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.
Continue reading "On the Job: Restoring a Basement with the Basement Doctor" »
We recently got involved with a project where one of the elements was new exterior siding. Having served the construction industry for many years, Exterior Portfolio (as well as Crane Plastics) is a very well known national brand for us, which also happens to be based right here in Columbus, Ohio. For the design and planning stage we tried out their Free tool on their website, and here is what we thought.
Continue reading "Exterior Portfolio - Dream Designer Exterior Siding Tool" »
We had a chance to test out the new Milwaukee M18 Caulk Guns recently and the most impressive feature was certainly the control this gun provided. Not only does the trigger offer very sensitive variable speed control but it also has a dial gauge to really fine tune the flow rates. If you have ever used cordless caulk guns in the past this is normally the biggest complaint, they are just sloppy. Also the Anti-Drip feature cuts off flow right when the trigger is released so you don’t get that last glop of material. With a claim of 200 tubes per charge this is the perfect tool for heavy caulk and adhesives. Read the full Milwaukee Press Release below and check out this video from our Friends at Chales & Hudson.
Continue reading "Milwaukee Tool New M18 Cordless Caulk Gun 2641-21CT" »
Possibly one of our new favorite tools, not only becuase it looks like a weapon out of a Japanese comic book, but also because it may change the way a lot of us cut concrete. Price on the hydraulic unit is pretty pricy for the Dragon Saw HDS60 ($6952, Ohio Power Tool) but in many ways will be a cost savings once these units get into production. Also Pneumatic, Electic and Gas units should be coming soon and all look to be more economically priced. In the mean time check out the latest video to really learn more about the inner workings of this machine... you may want to skip to 1:17.
Continue reading "Diamond Products Dragon Saw HDS60 - New Videos" »
We have been seeing a recent trend, which we are really happy about, of finding new ways to improve how concrete fasteners are installed. Not only does this make the job easier on the installers it actually makes the installation more to spec in most cases. This could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars if an inspector decided they didn’t like the way a job was done. While DEWALT is launching this installation tool for Pin Anchors in concrete; Bosch has also introduced a Stop Bit for installing Drop-In Anchors. Two completely different applications but we are happy the big companies are using their R&D muscle to improve these applications. The more the merrier is our thought when it comes to improved methods, reducing expense and saving time.
Continue reading "New Pin Anchor Nail-In Drive System from DEWALT" »
Here is just another fun way the guys at Bosch are showing off their new Power Box PB360S ($199, Ohio Power Tool) by playing Corn Hole with a working unit and giving away Free Radios to anyone who gets it in. Now to actually sink the radio on the first try is not easily done, it’s kind of like a carnival game really but we did see 2 first try winners of brand new Power Boxes that afternoon and we actually landed one ourselves at the end of the day… on try twenty something.
The real point is to show how durable this radio is and have a little fun doing it which this certainly did. This radio went all day on a single Bosch 18V battery without skipping a beat once. Really there should be no worries of a fall off a lift gate or couple knocks in the van, these radios are going to be able to handle the abuse and still charge your cordless batteries while doing it. Check out the short video from the event!
This is a pretty impressive solution to creating a permanent structure after a national disaster in very little time. Basically it's an airtight tent that is erected with the help of an air compressor. The tent is made of lightweight canvas mat strips that are impregnated with dry concrete material that once wet will solidify into that shape indefinitely. The hardening time is only 24 hours, at which point the exterior shell can be drilled to install electrical and lighting.
Continue reading "Building an Emergency Concrete Structure in an Hour or Less" »
These new SDS-Plus Bosch Bits are specifically made to drill the exact depth of the most popular Drop-In anchors. This is a much better method of installing these type of drop-ins quickly and accurately every time. Joe from www.bethepro.com does a great job of demonstration how these are used in this YouTube video with the Bosch press release below that. If you are interested in purchasing some of these bits call the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or get them online under SDS-Plus Bosch Bits.
Continue reading "Bosch Stop Bits - Perfect Tool for setting Drop-In Anchors" »
The relatively new technique (at least for construction blades) of vacuum bonding the diamonds to the blade means all the diamonds are on the outside of the blade and there is only a single layer. In the case of the Diamond Products Cut Core A2Z blades the diamonds are of a higher quality and held in place much longer meaning it can cut metal, rock, concrete, asphalt and just about anything pretty equally. The cuts should be much faster however because it is a single layer the life of the blade is going to be much less in concrete. In this case the chocolate chips are all on top of the cookie not baked into it. For fire and rescue this is an idea blade because it will go through all the materials you might face very quickly while creating relatively fewer sparks and debris.
Continue reading "Diamond A2Z Blades Cuts Steel, Concrete & Bullet Proof Glass" »
We first got a look at this new compact table saw back at 2010 STAFDA show but didn’t really get a chance to learn much about it. Now that the Bosch GTS1031 ($399, Ohio Power Tool) is in-stock we had a little more time to look it over and check out some of the features on this new table saw.
Continue reading "Bosch Compact Portable Jobsite Table Saw GTS1031" »
In the interest of full disclosure this is the first time we really have spend any significant amount of time with a pin nailer. Previously we had thought of an 18ga brad nailer more as the go to finishing tool for molding, trims and regular finishing. The pin nailer, in our head, seemed more for decorative accents or craft projects.
After some research and using the Porter Cable PIN138 ($136, Amazon) a couple of times we are starting to feel pretty stupid for that kind of thinking. Similar to how we felt the first few times we used an impact driver instead of a traditional drill several years back. Now we are curious just what all this little pinner is capable of, in chatting with some folks in different construction forums they were discussing techniques of using liquid nail and pins (more to secure while the adhesive dries) to install crown molding. That seems pretty optimistic but they are having success with it and no need to go back and fill holes.
Continue reading "Porter Cable 23ga Nailer PIN138 & Compressor C2004 – Review" »
Last June we got our first crack at the Bosch Glide Saw GCM12SD and we are still very impressed with this unit each time we use it. One of the big points we got from the Bosch product manager on the Glide Saw was that they wanted to keep the price “reasonable” so that is was still within the range of other competitor miter saws but would offer all the obvious advantages of the no rail system. In contrast the Festool Kapex KS120 ($1300, Amazon) accomplishes the same reduction in protruding rails but obviously does so at a premium price.
Continue reading "Free 96T PRO Blade with the Bosch Glide Saw GCM12SD" »
The Kett Vacuum Saw KSV-434 ($445, Ohio Power Tool) has been around for many years and during that time has been a very popular tool. One of the most common applications have been for disaster recovery such as fire & flood repair. This work is made much easier with these Kett Saws because it is so easy to cut into paneling and drywall at a selected depth by setting the depth gauge. This allows for a very clean removal without damaging the studs and framing. For this reason remodeler also find the tool extremely handy when it comes to this kind of task.
Continue reading "Kett Tools KSV-434 Vacuum Saw to Meet EPA Requirements" »
One of our personal joys in writing for this blog is the rare opportunity to talk to a guy who has “An Idea” and then sees it through to a product. Such is the case with Keith Sands from Oklahoma who though there must be a better way to drill post holes than traditional 1 or 2 man post hole augers. Some time ago he created the EZ-Way Earth Drill which has a simple crank mechanism, dolly style wheels and aggressive gearing to drill a post hole up to 10”x28” with literally no sweat. The unit also saves from any stress on the back in setup or operation, no dangerous jerking when the drill catches a root or rock and produces a very clean hole, quickly.
Continue reading "The Earth Drill Post Hole Auger – Definitely Made In America" »
Over the past few months the industries first lithium-ion tool line, Milwaukee V28, got an overhaul to the Milwaukee M28. Many of the industry leading tools remained the same however all the battery systems now features the latest and greatest M technology to increase each tools power, runtime and prolong the battery life.
The nice guys at Ohio Power Tool were not happy to just let everyone know they had all the new tools in-stock however they also felt compelled to give a ton of stuff away. So until the end of the month or until supplies run out (most likely the second) Ohio Power Tool is giving away a M28 Battery 48-11-2830 ($159, Ohio Power Tool) with every 3 Tool ($599) & 4 Tool ($719) Combo Kit. Also with any individual tool kit (not including bare tools) they are giving away a one of the brand new M28 LED Flashlights 49-24-0187 ($59, Ohio Power Tool). This even includes the brand new hammer drill 0726-22 which features 750 in-lbs torque!
Continue reading "Milwaukee M28 Cordless Tools Are Here… And with a Bang" »
When we received this latest Milwaukee press release (see below) we were surprised nobody had made a similar flush cut reciprocating blade before. Last May we helped out on a local Habitat Blitz Build and personally cut all the doorway plates from the pre-made walls. We of course used the blade upside-down in the Sawzall to get it as close to level with the floor as possible but still required a little finesse to not hit the blade against the concrete more than necessary. This blade will make the job much easier and faster. It's just odd that it has not been thought of before. The new blades also feature “The Fang” and “Nail Guard”, check out our recent post to see the videos on those new features. These will both be available shortly on the page for Sawzall Blades at Ohio Power Tool.
Continue reading "New Milwaukee Sawzall Blades for Flush Cut & Rough-In" »
Today is the official start of the exhibitor part of the World of Concrete which will last until this Friday the 21st. If you have never been to this show it is quite a sight with 3 huge indoor halls and 2 outside areas. Over 50,000 people are expected to attend this year with a ton of new products being announced for the first time. “Going Green” is of course a buzz word in any industry and the World of Concrete is no exception. Multiquip has announcing the first ever fuel cell light tower which in addition to being economically friendly also offers several other advantages in operation. 
Continue reading "Multiquip Announces Fuel Cell Light Tower at World of Concrete" »
January is always a fun time to talk concrete because of the World of Concrete show at the end of the month. If you have a chance to go one interesting demonstrations you will probably see is the guys cutting perfect square windows in solid wall slabs of concrete using diamond chain saws. It still amazes us everytime we see it. There really is nothing that compares to these concrete chain saws when you are looking at cutting power to weight and the ability for one person to control it.
Continue reading "Concrete Cutting with CS Unitec Diamond Chain Saws" »
Just before the end of the year Milwaukee Tool released the first wave of their brand new M28 Hammer Drill 0726-22 ($419, Ohio Power Tool). The new drill sports an impressive 750 in.lbs torque more than any other hammer drill of its kind in 18V-36V range. It also slimmed down in size to about the same size as the new M18 hammer drills (see our post M18 hammer vs M18 hammer for more on those). The difference in size in weight of the batteries is another story all together.
Continue reading "Milwaukee M28 Hammer Drill 0726-22 vs M18 Hammer Drill" »
This Bosch Table Saw in the standard of excellence on jobsites around the globe, these are very accurate and very rugged table saws. When paired with the Gravity Rise stand it is very easy to get this shop quality table saw anywhere you want to go. Until the end of the year or stock runs out, the nice folks at Ohio Power Tool are selling the Brand New (never refurbished products) saw & stand Bosch 4100-09 for $499! We have never seen a price that low on this unit and in fact if you search the other 50+ people selling it on Google Shopping you will see nobody is even close.
Continue reading "Bosch 10” Table Saw 4100-09 End of the Year Special - $499" »
At the recent STAFDA trade show we had a chance to test out the new Irwin Universal Handsaws. We all have/use traditional handsaws and our guess is yours might be older, dull, possibly rusty, etc. If that is the case you should definitely consider one of the new Irwin Handsaws as a good option. There are 2 standard sizes 15” 1773456 ($20, Amazon) and the 20” 1773466 ($23, Amazon) which are very competitive with other popular saws that are using 100+ year old designs.
Continue reading "Irwin Tools Univeral Handsaw with 15” & 20” Blades" »
My parents live in the same house as when I was born and since then there have been many additions/improvements to the home including a new garage, master bedroom, sunroom, deck/patio (twice), front porch, remodeled kitchen, various bath remodels & many other projects along the way. Thinking back one thing that always sticks in my head was an image of dad with that pencil behind his ear, once that happened we knew dad meant business. It was time to stand back and watch the wood chips fly.
Continue reading "CH Hanson Retractable Carpenter's Pencil Pull 10570" »
There is still time to register on 12 Days of Bits & Blades to win one of today’s 4 great prizes as well as the Grand Prize of a 4 Tool Bosch Cordless Combo Kit CLPK41-120 ($374, Ohio Power Tool). When all is said and done there will be 20 winners of Bosch tools & accessories and we wanted to thank the nice folks at Bosch for providing all the goodies and Ohio Power Tool for handling all the shipping & logistics. We Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday Season. Don’t forget Ohio Power Tool has great pricing on all Bosch Tools with Free Shipping until the end of the year.
Today’s Featured Product & Giveaway – Diamond Blades: Segmented 4” DB441 ($18, Ohio Power Tool), Turbo 4” DB442 ($15, Ohio Power Tool), Continuous 4” DB443 ($21, Ohio Power Tool), Turbo 7” DB742 ($26, Ohio Power Tool)
Continue reading "Diamond Saw Blades – Final Day of 12 Days of Bits & Blades" »
Only 1 more day left and we promise the last one will be a good one. There is still time to register on 12 Days of Bits & Blades before the Grand Prize in selected! Today’s winner will certainly not have to worry about Driver Bits for a long time. The kit includes more than enough strait, Phillips, square, torx, new P2R2 driver bit as well as several sizes of nut setters. The nice hard plastic case makes storage very clean and organized. This is another kit that would be great gift for such a wide range of people this Holiday season. Check out all the Screwdriver Bit Sets on OhioPowerTool.com.
Today’s Featured Product & Giveaway – 49 Piece Screwdriver Bit Set T4047 ($39, Ohio Power Tool)
We are in the final stretch of the 12 Days of Bits & Blades contest with some exciting new products still to give away, not to mention the Grand Prize which we will announce Monday! Today is no exception as we are featuring the brand new Concrete Carbide Drill Bits which we will select 5 winners!
Today’s Featured Product & Giveaway – Speed-X 5/8” SDS-Max Carbide Hammer Bit ($40.50, Ohio Power Tool)
Continue reading "Speed-X SDS-Max Carbide – (Day 10) 12 Days of Bits & Blades" »
It's winter time here in Ohio and we just had our first decent snow fall. Only two weeks ago we were enjoying a nice Indian summer but it looks like we are well beyond that now. When it comes to serious BTUs (50k-150k per unit) from a portable electric heater there are a few options. If you have already moved past the less expensive kerosene & other gas options for what ever reason there are some real advantages to electric including cleaner, safer, easier. Here are the different types to choose from in the way the electric heaters actually heat.
Continue reading "Industrial Portable Electric Heaters - Infrared vs Forced Air" »
When it comes to driving Tappers into concrete you are going to need several accessories and may even be using several tools. First you need to use a carbide bit and a rotary hammer to drill the right size hole in the concrete. Second you need to switch to drill mode (or seperate drill) and use a different bit to anchor the Tapper screws. Today’s Giveaway Prize makes this process so much easier. There is still time to register on the 12 Days of Bits & Blades page, plus 8 more days of prizes and the Grand Prize still to come!
Today’s Featured Product & Giveaway – Anchor Drive Installation Tool Kit HC2309 ($38, Ohio Power Tool)
Continue reading "Concrete Anchor Driving Kit – (Day 3) 12 Days of Bits & Blades" »
We were lucky enough to get one of the M12 Heated Jackets 2331-XL ($169, Ohio Power Tool) just in time for what we saw as the perfect testing grounds. The Ohio State vs Michigan football game and while not the rival it once was (because of the obvious overwhelming talent we see from the Buckeyes each year) never the less a few hundred thousand nice folks still show up each year to participate in game and merriment that accompanies just such an occasion.
Continue reading "The Milwaukee M12 Heated Jacket 2331 & Ohio State Tailgating" »
Starting today, through next Friday Coptool.com will be featuring 1 Bosch accessory each day. There will also be daily giveaways on that accessory as well as other Bosch gear giveaways. On the last day we will select a grand prize winner of the CLPK41-120 ($374, Ohio Power Tool). We have teamed up with our friends at Joe the Pro to make this possible, to enter simply register on the 12 Days of Bits & Blades page (as often as once each day) and check back here for the daily winners.
Today’s Featured Product & Giveaway – Quick Change Hole Saw Kit HBUSKIT ($39, Ohio Power Tool)
Continue reading "Bosch Quick Change Hole Saw Kits – 12 Days of Bits & Blades Giveaway" »
Right off the bat we were a little wary, as this new tool shares the name with one of our favorite 80’s Scy-Fi movies BladeRunner (1982, imdb). Our thought is if you are going to share the name with an awesome movie you better have an equally awesome power tool. We saw it in person at the recent STAFDA show but have not yet had a chance to test it out. The good news is it looks like it does have all the makings of a pretty sweet machine.
Continue reading "Rockwell BladeRunner – Jig Saw, Scroll Saw, Table Saw Hybrid" »
Several months ago we got the first look at the M12 Palm Nailer 2458-21 ($129, Ohio Power Tool) and it would be hard for me to express the level of skepticism we had before getting our hands on it. This is because we had tested out the Craftsman Auto-Hammer previously and seen a few other automatic hammers from Ryobi and Ridgid, all of which were significantly underpowered to be called “Palm Nailers”. In the defense of these other hammers they were not claiming to be palm nailers and for smaller nails do an ok job. These units could certainly not drive the 16D nails we think of when using a pneumatic palm nailer to perhaps frame a deck.
After about 5 seconds with the Milwaukee M12 Palm Nailer our whole view on cordless “Auto Hammers” had changed. Apparently it is possible to get all the power of a pneumatic palm nailer into a cordless unit. It is also much more effective because the main purpose of the palm nailer is to get into tight spaces, dragging a long air hose only makes that more difficult. Also in confined spaces it is often dark and hard to see the work space. The LED light built into the cordless M12 unit is very handy in these situations. The 2458-21 kit is one of the first tools to come with the new M12 Red Lithium batteries for added power and battery life. You can expect up to 100 nails per charge, which is very impressive for such a compact tool. For more info read the Milwaukee Press Release Below.
Continue reading "Milwaukee M12 Palm Nailer with Red Lithium 2458-21" »
Over the years we have seen lots of “programs” from various tool manufacturers working to promote different tools or accessories with varying success. One thing we can safely say is we have never seen a program with this much bit. The BSS program has a lot of elements all working together to provide Bosch customers the best possible experience with Bosch Tools through the lifetime of ownership. The program includes the setup of a fantastic looking Bosch section of the showroom, creating basically a store with a store (think Rockler within a woodworking store) but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Continue reading "Bosch System Specialists (BSS) & What It Means to You" »
The RH432VCQ also features the Quick Change Chuck System which allows you to easily remove the SDS-Plus chuck and very quickly switch it out for a 3 jawed chuck (sold separately). This is a very nice feature if you have a variety of strait and SDS-Plus bit but for most users probably isn’t necessary and will never purchase the optional chuck. See video below.
Continue reading "New Bosch SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drills 1-1/8” & 1-1/4”" »
From now until the end of the year you can get a free 7piece Milwaukee Hex Drill Bit Set 48-89-4431 ($18.75, Ohio Power Tool) when you purchase a 29pc Milwaukee Driver Bit Set 48-32-4401 ($19.94, Ohio Power Tool). That is almost double the value in free goods which is a very aggressive was to convert people over to the Shockwave accessories which are specifically designed for the impact tools. These bits perform significantly better under the high torque loads of an impact tool and will last much longer. There are currently some great deals on Milwaukee M18 impact kits including the Compact 2691-22 ($219, Ohio Power Tool) or the 2697-22 ($299, Ohio Power Tool).
The only downside of the promotion is that it is a Mail-In Rebate (see PDF here) which means you’ll have to wait several weeks for the Hex Drill Bits. Still well worth picking one up and taking 2 minutes mailing in the paper work.
If you have spent any time drilling into concrete with rebar chances are you have ruined a bit or two. Instead of just powering through it however there is a much faster cheaper way. For repetitive drilling with a SDS-Max or Spline Hammer Drill the best setup we have found is to use a second drill with a carbide cutter. The good news is the second drill would be a much smaller drill (not in hammer mode) either a SDS-Plus Rebar Cutter or coming soon you can also use a strait shank carbide cutter and still be able to cut up to 1.5” rebar. Most people will already have one of those drills so for the price of a cutter ($30-60, Ohio Power Tool) you can save potentially hundreds in concrete bits. Read the full Bosch Press Release below for more info.
Continue reading "Rebar Cutters Solve #1 Problem in Concrete Drilling" »
Dustless Technologies is quickly becoming the name brand in dust removal technology. The Dustless HEPA vacuum was one of the first to become EPA certified for lead paint removal under the $500 price. The BitBuddies are now available in 2 versions: 1-3/8” BitBuddie and 1” to 4” BitBuddie, which is more customizable to fit your needs.
Back in April Porter Cable announced a new Heavy Duty 15 Amp 7-1/4in Circular Saw. We were lucky enough to have one sent to us for testing and over the last month we have used it on several basic projects. The unit is intended for serious DIY and professional use with many nice features at a reasonable price.
Continue reading "Porter Cable 7 1/4-in 15 Amp Circular Saw PC15TCSMK" »
We recently mentioned Bosch is working to create a standardized Oscillating Interface System (OIS) for the Tool Accessories but didn’t mention anything about new tools to use the system. Currently the Multi-X PS50-2B ($197, Ohio Power Tool) is the only oscillating tool Bosch offers in the category. While a great tool, it is a 12V cordless with a battery runtime that seriously limits the performance. A professional corded tool that can compete with the Fein Multi-Master is really what it’s going to take to get any serious consideration from the pros who use these tools on a daily basis.
In Europe, Bosch is now introducing the GOP250CE Professional (see press release) Multi-Cutter tool which hopefully will be the answer many are looking for to compete with the Fein. The price is 139 euro which if such a tool would come to the state might mean $150-200 here, far less than the Fein Multi-Masters.
The bad news is however we have no idea if or when such a tool might find its way to this side of the pond. In some cases we do get tools rather quickly but in other cases it takes years.
For very accurate distance, area and volume measuring there are 4 professional grade lasers to choose from in the Bosch Professional line of laser measuring tools. As you might have already guessed the number in each model indicates the maximum range in feet each unit can measure. With 4 models and various features and price points there really should be a laser to fit almost every need.
Continue reading "Bosch Laser Range Finders – 4 Professional Models" »
Possible the most secretive of all the new tools and accessories we learned about at the Milwaukee Media Event was their new Sawzall Blades. Even the sample they sent us had our name printed on it as a "special edition"; either because they think our ego is huge or they don’t want us selling it to the highest bidder. These are not even new models simply improvements on their existing wood blades including several standard and The Ax products. These new blades will be working their way into inventory starting November 1st. So why the secrecy? Obviously Milwaukee Tool prides themselves on the Sawzall, along with the blades, as they are the inventors. These guys are not messing around when it comes to the Sawzall. Two guaranteed ways to really get a Milwaukee Rep excited put a Lenox or Bosch Blade on a Milwaukee Sawzall or call another manufacturers reciprocating saw a “Sawzall”.
So what is going to make you search out these new blades the next time you are looking for some wood reciprocating blades? There are 2 new features on these blades the Nail Guard & Fang Tip you might find interesting.
Continue reading "Milwaukee Tool New Sawzall Blades with Actual Fangs" »
The biggest problem with multi-tools today is that hardly any of the oscillating accessories are interchangeable with one another. This can be a real problem because while we would love to believe all purchases can be made online, often when you get to that weekend project and realize your blades are so dull they couldn’t cut butter it’s off to the depot store. In many cases that means very limited selection on oscillating tool blades and sanding accessories and most likely ones that are not going to work with your tool.
Bosch is now establishing the universal system of Oscillating Interface System (OIS) which features 12 points of contact, the most of any system. The Bosch guys are hoping this will become as universal as the “SDS” system which they made popular and is now the standard. It is very positive to see Milwaukee adopt the OIS system for their new Milwaukee M12 Multi-Tool coming later this year. We never would have guessed Bosch and Milwaukee would be working together on anything. If other professional brands that still don’t have oscillating tools were to follow suit it is likely this will be the case. We will see where DeWalt, Makita, Metabo and others all fall when they inevitable come out with their own multi-tools.
Continue reading "Bosch OIS Universal Oscillating Tool Accessories & Adaptor" »
New to Ohio Power Tool and pretty much the whole US market is the Hyundai line of Power Generators. These models have done well in Canada and Europe for some time and are now are making their way to the states. Currently there are 3 models available in the US which would be classified more as residential or recreational models vs heavy duty professional equipment the rental houses would use. The prices are very competitive and it looks like Hyundai really wants to be a player in the generator world. The Hyundai brand has been associated with dependability and very low prices which hopefully is exactly where these units will deliver. Here is a quick look at the 3 current models with 4 more models available by the end of the year.
Continue reading "Hyundai Power Generators - HY2000si, HHD6250 & HHD7250" »
ATEX or ATmospheres EXplosibles are areas classified into zones (0, 1, 2 for gas-vapor-mist and 20, 21, 22 for dust) must be protected from effective sources of ignition. Zone 0 and 20 are the zones with the highest risk of an explosive atmosphere being present. The directive covers a large range of equipment, potentially including equipment used on fixed offshore platforms, in petrochemical plants, mines, flour mills and other areas where a potentially explosive atmosphere may be present.
Whether its work underwater, dangerous mining or building a deck in the backyard the guys at Ohio Power Tool are very knowledgeable and can help you find the right tool for the job. Here are some pictures of the CS Unitec Hydraulic Mag Drill in action doing some repair work on existing bulkhead steel sheeting. The HB-4400 was used to install 12-16 screws around the perimeter of the plate.
Several years ago we all lived in ignorance with NiCD batteries on our power tools. Then came Lithium Ion a new technology that promised better runtime and a more consistent power curve and the people rejoiced. But all was not well, on that first cold winter morning when you went to the truck and the new Lithium tools wouldn’t work because they were too cold.
In the northern part of the country this is obviously a bigger issue but we have contractors going back to NiCD tools in the winter time because NiCD currently performs better in the cold. We certainly aren’t the only ones who think this is completely ridiculous.
Continue reading "Milwaukee REDLITHIUM Batteries: What’s the Big Deal?" »
Potato patato what’s the different right? Well depending on the tool and what job you want to do there is going to be a lot of difference among these tools. We’ll go over some of the basics of how the different tools operate and some of the most common jobs for each. Hopefully we can clear up any confusion that might still be out there.
Traditional Drill/Driver
They’ve been around since the invention of power tools and my guess is if you are reading this blog you have several of these traditional drill/drivers in your possession already. Typically there tools will come with a 3/8” or ½” chuck and can vary greatly in speed, power and size. The traditional drill/driver is a very versatile tool because it can do two very common tasks drilling holes and driving fasteners. When you get to larger units like the very popular Milwaukee Hole Hawg ($279, Ohio Power Tool) and the torque rating starts to get pretty high the unit can become more difficult to control. Sometimes spinning the tool instead of the bit and people can get injured, because of this fact there is an upper limit on how much torque these tools can effectively have.
Continue reading "Drill vs Impact Driver vs Hammer Drill vs Rotary Hammer Drill" »
It seems to be the trend in power tools these days that any tool can be improved with an LED light. Unlike the trend of putting lasers beams on every power or hand tool out there we are actually a big fan of LED lights on many tools. On the jobsite, shop, backyard or garage you are not always going to have the greatest lighting and seeing that dull pencil line through the blade guard isn’t always the easiest task.
The Bosch Reciprocating Saw RS7 ($99, Ohio Power Tool) replaces the RS5 and increases power to 11amps. This is the light weight, medium duty model but it still has some serious power so for most plumbers, electricians and homeowners it will perform very well. Unless you are doing a lot of demolition work in most cases the larger 15amp reciprocating saws or Sawzalls are just going to be added weight. Also check out the new Saw Blades including Milwaukee Sawzall diamond grit and Bosch Edge for Metal Cutting.
This year on August 21st Irwin Tools is sponsoring possibly the greatest event in the 2010 racing season Ohio Tool Racing Championship … on that same day they are also sponsoring another great event in racing the Bristol Night Race. One event will probably have 160,000 people more than the other but very impressive to see Irwin Tools involved in two world class events on the same day.
As if that wasn’t enough, Irwin will be holding their annual Ultimate Tradesman Competition the day before, August 20th, at the Bristol Speedway. This year the event will be televised so if you are not going to be there you can still watch Live on Speed Channel’s NASCAR trackside starting at 7:00pm EST.
You can also vote right now for your favorite Tradesman and automatically enter to win a $250 irwin prize pack. It looks like we got 2 of the top 4 times from the Buckeye State: Jonathan Smith (Delaware, Ohio) & Mark Martin (Ostrander, Ohio) so our state is well represented. Maybe Ohio just makes a better tradesman?
You may be thinking, oh no I’m going to need either new tools, battery or chargers for my V28 Tools to work with the new ones… Nope that is not the case. The M28 platform will be “100% compatible” with the current Milwaukee V28 tools. In fact many of the M tools will basically stay the same, with same part numbers but will be getting the upgraded “M” batteries in the kits. The new batteries will feature Digital Power Management (DPM) and newer construction features that will extend the life of the batteries. Additionally the batteries will provide better overall performance and runtime for all your existing tools.
In addition to the upgraded battery technology we will also see the first of hopefully many new M28 tools with the M28 Hammer Drill 0726-22 ($419, Ohio Power Tool) & M28 LED Flashlight 49-24-0187 ($59, Ohio Power Tool) which should be on shelves very soon. The new ½” Hammer Drill features 750 in.lbs torque more than any other cordless drill on the market today in 18v, 24v, 28v or 36v categories. Check the Ohio Power Tool Milwaukee M28 website often for when exact each model will be in stock with the new M batteries. Items will switch as each tool transitions from V28 to M28. For more information read the official Milwaukee Tool Press Release Below.
Continue reading "Milwaukee V28 Transitions to Milwaukee M28 Tools" »
It is a little confusing that a tool company with “Pneumatic” in their name would be in the Hydraulic Tool business. However, since the company is a part of Atlas Copco, one of the top names in Hydraulics worldwide and because these CP Hydraulic Tools are basically the red version of those Atlas tools we are very confident these tools will live up to the Chicago Pneumatic Construction name.
Hydraulic vs Pneumatic vs ElectricContinue reading "Chicago Pneumatic Portable Handheld Hydraulic Tools" »
Just yesterday Milwaukee Tools held a very nice event for the Tool/Construction Media crowd and provided a lot of hands on for current products as well as some products which will be coming out in the next few months. Everett from Pro Tool Reviews did a nice job recapping the whole event so we aren’t going to bore you with our version. We were really happy to see so much focus from the Red Team on Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC & Maintenance as well as their growing relationships with many of the governing associations for those trades. Probably the best example of that, which we took away from the event was in the new ProPEX tools.
Continue reading "Milwaukee ProPEX Cordless Expansion Tools M12 & M18" »
Installing can lights can significantly improve the look and feel of any room but installing them in a remodel job can be a pain. Having used the compass style scoring tool and a drywall saw to do an entire basement not too long ago anything that makes this job quicker and more accurate is easy to get behind. Milwaukee Tools has recently introduced a full line of Carbide Grit Recessed Light Hole Saws ranging in size from 3-1/8” to 6-7/8”. These new hole saws are a remodelers dream because not only will they make short work of drywall but the carbide grit can cut through plaster, acoustical tile, wood and stucco with mesh as well. These hole saws also feature a continuous rim which means they will not tear or chip the material, leaving a very clean hole for the can light installation.
Continue reading "How to Install Recessed Lights – Milwaukee Carbide Hole Saws" »
This type of stuff is always interesting to us just to see how groups configure their hydraulic systems for large jobs like this one. We deal with Power Team Hydraulic Equipment on a daily basis, and whether the job is small or very large every situation brings different challenges. That being said if you ever need help configuring a hydraulic system do not hesitate to call Ohio Power Tool 888-242-4424; there are several guys who have decades of experience and will be happy to lend a hand. In the meantime check out the challenge/solution documented by Power Team below.
Situation: Considered a landmark building, a museum in the United Kingdom was undergoing a $67m renovation to transform the magnificent Victorian building and its facilities into a world-class, 21st century visitor experience for Scotland — and a showcase for international visitors. The project included the creation of 14 new galleries, two hands-on discovery centers, a larger gallery for international touring exhibitions, new facilities for education and a state-of-the-art learning center. A new floor was also to be created beneath the main hall, forming a new street level entrance, restaurant, shop, cloakroom and visitor reception area. During the renovation project, more than half of the museum property was to stay open to the public.
Continue reading "SPX PowerTeam Gives Museum Project A Lift" »
From now until September 30th, 2010 when you buy (2) Milwaukee M18 XC Batteries 48-11-1828 ($129, Ohio Power Tool) you can also get your choice of a FREE M18 TOOL. This promotion is a great deal if you are already shopping for an additional M18 XC battery or if you are looking to expand on your current M18 Cordless Tools.
Bare Tools Available in this offer:
M18 Sawzall Recip Saw 2620-20 - $199
M18 Hackzall Recip Saw 2625-20 - $109
M18 Grinder 4.5” 2680-20 - $219
M18 Impact Driver 2650-20 - $99
M18 AC/DC Wall & Vehicle Charger 2710-20 - $99
Obviously the Sawzall & Grinder look to be the best dollar values here but only if those are going to be the tools you use most often. The new M18 Hackzall is a really nice handy one handed recip saw which in many cases might serve you better than a Sawzall. If you have any questions on any Milwaukee Tools or this rebate in particular call the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 and they will be happy to help!
Download the Milwaukee Mail-In Rebate PDF for Full Details.
At first glance of the above marketing photos you might be thinking big whoop another 4.5” grinder with 7.5 Amps. Without feeling the grinder it's hard to tell the body of this tool is significantly Slimmer than anything else on the market, providing for more control in cutting and grinding applications. We recently had a chance to test out the Bosch against similar DeWalt & Makita models and performance wise they are all solid well build entry level grinders. However once you pick up the 1380 Bosch then go back to the others it really makes them just feel awkward, including even the other Bosch models. The Bosch 1380SLIM ($69, Ohio Power Tool) is priced to move as an entry level grinder for professionals.
These types of small 4.5” grinders are ideal for metals shops, construction and a wide range of other applications, it’s good to see the Bosch team working to reengineer the basic products. With different accessories such as Grinding Discs, Flap wheels & Small Diamond Blades these can be very versatile tools. The 1380 grinders are expected to hit shelves this week at Ohio Power Tool and if you have any questions on any Bosch Tools feel free to give the guys a call at 800-242-4424.
If you haven’t had a chance to hear the MyFixItUpLife radio show, it’s a great 1 hour weekly show about power tools, home improvement and much more. The show is on different local stations around the country but I prefer to listen through the free podcasts channel, which has all their episodes listed with short descriptions. Most of their episodes feature celebrities & expert guests so it’s easy to find the topics that are most interesting to you. Recent celebrity guests include Mike Holmes, Christopher Lowell, Chris Grundy and many other hosts of DIY shows.
Their website also has some great articles and a library of videos which cover a wide range of different home improvement projects. The site was recently updates and am a big fan of the new format which separates all this information by topic (ie Tools, Flooring, Bathrooms) so in each topic you get a nice mix of different media. For instance when you visit the Kitchen page you will get a video on kitchen drywalling, blog posts and recent audio podcast interviews about kichen products. Mixing up the media helps me stay interested and also makes it easy to skim through.
Recently we received one of Johnson’s 48" Magnetic BIG J Heavy Duty Aluminum Level 1501-4800 for review and our initial impressions were very positive. The construction is solid and very nice design with large viewing bubbles, rubberized end caps and even the comfortable center grips. The magnet along the side is a very nice feature, personally had never used a magnetic 48” level it’s like having 3 hands, I’ve seen the light. That being said we handed it off to one of our favorite contractor and long time Ohio Power Tool customer with a mission to try and break it. We will report back soon, in the meantime Johnson Levels has some other cool products like free Android Apps (Leveling Bubble & Visual Level) and just announced today a full line of measuring tapes and long tapes, check out the full press release below.
Continue reading "Johnson Levels Adds 18 New Measurement Tools" »
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
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 2nd 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.
Continue reading "DeWalt Finally Arrives at the 12V Cordless Party" »
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.
Continue reading "Hougen HMD508 High Speed Mag Drill with Free Carbide Kit" »
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.
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.
Continue reading "Milwaukee M18 Batteries - Compact vs XC High Capacity" »
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.
Continue reading "Bosch & Sortimo Join Forces On L-Boxx Tool Storage" »
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.
Continue reading "Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Blades MM462 & MM463" »
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" »
When using bi-metal Hole Saws it's easy to not follow the proper directions and become disappointed with the lack of performance. No matter what brand you are using there are some basic things you can do to extend the life of any Hole Saw. First have you ever looked at the proper RPM chart for your hole saws based on size & material? ...What Usage Chart?
All Hole Saw Kits or Individual pieces should come with a chart of some kind that gives the proper RPM for Wood, Aluminum, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Etc. Since that packaging is probably deep in a landfill somewhere just keep a few numbers in mind. For a 2” Hole Saw the recommended RPM for wood is 2000, the recommendation for Stainless Steel however is 85 RPM. For a 5” Hole Saw the numbers are even lower 800 RPM for wood, 30 RPM for Stainless Steel (or 1 revolution every 2 seconds). Obviously no big deal on wood but that's pretty slow for the steel and easy to way over do it. Other types of metals such as Aluminum or Mild Steel you can go a little faster but not like you are zippin through a 2x4 of pine. If you should fine that handy cutting guide you will also probably notice a disclaimer that says “Cutting Oil Recommended” and if you want to extend the life of your Hole Saw you should probably use cutting oil with any metal cutting.
The slow speed and cutting oil both help to keep the Hole Saw cooler, over heating will kill any Hole Saw no matter what the brand, price or fancy selling features. For serious cutting in metal you might also want to look at Annular Cutters that will work in standard drills and do a much better job.
If you have questions about any Hole Saws contact Ohio Power Tool at 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com they stock a wide range of bi-Metal, Carbide, Diamond and other specialty hole saws.
Earlier this year we got a first look at the new Bosch Power Box PB360S, during the World of Concrete (See earlier PB360S Post), these are now out and the user reviews are coming in. We were lucky enough to get one of these units to demo and as luck would have it, the unit was just in time for the perfect testing ground. Some 200+ Co-eds in their 20’s & 30’s playing an all day kickball tournament; yep the game you played in 3rd grade gym class is now Columbus, Ohio’s “Premier Social Experience”.
How Long Does a Battery Last on the PS360S?
One of the big questions I keep getting is, how long do the batteries? Unfortunately it depends somewhat on how you use it so you aren’t going to get an exact answer but we tested it as loud as you would want to push it, 18 of 20 volume, with custom set equalizer (bass & treble at 8 of 10). The first 18V FatPack BAT618 ($99, Ohio Power Tool) lasted 2:43 of continuous use. The second battery lasted about the same however on the second battery I then turned it back on and got approximately another 12 minutes and a third time for an addition 10 minutes before calling it a day. We would assume the first battery still had some life left but didn’t try that one again as at this point the sun was setting and the day was done. If you are thinking 3 hours isn’t going to be long enough we were really playing this thing loud in an open field which entertained everyone with 30-40 ft earshot. We tried it again at home on level 6 (about right for a workshop) with an FM station and default EQ, this time it ran for somewhere just north of 7 hours.
Continue reading "Bosch Power Box PB360S – The Full Review" »
It’s spring time here in Ohio, the weather is great, people are boating again and planning barbeques with family and friends. Unfortunately that deck in the backyard might need a little work before you want to have your father-in-law over for burgers. There is a great article on Extreme How To that covers a wide range of important deck information from type of woods, cleaning, assessing deck condition, repairs, colors, stains, waterproofing and much more. Read the opening for the article below or check out the whole “All Hands on Deck” story at www.ExtremeHowTo.com.
Several months ago the Bosch 5 point GPL5C ($299, Ohio Power Tool) hit the shelves and has been fairly popular. However since people are not used to using dot lasers with cross lines it can be hard to justify the price difference from the Bosch 5 point GPL5 ($199, Ohio Power Tool). A few days ago Bosch released the view below which should help determine if the cross line is going to be a time saver for you or not but in most cases it should be well worth it. See the full line of Bosch Laser Levels at OhioPowerTool.com.
Over the past few years concrete countertops have become very popular for many different applications from your local dive bar to some of the nicest kitchens in America. The draw is the flexibility and for the DIYers the price. In terms of possibilities the options seem almost limitless color, finish, texture, durability, shape, even imbedded LED lights are not a problem. When done by a professional a new concrete countertop could cost even more than granite, depending on how elaborate the project. For the Do It Yourselfer however it can be a great way to save a few bucks… or a great way to really mess up you home if you don’t know what you are doing.
For concrete professionals or those looking to do more work with concrete countertops the Diamond Products DS301 ($1,942, Ohio Power Tool) is really the top of the line tool for the job. The unit features three 5” rotating orbital heads with a Fein variable speed motor powering the unit. To get a mirror finish a job could involve up to 9 steps of grinding and polishing and obviously a large powerful unit like the DS301 is going to save a significant amount of time in the process. The good news is with proper preparation in building the forms several steps can be eliminated.
Continue reading "Concrete Countertop Polishing Tool – Diamond Products DS301" »
Since 1901 Chicago Pneumatic has been delivering quality air tools for automotive, industrial and construction applications. New this year is a lot of exciting new products in addition to a full line overhaul, well at least the appearance. Many of their tools are getting a fresh coat of red as part of their “new look”. Some of their most popular tools will remain unchanged and become the “Classic” line. Here is a link to the Full 2010 Chicago Pneumatic Industrial & Vehicle Service Catalog which will show all the tools as they will be moving forward.
Continue reading "Chicago Pneumatic New 2010 Catalog & New Look" »
Everyone needs a good driver bit set in the arsenal even if you aren’t a professional or serious DIYer it’s always a good idea to have a few extra bits handy. When you start looking at bits sets however you’ll realize pretty quick they all fairly different as far as what’s included. First you have several types of screwdriver bits Phillips, Slotted, Square & Torx. Then you have 1”, 2” & 2 sided 2”. There are also “Impact Bits” for all these options as well. In addition to just the screwdriver bits some kits include nutsetters, socket adaptors, hex drill bits and quick change adaptors.
Continue reading "Quick Guide to Selecting a Driver Bit Set" »
Here is some interesting information on the AngLevel which looks like a multi-tool for leveling, measuring and finding miter angles. There is a pretty Cool Tools video below which highlights some of the features. The price is $40 which seems pretty good although haven’t had my hands on one to see if it’s well made or junk. You can buy them direct from www.toplineinnovations.com. More information and specs are below the video.
Continue reading "AngLevel Measuring, Leveling, Miter Finding Multi-Tool" »
The Garage Journal is a great blog/forum site we were introduced to several months ago by the guys from The Garage Slab Magazine. Who knew there was so much interest in garages right, to have dedicated magazines and forums? Once you dive on in however my guess is, if you are like me, you will find far too much of it extremely interesting. The “garage” encompasses so much from cars, tools, woodworking, gadgets, beer making, construction and you could probably relate anything else you are interested in without stretching too far. Here was one interesting post that caught my eye, The Bunker Garage, which goes through the whole process of building this unique garage. In the blog they always seem to have lots of posts on tools and work bench designs (see Mega Bench). Check it out it’s worth a visit!
Recently released from DeWalt are several versions of the new Magnetic ToughCase: ToughCase by itself ($13), 15pc ToughCase ($20) and 20pc Impact Ready ToughCase ($38). The name is pretty revealing on this one, it’s a really tough case with built in magnets on the lid. The magnets in the lid are very well placed allowing you to attach the ToughCase to any metal work surface and use it like a tray to hold drill bits and other accessories. The case also lives up to its name as you can see it getting run over by a car in the video below.
The DeWalt ToughCase is similar to the Milwaukee 20pc Magnetic Puck ($10, Ohio Power Tool) which has been available for some time however the Puck only holds driver bits and while built pretty solid not sure you could run your car over it.
If you are interested in getting a DeWalt ToughCase for FREE the nice folks at ToolGuyd.com are giving away 5 of them. You can either reply on their blog or use your twitter account to enter. Check out their site for all the details. For more info on the ToughCases checkout the full DeWalt Press Release below:
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" »
While supplies last you can get a FREE Bosch 1375A ($69, Ohio Power Tool) grinder instantly when you order a 11224VSR ($218, Ohio Power Tool) 7/8” rotary hammer drill. If you are interested in learning more on the difference between a hammer drill & rotary hammer drill there is a nice article up on toolsnob, written for Popular Mechanics, check it out.
It seemed like not too long ago all electric impact tools were square drive and there were few cordless tools even available. Now everything has changed and there are many options including cordless tools all the way up to ¾” square drives with an impressive 525 ft-lbs torque. In addition to square drives for sockets we now also want to use these tools as impact drivers for screws and other fastening applications. This is exactly why Milwaukee has created a full line of Shockwave impact adaptors specifically designed to better handle the high stress points these tools can create. You can easily go from hex to square or square to hex depending on your needs.
Just within Milwaukee Tools there are a wide range of Impact Tools:
M12
2450-22 – ¼” hex – 850 in-lbs - $159
2451-22 – 3/8” Square – 1000 in-lbs - $179
V28
0779-22 – ½” Square – 325 ft-lbs - $473
Corded
9071-20 – ½” Square – 300 ft-lbs - $174
9075-20 – ¾” Square – 380 ft-lbs - $288
They say it’s important to know who your customers are and there is little doubt Milwaukee Tools has at least picked the customers they are going to aim new products at. Many of the new Milwaukee cordless tools have found very specific professional applications such as the PVC cutter, Grease Gun and No-Hub Coupling driver. These may never be huge sellers at the big box stores but for the pros who use them daily and see the benefits they are very happy to see this level of innovation. Milwaukee’s new partnership with Uponor and their ProPEX system has again put them in a place where they are the only kids in the sandbox. There will be a new tool for both the Milwaukee M12 & Milwaukee 18 tool lines although full specs, pricing and launch dates are not yet available. Read the full Milwaukee press release below.
Bosch is very well known for their high quality benchtop table & miter saws however the higher quality often times warrants a higher price. The new Bosch 5312 ($590, Ohio Power Tool) aims to be the exception by providing the same high quality saw but at a reduced cost. This new unit is very similar to the Bosch 5412 ($699, Ohio Power Tool) but without some of the non-essential features. In comparing the 5312 vs 5412 you will find the same great 15amp motor, upfront controls, 40” extended length, same large cut capacity, same quality manufacturing, double fence slide and same overall tool weight. The only notable differences in the two models are that the 5312 does not have the rotating handle, no softgrip, slightly shorter cord, no repetitive stop, the blade wrench is "basic" not a combination socket and the clamp is a vertical quick clamp not a “quick-action” clamp.
All these changes sound ok if it adds up to over $100 in savings and you still get basically the same legendary performance of the Bosch 5412. The new model 5312 puts the Bosch 12” slide miter back in the competition mix with a price point below the new 4-Pole Slide Makita 12” Miter LS1216L ($692, Ohio Power Tool) which has made a big splash here recently.
If you have any questions on Bosch Tools contact the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or sales@ohiopowertool.com and they will be happy to assist you with any Power Tools, Parts or Accessories you may have questions about.
Here in Ohio most of our homes have basements, depending on when the home was built this could be poured concrete, cinder block or like one of the homes I grew up in, a foundation made of stones. Yes rocks mortared together, which actually was very dry for a 100+ year old home. Unfortunately some basements do not hold up that well and many of us want to use that space to build our ultimate Man Caves. Before you go dropping $10K on plasmas & pool tables you are going to want to be sure the basement is watertight and mildew free.
Continue reading "Concrete Saw for Basement Waterproofing / Foundation Repair" »
While the limited supplies last Ohio Power Tool is giving away some pretty nice Bosch gear. The holsters for the Bosch 12V Tools have been pretty popular and fit the PS21-2A, PS31-2A & PS40-2A very nicely. The minimum order for the Holster is $199 so if you pickup one of these kits you will also need to purchase some drill or driver accessories or additional tools to get over the hump. Any of the combo kits will get you there no problem. Yes, the holster comes instantly with the tool so you can also take advantage of the really nice Mail-In Rebate for the 12Vs to get a free tool, 12V battery or LED flashlight. Remember you must use the Coupon code at checkout: HOLSTER or call in and mention the special to the nice folks at Ohio Power Tool.
If that wasn’t enough there is also a FREE Tool Belt for Bosch 18V Tools for any order over $399. This should be an easy mark to hit because the new Power Box PB360S ($209, Ohio Power Tool) is available for pre-sale and would be a nice addition to any 18V Tool Kit. There is also a free MP3 player (similar to iPod Shuffle) which comes instantly with the Power Box, don’t hesitate to double dip. For this offer you must use Coupon Code: TOOLBELT at checkout or call in.
If you want to quadruple dip and do an order over $599 and take advantage of all the free goods you might need to call the order in, but it’s definitely possible.
Synthetic slings offer a number of advantages for rigging purposes, cost, convenience and strength. We wanted to cover some of the basics by highlighting these 3 videos that do a really nice job of explaining Stren-Flex Synthetic Slings.
The most commonly used synthetic web slings are made of nylon or polyester; each performs better in regards to certain chemicals and stretching. Rated loads (capacities) for single-leg vertical, choker and basket hitches all vary greatly by width and ply. Here is the chart catalog to see all the options for the different types of slings. Also here is the link to the OSHA rules and regulations regarding synthetic web slings. If you have any questions on the topic give the pros at Ohio Power Tool a call 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com with any questions.
Basics of Synthetic Slings
How Synthetic Slings are Made
Testing & Breaking Synthetic Slings
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.
Several years back a funny little 10.8v cordless drill hit the market from Bosch and at first people were not sure what to make or it (see our 2007 post Ain’t No Kids Toys). Fast forward to 2010 and the compact cordless tool category has exploded with tons of exciting new tools in the 10-12 volt range for home owners and professionals alike.
The new PS21-2A ($129, Ohio Power Tool) is the 3rd version of the Bosch Pocket Driver and is available now, along with the 3/8” chuck drill/driver PS31-2A ($143, Ohio Power Tool). These next generation tools are built solid and no longer looked at as the “small tool” additions to the arsenal but more as replacements for some tried and true 14.4v and 18v tools. Both of these tools have plenty of torque to hang cabinets or even help build the occasional deck. At the same time the light weight design and 20+ clutch settings make it a nice tool for delicate jobs like working on computer boxes or assembling different items which can definitely be awkward with an 18v drill.
Testing the PS21-2A
When I pulled the PS21-2A out of the box the first reaction was honesty, did they really need to redesign the whole tool just to shave an inch or so off the nose. It turns out the smaller compact design is just a nice bonus but the real reason it got an overhaul is the guts. The new Pocket Driver has 265 in lbs of torque where the first generation had 80; it also now has 2 speeds like a real driver should. This new generation also gets new batteries which “pack a little more punch” (BAT412 instead of BAT411) but either battery works on new or older tools. See this photo album for 20+ pictures from the test.
To test out the tool, that was provided for us, we simply stacked (3) 2”x4” and started screwing them together. First drove 10 large exterior 3.5” screws, then 50 standard 3” screws, then another 30 2” square drive (used the Bosch P2R2 bit which works splendidly with both square & phillips). After 90 screws the entire board was full and still plenty or juice left so to really test the torque and clutch went back over all 90 screws to see how far into the wood the screws could be driven. Basically hitting max torque 90 times in a few minutes, at which point you might expect some overheating but was not a problem for this tiny tool even with my other hand basically covering the entire tool. It finished that task and still had a little juice left but was pretty much fading out. With a few breaks to snaps pictures and find some more loose nails it took about 30 minutes to kill the battery at which point the 2nd battery was fully charged ready to roll again. I am pretty confident in most real life situations the battery would be good for an hour or more of constant use and easily last all day with occasional use.
It is safe to say the new PS21-2A blows away the competition in the 12V compact driver category. However the short fall with the Bosch 12V Max line of tools does not come from any one of their tools but more with the depth of the line. With a head start as the creators of the category you would expect they would have the most tools in their lineup but that is definitely not the case. The Milwaukee M12 line for instance now sports over 20+ tools, many specific to professionals but lots of versatility throughout the line. If that is not a concern in your world and you are just looking for the best possible driver or 3/8” drill, Bosch may very well be your choice.
Currently if you purchase the PS21-2A you can get a Free PS20B (Gen 2 Pocket Driver tool only), battery (BAT411 not the BAT412 it comes with) or LED flashlight, with a mail in rebate. Also you can still take advantage of the Free Shipping deal from Ohio Power Tool until the end of March by using the coupon code MARCH at checkout or calling in and mentioning the Free Shipping promotion.
A friend of ours is in the business of sourcing wood and it definitely seems like an interesting job. Some of their wood comes from old barns in and around Ohio and gets repurposed into floors, furniture, raw stock, beams, whatever. A visit to a local Mexican restaurant, currently under construction, which is using a lot of their raw stock wood really gave us a good idea how unique some of their product is. If you have any projects coming up and you’re looking for say 16” wide floor planks or antique looking wood stock, get a hold of Tom at Old West Woods he’ll fix you up. It can also be a very environmentally friendly way to use real wood that's a good quality. If you want to see more pictures and projects you can also checkout their Facebook page, which some of you may have already done because they have 2,900+ fans.
We mentioned the Bosch Power Box PB360S previously in a post however the official launch dates and exact pricing were still unclear. At this point it looks like the PB360S ($209, Ohio Power Tool) will be hitting store shelves within the next week or two according to Bosch officials. To kick off the launch there is a limited number of FREE 2GB Bosch MP3 players (sent with your purchase, not a mail-in rebate) from Ohio Power Tool exclusively, available if you Pre-Order the Power Box PB360S from them. If you order by the end of this month and use the promo code MARCH at checkout you will also get Free Shipping on the order, even though the power boxes won’t ship till the first week of April.
The Power Box is one of the most complete jobsite radios we have seen out there. Many great features include 360 degree of sounds with a built in subwoofer, rugged enough to take multiple 5 ft drops (see video below), (x4) 120v power outlets for use when radio is plugged in, (x1) 12V DC car outlets, USB power outlet & SD/MMC card reader. There are also (x2) audio auxiliary ports for use with ipods, Mp3 players, satellite radio and other devices. The Power Box also runs off & charges Bosch 14.4v & 18v Litheon batteries. Typically you will see these in use with other DeWalt, Milwaukee & Makita chargers plugged into them; essentially they charge all of your power tool batteries if you don’t mind the octopus look.
There is also a PB360D “Power Box Deluxe” coming later this year which adds some nice features including GFCI on the 120V outlets, more juice to the speakers, built in satellite radio features, remote & backlight on the controls.
At the World of Concrete apparently we spent too much time talking to the Makita girls and totally missed the new addition to the Makita’s Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT) technology breaker line. The AVT line has been very successful in the construction world and as the US (aka California then maybe everyone else) starts to adopt 2005 European Vibration Laws or some form of them there is going to be an even bigger push in that direction. If you are currently looking to purchase a SDS-Max rotary hammer drill or hex shank demolition breakers it is possible a few years from now you may not be able to “legally” use the tool or at least have limited time per day, if it doesn’t meet new codes. The new Makita AVT HM1317CB ($1,170, Ohio Power Tool) is the latest addition in their AVT line up with many exciting features in addition to the low vibration and ease of use. Checkout the full Makita Press Release below.
Continue reading "New Makita 42lb AVT Demolition Hammer HM1317CB" »
Safety equipment isn’t as fun to shop for and as a new table saw however for some people (more & more as OSHA regulations get tighter) it has become a daily part of life which means you are going to be spending plenty of hours each week in that harness. For this reason there are a wide range of styles and options available today. FallTech pretty much has whatever you are looking for in a Safety Harness, from the very basic (easy on the wallet) to meet OSHA requirements to Kevlar Harnesses with 10,000 lb webbing.
Above you will find the FallTech sizing chart, the “size fits most” section will work for 80-90% of the work force and are the harnesses you will find on www.ohiopowertool.com. Of course extra small and extra large sizes are no problem, simply call 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com and they can help you. Below is a quick rundown of the available FallTech Harnesses:
FT Basic -1D 7007 $29 – 6300lb webbing, 3 Point size adjustment, basically the new guy special...
Contractor – 1D 7016 $40, 3D 7018 $48 – 6300lb webbing, 5 point adjustments, 9 position leg straps, lanyard keepers
Tradesman – 1D 7008 $55, 3D 7010 $60 –compare to contractor but 6800lb webbing & forged alloy, 2 lanyard keepers for Ys
Foreman – 1D 7070SM $68, 3D 7073SM $80 –compare to contractor but with improved comfort, shoulder pads, waist support & functional work belt, 6300lb webbing
Journeyman – 3D 7027 $73, 3D 7035L $108, 5D 7034L $113 – compare to Foreman with even more comfort, 7000lb webbing & forged alloy, 2 lanyard keepers, retrieval options
WeldTech – 1D 7039 $188, 3D 7038 $188 – 10,000lb webbing made with Kevlar & Nomex, resistance to cuts and heat.
ComforTech – 1D 7080SM $112, 1D 7082SM $126, 7081SM $138, 7083SM $152 – 7300lb webbing, silicone gel, memory foam, lumbar support, Cordura fabric, Maximum Comfort
If you are buying the harness for yourself and looking for comfort obviously the ComfotTech is the way to go, you can wear it for 8 hours and hardly notice you are wearing anything. The Journeyman is also a very popular harness for people purchasing their own equipment and while it doesn’t have all the bells & whistles still a comfortable harness. If you are purchasing for a crew it is a good idea to consider the Contractor over the FT Basic as it have 5 point adjustment and will fit a variety of body types much better.
For lanyard, SRL, lifelines, anchors and other FallTech safety products, Ohio Power Tool carries a wide range of option for all your fall protection needs.
The Bosch NailKiller Auger Bits (In-stock now at ohiopowertool.com) newly developed auger bits claim a 900% better lifespan than what is currently in the market today. It also offers a 61% reduction in torque response, vastly improving the user experience. I had a chance to see these bits in action at the 2009 STAFDA show, see video below, and they went through nail after nail with no problems. Also it eliminates the need for separate Ship Augers and Spur Augers, available in short 7.5” and Long 17” lengths. Checkout the full Bosch Press Release below.
Continue reading "Bosch NailKiller Augers "Kill" Ship & Spur Auger Bits" »
The Milwaukee M12 hacksaw 2420-22 ($179, Ohio Power Tool) has been an incredibly popular seller, with the pistol grip it is far more user friendly for 1 hand cutting than your traditional reciprocating Sawzall. Milwaukee has also recently come out with high capacity M12 XC Battery ($79, Ohio Power Tool) which not only give the M12 hacksaw longer runtime but actually gives the tool more power.
Available soon you will have the option of an M18 Hacksaw which will come with either the M18 slim or XC battery. This will be a good addition for those that already have other Milwaukee M18 tools. For many professionals there will be plenty of justification to have both a Sawzall & Hacksaw on the jobsite.
The only difference I can see in the stats is that the M18 has a ¾” stroke vs M12 with a ½” stroke. Otherwise it looks to be the same 0-3000 SPM speed and Quik-Lok keyless blade holder. We will let you know more as these become available. Checkout the youtube video below:
If you have ever had to remove a bunch of large cores (up to 6”) before typically you will find it’s not a terribly pleasant job. Commonly guys will use two screwdrivers and pry the core up and then try to grab the lip and pull it out. This core extracting tool from Diamond Products Core Bore makes the job much easier and will save you a ton of time and energy. It’s such a simple design, why was this not invented years ago. The Core Extractor ($36, Ohio Power Tool) is a little pricy for what it is, but well worth it for the time it will save you.
For anyone that does work with any of the Department of Transportation (DOT) across the country this may be a helpful list. The links are to copies of the approvals for your records. The list was provided by Powers Fasteners and you can order these products online from the Chemical Anchors & Fasteners page from OhioPowertool.com. Free freight and discount on pallet orders for all the epoxy, chemical anchors as well as Mechanical Anchors for Powers Fasteners. If you have additional questions call 800-242-4424.
Continue reading "DOT Approved List for Anchoring Systems by State" »
If you have ordered anything online in 2010 you may have noticed your shipping charges have probably gone up. Ohio Power Tool is looking to provide some relief on several of their popular brands including Bosch, Dremel, CST/berger & Rotozip for the month of March. The order must meet minimal criteria (over $99, under 70lbs) and you have to use Coupon Code in checkout “MARCH”, very important. You can also call in the order 800-242-4424 and let the nice people know you want the free shipping deal.
Bosch 12V MAX Free Goodies
In addition to the free shipping from OhioPowerTool.com you can also take advantage of this Mail-In rebate deal on most of the Bosch 12V Max kits. Get yourself a free Driver PS20, 12V Battery BAT411 or LED Flashlight FL11A. All are pretty sweet deals. You may also notice it says PS21-2A and if you view the PDF form you will get a first look at the new Pocket Driver which according to this rebate will be out before May!
Bosch 18V Free Goodies
Still good until the end of March is this Mail-In Rebate for a Free 18V battery or 18V flashlight. This deal is also a very nice one and good on almost every kit available including the compact drill/driver & Impactor. Checkout the Bosch 18V tools available from Ohiopowertool.com. Of course all these deals can be used together so take advantage for the free shipping in addition to the free tool mail-in rebates.
I apologize in advance for the dry material but we get lots of questions about concrete core drilling and hopefully we can clear it up a few of the basics in this post. There are lots of options when it comes to coring drills & rigs in terms of price, quality, size, power source, etc. Each type of drill has its place and it’s not always easy to select the right one and not make the decision totally based on which is cheapest. Ohio Power Tool offers a wide range of different types of core drills to cover the majority of needs out there which we’ll look at but obvious there are dozens of other brands out there that could be matched up.
Continue reading "Selecting the Right Concrete Core Drill & Diamond Core Bits" »
Continue reading "New Milwaukee Sawzalls 6509-31 & 6519-31" »
At the World of Concrete this year Bosch had several impressive displays inside, outside and even sponsored the tools competition. It was also a great opportunity to get a sneak peak at many of the new tools which will be coming out in the next few months. Some new things in cordless, lasers, detectors, new Power Boxes, innovative accessories and much more. Here are just a few of the highlights; as we get more info and get closer to the launch dates we will circle back and do full posts on each of these.
Litheon 18V Cordless – SDS & Grinder
There were 2 very interesting products I had the opportunity to try out for the Bosch 18v Litheon line. First was the cordless grinder which was set up along with the Makita, DeWalt & Milwaukee cordless grinders. All had cutting wheels and we were cutting a standard size metal pipe. The Bosch held up amazingly well compared to some of the competition, the Bosch was clearly more powerful and with their battery protection system I was assured would far outlast in heavy use. Bosch also had a SDS-Plus 18v cordless drill on hand to demo. I’m not sure how the power/battery compares to 36v 11536-2 ($522, Ohio Power Tool) but it felt very solid and would be ideal for setting tap cons or more heavy duty applications.
Continue reading "Bosch Power Box & Other New Products for 2010" »
It is pretty safe to say Rotozip has gone well beyond a handy tool for cutting out drywall at this point. The inventor of the spiral saw is still the best option for quick cutting in drywall but now the tools come standard with attachments to use the XWheel & ZipWheel saw blades. This changes the whole functionality of these tools and opens the gates to a wide range of cutting in metal, tile, masonry, stone, wood, grout removal and other materials. While these new Rotozip Accessories have been out over a year now, some of the trades they are best intended are just now adopting them.
The RZ2000 Spiral Saw Kit ($167 Ohio Power Tool) is the latest kit to come out and includes an even better saw attachment head with a handle. The saw is more powerful at 6.0amp, variable speed (15,000-30,000RPM), ideal for the growing range of applications. The kit also has a variety of saw blades and rotary bits all packed into a nice new case.
Checkout all the different options for Rotozip Spiral Saws and Accessories as well as the very popular Tile Dock ($69 Ohio Power Tool). You can see the Tile Dock and Diamond bit in the video below. Rotozip is a part of Bosch Tool so you know the quality is excellent, it also means the cordless Rotozip works with the Bosch 18v litheon batteries. If you have any questions about Rotozip tools email sales@ohiopowertool.com.
This was the first year anyone from coptool.com has had the opportunity to attend the World of Concrete. As a first timer I have to say it was a very impressive sign to see. Perhaps, down from last year but still just an amazing show with all the indoor and outdoor exhibits, vehicles, competitions and hands on demos. There is a true art to a trade show of this proportion, what kind of freebies you got, how you run the hands-on and demos, floor placement, how pretty the girls are if you have any and its probably important that you’ve got good tools as well. Just the shear effort alone that went into the setup and the volume of concrete poured just to destroy everyday… Checkout this time laps video of the effort it took to set up just one of the hundreds of outdoor exhibits.
Competitions
All week long there were several competitions which were really interesting to watch and/or take part in. The Bricklayer 500 would have to be the main event where teams build brick walls in 60 minutes and get judged on speed as well as accuracy and precision. There was also a Bosch Tools skills challenge open to anyone and several truck & large equipment contests for anyone with a license. The artistry in Decorative Concrete was surely the most skillful competition. Some real head scratchers as to how they did some of this amazing work. (See some pictures here)
Exhibitors
Everyone in the concrete product business was here it felt like. Some personal highlights in tools; seeing Concrete Cutting Saws & Wall Saws in action from Diamond Products, Bosch had nice hands on demos for breakers, hammer drills as well as a few new products (post coming very shortly), Makita had some attractive girls I wasted some time talking with and alright Hilti’s booth was kinda impressive (which is saying a lot because Hilti is my mortal enemy). For the bigger equipment like the Ride on Trowels and smaller compaction, Wacker had a huge area (see video below) as well as Multiquip and a slew of others. Two days of 9 to 5 walking and I still didn't see close to all the booths.
All in all it was a great show and really could not even begin to do it justice in just one post. There are new videos popping up every minute on YouTube and www.ForConstructionPros.com. Also checkout all my photos in this facebook album.
Armor Professional Work Wear makes work pants (mostly for painters) that have additional pockets for knee pads. Sounds like a simple gimmick that you might think, big deal, at first glance. I was lucky enough to demo a pair and was very impressed. The construction of the pants was very solid, material was a heavy weight but still comfortable. The knee pads are flexible squares that simply slide in and out of the knee pockets so it’s very easy to take them out for wearing them around the house and then put them in when it’s time to work. Not to say they are a problem to leave in because you really don’t notice the knee pads just walking around.
The knee pads will not replace a true knee pad for those laying flooring or other such work but for just doing projects around the house or general construction work you wouldn’t believe how they change the way you work. Our shop has concrete floors but when you are wearing these it changes the way you work by allowing you to get down under projects like second nature. I also showed them to a cable installer and he thought they were the greatest invention since sliced bread because in addition to added support, these would help keep his knees from getting muddy/wet outside.
The background story on these pants in also pretty interesting one. It is all about professional painters but I think they are ideal for anyone who has a favorite pair of work pants, which I would bet is everyone who reads coptool.com. Cost is $35 (white) & $40 (tan) per pair. Here is a YouTube on these:
I recently sat through an hour plus presentation on new building code compliance for “Cracked Concrete” and the different products available from Powers Fasteners. As you can imagine this was a thrilling endeavor but unlike the name might suggest, it had nothing to do with fixing cracks in concrete. Instead it was all about what different types of concrete fasteners that meet the new codes for use in buildings today (even more exciting than you thought right). Powers does however make a great product for fast setting crack repairs in concrete floors and roads called PowerPatch. Also World of Concrete 2010 is only a few days and I need to bone up on my product knowledge.
The Concrete PowerPatch Kit ($153, Ohio Power Tool) is a 3 step process where an equal part A & B are mixed together then 3 times part C (aggregate) is added. The mix is incredibly fast acting and can be ready for road traffic in as little as 15 minutes. This product is idea for repairing heavy traffic sprall, patching bridge deck, walk-in freezer floor (cures in 60 minutes at 10°f), airport runways or patch prior to coating applications. The area does need to be very clean and dry before applying. Checkout the video below for more information:
Hopefully this is the first of many new attachments for the Dremel Multi-Max, as oscillating tools become a staple among many of us and we are constantly looking to get new uses out of our tools for just another $5-$30. The new MM920 ($29, Ohio Power Tool) adds a more substantial grinding option, currently there is a MM900 ($33, Ohio Power Tool) diamond paper option but this is a 60 grit and uses the hook & loop pad MM11. The MM920 is an attachment that actually connects to the tool and the 24 grit Carbide can handle a little more abuse. Both attachments are better for different jobs and materials but it is nice to have the option.
Still waiting for a good strong metal bit that can cut harder metals...
You may remember the 10” Makita LS1016L we took a look at several months ago. This saw added cut capacity while cutting the actual overall tool profile, making it much friendlier to use. I was really impressed at the time and the obvious question was when does the 12” come out? Chris over at Tool-Rank.com tipped us off today and has all the stats up on his site as well. It looks like it shares many of the innovative features of the 10” but the capacity is obviously larger, up to 8” crown molding (nested). I look forward to getting my grubby little paws on one of these soon because it could be a serious contender for my next miter saw.
The LS1216L will be available shortly from Ohio Power Tool with all the other Makita Benchtop Saws. If you have any specific questions feel free to call 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.
When setting this up there were several guys in and out of the workshop and I heard a couple of comments like, oh yeah I saw that on the infomercial. That was to be expect I suppose however one of the guy had actually said his mother asked if he wanted a Jawhorse for Christmas and if someone’s mom is asking about it for a Christmas present, I’m going to assume all the Coptool.com readers have at least heard about it. Also several other fellow bloggers have already done reviews on this: ToolSnob, HomeFixated (see their video below), Stu’s Shed, LumberJocks, Toolguyd, Toolmonger, etc.
Having seen the infomercial myself it seemed like the Jawhorse could potentially be a very handy piece of hardware however I don’t fully believe anything I see on TV. I just saw the movie Avatar and can no longer tell the difference between what’s real and what is CGI. So when this Jawhorse came in the mail I was pleasantly surprised that the box seemed to weigh a ton. Not so heavy you can’t carry it, but beefy metal construction (no plastic) with solid springs. The best way I can describe it would be to say it feels like if it fell off a moving truck I’m pretty confident it would still work fine. It was also fully assembled and set up in seconds, right out of the box. Because there are already so many other reviews on the Jawhorse itself I’m going to dive in on the 2 accessory kits I also had a chance to review. Checkout our 20+ review photos.
Continue reading "Rockwell Jawhorse RK9000 Review with Accessories" »
Announced officially today Milwaukee Tool has come out with a M12 Grease Gun 2446-21XC (Ohio Power Tool, $199). This is a new category for Milwaukee and will go up directly against the Lincoln Lube 12V PowerLuber 1244 (Ohio Power Tool, $199) which has been the most popular cordless grease gun for several years. When compared head to head, Milwaukee vs Lincoln Lube the 12 volt Milwaukee has several advantages. The two kits cost about the same however M12 2446-21XC offers higher pressure with 8,000psi, a battery that can dispense 7 tubes, almost double the lincoln (although 1244 includes 2 batteries vs 2446-21XC kit with 1) and possibly most significantly the Milwaukee M12 battery is shares with 20+ other tools while the Lincoln 12V battery can only be used on the one tool.
The Milwaukee grease gun also offers many innovative new features right down to the basic design of the tool, which has a base and more supportive tube enclosure. Hopefully this new design will prevent some of the damage we see every day with cracked handles and housings. Lincoln does offer an 18 volt PowerLuber 1844 (Ohio Power Tool, $267) which can pump 8-10 tubes per battery and has 2 speed transmission, high volume & high pressure but even their high pressure option is only 7,500psi. The higher pressure is required for some applications, also very useful in cold weather or clearing clogged zerk fittings.
Overall I think the Milwaukee Grease Gun 2446-21XC Kit (also available as tool only 2446-20XC, $129) will be a very popular item if for no other reason than there are already so many Milwaukee M12 tools and batteries out there. As the M12 line grows it makes the case stronger for all the other existing tools, also this is the first tool we have seen a kit include the M12 XC high capacity battery but it gives me hope on expanding the line further in the future. Read the full Milwaukee press release below:
Continue reading "Milwaukee M12 Grease Gun 2446-21XC – New Kid on the Block" »
January & February means prime time for industry trade shows, up north things are a little colder, slower and people perhaps have a couple of days to see what’s new in their industry. Here is a quick list of just a few of the shows happening in the next two months.
International Builders Show – January 19-22, 2010
The largest building industry tradeshow in the country! More than 175 education sessions and great keynote speaker! All the top vendors will be there for building supplies, tools, etc with interactive booths and displays. Plus its Las Vegas.
AHR Expo – January 25-27, 2010
This is the world’s largest HVAC&R industry trade show. In Orlando, Fl for 2010 this show is not only a great place to see new products, attend education sessions, network but also has great deals on some of those expensive products from many vendors. This trade show is designed specific for those in the Heating, Cooling and Refrigeration industries. We mentioned the show earlier as the place where Ridgid is planning their 2010 World Premier Product Launch.
World of Concrete – February 2-5, 2010
The industry's ONLY annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries. Featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits with the industry's leading suppliers showcasing innovative products and technologies, exciting demonstrations and competitions, a world-class education program, and the information you need to help sustain and grow your business. This show is also another great Las Vegas show, maybe the only place big enough for the indoor/outdoor requirements in February.
The Rental Show – February 7-10, 2010
This show features a wide range of products from heavy construction, light construction/general tool and party/special event products together on one floor, in one continuous hall. The show is also in Orlando,Fl for 2010 and I am just curious who provides all the rental party/special event products for the show.
Pumper & Cleaner Show – February 24-27,2010
In Louisville, Ky for 2010 this show is specific for professionals in septic system installation & service contractors, drain and sewer cleaning & repair contractors, portable restroom operators, industrial maintenance & cleaning contractors, municipal water & sewer system maintenance managers and other related professional.
Obviously there are many more shows throughout the year worth attending however these are just a few in the next 2 months. If you can’t make it but are interested in a particular show I would encourage you to check out the websites. Many have interactive floor plans and a lot of details. Also specific trade publications will attend and do a good job covering the shows with articles and videos (see http://www.forconstructionpros.com/video/).
I just had a chance to crack open the latest issue of Construction Distribution and it looks really nice. A recent shift in focus have made the publication a little more about the newest tools & applications and less about the “construction distribution” sales channel. Even for those in the tool sales channel I think this is a welcome shift and for all the readers of www.coptool.com most everyone can appreciate this magazine at this point.
Some of the articles this month include Designer Concrete, Pneumatic Nailing & New Technology in Diamond Hole Saws… , as well as lots of product features including a whole list of New Products.
GloBugs are ideal for emergency lighting, night time road work, outdoor events, and movie/television production. Multiquip GloBugs provide the absolute whitest, brightest output with 360 degree glare-free light. These Balloon Lights come with collapsible stands that can easily be set up and taken down by 1 person in only a few minutes and plug into any 120v standard outlet.
For a more portable style light tower solution Multiquip also makes GloBug Carts which are easy to pull and maneuver with 1 person unlike a trailer light tower. The carts are also compact enough to fit several in the back of a pickup or trailer and can work with any standard generator (although are ideal for Multiquip Generators).
Checkout this YouTube video below to see the actual size of some of these balloon lights and light towers. If you have no interest in Balloon Lights but love cheesy synthesizer music you may also enjoy this video.
It’s getting cold outside all over the country and in many cases a portable heating solution is needed. If you are sipping Mai-tai on the beach somewhere I am jealous and you can probably skip this post all together. If not… TPI carries a full range of portable electric heaters from the small 120V units to these much larger units. The Fostoria Hear Wave Salamanders are available ranging from 10 kW to 45 kW and are designed as a safer flameless alternative to propane or kerosene heaters. Below are some typical applications and a time to heat chart:
An insulated “up-to-code” 1800 sg ft building would only need 1 15kW heater to achieve up to 60 degrees temperature rise. Uninsulated, the same space could realize a 40 degree temperature rise. These temperatures would be reached in just over 2 hours.
Pole Building / Work ShopTo heat an insulated 2000 sq ft (40’ x 50’) pole building with a 12’ ceiling – use two 15kW heaters. This would provide a 60 degree temperature increase within 2-3 hours.
The units are very simple to operate and push ambient air over multiple heat coils and recirculation the air within the room until the temperature on the unit’s thermostat is reached. The 10 & 15 kW units operate at 800 CFM while 30 & 45 kW units are able to do 1100 CFM. These units are extremely easy to move around or take to and from the jobsite.
Ohio Power Tool supplies a full range of ceramic, infrared, forced air and radiant electric heaters from TPI. If you have any questions about power requirements, square footage calculation or any other things related to these electric heaters contact the experts at Ohio Power Tool at sales@ohiopowertool.com or call 800-242-4424.
New from Makita is the Autofeed Screwdriver 6844 ($267.60 Ohio Power Tool) some innovative new features have been combined into this screw gun. Tool-less screw depth adjustment and a capacity of 1-3/4” – 2-15/16” screws make this a very versatile tool. The D-handle and motor placement make the tool very comfortable for extended use and well balanced for working in any position. Dust proof construction and ridgid aluminum casting keep the slide working smooth for the life of the tool. Other features like lock-on trigger, belt clip and anti-tilt make this new Makita one to consider when looking for a new fastening tool. The extension handle 194500-1 ($84 Ohio Power Tool) would be the one accessory to consider which makes the tool even more versatile for many fastening applications.
Bosch just today announced a new Impactor for the 18V Litheon line which has 3 settings for a much wider range of applications in driving and drilling applications. I personally haven’t had a chance to test one of these units yet but obviously this would be a welcome improvement on an already great tool. In the meantime checkout the official Bosch Press Release below. Pre-order the 26618-01 on Ohio Power Tool for $398.
Mount Prospect, Ill., – The fastest growing segment within the professional cordless power tool category is impact drivers. Yet some users have been hesitant to adopt the tools because they still needed a second tool for drilling. Bosch Power Tools & Accessories is removing that barrier this week by introducing the 26618-01 18V Impact Drill/Driver. By combining typical drilling and driving capabilities with the added power of impact fastening, Bosch’s multi-function tool offers pro users the power and versatility to tackle any number of common jobsite applications.
Bosch’s 26618-01 offers an ideal combination of torque, speed and control, all within a single tool. The result is incredible versatility. A two speed motor (0-750 / 2,800 RPM) offers users the choice between high speed for small diameter drilling and high torque/low speed for drilling with spade bits or precision driving applications. When it’s time to tackle large diameter driving and fastening applications, users can effortlessly switch to impact mode and let the tool’s best-in-class 1,500 inch pounds of torque (3X more than a standard drill/driver) do all the work. Even with all that power, the tool’s compact 7” length enables users to accomplish tough tasks in tight spaces. Powered by Bosch’s proven 18V Litheon battery platform, the 26618-01 offers best-in-class performance in almost every meaningful measure. Bosch’s powerhouse delivers 40 percent faster screw driving, 20 percent faster drilling, two times more holes drilled per charge and 50 percent more screws driven per charge. This high level of performance is thanks to side-by-side battery and tool engineering that yields highly efficient power output in every application. The 26618-01 is compatible with Bosch’s 18V Litheon SlimPack batteries, a feature unique to Bosch’s tool that offers even greater user flexibility on the jobsite. The 26618-01 is also built to withstand the rigors of heavy duty usage. Bosch’s Electronic Motor Protection (EMP) , for example, protects the motor from damage due to stalling and Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) protects the batteries from overloading, overheating and deep discharging. The result is the best runtime and longest battery life in the cordless tool category, even in demanding applications.In terms of user comfort, Bosch’s soft grip surfaces reduce user fatigue and slippage, while the spring-loaded impact mechanism reduces the torque reaction and minimizes screw cam-out. Bosch’s patent-pending white light LEDs offer phenomenal visibility in dark or tight spaces. A sturdy metal belt hook, which can be mounted on either side of the tool, frees up hands to move materials into place.
Unfortunately I don’t have any celebrity friends like David Letterman to do my top 10 list but these are some good gift ideas on Ohio Power Tool for anyone who loves power tools, ranging from $20-$299. Also all of the following items are eligible for the Free Shipping if part of an order over $99. Just use coupon code: TURKEY before December 7th. All these items are also currently in-stock but can’t promise they won’t run out by the holidays. Checkout the Holiday Specials Page for even more deals from Ohio Power Tool.
10. Hougen RotaCut Metal Drill Kit 11075 - $74
This hole cutter kit includes 7 different size metal drill bits from 5/16” – ¾” which are faster and last 10 times longer than standard twist drill bits. Ideal for any electrician, mechanic, HVAC, metal fabricator or anyone that does any work with metal. These bits work with standard chuck drills found in almost any toolbox.
9. Milwaukee Right Angle Drill Attachment 49-22-8510 - $49
This handy accessory can get you into very tight places and is compatible with any drill that can accept ¼” hex bits from 2.4V to 36V or corded drills. Ideal for driver bits, spade bits, ¼” hex drill bits and many other accessories.
8. Bosch DareDevil Spade Bit Set DSB5013P - $27
Every carpenter, remodeler, handyman or weekend warrior should have a good set of Spade Bits in the tool box but Bosch reinvented the spade bit with the new DareDevil bits. This is a great gift because even if they have some spade bits they will love to upgrade to these.
7. Ingersoll Rand Titanium ½” Impact Gun 2135TiMAX - $249
Probably the sexiest impact gun you could own. This titanium impact wrench is the lightest, toughest, most powerful tool on the market today. Any serious mechanic will love this gun.
6. Lincoln 18V PowerLuber Grease Gun 1844 - $267
Now a cordless grease gun is probably not going to be on most people’s wish lists however for many farmers, mechanics and other service pros this may be the ideal present to see under the tree. The brand spankin new 18V extends the battery life to be able to hand up to 8-10 tubes per battery. This alone can be a huge advantage when out in the field away from the charger.
Continue reading "Top 10 Power Tool Gift Ideas for 2009 Holiday Season" »
Here is another tool we got to see in action at the STAFDA show. This Skil saw is specifically designed for use in installing hard wood, engineered & laminate flooring. I imagine it would also be pretty handy for ripping plywood and other sheet materials. Basically it is designed to take the place of a miter saw and table saw on flooring installations. It is also extremely compact and easy to carry around and use right where you are installing your flooring. For a price expected under $200 it’s an easy sell for professionals and DIYers alike. The new Skil Flooring Saw will be in stores soon.
Why would you need to wait in line at 5am, uphill both ways in 10 feet of snow just to fight Pit Bulls with lipstick (aka Hockey Moms) to try and save a few bucks? Ohio Power Tool is already putting out lots of awesome power tools at special discounted pricing and not refurbished or last year’s leftovers but the new good stuff. Check out the Top Tool Deals page to get some great gift ideas. Remember these prices also work with any other deals for Free Tools, Mail-in Rebates and/or Free Shipping.
The Free Shipping Deal is good until Monday December 7th, a week after Cyber Monday on many major brands including Bosch, Milwaukee, Dremel, Ingersoll Rand, CST/berger & Ridgid. Simply use Coupon Code TURKEY at checkout for free UPS ground shipping.
Visit Ohio Power Tool for a wide selection of tools at everyday discount prices. There are also a variety of mail-in rebates and other deals you can check out on the home page. You can also call 800-242-4424 during business hours to place any order, just mention the Free Shipping special.
We had a few more videos ready from the recent STAFDA show we thought that were pretty interesting.
The Bernzomatic Quickfire is a brand new compact soldering hand torch. It features 30% faster soldering time, on/off trigger, lockable, easy to change fuel tank and is perfect for getting into those hard to reach places.
Bosch NailKiller Ship/Spur Auger is another revolutionary development from the Bosch Accessories team. These guys love to take standard accessories we have all been using for years and find new innovative ways to improve performance and tool life.
The STAFDA trade show is traditionally where manufacturers come together and solicit current distributors to carry their products thus increasing their overall reach. This show does not have as many product launches as the larger and more end user focused show like the www.BuildersShow.com or www.WorldofConcrete.com but there were some cool new products that were launched or at least that were available to touch and feel for the first time. Many of the larger vendors also had private meetings to unveil future plans and products however those products weren’t ready to launch.
Some of the highlights (more to come):
The Senco Fusion was one of the bigger product launches of the show. They didn’t have any marketing material ready and currently nothing on their website but they did have several working models of the 15 gauge and 18 gauge finishing nailers which I got to try out. These should be available sometime in the first quarter 2010 with other finishers on the way shortly afterwards. The framing nailer they said was in the works but we would not see it anytime soon.
The Milwaukee 2790-20 JobSite Radio for M12, M18, V18, V28 & NiCds was also at the show along with all the new Milwaukee Test & Measure tools. I have probably already had too many posts on these items already but it was nice to get chance to see them in action and answer a few questions like how can the radio take every kind of battery? Answer 3 different battery slots so probably not going to see any other universal tools coming.
Tired of your Flashlight dying while on the job? How about 3 times the run time. Bulbs are a pain to replace; how about 250 times the life span (50,000 hours). Ever dropped your flashlight and the bulb broke; how about a bulb that won’t break (or that is at least as strong as or stronger than the plastic housing it). One bulb (the last bulb you'll ever need) to work with all M12, M18, V18, V28 & all 9.6-28V Milwaukee incandescent flashlights. Also works with most DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, Hitachi, Ridgid, Ryobi and other brands as well!
It’s all true for your current flashlight if you get the new LED upgrade kit from Milwaukee 49-81-0090. The cost for the upgraded LED bulb kit will be around $33 but could be worth it for all benefits it provides. With all the advantages and continuously cheaper LED bulbs hopefully it won’t be long until all work lights are LED. Probably never guessed your flashlight bulb would out live your children’s children did you?
The Upgrade to LED kit 49-81-0090 will be available soon on Ohio Power Tool category: Cordless Worklights.
A new addition to the cordless Lincoln PowerLuber line is the 18V Grease Gun 1844. Currently the 14.4V and 12V PowerLubers are considered the top guns on the market and starting under $200, very reasonably priced. The new 18V will also use the current 14.4V chargers which could be a very nice feature for those that use multiple grease guns. Here is a quick comparison of the 3 cordless models:
PowerLuber 12 Volt – 1244 ($199)
- (2) 1201 Batteries
- Single Speed – High Pressure (2.9 oz/min)
- 6,000 PSI
- 3-5 Tubes per Battery
PowerLuber 14.4 Volt – 1444 ($248)
- (2) 1401 Batteries
- 2 Speed – High Pressure (3 oz/min) High Volume (8.5 oz/min)
- 7,500 PSI
- 5-7 Tubes per Battery
PowerLuber 18 Volt – 1844 ($267)
- (2) 1801 Batteries
- 2 Speed – High Pressure (3 oz/min) High Volume (9 oz/min)
- 7,500 PSI
- 8-10 Tubes per Battery
When looking at the stats it’s clear the 18V is similar to the already very popular 14.4V model but does improve the work time for each battery 30-60%. Which gun is right for you will depend on your specific application. The PowerLubers are used in a wide range of industries including automotive, farm equipment, heavy construction equipment, factory machinery, wind turbines, general maintenance & much more. It is recommended to use the Lincoln Lube Guardian Grease Tubes ($1.99) with the PowerLuber guns but there are many other brands and specialty grease that could work as well.
The much anticipated M18 Jobsite Radio 2790-20 has officially been announced and they solved all the problems with compatibility. Now all 12V-28V batteries from Milwaukee; M-series, V-series and NiCd will work to power this radio. But before you ask, no it doesn’t charge any of them. The weather sealed MP3 compartment will hold your iPod or other devices and keep them out of the rain. If you are concerned about durability they are made to the same standards as the M12 Radio 2590-20, checkout this YouTube that’s been working its way around.
The M18 Radio 2790-20 will be available soon but for more information on all Milwaukee M18 tools and accessories visit Ohio Power Tool. Read the full official Milwaukee Press Release below.
Continue reading "Milwaukee Jobsite Radio 2790-20 - M12, M18, V18, V28, NiCD" »
While supplies last, at Ohio Power Tool you can get a Free 3rd Battery instantly with the purchase of the CLPK40-180 ($475) or the CLPK50-180 ($550) combo kits. The CLPK50-180 is actually the CLPK40-180 kit with the Impactor 25618B, but for only $75 more it’s one great deal. The free 3rd battery ships right away with your tool (no mail-in rebates) and is the light weight slimpack BAT609 ($77) which is great for the light, impact, and many uses of the hammer drill. Bosch is also the only major tool brand that allows any of the 18V tools to work with both the slimpack or fatpack batteries.
Consider this your official invitation to come out to the Ohio Power Tool Columbus location and have some fun at the Bosch Tailgate party. In addition to the full tailgate spread there will be Bosch representatives on hand to answer any questions and give tool & accessory demos. Lots of Bosch prizes including hats, tee shirts, accessories and tools. The event will be Thursday, October 22nd from 10:00am – 2:00pm. It’s not just for the locals, checkout the great deals all month long online like Bosch Grinders $49, Bosch Bulldogs $222, 18V Impactors $99, 18V 4 Tool Combo & 3rd Battery $475 and lots of other great Bosch Tool deals, prices just got lowered yesterday.
Above and beyond these online deals if you can make it to Ohio Power Tool for the event, there will be instant rebates on almost every Bosch tool in-stock good for up to an additional 20% off instantly. Give the guys at Ohio Power Tool a call 800-242-4424 for full details and to get your orders in early to guarantee stock but you are not going to do better buying Bosch Tools this year.
Air hammers have a wide range of uses in many different industries from automotive service to construction to foundry use. Coupled with a wide variety of air hammer chisels and different attachments these are incredibly versatile tools. An interesting fact, Air Hammers are also called Zip Guns and if you search on that term, you will get a whole other list of results in Google. Apparently “Zip Guns” are also a term used for homemade guns, typically fashioned to look inconspicuous, like a cell phone or ball point pen, not what we are talking about here although it would be a fun post to write.
Some Air Hammer basics; there are 2 common sizes for air hammer chisels the .401 shank and more heavy duty .498 shank. There are also 2 styles for each size, turn type and non-turn type chisels. The turn types are far more common and have a collar to hold the bit in the tool. The non-turn type, do not allow the bit to rotate by locking the bit in with 4 ball grooves; it also requires an Ajax Kwik Connect Retain (both chisel types work with kwik connect retainers).
You may remember the post a few weeks ago on the corded Compact Band Saw 6249-6 ($199), well the cordless M18 Band Saw 2629-22 ($399) shares the same basic sizes and dimensions. They also both use the 35-3/8” blade and feature the built-in LED work light however the corded version does have variable speed while the cordless does not.
The new compact M18 Band Saw is 45% lighter than the Deep Cut V28 Band Saw but still has a 3-1/4” capacity large enough to handle many common tasks. Th light weight compact size paired with the built in LED work light this is possibly the best band saw on the market for getting into tight spaces. The M18 also offers up to 3x faster cut time and 3x longer battery life when compared to other 18 volt cordless band saws. If you already have other M18 tools and batteries you can also pick up the tool only version M18 Band Saw 2629-20 ($219).
If you have any questions about any of the Milwaukee portable band saws or any of the Milwaukee M18 tool feel free to call the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or email any questions to sales@ohiopowertool.com.
Bosch like many other manufacturers offer Hole Saws in many sizes and varieties however Bosch offers their entire hole saw line with the Universal Quick Change System. The quick change system is a significant time saver when switch between hole saws; it only takes a few seconds to simply unlock the mandrel and replace it with a new hole saw.
Bi-Metal Hole Saws – These are you typical all purpose type hole saw, good for wood, metal and other construction materials. The Bosch Bi-Metal hole saws are available in several kits including 17, 19 & 25 piece. The kits have a high number of pieces because the quick change adaptors are separate and include 7-11 in each kit. The adaptors also work on most other brands of competitors hole saws.
Carbide Tip Hole Saws – These hole saws have serious diamond sharpened carbide teeth and are ideal for wood, laminate, cementboard, masonry, roof tiles and many other materials. Incredibly strong and long lasting the quick change adaptor is built into each bit. The Kits are available in 5 & 8 piece.
Diamond Grit Hole Saws – The newest line of hole saws for Bosch, the Diamond Grit saws are made to cut marble, granite, tile and other hard materials. These hole saws do require water to stay cool; typically provided by a spray bottle. The individual hole saws above ¾” work with Universal Quick Change System and have the adaptors build in. They use the AutoStart pin to ensure a perfectly centered hole, another unique feature for Bosch. The Mini Diamond Hole Saws (3/16”-5/8”) don’t require the Quick Change Mandrel and will work in any standard drill. The Kits are available in 7 & 11 piece.
Checkout the video below if you still have questions on the Bosch Quick Change System and if that doesn’t do the job feel free to give the pros at Ohio Power Tool a call 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.
I just got done reading a great review, up now on www.toolsnob.com, which spent 3+ months review the new Bosch 18v cordless Impactor. It looks and sounds like this tool was really put to the test including ladder drops and many other abuses.
My only complaint with the review was it states that the Impactor with (2) slimpacks starts at $250 (Amazon) but the ad on the top of their own site says you can get the Bosch 18v Impactor, Compact Drill/Driver & (2) slimpack batteries CLPK23-180 for $219 (Ohio Power Tool). Check out all the Bosch 18V Tools with some really great special pricing on Ohio Power Tool.
In stock now, the M12 Sub-Scanner 2290-21 was originally announced some time ago as part of the new M12 Test & Measurement tools (clamp-gun & temp-gun have been delayed). The Sub-Scanner is very very easy to use for finding studs, metal in concrete or live electrical wires. Without looking at any directions I’m pretty sure an 8 year old could operate this machine. Simply select stud or metal on the thumb control, hit CAL and you are in business. The Sub-Scanner has 4 wheels that easily glide over any surface. The only settings you can change are sound, units of measure (us/metric) and depth on stud finder. Checkout this Photo Album for more pictures.
On stud mode it shows a basic left, center, right which makes it almost idiot proof when finding studs. The “V” on the top of the tool lights up anytime you go over a live wire which is probably a pretty smart safety feature as well. You will feel very confident when you have found the center of the stud unlike some other stud detectors that simply beep or light up.
In metal mode the display is slightly more advanced but just as easy to use. It doesn’t give left or right indicators but does provide a depth reading and a Ferrous vs Non-Ferrous indicator. The tool is pretty accurate in metal mode; in the above picture you can see the rebar almost exactly 3.5” in the parking block.
Checkout all the Milwaukee M12 tools available on Ohio Power Tool. There are some very exciting things that have come out recently and more that will be launching soon. We will do our best to keep you up to date on all of it.
Several months ago SPX Power Team announced a new line of Predator Torque Wrenches and Electric Hydraulic Pumps. These new torque wrenches are serious tools putting out up to 28,800 ft. lbs. of torque on hex bolts as large as 6-1/8”. Unless you plan on building you own roller coaster or 80ft wind turbine in your back yard these tools obviously aren’t for the DIYers.
This new generation of electric torque wrench pump feature much higher flow and automatic cycle operation both of which result in higher productivity. The Predator pump can be operated continuously, and also features low amperage operation and low sound level. These pumps are not build for lifting as the valves are not set up for load holding. See the chart below to understand how these compact pumps can operate at up to twice the speed of typical 2 speed pump.
In addition to the Predator electric powered hydraulic pumps are the new and durable steel square drive and low clearance torque wrenches. This new generation torque wrench features more efficient and faster operation in an envelope size that is 2/3rds the size of aluminum wrenches, allowing the tool to be used in applications where space is limited, yet is still comparable in weight.
Ohio Power Tool sells a wide range of the new Predator Torque Wrenches, Electric Pumps as well as the necessary high torque sockets. Typically configuring a proper hydraulic system of any kind is going to take some professional expertice. As always if you have any questions on any hydraulic equipment feel free to give the pros at Ohio Power Tool at call 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.
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.
All month long you can get great deals and Free Shipping on Ingersoll Rand and Chicago Pneumatic power tools from Ohio Power Tool. Discounts and special sale pricing have already been applied to many of the most popular IR & CP tools however to take advantage of FREE SHIPPING simple use coupon code: SEPTEMBER in the checkout. If you don’t want to mess with the coupon code or have any questions at all please feel free to call the pros at Ohio Power Tool directly 800-242-4424.
Milwaukee Tool is very well known for their portable band saws. Earlier this year they announced a completely redesigned Deep Cut Band Saw 6232-6N that significantly increased power, speed & overall performance. Because one size does not always fit all, Milwaukee is now coming out with a Compact Band Saw 6242-6 with a more economically friendly price of $199 (Ohio Power Tool). The new smaller band saw will weigh only 9.5 lbs, 45% less than the Deep Cut but still have a fairly large capacity of 3-1/4” vs the Deep Cut at 4-7/8”. With the smaller size and light weight design it is natural to assume it will be used in tighter spaces, so it made sense that they also added an LED work light currently not available on the Deep Cut model. The Compact Band Saw will be the size as the new M18 band saw that will also be coming out soon, more on that later.
If you have any questions about any of the Milwaukee Portable Band Saws do not hesitate to contact the pros at Ohio Power Tool, 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.
Currently (until the end of the month or while supplies last) at Ohio Power Tool you can pick up Milwaukee Hole Saw Kits for some significant discounts. These kits include Ice Hardened & Big Hawg Kits: 10 piece electrician ($55), 10 piece plumber ($54), 15 piece general purpose ($93), 7 piece Big Hawg ($70) & 15 piece Big Hawg ($123). Also if you purchased 2 kits before August 31st you can also get a free 3rd kit with this Milwaukee Mail-in Rebate. If you have any questions about the kits or any other holesaws as always feel free to call the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.
I love it when a small simple change happens to an everyday item and then everyone thinks “Oh yea that’s pretty obvious, why didn’t I think of that”. Wordlock hasn’t reinvent the lock, they didn’t make it any more secure, they are the priced similar to the competition ($4 - $15) but they did make it easier to remember the passwords and that’s enough to make them a player. The locks all still use 10 digit wheels so the number of total combinations is the exact same as numbered locks and assuming most people will make real words it seems like these would be easier to guess combinations. In reality if someone really wants through a pad lock or cable lock bad enough there are plenty of power tools that will do the job.
I tested out 5 different models of Wordlock locks: a Brass Lock, a Utility Lock, 2 Cable Locks and a Padlock. The Padlock and large Cable Lock features easy to set/change passwords, while the Brass & Utility locks require a key to change the passwords and the small Cable Lock had a set password you couldn’t change. I use several different locks personally, it will be nice to have them all be the same and if I gave out the password for some reason, easy to reset them all.
Recently Milwaukee introduced a completely new line of accessories designed to work specifically with Impact tools. These funny looking bits are designed to take the abuse of that constant impact force and the shockwave bits are claiming up to 10x life. The whole line will be available shortly on the Milwaukee Tool page of OhioPowerTool.com. (29 piece kit 48-32-4401 $19, Ohio Power Tool) Also we will do a follow up post on some real world testing applications but in the meantime checkout the official Milwaukee Tool press release below.
MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation introduces over 80 new products in its new line of Shockwave™ Impact Duty accessories. Delivering high performance and functionality, the full range solution was designed to stand up to elevated and extreme torque applications. The line includes high performance drill bits, nut drivers, sockets, bit holders and adapters.
"Impact tools are one of the fastest growing tool segments in the market today, but many accessory linescannot hold up under the high torque of impact applications,” says Mike Kirby, Sr. Product Manager-Accessories of Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. "The new Shockwave™ Impact Duty Accessories offer a wider range of solutions for every user, and are engineered to absorb the stress of higher torque applications."
Made from a custom engineered steel and heat treated for high shock resistance, the Shockwave™ Impact Duty driver bits feature an innovatively designed Shock Zone™ geometry to absorb impact. In addition, a compressed forged tip delivers an ideal fit and eliminates breakage. The combination of proprietary material, heat treatment, and geometry deliver up to 10X longer life than the competition.
The product offering also includes user friendly features such as color coding on the nut drivers for easy size identifications and a thin wall construction on the professional grade sockets for easy access in tight areas. Broadly targeting cordless users, the Shockwave™ Impact Duty accessory line is not only ideal for heavy duty impact applications, but is a full system solution for all the user’s drilling and fastening needs.
Hougen, invented the Magnetic Drill many years ago and continues to improve upon their designs. The original swivel base unit, HMD904S ($929), has become a very popular addition to their lineup. Now Hougen has just launched the HMD925S ($1438) and HMD914S ($1345) swivel base models. These units are basically the same motors as their stationary base counterparts however the swivel base allows for 1-1/8”W x 1-3/8”L travel. The swivel base saves a great deal of time lining up the hole as well as improves accuracy with one stroke lock & unlock handle.
For more information on Hougen Mag Drills or Rotabroach metal cutting bits, contact the professionals at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 or email sales@ohiopowertool.com.
Tips for Using a Portable Magnetic Drill Press:
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 s