Getting a quick and accurate bead on the temperature differential around an AC duct or a door can be a lifesaver for air mechanical technicians and energy efficiency specialists. While there are a lot of tools on the market that can help you do this, it's nice to be able to reach for a familiar name - particularly when your shop is already equipped with compatible batteries and chargers. Recently Porter-Cable launched the PCC581B Infrared Thermometer, which comes as a bare tool, making it a great choice if you're already vested in their 18V cordless platform. And if you're not, Porter Cable also offers a 9V-powered version, the PCC582B. Both of these infrared thermometers incorporate a tri-color beam that indicates temperature changes visually along with the digital readout. When you pull the trigger, the thermometer takes a reference temperature reading while it projects a circular green beam onto the surface at which it is aimed. The projected beam colors change when a difference in temperature is detected as you scan it across an area. A blue beam identifies a cooler spot, and a red beam indicates a hotter area.
The Gyros 58-23672 Magnalite Pro Cordless Work Light makes working in the dark an almost pleasant experience thanks to its portability, flexibility and the large amount of light it puts out. This work light can easily replace most automotive drop lights, flashlights and even camping lanterns - and yet it offers cool-to-the-touch bright light to illuminate any task. With a slender size and lithium-ion battery power, there are many things to like about this work light.
Porter-Cable launched a new 18V High-Pressure/High-Volume Inflator (PCC583B) that can also run on 12 Volt DC-power. The inflator is designed to deliver both speed and ease of use at a value customers can appreciate. Porter-Cable's 18V Cordless High-Pressure/High-Volume Inflator PCC583B is made to allow people who may be, literally, in the middle of nowhere quick and accurate inflation. In a sense, their motto seems to be: "No power? No problem!" Since it's Porter-Cable, the inflator can be powered from either an 18V Lithium-ion or NiCd battery. But, it can also take power via a 12V DC power source - like a car or truck battery. It does this via the included 10-foot DC power cord which should allow access to all four tires as needed.
Porter-Cable isn't known for their advanced battery technology - particularly when it comes to knowing how much charge is left. They seem to be taking that into account and have released an 18V Battery Status Indicator (PCC580B). The 18V Battery Status Indicator is a very simple, very inexpensive tool that lets owners and users of Porter-Cable's power tools to check the battery charge status quickly and easily. This is one way in which you can avoid slapping in a dead battery and climbing up that ladder - only to realize that you need to clamber back down and get a fresh one.
At the 2011 Milwaukee New Tools Press Event, Corey Dickert gave us an up-close-and-personal look at the M-Spector 360 - the company's newest inspection camera. What probably impressed us the most was it's small focal length. At just 1" away, the camera gave a really good view of materials and let you get right up close to check out what's happening in pipes, behind walls, etc. Most inspection cameras can't get that close without losing focus. We also appreciated the detailed and colorful images that the new camera presented. There is at least one competitor that does an equally impressive job, but the Milwaukee is far and above most of the typical inspection camera, which looks, for all intents and purposes, black and white. It also has a very narrow 9mm camera head as opposed to the more common 17mm head. Right off the bat it's already suited for residential, commercial AND automotive applications. In our hands-on use of the camera we examined jean material, circuit boards, and Cat 5e cable close-up and the images were excellent.
At the 2011 Milwaukee New Tools Press Event, Corey Dickert gave us an up-close-and-personal look at the M-Spector 360 - the company's newest inspection camera. What probably impressed us the most was it's small focal length. At just 1" away, the camera gave a really good view of materials and let you get right up close to check out what's happening in pipes, behind walls, etc. Most inspection cameras can't get that close without losing focus. We also appreciated the detailed and colorful images that the new camera presented. There is at least one competitor that does an equally impressive job, but the Milwaukee is far and above most of the typical inspection camera, which looks, for all intents and purposes, black and white. It also has a very narrow 9mm camera head as opposed to the more common 17mm head. Right off the bat it's already suited for residential, commercial AND automotive applications. In our hands-on use of the camera we examined jean material, circuit boards, and Cat 5e cable close-up and the images were excellent.
At the 2011 Milwaukee New Tools Press Event, Corey Dickert gave us an up-close-and-personal look at the M-Spector 360 - the company's newest inspection camera. What probably impressed us the most was it's small focal length. At just 1" away, the camera gave a really good view of materials and let you get right up close to check out what's happening in pipes, behind walls, etc. Most inspection cameras can't get that close without losing focus. We also appreciated the detailed and colorful images that the new camera presented. There is at least one competitor that does an equally impressive job, but the Milwaukee is far and above most of the typical inspection camera, which looks, for all intents and purposes, black and white. It also has a very narrow 9mm camera head as opposed to the more common 17mm head. Right off the bat it's already suited for residential, commercial AND automotive applications. In our hands-on use of the camera we examined jean material, circuit boards, and Cat 5e cable close-up and the images were excellent.
You'd think that after reviewing a ton of multi-tools, in fact, just about every one on the market now - that we'd be sick of them. Well, we are - except that they are so handy. And then Ridgid got a hold of us and showed us their new JobMax 12V Multi-Tool system, which uses a suite of rugged new heads and can seemingly tackle just about any job you throw at it. Well that was a claim worth investigating - after all, can a cordless multi-tool really be a jack of all trades and master them at the same time? We won't spoil the review for you, but I think the answers will be surprisingly candid and unexpected for most users of these types of tools.
Possibly the most interesting tool of the entire 2011 Milwaukee Media event was Milwaukee's new M12 Thermal Imager. With a maximum 4 hours of run-time, and dual cameras (it takes both a digital camera still and a thermal image at the same time) this is a whole new style of product for the M12 line. When you pull the trigger, the two images are immediately stored onto the included 2GB SD memory card. In this way you have a reference image and the thermal image for each location. What we also liked was that you can view either mode when you pull the trigger, so its easy to focus on what you need to in order to survey a site for insulation needs or weatherization.
Inspection cameras are a life-saver when you need to have a look at something. Particularly, something that is hidden from view, and which doesn't want to be marred or destroyed in order to have a peek. The DeWalt DCT410S1 12V MAX 17mm Inspection Camera with Wireless Screen Kit easily fits into most tight spaces and wall cavities. With its LED-lit camera head and 12V MAX Lithium Ion battery, you can spend a good part of a day scoping things out. When the three foot cable is not long enough, the cordless LCD receiver can be removed to allow for a longer reach and easier viewing. plus, if you need more time to think about what you saw, you can snap a few photos or take a video of what is going on for future reference. The DeWalt Inspection camera takes Micro SD cards up to 16GB.
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.
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