We reviewed the well-received Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool last year and found it to be one of our go-to tools for any number of particular uses for which it continues to be well-suited. It's an extremely adept tool and works well, plus you can find accessories in just about any hardware store or home improvement warehouse. With that said, we thought we had heard the last of the Dremel multi-tool, especially when the company announced the cordless version of its Multi-Max line. Now, the company has gone back in and modified the original Multi-Max 6300 corded tool into two new versions - and both are very impressive in their own right. Today we look closely at the new MM20-01 Oscillating Tool Kit to see what makes it tick.
Having reviewed the popular (for good reason) Dremel Multi-Max 6300 Oscillating Tool last year and it really became one of our go-to tools for undercutting, cutting in electrical boxes and various other task for which a multi-tool is perfectly suited. Because Dremel was first to market following the release of the Fein patent, its accessories are very popular and found in just about any hardware store or home improvement warehouse. Even with all that behind it, we thought we were pretty much at the end of the Dremel story. I mean, they have both a corded and cordless model - so what else is there? Apparently more power. The company has tweaked their Multi-Max 6300 corded tool into two brand new models. Today we're taking a sneak peek at the new MM40-01 Oscillating Tool Kit - paying particular attention to their new tool-less blade change.
We first got our hands on the new Bosch ROS65VC-6 6" Random Orbit Sander with Vibration Control at their 2011 Media Event. Since then, we pretty much have been unable to take our hands off it. What fascinated us about the tool is that, when used side-by-side with other sanders, it truly did significantly reduce vibration. This yielded better control and, perhaps more importantly, less fatigue on the hands during use. We've used a lot of orbital sanders in our day and having a product that cuts out the vibration to this extent is worth its weight in gold - which is good, because this new sander from Bosch will cost you nearly that much.
This week Porter-Cable announced a couple of new products due out in October of this year (next month), including their new PC60TPAG 7-amp 4-1/2" Small Angle Grinder and Cut-off Tool. The new Angle Grinder really seems to benefit form some of the advances the company has made with its cordless tools. In particular, the tool is lighter and more agile than its predecessors and it delivers excellent performance while still maintaining an ergonomic form factor.
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.
DeWalt announced the launch of its new 14-inch Abrasive Chop Saw (model D28710), which has been designed to offer contractors power, durability, capacity, ease of use and portability. The D28710 is ideal for a variety of end users including steel stud framers, mechanical contractors and metal fabricators who require a high-performing, durable saw at a great value. The tool addresses common concerns contractors have including durability and power, cut capacity and weight. A 15 Amp, 4 HP motor provides power and overload protection, so you can cut through tough materials like cast iron pipe, angle iron, threaded rod, conduit and square tubing. Contributing to the tool’s durability is a stamped base and bracket.
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.
Dremel's 3000 is its newest rotary tool and updates the line to include some very handy and ergonomic features. One of these is the new EZ Twist nose cap. The cap has an integrated wrench used to tighten accessories and which takes away the need to include a separate wrench that can be misplaced. The tool is also a bit shorter than the Dremel 300 series, but its rated at 1.2 amps, so it's powerful enough to handle tasks requiring both power and finesse. The new rotary tool has a more efficient fan design with side vents for better cooling. The Dremel 3000 also claims to be quieter and runs with less vibration. From our initial viewing of the tool, we like the new design, which also offers a trumpet-shaped nose cap which yields a secure and comfortable hold on the tool during use. Dremel is targeting the 3000 Rotary Tool for cutting, grinding, sanding, carving and polishing.
Dremel has been on an innovation kick these past few years, first releasing their Multi-Max Oscillating tool before anyone else (except the original patent, holder, Fein) and then coming out with their corded Trio multi-application tool. Well this October, the company is releasing their new Dremel Saw-Max, a one-handed, ergonomic handheld saw designed for micro-circular saw applications. The tool is aimed squarely at the DIY and hobbyist crowd, but pros may find it perfect for its extreme portability in making simple crosscuts and undercuts without the need for a miter saw or other cumbersome tools.
Everybody - and we mean everybody can use a cheap reciprocating saw to accomplish household maintenance and repair projects (well, OK, maybe not your mother-in-law). It's just a super-convenient tool that lends itself well to being a multi-purpose "grab-it" solution. Harbor Freight's Chicago Electric Tools 4-1/2" Rotating Reciprocating Saw looks to be the cheapest product we've seen in some time, retailing for $25 and often being on sale for less than $20 (we know, that's less than a combo pack of recip saw blades ). We had wanted to review this product for some time and finally were able to procure one - on an out of town trip, no less. Never truly off the job, we latched onto the tool and opened up the box to begin our testing. Within, we quickly found the 6-amp 4-1/2" reciprocating saw, a 10 tpi wood-cutting blade, 24 tpi metal-cutting blade, and even a pair of replacement brushes. Lifting the saw from the box to feel how well it was made, our initial impression was that it was not exactly top-notch in the build quality department, but it did feel like a great occasional-use power tool.
Next to maybe a cordless drill and a table saw, the miter saw is a tool that every serious professional and do-it-yourselfer really needs for his own. While the Chicago Electric 10" Sliding Compound Miter Saw from Harbor Freight is a real head-turner for its price, we wanted to know: Could it stand up to other heavy-duty products and hold its own? A lot was riding on this, as it's easy enough to justify blowing a few bucks here and there on some "experimental" hand tools, but a $139 sliding miter saw? That's a bigger leap of faith given the vast amounts of competition on the market. While the big boys are priced much higher for this type of product, Harbor Freight's Chicago Tools line has itself placed smack dab in the middle of a bunch of generic tool names. Of course, that's before coupons and discounts (we've actually seen this saw priced as low as $85.)
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