Tool Reviews & Buying Guides by Trade

If you want to read articles and reviews that are trade-specific, try our Tool Reviews by Trade section. This organizes our site into topics suited particularly for a specific trade such as plumbing, electrical, framing, roofing & siding, concrete/masonry, and carpentry. Roofing and siding pros will find pneumatic roofing nailers as well as tools like cap staplers and hammer tackers. Tile & Flooring Pros will gain easy access to our tile saws, flooring staplers, and floor scrapers. As a painting professional, reviews of airless sprayers and cordless sprayers may interest you the most. You can count on one thing: whatever your craft, you need good tools. Our tool reviews by trade will help you drill down to quickly find the information you need. If you want to avoid anything that sits outside of your trade, this way helps you do it. If you can’t find a tool here, let us know.

DeWalt DW368 Heavy Duty 7-1/4" Lightweight Circular Saw Review

DeWalt DW368 Heavy Duty 7-1/4″ Lightweight Circular Saw Review

It might sound like a misnomer to say both heavy-duty and lightweight in the same sentence but this is exactly what DeWalt calls its DW368 Heavy Duty 7-1/4″ Lightweight Circular Saw. This saw has been a mainstay on job sites for many years and for good reason. With a decent set of features, a reasonably cost and plenty of power, many construction workers have chosen this as their sidewinder of choice. While we normally like to review the latest and greatest products that come to market, sometimes is fun to step back and see what the average Joe is using and why.

RIDGID SeeSnake CS1000 Digital Recording Monitor

RIDGID SeeSnake CS1000 Digital Recording Monitor

The CS1000 by Ridgid is the fast, convenient way to record, report and deliver still images and video digitally. Just grab it and go! The CS1000 camera control unit is a purpose-built monitor that allows you to digitally record and report on your inspections in the field. With the CS1000, you have the flexibility you need to take full advantage of digital recording technology.

Bosch BNS200-18 18 ga Brad Nailer Review

Bosch BNS200-18 18 ga Brad Nailer Review

We’ve tried about every Bosch nailer to-date, and it looks like, with the BNS200-18 18 Gauge Brad Nailer, the company just may have saved its best for last. It’s smaller than most brad nailers we’ve seen to-date. It’s also extremely light at just over two pounds. It feels natural in the hand and is extremely maneuverable, with above-average ergonomics and features that really count – like dry-fire lockout and a tool-less trigger mode change. In a word, it’s fantastic.

Milwaukee Scraper and Grout Removal Blades Review

Milwaukee Scraper and Grout Removal Blades Review

As if a reciprocating saw is not handy enough, Milwaukee is making it more helpful by adding two new reciprocating saw blades to their line-up; one is a scraper and the other is a grout removal tool. Compatible with all Milwaukee Sawzall and Hackzall reciprocating saws, these new accessories convert several slow and strenuous hand tool applications into fast and effortless tasks.

Milwaukee Voltage Detector w/LED (2202-20) Review

Milwaukee Voltage Detector w/LED (2202-20) Review

The Milwaukee 2202-20 Voltage Detector with LED light is a simple, but perfectly useful tool. It’s strength is in the fact that it does what it needs to without frills and without costing an arm and a leg. It’s powered by a couple of AAA batteries and is small and light enough to store in a pocket, tool belt or just about anywhere.

Metabo KSA18 LTX 18V Cordless Circular Saw Preview

Metabo KSA18 LTX 18V Cordless Circular Saw Preview

Metabo Corporation, an international manufacturer of professional grade portable electric power tools and abrasives for industrial, construction and welding applications, has introduced a new cordless circular saw with a high efficiency motor. The KSA18 LTX cordless circular saw is ideal for projects that require fast straight cuts with relative accuracy through heavy material like cutting paneling, ripping lumber and making cross, miter and angled bevel cuts.

Ridgid 65' SeeSnake microDrain w/Sonde First Look

Ridgid 65′ SeeSnake microDrain w/Sonde First Look

Ridgid has some good professional and consumer response to their SeeSnake microDrain and microReel Inspection Systems. Now the company has announced a new addition to their microDrain line in the form of a 65′ microDrain w/sonde. Inspired by the feedback from professional tool users (pool service, plumbers, chimney inspection, etc.) to lengthen the microDrain, the company developed the D65S.