Tool Reviews & Buying Guides by Trade Archives

July 29, 2011 0

Bosch D-Tect 150 Wallscanner Preview

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.

July 7, 2011 0

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 DCF885L2 Impact Driver Application

June 24, 2011 0

DeWalt DCF885L2 20V Impact Driver Review

by Thomas Gaige

With impact driver demand on the rise, the DeWalt DCF885L2 20V impact driver delivers the goods. This impact driver packs plenty of […]

June 24, 2011 0

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.

June 14, 2011 0

Bosch GTS1031 10″ Jobsite Table Saw Review

by Clint DeBoer

We were impressed with the Bosch Axial Glide miter saw which revolutionized close-quarters cutting. Building on their solution-based approach to products, […]

June 14, 2011 0

ECHO HC-165 24″ Hedge Trimmer Review

by Clint DeBoer

ECHO is known for its excellent outdoor equipment that caters to both professionals and consumers. Now, the new HC-165 gas-powered Hedge Trimmer proves itself to be a pro-quality product with features that are the perfect blend of convenient and unobtrusive. With a 5-position rotating handle, the HC-165 Hedge Trimmer is one of the most ergonomic trimmers we’ve used. That translates into more cutting, with less time adjusting your position to angle the blade. Want to make a left-handed vertical cut? No problem. We also found that the blades were quite sharp – and stayed that way. And the i-30 starter cranked the trimmer up after just a few pulls. The HC-165 is also quite portable and easy to carry – plus, it stores over 16 oz of fuel so you spend more time cutting and less re-filling the tank.

June 13, 2011 0

Milwaukee 5263-21 5/8″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

It’s the day of rotary hammers, as Milwaukee introduces a new 5/8″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer in addition to an M18 model we covered previously and a 7/8″ rotary hammer drill that retails for just $199. With regard to the 5263-21 5/8″ model, Milwaukee claims it as the “lightest and most compact” rotary hammer in its class. The tool measures just 10.9″ long and looks like a corded version of the 2605-22 M18 Cordless 5/8″ Rotary Hammer Drill. But get this – it weighs only 4.6 lbs! This is a dream hammer for drilling overhead or when you happen to not have a lot of room to maneuver. Even with its compact form factor, however, this tool has a full 1.5 ft-lbs of impact energy and features an astoundingly fast 0-3700 RPM and 0-4400 bpm. With this kind of performance it’s going to be plenty powerful enough to drill the kind of holes required by professional electrticians, plumbers and other journeymen or professionals.

June 13, 2011 0

Milwaukee 5262-21 7/8″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Lightweight rotary hammers are fast becoming the new tool of choice among professionals who need to drop in some large anchors or drill through concrete or cinder block with a bit more performance than you get out of a cordless tool. Milwaukee has just revamped its rotary hammer platform with a new M18 Cordless rotary hammer, but their 5262-21 7/8″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer is just the ticket when you’ve got enough work to warrant the extra power and versatility. At just 5.8 pounds, this D-handled tool is going to be able to be used overhead without causing your arms to fall off after the first 2 minutes of drilling. In fact, Milwaukee, in order to keep the price point where it is, opted out of active vibration reduction, relying instead on the low weight to help the user with any overhead work.

June 1, 2011 0

DeWalt 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw DWS780 Preview

by Clint DeBoer

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

Bosch Thin-Wall Metal Hole Saws Review

by Thomas Gaige

Using products like the Bosch Thin Wall Metal Hole Saw are probably the easiest way to make clean holes in sheet metal. We recently tried the Bosch HTW1 1″ Thin Metal Hole Saw on an aluminum gutter project and found it made our task of installing the down spout connection to the gutter almost effortless. Now this is not just a regular hole saw but one that is optimized to cut metal. It has a built-in spring ejector for the plug and has a 1/4″ hex shank that will fit into your impact driver. Probably the handiest feature is the shoulder that is built into the top of the bit that acts as a stop to keep the hole saw from going completely though your workpiece. The logic for this is that if you have to add a hole to an electrical panel, you can drill into the side of it without fear of the hole saw blasting though the steel wall and into the wires inside.