Professional Tool Reviews for Pros

Menu
Breaking
Best Oscillating Multi-Tool Reviews 2024 Wolverine DuraShocks SR Icon Work boots Get a FREE DeWalt Battery with Select Bare Tool Purchase! Milwaukee M18 Fuel Coil Roofing Nailer Review 2909 Ridgid 3-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum Review HD0300

Hand Tool Reviews & Buying Guides

Hand tools make up a large portion of the equipment we carry every day. Pro Tool reviews pays close attention to recent innovations. Our hand tool reviews include knives & cutting tools, wrenches, chisels, fastening tools, hammers, and more. These hand tools covers the gamut from one end of the industry to another. Possibly our favorite series is our best framing hammer review. In that head-to-head review we compared nine popular models. This type of comparison isn’t always possible, but we do test out these tools on the jobsite. Hand Tool Reviews for the Pro Tradesman This is also where you’ll find popular lighting products and even folding knives from Kershaw, CRKT, and Zero Tolerance. We try to review as many of these types of tools as possible. This helps us remain a leader in reporting industry trends. This is particularly important when manufacturers add new features or make tweaks to their products. Sometimes they revamp an entire line. Other times they include something that only slightly improves a hand tool over a previous model. It all adds up.

Johnson Level 40-6005 230' Laser Distance Measure Review
0

Johnson Level 40-6005 Laser Distance Measure Review

by Thomas Gaige

Tape measures are great, but for anyone who’s done layout work or estimated for a significant construction project, you aren’t going to get much joy out of dragging out a physical tape 200 feet tape measure. The new Johnson Level and Tool 40-6005 Laser Distance Measure is a tool that takes the walking and dragging out of the distance measuring game. It’s super compact in size, yet it has an incredibly useful range. But that’s all common features of a technology that’s commonplace now. Where Johnson attempts to distinguish itself is in its flexibility and speed. The Johnson Level 40-6005 can handle taking measurements from as little as 2 inches out to its maximum of 230 feet. On top of that, it’s lighting quick, thanks to a fast on-board processor that delivers results faster than just about any other similarly-priced laser distance measure we’ve used. Accuracy is also an astounding +/- 1/16 of an inch – even out at long distances. And, just to make sure that you are on target, a built-in laser pointer shows you exactly where you are aiming. Now let’s break down the features a little at a time.

Kershaw Compound 1940ST Folding Knife Review
0

Kershaw Compound 1940ST Folding Knife Review

by Clint DeBoer

The Kershaw Compound 1940ST is a partially serrated knife that features the company’s Speedsafe assisted open and a durable glass-filled nylon handle with pocket clip. The knife is a tad unusual in that the handle tapers down to a very thin, just 5/8-inch depth at the base of the handle. With a partially serrated blade, the Compound 1940ST is perfectly suited for both slicing and cutting tougher cords or rope. We liked the weight of the knife and the way it fit snugly and deeply into our pocket, with only the smallest amount peeking out – so as an every day carry (EDC) knife this may be an excellent choice for you.

Hart 21 oz. Milled Face Hickory Framing Hammer Review
0

Hart 21 oz Milled Face Hickory Framing Hammer Review

by Clint DeBoer

For some, a hammer isn’t all that important. If you’re serious about tools, however, or a framer by trade, a hammer is an extension of your arm and something you use almost all the time. With that being the case, issues like weight, features, and balance become very important. In fact, when you’re striking nails almost non-stop, it’s possible to actually calculate the time-is-money factor, and you’ll see that your choice of hammer becomes something that could net you literally hours of labor-savings over the course of a year. It was with that mentality that we turned our fascination to Hart’s line of Mill-faced Framing Hammers.

Hart 21 oz. Milled Face Steel Framing Hammer Review
0

Hart 21 oz Milled Face Steel Framing Hammer Review

by Clint DeBoer

For some, a hammer isn’t all that important. If you’re serious about tools, however, or a framer by trade, a hammer is an extension of your arm and something you use almost all the time. With that being the case, issues like weight, features, and balance become very important. In fact, when you’re striking nails almost non-stop, it’s possible to actually calculate the time-is-money factor, and you’ll see that your choice of hammer becomes something that could net you literally hours of labor-savings over the course of a year. It was with that mentality that we turned our fascination to Hart’s line of Mill-faced Steel Framing Hammers.

Irwin 2500 Series Levels
0

Irwin 2500 Series Levels Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Irwin has released a new line of levels, dubbed the 2500 Series and they are marketing them in an unusual way. To demonstrate how tough they are, the company took a Chevy Silverado with 3,360 pounds of front axle weight and drove it across both a pair of Stabila Type 196 levels and a pair of their new 2500 Series levels. The Stabila levels folded under the pressure, but the 2500s held firm with just a slight bow in the middle. It’s an impressive demo and now perhaps you can use your levels to square up your shed and then make a ramp to drive your tractor into it… or not. In either case, the frame of the new levels are made with thick-walled high-grade aluminum. It’s gotta be pretty thick indeed to stand up to that type of stress.

Sola BR48 Big Red 48" Aluminum Level Review
0

Sola BR48 Big Red 48-inch Aluminum Level Review

by Thomas Gaige

There are many things to consider when looking for a level and the new Sola RB48 Big Red 48″ High Profile Aluminum Box Level really appeals to pro users thanks to its many on-target features. Extra large shockproof acrylic block vials makes it easy to quickly and accurately see if your project is plumb or level. With a thick wall aluminum box frame design, accuracy is maintained, yet the level never feels unwieldy due to its lightweight construction. With a lifetime warranty and great features like phosphorescent vials, we are excited to see this European brand coming to North America.

Porter-Cable PCC581B 18V Infrared Thermometer Preview
0

Porter-Cable PCC581B 18V Infrared Thermometer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Porter-Cable launched a couple of brand new Infrared Thermometers, the 18V-powered PCC581B and the 9V-powered PCC582B. These infrared thermometers are very different from the ones we’ve seen in the past, incorporating a three-color indicator beam that indicates changes in temperature visually. When you pull the trigger, the thermometer takes a reference temperature reading while it paints a green circle beam onto the surface at which it is aimed. The colors change when a difference in temperature is detected as it is scans across an area. A blue beam identifies a cool spot, and a red beam shows a hot spot.

MENU