Milwaukee Tool is very well known for their portable band saws. Earlier this year they announced a completely redesigned Deep Cut Band Saw 6232-6N that significantly increased power, speed & overall performance. Because one size does not always fit all, Milwaukee is now coming out with a Compact Band Saw 6242-6 with a more economically friendly price of $199 (Ohio Power Tool). The new smaller band saw will weigh only 9.5 lbs, 45% less than the Deep Cut but still have a fairly large capacity of 3-1/4” vs the Deep Cut at 4-7/8”. With the smaller size and light weight design it is natural to assume it will be used in tighter spaces, so it made sense that they also added an LED work light currently not available on the Deep Cut model. The Compact Band Saw will be the size as the new M18 band saw that will also be coming out soon, more on that later.

If you have any questions about any of the Milwaukee Portable Band Saws do not hesitate to contact the pros at Ohio Power Tool, 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.

Posted by Jay A. at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Milwaukee M12 2401-22 is one of the most popular Compact Screwdriver and with the Milwaukee M12 tool line expanding as fast as it is, a great addition to anyone's toolbox. Currently the 2401-22 is on sale for $99 and is also applicable for the free M12 battery 48-11-2401 Mail-In Rebate. That’s a total of (3) M12 batteries which currently sell for $59 each.

Posted by Jay A. at 03:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Currently (until the end of the month or while supplies last) at Ohio Power Tool you can pick up Milwaukee Hole Saw Kits for some significant discounts. These kits include Ice Hardened & Big Hawg Kits: 10 piece electrician ($55), 10 piece plumber ($54), 15 piece general purpose ($93), 7 piece Big Hawg ($70) & 15 piece Big Hawg ($123). Also if you purchased 2 kits before August 31^st you can also get a free 3^rd kit with this Milwaukee Mail-in Rebate. If you have any questions about the kits or any other holesaws as always feel free to call the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.

Posted by Jay A. at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I love it when a small simple change happens to an everyday item and then everyone thinks “Oh yea that’s pretty obvious, why didn’t I think of that”. Wordlock hasn’t reinvent the lock, they didn’t make it any more secure, they are the priced similar to the competition ($4 - $15) but they did make it easier to remember the passwords and that’s enough to make them a player. The locks all still use 10 digit wheels so the number of total combinations is the exact same as numbered locks and assuming most people will make real words it seems like these would be easier to guess combinations. In reality if someone really wants through a pad lock or cable lock bad enough there are plenty of power tools that will do the job.

I tested out 5 different models of Wordlock locks: a Brass Lock, a Utility Lock, 2 Cable Locks and a Padlock. The Padlock and large Cable Lock features easy to set/change passwords, while the Brass & Utility locks require a key to change the passwords and the small Cable Lock had a set password you couldn’t change. I use several different locks personally, it will be nice to have them all be the same and if I gave out the password for some reason, easy to reset them all.

Posted by Jay A. at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The M12 Radio 2590-20 is one of the common things people will ask for when talking about new products coming for Milwaukee’s M12 tool line. Now finally I can say with mild confidence we will see these in September.  The inevitable next question is of course does it charge the M12 batteries and unfortunately the answer is still no for this generation of Milwaukee Radio. Apparently there is some patent out there with another brand that keeps that from happening. That being said there are some very exciting features for the new M12 Radio including its incredibly small size (10.5”x4”x7”), exclusive digital processor, water tight MP3 compartment and ABS shock absorbing protective housing. These compact jobsite radios should be available in stores sometime in mid-late September but you can always pre-order now from Ohio Power Tool for $99 to ensure you are the first one on the block with this cool new toy.    

Posted by Jay A. at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Recently Milwaukee introduced a completely new line of accessories designed to work specifically with Impact tools. These funny looking bits are designed to take the abuse of that constant impact force and the shockwave bits are claiming up to 10x life. The whole line will be available shortly on the Milwaukee Tool page of OhioPowerTool.com. (29 piece kit 48-32-4401 $19, Ohio Power Tool) Also we will do a follow up post on some real world testing applications but in the meantime checkout the official Milwaukee Tool press release below.

MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation introduces over 80 new products in its new line of Shockwave™ Impact Duty accessories. Delivering high performance and functionality, the full range solution was designed to stand up to elevated and extreme torque applications. The line includes high performance drill bits, nut drivers, sockets, bit holders and adapters.

"Impact tools are one of the fastest growing tool segments in the market today, but many accessory linescannot hold up under  the high torque of  impact applications,” says Mike Kirby, Sr. Product Manager-Accessories of Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. "The new Shockwave™ Impact Duty Accessories offer a wider range of solutions for every user, and are engineered to absorb the stress of higher torque applications."

Made from a custom engineered steel and heat treated for high shock resistance, the Shockwave™ Impact Duty driver bits feature an innovatively designed Shock Zone™ geometry to absorb impact. In addition, a compressed forged tip delivers an ideal fit and eliminates breakage. The combination of proprietary material, heat treatment, and geometry deliver up to 10X longer life than the competition.

The product offering also includes user friendly features such as color coding on the nut drivers for easy size identifications and a thin wall construction on the professional grade sockets for easy access in tight areas. Broadly targeting cordless users, the Shockwave™ Impact Duty accessory line is not only ideal for  heavy duty impact applications, but is a full system solution for all the user’s drilling and fastening needs.

Posted by Jay A. at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Jay A. at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last Friday was the Ridgid Roadshow’s Columbus, Ohio stop. The weather was great, the bratwursts were delicious and all the new Ridgid tools were on hand with experts from Ridgid doing demonstrations. CJ Perry, Jan/Feb from the calendar, was also on hand signing Ridgid Calendar and looking amazingly good. All in all a real nice day and everyone who came out had a great time. Checkout all the pictures in this Facebook Photo Album (no account needed to view).

Some of the big hits from the show were the new stuff like the microDRAIN, DVDPak, Ratcheting Tube Cutter 118 and Soil Pipe Cutter. This was my first time seeing the new Soil Pipe Cutter 34403 ($396 Ohio Power Tool) and what a great idea. If you already have a ProPress tool you absolutely need to get one of these attachments, they save lots of time, very easy to use and increases functionality in your existing tools. Checkout the Roadshow video below for a quick demo of several of these tools.

Posted by Jay A. at 08:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From now till the end of October you can use this M12 Rebate to get either a free M12 Battery or Free1 M12 Tool, depending on the M12 tool you order. This is a great deal which can be used in addition to other great deals such as a M12 Pocket Driver 2401-22 ($99 Ohio Power Tool) or the new M12 3/8” drill/driver 2410-22 with Free M12 Power Port 2349-20 ($149 Ohio Power Tool). Total orders over $199 are also eligible for Free Shipping from Ohio Power Tool just use coupon code: AUGUST (expires at the end of the month). Check out the complete line of Milwaukee M12 Tools including several new items with more on the way.

Posted by Jay A. at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hougen, invented the Magnetic Drill many years ago and continues to improve upon their designs. The original swivel base unit, HMD904S ($929), has become a very popular addition to their lineup. Now Hougen has just launched the HMD925S ($1438) and HMD914S ($1345) swivel base models. These units are basically the same motors as their stationary base counterparts however the swivel base allows for 1-1/8”W x 1-3/8”L travel. The swivel base saves a great deal of time lining up the hole as well as improves accuracy with one stroke lock & unlock handle.    

For more information on Hougen Mag Drills or Rotabroach metal cutting bits, contact the professionals at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.

Tips for Using a Portable Magnetic Drill Press:

• #1 cause of broken or prematurely dull cutters is too slow of feed rate. Slower feed rates will not add life to your cutter but actually reduce the cutter's life. Use firm steady feed pressure throughout cut.
• Always make sure to clear all chips from your cutter before starting the next hole.
• Make sure support system for drill arbor is in place and not worn out. If using on a drill press, a support system must be used.
• Make sure mag drill is on a clean work piece and securely attached. Uneven or large build up of debris can cause drill slippage. Material must be at least 3/8" thick. Painted material can also be troublesome if paint buildup does not allow magnet to hold securely.
• When slug ejection becomes unreliable or tool resists cutting, resharpen or replace your cutter.
• Always use coolant when drilling. For best results use Hougen's Slick-Stik^TM or RotaMagic^TM cutting lubrication.     

   

Posted by Jay A. at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tomorrow is Friday August 14^th which means the RIDGID ROADSHOW is coming to Columbus, Ohio. It will be set up in the front parking lot of Ohio Power Tool (1042 Dublin Rd. 43215) there will be 4 separate stations for the Ridgid Plumbing Tools with product experts on hand, free Ridgid gear, prize drawings, great weather, best deals of the year, a Ridgid Calendar Girls and FREE LUNCH! Come checkout all the new tools and goodies, you can even call it work. Special thanks to Steve who will be coming in to handle the grill all afternoon! It’s going to be fun but if you can’t make it check back after the show for some pictures and videos of everything you missed.  

Posted by Jay A. at 04:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yes that’s right Milwaukee has 2 M18 Hammer Drills the 2611-22 ($349) & 2602-22 ($299). The original M18 2611-22 is slightly larger with 650 in lbs torque while the new compact M18 2602-22 has 550 in lbs, still plenty of torque (in fact same as DeWalt’s 24V). So why 2 M18 ½” hammer drills and not say 1 SDS hammer? Milwaukee is covering all their bases with the M18 line so my guess is whatever you are looking for from a 18v cordless line is probably somewhere in the works. Personally I can’t feel the difference in weight, if there is any, the “compact” is only slightly shorter and virtually the same height, they use the same battery about the only difference I could tell beyond price & torque was the 2611 has dual led lights while the 2602 only has the 1 led light. The big advantage the new 2602-22 has currently beyond the lower price is the hot special currently from Ohio Power Tool which includes a FREE M18 Sawzall 2620-20 ($199). Obviously that deal is a limited time special, so I would take advantage now. All the Milwaukee Tools are also available for the current Free Shipping offer (Use Coupon Code: AUGUST) from Ohio Power Tool.

If you have any questions on any of the Milwaukee M18 Cordless tools, feel free to call the pros at Ohio Power Tool, 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com. Check back soon for more exciting products coming from the Milwaukee M18 line.   

Posted by Jay A. at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The new Bosch GTL3 Laser ($173 Ohio Power Tool) is in-stock and available now. The laser comes with the very handy wall mount, target and a nice carrying case. The GTL3 has a few advantages over the currently very popular CST LM2 Laser ($128 Ohio Power Tool); for starters the Bosch features 3 lasers instead of 2 which gives a nice 45 degree line that can be very helpful. The Bosch is also much taller putting down line than can be seen at further distances. Having tested several of these layout laser tools personally I will say the pictures are a little deceiving, none of these put down a laser like you see in the pictures. Only a few feet out it becomes harder so see on a perfectly flat surface however the laser actually shows up better once you have material down such as grout, unlike a chalk line that obviously gets covered up. The tile being laid will also show the laser very clearly (even 30+ ft away) if in the path of the laser, so it’s fairly easy to line up against the laser. Checkout all the new Bosch Laser Tools and for more information on the GTL3 models see the Full Bosch Press Release below.   

Mount Prospect, Ill. - Bosch Measuring Tools has unveiled the next evolution in layout laser tools. Bosch’s new GTL3 hybrid line laser is designed to move past what was possible with the traditional laser square and become the perfect companion for anyone laying out tile flooring or wall coverings. 

The most visible new innovation is the ability to project 45° layout lines. The addition of 45° line capability enables users to align layouts at 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° from a single set up. The feature also allows users to keep track of straight-line and diagonal alignments simultaneously, dramatically improving precision and productivity. The GTL3 has a maximum range of 65 feet and is accurate to within 1/16-in at 20-ft.

The next significant enhancement is the design of the unit itself. Bosch’s GTL3 is significantly taller than typical laser tile squares – with good reason. By raising the laser lines from the floor or wall surface, Bosch was able to design a layout tool that projects clear, sharp and precise laser lines over obstructions on the floor or wall and on all types of surfaces regardless of the texture of the material being laid out.

Bosch also re-aligned the three laser lines to converge at a point in front of the base of the laser unit. By moving this merging position away from the unit, the laser beams are raised from the work surface and can project without interference from grout or anything else that may make the surface uneven.

Other innovations that greatly increase jobsite productivity include a steel positioning plate that allows secure attachment to work surfaces for accurate material placement.  Heavy-duty magnets located on the base of the GTL3 provide secure and adjustable attachment on the positioning plate or other ferrous-metal surfaces.  The tool’s sturdy outer casing is both water and dust resistant to ensure years of dependable operation.

The GTL3 is compact and lightweight (barely 1 pound), and exhibits the phenomenal accuracy that is synonymous with Bosch Measuring Tools. It comes complete with a canvas carrying case to protect the tool, the steel positioning plate, one laser target and four AA batteries.

Posted by Jay A. at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No matter how you think this gun stacks up to the Ingersoll Rand the new Chicago Pneumatic is an awesome gun with some cool new features. “You’re going to sell a million of these!” – Rich Evans, builder, designer and owner of Huntington Beach Bodyworks, immediately following his first application test with the CP7749.The gun will be available soon and you can pre-order yours now. If you would like more info on the CP7749 checkout this Spec Flyer or contact the pros at Ohio Power Tool, 800-242-4424 or sales@ohiopowertool.com.

Posted by Jay A. at 04:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here is a pretty good deal on the Ingersoll Rand IQv tools. If you pick up one of the Ingersoll Rand IQv 2 battery kits as well as a TL10 flash light you can send in this IQv Mail-In Rebate to get your money back on the TL10. Ohio Power Tool stocks the ½” impact W360-KL2 ($399), 3/8” impact W150-KL2 ($320) & ¼” hex impact W040-KL2 ($268) as well as the worklight TL10 ($67). The Ingersoll Rand IQv line also features several grinders, ratchets, drills and other tools which have become extremely popular among mechanicals and service professionals. If you have any questions about the promotion or any Ingersoll Rand IQv cordless tools, talk to the IR pros at Ohio Power Tool.  

Posted by Jay A. at 07:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For a limited time at Ohio Power Tool you can pick up one of the new Milwaukee M12 2410-22 drill/drivers with the 3/8” metal chuck and get a free Power Port 2349-20 ($149 total). This is an instant promotion, no mail-in rebates but supplies are extremely limited. The Power Port is an incredibly convenient little device to have; it can charge a dead cell phone, camera, ipod or other small devices using a car charger or USB. Read reviews on the Power Port from ToolMonger & ToolSnob they both seem to really like it and everyone loves the 2410-22 drills. The reviews we have been getting back from users on these new M12 Drills have been really strong and that is from professional electricians, plumbers, contractors, etc.

The 2410-22 with free Power Port can also be applied towards the Free Shipping promotion which lasts all August and can be applied to any Milwaukee Tools. If you have any questions about any Milwaukee Tools contact the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com they are happy to help.

Posted by Jay A. at 08:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I imagine most plumbers will stick with the Ridgid product for the digital self leveling and the fact that it works with the Ridgid MicroDrain to go through toilet traps. That being said the reason the Ridgid Explorer has been so successful is that it has opened up so many new markets. From HVAC, remodelers, electricians, mechanics, inspection, safety, maintenance staff to Biologists studying prairie dogs in Wyoming, the audience is wide open for these new borescope cameras.    

Posted by Jay A. at 09:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Drill Doctor has been around for several years and claim over 3 million units sold so even before I got my hands on the unit I was thinking this product was more than just a gimmick and that it would work as advertised. The unit I had to test was the Drill Doctor DD750X which is the top of the line “professional” model that you can buy online for $139-179. The company that makes the Drill Doctor also makes the WorkSharp, which we also reviewed several weeks ago.  

Getting Started

The unit comes with a nice hard plastic case which stores all the components of the drill doctor. I would imagine most of the time the drill doctor will stay in the workshop and not be something you need to take to a jobsite or transport around but it’s still a nice feature. Getting started was fairly simple and self explanatory. On the top of the Drill Doctor is a bit alignment tools. You put the drill bit in the chuck, loosely and then place the chuck in the alignment device. Open the bit clamps push the bit in and close the clamps. The clamps align the drill bit perfectly to your specifications, however the only slot for the chuck that is marked in 118 degrees. If you need 135 or some other angle for the bit there are multiple slots however none are marked. In the book it says each slot is about 10 degrees (left +, right-) which means you couldn’t hit 135 exactly anyway with the alignment tool. Once you align the bit, tighten the chuck down and the bit should be set. On the actual grinding port there is another adjustment gauge and this time there are 118 and 135 degree marked settings. I set it to 118 because that was the only way I knew the alignment and grinding would be the same. At that point you simple put the bit in and turn clockwise. Always use even number of half-turns with light pressing. A rough idea for how many passes it will take would be: 3/32” 2-4 turns, 1/8” 4-6 turns, 3/8” 16-20 turns. It’ll depend on how worn out the bits are but if you check the bit every few full passes you will see how much old material is left.

Working All the Angles       

I had a bunch of old bits to sharpen of all sizes. These were all sizes, angles and different types of bits including a few carbide masonry bits. The instruction manual did have some really good information on identifying bits & angles, checking for wear problems and understanding what to look for to know your bit has been correctly sharpened (i.e. undersplit & oversplit). The 118 degree bits were first and went very smoothly. I tested out the MTO (Material Take Off) control on the alignment guide and could see the difference of how aggressive the grinding was; a feature only on the 750X model. I tried a ½” bit which told 20+ passes to get sharp, if you are planning to mainly do larger bits I would recommend switching the grinding wheel to the 100 grit (sold separately). When trying to sharpen the 135 degree bits I ran into the problem of not being able to align the bits exactly. When sharpening I could tell I was charging the angle of the bit, to what I’m sure but when it was all done they were sharp and worked good. It is also ok to make a 135 degree into a 118 degree bit it just takes a few extra grinds and you may need to take it out to realign once or twice. I tried this on two different sized bits and it worked great as well. When it comes to the carbide masonry bits… don’t rotate. Just “plunge” the bit in once on each side, I ruined the first bit and probably took some life off the grinding wheel. The second masonry bit I did worked much better.

Keep it Clean

As you sharpen your bits there is a lot of metal dust created. This will wear down the grinding wheel. Every few bits you should clean out some of the metal particles. Another option is hooking up a standard 1” vacuum to the grit tube which will such out the dust, extending the life of the grinding wheel. The grinding wheel itself should last for about 200 sharpenings. It is also recommended to turn the grinding wheel around after 100 sharpenings to maximize grinding ability. New wheels are $20, not bad for $.10 a sharpening.

Overall

I was very happy with the Drill Doctor overall with the one frustration that I couldn’t align the 135 degree bits exactly. For my purposes not a big deal but for some craftsman out there, that might be very particular about this, it could be an issue. I found the 135 degrees that were made into 118 degree bits worked just fine. Considering these were all pretty dull and within an hour there were dozens of sharp bits that worked great I would say overall this product works great.      

More photos available in this Facebook Album   

Posted by Jay A. at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)