Makita LXDG01 18V 1/4″ Die Grinder Preview
Makita dropped a new metalworking tool into its 18V line. Their brand new one-handed Makita LXDG01 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless […]
Bosch GLM 80 Laser Distance Measurer
Bosch surprised us this week by releasing their new GLM 80, the company’s first Li-ion laser distance measurer. The Bosch GLM […]
Milwaukee 14-in Abrasive Cut-Off Saw 6177-20
Milwaukee gave some more love to metal workers today when it debuted their new Milwaukee 14″ Abrasive Cut-Off Saw (6177-20). […]
DeWalt 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw DWS780 Preview
We’re out at the DeWalt media event today, testing out various new products. One of them is the brand new 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Model DWS780). DeWalt is positioning the DWS780 as the lightest dual bevel sliding miter saw on the market – and indeed it weighs in at just 56 lbs. The $599 DWS780 seems like a really great product for both the professional and serial DIY’er who wants to tear into serous home projects. DeWalt’s new 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw has a new XPS LED light that throws a “laser-like” shadow on the work surface. This is designed to show where the blade will cut. DeWalt believes this system is more accurate than traditional laser systems and won’t drift out of alignment over time. While they are providing a neat new way to get an accurate cut, we were sad to still see them using the smoke-colored blade guard, which obscures the view of the blade.
CAMO Marksman Pro Hidden Deck Fastener System Review
We’re not easily impressed with hidden decking systems. While they offer a really excellent finished product, many of the systems require clips and extra work that causes the job to take longer, involve more training and generally increase your costs to deliver the finished product. With the CAMO Hidden Deck Fastening System, however, our concept of what was possible with hidden deck fastening systems was redefined. The CAMO system, which uses a Marksman or Marksman Pro installation tool, eliminates the need for clips and routing or cutting the edges of the board, and simplifies the method of deck board installation. In a nutshell, they devised a method to fasten the boards by driving screws at an angle along the board’s edge – directly into the joist. In this way, the boards are secured and the entire process is simplified. In short – it’s fast, and it’s impressive.
Bosch Thin-Wall Metal Hole Saws Review
Using products like the Bosch Thin Wall Metal Hole Saw are probably the easiest way to make clean holes in sheet metal. We recently tried the Bosch HTW1 1″ Thin Metal Hole Saw on an aluminum gutter project and found it made our task of installing the down spout connection to the gutter almost effortless. Now this is not just a regular hole saw but one that is optimized to cut metal. It has a built-in spring ejector for the plug and has a 1/4″ hex shank that will fit into your impact driver. Probably the handiest feature is the shoulder that is built into the top of the bit that acts as a stop to keep the hole saw from going completely though your workpiece. The logic for this is that if you have to add a hole to an electrical panel, you can drill into the side of it without fear of the hole saw blasting though the steel wall and into the wires inside.
Johnson 25′ PlanReader Architect Series Power Tape Review
Oftentimes, when out in the field, it can be difficult to measure plans to verify dimensions. With the new Johnson 1819-0025 25′ PlanReader Architect Series Power Tape, you have both 1/8″ and 1/4″ architectural scales built right into the bottom of the tape. With larger, easy to see numbers on the top side of the tape, you can do your regular measuring and layout work. When you need to go back to the drawing board to check some dimensions or verify the size of something on the plans, just flip the tape over and you have the two most common architectural scales at your fingertips.
Johnson Level 40-6616 Tiling and Flooring Laser Level Review
The Johnson Level 40-6616 Tiling and Flooring Laser Level makes doing right angle flooring layouts simpler and is a good tool to use along the way to check to make sure things stay in line. For a reasonable price, the DIY’er has a tool that can make their tile projects have that professional appearance. Everyone knows that in tile work, it is all about straight lines, perfect corners and a layout that matches the room. Johnson’s new Flooring Laser Level has a simple design, good accuracy, and a reasonable price that will bring a level of quality to your project, even if you are going to do a single floor. With laser guidance within reach, you can ensure that your flooring project will come out the way you dreamed it would.
Kobalt 63 Piece Mechanics Tool Set Review
With the recent reintroduction of the Kobalt mechanics tools, we have been eager to put our hands on a set to see what they are all about. The Kobalt 63 Piece Mechanics Tool Set (0338513) that we got in includes some of the most common 1/4″ and 3/8″ drive Metric and SAE sizes sockets that you will need. Things like a 72 tooth ratchet and fully polished chrome plating on all the tools comes standard along with laser etching and red/blue colored markings for easy identification of SAE (standard) and MM (metric) sizes. With an ever-growing line of mechanics tools, it looks like Kobalt is not just about quality, but also variety. They want to make sure that they have what you need to do your projects – and they enlisted the help of Hendrick Motorsports to make sure they did it right this time.
Porter-Cable PC250MTK Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit Review
With just about every tool manufacturer making oscillating multi-tools now, almost everyone has one. If you have been one of the few holding out for other options like a tool-free blade change system, you are now in luck – Fein’s expensive FMM-250Q Top system isn’t the only game in town. You need to check out the new Porter-Cable PC250MTK Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit. This new tool from Porter-Cable has what might be an even better tool-less blade change system than the original from Europe. With this new convenience comes the catch that for now you can only use the Porter-Cable blades and accessories.