Tool Reviews Archives

September 19, 2011 0

Makita 192972-4 Dust Collecting Cutting Guard with Shoe

Concrete cutting is easy. Concrete cutting with a tool that is lightweight and compact is tougher. Concrete cutting with such a tool and adequate dust collection to avoid nasty environmental rules fines – well, that’s another story altogether. Makita worked on that this week when it released two new dust extraction solutions for concrete and masonry contractors. The new Dust Collecting Cutting Guard with Shoe (model 192972-4) works with Makita’s 4-1/2″ and 5-inch Grinders. The Cutting Guard is ideal for a host of concrete and masonry applications, including cutting tile, concrete cutting, and brick – as well as specialized uses like tuck pointing and cutting expansion joints. The new Cutting Guard is made to be used alongside Makita’s (or other manufacturers’) vacuum systems and really provides significant dust extraction on the jobsite. Particularly in light of new Lead Safe rules, this is becoming more and more of an issue with older commercial buildings as well as residential homes.

September 16, 2011 0

Porter-Cable PC180CHDK-2 18V NiCd Hammer Drill Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Porter-Cable today launched the NiCd-based PC180CHDK-2 18V Hammer Drill. While not based on the new Li-ion platform, the new drill is designed to give general contractors, plumbers, electricians, woodworkers, etc, more power and performance over Porter-Cable’s current line of hammer drills. The PC180CHDK-2 18 Volt NiCd Hammer Drill is more compact and delivers greater beats per minute than the older model it replaces (the PC180HDK-2). The new tool uses 1.5 Ah, 18V NiCd batteries and is a 2-speed model, running at 0-350 and 0-1,500 RPMs. The hammer drill anvil mechanism delivers up to 25,500 blows per minute (bpm) and the tool delivers a full 424 in-lbs of torque at max potential. This hammer drill seems perfectly suited for heavy-duty applications like concrete, brick and mortar block drilling. The tool includes an all- metal chuck and weighs just over 5 pounds. From tip to back it measures 9″ in length which, for a hammer drill, means that you’ll be able to insert it into some pretty compact areas.

September 16, 2011 0

Porter-Cable PCL180CDK-2 18V Li-ion Drill Kit Review

by Clint DeBoer

Porter-Cable has been upgrading its initial line of 18V tools that are both forward and backwards compatible with their entire line of 18V NiCad and Li-ion batteries. The new PCL180CDK is Porter-Cable’s second-generation 18V drill, this time compact in nature and making use of their latest Li-ion batteries. We tested it on a variety of products and really liked how Porter-Cable seems to be bringing a lot of innovation from some of its sister companies to bear in its more affordable models. The result seems to be less expensive tools that have a high degree of build quality and features. While we were surprised to find it still missing some of the more common features like battery-level indicators, yet the PCL180CDK remains a very well-engineered, lightweight tool that is a great addition to the Porter-Cable 18V lineup.

Makita 18V LXDT01 Brushless Motor Impact Driver Kit Preview

September 15, 2011 0

Makita LXDT01 18V Brushless Impact Driver Kit Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Makita has just released its newest 18V LXT product, the Lithium-Ion Cordless 3-Speed Brushless Motor Impact Driver. That’s a mouthful, but the name is also incredible informative. First off, you know it’s a Makita, so it’s built by pros, for pros. On top of that, it utilizes a brushless motor – and that really brings the level of build quality and power capability to a new level. Brushless motor technology has proven to provide a ton more usable torque in tools like hammer drills and impact drivers and wrenches. While brushless technology isn’t new, even for Makita, the company’s new LXDT01 impact driver is built to be both powerful and efficient. So efficient, in fact, that it gets up to 20% longer battery life per charge.

September 13, 2011 0

Bosch PS11-2A 12V Angle Drill Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Bosch doesn’t like leaving things alone – and it rarely considers anything “good enough”. That’s apparently what happened when they developed the new PS11-2A 3/8″ Angled Drill. Bosch took their existing 12V Max I-Driver and mated it with the chuck of their newest PS31-2A 3/8″ 12V Drill/Driver. Now you get a 3/8″ drill that has a 5-position articulating head. The adjustable head allows the standard keyless chuck to move from 90 degrees to 180 degrees in 5-steps, providing almost limitless flexibility for when you find yourself working in close quarters.

September 13, 2011 0

University of Leeds Invents Lithium-ion Gel Polymer Battery

by Clint DeBoer

Scientists at the University of Leeds claim to have reinvented the lithium-ion battery – and they are using a polymer […]

September 7, 2011 0

ECHO PB-770T Backpack Blower Review

by Clint DeBoer

I’ve used several blowers in the past, each with its strengths and weaknesses. You start to really form opinions and […]

September 7, 2011 0

ECHO PE-280 Edger Review

by Clint DeBoer

Lawn care is of utmost importance in my neighborhood – at least it is if you want to avoid the nasty stares and angry looks of neighbors tired of wild grass and haphazard edging. Professionals know this – and so do consumers. Echo’s PE-280 Perfect Edge Edger seems to go mostly after the former group, with its 28.1cc engine and pro features that take edging a step beyond the products designed solely for the casual homeowner. What the PE-280 does is provide plenty of power in a lightweight package – and then gives you the features you need, and nothing you don’t. It’s a pro-level product for sure, but with a 5-year consumer warranty, serious lawn-nazi’s are going to have a hard time passing it up.

September 5, 2011 0

DeWalt D25960K 40-pound Demo Hammer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

This week DeWalt announced a new 40-pound Demo Hammer, the D25960K, which is designed to provide heavy-duty performance in a […]

September 5, 2011 0

Porter Cable PC60TCTAG 4-1/2 Inch Cut-Off Tool and Angle Grinder Kit Review

by Matthias Gaige

The Porter Cable PC60TCTAG 4-1/2 Inch Cut-Off Tool and Angle Grinder Kit comes equipped to tackle just about any grinding or metal cutting project you can throw at it. Given that two different blade guards are included, one that is optimized for grinding and the other one for cutting, you can be sure that not only can to complete the task at hand but also do it safely. Just to sweetened the deal and get you started on your projects they threw in 5 general purpose grinding wheels and 5 cut off wheels in the box! With 6 amps of power, a compact size and a rock bottom price, we are pretty sure that this is angle grinder combo pack is a winner.