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  • Fast, Snooth PerformanceMakita's New Finishing Sander Delivers Fast, Snooth Performance with Better Grip and Control
  • ebuild (8/15/2007)
  • Makita U.S.A., Inc., manufacturer of high quality industrial power tools and accessories, is proud to announce the release of its new Finishing Sander (model BO4556K). The new finishing sander features 14,000 OPM for fast and smooth finishing sanding, reduced vibration, and a rubberized palm grip for better control. It is ideal for wood workers and finish carpenters who require a best-in-class sander.
  • AN923 and AN943 FramersTOTT Editor's Choice Award Winner: AN923 and AN943 Framers
  • BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine (8/15/2007)
  • Makita. The company has added a three-mode selector switch on its AN923 and AN943 framers (shown), joining its other framing, siding, and roofing coil nailers. Users can choose from bounce-fire, sequential-fire, or lock positions, providing jobsite safety at the touch of a switch, the maker says. Cost: $299 each. 800-462-5482.
  • Diamond Grit Coring BitsTOTT Editor's Choice Award Winner: Diamond Grit Coring Bits
  • BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine (8/15/2007)
  • Hitachi. The company's new diamond grit coring bits dig cleanly and quickly through tough-to-drill materials such as tile, marble, granite, slate, or glass. Water smoothes and cools the process, while the bits offer increased speed and control, the firm says. They are available in nine sizes from 3/16- to 1-inch diameters. Cost: $13-$25. 800-829-4752.
  • Brick and Mortar SawTOTT Editor's Choice Award Winner: Brick and Mortar Saw
  • BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine (8/15/2007)
  • ArborTech. The Australian-born ArborTech AS160 brick and mortar saw is a cross between an angle grinder and a jigsaw. It was developed for masonry repair and re-pointing, and for applications requiring accurate cut-ins into brick and masonry for installations like electrical boxes. It is especially useful for masonry work on historic homes, the company says. Twin carbide-tipped blades cut squarely without overcutting. Cost: $1,065. U.S. fax: 866-515-8104.
  • Electrician's JobStation LadderTOTT Editor's Choice Award Winner: Electrician's JobStation Ladder
  • BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine (8/15/2007)
  • Werner Ladder. The Electrician's JobStation ladder features slots that hold the most-used electrical tools, along with a measurement scale in 1/8-inch increments and a groove that holds up to 1-inch conduit pipe. Other details include a hacksaw hook, a bungee tool holder, wire spool holder brackets, and fold-out hooks that hold conduit for cutting. A version for pipe fitters and a contractor's model will be available later this year. Cost: $99-$269. 888-229-7727.
  • Extractor Extracting PliersTOTT Editor's Choice Award Winner: Extractor Extracting Pliers
  • BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine (8/15/2007)
  • Jefferson Tools. The Extractor removes exposed nails and fasteners quickly and easily, the maker says. Resistance encountered in the extracting process is converted into gripping force, and once extraction is initiated, the handles no longer need to be squeezed, which means less user fatigue. The tool's rocking-heel bottom allows long fasteners to be extracted in one motion, according to the firm. Cost: $25. 843-556-0455.
  • PullzAll Hand-Held Electric Pulling ToolTOTT Editor's Choice Award Winner: PullzAll Hand-Held Electric Pulling Tool
  • BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine (8/15/2007)
  • Warn Industries. The electric PullzAll offers an easy option for lifting beams into place and pulling walls into alignment for loads up to 1,000 pounds, the company says. The unit is light, fast, and powerful, with a variable-speed motor, push-button forward/reverse control, and electronic load-limiter, according to the firm. A 110-volt electric model and a 24-volt nicad cordless unit are available. Cost: corded, $282; cordless, $600. 800-543-9276.
  • Stinger Manually Operated Cap HammerTOTT Editor's Choice Award Winner: Stinger Manually Operated Cap Hammer
  • BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine (8/15/2007)
  • National Nail. The Stinger manually operated cap-applying tool is the latest offering in the company's line of plastic cap fastening devices for installing roofing felt and housewrap. Basically a hammer tacker with a built-in cap dispenser, the tool is quick and easy to use, the maker says, and uses standard 3/8-inch staples. It holds up to 168 caps. Cost: $50. 800-746-5659.
  • Domino Wood-Joining SystemTOTT Editor's Choice Award Winner: Domino Wood-Joining System
  • BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine (8/15/2007)
  • Festool. The Domino wood-joining system can replace biscuits, dowels, and even traditional mortise-and-tenon joints. According to the maker, it is designed to be quicker and better than other methods and features an oscillating router cutter and solid wood composition. The product's enormous success in Europe kept it out of the U.S. for a year as the company worked to fill first-year domestic orders that were 10 times their predicted volume. Cost: $700. 888-337-8600.
  • Heavy Duty Pavement BreakerTOTT Editor's Choice Award Winner: Heavy Duty Pavement Breaker
  • BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine (8/15/2007)
  • DeWalt. The company aims to put an end to joint-jolting vibrating breakers with its first heavy breaker, the 68-pound D25980. With a three-axis measured vibration value of only 6.6 meters/second2, the company says it has the lowest vibration of any breaker or hammer of any size. The large hammer unit provides a category-leading 61 foot-pounds of impact energy while the built-in counterbalance and pivoting handles provide extra cushioning. Cost: $1,499. 800-433-9258.

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