The big Bosch news, though, was the debut of its Litheon 10.8-volt pocket driver, which Bosch says is the world's smallest nail driver. Light and shaped like a handgun, the driver fits easily in most anyone's hand and can be maneuvered in tight spots, making the tool ideal for electricians. Each charge can drive up to 300 wood screws, with holes up to a 1/2-inch diameter.
Though stuck in a corner in one of the smaller rooms at the Georgia World Congress Center, Bosch's booth was one of the most crowded, with convention attendees passing display models of Bosch tools around like cigars at a bachelor party. One man pretended to shoot another with the pocket-sized nail driver, and a third exclaimed loudly he now knew what his wife was getting for Christmas.
A Bosch handheld router garnered similar excitement, though not quite as much as the gun-shaped driver. The new router is light, like the driver, and has a control for both coarse and fine cuts. It also has a molded plastic grip making it easier for use in tight spots.
Oneida Air Systems' portable cyclonic dust collector stands about 5-feet tall, uses a flex hose connection, and doesn't require ductwork. The Oneida features two dust drums that don't need a HEPA filter allowing a woodworker to sand for hours without stopping to clean filters.
Although many manufacturers introduced consumer products aimed at hobbyists, most merchandise at IWF was aimed at small woodworking businesses that build custom cabinets, doors, window frames or floors.
