December 7, 2009
(Disclaimer: We are not paid to review or promote these products)
We couldn’t possibly leave out power tools from our Holiday Gift Guide! All the power tools we have chosen here come with video instructions, so no worries about struggling with complicated diagrams. Of course, video does not replace official written instructions just like every manufacturer would tell you – but having video handbooks goes a long way when making a decision about which tool to buy. Fair warning – I am biased towards products that have the best and most detailed video instructions – I am a visual kinda person and don’t like to read my manuals.
A lot of companies are adding video instructions for their power tools so we will be able to bring you many more as they become available on www.HandBookLive.com. For now enjoy a select few who are ahead of the curve and are listening to what consumers want – don’t just write a manual the size of a phone book that no one will ever be able to get through – just show it!
We will start with a few products from DeWalt and Delta, as they seem to be the leaders when it comes to educating their customers using video and making their instructional videos available.
1. DeWalt Track Saws DWS520K and DC351KL 
www.dewalt.com
I have seen this saw at a recent woodworking show in Costa Mesa, CA and it is really amazing how much thought went into it. You can even set it up to trim your doors without ever taking them down. The video instructions for DeWalt track Saw are excellent and very detailed. So this product goes on my wish list and I am secretly hoping that Santa is reading this…
Complete video for DeWalt track Saw on HandBookLive.com
2. DeWalt Adjustable Miter Saw Laser System DW7187 
www.dewalt.com
Designed exclusively for use on the DW713, DW715, DW716 and DW718 DEWALTŪ miter saws and will not fit any other DEWALTŪ miter saw or any other miter saw brand, so hopefully your miter saw is on this list because this laser system is very handy. Again the instructions on video are very detailed and walk you through the set up. You can see the complete video handbook for DeWalt Adjustable Miter Saw Laser System, but here is a Quick Start chapter showing the installation of this laser:
Complete video handbook for Miter Saw Laser System on HandBookLive.com
3. Delta Unisaw Cabinet Saw 
www.deltaportercable.com
I was completely sold on this table saw after realizing that Delta gives you step by step video instructions on how to put it together. To be fair, I cannot be sure that Delta is the only company who provides this level of detailed video instructions, but I am going by what I have seen, plus the general reputation of Delta products. I doubt Santa will slide this Table Saw under my Christmas tree this year but you can always hope, right? Video instructions come with the Saw but you can also preview them online by watching Delta Unisaw video handbook. And here is a quick introduction to this great product:
Complete Delta Unisaw video handbook on HandBookLive.com
4. SawStop Contractor Saw 
www.sawstop.com
This saw gets on my wish list because of safety. No matter how many times I watch their hot dog demonstration showing the saw stopping the moment it touches the hot dog – I am always amazed. We don’t do a lot of construction projects at our house and that is precisely why I would love to have this saw – no matter how long it has been since the last time I was cutting wood and no matter how rusty or clumsy I get each year – I wouldn’t have to worry about missing any fingers. And while there are yet not too many instructions on assembly, The video handbook for SawStop goes over all the features of the saw in great detail, and in the Quick Start guide you can see how to change the cartridge in case you had an accident and the Saw had to engage its safety mechanism. Enjoy the hotdog demonstration!
Complete video handbook for SawStop on HandBookLive.com
I do not have an extra garage to fit an industrial size laser engraver, but I have to admit that any time we go to woodworking tradeshows I cannot help but stop and watch almost every laser demonstration. It is just amazing – the level of detail and the speed at which these lasers can turn a simple picture into a delicate work of art, or create a gigantic engraving that can go on a wall or be used as a sign. Your imagination is the only limit to what’s possible with these machines!
So that’s why I wanted to include a couple of lasers systems in this holiday guide. Maybe it will just inspire you to do some woodworking projects or go to a local show and purchase some of those beautiful engravings and maybe start up your own engraving business.
5. Kern Laser Cutting and Engraving Systems 
www.kernlasers.com
Watch entire video handbook for Kern lasers or enjoy this preview of what this system is capable of:
Complete video handbook for Kern lasers on HandBookLive.com
6. Epilog Laser Engraving System 
Watch entire video handbook for Epilog lasers or enjoy this preview to learn what you can do with Epilog laser system:
Complete video handbook for Epilog lasers on HandBookLive.com
7. Vision Max Pro Laser Engraver 
www.visionengravers.com
MaxPro video handbook also includes chapters showing you how to create a a rhinestone design for fabrics like bags or clothes, so maybe if you get really adventurous this Christmas you can make your own Santa designs out of rhinestones! Here is this video chapter:
Complete MaxPro video handbook on HandBookLive.com
8. Trotec Speedy 500 CO2 laser cutting and engraving system 
www.troteclaser.com
Video handbook for Trotec 500 has great 3D animations you will enjoy regardless of which laser system you prefer. Here is Speedy 500 in action:
Watch complete video for Trotec 500 on HandBookLive.com
Author: Simon F. Smith
www.HandBookLive.com