ratings organization,” they have been rated the top rated battery platform, with 45 positive reviews among the 58 “most sought-after ..read more

Milwaukee Tool has launched new over-the-glasses (OTG) safety eyewear, which are designed to fit over most prescription glasses. The new Milwaukee OTG safety glasses meet ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standards, and are “high-velocity impact tested to provide users with military-grade impact protection.” The glasses feature a wrap-around frame, and a top rubber guard that helps protect against debris. As with other OTG safety glasses, the safety lens extends to the side for added shielding. The lens features an anti-scratch exterior coating, and fog-free interior coating. There are two styles, both with ..read more

Lowe’s Kobalt mini tool boxes were highly sought after last holiday season, with the pink and white colors being in the most demand. Do you remember the Stanley Quencher water bottle craze? There was similar fervor over these mini Kobalt tool boxes at Lowe’s. The Kobalt mini tool boxes are back in stock at Lowe’s in the same colors – white, pink, blue, and black. Looking around the store for Flex Stack Pack tool boxes, which have been purged from my local Lowe’s, I found plenty more pink mini tool boxes in the upper racks. Lowe’s seems hoping and ready for heavy demand. Unfortunately, the to ..read more

My local Home Depot stores gave plenty of floor real estate to cordless outdoor power tools recently, and I was surprised to see that there was no Makita presence. Makita USA usually focuses heavily on their cordless outdoor power tool products, with in-store and online promotions. It’s impossible to know the context of their absence from Home Depot’s Spring Black Friday and outdoor power tool promos, but the effect was apparent. Home Depot Cordless OPE Display, Spring 2023 Home Depot had a very brand-diverse display last year, with Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt, and Ryobi cordless outdoor power ..read more

I found Home Depot’s Spring Black Friday tool deals to be a bit underwhelming this year. While mass media and tool influencers would have you believe they’re offering you amazing discounts on all the tools you’ve been missing in your kit, I found them to be pretty “so-so.” They’re still worth looking through before they expire. Home Depot is also running new tool deals of the day today, and some of them are quite good. For last season’s Black Friday and holiday promos, Home Depot had a new Milwaukee Packout organizer and 90pc Shockwave bit set bundle on sale for $50, as shown in this image o ..read more