Tool Reviews Archives

October 24, 2011 0

Porter-Cable C1010 1-Gallon Quiet Trim Compressor Review

We often use trim compressors to do smaller projects because of their compact size, convenience and mobility. The Porter Cable C1010 1 Gallon 135 PSI Max Quiet Trim Compressor is all of that and more. Overall weight is a very manageable 24 pounds and there is a protective steel roll cage that also doubles as the carry handle, allowing the compressor to be carried in an upright position. Probably the biggest feature of this little compressor is that it is oil-free and quiet. Normally you can’t say both of those words in the same sentence when talking about compressors. Somehow the engineers at Porter-Cable figured out how to make this little guy maintenance-free and you can stand to be in the same room with it when it is running. Our plan was to find out if it really is as good as they say it is.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8" Ratchet 2457-21 Preview

October 19, 2011 0

Milwaukee 2457-21 M12 Cordless 3/8 in Ratchet Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation continues to expand the versatility of their M12 Li-ion system with the introduction of the M12 Cordless 1/4″ and 3/8″ Ratchets. At only 10-3/4″ long and 1.9 lbs, these new tools are the most compact and powerful ratchets in their class, providing an ideal fastening solution for automotive mechanics and maintenance-repair professionals desiring maximum performance, portability and productivity.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless 1/4" Ratchet 2456-21 Preview

October 19, 2011 0

Milwaukee 2456-21 M12 Cordless 1/4 in Ratchet Preview

by Clint DeBoer

October 14, 2011 0

Milwaukee M12 Cordless Jig Saw Kit 2445-21 Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Jigsaws can be very inexpensive and occasional-use tools, or they can be the thing you reach for at all times to solve a whole suite of difficult cutting challenges. In our case, we find that the tool really determines which viewpoint you have. Take the new Milwaukee M12 Cordless High Performance Jig Saw (2445-21), for example. This new jigsaw was shown off to us at the 2011 Milwaukee Press Event and we really haven’t stopped thinking about it. The new jigsaw is incredibly simple in design – but in a good way. It has a “Hybrid Grip” design, which Milwaukee pitches as the best combination of features from a top handle and barrel grip jig saw. And really, the handle is unique and it provides ample grip, while giving you really good balance while making cuts. The tool is also very small and handles well. It weighs just 4.1 lbs and is only 8.75″ long from base to front. From our inventory of the market, this looks to be one of, if not the most, compact cordless jigsaw that targets professional users. While the Milwaukee 2645-22 M18 Jig Saw we reviewed earlier this year provides more power, this M12 model is infinitely more flexible and portable.

October 10, 2011 0

Kobalt 18V Li-ion 4-tool Combo Kit Review

by Clint DeBoer

When Kobalt Tools gets into the power tool business, it’s going to draw attention. This for a variety of reasons, but the most obvious is because Lowe’s already has some excellent value tools already within its walls (Porter-Cable comes to mind). On top of that, Kobalt is billing its new tools as being “tougher than dinner with your mother-in-law”. Now, I like my mother-in-law, so I probably would have went with “tougher than dinner with your soon-to-be-fiance’s father”, but you get the implication. By setting the bar high – and making “toughness” the primary focus, Kobalt’s new line of Lithium-ion power tools were something we really were looking forward to getting our hands on. Of course, the press event was scheduled and held at an art museum… so I guess what Lowe’s is communicating to the tool world is that their new power tools are tough AND pretty. In either case, just what can you expect from the new tools? Lots, if our hands-on experience with them has anything to do with it.

Milwaukee 2313-21 M12 M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera Preview

October 4, 2011 0

Milwaukee M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera Preview

by Clint DeBoer

At the 2011 Milwaukee New Tools Press Event, Corey Dickert gave us an up-close-and-personal look at the M-Spector 360 – the company’s newest inspection camera. What probably impressed us the most was it’s small focal length. At just 1″ away, the camera gave a really good view of materials and let you get right up close to check out what’s happening in pipes, behind walls, etc. Most inspection cameras can’t get that close without losing focus. We also appreciated the detailed and colorful images that the new camera presented. There is at least one competitor that does an equally impressive job, but the Milwaukee is far and above most of the typical inspection camera, which looks, for all intents and purposes, black and white. It also has a very narrow 9mm camera head as opposed to the more common 17mm head. Right off the bat it’s already suited for residential, commercial AND automotive applications. In our hands-on use of the camera we examined jean material, circuit boards, and Cat 5e cable close-up and the images were excellent.

Milwaukee 2314-21 M12 M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera Preview

October 4, 2011 0

Milwaukee 2314-21 M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera Preview

by Clint DeBoer

October 4, 2011 0

Milwaukee 2313-20 M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera Preview

by Clint DeBoer

September 29, 2011 0

Porter-Cable PCC520B 18V Close Quarters Drill Review

by Clint DeBoer

We’ve certainly had our experiences with attempting to drill in tight spaces. When we saw the new PCC520B 18V Two-Speed Close Quarters Drill from Porter-Cable, the unusual-looking tool struck us as something that made a lot of sense. This is a tool that Porter-Cable needed to add to its line-up, and one that we were excited to finally be testing on the jobsite. The PCC520B bills itself as a truly compact drilling solution, measuring 5.5″ in length and weighing only 2.4 pounds. It’s so short, in fact, that it measures less than a competitor’s 12V Pocket Driver that uses a less flexible hex chuck. Even though the tool looks a bit odd, with its double-stacked chuck-over-motor configuration, it’s actually very well-balanced.

September 29, 2011 0

Porter-Cable PCC580B 18V Battery Status Indicator Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Porter-Cable isn’t known for their advanced battery technology – particularly when it comes to knowing how much charge is left. They seem to be taking that into account and have released an 18V Battery Status Indicator (PCC580B). The 18V Battery Status Indicator is a very simple, very inexpensive tool that lets owners and users of Porter-Cable’s power tools to check the battery charge status quickly and easily. This is one way in which you can avoid slapping in a dead battery and climbing up that ladder – only to realize that you need to clamber back down and get a fresh one.