Power Tools Reviews

My husband and I put Hardie cement siding on our house (2500 sq. ft of exterior siding) this summer using the SS-404 shear for almost every cut. We loved it - no dust, no stress, easy cutting during the whole job, even the angles. Even now, with all the boards cut, the SS-404 is still sharp! When we used a saw blade to cut trim, the dust was amazingly dense, so I am thrilled we had the shears for the siding.

A heavy, solid, powerful and smooth running grinder right out of the box. You have to attach the dust collection connections, the shield, and the tool rest. A couple of minutes (unless you want to switch it to it's 220 capability) and it's all setup and running. It's a good thing I used it because I almost gave it a 4 for one thing. I couldn't imagine why they didn't spend a couple of more dollars to make the tool rest wider and stronger. It's held on by one bracket and the tool rest is only a couple of inches wide. I thought I'd end up making my own someday...and maybe that's what production shops will do anyway...but after some tough grinding for a few hours...it works without problems. I doubt I'll ever have to change it.

For 15 years I used a cordless screwdriver originally made by AEG and nearly identical to this Panasonic. The nicest feature for me is the compact design that fits into tight spaces other cordless driver will not. I use mine mainly for computer assembly. Swivel the handle to a pistol grip and the Panasonic is even more compact as well as comfortable.

Battery life is adequate. Because the Panasonic is nice and compact, the battery discharges somewhat sooner than other drivers with large hunk of battery. I recommend an extra battery if you plan to use it for work.

The forward/reverse switch is actuated with your right thumb. At first use it feels strange but it turns out they know what they're doing. The switch allows instantaneous forward to reverse switching. I think once you get used to it you will come to appreciate it. If you are left-handed it can still be actuated with your left index finger.

I think the Milwaukee 6547-22 2.4-Volt 2-Speed Cordless Screwdriver is nearly identical and even better than the Panasonic for not much more money.

Jim - P.C.C. (Pro. Computer Consultants)

For 15 years I used a cordless screwdriver originally made by AEG and nearly identical to this Panasonic. The nicest feature for me is the compact design that fits into tight spaces other cordless driver will not. I use mine mainly for computer assembly. Swivel the handle to a pistol grip and the Panasonic is even more compact as well as comfortable.

Battery life is adequate. Because the Panasonic is nice and compact, the battery discharges somewhat sooner than other drivers with large hunk of battery. I recommend an extra battery if you plan to use it for work.

The forward/reverse switch is actuated with your right thumb. At first use it feels strange but it turns out they know what they're doing. The switch allows instantaneous forward to reverse switching. I think once you get used to it you will come to appreciate it. If you are left-handed it can still be actuated with your left index finger.

I think the Milwaukee 6547-22 2.4-Volt 2-Speed Cordless Screwdriver is nearly identical and even better than the Panasonic for not much more money.

Jim - P.C.C. (Pro. Computer Consultants)

I bought this unit to use as an impact driver. It is perfect for its size and portability. It helps that I already am well invested in the batteries (with other drills). It had the guts to drive lots of 6 x 3/8" lags. Keep in mind that it is cordless. When the batteries are down it will still sound like an impact, but won't drive. Overall, it is a great buy.

Both my batteries had been recalled by Panasonic and I needed a battery quick to keep the cordless drill operational while they sent me the replacements. Amazon had the best price I could find and shipped promptly.

This Upright Vacuum from Panasonic has a 9.0 Amp Motor that is designed to run for longer periods of time than a household vacuum and a 12" cleaning path, the power cord is 35- foot long. 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.

This Commercial vacuum comes with an all metal agitator, ball bearings, and replaceable double brush strips and a metal bottom plate. It also has a special rubber caps on the agitator to dissipate any heat build up between the agitator and the housing.

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

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

This unit only weights 12.9 lbs but can clean a whole house without stopping.

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

This is one powerful vacuum cleaner. The suction power, especially when using the wands, is phenomenal. It features a wide rolling brush and automatic height adjustment that make vacuum job a breeze. Its hard durable construction lacks any wobbly feeling common in many other brands of vacuum. Plus, the front opening makes changing bag and filters a snap.

On the down side, it lacks headlight and the small space between the hoses makes wrapping the cord around difficult. But these are minor issues. Overall, I am really happy with the purchase.

This Upright Vacuum from Panasonic has a 12.0 Amp Motor and a 14" cleaning width, the power cord is 25' feet long, and don't forget the headlight. It also has the following unique features:

A Clean Air System, this type of system creates better suction, and increases the life of the fan by eliminating debris prior to reaching the fan. This debris, if not filtered, can cause damage to the fan and shorten the life of your vacuum. A damaged fan will also decrease the efficiency, and suction power of your vacuum.

Included attachments, which are on the vacuum, and have an effective cleaning reach of 10" feet are, a blow-molded stretch hose, crevice tool, dusting brush, and standard wand.

This vacuum utilizes a 6-stage HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particle Air, and is a filtering efficiency specification for filters developed by the Atomic Energy Commission during World War II. A HEPA filter must retain all particles to 0.3 microns in size at an efficiency rating of 99.97%.

All Panasonic Vacuums have a Motor Protection System; this system seals the motor from particles that are picked up by the fan and directs them away from the motor and fan into the vacuum bag, thus preventing harm to the internal precision surfaces of the motor and fan.

This product also has an automatic carpet height adjustment, which mechanically reacts to the height of the carpet and keeps the Agitator, or nylon brushes the correct height from the carpet to ensure maximum operating efficiency.

Also unique to Panasonic, and some Kenmore Vacuums, which are made for Sears by Panasonic, is the counter rotating dual agitator brush. Most Vacuums on the market have a single agitator, or nylon brush, you will notice, especially on hard floors, that the single brush design throws debris far away from the vacuum. The Panasonic Dual Agitator design allows the brushes to work in harmony, they both turn in different directions drawing the dirt into the middle of the vacuum's Agitator, or nylon brushes.

Also designed into the Brush, or Agitator system mentioned above is what Panasonic calls Dual active edge cleaning. In layman's terms, they have put significant time, research, and money into the design of their Brush/Agitator, they have placed bristles very close to the edges of the vacuum, and in some cases split (Dual Sweep) or re-designed the suction path to give more even suction across the entire width of the agitator casing much better edge cleaning, not only on the sides but also in the front of the vacuum.

This product comes with a 1 year warranty, and uses replacement bag number U-6 or U-3.

I have owned a Panasonic upright for the past 10 years, and it has been very reliable, in the face of much pet hair and lots of dust. It was, however, getting a little tired, and I wanted something with a longer wand setup, so I purchased this one. I am very pleased with it. It is essentially identical to my old one (which I paid 90 dollars MORE for!), and it works even better. The suction is excellent, and the long wand which is activated just by a quick pull out of a socket, is just the right length to get stuff off the floor that the big head of the machine can't reach. Also, this uses the U-6 bags which contain dust better than the U-3's that my old one had.
All I can say, is that if this one holds out as well as my last one, it is the bargain of the decade!