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Masonry & Concrete Tool Reviews & Buying Guides

Concrete guys have their own way of doing things. This modernized art form is impressive to behold. Watch a mason do his work, and you’ll see something that comes from an age long passed. The two are very similar and yet so very different. Our concrete tool reviews and articles attempt to help these craftsmen identify the tools that help make their work easier. Our concrete tool reviews also bring to light which new products will work well to help tradesmen in these fields adhere to the latest standards. These tools are also getting safer to use. With new OSHA dust mitigation rules taking effect, the use of dust shrouds and HEPA vacuums is mandatory. Having tools that perform well with these accessories makes all the difference. Our concrete tool reviews take this into account, even as they test the latest and greatest tools for performance and durability.

Milwaukee 5316-21 1-9/16" Spline Rotary Hammer Preview
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Milwaukee 5316-21 1-9/16 Spline Rotary Hammer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Continuing their expansion of their rotary hammer line, Milwaukee has introduced a new 1-9/16″ Spline Rotary Hammer. This new rotary hammer delivers the durability users have come to expect from Milwaukee, with a 10.5-amp motor and 5.5 ft-lbs of impact energy. We’ve picked up and used several of Milwaukee’s rotary hammers and they are a force to be reckoned with. The new hammer is an improvement in that it offers new features to increase efficiency and lower the amount of work (effort) you have to expend in order to achieve the results you need.

Porter-Cable PC70THD 1/2-inch Hammerdrill Preview
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Porter-Cable PC70THD 1/2-inch Hammerdrill Preview

by Clint DeBoer

When Porter-Cable announced it had launched a new 7-amp 1/2″ 2-speed hammer drill (PC70THD) we perked up our ears. The tool is designed to take advantage of new power-to-weight ratio advantages in motor and transmission technology and apply that to the corded tools that so often lag behind their “updated every 9 months” cordless brethren. The new corded hammer drill seems to really target pros who are looking for an ergonomic rotary hammer drill driver that doesn’t cost a fortune, but isn’t slack on performance.

Makita 192972-4 Dust Collecting Cutting Guard with Shoe
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Makita 192972-4 Dust Collecting Cutting Guard with Shoe

by Clint DeBoer

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.

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

Bosch D-Tect 150 Wallscanner plumbing
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Bosch D-Tect 150 Wallscanner Preview

by Clint DeBoer

We recently got back from Bosch’s Global Leadership Tour media event and were fascinated by all the new tools they are working on. One tool that we saw LAST year, however, was the Bosch WallscannerD-Tect 150. This tool uses Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) radar technology and is the first detector at a sub-$1000 price point that detects rebar, water-filled PVC, copper piping (non-ferrous metal), wood studs and live wiring. The BoschD-Tect 150 does more than detect these materials, though, it gives the user material type, depth, and relative width information. The D-Tect 150 works through concrete, wet concrete, and even deep concrete up to 6″. In fact, you can use it in any of seven surface modes.

DeWalt DCD985L2 20V MAX Premium Hammer Drill Review
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DeWalt DCD985L2 20V MAX Premium Hammer Drill Review

by Thomas Gaige

With almost 500 in-lbs of torque, a three-speed transmission, ratcheting chuck and a new level of ergonomics, the new DeWalt DCD985L2 20V MAX Lithium-ion Premium Hammer Drill kit is a must-have tool. This new five-pound drilling and driving machine can handle just about any fastener, drilling, and hammer drilling application you can think of. With the smart battery technology of the 20V MAX platform and the built-in electronics, you can be assured that your cordless DeWalt tools will last and preform better than the current 18V tools. We suspect that this drill will quickly become the tool of choice for many of the tradesmen and contractors that opt for the new 20V MAX lithium-ion battery platform.

DeWalt DCD780C2 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Compact Drill/Driver Review
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DeWalt DCD780C2 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Compact Drill/Driver Review

by Thomas Gaige

The DeWalt DCD780C2 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Compact Drill/Driver shows off that bigger is not better by demonstrating that power, speed and features can be combined in a small package. This drill is ideally suited for anyone that has just about any kind of drilling and fastening requirements – within reason, that is. Equipped a 1/2″ ratcheting chuck, variable speed motor and a two speed transmission, you will have the flexibility you need to do many different drilling and driving tasks. Since it weighs in at a very manageable 3.4 pounds, even extended overhead work can be done with less fatigue.

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