The relatively new Bosch Multi-Detector DMD4K at first glance looks like a glorified stud finder but this little gizmo does way more than allow you to point it at yourself and make bad jokes. It does detect wood studs however it also can detect metal and let you know if the metal is ferrous (magnetic) or non-ferrous (non-magnetic). In addition it has a zoom feature which allows you to detect material that is deeper in the material (up to 4”). Recently during a job site demo we used the DMD4K to find rebar in concrete barriers several inches deep in concrete. There is a gauge to tell you how strong the signal is and coupled with the zoom feature it is pretty easy to exactly pin point any pipe, wire or stud. Once the material is located it is easy to mark it through the illuminated hole in the center of the detector, large enough for any standard pencil. Note, don't use a mechanical pencil or metal pen as the metal next to the detector throws off your readings.  The detector also can detect live electric lines and has a separate gauge for the strength of line. This is a big convenience and an even bigger safety feature for demolition work.

The DMD4K is a great tool which you can get at Ohio Power Tool for $89.00. It is also available for free if you buy a Bulldog SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer 11255VSR ($239). It is shipped right with the tool smae day if ordered before 1:00pm EST, no mail-in rebate or anything like that. The DMD4K is very useful for any contractor, handyman, plumber, electrician, you name it.  

Posted by Jay A. at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recently Bosch drastically reduced their price on the 36 volt Litheon tools to the point they are actually cheaper than some of their own 18 volt NiCd tools. In addition to these new low prices they have also supplied Ohio Power Tool with an additional FatPack 36 volt battery for every drill/driver kit and 4 piece combo kit sold. (Get the battery with kits, no mail-in rebates) I am having a tough time finding comparable brands that have a better deal on 18 volt NiCd Drill/Driver kit with three batteries.

My assumption is they are basically giving these tools away at little profit or most likely a lose. This is a common practice in other industries such as video game consoles where they lose money to get you into the system but then make up for it over the next few years with video game sales. Bosch makes exceptional power tools and the 36 volt Litheon tools are probably their most impressive line up. These tools have not however made their way into most peoples hands. People tend to be loyal to one brand until compelled to make a switch. I think Bosch is trying to make that compelling argument, a 36 volt drill/driver kit with 3 lithium ion batteries priced at $229.00 is pretty compelling. A full 4 tool combo kit with 3 lithium ion batteries is only $499.

Clearly the goal here is to get more 36V tools and more importantly batteries into the hands of as many consumers as possible. Bosch is looks to the future and plans to expand their Litheon tool line up. Future success with any cordless line is very much dependant on how many users currently have the batteries. Lose some money upfront, gain more users for years to come.

Bottom line is if you are looking to upgrade some older tools or looking for a completely new cordless combo kit, now is the time to take advantage. These tools give you the same power as if you were plugging strait into the wall and with 3 batteries there is essentially zero down time. The Bosch 10.8v tools also get a price drop PS20-2 to $119 and PS40-2 to $169.

If you have any questions about Bosch Tools or any other tools call the experts at Ohio Power Tool, 800-242-4424.  

Posted by Jay A. at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are a small number of people that use a mag drill on a daily basis and you are well aware if you are one of them. These tools are becoming more popular for much more than just working on I-beams. If you are considering a mag drill or an upgrade there are several important things to consider.

Hougen and Milwaukee are probably the two best known and most reliable makers of mag drills. Magnetic drills vary greatly in their size, weight, height, depth of cut (d.o.c.), amp power, RPMs and several other features. Hougen makes the smallest mag drills available, HMD115 & HMD150, which have an extremely low profile. The small sizes makes these incredibly useful for working in tight spaces such as with automotive and trucking applications.

One of the most popular mag drills and a real work horse is the Hougen HMD 904. This model is light weight at 27.5 lbs, powerful with 450 RPM and d.o.c. of 2”. It has a height of 16” and easy to work with if not in a tight spot. This model is also available as the HMD904S which features a swivel base. The swivel base allows you to get the drill close to the hole and then do a more precise line up with the tool in position. This is an especially huge advantage when using a mag drill in the horizontal or overhead position.

For more heavy duty applications consider the Hougen HMD925 with Powerfeed or the HMD505 that has a d.o.c. of 3” and 2 RPM speed options. The Milwaukee mag drills on OhioPowerTool.com are larger machines ranging from 57-72 lbs. heavier than any of the Hougen drills available although they do have some good features. These Milwaukee units feature adjustable bases for lining up your hole exactly. Also the Milwaukee drills feature keyed chucks which can use regular drill bits, hole saws or the Milwaukee Steel Hawg Cutters up to 6”. Milwaukee does have a smaller Hougen style mag drill 4270-20 but there are many reasons why the Hougen outperforms it. Please comment if you disagree, this will probably be a future article.

When considering drilling into solid metal the drill bit itself is a large considerations. Hougen features several varieties of Rotabroach Annular Cutters engineered to be one of the best metal cutters on the market. The Rotabroach cutters will work with other mag drills but will not work with chuck type mag drills. The smaller Hougen drills use different cutters all together which are more compact the Rotaloc (HMD115) and Rotaloc Plus (HMD150). If you are looking for cutters that work with a 3/8" chuck, the Milwaukee Steel Hawg Cutters work with traditional chucks and range in size from 7/8” to 6”. For cutting thin metal, such as sheet metal, Hougen makes several kits (RotaCut & Holcutter) which work in a traditional chuck style hand drills.    

Deciding which type of mag drill and cutters you will need is not an easy decision and not something you can determine easily by reading a quick blog post. I would recommend calling the professionals at Ohio Power Tool (800-242-4424) if you have any questions.

Posted by Jay A. at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lincoln Lube, the leader in grease and oil tools, provides top of the line products including pumps, hoses, reels, guns, draining and storage equipment. Recently Lincoln added several new tools to their line up that should make your job easier. Three of these products that deserve highlighting are listed below.