Craig P. Dugan, 49, of Columbus, passed away Friday, April 23, 2010 at home after a brief illness. Preceded in death by mother Patricia M. Dugan. Survived by wife, Teresa; father, Patrick; beloved God son, Christian Goodknight; sisters, Susan (Terry) Klimchak, Wendy (Mike) Walls, Carolyn (Brent) Weber; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Member of the St. Michael Church, graduate of Worthington High School, and employed by Ohio Power Tool. Avid NASCAR Fan.

Ohio Power Tool as part of their Annual Tool Sale on Friday, May 21^st, 2010 will be setting aside a number of Tools & Accessories with 100% of the proceeds from the sales going to Craig’s family. Items will include Ingersoll Rand & Chicago Pneumatic air tools, Bosch 12V & 18V Cordless tools, Diamond Products 14” concrete saw blades, Milwaukee Sawzall & Impact Accessories among many others. If you are in the area we would encourage you to come by that day and show your support.

A special thanks to Diamond Products from their generous support in this effort, a great company with a wide range of great products.  

If you can’t make the event but would still like to show your support, contributions may be made to Craig's favorite charity; Victory Junction Gang, 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, NC, 27137 (www.victoryjunction.org).

·         Victory Junction has enriched the lives of more than 11,000 children and families since opening in 2004 and welcomed children from 47 states and three countries.

·         The cost of sending a child to camp is valued at $2,500, but no child or family incurs that cost thanks to generous donors.

·         Since 2004, 9,234 volunteer positions have been filled. Last year, volunteers sacrificed an estimated 76,222 hours to assist at Victory Junction.

·         Victory Junction serves 24 chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses such as, but not limited to, Autism, Cancer, Craniofacial Anomalies, Diabetes, Hemophilia, Sickle Cell and Spina Bifida. For a full list, please visit www.victoryjunction.org.

·         Twenty-seven hospitals partner with Victory Junction to deliver exceptional health care to campers with a variety of needs.

·         The camp, located in Randleman, N.C., is built on 84 acres and donated by Richard and Lynda Petty. The Kansas facility will be housed on approximately 71 acres.

·         The construction process for the Midwest camp is expected to begin in 2010.

Posted by Jay A. at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recently released from DeWalt are several versions of the new Magnetic ToughCase: ToughCase by itself ($13), 15pc ToughCase ($20) and 20pc Impact Ready ToughCase ($38). The name is pretty revealing on this one, it’s a really tough case with built in magnets on the lid. The magnets in the lid are very well placed allowing you to attach the ToughCase to any metal work surface and use it like a tray to hold drill bits and other accessories. The case also lives up to its name as you can see it getting run over by a car in the video below.

The DeWalt ToughCase is similar to the Milwaukee 20pc Magnetic Puck ($10, Ohio Power Tool) which has been available for some time however the Puck only holds driver bits and while built pretty solid not sure you could run your car over it.

If you are interested in getting a DeWalt ToughCase for FREE the nice folks at ToolGuyd.com are giving away 5 of them. You can either reply on their blog or use your twitter account to enter. Check out their site for all the details. For more info on the ToughCases checkout the full DeWalt Press Release below:

February 2010 — DEWALT , a leading manufacturer of industrial power tools and accessories, announces the launch of the new MAGNETIC ToughCase® Container, a jobsite accessory storage solution. The ToughCase Container will be available in two set configurations, including the standard 15-piece Fastening Set (DWMTC15) and the 20-piece IMPACT READY® Drilling/Driving Set (DWMTCIR20).

The MAGNETC ToughCase Container, which was developed as a result of extensive user research and field-testing, has been designed to meet professionals' repeated requests for a durable, compact and functional storage solution for bits, hole saws and other common accessories.

Constructed from the same high impact resistant material that is used for DEWALT 's XRPTM cordless drill housing, the ToughCase Container is extremely heavy-duty and capable of withstanding jobsite abuse. With its compact footprint, the ToughCase Container conveniently fits into users’ pockets or pouches, making it easily accessible at all times. Its small size is still large enough to hold common accessories including 6" SDS+ and drill bits, 1 3/8" step bits and hole saws.

Two magnets on top of the lid allow users to adhere the case to any ferrous material, and the rubber bumpers prevent the case from sliding. The built-in hooks on the back of the case make it easy for users to hang it from most materials, such as electrical boxes, which gives contractors the ability to focus on the task at hand and quickly finish the job.

"Engaging in conversations with professional contractors was essential in the development of the new MAGNETIC ToughCase Container," commented Stas' Kotula, Assistant Product Manager for DEWALT Accessories. "We made improvements to the product based on contractor feedback in order to truly create an effective solution that allows users to conveniently store accessories on the job. While many contractors already have a storage case that they use, it was overwhelmingly clear that they required a better option to be as productive as possible."

The product offering includes two options that provide solutions for professionals across a number of trades including framing, general contracting, HVAC, electrical and mechanical. Each set configuration includes a number of accessories, which are outlined below.

DWMTC15 ($19.97) - 15PC Magnetic ToughCase® Container: (1) MAGNETIC ToughCase Container – Yellow, (1) 2" #2 Phillips Power Bit, (1) 2" #2 Square Power Bit, (1) 1" Slotted #8 Bit, (4) 1" Phillips #2 Bit, (1) 1" Phillips #3 Bit, (1) 1" Square #1 Bit, (1) 1" Square #2 Bit, (1) 1" Star T25 Bit, (1) 2" – 1/4" Nutsetter, (1) 2" – 5/16" Nutsetter, (1) 2" – 3/8" Nutsetter, (1) 3" Magnetic Holder w/ Hog ring

DWMTCIR20 ($37.97) - 20PC IMPACT READY® Magnetic ToughCase® Container: (1) MAGNETIC ToughCase Container – Black, (1) 2" Impact Ready® #2 Phillips Power Bit, (1) 2" Impact Ready® #2 Square Power Bit, (1) 1" Impact Ready® Slotted #8 Bit, (1) 1" Impact Ready® Phillips #2 Bit, (1) 1" Impact Ready® Phillips #3 Bit, (1) 1" Impact Ready® Square #1 Bit, (1) 1" Impact Ready® Square #2 Bit, (1) 1" Impact Ready® Star T25 Bit, (1) 2" – Impact Ready® 1/4" Nutsetter, (1) 2" – Impact Ready® 5/16" Nutsetter, (1) 2" – Impact Ready® 3/8" Nutsetter, (1) 1/8" Impact Ready® Drill Bit – One Piece, (1) 3/16" Impact Ready® Drill Bit – One Piece, (1) Impact Ready® Pivoting Magnetic Holder

Posted by Jay A. at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today Ridgid announced a new cutting tool specifically designed for 1-1/4” & 1-1/2” thin-walled PVC that cuts and deburrs simultaneously. The new cutter features a handy view window which makes this inexpensive cutting tool look to be very accurate. Below is the official Ridgid verbiage and a nice video which further explains the new product and how to use it.  

Posted by Jay A. at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So when the M18 Hackzall 2625-21 ($199, Ohio Power Tool) was first mentioned the stats looked fairly similar to the M12 Hackzall with a slightly larger stroke ½” vs ¾” with M18. Even when comparing them side by side (see pictures here) they looked similar in size, not counting the larger M18 battery. When it came time to test them out however the Milwaukee M18 Hackzall was clearly a different animal than its M12 little brother.

Out of The Box

The Hackzall has a very low price point; with the “Tool Only” version 2625-20 at only $109 it is far less expensive than the M18 Sawzall $199 price. The tool is very light and well balanced in the hand as well as claims the lowest vibration levels “in its class”. The 2625-21 kit also has a pretty low price but only includes (1) M18 XC battery and a work bag instead of a plastic case, some people prefer. These units will also work with the compact M18 batteries for ultra light weight although personally I would recommend using the larger XC batteries as any saw is going limit your battery life.

Making the Cut

To test the M18 Hackzall it seemed more appropriate to compare it to another 18 volt Recip Saw rather than the M12 Hackzall, in this case the Bosch 18v. Not exactly fair because the Bosch has a more aggressive 1-1/8” stroke but it’s just more fun to have a Bosch vs Milwaukee showdown. In the picture you can see a very rough comparison of shear speed, Bosch full size recip on Right and Milwaukee Hackzall on Left. The cuts below were done on a 5 second count and did the test a few times with similar results. I would say this is a fairly accurate in terms of speed as the Milwaukee was slower although much more maneuverable when holding and cutting pallets.   

Results

If given the option between the Bosch or Milwaukee cordless I would grab the Hackzall on a jobsite every time even though in the test it was slightly slower. Why? It is just way easier to cut when you can hold the wood, drywall, pvc, metal, etc with one hand and cut with the other hand. If you take the time to get out your JawHorse, my guess is you are going to be doing a lot of cutting and should be using a corded Sawzall anyway. For a cordless cutting tool the M18 Hackzall could easily be the go to cutting tool. This tool was provided for the test but we like to think that hasn’t affected our opinion. Checkout the Youtube video below for more details:

Posted by Jay A. at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While supplies last you can get a FREE Bosch 1375A ($69, Ohio Power Tool) grinder instantly when you order a 11224VSR ($218, Ohio Power Tool) 7/8” rotary hammer drill. If you are interested in learning more on the difference between a hammer drill & rotary hammer drill there is a nice article up on toolsnob, written for Popular Mechanics, check it out.

Posted by Jay A. at 05:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It seemed like not too long ago all electric impact tools were square drive and there were few cordless tools even available. Now everything has changed and there are many options including cordless tools all the way up to ¾” square drives with an impressive 525 ft-lbs torque. In addition to square drives for sockets we now also want to use these tools as impact drivers for screws and other fastening applications. This is exactly why Milwaukee has created a full line of Shockwave impact adaptors specifically designed to better handle the high stress points these tools can create. You can easily go from hex to square or square to hex depending on your needs.  

Just within Milwaukee Tools there are a wide range of Impact Tools:  

M12
2450-22 – ¼” hex – 850 in-lbs - $159
2451-22 – 3/8” Square – 1000 in-lbs - $179

The Idea Foundry was the Brain Child of Alex, Mandy & Nikki with the cooperation of a dozen others who helped build the place a little over a year ago. Since then the space has morphed and transformed itself almost weekly to accommodate new equipment and ideas to the point some of the more exotic non-working equipment had to be edited out. As it stands today the shop is a very functional space for many different avenues of creativity including: woodworking, welding (mig, tig, stick), plasma cutting, blacksmithing, sand casting, CNC/CAD (Shopbot, Bridgeport, Makerbot), screen printing, electronics, jewelry making and much much more.

How might one go about becoming a part of this awesomeness you say? The test for membership is a grueling 6 week long process where you are locked up deep in a mountain cave with only metal scraps, machinery parts and old warheads. You then need to construct a full body suite which will allow you to take out a small Afghani army and make your way to freedom. Only then can you join this fraternity of mischief making… well that or you can pay $25/monthly, complete a short safety course and then pay a few bucks additional each hour, depending the equipment you are using. Membership info

Once you are a member the Idea Foundry is a community workshop where you can come use all these tools sure but it’s also a great place to learn new skills from a weekend class (also open to non-members) or private instruction from other skilled members. The real value in my mind comes from the vast knowledge all the other members poses, whatever you are thinking about doing chances are someone there has way too much knowledge on the subject. The Foundry is always looking for new instructors to teach, if you should have some unique skills to share. The space is also ideal for group meetings, which there are several currently call the foundry home base. Have a group of 20 people you want to teach to make beer? Not only is it a great space you’ll have a bunch of volunteers ready to taste test as well I promise.

The group takes on commission work as well to support their habits from cutting out hundreds of wood kid toys on the CNC to building a lifelike model of Samuel L. Jackson's head that actually moves with creepy eyes that follow you around thanks to the Arduino talents of some of the guys. If you have a project you would like to get the gang involved in just fill out this form.

The group is also involved in lots of events around town including one near and dear to my heart, the Power Tool Drag Races. This event will definitely be held again in Columbus for 2010, more info on that to come shortly. As the group was really just getting on its feet last year we were happy with the turn out and it was a lot of fun. This year, now that the group has grown and developed new relationships, it looks like the 2010 PTDRC could potentially be a pretty big event and even more good times ahead. If that is something you would like to be involved in or sponsor in some way go ahead and email info@powertooldragracescolumbus.com.

Posted by Jay A. at 08:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The thermostat here in the Midwest is hitting 80 degrees on a regular basis now and it’s only the middle of April. To get everyone nationwide ready for a hot summer Ohio Power Tool is offering TPI Industrial Fans, Evaporative Coolers and Portable AC Units all on sale at 50% off list. The TPI Industrial line of cooling products offers high CFM output, a top level of quality and excellent value. Ideal for warehouses, jobsites, sporting events and many other places permanent and/or portable cooling is needed.  If you have questions feel free to contact Ohio Power Tool at 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopwoertool.com and they will be happy to help.     

Posted by Jay A. at 04:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

They say it’s important to know who your customers are and there is little doubt Milwaukee Tools has at least picked the customers they are going to aim new products at. Many of the new Milwaukee cordless tools have found very specific professional applications such as the PVC cutter, Grease Gun and No-Hub Coupling driver. These may never be huge sellers at the big box stores but for the pros who use them daily and see the benefits they are very happy to see this level of innovation. Milwaukee’s new partnership with Uponor and their ProPEX system has again put them in a place where they are the only kids in the sandbox. There will be a new tool for both the Milwaukee M12 & Milwaukee 18 tool lines although full specs, pricing and launch dates are not yet available. Read the full Milwaukee press release below.   

Innovative products like the Hole Hawg^®, Super Hawg™, M12™ Cordless Copper Tubing Cutter, M12™ Cordless PVC Shear, M18™ Cordless Band Saw and Switchblade™ Selfeed Bits are examples of the powerful innovation which have delivered unsurpassed productivity. Through this partnership, Milwaukee^® will now add M12™ and M18™ ProPEX^® Expansion Tools to their growing line of products designed for the plumbing and heating trades.

“We are dedicated to delivering disruptive innovation by offering solutions to the end user that challenge conventional wisdom,” says Steven Richman, president of Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. “I am proud to partner with an organization that clearly shares this passion and our core values.”

With Uponor’s continued support, the M12™ and M18™ ProPEX^® Expansion Tools will launch later this year, offering features such as an auto-rotating head for accurate, one-handed expansion. The new tools will not only accelerate the speed in which users can install ProPEX^® connections, they are also compatible with over 20 tools on their respective battery platforms.

“At Uponor, we realize an essential ingredient for success in the plumbing and heating industry is a quality fitting system and a quality tool,” says Anders Tollsten, executive vice president, Uponor North America. “We know our customers are loyal to the ProPEX^® connection method, and we want to offer them a tool with the same durability to match. Partnering with Milwaukee^® will allow us to offer our professional partners this vital combination.”

Bosch is very well known for their high quality benchtop table & miter saws however the higher quality often times warrants a higher price. The new Bosch 5312 ($590, Ohio Power Tool) aims to be the exception by providing the same high quality saw but at a reduced cost. This new unit is very similar to the Bosch 5412 ($699, Ohio Power Tool) but without some of the non-essential features. In comparing the 5312 vs 5412 you will find the same great 15amp motor, upfront controls, 40” extended length, same large cut capacity, same quality manufacturing, double fence slide and same overall tool weight. The only notable differences in the two models are that the 5312 does not have the rotating handle, no softgrip, slightly shorter cord, no repetitive stop, the blade wrench is "basic" not a combination socket and the clamp is a vertical quick clamp not a “quick-action” clamp.

All these changes sound ok if it adds up to over $100 in savings and you still get basically the same legendary performance of the Bosch 5412. The new model 5312 puts the Bosch 12” slide miter back in the competition mix with a price point below the new 4-Pole Slide Makita 12” Miter LS1216L ($692, Ohio Power Tool) which has made a big splash here recently.

If you have any questions on Bosch Tools contact the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or sales@ohiopowertool.com and they will be happy to assist you with any Power Tools, Parts or Accessories you may have questions about.

Posted by Jay A. at 01:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here in Ohio most of our homes have basements, depending on when the home was built this could be poured concrete, cinder block or like one of the homes I grew up in, a foundation made of stones. Yes rocks mortared together, which actually was very dry for a 100+ year old home. Unfortunately some basements do not hold up that well and many of us want to use that space to build our ultimate Man Caves. Before you go dropping $10K on plasmas & pool tables you are going to want to be sure the basement is watertight and mildew free.

Basement waterproofing is a common practice and there are many levels and situations that will warrant this type of renovation. The unfortunate part is it can be very costly and time consuming when you come in after the fact to repair the foundation. The most effective way we have seen is to cut the concrete floor 1-2’ from the wall, all the way around the entire basement. Obviously that concrete will need to be taken out of the house and then the exposed earth is dug up and also removed. At that point a drainage system is put in with piping, gravel and some sort of pump than can be accessed for maintenance. Finally the floor gets a fresh batch of concrete over the gravel and your pocket book drainage is as good as or better than your new basement floor, which looks about the same as it did previously. When you go to finish the basement walls with drywall it will also be important to put up a vapor barrier to ensure if any moisture is around the foundation it is going into the drainage system and not the walls. The picture below does a very nice job of illustrating the process, from a fellow Ohio company Home Spec Advanced Basement, which does a great job of outlining the whole process on their website.

For those that want to tackle this project themselves or do it as a part of your business Diamond Products has come out with a innovative new saw intended for cutting concrete basement floors as well as being very easy for 1 person to get it in and out of any jobsite. The CC1500 Basement Saw ($4715, Ohio Power Tool) is build for just such a job. The 20” blade and 7-5/8” cut capacity make it easy to get down through the floor slab. The whole unit weights 205lbs but the motor can be removed in a few easy steps and the two equal parts, weight just over 100lbs each, easy for getting up and down basement stairs. The unit has a 7.5hp (5hp also available) electric motor which is important because clearly you should never use a gas saw indoors. While the unit is built for indoor use this unit works amazingly well outdoor and provides very consistent power, often times performing better than heavier, larger gas units.

If you need any help with information on concrete tools, saws, diamond blades, usage or anything to do with tools in general get a hold of the guys at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or sales@ohiopowertool.com. Unfortunately they will not be able to help you with remodeling your basement or foundation repair questions.

Posted by Jay A. at 03:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While the limited supplies last Ohio Power Tool is giving away some pretty nice Bosch gear. The holsters for the Bosch 12V Tools have been pretty popular and fit the PS21-2A, PS31-2A & PS40-2A very nicely. The minimum order for the Holster is $199 so if you pickup one of these kits you will also need to purchase some drill or driver accessories or additional tools to get over the hump. Any of the combo kits will get you there no problem. Yes, the holster comes instantly with the tool so you can also take advantage of the really nice Mail-In Rebate for the 12Vs to get a free tool, 12V battery or LED flashlight. Remember you must use the Coupon code at checkout: HOLSTER or call in and mention the special to the nice folks at Ohio Power Tool.

If that wasn’t enough there is also a FREE Tool Belt for Bosch 18V Tools for any order over $399. This should be an easy mark to hit because the new Power Box PB360S ($209, Ohio Power Tool) is available for pre-sale and would be a nice addition to any 18V Tool Kit. There is also a free MP3 player (similar to iPod Shuffle) which comes instantly with the Power Box, don’t hesitate to double dip. For this offer you must use Coupon Code: TOOLBELT at checkout or call in.

If you want to quadruple dip and do an order over $599 and take advantage of all the free goods you might need to call the order in, but it’s definitely possible.  

Posted by Jay A. at 08:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MOUNT PROSPECT, IL - This spring, the Dremel® brand is unplugging high-performance corded rotary tool technology and, for the first time, making it portable in the new Dremel 8200 cordless rotary tool (see ToolSnob.com Full Review). The tool combines the best of both worlds -- the performance of a corded tool and the convenience and flexibility of a cordless tool -- making it ideal for outdoor or on-the-go projects that require cutting, sanding, grinding, carving, engraving, routing, cleaning, polishing and more.

"As the market leader in rotary tools, the Dremel brand wants to deliver the high level of performance our users have come to rely on in a corded tool, but in a cordless package that gives them the freedom and range needed to complete any do-it-yourself, woodworking or hobby project," said Brian Benes, Dremel product manager. "Thanks to continued innovations in technology and insightful feedback from Dremel enthusiasts, we believe the Dremel 8200 is unlike any other cordless rotary available -- it's better."

Performance
The Dremel 8200 is the highest performance cordless rotary tool available, featuring a new, high-performance motor that facilitates maximum performance at all speeds.
By combining this motor with the 12VMAX Lithium-Ion™ battery, the 8200 has a speed-of-cut that is two times faster than the leading cordless rotary tool. A new, one-hour charger is the fastest charger ever offered by Dremel and provides less downtime between projects and more time using the tool to complete them.

Portability
The Dremel 8200 does it all, unplugged. Providing corded performance in a cordless package, users are able to complete projects in the places they find most convenient, whether it be a workroom, garage or the backyard. A battery fuel gauge on the tool allows users to keep track of battery life remaining before a charge is needed.
The Dremel 8200 will be available beginning in April 2010. The Dremel 8200 comes with a two-year warranty and will retail for a suggested retail price range from $99 to $139 USD.

Posted by Jay A. at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If you are shopping for some new Lincoln Lube or Mityvac tools it’s that time of the year again for the gift card promotion. Mail-in this Rebate Form with any amount of the selected items and get up to $250 in gift cards. This year some of the gift card options have changed to include Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops, Target, Best Buy, Applebee’s & Starbuck’s. Also some of the products included in the promotion have changed, the new & very popular PowerLuber 1844 ($276, Ohio Power Tool) is included. The promotion runs until June 30^th 2010 so there is still plenty of time to get your orders in.  

Posted by Jay A. at 08:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Synthetic slings offer a number of advantages for rigging purposes, cost, convenience and strength.  We wanted to cover some of the basics by highlighting these 3 videos that do a really nice job of explaining Stren-Flex Synthetic Slings.

The most commonly used synthetic web slings are made of nylon or polyester; each performs better in regards to certain chemicals and stretching. Rated loads (capacities) for single-leg vertical, choker and basket hitches all vary greatly by width and ply. Here is the chart catalog to see all the options for the different types of slings. Also here is the link to the OSHA rules and regulations regarding synthetic web slings. If you have any questions on the topic give the pros at Ohio Power Tool a call 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com with any questions.     

Basics of Synthetic Slings

How Synthetic Slings are Made

Testing & Breaking Synthetic Slings

Posted by Jay A. at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here are a couple April Tools Day Jokes from ToolGuyd, Thanks for doing your homework, so I can lean over your shoulder and copy the answers.

• New 18V Rechargeable MIG Welder (ToolGuyd)
• Snap-on Buys Central Purchasing/Harbor Freight (UncleJoe via GarageJournal)
• Congress Bans DIY Home Improvement (HomeFixated)

Posted by Jay A. at 04:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)