When it comes to Bosch, the tools that you see in Europe are often a sign of things to come for the tools that will be available in the US. Right now, there is a new finishing nailer by Bosch that completely forgoes any kind of gas or compression and is completely powered by Bosch 4.0 Ah Cool Pack batteries. Our friends across the pond are speculating that this Bosch GSK18VLI could be the beginning of the end for the gas nailer. Continue reading
RIDGID’s press tools are something of an industry standard as far as press tools go, and press tools in general are becoming more and more widely adopted as people realize how much easier they are than busting out some solder. From everything I’ve heard about the tools, they work great, but they can be a little heavy and bulky. RIDGID must have heard the same stuff, because they have released compact and inline versions of their original press tool. These tools are great, but they can’t tackle as many different diameters and varieties of pipe as the original. As a result, RIDGID’s drive to make their press tools smaller, lighter, and less unwieldy has led to an overhaul of the RIDGID RP 330 tool. Let me introduce the RIDGID RP 340. Continue reading
Our friends at Home Fixated have come up with not one, but two brand new websites featuring creative and inventive ways to use tools. One of them, Home Hacks, focuses on ways to improve your quality of life with just a few simple tricks largely using things you already have around the house. Their “supremely clever tricks and tips” range from “NO WAY” to “why didn’t I think of that?” Continue reading
There are a variety of situations and places that someone might have to break up concrete, so it is naturally fitting that there are a lot of different sizes and strengths of demo hammers. The Bosch DH507 is not necessarily for big jobs where a lot of breaking would be necessary, but it has some nice features that make it a versatile and useful tool in the concrete professional’s tool arsenal. Continue reading
The Ingersoll Rand IQv20 Impact Wrench is a pretty awesome tool. In fact, it is so awesome, that I have fielded calls from customers who have told me that this tool is far too strong for them, and they need an older, not-quite-as-awesome version of it to do their job. While it is true that the crushing 1100 ft-lbs. of torque that the W7150 offers may not be ideal for every situation, the older and less powerful tools in the Ingersoll-Rand IQv Cordless were never very widely adopted, and are possibly on the way to a phase out after these new tools hit the market. Continue reading
This new Milwaukee LED light is actually the third option in the Milwaukee M12 lineup but offers some unique features over the other two more traditional flashlights. The 2351-20 has 3 LED lights that product 220 lumens to really illuminate a wider work area. The multi-position hook on the back also helps secure the light in place so you can work hands free. The Milwaukee website rates this light for 4 hours of continuous use on a single charge (we are assuming they mean with the smaller 2.0Ah battery pictured). We will follow up with additional information as we have the opportunity to get our hands on one of these.
Wilton has always been one of the frontrunners in durable, long-lasting tools. This is a reputation they have crafted over time and are understandably proud of. In the past they have held contests trying to discover who has the oldest and most storied Wilton vise, which has produced pictures and stories about vices that are 70+ years old. This is pretty incredible on its own, but Wilton is still a current company that is currently innovating and producing tools while the vises they made in 1941 are still in use. Continue reading
It always seems like Bosch is a little late to the party when it comes to new tool design. After seeing brushless motors from the likes of Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Makita, as well as all the brands that have released 4.0 Ah batteries, it seems only fitting that Bosch would have tools with these innovations as well. The Bosch RHH181-01 Cordless Rotary Hammer is the first tool in the Bosch line to boast these features, as well as having a few notable improvements on the older model RHH180. Continue reading
The beginning of summer can mean the beginning of busy season for a lot of people. Milwaukee Tools, in their efforts to make life easier for all of those that get considerably busier in the summer have decided to re-launch their deep cut band saw rebate. While this is all well and good, in my opinion the best deal in the Milwaukee mail-in lineup is their “buy two grinders, get one free” promotion. Continue reading
The Ingersoll Rand 20V IQv Impact Wrench is the most powerful cordless ½” on the market today so it is not surprising it has also become one of the most popular. All that power comes with at a price, with the 1 battery kit W7150-K1 ($402) and 2 battery kit W7150-K2 ($513) however from now until the end of July each of these kits come with an additional FREE 20v battery BL2010 ($149). Continue reading
