Power Tools Reviews

I had a Milwaukee dual-temp heat gun for over 25 yrs....it only broke after I dropped it several times from over 10 feet onto concrete...I bought another brand and was disappointed...the Milwaukee is much more effective...it concentrates the heat better, and heats things up faster. I do my own car repair work....years ago I saw a mechanic heat a stubborn bolt with a torch to "expand" it enough so he could remove it with a wrench. I 've used this Milwaukee heat gun many times to loosen old rusted bolts...ones that won't budge, even when an air-powered wrench is used. Heat up a nut with this gun and it'll come off. The other major use is paint removal....my son used it to heat up paint on old galvanized gutters, wooden door frames, etc. It's great for removing paint...this job usually is very long and tedious, but the Milwaukee makes it go much faster...since the fan in it runs slower and delivers more heat...instead of blowing the heat away. I've also used it to soften rock-hard caulk, etc. My dad had some vinyl tile on the stairs going down to his basement...and he planned to tile over the stairs....I told him I could remove the old tiles with the heat gun...he didn't believe it could be done...well this heat gun made the job easy, and now the new tile is tightly glued to the stairs...there's a lot of little jobs that you think are very difficult or impossible, but this heat gun can make the difference. I bought this kit since it has the tools....

Great product. I looked far and wide for a heat gun that included attachments. Most do not. This Milwaukee has four of them! And each one of them is very useful. I use mine to melt and shape plastics for furniture grade products. This thing is strong enough to form the toughest plastics I have and the lower setting allowed me to gently shape paper thin Styrene. The attachments aid greatly in diverting the heat from areas that you do not want deformed. Added bonus is the carrying case, another feature that most heatguns do not come with. Just helps keep the shop tidy.

Sorry, I can't review this wrench.
It and all my other tools were nabbed
by some unscrupled fool.
The case looked good as well as the tool.
They must have needed it more than me!!

I originally purchased the Milwaukee to remove the crankshaft pulley bolt on my Honda, but couldn't get it off the first time. The garage torqued it way too much the last time I had the timing belt changed so I paid a local garage mech ten dollars to break it free. As it turns out, even the garage air impact wrench had a little trouble and that guy could deliver 600 ft-lb or torque. He retorqued it enough to get home and I was able to do everything else just fine.

Everything else went well and the Milwuakee had no trouble removing lug nuts and other nuts/bolts. How much torque applied depends on how hard you push on the tool. The lowest torque is 100 ft-lb and I guessed when torquing the crankshaft bolt to 130 ft-lb. That and a little Medium grade Loktite should keep things nice and tight until the next time.

There are similar models, but there are several things I like about this impact wrench above the others. The first big thing I liked is the variable speed which is nice when you just want to snug-up a nut or bolt. I also like it over the rocker switch since it is similar to working a drill. The second big thing I liked about the wrench is the switch for switching between forward and reverse. Again, this is a directional switch similar to a drill. The last thing I liked about the kit is that it comes with a case and a few sockets. This may be minor, but being that I'm not using the tool all of the time, it's nice to have it nicely packed away and ready to grab when needed. The sockets only add to the value since these can get expensive. With the current $25 discount for purchases over $199, it only makes sense to spend a little more and get a lot more.

I'll be using it again for mounting a tow hitch and other general automotive work. Well worth buying.

This tile saw is well worth the price tag. It's a bit heavy to carry, but I manage to load it in and out of my truck by myself. I wish the stand was a little more sturdy, but it was free, so I guess that's why it's not the best. I know they have better stands with bigger wheels for this saw that I may purchase in the near future. I like the extra room it has under the motor. I was originally going to get a 7" model 660, but my hands are big enough that I thought a 10" model would be better. plus it has a lot more power. the 660 is quieter than this 101, but that's the only advantage is has over it. The MK 101 saw should last me a very long time. the motor is heavy duty and the overall construction of the saw is very top notch.

I just finished my first job with the MK 101 Pro. It's a beauty. I was cutting through porcelain like butter, and was also able to make delicate detail cuts with ease. I highly recommend this saw to any contractor or tile setter who is looking for a great all around tub saw.

Got this as a needed accessory for my jet Lathe. Shopped around for a bit and settled on this chuck. The value is great. Comes well packaged with all the necessary items (including 50mm jaws). Delivery was quick (coming from Canada). Overall, price was very good for the quality and ease of use.

I've had my hands on so much Chinese junk lately, that I forgot what a quality tool feels like... and this is quality!

Oil-coated in a bag in the box but easy to wipe off (not the gummy stuff). Made in New Zealand. Comes with a set of 2" jaws and fully compatible with the other Nova jaws. Very nice feel, smooth working action with the levers. Already threaded with 1"x8, so there's no extra cost of an adapter. I'm glad I got this one.

I see that Amazon doesn't carry this item and it's listed on here by a third party seller. I can not make a comment on that sellers performance, I got mine at Woodcraft.

I found this to be a very simple and effective accessory for my Jet Mini Lathe. The various attachments allowed me to turn bowls and other similiar objects easily. For the money it is a great value!

I have used many cordless drills and this one is by far the best. It has excellent power and battery life. I would highly recommend this tool to anyone.

I took a stab at panasonic cordless tools 3 years ago based soley on the nimh battery capassity.What i ended up with was a superior drill that lasts 6+ hours.I am a contractor and i have used this drill every day for the past three years ive owned it.Ive had to send my drill out for a tune up recently,(it diddnt break whatsoever)its nice having a drill that can be used on a daily basis for three years without a single issue. The battery charger it comes with is a fast 45 min charger, so your never without a uncharged battery(if you play your cards right). Now the downside, this drill is heavy but thats what you give up with an 18v drill that has to be understood i wouldnt buy this drill for its weight but if you want the best ,a heavy tool is what you end up with. If you want something lite get an inpact wrench.
In conclusion this drill i believe is the best out there for lite masonairy apps like tapcons,the torque is way overboard (it can tackle things most other drills cant like drilling through steel)so you dont have to think twice about corded tools across the jobsite, or out in the box truck.Even though this tool is heavy i still gave it five stars because to me its worth its weight in gold. Dan G, W.R.C CT.

The first saw I purchased was a Sear's Craftsman, at the time money was a real issue. I was speaking with a professional carpeter one day and asked hip why should I pay twice as much for a Milwaukee, Porter-Cable or the like when a Craftsman tool does the same thing? His one comment was; "use it all day and see which one makes the difference". He was right, my wife bought a Dewalt Radial Arm saw for me around 1973 for around $170 (she worked at the store). I used that saw for fifteen years before I sold it in order to buy a table saw. We put it in the paper for $350.00, the first guy that called came out and paid cash! I only buy top brand power tools, if I change my mind, I can sell them for what I paid for them, or at least pretty close. Regarding the Porter-Cable saws, I have a left and a right-hand version of this saw, it was the first 15-amp saw when everybody elses was 13-amp. A word of advice, while you are at the store, buy a Freud decking blade to go with it.
If you are at Lowe's (my favorite), you will probably have to go to a Home Depot, they usually carry the blade in bulk for $10.00. Take the new blade off your saw and install the decking blade, you will never go back.

This is the most accurate Circular Saw you can get. The inside cut line is right at 5 inches and you get about as good a straight 90 degree cut as an average table saw. It's light and has plenty power. The base has a perfect flat edge for aligning against guides. EZ blade change is a bonus.
I'm thinking about getting a second one for left blade. I wouldn't consider any thing else.

Comfort
The magnesium construction makes for great one hand control. Also, the rubberized handles are well postioned and feel solid. The blade visibility is also very good.

Brake
My first saw with a brake. Very quick shutoff, makes setting it down less questionable.

Dust Port
Dust port works extremely well, can aim it away from the work piece, attach a dust collector, or aim it back into the upper blade guard to shoot out the back/bottom.

Blade
Included Riptide blade rocks. Great general purpose blade. The tool-less blade change is very quick and easy. No more excuses not to switch over to the trim blade. :)

Case
The case is very rugged, I can sit on it @ 190 pounds with no problems. It has a cutout for the rip-guide (sold seperately) and blades.

Overall
The only thing I could fault would be the price. I feel that the rip-guide could have been included at this price. Otherwise, this is a great tool that should perform for years to come.

This is the only 3/16" drywall cut-out tool on the market!I use it to do "ALL" my cutting.It speeds up the job and last for a VERY LONG time!Not too much worries about them breaking.Just remember to hold on tight and be careful not to miss a box or vent.I use it for everything:boxes,vents,doors,windows,ect.If you have not mastered cutting out bowes with the stanard 1/8" bitts then I would deffinitley NOT RECOMEND you using this 3/16" bitt on boxes or vents just yett.The finishers will thank you for waiting untill you gain more experience.Lots of luck.I NEVER PURCHASE another 1/8" bitt or use a saw again!!My job is completed faster and thus I make more money by the hour.

Portercable is the only manufactuer of the size 3/16" drywall router bit.It fits all drywall cut-out tools(rotozip,portecable,dewalt).It cuts out doors and windows faster than backcutting & using a hand saw.It also cuts out vents and boxes.It does the job faster than any 1/8" bit on the market.The 1/4" window/door bits are not usable with boxes & vents, where this 3/16" bit is.The bit has a very long and durable lifetime.The best router bit on the market.Only the real drywall profesionals are even aware of it's existence.Be one of the 1st.

I HAVE OWNED MANY ROUTERS AND LAMINATERS SINCE THEY HIT THE MARKET IN THE VERY BEGINNING. I OWN SEVERAL ROUTERS TODAY AS WELL AS A PORTER CABLE LAMINATER. THIS LAMINATER HAS PROVEN TO BE THE ABSOLUTE HANDISET TOOL IN MY BOX. CAN'T POSSIBLY DUE WITHOUT IT. i HAVE PROBLELY 7 ROUTERS, AND 5 ARE PORTACABLE. I HAVE OWNED STANLEYS, BOSCH, DEWALT, AND SEVERAL JUNKERS LIKE SEARS AND RYOBIA. NOTHING HAS BEEN BETTER TO ME THAN THE PORTER CABLE. PORTER CABLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A QUALITY TOOL, EVEN WAY BACK BEFORE THEY SOLD TO ROCKWELL AND ROCKWELL RAN THEM DOWN AND THEY CAME BACK AND BOUGHT OUT ROCKWELL. THEY IMMEADIATELY BROUGHT THE COMPANY BACK TO THE TOP WHERE THEY RIGHTFULLY BELONG. I COULD SPEND ANOTHER PAGE TALKING ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT AND UNUSUAL THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS TOOL. IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO DOES DO FIND WOODWORKING, OR WANTS TO, YOU MUST GET ONE OF THESE FIND TOOLS.

GARY AUDET @ TRISTATEHOME@AOL.COM

I haven't had any problems with this laminate trimmer. I even use it to do some light-weight routing. Changing bits isn't even as hard and doesn't take as long as I previously thought it would.

Porter-Cable 7724 Big Capacity Variable-Speed Porta-Band Saw

I've owned one of these since November 1993, and can't think of a single thing that needs improvement.

- I've never had a blade pop off, break, bind in the work, or slip. Once it's mounted, it stays put; once you start cutting, it keeps going. Blade wheels have rubber "bands" on them for blade traction, similar to what you find on wood cutting band saws. (Store the tool with tension released so as not to damage the rubber bands or stretch the blade.)

- designed for right-handed users, as the blade is on the left where you can watch it.

- variable speed works flawlessly, but isn't like what you find on a hand drill, where the trigger controls the speed. On this tool, you set the speed dial from 1 (slow) to 6 (fast) or any point in between, based on what you're cutting - when you pull the trigger, the machine soft-starts and quickly attains the selected speed. This action allows you to gently set the blade on the piece, then pull the trigger. The speed dial clicks as you move it, so it won't slip to a different speed by itself.

- ergonomically perfect for my large hands - there are no sharp places or pinch points; fit & finish is 1st rate. Front and rear handle are just right for getting a solid grip on the saw.

- the steel tool case is very nice (it's also huge: 11" x 10.5" x 24.5", but it's a big tool). Has metal clasps and an all steel, rounded handle for comfort.

- cuts very fast when the blade is sharp.

- low profile design allows it to fit in tighter spaces than most other portable band saws. With the motor in the rear, your view of the material being cut is better than machines with the motor in the middle of the unit.

- maximum cut is 4 3/4" by 4 3/4", the same as the other deep cut portable band saws.

- exudes quality. Mostly metal, no vibration when in use, no sparks, smooth as silk, sounds like a quality machine when it's on, everything works as expected.

- blade is well controlled with three roller bearings on each side of the opening.

- blade changes, which are very infrequent, couldn't be simpler or faster. Release the tension (front lever), slip off the old blade, slide on the new one slipping it through the blade roller bearings, re-tension blade.

- even the electric cord is just right - soft flexible rubber, 3-prong, and 10' long.

- have never needed more power.

Summary:

Unquestionably a 5 star tool. First rate in every aspect.

These are excellent saws. The variable speed is great for changing the speed to cut different materials such as steel and aluminum. The motor is mounted back out of the way and out of your line of sight. By far the best design on the market. Don't waste money on the Chi-Com knockoffs, invest in the real thing. I currently own 2 of these.

Starts first or second pull, pulls easy, runs everything!!! I paid less for this than some sites sell the 12 horse Vanguard engine for (and got free shipping!)

I was recently a victim of hurricane Jeanne in Florida. The generator ran everything in my house including a window unit air conditioner. It would run for about 8 hours before it needed refueling and it was not that loud. I used the generator for 4 days solid and it never missed a beat. I would recomend this generator to anyone.