Wouldn’t it be great to get all the information you want for all the tool manufacturers, with multiple points of view from your favorite tool jockeys, filtering out the fluff, in a single RSS feed, updated continuously all day every day. If such a thing existed it might look something like this.

Well good news it does exist and it’s only one click away at Yahoo Pipes Power Tool News Feed. It combines stories from all your favorite sites like CopTool.com, ToolMonger.com, Toolsnob.com, Toologics.com, ToolCrib.com, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, ToolGuyd.com, Wood Magazine, ProToolReviews.com & Many Others. Then filters them to relevant topics and generates one simple RSS Feed, something like 5-10 updates per day. You can also clone the Pipe and make any changes to suit your own personal preferences.

Once you are loaded up on all this great Power Tool info simply visit OhioPowerTool.com for all your tool & accessory purchases.  

Posted by Jay A. at 03:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oscillating multi-tools are rapidly becoming a toolbox staple for remodelers, finish carpenters, electricians, plumbers and even DIYers. Why? These users are discovering that the wide range of accessories gives these tools the functionality of multiple tools, and even helps them tackle a few tasks they couldn’t accomplish before. To help oscillating multi-tool users get the most out of their tools, Bosch Power Tools introduced an expanded lineup of blades, scrapers, rasps and sanding sheets designed specifically to improve the function and versatility of popular multi-tools. See the full line of Bosch Oscillating Accessories compatible with Bosch Multi-X, Fein MultiMaster 636 & many more.

Because users spend approximately 65 percent of their time with oscillating multi-tools performing cutting applications, Bosch concentrated first on developing accessories that deliver great performance when cutting wood, metal and other materials. Included in the new cutting accessory range are:

Knives
OSC214C – 2-1/4” Caulk Removal Knife - $9.55
OSC4K – 4” Serrated Segment Knife - $20.52

Scrapers
OSC2FSC – 2” Flexible Scraper Blade - $9.91
OSC2RFS – 2” Rigid Scraper Blade - $10.85

Wood Blades
OSC138JF – 1-3/8” Japanese Tooth Hard Wood Blade - $14.48
OSC312 – 3-1/2” Round Wood Blade - $11.59

Bi-Metal Blades
OSC118F – 1-1/8” BIM Plunge Cut Blade - $12.80
OSC4F – 4” BIM Round Blade - $28.99

Specialty Tools
OSC312DG – 3-1/2” Round Diamond Grit Blade - $47.37
OSC3DRF – Delta 3” Carbide Grit Rasp - $34.57

Posted by Jay A. at 05:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What type of tool is the new IR Hammerhead? Significantly more powerful than any ratchet with more than 10x the free RPM speed, it must be an Impact. On the other hand at 13.1”, 3.4lbs and under 2” head height it fits into tight spaces better than any impact could. The 3/8” 2015MAX ($293, Ohio Power Tool) and the ½” 2025MAX ($299, Ohio Power Tool) will be available in July and these hybrid tools should make a pretty big splash. Here is the official info from Ingersoll Rand.    

From Ingersoll Rand, the company that invented the Impactool in 1934, comes a revolutionary product that is unlike any other on the market today. The Hammerhead Low Profile Impactool offers the power and speed of an impact with the reach of a ratchet, and it’s going to change the way you work. The combination of MAX power, MAX control, and MAX access now allows you to use an Ingersoll Rand Impactool for virtually any application. Say goodbye to awkward extensions and swivel sockets, and watch your productivity soar as you conquer tasks in minutes that once took you hours.

MAX Power - With 180 ft-lb max torque and 7,000 rpm, Hammerhead offers more than twice the power of the leading competitor’s ratchet

MAX Control - A feather-touch trigger, two-position forward power regulator, and conveniently located forward/reverse ring provide precise control.

MAX Access - A head height of under 2" and reactionless torque allow you to safely use this powerful tool in tight spaces.

Posted by Jay A. at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

 
Nobody is going to accuse DeWalt of jumping the gun and rushing to market with their new line for 12V Max* Tools. There are some advantages to being the last kid into the pool however in that you get to see what has worked for the competition and try to improve upon it. From what we have seem it looks like the Yellow Team has done their homework dissecting the competition and researching customers’ needs. The launch of the DeWalt 12V tools will feature 7 tools (+ 2 additional combo kits) and should hit shelves in October just before the Holiday Season.

Our initial reaction to the entire line as a whole was positive but nothing super surprising or that would inspire someone to drop their current 12V tools and say “Wow I have to have that”! Price seemed in line with comps for the most part, size was a little larger for most items but with some advantages, weight was in line and power seemed to top the first generation tools from Bosch, Milwaukee & Makita but it was unclear if they were less than, equal or better than the 2^nd generation 12V tools that we have been seeing. DeWalt unfortunately does not provide power measurements in torque to compare with the other tools; instead they use UWO (Unit Watts Output) which doesn’t translate to torque directly. Head to head tests planned soon, stay tuned.

The biggest difference when looking at the whole line collectively would probably be moving the battery below the handle which allows for thinner more ergonomic handle. This seems like it would be a personal preference thing of comfort, either way seems fine if speed/power/features can back it up. This does make the tool a little larger but it also allows for a belt hook which you will not find on most other compact tools which use holsters. It also makes it more stable when standing upright. This configuration may be more familiar to some professional and may get easier adoption for those not currently using any 12V tools.

Posted by Jay A. at 05:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

According to Dremel there are more than 17 million rotary tools in use today, of which many carry their name plate. The new 8200 Dremel is the latest of the cordless rotary tools variety and is similar in look and feel to the new corded Dremel 4000. Often the first question many people land on will be; how is this any different from the older ones?

When comparing tools, electronics, cars or anything it’s always good to have some baseline stats, even if you don’t always know what they measure. Unfortunately when trying to compare rotary tools it feels like we are missing some vital stats. Really the only number crunching there is to do is on RPM and whether there are set speeds or variable from 5,000 up to 35,000 RPM. On the 8200 the range only goes to 30,000 RPM, while the previous cordless model went all the way to 35,000 RPM. Does that mean the older version had more power? Absolutely not the case here but there is no stat for power/torque. The best we can say is the 8200 is clearly more powerful with significantly less slowdown or drag while working. This can be a very important factor more in cutting and grinding applications.

The new Dremel 12 Volt Max battery borrows heavily from their cousins at Bosch with their version of a 12 Volt Max battery. Unfortunately this does not mean the batteries work interchangeable with the Bosch (like how the Rotozip Cordless can use the Bosch 18V batteries). We did find that the chargers for Bosch and Dremel will charge each other’s batteries, nice for limiting the number of chargers you keep out in your shop.

The previous cordless Dremel uses a 10.8V lithium battery which is essentially the same as a 12V Max so don’t mistake the increase in power for a higher voltage in the newer Dremel 8200. While both tools use the same number of lithium cells these batteries are not compatible either. The old system took 3 hours to charge while the new 12V batteries are full in just 60 minutes. More good news is the new Dremel 12V Max Batteries will also work with the new Cordless Multi-Max (see info on Tool-guyd.com) which should be coming soon.

Run Time

The 12V market for tools no longer faces the question of can it power tools for professionals and serious tool users, clearly 12V is here to stay. These little power plants are idea for their compact size however in applications of high torque or continuous run-time battery life can become a question. Many applications for the 8200 cordless Dremel will involve long periods of continuous work so we though it was important just to see how they will hold up. We did two time trials to gauge the battery life: first we tried several cutting attachments where the Dremel would be running a minute or then have a few second break and back to work. The battery lasted about 35 minutes with breaks to change cutting materials or attachments. It was incredibly annoying only having the single battery, if you have the option get the kit with 2 batteries! So after an hour of watching the charger we did the second test. This time it was a continuous run of the battery with the sanding wheel between 15k-25k RPM. The Battery died after 23 minutes which was actually a pretty decent amount of time for this application. In both tests we were very impressed with the low amount of heat generated, definitely warm but still comfortable in the hands.

Accessories

As with many tools today the accessories that come with the kit are basically just enough to get started and realize you don’t have enough accessories. You get 1 metal disc, 1 grinding cone, etc but it’s enough to give you an idea of what the tool is capable of doing. It looks like the kit with 2 batteries also includes the right angle attachment which seems like it could be useful. There are so many attachments and accessories for these tools it would be impossible to make the right kits for everyone. Check out Dremel.com Accessories Page (here) for all the different options.

Even more pics in this Photo Album. The Dremel 8200 is definitely a big improvement over other cordless rotary tools we have seen. It is also more powerful than many other corded versions, even though nobody has any stats to prove it. If you are looking for a cordless rotary tool this is it. If you are not sure between corded rotary tool and this cordless 8200 that will depend greatly on what type of work you will be doing. Our recommendation if you decide to go with cordless would be to get the kit with 2 batteries!   

Posted by Jay A. at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This July 1^st-31^st you can submit your most creative woodworking projects for a chance to win some very nice prizes, best we’ve seen so far. Even if you don’t enter it is still fun to come back and checkout all the interesting projects.

Posted by Jay A. at 04:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is a simple little iPhone App that might come in handy when other measuring devices are out of reach. If you want to try the App for FREE email us by Wednesday!

Posted by Jay A. at 05:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Hougen Copperhead Carbide Rotabroach Bits have been available for some time however the new Hougen Mag Drill HMD508 ($1317, Ohio Power Tool) is the first drill designed to fully take advantage of the higher speed possible of the 18,000 series bits. Similar to the HMD505 ($1270, Ohio Power Tool) the unit features a build in gravity feed coolant tank and 2 speed options for different size cutters. The HMD508 is a little different in that it is rated at 450 & 750 RPM (vs HMD505 at 250 & 450 RPM) so for all the 12,000 series Rotabroaches you would use 450 RPM and for Copperhead Carbide Bits 750 RPM.

The Copperheads Carbide cutters are intended for use in abrasive or tough-to-cut material and should offer extended life over traditional cutters. Unfortunately the carbide bits are only available in a 2” Depth of Cut from 9/16” to 1-1/2” so it’s a fairly limited selection. The Carbide bits have a thinner cutting edge which allows them to operate at the higher rate of speeds. You can also special order (by calling Ohio Power Tool, 800-242-4424) these bits with the Tool-less Fusion style shanks however the set screw anchored bits will provide a longer life span.  

If you order the HMD508 Mag Drill before July 31^st you can also take advantage of an additional promotion for a FREE Copperhead Carbide Kit 18002 ($296, Ohio Power Tool). Simply use this Mail-in Rebate and Hougen will send you the Cutter Kit for FREE! That’s a pretty good deal and seems like a good way to get people to tryout the Carbide Bits.

Posted by Jay A. at 02:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the recent Bosch event we got a chance to see many of the current and new innovative accessories from Bosch as well as a new Bosch Accessories website for “Joe the Pro” (www.BoschJoeThePro.com). This new website is aimed to provide more information on innovative Bosch accessories as well as provide insight directly from Joe (the Pro) Sainz as he travels around the country talking to folks on real jobsites. Joe is an actual licensed electrician and union carpenter who definitely comes across as a regular guy who has been in the field and used a lot of tools; not a corporate suit at all. Check out this video, from the event & Joe using the new NailKiller Auger bits.

Currently Joe is scheduled to be at the International Woodworking Show in August and STAFDA Show in November with plenty of stops in between. And what new Website would be complete without something to win. On “Joe the Pro” website you can also register to win a Free Bosch PowerBox PB360S ($199, Ohio Power Tool) good until 6/30/2010.     

Posted by Jay A. at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

 
The CP7600 is aimed at buses and trucks maintenance companies sensitive to best practices in terms of E3Q (Ergonomics, Efficiency, Environment and Quality). It offers a torque controlled solution to tighten nuts on trucks and buses to a precise specification without impacting force.

The Chicago Pneumatic BlueTork is a pistol grip pneumatic nut runner assists mechanics for tightening lug nuts according to specifications. The shut off valve prevents over-tightening while the torque reaction is taken by mean of a blade. The tool uses a dual motor setup to spine initially at 100rpm (50 ft.lbs) to quickly set the nut while the second motor spins at 8 rpm (650 ft.lbs) to finish the nut at exact specs. Because the tool uses continuous driving force instead of impact force the result is a significantly quieter tool, with much lower vibration. At only 79dB(A) OSHA does not require hear protection vs a typical 1” impact at 95dB(A) hear protection would be required under OSHA regulation 1910.95. The vibration levels for the non-impact wrench are almost vibration free at >2.5m/s. In Europe a typical impact gun with 9.1m/s would require mandatory limited daily exposure, while the US doesn’t yet have these standards you can expect to see something soon.

The Milwaukee M18 line of cordless tools has been very successful for several reasons including their focus on professionals and high performance as well as a very broad range of tools that is continuously growing. Milwaukee M18 Batteries are also the only power tool batteries on the market today that feature a power gauge to let you know exactly how much juice is left on the battery. Yet another reason for their success is the M18 line features a Digital Power Management System which will shut the batteries off when the tool becomes overloaded saving the tool from overheating. There is however one thing that has caused a little confusion within the M18 Line which is the 2 sizes of batteries and certain tools not working with the compact batteries.

Everett Snyder with ProToolReviews did a nice article about a month ago highlighting these very differences. Knowing battery compatibility is an important consideration when purchasing new tool kits and we thought it would be a good idea to point out this article and also touch on the key points ourselves. The High Capacity XC battery will work all M18 tools while the compact battery only work with the compact drill/driver (2601), compact hammer drill (2602), compact impact tools (2650, 2651, 2652), Hackzall (2625), ProPEX (2632), Radio (2790), Vacuum (0880) as well as all the chargers and flashlights.

In comparison to other major professional tool brands Makita has a similar situation where the compact batteries will only work with certain tools while DeWalt & Bosch are the only brands where the compact (slimpack) batteries will work with all the tools.

If you have any questions about which tools will work with which batteries or want to purchase kits to take advantage of the best deals feel free to call the experts at Ohio Power Tool, 800-242-4424. They will be happy to help you find the right tool for the job.

Posted by Jay A. at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Already in the last week we’ve posted on the new Bosch Glide Miter Saw as well as the new Bosch 2.3HP Routers but there are still many more products to go. Another innovative product from the Bosch Media Event was the new L-Boxx container system Bosch will be selling and integrating with their existing tool line. The L-Boxx system has 4 container sizes with a variety of inserts for sorting and accessory storage. Pricing on these hard case looks to be in the $50-70+ range however the good news, we just heard today officially, these will be available with some of the most popular Bosch Tools as early as this fall. Even better news the target retail pricing looks to be right in line with current street pricing. Bosch 12V drill PS31-2AL (target $159), Multi-X oscillating PS50-2BL (target $199) & a new Jig Saw (more info to follow) will be the first 3 items to launch in addition to standard storage case.

The cases themselves are very well built; better so than most hard cases on the market today. Each case has 3 carrying positions; top, front and 2 side handles which depending on how many cases are stacked will be very easy to carry. Putting the current tools in these cases, at the same prices, seems like it will go a long way to make these units more common place. Someday soon we may see a lot more organization in work vans and from what I’ve seen it wouldn’t be soon enough.

Interestingly these are not a new concept in Europe; there is a forum post from www.ToolGuyd.com on the Garage Journal. One of the heavy forum posters on there lives in Germany and put 20 large pictures of all these boxes as well as many more in the full thread. Very interesting and it looks like some of the different manufactures even use similar boxes. Wouldn’t it be great if all your tools universally fit together… check out this video from the UK.

Posted by Jay A. at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Both of these new Dremel Multi-Max Blades are similar in size with the 1-1/8” width & 1-1/4” depth making them the largest strait cutting blades Dremel offers. Both will work on wood but the MM463 has a much more aggressive “Japanese” tooth pattern which would probably be ruined by any metal cutting. The new metal & wood MM462 actually looks more like a metal blade than even the other ¾” wood & metal blade MM422 because of the slightly curved teeth. This would probably be your best bet for copper and non-ferrous metals but still not the right tool for serious metal work. In the package at the store or even the pictures online they look similar but will definitely have a different cutting behavior in your oscillating tool.    

The Dremel MM462 ($13.99, Ohio Power Tool) Wood & Metal Flush Cutting Blade will make cutting doorjambs and baseboards for flooring installation a breeze. Used for precise cuts and plunge cuts, its wide 1 1/8” blade speeds through long cuts and can make plunge cuts up to 1 ¼” deep. Designed for cutting wood, drywall, plastic, and soft metal like copper and 6d-8d finishing nails. The blade’s tooth pattern similar to a standard hacksaw blade.

The Dremel MM463 ($13.99, Ohio Power Tool) Hard Wood Flush Cutting Blade features a Japanese style tooth for cutting hard wood and making fast cuts in soft wood. Used for precise cuts and plunge cuts, its wide 1 1/8” blade cuts up to 1 ¼” deep and may be used on wood, plastic, drywall and other soft materials. Applications include flush cutting in doorjamb, molding, flooring.  

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

Another exciting product launch from the Recent Bosch Media Event was the new line of Routers. The MR23 routers are available in 3 different configurations: Fixed-Base Router MRF23EVS ($227, Ohio Power Tool), Plunge Base Router MRP23EVS ($244, Ohio Power Tool) & the Combo Router Kit MRC23EVSK ($309, Ohio Power Tool). These are expected to be in stores sometime in July but you can pre-order now on Ohio Power Tool to make sure you are the first kid on the block with the new toy. 

The current Bosch 1617 Routers are already considered one of the best routers on the market, perhaps you are asking yourself is it that much better? and is it worth the extra couple bucks (looks to be about $60+ more)? Some of the high points for the new models:

Trigger Control System - Trigger power switch (with lock-on button) conveniently located in handle for enhanced control.
Versatile Depth Adjustment System - For easy and precise bit depth adjustment. Features 1-5/8” (41 mm) continuous microfine adjustment range & hex wrench for microfine adjustment through top of optional router table.
LED Lighting - For enhanced visibility in bit area. (Always On)
Precision Centering Design  - Makes it easy to keep bit on intended cutline when using jigs and other guidance devices.
Two-Stage Quick-Clamp System – Improved upon from previous design, low voltage connect, won’t turn on during assembly
Constant-Response™ Circuitry - Maintains constant speed under load.  

We got to test the new routers in a number of applications and configurations including fixed base, plunge cut as well as in the router table. Once you get a chance to test drive it you will ask yourself why someone didn’t think of trigger controls before. Even simple things like a flat top with grip to support the router when you turn it over for changing bits. All in all they listed almost 30 features that were improved in these routers. A nice improvement on an already exceptional line of routers.

Check out some additional pic in this Album testing these routers out with the nice folks at www.toolskool.com & www.protoolreviews.com.

Posted by Jay A. at 06:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After a 2 day adventure to Bosch Tools North American home office in Mount Prospect, Il it is hard not to still be excited about all the cool new stuff coming. So many new products to such a wide range of fields from woodworking to concrete to metal working to cordless and so on. Maybe they put something in the water but it was very impressive to see so much innovation from just 1 year ago. We will work hard to get several posts up over the next few weeks, in the mean time we will do our best to focus on thing at a time.

Starting at the top, the Crown Jewel of the event would have to be the new Axial-Glide 12” Miter Saw GCM12SD. Available shortly at Ohio Power Tool with a current target price of $699; although no official dates on when these will hit the shelves... we are hoping soon! Of course the new Bosch GCM12SD will share/improve upon some of the great features on the current Bosch 12” Miter 5312 ($590, Ohio Power Tool) including upfront controls and built-in material support extensions.

As you can see in the pictures (more in this 32 Pic Album) the slide arm is the biggest innovation here but if you look close it is actually 2 arms working together, one on X and other on the Y axis. This mechanism is an extremely sturdy feat of engineering, and my last reservations were cleared away when the Bosch product manager started swinging a 2x4” at it like Mark McGwire in ‘98. The bearings are also sealed so no matter how much saw dust or debris gets on the arm, the travel will not become jerky unlike other slide saws where the rails are exposed.

Another great benefit an event like this offers is to have all the competitors’ latest & greatest models in one place to inspect and test alongside the Bosch. It takes great confidence in your products to set up a demo like that and while there were no price tags on the units it was pretty obvious the Bosch offered a clear advantage over the competition in terms of depth of work area used. For more details on the new Axial-Glide Miter Saw GCM12SD read the full Bosch Press Release below.

Mount Prospect, Ill. – The first thing users will notice about Bosch’s latest 12” dual-bevel miter saw is that it looks nothing like any miter saw they’ve ever seen. The moment they power up the saw on a project, they’ll notice that it feels like no other miter saw they’ve ever used. The innovation responsible for both the unique appearance and the unparalleled level of performance is Bosch’s patented Axial-Glide™ system. Making its debut on the ground-breaking GCM12SD 12” Dual-Bevel Glide Miter Saw from Bosch Power Tools & Accessories, the new system will revolutionize what users expect from a miter saw.

Here are just a few good ideas for the Handyman on Father’s day. We know everyone is on a different budget so we wanted to cover lots of different price ranges and interests. Is Dad more of a Mechanic, Woodworker, Plumber, Gadget Guy or just all around Mr. Fix-it? Hopefully you will find something on this list.

Under $30
Bosch DareDevil Spade 13pc Kit ($27) - Coptool Post
Edge Polarized Safety Glasses ($24) – Coptool Post
Ridgid P-Tec PVC Pipe Cutter ($18) – Coptool Post

Under $200
Milwaukee M18 Hackzall ($199) – Coptool Post
Bosch PS31 Drill/Driver ($143) – Coptool Post
Hougen Metal Hole Cutters ($196) - Coptool Post

The Really Good Dad
Ridgid SeeSnake Explorer ($690) - Coptool Post
Bosch 5 Tool 18V Combo ($589)

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

The Ridgid K-39 Drain Machine ($319-$454, Ohio Power Tool) has been a staple for many plumbers and maintenance pros for years. Just announced, Ridgid will be replacing the model with the new K-45 machine, which will continue to be available in manual or AUTOFEED versions.

The new K-45 ($454, Ohio Power Tool) units are very similar to K-39 units with the same available cable & cutter packages as well as the same pricing. The difference however is the new unit gets an improved handle and motor with a nice power increase; 0-450RPM (K-39) vs 0-600RPM (K-45). The AUTOFEED feature works the same for both units and is the same feature that helped win the Plant Engineering Product of the Year in 2006. Check out the full POWERFEED Demo Video here.   

Ohio Power Tool is an excellent source not only for Ridgid Plumbing Equipment but also for all the cables and cutters needed for the Drain Machines. As an authorized service center they are very knowledgeable in Ridgid products and stock a full range of parts and consumables.

Posted by Jay A. at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)