Milwaukee 2313-20 M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera Preview

Milwaukee 2313-20 M-Spector 360 Inspection Camera Preview

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.

Porter-Cable PCC520B 18V Close Quarters Drill Review

Porter-Cable PCC520B 18V Close Quarters Drill Review

We’ve certainly had our experiences with attempting to drill in tight spaces. When we saw the new PCC520B 18V Two-Speed Close Quarters Drill from Porter-Cable, the unusual-looking tool struck us as something that made a lot of sense. This is a tool that Porter-Cable needed to add to its line-up, and one that we were excited to finally be testing on the jobsite. The PCC520B bills itself as a truly compact drilling solution, measuring 5.5″ in length and weighing only 2.4 pounds. It’s so short, in fact, that it measures less than a competitor’s 12V Pocket Driver that uses a less flexible hex chuck. Even though the tool looks a bit odd, with its double-stacked chuck-over-motor configuration, it’s actually very well-balanced.

Porter-Cable PCC580B 18V Battery Status Indicator Preview

Porter-Cable PCC580B 18V Battery Status Indicator Preview

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.

Porter-Cable PCC583B 18V High-Pressure/Volume Inflator Preview

Porter-Cable PCC583B 18V High-Pressure/Volume Inflator Preview

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 PC60TPAG Angle Grinder Cut-Off Tool Preview

Porter-Cable PC60TPAG Angle Grinder Cut-Off Tool Preview

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.

Porter-Cable PC70THD 1/2-inch Hammerdrill Preview

Porter-Cable PC70THD 1/2-inch Hammerdrill Preview

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.

Porter-Cable PCC581B 18V Infrared Thermometer Preview

Porter-Cable PCC581B 18V Infrared Thermometer Preview

Porter-Cable launched a couple of brand new Infrared Thermometers, the 18V-powered PCC581B and the 9V-powered PCC582B. These infrared thermometers are very different from the ones we’ve seen in the past, incorporating a three-color indicator beam that indicates changes in temperature visually. When you pull the trigger, the thermometer takes a reference temperature reading while it paints a green circle beam onto the surface at which it is aimed. The colors change when a difference in temperature is detected as it is scans across an area. A blue beam identifies a cool spot, and a red beam shows a hot spot.

DeWalt D28710 14-inch Abrasive Chop Saw Preview

DeWalt D28710 14-inch Abrasive Chop Saw Preview

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.

Makita 192618-2 Dust Collecting Cutting Guard Preview

Makita 192618-2 Dust Collecting Cutting Guard Preview

Concrete cutting is pretty straightforward, but concrete cutting with a tool that is lightweight and compact is tougher. Now, concrete cutting with a compact tool that accounts for excellent dust collection is a completely different matter. 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 (model 192618-2) 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.