Power Tool Reviews Archives

June 1, 2011 0

DeWalt 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw DWS780 Preview

We’re out at the DeWalt media event today, testing out various new products. One of them is the brand new 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw (Model DWS780). DeWalt is positioning the DWS780 as the lightest dual bevel sliding miter saw on the market – and indeed it weighs in at just 56 lbs. The $599 DWS780 seems like a really great product for both the professional and serial DIY’er who wants to tear into serous home projects. DeWalt’s new 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw has a new XPS LED light that throws a “laser-like” shadow on the work surface. This is designed to show where the blade will cut. DeWalt believes this system is more accurate than traditional laser systems and won’t drift out of alignment over time. While they are providing a neat new way to get an accurate cut, we were sad to still see them using the smoke-colored blade guard, which obscures the view of the blade.

May 31, 2011 0

Porter-Cable PC250MTK Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit Review

by Thomas Gaige

With just about every tool manufacturer making oscillating multi-tools now, almost everyone has one. If you have been one of the few holding out for other options like a tool-free blade change system, you are now in luck – Fein’s expensive FMM-250Q Top system isn’t the only game in town. You need to check out the new Porter-Cable PC250MTK Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit. This new tool from Porter-Cable has what might be an even better tool-less blade change system than the original from Europe. With this new convenience comes the catch that for now you can only use the Porter-Cable blades and accessories.

Rockwell RK1001K2 12V Drill & Impact Driver Combo Kit Review

May 31, 2011 0

Rockwell RK1001K2 12V Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit Review

by Thomas Gaige

In our testing and review of the Rockwell RK1001K2 12V Drill & Impact Driver Combo Kit, we found it to offer a good combination of both value and performance. With a myriad of different manufacturers coming out with 12V lithium-ion powered cordless tools it can be hard to determine what ones are the best to pick. If you are on the market for a 12V lithium-ion combo set, we think that the Rockwell RK1001K2 Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit is worth a look. These tools offer performance that is comparable to many leading brands and, as a bonus, they come with a full three year warranty and a program where they offer free replacement batteries for life if you register your tools.

May 31, 2011 0

Milwaukee 2460-21 M12 Cordless Lithium-Ion Rotary Tool Review

by Thomas Gaige

With only a few manufactures offering cordless rotary tools, the Milwaukee 2460-21 M12 Cordless Lithium-Ion Rotary Tool is a welcomed addition, especially if you have other M12 tools and batteries. The specifications of this new rotary tool are right in line, if not better than, some of the other offerings on the market. Combine this with the well-proven M12 RedLithium batteries and you will have a tool that can be used for your weekend hobbies as well as on the job site. The Milwaukee Rotary Tool comes with a standard 1/8″ collet which will make it easy to use with the plethora of bits and blades that are widely available.

May 18, 2011 0

Makita 12V Impact Driver WT01W Preview

by Clint DeBoer

A sneak peek of Makita 12V Impact Driver WT01W. Please see our full review of the Makita LCT307W Cordless Lithium-ion Combo […]

May 10, 2011 0

Panasonic EY7950LR2S 18V Li-ion Hammer Drill Kit Preview

by Clint DeBoer

We got an advanced look at the new Panasonic IEC-rated EY7950LR2S 18V cordless hammer drill at this year’s IBS Show in Vegas and were impressed by the company’s tough talk. Today, Panasonic announced the introduction of four of its new 18V Li-Ion cordless power tools. The new tools will be part of the company’s Tough IP line of professional-grade products. All feature IEC (International Electro Technical Commission) rated dust and water resistant technology and will be available this month. The four introduced models (which seem to be debuting overseas before they hit the US market) include a 1/2″ drill and driver kit, an impact wrench kit, an impact driver kit and a hammer drill/driver kit. All of the new 18V cordless models can be charged for use in 50 minutes with a full charge at 65 minutes, and feature Panasonic’s high capacity 3.3Ah Li-ion battery, LED work light, belt hook, and molded case.

May 10, 2011 0

Panasonic EY7450LR2S 18V Li-ion Drill Driver Kit Preview

by Clint DeBoer

We got a sneak preview of Panasonic’s new IEC-rated EY7450LR2S 18V cordless drill driver at this year’s IBS Show in Vegas and were impressed by the company’s tough talk. Today, Panasonic announced the introduction of four of its new 18V Li-Ion cordless power tools. The new tools will be part of the company’s Tough IP line of professional-grade products. All feature IEC (International Electro Technical Commission) rated dust and water resistant technology and will be available this month. The four introduced models (which seem to be debuting overseas before they hit the US market) include a 1/2″ drill and driver kit, an impact wrench kit, an impact driver kit and a hammer drill/driver kit. All of the new 18V cordless models can be charged for use in 50 minutes with a full charge at 65 minutes, and feature Panasonic’s high capacity 3.3Ah Li-ion battery, LED work light, belt hook, and molded case.

April 29, 2011 0

Makita LCT307W 12V Cordless Combo Kit Review

by Clint DeBoer

The Makita LCT307W 12V Cordless Combo Kit contains some very light and compact tools. Compared with typical competing portable drills, the included FD01W measures only 6 inches from hex chuck to back – and the DT01W Impact Driver is nearly the same. This really makes these Makita tools much more accessible to tight spaces. On both tools, the built-in LED light illuminates with just a touch of the trigger and proved to be very bright and helpful. Under our test conditions where we intentionally worked in tight (and thus dark) quarters, both the Makita Driver-Drill and Impact Driver were great tools.

April 26, 2011 0

DeWalt DW745 Table Saw Preview

by Clint DeBoer

We love table saws, and lawsuits notwithstanding, we like some of the new products that are finally starting to hit the market. We got our hands on the DeWalt DW745 – the company’s handy new 10-Inch Job site Table Saw. It comes with a new Site-Pro Modular Guarding System that adjusts the saw quickly for a variety of cuts. It really makes the job all that much more quick, with accurate cuts that don’t take long to set up. The saw is both portable and powerful. The motor pumps through 15 amps and it has a large 16″ rip capacity. This tool includes a split blade guard, adjustable miter gauge, and even a push stick – all of which secure to the side of the tool itself for easy portability. Also included is a 10-inch, 24-tooth carbide blade, which will get you started, but as we’ve found with most DeWalt blades – should be replaced as soon as possible. Regardless of what blade you put on it, it will spin up at 3,850 rpm (no-load) and should be quick enough to take all that 15-amp power and chew through even the hardest hardwood or pressure-treated lumber.

April 20, 2011 0

Skil Oscillating Multi-Tasker Tool Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Can anything good come out of Walmart? Skil seems to think so. Beginning in May they will release their new corded oscillating multi-tool, dubbed the Oscillating Multi-Tasker 1400-02. It’s a 2-amp tool that works with the new Bosch OIS line of accessories. The SKIL Power Tools 1400-02 Oscillating Multi-Tasker comes as part of an 11-piece multi-tool kit that is meant to be a go-to or catch-all tool for home improvement professionals as well as the casual user or do-it-yourselfer. All-in-all, Skil has positioned the tool at a price point and in a configuration that makes it very palatable and desirable for those who still haven’t jumped into the multi-tool revolution. If you haven’t yet used an oscillating multi-tool, this product may just sell you on its benefits.