The Ridgid R86014 Drill/Driver is a great combination of quality and features. From its very solid construction to the automatic transmission, this drill is a sure performer. What’s more, the lithium-ion batteries reform this tool into something new, stronger, and better than its NiCd predecessors.
We took the Makita 6347DWDE Cordless Drill to task and discovered that Makita has some serious power in this 18V tool. The 6347DWDE provides ample torque and its easy to use and ergonomic torque control means that contractors and handymen will both appreciate the ease of use this tool offers. User-accessible brush replacement and Ni-MH batteries also indicate a tool that will last for years and years – even under extreme stress.
If you ever used a Dremel tool then you’re probably a “believer”. If you ever used a Dremel tool but never used a cordless model, you’re definitely in for a treat that will bring a smile to your face. Dremel began as a simple rotary tool that was mainly for hobbyists and people working on little wood projects and creative toys or decorative items. With Dremel exploding their line-up to include router attachments, oscillating tools and sanders, the brand has taken on a lot more usefulness to a wider market. Now with rechargeable solutions, Dremel has truly made headway into the mass market.
The Craftsman 4.8 Volt Pistol Screwdriver is a handyman’s (or handywoman’s) “go-to” tool. This rechargeable pistol grip screwdriver is perfect for those around the house jobs for which the big boy tools are simply too darn cumbersome. We tested out this pistol grip screwdriver in a variety of jobs and found it to be long lasting and perfect for most basic projects, provided you didn’t expect much torque or require the finesse of a variable speed drill.
While other miter saws are playing at being tough, the Ridgid MS1290LZA 12-inch sliding compound miter saw takes a different approach. In fact, it takes the competition to task – with just the right blend of features and finesse. Case in point: show me another miter saw whose miter adjustments can be made with your pinky finger? Can’t find any? Welcome to Ridgid.
The Milwaukee 6955-20 12-inch sliding dual miter saw is a sight to behold. Its digital miter angle readout sets it […]
Move along, move along… nothing to see here. That was the apparent mantra of the DeWALT DW718 sliding dual miter […]
The Ryobi RJ162VK is a sensible 6.5 amp reciprocating saw that is perfect for the handyman or do-it-yourselfer who doesn’t require oodles of power and who isn’t planning on doing tons of demo work. Its very reasonable street price makes it one of the more handy “gotta-have-it” tools we recommend for anyone who plans on doing any type of projects around the home.
The Ryobi HPL51K electric hand planer is a budget tool that includes some very nice features such as a left/right dust ejection dial, adjustable depth knob and blade-protecting kick stand. This tool really enables easy planning of uneven surfaces – up to 3/32″ in a single cut – and even performs edge and rabbet cuts with the included edge guide.
The Black & Decker JS515 4.5 amp Jigsaw can be found for a reasonable “street” price and offers reliable, if simplistic performance. The saw is your basic model and certainly doesn’t feature many frills besides tool-less changing of both universal and t-shank blades and a handy magnetic storage area for up to 3 blades. If you can find it on sale you may have a deal, but paying retail isn’t something we’d recommend for this model.
