Dremel Minimite 750 kit

Dremel Minimite 750-02 4.8V Cordless Rotary Tool

If you ever used a Dremel tool then you’re probably a “believer”. If you ever used a Dremel tool but never used a cordless model, you’re definitely in for a treat that will bring a smile to your face. Dremel began as a simple rotary tool that was mainly for hobbyists and people working on little wood projects and creative toys or decorative items. With Dremel exploding their line-up to include router attachments, oscillating tools and sanders, the brand has taken on a lot more usefulness to a wider market. Now with rechargeable solutions, Dremel has truly made headway into the mass market.

Craftsman 4.8 Volt Cordless Screwdriver chuck

Craftsman 4.8 Volt Cordless Screwdriver Review

The Craftsman 4.8 Volt Pistol Screwdriver is a handyman’s (or handywoman’s) “go-to” tool. This rechargeable pistol grip screwdriver is perfect for those around the house jobs for which the big boy tools are simply too darn cumbersome. We tested out this pistol grip screwdriver in a variety of jobs and found it to be long lasting and perfect for most basic projects, provided you didn’t expect much torque or require the finesse of a variable speed drill.

Ridgid MS1290LZA miter saw

Ridgid MS1290LZA Miter Saw Review

While other miter saws are playing at being tough, the Ridgid MS1290LZA 12-inch sliding compound miter saw takes a different approach. In fact, it takes the competition to task – with just the right blend of features and finesse. Case in point: show me another miter saw whose miter adjustments can be made with your pinky finger? Can’t find any? Welcome to Ridgid.

Ryobi RJ162VK Reciprocating Saw

Ryobi RJ162VK Reciprocating Saw Review

The Ryobi RJ162VK is a sensible 6.5 amp reciprocating saw that is perfect for the handyman or do-it-yourselfer who doesn’t require oodles of power and who isn’t planning on doing tons of demo work. Its very reasonable street price makes it one of the more handy “gotta-have-it” tools we recommend for anyone who plans on doing any type of projects around the home.

Ryobi HPL51K planer review

Ryobi HPL51K Review 3-1/4″ Electric Hand Planer

The Ryobi HPL51K electric hand planer is a budget tool that includes some very nice features such as a left/right dust ejection dial, adjustable depth knob and blade-protecting kick stand. This tool really enables easy planning of uneven surfaces – up to 3/32″ in a single cut – and even performs edge and rabbet cuts with the included edge guide.

Black & Decker JS515 jigsaw

Black and Decker JS515 Jig Saw Review

The Black & Decker JS515 4.5 amp Jigsaw can be found for a reasonable “street” price and offers reliable, if simplistic performance. The saw is your basic model and certainly doesn’t feature many frills besides tool-less changing of both universal and t-shank blades and a handy magnetic storage area for up to 3 blades. If you can find it on sale you may have a deal, but paying retail isn’t something we’d recommend for this model.

Milwaukee D Handle Drill Right Angle kit

Milwaukee D Handle Drill with Right Angle Drive Review 1107-6

We reviewed the Milwaukee 1107-6 7 amp D-handle drill with the optional right angle drive attachment and were blown away by its powerful torque and drilling capability, especially in tight corners. This is a tool that, bar none, any serious contractor should have in their arsenal. This tool is not for bargain hunters, however as it will set you back quite a bit to benefit from its stellar performance.

Hitachi C7SB2 Circular Saw cutting

Hitachi C7SB2 Circular Saw Review

The Hitachi C7SB2 7-1/4 inch 15 amp circular saw is a workhorse product which can be found for a very reasonable price if you look hard enough. Its clean lines, comfortable feel, and powerful motor make it a decent saw for cutting, but clumsy depth and bevel adjustments give it at least some areas of improvement. This tool will do well in any handyman’s kit and some professionals may even find its lightweight styling is worth a second look.