Cordless Power Tool Reviews Archives

Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer Review

October 24, 2011 0

Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-ga Angled Finish Nailer Review

Going cord-free with trim nailers is the way to go, and the Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer makes this easy to do. This nailer is best suited for the pro that focuses on remodeling and trim work. With an excellent line of sight and an angled nail magazine, getting fasteners into difficult-to-reach places is easy and can be done with great precision. The idea of not having to drag around a compressor, cords and hoses is a very compelling argument for going cordless. Not to mention, this Paslode is lightweight, compact, comes with a built-in hanging hook and is incredibly easy to use. This nailer makes our list of must-have tools!

October 24, 2011 0

Paslode IM250A LI Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer Review

by Clint DeBoer

We already did a pretty thorough review of the Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer last year. That was an excellent tool (still is) and it transformed, in my mind, the potential for what a finish nailer could be. Apparently, however, that was the dry run – regardless of how great a run it was. This year, Paslode released an update/replacement that has more than a few tweaks to the former tool. They’ve been listening to their users and we have to say, these tweaks – present in the new IM250A LI – really refine this tool into something special.

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.

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.

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.