Cordless Tools Reviews

product was received as advertised. the products have been put to use with no problems so far. if these reconditioned products
continue to perform in the future as they do now, then i can say
i got a very good deal. this is a very smart move by the manufacturer to provide reconditioned tools with a warranty because i probably would not have bought this brand. as it is, i
saved money and the manufacturer got their products exposed to me and i will probably include this brand when i shop for the
next power tool.

This is a great drill for serious DIY. It has enough power for all but largest hole drilling using hole saws and more than enough for driving tasks. The battery charges very quickily and last a long time.

I have been doing some remodeling which included replacing the kitchen cabinets. The sink base for a corner unit came in pieces. The 45 degree angles of the front face to sides needed to be attached and glue was the only real answer. The sides are essentially MDF with a veneer. This material does not hold fasteners well, nor was it possible to use screws through the front which would have marred the finished look. It was not possible to clamp this assembly in place without extrodinary efforts. A quick setting glue was the answer.

The WW75 multipurpose glue was used to attach the cabinet base to the sidewalls, and then the front to the sidewalls. It was possible to slide the front panel slightly to align everything and then to hold it in place fairly easily until it set up. It was worth the price for this one application, and I have plans for many others.

The glue is somewhat expensive and not available everywhere, but is the answer for some situations when other things just won't work.

All in all, it is one of those tools that when you need it, there is nothing else that will do the job.

This kit came with the 21 amp controller, rather than with the 7 amp controller as expected. (Nice surprise!) See separate review for the 21 amp controller.
This is a Plug and play installation as advertised, and appears to be working well. The kit comes complete with stainless mounting brackets, stainless mounting screws, controller, and connecting wire.

Strong points:
Extremely good technical support. Easily installed for the most part. Quite well made. Even includes a cable to allow connection to another similar pannel. Up to 300 watts can be connected together, as the pannel has two connections, to allow tying to another pannel or/and to the battery/controller.
Mounting is simple using the supplied brackets. Nice design. The controller is necessary only if you have a amperage charge capacity of greater than 1.5% of the battery's amp hour rating

At near full battery charge, the cell was outputting about 50% rated power under a noon sun.

Weak points:
The cables supplied are number 12 wire, which is adequate for the lengths of wire supplied, but heavier wire is recommended for longer runs. I wound up using #6 wire per their recommendations, but had to connect to the pannel using the supplied #12 wire, as it has the required their molded connectors.

The solar pannel itself is supposed to be sealed from weather. There is a rubber/plastic bead seal that runs around the inside edge of the solar cell frame, similar to an aluminum storm window. This bead was cut at each of the 4 corners, and because I was afraid it would shrink over time, I covered the corners with RTV. When laying flat, the panel lies about 3/32" recessed in the frame. I have a concern about water collecting on the face of the solar cell, then leaking onto the cell. Note that they guarantee the cell to produce 80% of original power for life of ownership.

It has been installed about a week.

THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IS A PROBLEM IN REMOVING THE BATTERY PACKS FROM THE TOOLS, ESPECIALLY THE RECIPRICATING SAW. IT TAKES A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL EFFORT AND A LITTLE LUCK TO GET IT DONE QUICKLY.

If you have read many of these tool reviews, you'll notice many seem to be spec-fights between brands rather than real-life use reviews, I've learned from experience to ignore this stuff. In the end, what really counts, to me, is whether the company is still making reliable, heavy-duty tools in the type of tool I'm considering. I don't like to take stuff back, either.

I bought this Makita cordless saw in reconditioned form, used it for many hard jobs, without breakdowns of any kind. If I had, I wouldn't hesitate to switch brands - instantly - but I don't change just for the sake of it, and I have seen what happens to tool 'guinea pigs' - I let someone else take the first plunge.

This Makita has a 6 1/2-inch blade, a nice size for an 18-volt motor, large enough for much ordinary framing work, but small enough for trim work, precision cuts, and working in confined areas. The saw has the usual big Makita motor, great cooling, ball bearings, a well-made aluminum foot, and a quality blade. Out of laziness, I have used it on a few harder and repetitive cuts really calling for my Skilsaw and have been very impressed.

I have given this Makita saw 4 stars instead of 5 only because it came with one Ni-Cad battery - the lack of a second battery limits its utility quite a bit for prolonged work. There are newer kits with Ni-MH batteries and chargers, of course. I simply bought another recon'd Makita 18v drill and got two new Ni-MH batteries in the bargain, which solved the problem nicely.

I can't review Makita's warranty/repair service because I've never, ever needed it with any of their cordless drills or saws, which is about the best warranty any tool maker could provide. Isn't that what it's all about?

This is one of the few 12v drills available with a 1/2" chuck- that gives you more options for bits. The NiMH batteries are better than NiCad and are less harmful for the environment when they're disposed of. With any 12v or 14.4v or even 18v drill, you'll always want to have one battery charging while you're using the other. 12v batteries don't last as long as 18v ones. However, as long as you have easy access to the charger it's not too big of a deal.

I've mixed paint, thinset, joint compound, and concrete with it- no problems. I use it nearly everyday in my remodelling business. I've had it a year and just replaced the trigger switch. It cost $18 and a few phone calls over my lunch break to find a local shop with the part in stock. No big deal.

Overall, the best 12v drill I've used.

why does this charger come in a plastic pkg. with another battery that I do not need?

I am extremely pleased with this right-angle tool. It is well constructed and made drilling through the wall studs a breeze, all at an affordable price. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is beacuase it does not have a keyless chuck - or at least a place to store the key.

Solid. Feels tight, hefty. Chuck included. Home(USA)-made.
Ordering one for afriend.

I have the 14.4-volt drill and use it every day. It is light, has the power when I need it, I can use the drill for hours on a single charge. The light is extremly handy, very bright, can be used hours on a single charge, includes extra bulb. I have yet to find a better drill that is that light with that much power for the price.