Power Tools Reviews

I have used the Makita Model 9046 1/2 sheet sander for 4 years. It is almost identical to this model.

I had the opportunity to do a hands on evaluation of 1/2 sheet sanders. I liked the ruggedness Porter-Cable, the economy of the Milwaukee, and the feel of the Bosch, but the Matkita is in a class of it's own.

At first it seemed a little heavy, but after I got use to it and let it work, it did a fantastic job. This 1/2 sheet sander oscillates much more than the others and does the job in half the time. It leaves the surface dead flat and is very kind to veneer.

It has vacuum pich-up holes in the paper/sander like a random orbital sander. If you hook it up to a vac the dust is minimal ( This may require a little tape around the outlet to fit your hose). The punch plate does not come with the sander. So unless you can find the special pre-punched paper, you need to order the plate from a Makita rep or make one.

I do not recommend starting with 80 grit paper. This sander can be very aggressive, so start with the finest grit that will do job.

My application requires a minimum dust sanding system (house with air heating ducts). I could not find any vendor selling the vacuum hose and punch plate for the BO4900V sander so they were ordered directly from Makita. The sander was ordered from Amazon. When all parts arrived from the two vendors nothing fit. Called the the Makita Service Center and talked to Dalton who resolved the problem (one of the parts was was quickly replaced). The question was asked: why don't you include the punch plate with the sander? Answer: many customers don't need or use the punch plate and so it gets lost; this just adds to the price of the sander. This is a quality punch plate (1/2 lb steel), rugged, accurate, virtually indestructible and worth the price. Wait! There's more! The edge of the sanding pad has air holes to vacuum dust from the two long sides of the sander without the punch plate; but it's even better with holes in the sandpaper from the punch plate. I am now the proud owner of a great sanding system!

It IS the best sander I've used so far. Quiet, balanced, does the job faster AND it's good looking. Doesn't come with a punch plate...$17+ shipping to order from Makita. Make your own with some dowels and a block of wood. Other than Makita not including that in the package, you won't be disappointed with this sander.

I have used this tool for sanding down paint on houses, a job it is particularly well suited for. The features I appreciated most were:
- Light weight (much lighter than a disc grinder - but it still feels well built)
- Great balance (making it much easier to use one-handed than a grinder)
- Durability and suitable power

Overall, this is a great tool for painters, which is why it seems to be standard issue with many pros. If I were using it for anything else (sanding or grinding fiberglass, for instance), I would personally prefer a sander that has speed control (such as the 7" sander/polishers from Makita or Milwaukee) so that I could have better control of the amount of material being removed. But for painting houses, I consider it a must-have. The only thing I have come across that could use improvement (and it is a bit nit-picky) is that the trigger lock is difficult to operate with the left hand - I am right handed, but sometimes need to use the tool with the left when up on a ladder, etc. I have also seen it cheaper than Amazon's current price ($99) at a local home superstore...

If you need to remove paint from a house, barn or old garage, buy this thing before you start. It does an excellent job without marring the work surface. Considering the amount of effort it saves (esp. over using a scraper), it's dirt cheap. It's also very durable (I've had mine 7+ years). I only wish their orbital sanders held up this well. With a coarse grit sanding disk you can quickly and easily take an old painted surface down to bare wood. I learned about the tool from a house painter who told me it was invaluable. One warning though, be sure to use the side handle that comes with it. It runs at high speed and if you're using it in only one hand, it can get away from you if the disk gets wedged in a crack or caught between two boards. The bottom line is, unless you really enjoy scraping paint (in which case you're a little weird), you'll want this tool - it's a MAJOR labor saver.

Borrowed one of these (then bought one) and used to grind out an old floor that was glassed into a '65 fiberglass runabout. Was super fast and the control was amazing. Loved how light and powerful this little dynamo is.

I'm not particulary brand loyal, but these people really build some fantastic tools. Not all Milwaukee stuff is great, but this drill has more power than most cordless drills, can take massive abuse, and lasts a long time on a charge. It has weaknesses (the triggers destroy themselves) but all in all a super top notch unit. I've been through several other brands, but this one is a keeper. I'm becoming convinced that if you want indestructable heavy duty tools, milwaukee is the way to go. All of my other milwaukee tools have taken such abuse it is amazing, but not even a dent or scratch.

If you have a second battery and the quick charger, you never have to stop working. If you need to drive a 18" long 1" dia auger bit through huge timbers like I've done, this unit will do it effortlessly.

Ive owned the Milwaukee 18 volt drill for over twelve months
now and its without a doubt the best cordless Ive ever used!

Just to name a few I have driven 150-3inch screws into hard
wood on a single charge! Ive drilled 5/8 inch holes into
concrete 8 inches deep (I dont have the hammer model) too
many times to list. Ive drilled 1/2 inch holes into marble.
basically no screw or drill material has evan slowed it down.

The tool has been under daily use for 12 months with many days
of up to 6 hours usage. The first two days I used the Milwaukee
it felt heavy but I havent noticed it since. The balance is
incredible especially working overhead with the battery reversed.

My drill has hit the deck dozens of times with one 15 foot fall
off a ladder onto a concrete driveway, the only damage was
a few deep scratches in the body.

If possible the tool seems to get stronger with age!
Milwaukee has a real winner here and over all I say it smokes
the yellow and blue brands (I own both)

My only commplaint is that the Milwaukee emblem is wearing of the side.................

After using the Milwaukee 18volt drill for over 7 months now I am simply blown away. Just to name a few, I have driven over
150, 3" inch screws into hardwood on a single charge, drilled 5/8 inch holes 8inches deep into concrete with ease (even though I do not own a hammer model) drilled 1/2 inch holes into marble and drove 1/4 inch lag bolts that were 10 inches long, just to name a few.

I have dropped the tool several times including one 15 foot drop onto a concrete driveway with nothing but scratches resulting.

The balance of the tool is excelent especially when working overhead. The weight of the drill seemed heavy on the first
and second day I used it, but I havent noticed it since.

For 7 months I have used this tool everyday and many times that included 5-7 hours of use in a day, the tool performs no differently than the first day I used it, if anything it seems
even more powerful now!!!

This tool performs better than some corded drills I have owned in the past, and in my experience outperforms the yellow brand
and the blue brand over the long haul. The only critiscism I have
is that the milwaukee emblem is starting to wear of the side of the tool..............

I was all set to buy a Dewalt 14V cordless drill but after reading the reviews I decided to buy the Milwaukee. This is the first Milwaukee tool I have ever bought. It just happend that a local hardware store had the 18V on sale. I'm glad I went with the 18V instead of the 14V. The 18V had to work a little to drive in the 3/8 x 6" lag screws I was putting in. I used too small of a pilot hole. But hey, I now know what this drill can do. Since I have purchased this drill I have yet to use my corded drill. Because of the quality of this drill I will consider future purchases of Milwaukee products.

I've had my Milwaukee 18v drill for over a year now, I'm a plumber by trade, and I punish this drill on a daily basis. Although I don't recommend abusing any power tool, there are times when you don't have a choice. I used to have a DeWalt 18v that worked great for about 6 months, then things started happening, like the trigger assembly went out, and then the motor burned up, and then I threw it away. The Milwaukee is one heavy duty piece of equipment, you can't go wrong with one. All I can really say is, that if your looking for a high quality cordless tool that won't let you down in the middle of a job, then the Milwaukee power plus should be number one on your shopping list.

I am impressed with this tool every time I use it. I comparison shopped the Milwaukee against several other top brands, including Dewalt 24 volt. The reversible battery really helps adjust the tool's balance point, and it has substantial torque for driving large boring bits and seating hefty wood screws, even in high gear! Battery capacity is also impressive - lasting much longer than I expected. Don't be fooled by other manufacturers "24 volt" ratings - power is NOT measured in volts. The secret to prolonged power is the watt-hour and amp-hour ratings of the battery pack, not just the voltage. The new generation Milwaukee 2.4 amp-hour batteries provide tremendous charge duration and tool power. It is very well made, with solid construction and tight seams that do not squirm under load. The rectangular battery packs are tidy to store in the tool box, much better than the irregular shaped battery packs on some other brands. If I lost this drill tomorrow, I would immediately replace it with another Milwaukee. Simply excellent!

I have used the 8977-20 heat gun from Milwaukee for one entire day. It was on virtually the entire time for the purpose of removing varnish. It is light weight, quiet and provides ample heat for the job. The temp control is conveniently located at the rear of the gun. My only suggestion would be to provide a stand that would allow it to point upwards without blocking the airfow. It does have a flip-out stand but it rests the gun on the air intake. Other than that minor point, it is a great product

This puppy works great. I have run for several hours while prying up self-adhesive floor tiles and have had no problems. It's light weight and the handle does not get overly hot so you can use it without a glove.

The Milwaukee heat gun is very quiet and provides rapid, constant heat. Temperature adjustment is easy, granted it does take some guess work to determine the output temperature. I've used this unit constantly for paint removal and shrink sleeving applications.

I've had the Panasonic MC-V5746 for two months. My previous vacuum was also a Panasonic and lasted for 15 years! This one lives up to its reputation; the HEPA filter is great and removes dust and animal dander. I also like having a separate bag and am happy I didn't choose a "bagless" model...all the dirt stays in the bag with no mess. It's quiet, with a long cord, and the 14" path is not too wide and makes it easy to maneuver around furniture. The only drawback, which I hope Panasonic corrects on future models, is the handle. It's too short (I'm 5'8"), and there's a little cap on the end that comes loose and pinches my hand when I'm pushing/pulling the vacuum. I've called Panasonic Customer Service and they said a replacement or upgraded handle is not available. Otherwise, it's a great vacuum!

Right now, there are no cons. This vacuum cleaner is light and easy to handle. It picks up everything on rugs or bare floors. It's attachments are easy to use. It is quiet, has a light for maneuverability, and its cord is long enough to go from one room to another. I'm especially impressed with the HEPA filter. I don't know too much about all of the fancy terms out there, but I do know that I see almost no dust in my apartment anymore. I've only had it for two months, but my place has never been cleaner. If anything goes wrong with the vacuum cleaner, I will be sure to update my review. For right now, though, you can't go wrong with the MC-V5746. I can't recommend it enough.

This Upright Vacuum from Panasonic has a 12.0 Amp Motor and a 14" cleaning path, the power cord is 30' feet long and a dirt finder headlight. It also has the following unique features.

A Clean Air system, the dirt is deposited into the filter paper bag before going through the fan and motor. You will not break a fan with this type system.

Quick draw On board tools with ready to use attachments made cleaning baseboards and above the floor as easy as it gets. The attachments include a crevice tool, dusting brush and two standard wands with a 12.5' reach

The Vacuum comes equipped with 6 stages of filtration with HEPA filter. HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) is a filtering efficiency specification for filters developed by the Atomic Energy commission during World War 2 to effectively remove radioactive dust from plant exhausts without redistribution.
A HEPA filter will retain all particles to .3 microns in size at an efficiency rating of 99.97%

All Panasonic Vacuums have a Motor Protection System should the unit get clogged a valve in the back of the unit will open and let air into the Vacuum to keep the motor from burning out.

Automatic Carpet Height adjustment allows fast and effective cleaning. The Panasonic upright automatically adjusts it powerful cleaning nozzle to match the carpet type for effective vacuuming. There's no bending, stooping or guessing what nozzle adjustment is needed, like some vacuums. Panasonic does it all, automatically.

Bare Floor Carpet Option optimizes cleaning anywhere and everywhere in your home. This convenient foot pedal easily switches to adjust the agitator to accommodate both carpeted and uncarpeted areas. The agitator grooms the carpet fibers and helps release dirt particles for easy removal. Switch to Bare Floor for scuff free vacuuming of hard surface flooring and wax finishes. There is no need to change attachments or make any manual adjustments which would prolong vacuuming time.

Dual Active Edge Cleaning means that Panasonic had placed bristles very close to both edges of the vacuum. This gives you edge cleaning on either side of the vacuum. No need to sure you are vacuuming on the side with edge cleaning.

Dirt Finder Headlight helps you see the lint and dirt in dimly lit areas.

This product comes with a 1 year warranty, and uses replacements bags U-3 or MC115P or U-6 MCV145M and Belts MCV270B

I purchased a 9690LR to replace the spindle lock on crapsmen router broke. I use this smaller router for all my hand work, dovetails, dado's, etc. I have a more powerful router mounted to a table. There are sereval things I like about this router, and one minor complaint. First, there are two complete collets (1/2 and 1/4") included, not a 1/2 and an insert. Second, I have cussed other routers with stuck bits. The collets have a snap ring around the collet just above the locknut. This allows the collet to be pulled out of the spindle by the nut. Very cool - no more anxiety attacks switching bits. Secondly, the spindle has a fixed hex nut just below the collet to provide the 'spindle lock' with a wrench. This double-nut mechanism is far superior to any spindle lock schemes on other routers. The depth adjustment and associated lock is very accurate and easy to use. Power switch has a rubber dust cover. My only gripe is the lack of an effective soft start. Since I use this as a hand router, I have one hand on the handle and another on the switch. I cannot hold this powerhouse still when it switches on, bit of a dangerous situation - for me and my project. With this in mind, I think I would go with the variable speed design of this model for the extra $20 if I had to buy it again.

I have started to use this router for making Dovetail drawers. This router has worked great. The Porter-Cable reputation has held up to its name.

this tool works flawlessly, easy to insert router bits and easy to adjust tool for the job at hand, the noise level seems lower than most routers I have operated, and the tool has plenty of power to plow thru the hardest of hardwoods...

I have had this saw (older model) for over 10 years now and i never regreted buying it. I am a finish carpenter and i don't use this everday but for once a week i need it - it has always been there and never let me down. i needed to buy another one for my other crew and didn't hesitate buy this newer model.

The best sawzall I have ever used..I've owned this saw since 1996, never had a problem, other than the powercord had to be replaced..It outcuts all the competion, and I highly recomend it to any tradesman, or DYI.

This is a great tool; one I don't know how I did without for all these years puttering around the house. With the proper blade, this saw does it all!

Gary (Spider) Webb Peoria AZ
This has got to be the best woodworking money I have spent to date.
I went for a grizly 12/35 after about 18 months of turning. Its like steping into a new BMW. So smoth and powerful.

I bought this lathe about a month ago. Super lathe--the Horse power and weight are well worth the extra cost. Plus I love the fact that if I need something for my lathe the folks at Powermatic are in Tn. I want service when I buy and that's what you get buying from Amazom and Powermatic. Thanks for everything.

I've been using this lathe for over 2 years now and it sure is a heavyweight. I turn mostly bowls in the 14-20 inch diameter range and this is the machine to do it on. I moved up from a Jet that required the foundation that came with it to be anchored to the floor to keep it in one spot. This Powermatic at 960 pounds just doesn't move. The three speed pulley serpentine belt arrangement not only assures quiet operation but a great degree of freedom in choosing a speed for your work. Couple that to the three horsepower variable speed motor and this bad puppy just flat out cranks out torque. I've also made hundreds of pens on it. A little overkill but no problems doing it

I have been using mostly to keep my miter slots and table saw fence well lubricated. It does an excellent job.

It looks like a denser version of petroleum jelly and a little goes a long way. This one quart will last me most of the year, if not longer.

You should be able to use it in most any application that requires lubrication. Its also touted as a rust protectant, but I've been using the Boeshield Rust Prevention product for that.

A little dab will do ya. Go ahead and try it.

It has been a constant uphill battle to keep the cast iton surfaces of my tools (my table saw, band saw, sander, scrollsaw and jointer) from rust. It is just too humid down here in Houston, Texas.

To use this product, I did a thorough surface preparation (sanding and buffing), then wiped a coat of the Slipit on the cleaned surface, and voila, I have no rust for the months. I still keep my fingers crossed, but it seems that now and then by wiping on a very thin coat, I manage to keep the cast iron surface of my tools slick and free of rust. It is also economical since the quart of Slipit does go a long way. Give it a try.

This is slick stuff. It applies like a thin car wax, and looks kind of like petrolium jelly. It does not seem to leave any residue, and also seems to remove some of the oxidation on iron surfaces. It applies very easy, and once it's wiped dry, the surface stays slick for quite a while. I find it makes jointing easier, since I can concentrate on holding the piece against the fence and not be struggling to slide it forward. I haven't noticed it leaving anything on the wood. It would probably work well on saw blades too, but I havn't tried that.