Professional Tool Reviews for Pros

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Corded Tool Reviews

Our corded tool reviews include corded saws, routers, sanders and grinders, and more. We try to ascertain the best compound miter saws, perform jobsite table saw shootouts, to name a few. When it comes to corded tools, often power is key. Our power tool reviews try to determine whether a new product has advanced features or specs. Once we understand what’s new we can then test the tool to get a feel for it and see if it’s truly an upgrade. Corded Tool Reviews for Pros When we look at tools like rotary hammers or even oscillating multi-tools, we try to determine which tools have the least vibration while performing the most work. A power tool may be able to provide more power, but at the expense of ergonomics. Other tools add great features, but sacrifice in other areas. We evaluate the whole tool, so that we get the entire picture.

Skil Oscillating Multi-Tasker Tool Preview
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Skil Oscillating Multi-Tasker Tool Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Can anything good come out of Walmart? Skil seems to think so. Beginning in May they will release their new corded oscillating multi-tool, dubbed the Oscillating Multi-Tasker 1400-02. It’s a 2-amp tool that works with the new Bosch OIS line of accessories. The SKIL Power Tools 1400-02 Oscillating Multi-Tasker comes as part of an 11-piece multi-tool kit that is meant to be a go-to or catch-all tool for home improvement professionals as well as the casual user or do-it-yourselfer. All-in-all, Skil has positioned the tool at a price point and in a configuration that makes it very palatable and desirable for those who still haven’t jumped into the multi-tool revolution. If you haven’t yet used an oscillating multi-tool, this product may just sell you on its benefits.

Porter-Cable PC85TRSOK Tiger Saw blade
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Porter-Cable PC85TRSOK Tiger Saw Review

by Matthias Gaige

The Porter-Cable PC85TRSOK 8.5Amp Orbital Reciprocating Tiger Saw comes ready to cut or rip through just about anything thanks to its ability to switch from reciprocating to full orbital action. Many tradesman might remember the original Tiger-Saw and know that it was a tool to be reckoned with. The big question for us now is if this new lightweight model can live up to its predecessors. Things like an adjustable shoe and a powerful motor are a good start for sure. At first glance this tool seems to be a great bargain because it is high on features and low on price, but before we can recommend this new breed of Tiger Saw we have to spend a little quality time with it just to see how tamed (or rather untamed) it is.

Porter-Cable 450PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Combo Kit
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Porter-Cable 450PK Compact Router Combo Kit Review

by Thomas Gaige

The Porter Cable 450PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Combo Kit brings a breath of fresh air to the compact router market with plenty of power, quality features and woodworking versatility built in. We were impressed that this pint sized router packs a punch and does a fantastic job at a wide variety of router tasks. Combined with an all machined aluminum body, aluminum fixed and plunge bases, and a very positive depth of adjustment system; we found that a high level of precision can be attained. Thanks to its lightweight construction, and compact size, many trimming, edge round-over and chamfer type cuts can be made with ease and control that can be more difficult to do with a full sized tool. Sure there are instances when a larger sized router is needed but we would bank on the fact that most casual woodworkers and even professionals would benefit from the compact size of this router. We find it pretty easy to recommend the Porter Cable 450PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Combo Kit to anyone.

Porter-Cable PC60THPK 6-amp Hand Planer Preview
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Porter-Cable PC60THPK 6-amp Hand Planer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Ever wish your electric planer had a longer stance and better dust collection? Porter-Cable is attempting to meet those needs with its new 6 amp Hand Planer (model #PC60THPK). The brand new planer is actually rather sleek, with a raked back profile and 3 chamfer grooves. The new motor, which is reasonably powerful for those looking to do significant hand planing for finish applications, comes up with 16,500 RPMs. At first glance this planer seems perfect for planing wood planks, shortening doors and joists, and also chamfering and profiling the corners and edges of various hardwoods. The part we liked, however, was that it could chunk out up to 5/64″ per pass. For those who have trouble with fractions, that’s a little over 1/16 of an inch – not terribly deep by planing standards, but this is an instrument meant for finer work, not something with which to replace your circular saw. The planer comes with two blades and you can use either high-speed steel (HSS) or carbide blades. HSS blades are perfect for more aggressive planing – where nails might be encountered, and carbide blades are your tools for finish carpenters or craftsman who don’t risk jamming them up on anything except wood.

Porter Cable 14" Chop Saw PC14CTSD Preview
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Porter Cable 14″ Chop Saw PC14CTSD Preview

by Clint DeBoer

The chop saw isn’t a new tool by any stretch of the imagination, but as anyone knows who’s done a lot of metal cutting or fabrication, this is a tool you really need. Porter-Cable’s new 15 AMP Chop Saw (PC14CTSD) has been built to ensure it offers contractors performance, ergonomics, ease of use, and durability. This chop saw seems ideally suited for a number of trades, including mechanical contractors, electrical contractors, metal fabricators, and many other areas that need a simple, but durable tool for cut-in-place sawing. The PC14CTSD simply performs like a tool that is capable of handling a number of metal cutting applications on professional jobsites. This tool, in particular, seems to have been built with the contractor in mind. To start off with, the 15 AMP, high torque motor delivers 3,800 RPM, which enables the new chop saw to cut through tough materials, including cast iron pipe, angle iron, threaded rod, conduit, square tubing, and more.

DeWalt DWP611PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Combo Kit Review
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DeWalt DWP611PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Kit Review

by Matthias Gaige

DeWalt brings compact routers to a new level with the new DWP611PK 1.25 HP Variable Speed Compact Router Combo Kit. Since it comes with both a fixed and plunge base you will be happy with its versatility. Don’t for a moment think that its compact size means that features and power were sacrificed either. We were surprised to learn that this pint sized router packs a punch and does a fantastic job at a wide variety of router tasks. At the end of the day we concluded this is a great woodworking tool.

Makita HM0870C 11 lb Demolition Hammer Preview
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Makita HM0870C 11 lb Demolition Hammer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

At the 2011 World of Concrete (WoC) show this year, Makita unleashed a new hard hitting demolition hammer that uses less weight to accomplish more. The demo hammer, which accepts SDS-Max bits, weighs only 11.1 lbs. and is ideally suited for horizontal work and jobs where you just don’t want to lift a heavier hammer off the ground. The new tool comes with an Electronic Speed Control that automatically applies additional power to the motor to maintain speed under load to complete the most challenging jobs. It also features a soft start motor to suppress start-up reaction and current draw for more control and better accuracy.

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