Our friend Stuart over at ToolGuyd recently asked us the question which is brighter, the Milwaukee M12 incandescent Xenon light 49-24-0145 ($22, Ohio Power Tool) or the M12 LED Light 49-24-0146 ($49, Ohio Power Tool)? At over double the price you would hope there would be some real advantages here. The lower power consumption on the LED give the flashlight significantly longer run time. Incandescent bulbs get very hot and also burn out leaving you literally in the dark and costing a few bucks to replace, not to mention a trip to the hardware store that might not have them. The light is also brighter and more natural white, but how much so is the question…

Continue reading "Milwaukee M12 Flashlight Challenge – Xenon vs LED" »

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 06:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Somehow we missed this when it came out a few months ago in Fine Homebuilding Magazine. It is a very nice detail comparison of 15 major demo blades for wood. Looking at price, TPI, cut speed, cuts, flexibility, etc it really goes deep with each blade. It was pointed out to us while having a discussion about metal cutting blades in Garage Journal forum which is obviously a different kind of blade but though it was a good read anyway. For the full story check it out here at Torture Test – Demolition Blades

You can also purchase a wide variety of demolition and other Sawzall / Reciprocating Blades from the fine people at Ohio Power Tool.
    

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 04:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For about 2 years now, ever since the patent ran out on Fein for its oscillating multi-tool, we have been hearing about how Bosch was going to come out with corded tool that was going to beat Fein at their own game. Well that day is upon us with the introduction of the new Bosch MX25EC-21 ($149, Ohio Power Tool) and the MX25EK-33 ($194, Ohio Power Tool) kits. How will the Bosch stack up against the Fein specificall as well as the other popular oscillating tools from Rockwell & Dremel? See more pictures in this Photo Album of the Bosch vs Fein.

Continue reading "Bosch MX25E vs Fein MultiMaster Oscillating Tool Showdown" »

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 04:12 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 $799; although no official dates on when these will hit the shelves... we are hoping soon! (Update: 10/1/2010 first shipment ready to go out, as of today units currently available) Of course the new Bosch GCM12SD will share/improve upon some of the great features on the current Bosch 12” Miter 5312 ($599, 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.

Continue reading "Bosch 12” Axial-Glide Miter Saw GCM12SD" »

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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.

Continue reading "M18 Hackzall 2625-21 vs M12 Hackzall Vs Bosch 18V Recip" »

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

Checkout the nice article in the recent Popular Mechanics on the new(er) Rockwell Jawhorse vs the older Black & Decker Workmate. Doug who also writes for ToolSnob, wrote the article and has a lot of field experience as his "real job" he does construction.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 04:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The great guys over at ToolSnob.com helped us all out by making a handy little chart for the most popular models of oscillating tools and what accessories will work with which tools. The post looks at the adaptors and which tools lock in place vs simply “fit”. It also links to all their reviews on each of the tools which are all pretty comprehensive reviews. I would encourage everyone to take a minute and check it out.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 08:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

From time to time I like to look at the top professional tools brands and see what they are up to. Typically I’ll go to their various social media outlets to get the updates and I had a though, why not have one place and make it easy to find them all or better yet pit them against each other in a virtual Battle Royal.

Why is social media important for a power tool company? Obviously it’s important for any company to be involved in the communication about their own products. Please make it as easy as possible for us to get info on your company, events, promos, new tools and accessories.  Probably one of the best examples of a power tool company using social media (although not part of the showdown) would be the Ridgid Forum, here you get real professionals, company reps and lots of others asking talking about new products, applications, issues, events, etc. Why can’t all of them just have awesome forums where we can talk tools.

Milwaukee Tools – FaceBook – YouTube – Twitter
For years it seemed like Milwaukee Tools was perhaps a little behind the times, they were first out with V28 tools with success but also had some misses. Over the past two years however I have been very impressed with what I have seen from the Red camp. With lots of very innovative new products and some real excitement all the way down the line these guys have good focus on professional customers and do a good job of getting info out in many different channels.

Makita Tools – FaceBook – YouTube – Twitter
Makita Tools I think has understood the idea of being involved directly with customers for some time. Not only do they do a good job online but they tie it all in very nicely with their direct promotions/sponsorships in motor sports, MLS Soccer, the 53’ Experience Makita semi-truck, contests, sweepstakes and of course Miss Makita 2010 & Senorita Makita 2010. If there were a high school for power tools, Makita would probably be the coolest kid in class.

DeWalt Tools – FaceBook – YouTube – Pro Blogs
The Yellow brand is by far the most popular of any tool brand and has been for years. They are focused on FaceBook and YouTube with plenty of good videos available on both. The Pro Blogs are a nice feature of their site. They also tie their online outreach in with DeWalt Racing & NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth which helps get more user/fans involved.

Bosch Tools – (Social What Now)
It is kind of surprising Bosch doesn’t do more with social media. I feel like they do a great job getting info out to magazines and other traditional media. They have innovative new products and build product specific sites like www.boschdaredevil.com so obviously not afraid of being online. They are also good about getting info to other bloggers for new products. The lack of social media has got to be by design and perhaps they just don’t like to toot their own horns but it sure would make it easier for the rest of us to stay up on their products, promos, events, etc.

Who wins… got to give credit to the DeWalt for this one, mainly for their Facebook Page which has a ton of user interaction (and better weapons, photo for the DeWalt M16 from the Facebook page). I’m going to call second place a tie between Makita & Milwaukee, which is kind of a coop-out but I really have trouble picking here. Both are doing some good things in different areas but how do I pick between innovative new products and Miss Makita. Bosch takes a back seat for this round. Social media obviously has zero impact on tool quality but if you use it I guess you expect everyone else to as well.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Exactly one year ago today we did a simple comparison post on some new oscillating tools coming out from Dremel and Bosch that would compete directly with the Fein Multi-Master. See Some Fein Looking Tools – Bosch PS50 & Dremel Multi-Max 9/9/08. Since then this post has held strong as our most viewed post ever. I wanted to take a second to revisit the post and perhaps add some more related links, photos & insight now that these tools have been around the block a few times.

Since the original post we added several YouTube Videos (See Below) as well as some additional posts for Bosch PS50 Accessories and Dremel Multi-Max Accessories as well as found some great post on other blogs including this post on toolsnob, one of the best I’ve seen.

Just for good measure I snapped twenty or so more pictures of these two tools and put them in this Facebook Album. Some of the points I was trying to highlight in the added photos would include the difference in size and shape, often people think the Dremel is larger but in fact the Bosch is slightly longer. The difference in Cases, the Bosch is a clear winner here. Also a few pictures of the vents, both of these tools can get hot but the Dremel is often run continuous for longer amounts of time and can get really hot. The Bosch being cordless is less equipped to run continuously so it often has at least a minute or so to cool during battery changes. One guy I spoke with who runs the Dremels all day long actually uses two Multi-Max and puts different attachments on each and use each for 20-30 minutes then switches to the other which saves him time from switching blades but also give the tools time to cool.  

The accessories are also more substantial on the Bosch; in general the Dremel accessories are smaller, thinner metal but less expensive. The sanding pads do work interchangeably but you can see in this photo the Bosch sanding pads are slightly larger. Also you will see in this picture the Bosch adaptor which allows you to use Dremel or Fein blades as well. The Dremel is pictured with a simple washer because this is what we have found many of the tradesmen using so they could use the more substantial Bosch blades with the corded Dremel tool. Funny thing is I didn’t tell them to do this (legal disclaimer: nor would I ever suggest anyone ever alter a tool or make their own adaptors for any tool or accessory ever) but amazingly several different heavy users of these tools came up with the idea on their own. Obviously end users are going to figure out work arounds, manufacturers should accept that and make things easier on everyone.

If you are looking for Dremel Multi-Max ($99) or Bosch Multi-X PS50-2A ($179) PS50-2B ($199) or any of their oscillating tool accessories; Ohio Power Tool keeps all these tools and accessories in stock and able to handle quantity orders.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 01:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Previously we did a post comparing some of the preliminary stats of the Milwaukee M-Spector AV vs Explorer however at that time we were just looking at the numbers from the M-Spector AV press release. Now the M12 M-Spector AV is in stock (at Ohio Power Tool at least) and we can do a more hands on comparison and see some of the differences between the two models.

Right off the bat you’ll see a good size difference in price, Ridgid Explorer 30063 ($690) vs Milwaukee M12 M-Spector AV 2311-21 ($399). So what does the extra $291 get you with the Ridgid and is it worth it? On the surface these two models look very similar, both feature 320x240 resolutin 3.5” screens, 17mm heads and ability to record still images & videos.

The Milwaukee M12 M-Spector AV 2311-21 even has several advantages despite the cheaper price tag. By simply being a part of the Milwaukee M12 line it gets a natural advantage as many people already have batteries, chargers and other tools. The actual M12 battery also lasts longer and charges faster than the Ridgid Explorer lithium battery, although I haven’t heard any complaints about Explorer battery life, it is always a big plus to have more time between charges. The Milwaukee also features a built in microphone for recording where the Ridgid requires a separate microphone.

The Ridgid Micro Explorer 30063 as you would expect for the price, obviously have several advantages over the Milwaukee. A big feature which is very clear when comparing them side by side is the self-leveling feature on the Explorer. This automatically keeps the image right side up which can be important when you are inspecting a pipe that takes a bend or just to keep you sanity. The Milwaukee does have a 180 degree flip option (shown above) which helps sometimes but other times just goes from one awkward view to another.

The Ridgid also wins against the Milwaukee with a much better designed camera head. The Explorer has 4 LED lights vs the Milwaukee single LED light. The head is also a better design with rounded metal face vs Milwaukee’s flat plastic piece. The Milwaukee head makes me nervous because it is very common to see abuse to these heads. The tips get pushed with considerable force to make any turns and all that pressure on that plastic piece… The Explorer also comes with the magnet, hook & mirror attachments (see below) which have proven very useful for specific tasks like pulling wires, recovering dropped screws or jewelry, etc.

The final reason you might pick the Micro Explorer SeeSnake over the Milwaukee is that while Ridgid isn’t building more products to use the same battery they are building products to work specifically with the Explorer. The microDRAIN 33103 for instance is a 30’ SeeSnake reel build specifically to attach to the Explorer and do line inspections. Although the microDRAIN has only been out for a number of weeks it has already had huge success among plumbers. This is the first and only camera that can pass through a toilet trap and is powered off the Explorer power supply. The Micro Explorer also features an expansion slot for future upgrades which, my best guess, could include thermal imaging or other cool technologies.

The verdict, while these two units look similar I would argue they are different enough that there are good reasons to select each. The Ridgid Explorer is a better unit all around but for many applications the added features may not justify the added price. If you need a simple handheld inspection tool you may consider the M12 M-Spector AV 2311-21 ($399) over the Ridgid Micro 31118 ($223) or the standard M-Spector 2310-21 ($249). Also if you need to simply document the inspection with images or video but don’t necessarily need to give the video to a customer the M-Spector AV is a good option. If you are planning to provide a copy to customers I would strongly suggest the Explorer using self leveling and keep them from getting seasick from an upside down spinning videos. Also I would recommend the Ridgid Explorer to any plumber hands down. Even if you are not yet ready to invest in the 30’ microDRAIN there are many additional products that will all be based on this platform coming down the pipe and when you are talking about SeeSnake reels which can cost thousands, paying a few hundred extra now is well worth it.

For many more pictures checkout this Facebook Photo Album. If you have any other questions on any Handheld Inspection Equipment give the professionals at Ohio Power Tool a call 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.      

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 12:43 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 Amstutz at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 Amstutz at 04:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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 Amstutz at 09:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Milwaukee 2410-22 have been shipped and those that pre-ordered from Ohio Power Tool should be receiving their orders starting today. I thought it would be a good opportunity to take a few pictures and compare the sizes and some of the features verse the 12V Bosch PS30-2A, currently the most popular compact drill/driver.

The Milwaukee is only slightly smaller than the Bosch which I had actually thought it would be even smaller yet, side-by-side. I do like the feel of the metal chuck on the Milwaukee and it has a battery gauge, which the Bosch does not. Also I like the fact that the Milwaukee stands up on the base; for some reason the Bosch is just unbalanced enough that it can’t. The Milwaukee case is the traditional red hard plastic case while the Bosch uses a smaller soft case.  The batteries for these two lines are almost identical but obviously not compatible and the LED lights on the tools are about the same. The full spec comparison is on the previous 2410-22 vs PS30-2A post, I just though it would be nice to get some photo side-by-sides out there as well.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The 3/8” Drill/Driver has been a long awaited addition to the Milwaukee M12 line. The 2410-22 ($149) comes with 2410 tool, (2) M12 batteries, charger & case but the drill/driver tool is also available as 2410-20 ($98) which is just the tool by itself. The closest competition for the new drill/driver would be the Bosch 12V Max PS30-2A ($139) which has been out for over a year and is currently leading the 12V compact drill/driver market. Milwaukee is trying hard to improve upon the already successful PS30 design and create a compelling reason to pick their compact drill over anyone else.

Milwaukee M12 2410-22
No Load Speed (2 speed): 0-400/0-1,500 RPM
Torque: 250 in-lbs
Single Sleeve: Metal
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Length: 7-3/8”

Bosch 12V Max PS30-2A
No Load Speed (2 speed): 0-400/0-1,100 RPM
Torque: 220 in-lbs
Single Sleeve: Plastic
Weight: 2.4 lbs
Length: 8-1/2”

In comparing the stats you can see how Milwaukee has worked to build a better tool… at least when it comes to the numbers. Obviously with an extra year of development time they are going to make it faster with more torque. It is also awesome to see that the M12 is over an inch shorter than the Bosch, making it even easier to carry in the tool belt. Adding the metal sleeve on this tool also makes me happy and think back to the introduction of the first generation Bosch PS20 when the tough sell was convincing people such a small tool had a place among professional (see: These Ain’t No Kids Toys 8/23/2007). Clearly we have come a long way and with Milwaukee adding so many M12 tools aimed specifically at Plumbers & Electricians I think everyone has embraced the idea 12 volt tools defiantly have their place among the pros.

If you have any questions about any of the Milwaukee M12 or Bosch 12V Max tools feel free to email sales@ohiopowertool.com or call 800-242-4424. Once I get my hands on the Milwaukee M12 2410-22 we can do a more hands on comparison of the two different models and see if the Milwaukee stands out as much as the stats might indicate. Stay tuned.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 09:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

The chart above shows website traffic to each company’s main website. It doesn’t take into consideration tool sales, units sold, product specific websites (ie boschedge.com, boschdaredevil.com, etc) or any other outside factors. The graph simply measures web traffic reported from a 3^rd party source. In my mind this is a good measure of what is popular and the overall trend of how a company is doing. Overall I think it is pleasantly surprising that the lines weren’t all strait down. Watch the news or read the paper and all you hear is about how the sky is falling, the economy is in the tank and we are all going back to the dark ages but the year over year numbers are up for 3 out of 4 of the largest power tool companies. Again these are just web traffic numbers and not sales or profit numbers, but that’s still pretty positive I think. 

The obvious thing that jumps out is what’s going on with Dewalt? Historically it’s been arguably the most popular tool brand, with tons of very loyal customers however recently the talk in forums has been a little more on the sour side. Black & Decker now owns Dewalt as well as Porter Cable and the overall perception I have read from loyal users is that the quality has definitely come down. The die hard Porter Cable guys are possibly the most unhappy (unfortunately they don’t have their own website; it’s a shared site with Delta and other products so we can’t look at it in the chart). Years ago Porter Cable was considered one of the highest quality professional tool brands on the market, now they are comparable to Ryobi, better for a DIY occasional user.

The second thing that jumped out to me is that Bosch Tools is up 95% in web traffic from last year. That is awesome! There have been some exciting new products including a completely new 18V cordless line, new 12V Max tool and a wide array of new accessories but overall I don’t think this is what is driving the gains. The brand remains very strong, continues to make a high quality product, great innovations in their new products, good marketing and very few layoffs while other companies in general have seen cuts across the board.  

Milwaukee Tools also had some serious gains of 26% in web traffic from the previous 12 months. They had probably the biggest product launches with the new M18 lithium ion line and M12 lithium tool line. Both lines I would consider very successful launches.

Makita Tools also had modest gains but without a new complete line of tools to launches I think they did a good job in keeping traffic up with the new products they did have as well as strong promotions and relationships with MLS, Suzuki, Rockstar and sponsored events.     

Overall I think these numbers are pretty positive and sure lots of people are just window shopping but I think it’s a good look at the overall popularity of the brands and the trends. There are plenty of other tool brands to compare or you might want to see your site’s traffic compared to your competitors, I would strongly encourage anyone to do some comparisons of your own at www.compete.com.     

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 04:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

There is sometimes a little confusion as to what bits work with which tools and what the best bits to use with each job are. It is a little confusing, even for us who are constantly using these different acronyms. It was much simpler before when there was just SDS with smaller bits and Spline Drive for the larger heavy duty stuff. Later there was the introduction of the SDS-Plus which does work interchangeably with regular SDS bit and simply offered a stronger connection, so not much confusion there. Then however we got the SDS Max which is not compatible with anything else and is very similar to Spline Drive for strength and capacity.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Most people are aware the new Dremel Multi-Max tool is out and that you can buy it online but why bother everyone is selling it for around $100 might as well go to the local big box store and pick it up there for about the same price right? Ah but if you read the fine print the 6300-01 model which everyone else on the planet is selling is not the same as the box's 6300-02L (Wonder which store the L could indicate).

The regular 6300-01 kit is pretty lean on accessories in the first place, it comes with the MM610 Scraper, MM440 ¾” wood blade, MM450 3” round wood & drywall blade, MM11 sanding pad with several kinds of sand paper. This is just enough to get started and do a few projects. The 6300-02L looks identical in almost everyway to the 6300-01 except the different model number in the lower left corner. What’s the difference? The difference is the 6300-02L in missing the MM450 3” round blade, the most useful of the accessory in the original kit. The cost for this blade at a big box store $9.95 ($8.75 on OPT) that would make the kit 10% over everyone else price for the Multi-Max tool. I have no problem with the big box stores marking up their products and making bigger margins. They are convenient and you can go there for all sorts of junk and will pay a little more for things but don't lie to us. This is misleading and just plain old fashion shady. The intent from the start was to misrepresent this product as the same as everyone else and most people have no idea just as the box stores planed. If I went into all our 6300-01 kits and stole the MM450 blade then sold them as normal people would call me a thief right.

This happens all the time at the big box stores and nobody really says anything. I couldn’t sleep at night if I mislead and ripped off my customers like this. However that is probably why we have a single location in Columbus, Ohio and the Big Boxes are scouting new store locations on the moon.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 09:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We previously reviewed these two tools and even did some comparisons in a YouTube video. My initial though was that they would probably sell pretty evenly as each tool has its advantages. So far however the Dremel has proven to be the favorite of the two selling out almost as quick as they are coming in. The accessories have also been hard to keep in stock. This will be one of the hottest guy gifts for the 2008 holiday season, no question.

The Dremel Multi-Max 6300-01 is the cheaper of the two by almost half at $99. I think that might be the ideal price for most people to make an impulse purchase even if they know little about these oscillating tools.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 09:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Bosch has recently launched a line of Glass & Tile drill bits which range in size from 1/8” to 1”. These bits are ideal for bathroom installations, fastening mirrors, setting screws in tile, relief holes in glass, holding signage and much more. The new Bosch bits feature carbide tips for long life, reinforced heads to prevent cracking, precision ground tips which prevents bit walking and they are the only company to offer up to 1” size. The 8 piece drill bit set ($38) is a no brainer even if you only need 2 or 3 sizes. Of course you can get the set or any individual bit from OhioPowerTool.com.    

 I though this might also be a great time to test the New Bosch PS30-2a 3/8” drill as these drills will ship within the next few days. The PS30 handled these glass and tile bits amazingly well as you can see in the above video. We also tested a ¾” Rapid Feed Spade bit and different size drill bits all with outstanding performance.   
 

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 03:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I’m sure most people are fully aware of the new compact tools being launched by both Milwaukee and Bosch, and possibly tired of hearing about them. Apparently I can’t shut about it but there is a lot happening all at once after what seems like a long drought of no new tools. Obviously these tools have a huge potential for gifts around the holidays so it’s no wonder they delayed the launch until October just in time to get the word out and all the products on the shelves for holiday shopping season.

Finally I think we have the full picture of what tools are available for each of these lines at least until first quarter 2009. At this point I think it’s probably more important to look at the full lines vs. simply comparing tool for tool as we did previously with Bosch Pocket Driver vs. Milwaukee Micro Driver. When it comes down to it most people are probably going to assume the drivers, impacts and flashlights will work fairly similar with both lines. These will probably not drive the buying decisions but the two lines do have some different tools available that are very unique.

They match up fairly evenly with 6 tools each but some big differences in what they do. In just looking at the unique tools Milwaukee has the M-Spector, Pipe Cutter & Hackzall while Bosch has the i-Drive, 3/8” Drill & Multi-X. My first reaction is that the Bosch products have more broad appeal, if we are talking about the regular user or DIY guy I think these might make more sense. The Milwaukee products however are focused on professionals and do a good job of using the small size to create great new supplemental tools for someone who already has an 18 volt drill and other tools. The ace in the hole for Bosch is really the Multi-X PS50, there has been a lot of buzz about this one. The tool has so many uses and really can do jobs no other tool can. If you are already committed to the Milwaukee M12 line you can always pick up the Dremel Multi-Max for $99 which can tackle the same basic jobs but it has also got a cord.     

Milwaukee has some nice multiple tool kits which make a lot of sense as the tool only versions of most of these new tools will not be available until later (I am assuming after the end of the year) and how many batteries and chargers do you really need. Also I hate to discredit the Hackzall, I think this thing has a ton of use for everyone; it’s very powerful, incredibly easy to use, part jigsaw, part Rotozip, part Sawzall and very small. The 2490-22 kit with Micro Driver and Hackzall for $249 will be extremely popular for Pros and DIY guys alike.   

It’s a very tough call. I don’t think the decision would be that easy for anyone. For plumbers, HVAC, electricians and other tradesman I would have to give an advantage to the Milwaukee M12 line for some of their specialty tools. For everyone else I think it’s going to be hard to pass up the PS50 Multi-X tool. This thing is going to be all over those “Top 10 Gifts for a Guy” lists this holiday.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 02:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now where have we seen tools that look like these before? It’s no secret that many companies have been waiting for the day they can legally bring products to market that can compete directly with the Fein MultiMaster. Fein has been unbelievably successful with these tools and if you have ever used one you will know exactly why. I even saw a MultiMaster Tool infomercial. Fein makes great professional quality tools however they are definitely on the pricier side which may keep these tools out of many people’s hands.

There are two new models that will compete directly with the Fein MultiMaster. Both Bosch & Dremel have new tools that will be significantly cheaper but do the same basic multi tool jobs. The Bosch will work with the existing cordless 12V max batteries while the Dremel Multi-Max will be a corded model.

Dremel Multi-Max vs. Fein MultiMaster

The Dremel Multi-Max will start at $99 vs. Fein MultiMaster Start at $245. Both are similar in size and have the same max oscillation per minute at 21,000 OPM. They both can use either brands attachments but the Dremel attachments will cost about half as much. Both feature quick change options. At 40% of the price I think the Dremel might be the choice for many people who have not picked up a Fein yet.

Bosch Multi-X PS50 vs. Fein MultiMaster ACCU Cordless

On Power rating the Fein is 9.6V vs. Bosch at 12V. On Speed the Fein has a Max 14,500 OPM vs. Bosch Max 20,000 OPM. On price the Fein Cordless in $481.50 and the Bosch PS50-2A is $179. The Bosch also works with a wide range of other great 12V Max tools, with more to come. The Bosch Accessories are about half the price of the Fein but work interchangably with Fein 636 model's accessories. I think we may have a new player in the field when the PS50 is actually available.  

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

First things First, this is not an equal comparison of two identical products. Looks are deceiving with these new hole saws because while they look very similar they function very differently and are also priced very differently. The only reason we even are comparing the two products is because a lot of people that are looking at these as equal products. Hopefully this post will help highlight some of the similarities and differences of these two products.  

The Milwaukee Big Hawg is primarily a wood hole saw. The pilot is a 3/8” spade like bit and the teeth are hardened steel. While an occasional nail will not damage the saw it is not intended for metal, concrete, fiber board or any other materials. The advantage over a bi-metal hole saw is that it is faster, longer lasting, much easier to get the wood core out as well as easier to sharpen. The advantage over self-feed bits it that they are much cleaner (far less shavings) and will last longer, up to 600 holes between sharpening.  

The Bosch Carbide Hole Saw has a drill bit pilot and is made to go through a wide range of materials including: cinder block, metal, cement board, wood and many other materials. The tips are diamond ground carbide and extremely tough.

At first glance the Bosch Carbide looks like the superiors product and it is but the price tag is also double that of the Milwaukee Big Hawgs. Comparison price on a 2-1/8” hole saw: Bosch $55.40 vs. Milwaukee $26.32. While both Hole Saws made it through the wood test in almost identical times the Milwaukee would obviously be the smarter choice at half the price. However if you want a hole saw that is going to do more than cut wood do not buy the Big Hawg. We tested the Milwaukee on all the other materials in the video but basically ruined the pilot bit and damaged the saw by doing so.

Hopefully this post and video will help you determine the right hole saw for you. There are also many hole saw kits from Bosch and Milwaukee listed on OhioPowerTool.com.

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 04:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Popular Mechanic conducted the comparison below a few months ago which I though did a pretty good job creating real testing subjects with multiple materials. The two tests were named the “Nail Biter” and “PM House Sandwich”

PM House Sandwich – Smashed together 1/2-in. drywall, 2 x 6 lumber, 1 x 4 lumber, 1 1/4-in. PVC pipe, steel conduit, two 12-ga. cables, two pieces steel strapping, insulation.

Milwaukee 15 Amp Super Sawzall | $187.50, OhioPowerTool.com
Blade Damage: A /// Smoothness: A- /// Power: A- /// Overall: A-

Posted by Jay Amstutz at 07:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Milwaukee recently announced the introduction of their 2 new inspection cameras the 2301-21 and 2300-20. We had a chance recently to get our hands on the M-Spector 2301-21 and compare it with the Ridgid Seesnake Micro. Here are some of my comparisons.

The basic feel of the M-Spector is that’s actually a little larger than I previously though. The handle is thicker than the Seesnake Micro and the vertical design makes it much taller than the Micro. The thumb locations do make it much easier to change light settings and the new digital zoom feature is an advantage over the Micro. The screen sizes are the same but the Milwaukee has better resolution at 320x240 vs. 234x160 with the Micro. The case for the Milwaukee 2301-21 is the typical red hard plastic case Milwaukee makes for each product. The case is also very large because it houses the charger and battery as well. The Ridgid case is a much smaller cloth case with foam lining.

In terms of performance I felt both did a very similar job actually viewing items. I couldn’t see any difference in light strength. One problem I still have with both cameras is there is no way to change orientation of the camera so the image is constantly sideways or upside down. I did see on the Milwaukee M-Spector that it says it only allows a 9’ reach with extensions (which is only 2 extensions). The Ridgid allows up to 9 extensions for a total of 30’. The Milwaukee is digital so in theory it should be able to handle many more than 2 extensions without image loss but there is no way to test it until it comes out. I was also told the 3’ extensions are not interchangeable between Ridgid and Milwaukee. The Ridgid Seesnake, unlike the Milwaukee, does come with 3 attachments (mirror, magnet and hook) which are good for pulling wires, picking up items, etc. The final big advantage for the Milwaukee is that it works with existing 12 volt lithium ion system that includes the 2401-22 Micro Driver and many more tools to come.

Overall I think it’s a pretty even match. The Milwaukee 2301-21 is $20 more than the Seesnake but you can use the battery with your other Milwaukee tools. I think the deciding factor for me would be if I were also going to put a 2401-22 Micro Driver in the tool box than I am going with the Milwaukee. The 2300-20 (M-Spector that comes out in Aug-Sept) works off regular batteries like the Ridgid Micro and in that case I would stick with the Seesnake Micro.  

You can *PRE-ORDER* the Milwaukee 2301-21 M-Spector at Ohio Power Tool for $239.99. The pre-order means you will receive the product when we receive it. There is no promised date (because these are often delayed) but the credit card or paypal will not be fully processed until the product is ready to ship, so the pre-order is similar to a reservation.                     

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

There are a small number of people that use a mag drill on a daily basis and you are well aware if you are one of them. These tools are becoming more popular for much more than just working on I-beams. If you are considering a mag drill or an upgrade there are several important things to consider.

Hougen and Milwaukee are probably the two best known and most reliable makers of mag drills. Magnetic drills vary greatly in their size, weight, height, depth of cut (d.o.c.), amp power, RPMs and several other features. Hougen makes the smallest mag drills available, HMD115 & HMD150, which have an extremely low profile. The small sizes makes these incredibly useful for working in tight spaces such as with automotive and trucking applications.

One of the most popular mag drills and a real work horse is the Hougen HMD 904. This model is light weight at 27.5 lbs, powerful with 450 RPM and d.o.c. of 2”. It has a height of 16” and easy to work with if not in a tight spot. This model is also available as the HMD904S which features a swivel base. The swivel base allows you to get the drill close to the hole and then do a more precise line up with the tool in position. This is an especially huge advantage when using a mag drill in the horizontal or overhead position.

For more heavy duty applications consider the Hougen HMD925 with Powerfeed or the HMD505 that has a d.o.c. of 3” and 2 RPM speed options. The Milwaukee mag drills on OhioPowerTool.com are larger machines ranging from 57-72 lbs. heavier than any of the Hougen drills available although they do have some good features. These Milwaukee units feature adjustable bases for lining up your hole exactly. Also the Milwaukee drills feature keyed chucks which can use regular drill bits, hole saws or the Milwaukee Steel Hawg Cutters up to 6”. Milwaukee does have a smaller Hougen style mag drill 4270-20 but there are many reasons why the Hougen outperforms it. Please comment if you disagree, this will probably be a future article.

When considering drilling into solid metal the drill bit itself is a large considerations. Hougen features several varieties of Rotabroach Annular Cutters engineered to be one of the best metal cutters on the market. The Rotabroach cutters will work with other mag drills but will not work with chuck type mag drills. The smaller Hougen drills use different cutters all together which are more compact the Rotaloc (HMD115) and Rotaloc Plus (HMD150). If you are looking for cutters that work with a 3/8" chuck, the Milwaukee Steel Hawg Cutters work with traditional chucks and range in size from 7/8” to 6”. For cutting thin metal, such as sheet metal, Hougen makes several kits (RotaCut & Holcutter) which work in a traditional chuck style hand drills.    

Deciding which type of mag drill and cutters you will need is not an easy decision and not something you can determine easily by reading a quick blog post. I would recommend calling the professionals at Ohio Power Tool (800-242-4424) if you have any questions.

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