RLW over at Boat Bits came across an interesting all-in-one power tool package; the Power8 Workshop. While I’m generally skeptical of this sort of thing, strongly preferring standalone, purpose-designed power tools that do one thing well, this may indeed be a good choice on a cruising boat.
Some boaters, including myself, like to tackle small fabrication projects, and I don’t know how often I’ve found myself stuck, unable to complete a project, wishing I had a drill press or small table saw handy. “My kingdom for a scroll saw!” 
RLW seems to feel the same way:
The one tool I do wish I had onboard "So It Goes" is a small table saw of some sort. I want to build new hatches (the Lewmars do what Lewmars do so well…LEAK) and it would be so much easier if I was able to have a table saw… That old cheap Black and Decker insert for the Workmate would be just fine but as far as I can see, they don’t make them anymore…
Which is why I was so interested in this newish tool kit by Power8 which is a jigsaw, circular saw and drill in a cool case that does double duty as a table saw, drill press and so on. What a NEAT idea!
For someone on a boat who needs some tools and does not have any, this is a pretty good solution and might be a great way to start out. On the other hand, for those of us with a lot of tools already, it’s a bit more problematic.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s an interesting idea, but as one of the reviews on Amazon said, it uses NiCad batteries instead of NiMH or better lithium. That’s a real weakness.
I would not be too fast to discount NiCad chemistry for batteries. I’ve built two cruising boats from the keel up, a dozen dinghies and too many to count projects with my DeWalt tools using Ni Cads and the NI Cads are still hanging in there.
Lithium batteries are certainly lighter (as well as cheaper to make so more profit) but I have yet to find the NiCads too heavy.
I agree. NiCads have a lower “density” than NiMH or lithium (lower amp-hour capacity), but they last through more discharge/recharge cycles, in my experience.
So as long as NiCads can provide a single charge that lasts “long enough”, whatever that means for a given situation, I prefer them.