We tried to pull together some of the most popular power tool and related gift ideas for the 2011 holiday season. These would be gifts for real men who like to actually build things and use their hands, also women who can kick our asses; we definitely don’t want to leave them out.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Milwaukee Fastback Utility Knife 48-22-1901 ($14, Ohio Power Tool)
Simple flip out design, uses standard utility knife blades and a basic wire clip somehow all add up to the winner of the Coptool 2011 Utility Knife Showdown. We use ours daily it’s pretty sweet.

AccuSharp Knife and Tool Sharpeners ($11-12, Ohio Power Tool)
Made in USA and available in standard AccuSharp White or AccuSharp Camouflage ($1 more). It pays for itself by keeping all your tools and knives sharp. It also works on your kitchen and serrated edge knives.

Edge Polarized Sunglasses, ANSI Approved for Safety ($11-24)
These great looking glasses come in a very wide range of styles and lens colors. They feature some of the highest rated clarity in a polarized lens, even against glasses 10x the price. No to mention they are all ANSI approved to protect your eye balls and used by several branches of the military.

Ridgid 2011-2012 Pinup Calendars ($14, Ohio Power Tool)
Still a year left on this 75^th anniversary collector’s edition Ridgid Pinup Calendar. Come on keep on grandpa’s ticker beating strong and stick one in his stocking this Christmas. It’s the gift that keeps on giving all year long.

New Milwaukee M12 Tools ($99-2500, Ohio Power Tool)
We are not really sure where to start with how many new gadget that have come out in this line up just in the last 2 years. From Thermal Imager, to Heated Jacket, also in Camo, to Jigsaw, to Palm Nailer to Ratchets and is that a cigar cutter… Really looking forward to more in 2012, how could you go wrong with this 12V battery system.

Bosch Jobsite Radio with Free BAT610G Battery ($199-249)
This thing is near impossible to destroy and an awesome gift for any gadget monkey. We played corn-hole with it while it played (watch Power Box Toss) just to give you an idea. Best sound ever with 360 degree speakers and a sub woofer. Standard PB360S ($199), Deluxe PB360D ($249) with Free Battery & Free Shipping (use coupon code HOLIDAYS).

Dremel Saw-Max 3” Cutting Tool SM20-02 ($129, Ohio Power Tool)
We recently reviewed the Saw-Max and were very much surprised at how well it performed in many tasks. It was also safer to handle than we had though and very easy to use. This will be a very popular Christmas gift this year.

FREE SHIPPING - All the Bosch and Milwaukee purchases over $99 get Free Shipping to within the continental US as long as they are less than 70 lbs. Use coupon code HOLIDAYS in step one of the checkout and easily save $10-20 overall.  

Bosch Small Drills and Combo Kits ($99-299, Ohio Power Tool)
Probably two of our favorite tools and ones we highly recommend are the 12V Max PS21-2A & PS31-2A ($99 each) great to use for anyone from pros to grandma Betty. In the 18V there are two terrific combo kit deals which feature the brand new Bosch drills and HC batteries. The 2 tool kits are Compact Tough CLPK232-181 ($199) and Brute Tough CLPK221-181 ($299), which is probably the best dollar to power deal out there today.

Milwaukee 18V Combos & Free Battery ($199-399, Ohio Power Tool)
On the Milwaukee side there are two combos that match up pretty close to the Bosch and include the latest Red Lithium Batteries: Compact Kit 2691-22 ($199) and Hammer Drill Kit 2697-22 ($299). For a full 4 tool kit there is an even better on the 2696-24 ($399) with M18 Free Battery while supplies last.

Backup Power Generators ($429 & up, Ohio Power Tool)
Maybe not the most fun gift to open on Christmas morning but a Power Generator is essential to have if you are concerned about power outages in severe weather. The 2000w inverter 5793 ($579) is perfect for camping or tailgates while the larger 5500w 5939 ($679) or 6500w Electric Start 5941 ($889) will run most of the essentials in your house for very little investment.

Rockwell BladeRunner RK7321 ($149, Amazon)
Not too far behind, just last year the BladeRunner was one of the hottest Christmas gifts of the year. We’ve been seeing the commercials running pretty strong again this year and the no doubt it’ll continue to be very popular. See our full review here for the Rockwell BladeRunner RK7321.

Rockwell JawHorse RK9000 ($159, Amazon)
The JawHorse has been another very successful Rockwell product, perhaps it’s their late night infomercials but more likely it’s just a great products. We did a JawHorse Review here and included several of their accessories and still use this on a weekly basis. The JawHorse SheetMaster RK9002 ($219) is actually the latest version which is even larger and can handle full 4’x8’ sheets.

Oscillating Multi-Tools – Corded or Cordless
If you don’t have a multi-tool by now that means you may be the last kid on the block without one. The good news is you have a lot of options now. Dremel has just launching their latest versions MM20 ($99) & new Tool Free MM40 ($139). The Bosch MX25 Multi-Tool has been selling very well all year. Also the new Porter Cable Oscillating Tool has also been a more recent hit. Don’t forget to pick up plenty of Oscillating Tool Accessories while you are shopping.
     

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 01:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

 
We think this is a great program to support some of the young woodworkers in the country (and our neighbors up north). Congratulation to these 5 recipients for the 2011 scholarships! Read the full press release below for all the details. Also check out Powermatic.com for more information on their woodworking products.

November 2011, The future of fine furniture-making in North America clearly rests in the hands of today’s most creative students of this time-honored craft.  That’s why the 2011 Furniture Society-Powermatic® Student Workshop Scholarships have been awarded to enrich the hands-on education of five talented students of furniture design.

The competitive scholarships are sponsored annually by Powermatic, a world-class leader of stationary woodworking equipment, in partnership with The Furniture Society, based in Ashville, NC.  Each 2011 scholarship recipient is given up to $3,000 to attend a specific one-, two- or eight-week workshop offered by schools participating in the program. The scholarships cover tuition, housing, on-campus meals and a travel stipend.

“These annual scholarships are about encouraging young people who will become future leaders in the craft of furniture making,” said Barry Schwaiger, Powermatic’s product manager and executive member of the scholarship selection committee. “Some will go on to head their own independent workshops, which have become the style leaders in furniture design. Others will become designers and executives in the furniture industry.”

“Educational opportunities in furniture-making are better now than ever,” said Alfred Sharp, president of The Furniture Society.  “Independent schools of craft offer many specific courses and workshops in addition to those available at colleges and universities. However, some of the most innovative students need financial help to pursue the best programs.”      

Each year, faculty members of colleges and universities that offer furniture-making curricula encourage promising students to apply for the Furniture Society-Powermatic scholarships.  As part of the application process, students and their mentors request specific programs to advance the students’ development.

Scholarship recipients were selected by a committee consisting of John Dennison, Furniture Society board member, North Saanich, BC; Barry Schwaiger from Powermatic, LaVergne, TN; and Miguel Gomez-Ibanez, former Furniture Society president, Boston, MA.  2011 scholarship recipients are:

Theresa Audet, Minneapolis, MN, who attends Minneapolis College of Art and Design, studying with Dean Wilson, participated in a workshop on relics, cabinets and boxes at Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass, CO.

Gill Benzion, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, a student of Peter Fleming, Sheraton College, Ontario, attended a workshop on steam bending wood for furniture at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME.

Juan Pablo Blanco, Newton, MA, who attends North Bennet Street School, Boston, MA, studying with Daniel Faia, participated in a workshop on chair design at Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC.

Joanna Ginsberg, White Plains, NY, who attends Purchase College, State University of New York, studying with Dennis Fitzgerald, learned intermediate furniture making at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport, ME.      

Eleanor Richards, Tempe, AZ, a student at Arizona State University, working with Tom Eckert, attended Penland School of Crafts in a workshop on containers, cabinets and case pieces.

“Right now, we are living through one of the most important periods of high quality furniture design and fermentation of innovative ideas,” Sharp concluded. “A significant amount of furniture is made overseas today, but the brain trust is still in the United States and Canada. That’s an important reason why the Furniture Society-Powermatic Student Workshop Scholarships are a sound investment in the advancement of American furniture-making.”
   

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

On Black Friday while everyone was out pepper spaying each other to get the best deals (yep that happened at our local Walmart) we stayed at home and knocked a few items off the old to-do list. One such task was to replace a wobbly shelf unit with something a little more sturdy and attractive. This was also the perfect opportunity to test out the Milwaukee M12 Jig Saw 2445-21 ($149, Ohio Power Tool).

This particular type of task, we feel is really the kind of everyday DIY duty a cordless jigsaw in this price range is intended. We almost got the entire job done on a single M12 Red Lithium charge which was very impressive to see. With two batteries this ment you’ll never have any down time, unfortunately this kit only includes the one battery so you will want to factor that in if you don't currently have any other M12 tools.

Here is a fun look at how square our pre-1900 house was constructed, 1.5” slope in just 33” across. Sometimes the “not build like they used to” isn’t always a good thing. It did give us a great opportunity to test out the accuracy of this jigsaw and our craftiness in measuring some fun angles. Overall we were very pleased with the outcome.

The LED light on the front is very helpful, even in well lit areas you can catch a shadow in the guard that will otherwise make it hard to see your markings clearly. We cannot say enough about the feel of this hybrid pistol grip that puts your hand much closer to the work surface. With the handle behind the motor you also feel more like you are pushing the tool instead of dragging it. Power is very solid for what we were doing and the variable speed trigger gives terrific control over the output. You will see more jig saws move to this handle set up in the future, no question.

The Black Friday, Cyber Monday weekend has already proven these units to be very popular gift items this season along with several other M12 units including the Camo Heated Jackets and Cordless Ratchets. Check out the full list of Milwaukee M12 tools with many kits at $99 & Free Shipping (use coupon code HOLIDAYS) on all of them until the end of the year from Ohio Power Tool.
      

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 05:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A little over a year ago Rotozip launched the ZipSaw RFS1000-20 ($89, Ohio Power Tool) and then more recently Dremel a similar tool with the Saw-Max SM20-02 ($129, Ohio Power Tool). Because the two are fairly similar we thought it might be helpful to look at some of the differences between the two units. Their price points and barrage of TV commercials will no doubt make both hot holiday gift items this year but which one is right for you (or whomever is receiving it)?

The ZipSaw was the first of the two and really a very smart design. The unit is basically a grinder that has been designed specifically as a cutoff tool, which makes it much more ergonomic and easier to use. Tile guys especially mostly use grinders just as cutting tools and with all the other Rotozip tools (see our review & video) already targeting these tasks it made a lot of sense to provide this additional option. There was also a need for a flush cut / jamb saw that was a little more multitasking.

The ZipSaw uses 4” XWheels or 3.5” ZipWheels with a variety of functions for cutting wood, metal, plastic, ceramics, masonry and more. The Zipsaw uses a 5/8”-11 spindle which also means it can work with a variety of other accessories and other brands 4” Type 1 wheels you may currently prefer.

We are not going to go into depth here but instead encourage you to read our recent blog review of the Saw-Max SM20-02 to get a better idea of how the Dremel tool works and what accessories it has.

Head to Head Comparison

Just to be clear both the Dremel and Rotozip companies are under the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, parent company so they really are targeting different customers it’s not just in our heads. The Dremel Saw-Max has the advantage of launching a year later so the hope is certainly they learned something from their Rotozip counter parts and made some improvements.

Under the hood we find the Rotozip uses a 7.0 amp grinder motor at 11,000rpm while the Dremel uses a 6.0 amp worm drive configuration (found to give more power in circular saw applications) spinning at 17,000rpm. The Rotozip uses a more common 5/8”-11 spindel and larger 4” blades which spin at a rate to allow for a wide range of other common accessories. One complaint we had here was too many flanges, washers, hex keys, spanner wrenches and screws to get on and off.  The Dremel on the other hand uses a smaller spindle and flange which use only their 3” proprietary blades but at least keep it simple on with just one flange and hex key.

In use we found each to have their own advantages, the Saw-Max has an easier spindle lock, very nice depth adjustment and cutting guide on the front. This tool is great for cutting strait lines in material with control and accuracy without having to look from the side at the blade. Since the ZipSaw is setup more like a grinder it does not have the depth adjustment or front guide. For professionals used to using a grinder this may feel more natural but definitely not for a first time user.

Obviously there is a $40 price difference here so we will take a look at what is in the box to explain some of the difference things you get for the money. The ZipSaw currently comes with a holiday promotion for a Free Multi-Purpose Carbide blade XW-MP1 ($22, Ohio Power Tool) in the box, so that is a very nice bonus. Also in the box you also get a Wood XWheel, Tile ZipWheel, side handle, universal dust collection hose and all the flanges/wrenches/keys. What we were missing the most here is a case or bag for all these accessories and wrenches which if you lose one your hosed.

We would also strongly recommend if you get the ZipSaw also getting the Cubic Boron Nitride metal wheel XW-MET1 ($20, Ohio Power Tool) which does a very nice job on metal and will last a little while. Both tools have abrasive wheel options for cutting metal but they are really pretty weak options and with the shrinking nature of abrasive wheels they are worthless in no time. In either case we would not recommend it for cutting 1/4" steel like we did in the picture above, thin sheets, gutters, siding, small pipe, etc would really be the max for either of these tools.

The Saw-Max does come with a nice plastic case to store all the blades and hex key needed to change the blades. It also includes a full mix of accessories as well as a 2x4” cutting guide (although this would not be our first tool of choice for cutting 2x4”). It also has a vacuum attachment but we found it did not have the universal fit of the Rotozip and we had to secure it with some gorilla tape.

The Dremel Saw-Max has some real nice advantages with its guide plate, depth adjustment and sight line this may actually be our new favorite tool for working with large sheets of plywood or drywall. It is very easy to use and not intimidating at all, perfect for any experience levels.

One quick note we found interesting, while the Rotozip will take the 4” blades and Dremel only 3” they both have the same cut depth of ¾” because of the tighter design on the Dremel. At the higher RPM of the smaller wheels we felt this perhaps made up for the smaller amperage motor as we really didn’t see much difference in cutting speed between the two units.

The ZipSaw had a more familiar feel for professionals looking for an improved grinder feel. It also has a wider opening for flush cutting into corners and maneuvering into tight spaces. The accessory options for Rotozip are much larger with more proprietary options but also a whole world of other very common diamond wheels, abrasives and other products you can get at any professional supply house.

We really like both of these tools and as you can see there are pros and cons with each. To really confuse the situation we would also throw in the variable speed Rotozip RZ2000-52 ($149, Ohio Power Tool) with XShield that will give you even more options for tooling in addition to XWheels and ZipWheels and has a depth adjustment.
      

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The recent STAFDA trade show was our first chance to get a look at the new Generac portable propane generator LP3250 ($649, Ohio Power Tool). These new generators are setup on a cart that holds standard size propane tanks making it very easy and safe to store additional fuel. In talking with the product manager there are several other advantages to running propane for power generation, especially for traditional standby needs.

To start with, propane burns cleaner so there is much less carbon monoxide produced, not that you should be running any generator in a closed environment but less poisonous gases is always good in our book. For standby generators that might sit unused for a month or two at a time one of the biggest enemies is the fuel gumming up. Propane on the other hand can sit indefinitely without deterioration so the maintenance should be much lower. Check out the video below shot by Tool Select at this year’s National Hardware Show for a little more info.

Hopefully this is just the start of a new line as we would like to see a Propane LP5500 or LP6500 version that could run some more of the household in an emergency. For a full selection of Generac, Multiquip, Honda, Kubota Power Generators including the new Generac Professional Series units check out Ohio Power Tool. If you should have any questions give them a call 800-242-4424.
     

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

As OSHA and EPA get tougher on regulations and penalties it is a fairly safe bet there is no such thing as over cautious when it comes to dust containment. All the power tool manufacturers are getting on board with more solutions to work with traditional tools as well as building in more dust collection features on new units. Here are just a few of the highlights we saw from the recent STAFDA trade show.

Makita Dust Collection

There were a few interesting new dust collection items in the Makita booth. The common focus this year was on drilling in concrete. The first item we got a look at was the attachment handle which is compatible with most standard chuck and SDS-Plus drills. Once attached the spring loaded nozzle extends out to the drilling site and stays right at the point of contact as the drill moves in.

The other drill attachment is for the larger SDS-Max drills and works like a collapsible bendy straw to stay as close to the work site as possible. Hopefully these plastic pieces will be fairly inexpensive to replace as we could see them taking a lot of abuse.  

DeWalt Dust Collection

We were pretty impressed with some of the innovation coming out on the DeWalt side, were they are really working to improve upon existing designs. For their grinding shroud the front piece easily slides to the left exposing the cup wheel allowing grinding right up to the wall without worrying about losing that edge piece. The cutoff dust collection shroud is not new either however they now can be opened up allowing for cutting right into the corners.

They also have a solution for SDS-Plus and SDS-Max drilling however the DeWalt version does not attach to the tool but instead the work surface and is held in place with suction. This is not a new concept but their approach does look very refined. It will also include a suction wand for hole clean out which is a very important step.

For the full size demo breakers they have this interesting system that looks to be the first we have seen to attach directly to the chisel itself. We will have to test this one out ourselves before we are fully convinced on how well this is going to hold up to the job site abuse we see these breakers take everyday. Guys don't exactly store these tools in memory foams at the end of a hard day.

We also found the new Makita and DeWalt dust collection vacuum D27904 ($530, Amazon) to be very similar in design and function. Both feature HEPA filtration, power tool actuation on/off and automatic filter cleaning which runs a few times each minute.

Dustless Technologies

These guys have been the leaders in dust collection and HEPA certified product for some time, in fact many of the products branded by many of these power tool companies are actually made by Dustless. They had a few new products at the show including an 8” version of their BitBuddie and a new shroud for reciprocating saws.

Probably our favorite new dust collection item we saw at the show was the Dustless HepaPack Vacuum ($500, Ohio Power Tool) but that is probably just because it would make a great Ghostbusters pack for next Halloween. The HepaPack is suprisingly pretty light however it does need emptied often as it only has a 2.5 gallon container for holding debris. Not for everyone but the portability and ease of use will make this a real nice solution for some.
     

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

Nothing would make us happier than to wake up Christmas morning and Santa had dropped a 2HP 16"x42" wood lathe under the tree. Then we could promply knock that tree down and turn that sappy green wood into some kind of decorative spindle post just cause.

JET Tools has issued a code-red, high alert on Black Friday exclusive values. From November 25-29, you’ll save up to 28percent off selected JET woodworking machinery and 15 percent off all JET accessories and mobile bases. Over the course of the code-red sale, JET will highlight its major product categories with tools to keep your workshop humming at peak performance. Click the following link to see products on sale now http://www.coderedsale.com/
       

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 06:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Earlier this week we attended the STAFDA tool trade show but before we ever stepped foot on the show floor we saw many signs announcing Milwaukee M18 Fuel. Our curiosity was immediate sparked and eager to learn more about what it was. Could M18 Fuel be replacing Red Lithium which was the big buzz just one year before? When we got to the Milwaukee section of the show it was no more revealing, there was a huge M18 Fuel sign and a curtained off room only select customers and media folks were allowed to go into.

Wow was this strategy effective in getting all the other tool brands fired up on what was behind the curtain. By this time we had already gotten the full press release and the M18 Fuel website was live so it was not like this was really privileged information anymore but it didn’t matter. Our hats off, when it comes to making a splash the Red Team really knows how to do it right. 

Sooo What is M18 Fuel?

In a word, Brushless. Although that does not tell the full story because the M18 Fuel line also makes several advances in hardware and electronics (called REDLINK PLUS) to better regulate power output which in turn conserves battery life but also allows for more power output than current tools when needed. The smaller brushless motor (called POWERSTATE) will also last longer and provide more power output from less energy. Add the battery improvements the Red Lithium brought to the M18 line last year and you get the full package that makes up the M18 Fuel tools.

The initial launch will be just in drills and hammer drills but we expect new impacts to follow soon after. These Fuel units will not replace the current models immediately because the new tools will be coming in a noticeable price difference. The new brushless technology is still more costly but like with any technological improvements price will come down and eventually replace the brush motors all together.

We really think the technology going into the POWERSTATE brushless motors and REDLINK PLUS power delivery intelligence are going to make these tools the next evolution in cordless drills. In actually using the new tools they are smaller and lighter than the current compact tools but still deliver more power than the full size much heavier versions, it was very impressive. We are not exactly sure how small, powerful and long lasting cordless tools will eventually be but our guess is these engineers aren’t going to stop anytime soon.

Coming early next year, one of the firsts tool shops you will find the new M18 Fuel will of course be Ohio Power Tool, check back soon for Pre-Sale ordering.
     

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 08:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fresh from the 2011 Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) trade show there are several posts worth of new products and discussions that will be fueling the pages of coptool.com for the next week or so. In the meantime if you want the quick look at the whole show plus after party coverage in a single post we have got to give it up to our buddy Marc from Homfixated who had done an excellent job of recapping it all rather nicely. See Full Post Here. Check back later as we will be diving in deeper on a few posts very very soon.
   

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 05:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It is that time of the year again, on Monday & Tuesday next week we will be attending the 35th annual Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) trade show. The show will be in San Antonio, TX this year so hopefully there will be a little extra time to stop and check out a few of the watering holes along their famous Riverwalk.

All the most popular tool brands will be in attendance including Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and some 700+ other popular brands. We will be hitting the show floor to scout out all the latest products from the big guys as well as the little guys with new inventions looking for someone to sell their products. See some of our Past STAFDA Posts from the previous few years, sorry no Sarah Palin or any other big time celebs this year. If you are presenting a cool new product next week, also feel free to email us up until the show.
   

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before we answer the question that has plagued man since the dawn of time, Who’s Got Better Holiday Deals: Bosch or Milwaukee, lets first point out Ohio Power Tool is offering FREE SHIPPING on both brands until December 31, 2011. Simply use the Coupon Code: HOLIDAYS in step 1 of checkout and you are covered for free UPS Ground anywhere in the continental US.

12 Volt Cordless – Our favorite 12V tool on the market today and the most often used is the Bosch PS31-2A ($99, Ohio Power Tool). This is the smallest and most powerful (at 256 in-lbs torque) of any cordless 3/8” drill available. This tool is great for professionals or grandmothers alike, perfect for a holiday gift for anyone.

18 Volt Cordless – New for 2011 are the completely redesigned Brute Tough, Compact Tough, drills and hammer drills. Here are 2 very aggressively prices kits to look at, Compact Tough Drill & Impactor CPLK232-181 ($199, Ohio Power Tool) and Brute Tough Hammer Drill & Impactor CLPK221-181 ($299, Ohio Power Tool). Another great deal is the Bosch 18V Power Box Special, PB360S & PB360D both include a Free HC Lithium Battery Instantly.

New Sanders – Just released and on shelves now are the new 5”/6” Random Orbital Sanders ($229, see our review here) which have already been very popular with the woodworking crowd.

12 Volt Cordless – Lots of great deals including 6 of the most popular M12 Tool Kits for $99. Not to mention the new Ratchets, Jigsaw, Camouflage Heated Jacket and even a M12 Thermal Imaging Camera that should all be here by Christmas. See the full Milwaukee M12 Cordless Line.

18 Volt Cordless – The Compact Drill & Impact Kit 2691-22 ($199, Ohio Power Tool) is a great deal and if you are looking for a more complete kit 4 Tool Combo 2696-24 ($399, Ohio Power Tool) will include a Free 3^rd battery instantly for a limited time.

New Grinders – The new Milwaukee Grinders continue to be very popular and several of the most popular units include a Free FastBack Knife. Watch the Grinder Challenge Video against the DeWalt, Metabo & Makita.

Alright perhaps it’s not so easy to pick a clear winner when we are talking about just Tool Deals. Both brands offer a wide range of professional tools and while we could choose our favorites if we go tool by tool both have their strengths and weaknesses. If you want to talk to the power tool professionals call Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 and those guys will steer you in the right direction.   
    

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 03:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before we even touch on the Camo design pattern our first concern with any tape is how well it actually going to work in its intended applications. This tape is made for outdoor use so right away we knew it was going to be pretty tough and had to be weather resistant. It also claims to be strong enough to stick to uneven surfaces such as brick, stucco and concrete which also sounded like a tall order.

So we put it to the test. Using 2 strips about 18” long directly on cinder block; we didn’t wipe, prep or clean this outside wall beforehand. Then we wrapped another piece around half a wood pallet (7-10lbs) and stuck that piece to the others and left it. Sure enough it holds no problem, while it has only been a few days that is still very impressive to us. We will update you in the springtime or sooner if needed.

The outside is a UV resistant all-weather shell that feels much tougher than other tapes and when you go to tear it you can feel the difference. This tape definitely has some holding power, forget about when you loop it and touch the two sticky sides, because that will never come apart.

The Mossy Oak camouflage is the icing on the tape… makes it ideal for hunting, fishing, camping, etc but more than anything it just look good. Check out all the options of Gorilla Tape (Amazon) with different sizes and colors.
       

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 06:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It is always fun when we get the opportunity to tag along and watch professionals do their work. Recently we have been given just such an opportunity to look behind the scenes and get a glimpse of what the before, during, and after looks like on the job with the Basement Doctor. 

The house was built in 1963 on a hillside in North Central Ohio.  As you can see there is a tremendous amount of mold and mildew all along the bottom of the basement walls.  Also take note of the remnants of leaks and standing water on the floors.  Please note the black mold that had taken root... not something you want to let go untreated in any home.

There has been a tremendous amount of water sitting along the outside walls constantly putting pressure on the foundation.  So much that one of the walls was beginning to bow inward. 

There had been a common damp proofing material applied to these walls some time ago.  Typically these products are just a band aid and do not have very good lasting sustainability.  (Common damp proofing product begin to fail and actually push off the wall at 8psi water pressure)

To take care of the bowing wall The Basement Doctor installed a patented carbon fiber support system called The Reinforcer.  These “ribs” provide tensile support and prevent the wall from bowing any further.  The strips are installed with epoxy and can be painted or finished further. We have seen similar things done with steel beams that stick out from the wall 6-10”, robbing the basement of valuable space and making finishing much more difficult.   

The rest of the basement walls were completely scarified all the way down to the raw cinder block material.  This job was performed using handheld surface grinders equipped with diamond cup grinders and dust collection systems.   Without these vital systems there would have been moldy dust thrown all about the home itself.  To assist the dust collection a negative pressure suction system was used as a total area exhaust.

The most common effective tool for this job we have seen is the Bosch 5” concrete surfacing grinder 1773AK ($399, Ohio Power Tool). This tool is designed specifically for this job, with RPMs set for Bosch diamond cup grinding wheels, specifically designed handles and an exhaust port for sucking our the silica dust. Another more economically priced package is the Bosch 5” grinder kit 18SG-5K ($199, Ohio Power Tool) which uses the popular Bosch 1821 grinder with 5” Dustless cover and Bosch 5” Cup Wheel DC510 (same that comes with 1773AK and retails for $129 alone). 

Posted by Mike Powell at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For a limited time or while supplies last if you purchase a ¾” impact wrench CP7763 ($424, Ohio Power Tool) you will instantly receive a FREE ½” Impact CP7620 ($103, Ohio Power Tool). Both Chicago Pneumatic tools are very high quality units and a terrific deal!

The CP7763 ¾” impact has a 1,200 ft-lbs max torque rate while the CP7620 ½” a very respectable 425 ft-lbs max torque rate. If you should have any questions about any Chicago Pneumatic tools talk to the experts at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 not only do they sell a lot of them they are also the Authorized Service Center.
   

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dremel is best known for bringing the rotary tool industry mainstream and finding their way into the hearts and homes of weekend warriors everywhere.  While Dremel has expanded their breadth of line to include oscillating tools they are now entering and looking to revolutionize the compact saw industry.

The Dremel Saw-Max SM20-02 ($129, Ohio Power Tool) incorporates the Worm-Drive technology, which allows for higher torque in a small package.  Worm drive saws have been a staple of the post WW2 construction industry to this day especially on the west coast, this is the first time however we have seen a 3" version. 

The Saw-Max packs quite the punch for such a small package.  Upon firing it up for the first time you feel the torque and immediately get the feeling that you are not holding a toy. Actually lower amp rating than some similar tools but higher torque thanks to the worm-drive system.

The 3” blades themselves performed pretty well.  The multi purpose carbide blade provided the most versatility and speed of cut.  Initial thoughts were that the carbide blades looked pretty weak, not much grit on there (see pic).  We were pleasantly surprised, they ripped. 

Posted by Mike Powell at 06:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)