Tool Reviews by Tool

You can access our tool reviews in many different ways. Here, we organize tool reviews by tool type. This includes power tool reviews and hand tool reviews as well as reviews of air tools and pneumatics. We also cover hardware, outdoor, and industry-specific products. All are organized by specific tool type. Sorting Tool Reviews by Tool You can also check out our tool reviews by the tool brands or manufacturer, but if you’re looking for a circular saw, hammer drill, or other particular tool by tool type, then this section will get you to everything you need. Use the dropdown in the menu above to further refine your selection. With that you can get to a listing of exactly the right tools you’re interested in. Pro Tool Reviews covers and/or reviews over 400 tools each year, making this your one-stop shop for everything tool-related. If you want to know what the best tool in a particular category is, you’re in the right place.

GearWrench 120XP 3-Degree Arc Ratchet Preview

GearWrench 120XP 3-Degree Arc Ratchet Preview

GearWrench, a brand of Apex Tool Group, which has been in the news lately, announced the launch of the brand new 120XP Ratchet – which is the first ratchet we know of to feature 120 positions. That means that for every full rotation, it can turn fasteners with a swing arc of as little as 3 degrees. Talk about getting into tight spaces… the way the GearWrench 120XP does it is through the use of double-stacked pawls which provide an ultra-narrow swing arc. With less of an arc required to “click” the ratchet, you can insert your tool into tighter areas and reach fasteners in severely limited access applications.

Black & Decker 4V Max Gyro Cordless Screwdriver Review

Black & Decker Gyro 4V Max Cordless Screwdriver Review

It’s rare that I see a tool that catches me off guard and presents something truly “new” or innovative. With the Black & Decker Gyro, innovation is at its core. The question is whether or not the new gyroscopic features are helpful or a hindrance. One thing is for certain, however, you’ll get more “play” time with this tool in terms of its effects as a party favor of attention-grabber than you will from any other powered screwdriver. And you can really use it thanks to some solid and simple thinking on the part of Black & Decker’s engineers.

Delta 23-199 8-inch Benchtop Grinder Preview

Delta 23-199 8-inch Benchtop Grinder Preview

Delta Power Equipment Corporation introduced two new bench grinders this week. The larger of the two is the 8-inch Model 23-199, which features a patented tool-less quick change nut and tool-less wheel cover so you can swap out or change grinding or polishing wheels quickly and easily. The grinder runs at variable speed and has a front-mounted speed dial to dial the grinder in from 2,000 to 3,400 RPM. The Model 23-199 also features a cast iron base to give it more stability and holding power and which also serves to reduce vibration during use. Four rubber feet are also included to help prevent movement. The full-size clear safety shield utilizes thumb screws for easy adjustment.

DeWalt DWE4011 4-1/2" Small Angle Grinder Preview

DeWalt DWE4011 4-1/2″ Small Angle Grinder Preview

DeWalt has launched a bunch of new tools this year, but I don’t recall their angle grinders getting any attention in some time. Now, a new 4-1/2″ Small Angle Grinder has been deployed whose claim to fame (newest feature) is a One-Touch Guard that allows the user to simply turn the guard by hand to adjust its position into any of eight durable detents. There is no button to push and the process is completely tool-less. DeWalt observed a need for users to continually move the guard depending on the application, while in manufacturing shops and on jobsites. We’d have to agree, and this feature seems to address a pretty common problem, while at the same time encouraging the use of the guard in more applications. In addition to easy adjustability, the guard also pops on and off with a quick press of the release button.

Rockwell Debuts New Sonicrafter and Sonictool Multi-tools

Rockwell Sonicrafter and Rockwell Sonictool Multi-tools

Rockwell has just thrown down the gauntlet in multi-tools by offering both a Universal Fit system to allow their three new Sonicrafters, and their new Shop Series Sonictool, to use other brands’ accessories without adapters. Three new Sonicrafters and a Sonictool? Yes. The company has completely revised its initial Sonicrafter Oscillating Multi-tool by adding a Hyperlock tool-less blade change and also increasing the motor power. And if that weren’t enough, the company has also released a new assortment of Rockwell universal accessories designed to fit not just their own tools, but also competitive multi-tools.

Makita LXRH011 Brushless 1" SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Preview

Makita LXRH011 Brushless 1-inch SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer

Makita has one of the widest ranges of 18V cordless tools, so you’d think they might want to sit back and relax for a while… Apparently not, as the company has just announced a new 18V LXT lithium-ion Brushless 1″ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (model LXRH011). What’s more, it includes a HEPA Dust Xtraction Vacuum Attachment. The LXRH011 is Makita’s latest tool using their LXT Brushless Motor Technology. The new Brushless tools can increase runtime by up to 50% and can increase power and speed as well as they are more efficient.

Spotlight Shifter 2.0 LED Flashlight Review

Spotlight Shifter 2.0 LED Flashlight Review

The Spotlight Shifter 2.0 has the makings of an exceptional and compact LED flashlight. Its narrow body, long run-time, and easy-to-adjust beam make for a product that will have decent appeal to the masses. The Shifter 2.0 uses a pair of standard AAA batteries to power its LED lamp at up to 110 lumens of output. It also features a Reflector Lens System (RLS) which lets you direct the light output in either spot or beam mode by simply twisting the front of the flashlight.