Power Tool Reviews Archives

February 1, 2011 0

Porter Cable PC18ID 18V Lithium Impact Driver Review

Impact drivers are the new drill. While we don’t recommend them for actual drilling – not into hardwood, at least – the Impact Driver has become the go-to tool for most homeowners looking to reduce fatigue and stress when driving screws. The tools, like Porter Cable’s PC18ID 18V Impact Driver, are extremely compact as well – allowing for more maneuverability than many drills with standard chucks. At just under $80, it also presents itself as an incredible value – especially if you’re already in possession of the lithium-ion batteries and charger required to power this tool.

January 31, 2011 0

Porter Cable PCL418C-2 18V Lithium 4-Tool Combo Kit Review

by Clint DeBoer

We weren’t sure what we’d find when we opened up the Porter-Cable PCL418C-2 18V 4-tool Combo Kit, but after just a few minutes examining the tools and handling them, we came away with the impression that this is possibly one of the best values in the market today. We don’t say that lightly, and we certainly were anxious to get to our performance testing – but in terms of sheer features and build quality, Porter-Cable really impressed us with their attention to detail and craftsmanship.

January 20, 2011 0

Bosch CAG180 Cordless Angle Grinder Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Bosch Power Tools and Accessories has earned its well-deserved reputation for providing outstanding user experiences in the grinder category. Now, with the CAG180 4 1/2-inch, 18-volt Lithium-Ion Angle Grinder, Bosch has set out to create the most powerful cordless angle grinder in its class packed with power, design and safety features. It is designed to outlast and outperform the competition. The CAG180 addresses many common user complaints with cordless grinders used for light-duty cutting and grinding applications in metal, masonry and tile materials such as lack of power, excessive weight and poor overload capacity that causes the tool to stall when the pressure is raised.

January 20, 2011 0

Bosch RH432VCQ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Bosch has incorporated its patented Active Vibration Control technology into the Bulldog 1-1/8-inch SDS-Plus RH328VC, RH328VCQ, and 1-1/4-inch Bosch RH432VCQ […]

DeWalt DWP611PK 1.25 HP Compact Router Combo Kit Review

January 20, 2011 0

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.

January 17, 2011 0

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.

Black & Decker 18V Hard Surface Sweeper & Blower Review

January 16, 2011 0

Black and Decker NS118 18V Blower Review

by Thomas Gaige

If you have decks, patios, porches, sidewalks and garages that need to be swept a lot; then chances are that the Black & Decker NS118 18-Volt Cordless Hard Surface Sweeper & Blower might work well for you. With a cordless and compact design, this powered sweeper is easy to maneuver and requires much less effort then a traditional outdoor broom.

January 14, 2011 0

Craftsman QuickBoost Charger Preview

by Clint DeBoer

The Craftsman brand debuted a one-of-a-kind, time-saving technology for its cordless line of 12-volt lithium-ion NEXTEC power tools this week at the 2011 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando. With its new QuickBoost Charger, Craftsman is doing something that no other major brand is at least claiming to be able to do: bring a completely dead battery back up to a 25 percent charge in three minutes. This is to provide the extra “boost” needed to finish up the job at hand.

Lithium Ion Batteries that Recharge in 1 Minute?!

January 10, 2011 0

Nanoscoop Lithium Ion Batteries Recharge in 1 Minute?!

by Clint DeBoer

Within the last two months, Nexeon (an Oxfordshire-based research group) produced a record-breaking 18650 Li-ion cells with a capacity of 3.2Ah […]

January 7, 2011 0

SawGear Automated Miter Saw Measuring System Preview

by Clint DeBoer

Have we finally reached the end of the tape measure? With laser distance measures and all manner of future technology, why not a solution that eliminates the measuring and marking of wood for cutting on a miter saw? Why not indeed. SawGear came to market in late 2009 with a tool that has since been seemingly perfected – at least from what we’ve seen in video demonstrations. In any case, we’re looking forward to getting a better look at it first hand at this year’s IBS Expo in Orlando.