The Ridgid Lamminate Trimmer is basically a small hand-held router and in many ways similar to the Bosch, Makita and other small 1/4 inch mini routers. The Ridgid Trim Router features a moulded grip that makes the router easy to hold on to and seems to conform to your hand as you hold it, and when you think about it, a hand held router should feel good to hold onto, after all it  IS a hand held unit.

The Ridgid trim router that we tested also comes with a nice canvas case and includes both a square and a circular base, and even and edge guide along with the chuck wrench for installing and uninstalling bits. This unit is one of the few laminate trimmers that also features variable speed. At the outset, having variable speed may seem like a small feature but if you are using the trimmer for a variety of jobs, you NEED variable speed because trimming different materials requires a different speeds, like triming laminate or arborite uses a different speed than trimming burl wood veneers. The one thing we loved was the location and ease of changing speeds with this unit.

We found changing bits was a wee bit awkward as the base really needs to be removed altogether. To help facilitate this there is a quick release, but then there is also "stop" near the end that needs even more effort to get past. All in all, changing bits was not a big issue. just something we needed to get used to. We weren't thrilled with the off on switch which is a indented square block at the top (in fact we to really look to see where the off/on switch was). On the other hand we didn't know what we would do to improve this and we did appreciate that this design although not as easy to turn the trimmer on, is VERY easy to turn the trimmer off which is more important.

In using the router we came to like the micro adjustment that changes the height of the bit in relationship to the base. We found that we could some very accurate cuts and lock the position firmly and that it was positive and smooth to operate, but held firmly.

Laminate trimmers have been around for quite some time but have never been wildly popular and now that we have used this unit, we wonder why that is? These small hand held routers are convient, easy to use and have a multitude of uses such as  ...

Milwaukee Tools have been around for quite some time ... actually ... well over 100 years. Several years ago they were purchased by Techtronic Industries (TTI), who also own Ryobi, AEG, Homelite and others. The Milwaukee brand in the complex of businesses is considered to be the serious tool owners preference because of the high quality of Milwaukee tools.

If you get a chance to look at their website ... if the quality of their tools is anything like the high quality of their website you will be in for a treat of having a well made tool. Not only do they describe all their tools on the website (the same as everyone else) they ALSO provide excellent information on parts ... too bad others don't take this hint.

We tested some of the components of the M12 System which is their 12 volt cordless system, which consists of a drill, a driver, recip saw, rotary tool, inspection and camera viewers, lights, temperature measuring guns,  a palm nailer, PVC shearing tool, a multi tool, and even a very cool radio/MP3 Player (that can withstand the rigors of a construction site).

The tools we looked at primarily were the drill and driver as we felt these would be among the most popular tools in the lineup. The 12 volt system is NOT for everyone. The power is ... well, 12 volts, which is great for driving smaller nuts and bolts and screws, or for drilling a smaller number of holes. The 12 volt system is not going to drill multiple holes though 2" fir beams if you happen to be running new power feeds from your 110 electrical panel. The 12 volt system is perfectly suited for smaller applications of drilling multiple smaller holes, or driving screws into a woodworking project. What we liked was that the 12 volt system is light but still packs enough punch to drive larger screws into Oak without any difficulty.

What was of particular interest is that these new tools are all using the same lithium ion battery system which recharges in something like 30 minutes.

When it comes to sharpening tools, one name always comes to mind - Tormek. The reason is, this sharpening system has been around since 1972 when it was concieved and developed. Originally Sweden for sharpening various tools, like axes and other farm  and garden tools, it was well known that when sharpening steel, a much finer, sharper edge could be created if the steel was kept cool during the sharpening process. The only real way of doing this was to use water in some way, hence the Tormek system was developed.

Today the Tormek system is the most sought after sharpening system for any serious woodturner. Sure the Tormek can sharpen many other tools as well, but for woodturners who are ALWAYS sharpening their chisels, the Tormek system is tops. What makes the Tormek so desireable is that it can quickly sharpen a woodturner's chisel without taking much of the steel away. This means a chisel can have it's keen edge "touched up" frequently without fear of the tool losing it's temper, or being ground away to nothing in no time. That - is the benefit of Tormek.

Over the years, this system has been refined and added to so that now there are a number of accessories available to suite any woodturners needs. The tool its'elf can be kept in top order by having the stone re-dressed so that it will always give excellent sharpening results.

How many tools do you own that have a 7 year warranty? ... That's right, the Tormek has a 7 year warranty, and that applies to commercial users as well. That's the kind of confidece and qualtiy that is built into this system. If you are a woodturner, this tool is a must for your shop

Woodworking tools come in many different versions and sometimes they verge on being more home reno tools than actuall woodworking tools, but it really depends on the kind of woodworking projects you make ... doesn't it. Not everyone I know makes furniture or musical instruments out of dimensional boards, plywood or MDF. I do have some acquaintences that actually make furniture out of ... well ... sticks. At least larger limbs of trees and such and even some who things like wicker type products. For these people a tablesaw is a useless tool, a bandsaw is far more useful and a hand portable saws even more useful ...

ENTER the Master Mind 3" Compact Circular Saw. Not only is this a highly versatile tool because of the types of blades it can use, it has the ability to hold the tool at different angles to get maximum control of the tool as you use it. Included with the saw is a precsion Laser Light so that you can see exactly where the blade will be cutting and therefore the most accurate cuts available are possible. If you are cutting things like tile, which can be very dusty, there is  a dust chute available to help control the dust and keep your working environment healthier. The little 2.8 amp motor kicks out at 2800 RPM so cutting through most things is a breeze.

One of the reasons I don't use as much plywood as I could is because it is too hard to handle. I love plywood for many reasons. It's strong, usually very stable (at least depending on the quality of plywood you purchase), you can use it for MANY different projects, it takes veneering easily so even inexpensive wood can look like a million bucks.

The biggest drawback with plywood is handling it safely. Many of us do not have a workshop large enough to manage ripping a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood in, and certainly not safely when we are alone ... which is much of the time. On the occasions that I do need to purchase and use plywood, I bring it home, put it on sawhorses and cut it with my circular saw. That is the only easy and safe way to handle it. Unfortunately I have to make sure it is not a rainy day ... which also cuts my options down. For years I have dreamed of having a panel saw. I have even seen plans where I can make my own, but just am not sure how good it would be.

Wouldn't you know it ... someone had finally come out with a panel saw that is affordable and sizable for small woodworking shops. If you are a production shop, a panel saw is a must, and you need a good one, but if you are a home hobbyist, making a few item ... maybe a few for sale, a panel saw would be a real benefit, well now you can own your own affordable panel saw.