Articles

Air Compressor Reviews & Buying Guides October 24, 2011 0

Porter-Cable C1010 1-Gallon Quiet Trim Compressor Review

We often use trim compressors to do smaller projects because of their compact size, convenience and mobility. The Porter Cable C1010 1 Gallon 135 PSI Max Quiet Trim Compressor is all of that and more. Overall weight is a very manageable 24 pounds and there is a protective steel roll cage that also doubles as the carry handle, allowing the compressor to be carried in an upright position. Probably the biggest feature of this little compressor is that it is oil-free and quiet. Normally you can’t say both of those words in the same sentence when talking about compressors. Somehow the engineers at Porter-Cable figured out how to make this little guy maintenance-free and you can stand to be in the same room with it when it is running. Our plan was to find out if it really is as good as they say it is.

DeWalt DW059HK-2 18V Cordless XRP Impact Wrench Preview

Automotive Tool Reviews & Buying Guides October 20, 2011 0

DeWalt DW059HK-2 18V XRP Impact Wrench Preview

by Clint DeBoer

DeWalt has some pretty powerful impact drivers and wrenches, but their new DW059HK-2 18V XRP NiCd Impact Wrench with Hog Ring Anvil is nearly twice as strong as their existing DC821KA 1/2″ Impact Wrench. The DW059HK-2 was designed from the ground up as a brand new tool that could hold up to (and thrive in) extremely high-torque applications. We’re talking the stuff undertaken by real pros, be they mechanics, contractors, plumbers, or maintenance professionals. The wrench can also be purchased as a standalone tool (model number DW059HB) for those who don’t need a battery or charger.

News & Opinion October 20, 2011 0

Discover Your Skills with Mike Rowe

by Clint DeBoer

At Pro Tool Reviews, we’re all about the tradesman. Going to college is great, but the country seems to have […]

Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8" Ratchet 2457-21 Preview

Cordless Drill Reviews & Impact Drivers October 19, 2011 0

Milwaukee 2457-21 M12 Cordless 3/8 in Ratchet Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation continues to expand the versatility of their M12 Li-ion system with the introduction of the M12 Cordless 1/4″ and 3/8″ Ratchets. At only 10-3/4″ long and 1.9 lbs, these new tools are the most compact and powerful ratchets in their class, providing an ideal fastening solution for automotive mechanics and maintenance-repair professionals desiring maximum performance, portability and productivity.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless 1/4" Ratchet 2456-21 Preview

Cordless Drill Reviews & Impact Drivers October 19, 2011 0

Milwaukee 2456-21 M12 Cordless 1/4 in Ratchet Preview

by Clint DeBoer

News & Opinion October 17, 2011 0

Power Tool Institute (PTI) on Table Saw Safety Standards

by Clint DeBoer

The PTI (Power Tool Institute) is directly addressing the CPSC’s recent proposal. Their Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) could […]

Carpentry Tool Reviews & Buying Guides October 14, 2011 0

Milwaukee M12 Cordless Jig Saw Kit 2445-21 Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Jigsaws can be very inexpensive and occasional-use tools, or they can be the thing you reach for at all times to solve a whole suite of difficult cutting challenges. In our case, we find that the tool really determines which viewpoint you have. Take the new Milwaukee M12 Cordless High Performance Jig Saw (2445-21), for example. This new jigsaw was shown off to us at the 2011 Milwaukee Press Event and we really haven’t stopped thinking about it. The new jigsaw is incredibly simple in design – but in a good way. It has a “Hybrid Grip” design, which Milwaukee pitches as the best combination of features from a top handle and barrel grip jig saw. And really, the handle is unique and it provides ample grip, while giving you really good balance while making cuts. The tool is also very small and handles well. It weighs just 4.1 lbs and is only 8.75″ long from base to front. From our inventory of the market, this looks to be one of, if not the most, compact cordless jigsaw that targets professional users. While the Milwaukee 2645-22 M18 Jig Saw we reviewed earlier this year provides more power, this M12 model is infinitely more flexible and portable.

Combo Kit Reviews & Buying Guides October 10, 2011 0

Kobalt 18V Li-ion 4-tool Combo Kit Review

by Clint DeBoer

When Kobalt Tools gets into the power tool business, it’s going to draw attention. This for a variety of reasons, but the most obvious is because Lowe’s already has some excellent value tools already within its walls (Porter-Cable comes to mind). On top of that, Kobalt is billing its new tools as being “tougher than dinner with your mother-in-law”. Now, I like my mother-in-law, so I probably would have went with “tougher than dinner with your soon-to-be-fiance’s father”, but you get the implication. By setting the bar high – and making “toughness” the primary focus, Kobalt’s new line of Lithium-ion power tools were something we really were looking forward to getting our hands on. Of course, the press event was scheduled and held at an art museum… so I guess what Lowe’s is communicating to the tool world is that their new power tools are tough AND pretty. In either case, just what can you expect from the new tools? Lots, if our hands-on experience with them has anything to do with it.

Carpentry Tool Reviews & Buying Guides October 10, 2011 0

Bosch ROS65VC 6″ Random Orbit Sander Review

by Clint DeBoer

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.

23 Housing Markets Showing Sustained Growth

News & Opinion October 10, 2011 0

Geithner Refinancing Plan “Weeks Away”

by Clint DeBoer

The White House is now bringing up talk that it will be releasing yet another government plan designed to assist those whose mortgages are upside-down. As you’d expect, unless you’re hopelessly optimistic, details are all but nonexistent at this time. We say “another” plan as if there was already one implemented that has actually done something for homeowners on a broad scale. The plan should be announced in a few weeks, according to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. He spoke at a Senate Banking Committee hearing last week in an effort to communicate the government’s plans to works towards economic recovery.