Skil 5995 18V 5-3/8" Cordless Skilsaw Review

5-3/8″ Skil 18V Circular Saw Review 5995

The new SKIL 5-3/8″ 18V Cordless Skilsaw 5995 is a homeowner’s dream tool – offering professional quality at a price almost anyone can afford. With an excellent power-to-weight ratio, top quality design, and the latest 18V lithium ion battery technology, this saw is ideal for anyone who already has some compatible 18V SKIL tools and wants to add a portable saw into the mix. This is a great tool for those just starting out with their first home or the seasoned do-it-yourself type.

Skil 9350-01 18V Orbital Reciprocating Saw Review

Skil 18V Reciprocating Saw Review 9350-01

The new SKIL 9350-01 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw is a homeowner’s dream tool – offering professional quality at a price almost anyone can afford. With an excellent power-to-weight ratio, top quality design, and the latest 18V lithium ion battery technology, this saw is an ideal for those just starting out with their first home or the seasoned do-it-yourself type.

Skil 2895LI-02 18V Cordless Drill/Driver Review

Skil 2895LI-02 18V Drill Driver Review

One of the first things we noticed about the Skil 2895LI-02 18V Cordless Drill/Driver was how lightweight it felt in our hands. Now some might take this as a negative point, but we liked what we saw because the tool had good balance, was easy to hang onto and appeared to be well made. While many heavy duty homeowners will like this tool, we think that many budget conscious contractors can also benefit from its no-nonsense approach to driving and drilling.

Hitachi WH10DFL 12V Lithium Ion Micro Impact Driver Review

Hitachi WH10DFL 12V Lithium Ion Micro Impact Driver Review

Take something that is good and make it better. That’s what Hitachi did with their new WH10DFL 12V Peak Lithium Ion Micro Impact Driver. This impact driver is also part of the KC10DFL 12V Driver Drill and Impact Driver Micro Combo Kit. Features like a smaller size, lighter weight, better batteries and more power are just a few of the improvements that make this new tool stand out. In a market with many new tools in the sub-compact category, it can be a tricky endeavor to add value and good features.

Hitachi DS10DFL 12V Peak Lithium Ion Micro Driver Drill Review

Hitachi DS10DFL 12V Micro Driver Drill Review

Take something that is already good and continue to make it better. That’s what Hitachi did with their new Hitachi DS10DFL 12V Micro Drill Driver. This drill is also part of Hitachi’s KC10DFL 12V Driver Drill and Impact Driver Micro Combo Kit. Features like a smaller size, lighter weight, better batteries and more power are just a few of the improvements that make this new tool stand out. In a market with many new tools in the sub-compact category, it can be a tricky endeavor to add value as well as good features.

Porter Cable PC180DK-2 18V Drill Driver Kit Review

Porter Cable PC180DK-2 18V Cordless Drill Review

When you hear the name Porter Cable, thoughts of quality tools usually come to mind; so when we heard about the new PC180DK-2 18V cordless Drill/Driver Kit we were pretty excited to check it out. This cordless drill/driver kit comes complete with two Ni-Cad batteries, a “fast” 60-minute charger, carry case and double-ended bit. As we began to remove the drill from its packaging we quickly noticed its quality, like the gray hard-molded ABS plastic body with black overmolded rubber grips. The tool has a decent heft to it that seemed to convey a rather robust build quality. This is a tool that is ready for business.

Milwaukee M18 Cordless Work Light 49-24-0171 Review

Milwaukee M18 Work Light 49-24-0171 Review

We got to take a look at the Milwaukee M18 Cordless Work Light (49-24-0171). Initially we liked the basic design of the work light, but had to complain, respectfully, that any stand-alone light in this day and age should include a new super-bright LED bulb. Milwaukee sells both an LED-based Work Light 2735-20 ($55) and a 50,000-hour stand-alone LED upgrade bulb 49-81-0090 ($30).

Milwaukee 2620-22 M18 Sawzall Reciprocating Saw Review

Milwaukee 2620-22 M18 Sawzall Reciprocating Saw Review

The Milwaukee M18 Sawzall (2620-22) is just plain fun to use. It’s cordless, which opens up a wide range of opportunities for use, and weighs just shy of 8 lbs with the battery. The weight puts it surprisingly close to its corded brethren. What it gives up in power (and lack of orbital action) it makes up in strokes per minute. In fact, it has more SPM than the corded 11-15 amp models Milwaukee offers. Since it lacked orbital action (which reduces its effectiveness at demolition work) overall cutting progress was considerably slower than a corded or even cordless orbital model.