Recently both Bosch and Milwaukee came out with new 18 volt lithium ion tools. Milwaukee Tools first 18v lithium line was one of the first to market with the V18 tools however after these tools were release other brands had a chance to copy their designs. Bosch Tools on the other hand stuck with the 18v NiCd tools and focused on thier 10.8v and 36v lithium tools. Both these new lines of 18v tools put them head and shoulders above the competition but which of the two is on top?

Today we are just looking at the 18v Cordless Hammer Drills, in this comparison specifically the Milwaukee M18 2611-24 and the Bosch 17618-01. Each product was laboratory tested against the other competition available at the time (a few months ago) so both tools are making the same claims of best in class torque, battery life and construction. Unfortunately I don’t have a lab in the back to redo all these tests comparing the two against each other but hopefully I can provide a little more insight.

Both units have 650 in/lbs torque (above any other brand on the market) although the Bosch unit has 2050 RPM rating vs. Milwaukee at 1700 RPM. Both units also have free battery mail-in rebate offers until the end of the year however Milwaukee is giving away the larger XC battery while Bosch is giving away their smaller Slim Pack battery. Both have a two battery system but on the M18 tools the smaller battery will not fit on the hammer drill or saws. On price, overall the Bosch 17618-01 is cheaper at $305 while the Milwaukee 2611-24 is $349. Milwaukee is including a free impact driver 2650-20 ($179) with the hammer drill, for a limited time, so big points there. Warranties are also pretty similar with 2 year battery replacement on each.

In size comparison the Milwaukee is slightly smaller which you can see in the pictures. The weight for the M18 is also lighter at 5.55 lbs vs Bosch at 5.75. If weight is a big factor the Bosch can use the slim pack batteries which will reduce the weight below the Milwaukee but battery life will be half. Both units feature a LED light but Bosch has the light on the base which illuminates the work surface a little better.

The biggest problem I discovered in looking at these two drills side by side was with the Bosch. There is no power gauge on their batteries. I’m not sure why this was left off, perhaps it makes the battery smaller but it is an extremely useful feature I can’t believe was left off. Bosch has the feature on their 36v tools so I am really baffled why they would leave it off the 18v. The charger is a 30 minute charge which works with 14.4v as well but even the charger only gives a simple charging or full indication not a power level.

For my money I am buying the Milwaukee M18 with free Impact and mail-in rebate for a 3rd XC battery. The deal is right and I just can’t see not having a power gauge on my lithium ion tools. If you have 3 batteries and 1 charger how are you going to keep track of which battery has power and which doesn’t? I really like the Bosch as well, it still has more power and longer run time than any other competitor but when they are so close like that a free M18 Impact Driver will make all the difference. 

Posted by Jay A. at 07:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

If you want to have some fun at that Halloween party this weekend you might consider adding some special effects to your costume. Perhaps shooting flaming fire balls up to 10 feet across the room will spice up the party. Warning: We are not responsible if you catch the guy in the polyester gorilla suit on fire. Checkout the video below for step by step instructions and visit the Make Magazine YouTube page for all sorts of other fun videos.    

Posted by Jay A. at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The new Core Bore CB500-HH from Diamond Products is a hand held coring drill, capable of drilling up to 3” diameter holes in concrete and other material. This is not a revolutionary product idea however this new product is priced at $521.10 from Ohio Power Tool, which makes it much more economical for many companies consider purchasing.

Posted by Jay A. at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Recently we had several manufacturers visit Ohio Power Tool as part of the annual Tent Sale & Tool Expo. As you might assume this was a very interactive event and everyone had an opportunity to test out many of the new tools. Luckily it was terrific weather and all the vendors could set up tables and tent in the front parking lot. Below are a few short video clips of the new Milwaukee M12 tools that were on hand.

The M12 Copper Tubing Cutter - 2471-22 ($219)

This is a very innovative product and easy to use. There is a switch next to the trigger which locks the open end so you can put the tube in place. Once the copper tube is in the tool flip the switch and pull the trigger. The tool does have a slight tendency to want to pull itself down but with a firm grip it makes a very clean cut.

The M12 Hackzall – 2420-22 ($179)   

The new Hackzall is a very cool new product for the Milwaukee M12 line. At first glance it looks simply like a Sawzall with a little less power but really it is much more. It can do a wide range of different job where you might use a jigsaw or Rotozip. At the same time it’s good for cutting wood, metal and PVC pipe as well. The video below is just one of the examples of a different type of application for the Hackzall where it is simulating cutting a hole for an electrical box in drywall.

Until the end of the year there is also an offer for a free M12 impact (tool only) with the purchase of selected other M12 tools. Both of these are included in the offer as well as the Micro Driver, Impact and M-Spector Camera.  

Posted by Jay A. at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The New line of Chicago Pneumatic Rivet Busters replaces the previous models of CP4181 Duler, Duser, Puler and Puser. Some of the key features of the new CP4608 & CP4611 models are listed below.

Posted by Jay A. at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We continued to be amazed at the incredible amount of product development coming from Bosch Accessories. These guys are systematically reinventing all the basic accessories we use everyday and coming out with some really cool new products.

Recently the Bosch Big Blue Team spent the day at Ohio Power Tool and one of the new products that really impressed a lot of people were the DareDevil Spade Bits. Most people don’t think about their spade bits that much and just buy whatever is cheapest at the local big box. The new Bosch spade bits however are almost like a different tool. The DareDevil bit pulls itself through wood without any effort at all which really makes repetitive drilling significantly easier especially at an angle or overhead.

Another patented feature of the DareDevil is the contoured paddle.  This wave-like shape speeds up chip removal, adding to the speed of the bit.  The combination of these two features creates astonishing results.  In independent testing, the DareDevil was 2.4x faster and required 53% less force than the Irwin Blue Groove*. 

It doesn’t end there. While spade bits are not expected to produce anything beyond average hole quality, the DareDevil is not your average spade bit.  The patented spur and reamer design is unique in that it not only scores the wood for a clean entry hole, but also has angled cutting edges that ream the hole for reduced breakout, leaving a cleaner exit hole than any competitive bit.

Ohio Power Tool has the individual DareDevil Bits in-stock with full kits coming in the next few weeks. Watch the YouTube video below and see how much easier the DareDevil goes through wood than the Irwin Blue Groove, the most popular spade bit prior to the Bosch DareDevil launch.

Posted by Jay A. at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ingersoll Rand is one of the most popular brands of choice when it comes to Air Impact Wrenches. The IR tools are built to stand up to professional daily duty and if you depend on these tools everyday I would think it might be hard to look past the Ingersoll Rand tools for a second rate product off the back of a truck. Ohio Power Tool is making the decision easy to buy the best by offering extremely low prices in addition to giving a full socket set away with some of the most popular IR impact tools.

1” Impact 285B-6 – $449 - Free Socket Set: SK8C5T ($76)
¾” Impact 2141 – $419 - Free Socket Set: SK6H8 ($61)
½” Impact 2135TiMax - $249 – Free Socket Set: SK4H13 ($30)
3/8” Impact 2115TiMax - $219 – Free Socket Set: SK3H8 ($14)

19.2V IQv – ½” Impact W360-LSP - $359 – Free Socket Set: SK4H13 ($30)
14.4V IQv – 3/8” Impact IQV144K – 398 – Free Socket Set: SK3H8 ($14)   

Posted by Jay A. at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recently Bosch has introduced 2 new circular saw blades specifically designed for cutting fiber cement siding and backerboard. The CB704FC & CB706FC blades are specifically designed for cutting through this tough material and also to keep dust to a minimum. One of the most common problems working with fiber cement products is the large amount of dust produced when making cuts. To combat the problem other companies have actually produced saws with vacuum attachments. This is a good solution but pricy and you end up with more tools on the job.

The new Bosch Fiber Cement Blades are much more cost effective and do a significantly better job at reducing dust when compared to traditional blades. The new blades feature less contact points and deep gullets to divert the dust. You can see in the video below the dust in a well ventilated area is kept to a minimum.       

CB704FC - $50.40
4 Diamond Impregnated Carbide Teeth
Extra Long Life

CB706FC - $11.65
6 C4 Carbide Teeth
Long Life

“Professionals who cut single sheets have been looking for a cost-effective blade that can meet the rigorous demands of cutting these dense materials affordably and productively,” states Jon Howell, Product Manager, Bosch Power Tools and Accessories. “Almost everyone has a circular saw so users don’t have to buy any new equipment.”

Posted by Jay A. at 09:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hougen was the first company to develop and patent the Magnetic Drill back in 1976. Since then there have been many improvements made to the original design but Hougen has remained a leader in the magnetic drill industry. The model HMD904 has been one of the most popular mag drills for many years because of its light weight design, significant power and durability. Not to long ago the HMD904S with swivel base was introduced which allowed for slight adjustments after the magnet had been activated.

Now you have two new options for the HMD904 which are the HMD904C ($899.95), which is the basic 904 model with the 16oz coolant tank and fittings. The second option is the Fabricators Kit HMD904K ($1,188) which includes the HMD904C, ½” Jacobs Chuck with adaptor and 12002 Rotabroach Cutter Kit. The fabricators kit provides the basic set up with several Rotabroach sizes to get started but with the chuck the mag drill can also use regular twist drill bits.

Posted by Jay A. at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For a limited time at Ohio Power Tool you will receive a free PS20-2A ($119) with any Bosch purchase over $1000. Yes these are brand new 12V Max PS20 tools with increased power, not the 10.8V version. All the tools are brand new, not reconditioned and will ship with the order, no mail-in rebates. The PS20-2A kit includes the 12V Pocket Driver, charger, 2 lithium batteries & carrying case. This offer is good for all US and international customers.

The PS20-2A is an incredibly handy and popular tool which has found a huge following in many different industries. The first generation PS20 was a revolutionary product when it was released (see Milwaukee vs Bosch). The tool could do many of the jobs of other 14.4v & 18v tools had done but with half the size and weight. The new second generation 12V Max version features even more power and improved design. The Bosch 12V Max tools can also use the 10.8V batteries and chargers. With the recent addition of the PS30 3/8” Drill/Driver & PS50 Multi-X tool the 12V line of tools is now much more complete.

Get shopping for your new Bosch Tools

Posted by Jay A. at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The wait is over on almost all the Milwaukee M12 & M18 tools. M12 Hackzall, M12 Copper Cutter, M18 Hammer Drill w/Free impact, M18 Combo Kits and most everything else has arrived in the past few days at Ohio Power Tool. If you had a pre-order you may have already received your tools as some of the new stuff went out as early as last week. For those of you who didn’t order from Ohio Power Tool I’m sure you won’t have to wait that much longer for your new Milwaukee Tools.   

Posted by Jay A. at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Put down the tiny kitchen knife; move the kids a few feet back and this year take the Sawzall to a couple hundred pound pumpkin it took 2 of you to load in the truck. It probably won’t turn out that pretty but it’ll be much more fun than last year. Below is a video from the DIY Network on Pumpkin Carving with power tools.

Posted by Jay A. at 04:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well know for their large hydraulic equipment Power Team has built portable high tonnage jacks specific for lifting rail cars and heavy equipment. The jacks range from 60 to 200 tons and are powered by air or electric. There are several different options such as pumps, height, tonnage, remote control and other features that can be customized but most commonly units are ordered in pre-configured arrangements. Some times known as power risers or power lifts the portable lifts are easy to maneuver around while still capable of lifts incredible amounts of weight.

Models PLE6014 & PLA6014 are specifically built as “Railroad Edition” models for maintenance on locomotives and railcars. The jacks come equipped with extensions to match most applications with up to a maximum lifting height of 70”. Both units also feature 20 ft remote controls, adjustable handle, foam filled tires and patented lowering valves for smooth, safe lowering. The main difference is the PLE6014 is powered by 1-1/8 HP 110/115 VAC using 25 amps of electric power. The PLA6014 is powered by a rotary air pump which uses 50 CFM at 80 psi.

Posted by Jay A. at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For those of you that might be in or around Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, October 22^nd I would like to invite you to Ohio Power Tool for the Annual Tent Sale & Tool Expo. This year it’s a little later than usual so it would correspond with the launch of so many new lines of tools including: Milwaukee M12, Milwaukee M18, Bosch 12V Max, Bosch 18V Lithium, Ridgid Explorer & New Seesnakes, plus many other exciting product. All of these new tools will be at the show ready for you to demo, so if you want to try out the new Dremel Multi-Max or anything else come on down. Each vendor will be there in full force including the Bosch Big Blue Trailer. Milwaukee, Ingersoll Rand, Ridgid, Chicago Pneumatic, Hougen, Power Team and many others will have tents and tables set up as well. The event runs from 10:00am – 5:00pm or when people finally leave.

This is a great event for any one buying tools or just wanting to test out the new tools! Ohio Power Tool, already known for low internet competitive pricing, really blows it out for the tent sale. Lots of existing products are discounted for that day in addition to overall discounts given on all in-store orders. On top of the Ohio Power Tool discounts the vendors on hand have even more discounts in the form of promotions, instant rebates, free tools, tool trade-ins, etc. For instance, Bosch is offering $75 trade-in on any 18 volt, working or not, to upgrade to their new 18v lithium. That would put the new Bosch 18V compact drill at $129 and on top of that you would still get off an additional discount from Ohio Power Tool.

I’m sounding like a used car salesman now but it is definitely worth checking out if you want to get some really good deals on power tools or just get your hands on some of the new tools.      

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

Typically I wouldn’t get that excited about a new jigsaw blade however the T308B is worth a little notoriety. Why? Basically it makes a really nice clean cut in wood. After you use them once it will seem so simple and you will wonder why all the jigsaw blades wouldn’t be made like the Bosch. For only a few cents per blade extra it’s far and away the obvious choice over any other jigsaw blade I’ve ever used on wood.  

Irwin has been sponsoring a “Tell Us Your Story” Contest since July 1^st, if you were not aware. The contest itself will end at the end of this month (October 31^st) so there is still some time to enter if you haven’t had a chance yet. The stories are basically 100 words or less about how your Irwin Vise Grip tools have saved the day. Each story includes an image which you can upload your own image or use one of theirs. It’s really pretty simple and there are many great prizes including Irwin tools, trips to New York, Cabela’s gift cards and a grand prize of either a Custom Chopper or $25,000 cash.

If you are worried your vise grip stories are not that good don’t worry there are still two other chances to win through the sweepstake you can enter until November 15^th, the 5 winners are drawn at random. Also you can win instant prizes by voting for the stories from November 16^th – December 19^th.

See Full Details Here: http://irwin.eprize.net/visegripstory/index.tbapp      

Posted by Jay A. at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Ingersoll Rand IQv Cordless power tool line has found a serious following among the automotive crowds and many others. These tools are engineered for use in professional shop and manufacturing facilities. The whole system is very intelligently designed with cheaper NiCd and Lithium batteries that work with each voltage of tools, all which share the single charger and flashlight that work with all of them.  

Here is a quick YouTube video we had a chance to shoot when we got our hands on the new Bosch and Dremel multi purpose tools. Unfortunately we did not have a lot of time to go through all the features or test the grout remover which I had hoped to try. It will give you a pretty good idea of the size and what it can do. Obviously you can get the Dremel Multi-Max or the Bosch Multi-X (PS50-2A or PS50-2B) at Ohio Power Tool. Let us know if you have any questions about either tool.     

Posted by Jay A. at 09:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The incredibly popular Seesnake Micro 25643 is saying good bye, however it will be replace by the 2nd generation Micros. The new Micros features two versions; the Seesnake Micro Camera 17mm 31118 & Seesnake Micro Camera 9.5mm 31123. These new models both share the 3’ (31128) & 6’ (31133) cable extensions with the Seesnake Explorer. I am not sure many people would need to use both a Micro & Explorer but it could come in handy if you were going to upgrade in the future or for companies where there may be several units floating around.

Some of the new features for the Micro include new thumb controls which make the units much easier to operate, new hard case to protect the units, obviously the option of 17mm or 9.5mm heads and probably the most compelling new feature which is Video Output. The cameras come with a 3’ RCA cable which can be hooked up to a VCR, DVD, larger monitor, computer, or any other device that can receive the yellow video imput from an RCA cable. This would allow you to make videos or capture images using the Micro. I am not sure why you would select the Micro over the Explorer if you need to capture video, as the Explorer has built in recording with much higher resolution (320x240 Explorer vs 234x160 Micro). Lugging around a full size VCR might be a pain as well. If however you just need the video-out feature 1 in 20 times certainly this would be handy.

The new Seesnake Micros are coming in now but in the 1^st generation Micro 25643 is also currently still available and with a bonus of a free 3’ extension (mail-in rebate). If you do not need the video-out feature I would recommend picking up the current model with the extra extension but you better do it quick because these units are almost gone.           

Posted by Jay A. at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Hopefully there are some of you out there that enjoy reading about the different power tools and equipment we have written about. We are very excited to watch our blog grow and have some exciting things we hope to accomplish in the near future. We are working on developing some exciting new video content for our YouTube portal, currently we do have some product demonstrations but this will be greatly expanded in the months to come. Please also feel free to send us any suggestions or requests to this email.

In the mean time if you enjoy reading our blog posts please take a few seconds and vote for us on this years Blogger’s Choice Awards.

Vote Here

Posted by Jay A. at 05:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the world of reciprocating saw users, there are three groups - light-duty handymen, heavy duty contractors and then there are the extreme, cut-through-everything, demolition users. This is the user Bosch Power Tools & Accessories had in mind when it designed the powerful RS35 Demolition Reciprocating Saw. Featuring a robust motor, the fastest cutting action, and lowest vibration in its class, the RS35 is an impressive entry for Bosch into the heavy-duty demolition saw category.

Posted by Jay A. at 04:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)