Best Power Nailers & Staplers
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY: a tool-free release lever, jam release, and depth adjustment wheel make your life easier.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I started running a Paslode Impulse cordless finish nailer about 10 years ago as a cabinet installer, and it sure was nice to ditch the compressor and hoses! The ergonomics are great--everything you need to adjust is easy to access and the LED lights are great! This nailer takes a little getting used to as there is about a 1 second delay from when you pull the trigger to when the nail is driven, but, so far it has been great and I would highly recommend this cordless nailer!"
"I have taken up woodworking (mostly bookcases and stuff like that) and have gradually been expanding my power tools. This is going to be a total game changer for me...I plan on using this to join peices together then going back to pre drill and screw etc."
"It's great not to have to wait for the A.C to build up pressure and not hsving to lug around a hose."
"Wished it'd bought a battery operated nail gun sooner, and this one works well."
"This worked great and was able to penetrate wood and the plaster wall behind it."
"This is a very handy and convenient tool."
"Works great for installing trim."
"Great product!!!"
Lightweight aluminum body weighs in at 3 pounds with rubber-grip handle for maximum comfort.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This controls the depth the brad driver pushes the brad into the wood. Once I got the adjustment right for the wood I was working with, it does a beautiful job of driving the brad and not marking the wood."
"You can't beat the price with this, but you'd be hard pressed to beat the product itself."
"It was the cheapest thing i could find."
"I don't have much experience with other brad nailers, but this seems like a good value."
"I needed to purchase a universal fitting for my air compressor that would accept this style on the tool."
"I only got this about a week or 2 ago, but I have already fired hundreds of nails through it."
"I've only used this on one project so far and it's awesome for the price."
"I tried a piece of really hard firewood, i think it was oak, and it didn't pierce it.. but all of the normal wood pieces I used, it worked great."
Unique dual power lever (Hi/Lo) designed for use with hard or soft materials. Unique dual power lever (Hi/Lo) designed for use with hard or soft materials.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Pros: makes hanging targets a breeze, easy to operate, well built, fastens securely. Cons: a bit hefty and cumbersome for people with small hands or frames. This thing is great at the range."
"Anyway, I have had this thing for several months and I have used it to help build a turtle trap for my fish pond, several smaller cages for chicks, a chicken house/lay house, and, more recently, I boxed in one end of a three-sided cattle shed to make a larger chicken roost area. It can get frustrating when you have sunk hundreds of staples while wrestling with chicken wire that wants nothing more than to wrap itself back into a roll while you are on top of a ladder."
"Love my easy to use remodeling helper !"
"I use this to attch my watercolor paper with gator foamboard together."
"I bought this staple gun for a small reupholstering project and it worked perfectly for it."
"great tool for our DIY projects, which right now is building a greenhouse."
"Very handy, should have bought it long time ago."
"Got this and worked great for a few hours of stapling insulation paper to 2x4."
Best Power Nailers
The kit includes oil, adjustment wrenches and a custom carrying case for convenient storage between jobs. And it wouldn’t be a WEN product if it weren’t backed by a one year warranty, a friendly customer help line and a nationwide network of skilled service technicians. It features an adjustable exhaust deflector, a rubber-wrapped handle, a quick-release for jam-clearing, an aluminum body, and a magazine window that shows the remaining brad count. Lightweight aluminum body weighs in at 3 pounds with rubber-grip handle for maximum comfort.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This controls the depth the brad driver pushes the brad into the wood. Once I got the adjustment right for the wood I was working with, it does a beautiful job of driving the brad and not marking the wood."
"You can't beat the price with this, but you'd be hard pressed to beat the product itself."
"I don't think I got a single jam putting up around 30 linear feet of 3ft beadboard, wainscoting railing, base molding, and a custom doorframe."
"Read the reviews and took a shot(pun intended).This gun worked awesome, way better than a friend's gun I borrowed in the past."
"It was the cheapest thing i could find."
"Now I'm going to be looking around for other projects that need a finish nail gun, because this was so easy to use! Also, it comes with a little bottle of oil, but once you open the bottle, you cannot reseal it, so I'm going to have to find another container to keep the oil in."
"I don't have much experience with other brad nailers, but this seems like a good value."
"I needed to purchase a universal fitting for my air compressor that would accept this style on the tool."
Best Power Staplers
Ergonomically designed simple flip actuation switch allows easy transition from single actuation to contact actuation. Tool-free depth adjustment allows for a professional finish with varying materials- simple dial in the desired depth and efficiently finish the job.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Tool makes finish nailing very easy to do."
"Nice value for the money compared to what my local hardware store had available."
"Dependable Hitachi!"
"Great little 18ga nailer."
"My first nail gun."
"The external staple track felt a little odd compared to my other air fasteners that have closed slides, but no problems in use. Many of the nailers have the same styling as this and the give away is the front release latch for getting to the feed area (used for jams on other tools...not needed so far on this one!). Open your wallet, cuss a little at the price, and buy this crown stapler."
"The nailer is awesome."
"This is a decent gun but the nail magazine is made of plastic so when I was useing it hard for a few weeks of trim work the mag broke and renders it useless but at the price it was worth it."
Best Power Shears & Nibblers
The TSHD cuts straight and to the left all while making fast cuts in material thickness up to 18-gauge galvanized steel. Capacity to cut 18 gauge galvanized steel and 20-gauge spiral duct.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Easily cut 24 feet of fluorescent fixture mild sheet steel on a single 18V Makita LXT drill & battery which surprised me to see. For the price of a pair of quality snips these power through sheet metal quickly and have easily replaceable blades, for a reasonable cost."
"They must not have tried a jigsaw or tin snips like I did. I am putting a sheet metal roof on my house, I was first using a jigsaw, it took me 4 days to do one side of the house."
"i'm having my carpenter install corrugated tin on the 'biggest' wall in each of my two bathrooms."
"After one day of struggling with hand shears, I decided to search the internet for an easier, reasonably priced solution."
"Man if you gotta cut a long strip of metal off of something in a high place... you gotta have one of these!"
"Cuts very well through 22 gage steel."
"I read the reviews on this unit through various sources and purchased it through Amazon."
"We were siding a barn using hand snips to trim the 3 foot wide panels. We were cutting our hands and fingers on the rough edges, so I started to look for a tool to make life easier."
Best Power Polishers & Buffers
What's in the Box Porter-Cable 7424XP random orbit polisher; polishing pad; side handle; wrench; operating instructions Ideal for polishing and sanding automotive and marine projects (view larger). 7424XP 6-Inch Random Orbit Polisher At a Glance: Random orbit, swirl-free sanding/polishing action Electronic variable-speed dial 2,500-6,800 OPM Accepts 5/16 to 24 spindle thread accessories Removable two-position handle Includes 6-inch polishing pad Three-year limited warranty; one-year free service. What's in the Box Porter-Cable 7424XP random orbit polisher; polishing pad; side handle; wrench; operating instructions. 7424XP 6-Inch Random Orbit Polisher. At a Glance: Random orbit, swirl-free sanding/polishing action Electronic variable-speed dial 2,500-6,800 OPM Accepts 5/16 to 24 spindle thread accessories Removable two-position handle Includes 6-inch polishing pad Three-year limited warranty; one-year free service. Features a 2-position (left or right) removable side handle for greater comfort and control.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The unit is factory lubricated with enough high quality lube that it will last the life of the unit under normal use (commercial grade unit keep that in mind) and they only recommend you take it to one of their certified shops (every 100 hours of use... long time) so they can take it apart clean it properly and check for worn parts to ensure your safety. My personal opinion is that after i spread the product at a low speed i want to shut it off get in a good position set it to a functional speed and start it up, as his always starts on the lowest speed setting and while its on you have to crank it up. 2) the pad that comes with it is a cheap foam pad that i personally don't use at all and its just easier to buy pads and backing plate with a hook and loop (Velcro) connection so you don't have to use your wrench every time you change pads. Again a small detail and you can get these buffers with other packages and i'm sure the stock pad wont hurt anything its just your typical wax / sealant pad. If you want other video reviews i would recommend looking up Chemical Guys on you tube not only do they have extensive how to videos and great products but they have many reviews of the Porter Cable 7424xp and use it a good majority of the time in their shop / Class so you can see what this unit will do."
"It's not a forced rotation unit but it's also not $400+ however it does a great job at correcting even heavy swirls and paint damage such as the one show in the photos of our van."
"You will also need this.... (Astro 4607 5" PU Velcro Backing Pad) to attach the new pads."
"Still going strong, but if it broke tomorrow I would still be happy with the purchase because this thing has been worked like a mule."
"This product makes wax application a breeze."
"I found some fine scratches in the clearcoat of my new F-150 and buffing by hand was both tiresome and wasn't doing a good job so I bought this unit based on (I'd say) a cult following of this tool. I don't know if those scratches were put on by me or the dealers "detailer" guys, but this combo completely removed any scratches, swirls and put a shine on like I've never seen."
"I am a complete novice and was able to bring paint back to factory shine first time using this machine."
"Great for car detailing."
Best Power Planers
Three knife cutter-head with 10,000 RPM provides 96 cuts per inch, one of the finest finishes of any portable planer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great little planer."
"The board just stuck there with the motor running and I didn't hear any inordinate stresses in the machine, although I shut it off quickly, removed the board and increased the thickness."
"It's really heavy, one of the first things I planed was a little wheely cart to roll it around so I didn't have to carry it."
"I have never used one if these until now and almost went for a cheaper brand but I figured it wa worth the extra money for something I plan to keep for a long time."
"Got it just a couple of days ago."
"Worth twice the price."
"I only wish I could have the option to connect dust collection hose on the other side."
"Cuts sanding time down and every piece of wood is the exact size making projects easier and looking better then just hand sanding."
Best Power Jointers
Unique, patented cutting action that rotates and oscillates to create perfect, clean, and repeatable mortises every time.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Excellent product."
"Its the Festool "game changing" Domino."
"Yes, it's a lot of money but the tool is a game changer."
"Be aware that you will need to buy the tenons separately but at least they come with the different sized bits you will need for them."
"Like other festools the guides are all in metric but after a project or two it actually becomes easier and faster to work in metric for you joint layout."
"Excellent machine."
"However, this tool has a range of capabilities that lead me to believe that it is unlikely this tool will ever leave my shop."
"Will absolutely change the way you construct furniture."
Best Power Sand Blasters
1,500 watts of curing power over a 2' x 3' coverage area makes this product ideal for small area repairsNew, heavy-duty stand adjusts to over 6' high for curing hoods and roof linesParabolic reflector creates uniform heat distributionEnergy efficient fixture operates for only pennies per hourUnderwriters Laboratories (UL) ListedSpecifications:120 volts12.5 amps36" head24 lbs.Replacement Element Part No. 1500 Watts of curing power over a 2 x 3 coverage area - ideal for small area repairs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great infrared lamp."
"Made in America it shows, it's awesome quality."
"WORKS GREAT FOR CURING OUT WHEELS/BODY PIECES AT OUR FAMILY BUSINESS."
"Easy to set up, and easy to use."
"Item would not work for curing Powder coating."
"That temp was at one end, the other end was about 220*. I started the lamp 14" away from the wrench, came up to 140*."
"I have contacted customer service with no answer, and left messages with no return call."
Best Power Grinders
The Porter-Cable PC1500HG Heat Gun has a dual fan speed selector that delivers high and low fan speed settings. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I needed this for drying drywall mud patches, paint touchups and occasional heat shrinking tubing. I would recommend that you do this outside because you can smell the fumes of heated up plastic and paint. Speaking of which, I wish it had another button on the side that turned the heating elements on/off separately from the fan speed. That way you could turn on the fan, adjust the temperature and then kick on the heat when you needed it. I may coat it with some rubber handle dip for tools that I have sitting on my shelf when I get a moment. Don’t try to dry your hair with this, it can easily burn your hand if held close up in the airflow. It probably is a heat resistant part silicone coated cord, or maybe not. To be able to heat shrink without having to work it around all sides of the tubing would be nice. That is a must if applying heat shrink to wires that are in a compartment or box where you couldn’t get around to all sides of the tubing. If you apply paint over a dried surface but still wet interior of a mud patch, more than likely you will find cracked and peeling paint the next day as the moisture in the mud has migrated out."
"I removed old layers of paint easily from old cabinet and shelves in the garage that have been in there for many years."
"Was going to use on my phone repair (low heat), but used on removing bathroom silicone caulk (high heat) first."
"Edit to add: Even though Amazon would not allow a return after 30 days, I called Porta Cable and they were very helpful in sending me a new unit at no cost via warranty."
"I am pleased with this heat gun so far."
"use it just about everyday for getting the water based paints to dry quicker ."
"I got this to reshape resin cables on wargaming miniatures, and for that application this is an incredible tool."
"Never on longer than five minutes and always cooler down before it was shut off."
Best Power Saws
A high strength and lightweight magnesium shoe provides jobsite durability for long-term cut accuracy, and an optimized rubber overmolded comfort grip delivers optimal balance and control. Optimized rubber overmolded comfort grip delivers optimal balance and control; Power Tool Type: Cordless.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It has all of the features and power of a Top Quality corded skill saw, and it's light weight, with the 4Ah & 5Ah batteries, it does the work of a heavy duty skill saw. I only use DeWalts 4.0Ah and 5.0Ah batteries, and with those, I can use this skill saw all day long, with 1 battery lasting most of the day, and usually all of the day. Features: -This skill saw has a blade break, which is a very nice feature in any skill saw. -This is a nice light weight skill saw, and that greatly cuts the fatigue you would feel from using a traditional skill saw, all day long. -This skill saw allows for a direct line of sight to the blade and working surface. This is much like the design of a worm drive saw (a Roofers Saw), the design of most all other skill saws have the motor and the blade on opposite sides, so the skill saw operator would need to look over the top of the saw, to see his work surface. -Please see Blade recommendation below-. This blade here: Vermont American 6-1/2-Inch 40T Smooth Cut Carbide Teeth Circular Saw Blade, is one of the best blades you can buy for this saw. To end, this DeWalt skill saw is a Professional Quality skill saw, and will last you for many many years."
"This saw is so much better than my previous generic brand from the blue store."
"I highly recommend for anyone looking for an awesome saw, and who already owns other Dewalt battery operated tools."
"Awesome saw."
"this is a smaller than traditional circular saw at 6 1/2 '' the battery will last longer than it would in a 7 1/4'' circular saw."
"Love this saw and all of Dewalts 20V Max products."
"Great little saw."
"Bought this to with my drill & impact driver, all 20 volt."
Best Power Drills
Style: Brushless. ERGONOMIC DESIGN: Compact (7.52 in.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"At time of purchase, I paid $99 for the drill, two batteries, charger, and bag. This drill was used for drilling the pocket hols with the Kreg drill. I swapped batteries and the charge was complete long before the second battery ran out of juice."
"It's extremely small and lightweight, probably half of the weight I'm used to holding with normal NiCad battery drills. However after getting used to the lighter weight of the battery, it feels balanced and stable, with a good fit for my larger hands. If I'm lining up a bit or a screw in a circumstance that requires light, it's not easy to do if the drill is spinning. But I guess with this product they had to cut corners somewhere, and if I can still firmly grip a bit, I don't care what the chuck is made out of. While this makes sense, as UWO supposedly takes into account both speed and torque, it's confusing. According to this article on ProToolReviews (http://www.protoolreviews.com/buying-guides/max-watts-out/13109/), in/lbs can be approximately calculated with the following formula: Speed (RPM) x Torque (inch pounds) / 560 = Max Watts Out (estimated)."
"Bigger, heavier, slower, less power, lower capacity batteries, slower charger, soft case, no belt or bit holder. More detailed comparison of DCD771 and DCD780: - Lot longer (8.7" vs. 7.5"). - Heavier (3.6 lbs vs 3.4 lbs). - Less powerful (300 UWO vs. 350 UWO). - Slower (0-450/0-1500 RPM vs. 0-600/0-2000 RPM). - Two 1.3Ah vs. 1.5Ah batteries. - Slower non-temperature compensating charger (60 mins vs. 30 mins). - Contractor bag instead of a hard plastic case. - No belt clip, bit holder or bit, but a place for both. - Drill, battery & charger Made in China vs Assembled in USA from International parts. BATTERIES & CHARGER: The Li-Ion 20V batteries have multiple cells which can individually drift, the charger can correct for this drift under known conditions: temperature. The 771 charger can only accurately charge the batteries when both the battery and charger are between 65 and 75 F. Whereas the included charger for the 780 has a cold/hot delay to compensate for cold/hot batteries. I typically go two days on a charge when I'm using it a lot (drilling holes, driving screws, mixing stain), otherwise weeks. DRILL PERFORMANCE: The 771 arrived 12-2, charged the battery until the charger stopped flashing."
Best Power Lathes
Industrial 12-1/2-Inch Variable-Speed Midi Lathe. At a Glance: Powered by a 1-horsepower max, 1,725-rpm motor for robust performance 12-1/2-inch swing capacity--the largest in its class Variable speed with three pulley-speed ranges Includes 6- and 10-inch tool rests and 3-inch face plate Backed by a five-year warranty. Powerful Motor and Variable Speed for Consistency and Precision Powered by a 1-horsepower max, 1,725-rpm motor, the Delta 46-460 industrial 12-1/2-inch variable-speed midi lathe provides a 12-1/2-inch swing capacity--the largest in its class. Patented Belt-Tensioning System for Fast Speed Changes and Longer Tool Life A patented belt-tensioning system makes for quick speed changes, and sets the belt at the correct tension every time for maximum power transfer and longer tool life. What's in the Box 12-1/2-inch variable-speed midi lathe, 6-inch and 10-inch tool rests, chrome 3-inch face plate, tool rest base, knockout bar, live center, wrenches, and manual. Patented belt tensioning system for easy and quick speed changes and sets the belt at the correct tension every time for maximum power transfer and longer tool life.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My lathe setup prior to the Delta was a 1983 ShopSmith Mark V. The SS worked fine for small projects like pens and tops, but since the lowest speed is about 700RPM, it does not work well for anything larger. So that is why I started looking for a new lathe and one that would go down below 500RPM. My research shows that to get lower speed lathes requires a minimum of $1500 to get something like a larger Grizzly. The headstock does not swivel (it is fixed) for outboard turning so the largest it takes is 12in and since it can get down to about 250RPM, I can comfortably start a larger blank without pucker factor. If I upgrade again in the future, it will be to get a larger swing or outboard turning if at all. There are a few small gripes which made it lose a star: - The FWD/RVS switch was wired backwards out of the box. - No digital speed read out, however there is a speed chart that matches the numbers on the speed knob, so it is easy to hit a specific speed if you need it."
"After teaching myself to turn on an old Atlas lathe I "upgraded" to the Delta 46-460 after reading several reviews."
"and stripped part of my spindle threads by trying to remove it without loosening them. Let me start by saying that I've only had this lathe for about 2 months, but have been turning for a few years. I needed a lathe that was small enough to not take up too much space in my dad's shop, but beefy enough for the projects that I would like to do."
"However, I had to replace the spindle due to problems not related to the manufacturer and found Delta's customer and parts service absolutely horrible. I would caution anyone who buys a Delta product to thoroughly research their ability to provide post sale service."
Best Power Impact Drivers
It has three (3) LED lights with 20 second delay after trigger release, that helps to provide visibility without shadows. Applications include: Driving and removing fasteners in wood, metal or concrete/ Fastening and removing nuts and bolts/and Primarily for use with impact sockets . Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I am a professional mechanic and have been using this impact for a couple of months now, works well, lots of torque, good battery life."
"A+++ I will buy the Dewalt brand again."
"Very good tool works better than snap on and half the price."
"Having this tool is a great time saver, and I don't have to fool around with air hoses like a conventional impact needs."
"Bought this to replace my snap on gun after it broke, a fraction of the price and frankly much nicer."
"What a fun and useful tool to have.Easy to use and it can tighten a bolt down fast."
"If very happy with the merchandise."
"This impact wrench is a great addition to my tool box it's light weight and compact design really helps getting into tight spots on vehicles which I will mainly be using it for and it puts out 130ft pound of torque is even better."
Best Power Rotary Tools
Compact size and weight allows access into tighter areas and reduces user fatigue. Kit contains 28 accessories, carrying case, 1-hour charger, and one 12V max lithium-ion battery.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I just received my new toy, and after looking it over, I did a little checking to see how the Dremel 8220-2/28 12-Volt Max Cordless Rotary Tool Kit compares to the Dremel 8200-2/28 12-Volt Max Cordless Rotary Tool Kit. Based on the photos, they look pretty much the same other than the model number, but there are some notable differences... First off, here are the improvements in the 8220 rotary tool vs the 8200 rotary tool: * 33% longer run time compared to the Dremel 8200 when cutting screws (direct quote from Dremel's site). * EZ Twist nose cap with wrench for fast accessory changes. What was removed from the 8220-2/28 kit vs the 8200-2/28 kit: * 191 High Speed Cutter. * 411 3/4" Sanding Disc, 180 grit (2). * 420 Emery Cut-Off Wheel (2). * 575 Right Angle Attachment. * 932 Aluminum Oxide Grinding Stone. * 84922 Silicon Carbide Grinding Stone. What was added to the 8220 kit vs the 8200 kit: * 426 1-1/4" Fiberglass-Reinforced Cut-Off Wheel. * A550 Shield Attachment. Multiple included accessory quantities that changed: (8220 kit on left vs 8200 kit on right). * 408 1/2" 60 Grit Sanding Band (2 vs 3). * 414 1/2" Felt Polishing Wheel (3 vs 2). * 425 Emery Wheel (4 vs 1). * 429 1" Felt Polishing Wheel (3 vs 1). * 445 1/2" 240 Grit Sanding Band (3 vs 2). The most notable loss for the 8220 kit was the Dremel 575 Right Angle Attachment, about $23 on Amazon. It was replaced by the A550 Shield Attachment (not the Dremel A550 Rotary Tool Shield Attachment Kit, which is about $20 on Amazon). This seems like a good deal, but in the interest of comparing apples to apples, you need to subtract off the price of the accessories that would have been included in the kit to determine the actual value of the shield attachment alone: $6.79 for the EZ402 EZ Lock Mandrel, included in both the 8220 and 8200 kits. $1.81 (based on the EZ456 1-1/2-Inch EZ Lock Rotary Tool 5-Pack Cut-Off Wheels for Metal pricing) for the EZ456 cut-off wheel, included in both the 8220 and 8200 kits. $4.22 for the Dremel 428 Carbon Steel Brush, included in neither the 8220 nor 8200 kits. $3.99 for the Dremel #8193 5/8" Wheel Grinder, included in both the 8220 and 8200 kits. Take all that away, and you're left with a value of $3.18 for the shield attachment alone. What stayed the same between the two Dremel kits: * 401 Mandrel. * 402 Mandrel. * EZ402 Mandrel. * 407 1/2" 60 Grit Sanding Drum with Mandrel. * 421 Polishing Compound. * 432 1/2" 120 Grit Sanding Band (3). * EZ456 1 1/2" Reinforced Cut-Off Wheel. * 541 Aluminum Oxide Grinding Wheel. * 561 MultiPurpose Cutting Bit. * 565 Cutting Guide Attachment. * 8193 5/8" Aluminum Oxide Grinding Stone. * 12V Max Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (2). (note: the 8200 kit includes 1.3 Ah "875-01" batteries, while the 8220 kit includes 1.5 Ah "B812-01" batteries). * 876-01 Lithium-Ion 1-Hour Charger. * Micro Case. * Wrench. The 8220-2/28 kit is a little bit more expensive than the 8200-2/28 kit, but you lose the Right Angle Attachment and gain the A550 Shield Attachment. The batteries that are included with the 8200-2/28 kit are Dremel 875-01, and they're rated at 1.3 Ah capacity, so the newer batteries have about 15% more capacity than the older batteries."
"After only a couple of minutes, the stereo system in our living room where the charger was plugged in at the time let out a loud hissing sound, and immediately after that the "smell of burnt electronics" was evident in the vicinity of the Dremel charger. Called the number on the back of the instruction guide and listened to their barely audible menu system."
"I've had other brands of rotary tools with those old batteries and while the tool works fine for the first couple of months, the battery quickly degrades - device loses torque without ramping up the RPM which can cause lots of heat transfer. The new Lithium battery holds a charge much longer even if the device is not being used, can top off anytime as well - notice how all new cellphones are switching to Lithium? The new 8220 has the newest Lithium battery so I'm hoping it will last longer than the 8200 which has mixed reviews on the battery."
Best Power Milling Machines
Designed to fit chain saws with 20in or less bars.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I mounted it on the carriage and got a good feel for the extra weight of the unit. Using the flat surface I just created, I placed the Granberg Mill on that surface and adjusted my cut setting to 1 inch, thus includes the thickness of the chain which left me with a one and three eights total adjustment. At a steady rate, I moved the Alaskan Mill along the guide surface and began to create oak planks. Because you will be able to make some very good quality, valuable boards that other wise might cost you an arm and a leg."
"Assembly required but doesn't take too long and you only need a chainsaw wrench tool which they include."
"Used a 16in 2.3cubic inch stihl, it takes about 30 minutes for 8 ft of green red oak."
"fast delivery and working product thank you."
"Only downside is that it makes you want to have a bigger saw."
"cool product that works well."
Best Power Concrete Tools
For increased versatility, it can be run as a driver-drill or a hammer driver-drill, and is engineered for applications in wood, metal, masonry, and concrete. Features extreme protection technology (XPT) which is engineered to provide increased dust and water resistance in harsh job site conditions.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The small batteries will put in at least 250 1-1/2 inch screws through metal and into wood. (I slam the screw down hard enough to start it through the metal) I put a short zippy screw though the switch to hold it in place."
"- Long battery life. - Chargers offer over charging an overcurrent protection with a very speedy charge time. - Carry case, this is compact yet has enough room inside for spare bits and other small hand tools on may need with a durable rugged design. Cons: - Additional items are expensive, its not worth buying Makita unless our buying a bundle or catch a crazy deal (which is not unusual mind you)."
"New homeowner of an older home that needs lots of fixit - and this has been the answer to so many problems."
"I am relatively new to power tools, and have only owned 1 Milwaukee corded drill purchased 7 years ago, and this one blows it out of the water."
"This looks to be a great drill."
"Works perfect, I don't hardly use it for anything heavy duty (I'm not a contractor or something) but for around the house, mid sized projects, having it on the go in the back of my car, it's perfect and I don't say that lightly."
"I'm not super handy with tools, but this drill works great!"
"Beast!"
Best Power Ratchet Wrenches
With legendary GearWrench speed and strength, they're seriously productive tools. Access - Adjustable flex head has six positions and gives additional clearance where needed for increased access.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is my first time ever buying gear wrench but I'm excited about giving more of their tools a chance, especially because they are reasonably priced. Perfect set for the the DIY kind of person or The professional tech."
"Prior to getting these, I have used what I thought were nice craftsman ratcheting wrenches."
"He said these ratchets are very easy to use and works perfect for the jobs he needed done."
"very good quality product and love use it whenever i work on my car."
"Good ratchet would be perfect with a locking angle head but the indent style like this is ok and versatile just kinda scary on the knucles lol."
"Best ratchet on the market."
"Love the cushioned grip, quality made."
Best Power Impact Wrenches
The DEWALT DCF899HB 20v MAX XR Brushless High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench w. Hog Ring Anvil features a brushless motor which is designed to provide superior run-time, performance and durability. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The only bolts I had issues with required me to put it on the 3rd setting, I got a little over zealous with the trigger and snapped them like they were made of plastic. Was looking at getting a air one, but didn't think my compressor would handle it and since I had about every other Dewalt 20 volt tool and 6 batteries this was a no brainer. It is heavy so holding above your head for a long time can get to your arm and shoulder, but still better than a ratchet and breaker bar."
"I have searched all around to different brands and watched videos on them for performance and what other real people are saying about the different models and names of impact wrenches. Hog ring is easier to get off and Detent Pin you need a screw driver or a specific tool. But in reality its fairly light compared to other models. I took off a Catalytic converter with bolts rusted on that I could not get with a breaker bar. I was thinking of buying the 20v 1/2" impact that isn't the high torque version but Im so glad I spent the extra $70 and got this one."
"This is probably the best cordless impact in the world."
"For 2 years now i have had a IR w7150 with similar specs and IR 3Ah batteries. Head to head with full batteries in high torque demand situation I would rate this new Dewalt 899 with a Dewalt 5Ah battery ahead of the used IR 7150. BUT IR has a short line of tools on that battery platform and this wrench was the go to wrench 2 years ago for a high torque impact and is now no longer only horse in the rodeo."
"I have similar air tools by Snip On and Inger Ran, and they are fine, but this is just so much handier when rotating tires or away from an air compressor. Overall, an excellent product like my other DeWalt tools Powerful, relatively quiet and a very high quality solid tool."
"Only used it on my truck's lugnuts so far, so much torque."
Best Power Tool Combo Kits
HIGH PERFORMANCE MOTOR: The DCD771 delivers 300 unit watts out (UWO) of power ability completing a wide range of applications.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The batteries hold a charge for months, come out of the bag ready to work."
"great combo, decent bag, the 1.3ah batteries not so much."
"I was going to get just the driver - but when realized the impact tool came with just one battery, I figured that getting this combination would get me the second battery and a VSR drill at a price I couldn't beat."
"I have been wanting to purchase this for my fiance fir a long time."
"Despite the smell and the sparking, these work very well and get the job done."
"This was a Christmas present for my son."
"It works well but has a burnt smell when you operate."
"I got this for my husband for Christmas."
Best Screw Guns & Power Screwdrivers
Fast, efficient, and versatile, the DEWALT DW920K-2 1/4-inch 7.2-volt cordless two-position screwdriver kit features heavy-duty construction, the convenience of variable speed, and a 7.2-volt battery pack for quick charging and longer run time in small fastening applications. Fast, efficient, and versatile, the DEWALT DW920K-2 1/4-inch 7.2-volt cordless two-position screwdriver kit features heavy-duty construction, the convenience of variable speed, and a 7.2-volt battery pack for quick charging and longer run time in small fastening applications. Dimensions and Warranty Information At 3.5 pounds, the DW290K-2 1/4-inch 7.2-volt cordless two-position screwdriver kit is lightweight enough for all-day jobs without excessive stress on wrists and hands. The product is 7.2V CRDLS Screwdriver. Industrial quick-release hex-shank chuck allows for quick screwdriver bit change and prevents bit run out.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The best cordless hand tool I own."
"When I went to buy new batteries they were very expensive and even cheap Chinese batteries were $30 for two."
"But so far it is a good reliable screwdriver and works as it should."
"Powerful enough in almost every case to drive screws without first drilling pilot holes."
"I have a DeWalt cordless drill and the combination of these two tools saves so much time--drill pilot holes with the drill and sink the screws with this baby."
"Got the attachment to fit drill bits, and I've used this thing like crazy for assembling IKEA furniture and hanging stuff around the house."
"Having been the owner of a "Skil Twist" electric screwdriver that I bought many years ago, it became time to replace it since it completely died on me. I must admit I was reluctant to spend $70 bucks on the Dewalt when I could buy the Black & Decker for 1/3 of the price."
"my first one got lost and I finally got around to replacing it with this one and there was about 10 years between the two purchases."
Best Regenerative Blowers
The DEWALT DCE511B 11" corded/cordless jobsite fan offers the options you need on the jobsite. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I’m currently conducting a run till dead test to see how long it will run at high-speed with Dewalt’s strongest battery the flex volt 9.0 AH battery. As many have already posted you can plug it in but not while you have a battery in the battery socket. Now at over 16 hours of run time with battery now down to one led still going strong .... Ok it ran over 17 hours on one charge on high with DeWALTs best battery!"
"not super strong, but my guy who always needs a fan on him (Florida), likes it for it's portability and light weight."
"This is a new product so I can only say that initial quality seems great."
"awesome fan, bought it to use while camping."
"Great fan."
"easy to use."
Best Powder-Actuated Tools
1x DX 2 Powder-actuated tool;1x 5/8" Round brush;1x 5/C32 Round brush;1x Round brush;1x Spares pack DX 2 packed;1x Case.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Useful and fun tool, for shooting nails into concrete through 2x6's and 2x4's, Works great, heavy duty construction."
"identical to dx350 that I had for about 25 years never failed me."
Best Oscillating Power Tools
The 28-piece accessory kit includes popular cutting and sanding attachments and also has a universal accessory adaptor for use with most oscillating tool accessory brands. Includes: (1) DCS355 20V MAX XR Oscillating Tool, (1) DCB203: 20V MAX XR Compact Li-Ion Battery (2.0Ah), (1) fast charger, (1) DEWALT Oscillating Tool Guide System, (1) wood with nails blade, (1) sanding pad, (25) sheets of sanding paper, (1) universal accessory adaptor, (1) contractor bag and an accessory storage box. 28-Piece DEWALT accessory kit with storage box includes popular cutting and sanding attachments. 28-Piece DEWALT accessory kit with storage box includes popular cutting and sanding attachments.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was impressed with all the different cutting and sanding tools, and the things you could do with them. Then I went on to watch a few videos which immediately hooked me on this Dewalt Oscillating tool. The front of the tool has a Quick Change lever to quickly change blades and accessories. In the past six months I have used the tool to; cut out openings in drywall (using that handy accessory guide), cut copper and PVC pipe, cut away the grout in floor tiles, vibrate the tiles free, scrape off the remaining adhesive left behind on the floor, grind off adhesive on the backs of some needed tiles, notched out 1x2s mounted to a block wall, notched out molding, sanding away the orange peel on walls for several drywall patches (whole house replumb), cut away plastic dividers in a couple storage trays I customized. As a Dremel is to hobbyists and model making, the Dewalt DCS355 Oscillating tool is to home repair and renovation. While the DCS355 bare tool is a bit more than $100, be prepared to spend another $100 to $200 for accessories (you do get a few essentials with the kit).. The last thing you want is a versatile tool, without the necessary accessory to complete a project when it needs to get done. In fact, except for the sanding prep noted above, it hasn't taken me more than two minutes to pull the tool out of my bag, set an accessory, snap on a battery and finish the task at hand in about a minute. Also note that all Dewalt accessories (I like to stick with Dewalt only) will work with the quick change tool mount, although some other brands may not. There is an adapter that comes with the tool for those non-Dewalt accessories."
"On the bits not fitting so far to date every bit I own fits this tool like Rockwell Dewalt Fein and I even have tried Bosch and some harbor freight bits I live a mile from one. on the burning out the bits faster on my fein I set the speed and then I turn the machine on but on this tool I tend to floor it but then I have yet to burn out any bits, maybe some people are flooring it ( an old term meaning put the gas pedal to the floor). if you want affordable cordless tool with performance this is it I've tried the M12 and hated it I tried the M18 but the price was high and I don't own any Milwaukee tools. One drawback is other brands bits don't fit (that rhymes so) they do fit just not quick change. Why should Dewalt make a universal tool to fit competitor's bits, would you design a product to fit the competitors consumables ? Part of how you stay in business is by also selling support parts and consumables but yet they do fit only not using their quick change mechanism I have added some pictures on my review showing just that. The issue with installing a belt clip there is no nut for a belt clip, there is a slot for one but that's it. As far as their records this tool didn't show a belt clip pictured or described."
"It's a Dewalt. I bought this because I kept borrowing my buddy's and saw this as a Deal of the Day."
"It has plenty of power and the battery lasted long enough for several complex cuts in a built-in cabinet frame."
Best Routers
Variable speed dial, soft-start, maintains constant speed under load, quick clamp system on both bases, includes fixed base with system for adjusting bit height from above a router table, precision centering makes it easy to keep bit on intended cutline when using jigs, templets, dovetail fixtures and similar guidance devices, fixed base has threaded holes for mounting to router table positioned in Bosch 4-hole pattern and common 3-hole pattern, microfine, bit, depth adjustment system on both bases, wide base openings and 2" subbase openings and provides better visibility, right or left. Includes: plunge base, fixed base, fixed base chip shield, plunge base chip shield, 1/4" self-releasing collet chuck, 1/2" self-releasing collet chuck, 16mm shaft wrench, 24mm collet nut wrench, T-handle hex height adjustment wrench, carrying case. The Bosch 1617EVSPK Plunge and Fixed-Base Variable-Speed Router Kit includes: EVS Motor (16176) Plunge base (RA1166) Fixed base (RA1161) Fixed base chip shield Plunge base chip shield 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch self-releasing collet chucks Comfortable forged 16-mm and 24-mm bit-change wrenches T-handle hex height-adjustment wrench Rugged carrying case. Both of the included bases, fixed and plunge, feature quick clamp systems for quick tool-free conversions, so moving the motor between the two bases takes only seconds and requires no tools. The plunge base features soft grip handles for easier operation, and the fixed base includes threaded holes for mounting it to router tables. What's in the Box EVS Motor (16176), plunge base (RA1166), fixed base (RA1161), fixed base chip shield, plunge base chip shield, 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch self-releasing collet chucks, comfortable forged 16-mm and 24-mm bit change wrenches, T-handle hex-height adjustment wrench, and rugged carrying case. The router table's variable speed dial allows you to set the optimal speed for the routing task and material.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The one thing that really surprised me about it (we were coming from a 30 year old 1/4" collet Craftsman) is how quiet this thing is. You could *almost* carry on a conversation over it while you work, whereas even the neighbors needed earplugs with our old Craftsman (I'd still wear earplugs though--I still want to be able to hear when I have grandchildren!). This was pretty important to me, but trying to search for variations of "quiet woodworking routers" pulled up one lonely question from a guy on Reddit that everyone who responded said routing was loud in general...not really helpful."
"I don't know whether I got a bad unit or whether the soft start circuitry is poorly designed."
"Handheld routing is easy thanks to large, comfortable grips, and the included plunge base adds unlimited versatility."
"Like all routers it kicks out a lot of small chips and dust, so I strongly recommend getting the dust collection attachment set from Bosch for this router, RA1173AT 3-Hood Dust Extraction Kit and using it with a shop vacuum (standard 1 1/4 inch hose). I also used it to make slots for shelves in a cabinet using a 3/4" straight router bit."
"I've logged about 50 hours (hand-held) with this router, in both soft and hardwoods (red oak, cherry, mahogany, maple, poplar), so my observations are based on that usage. I looked at the usuals: Makita, Bosch, Porter Cable, Hitachi, Triton, DeWalt and Milwaukee. It slides and locks easily into both the fixed and plunge bases, and has a flat top, which makes changing bits that much easier. The motor is also heavy, which when combined with either base, gives you excellent stability and control for even high tolerance cuts. The router I purchased was perfectly centered on the existing base, and I've had no problems using the plunge to cut mortises to exact tolerances. My only complaint is that you cannot leave the guide locking screws in the fixed base of the router when storing in the case."
Best Biscuit & Plate Joiners
Dual rack and pinion fence ensure blade and fence are always parallel, integral one-piece fence is adjustable and tilts 0-90 degrees, flush cuts can be made at 0 degrees without removing fence, 45 degree locating notch in fence allows indexing off the outside surface of a mitered joint, non-marring, heavy-duty aluminum shoe, retractable, anti-slip pins, preset depth stops for all common biscuit sizes. This kit includes an easy-to-adjust fence, a heavy-duty nonmarring shoe, and preset stops for all common biscuit sizes, so you can craft solid joints quickly and accurately. Plate Joiner Kit. At a Glance: Quick and accurate cuts for use in joinery applications Powerful, 6-1/2 amp, 10,000 rpm motor to cut through the hardest woods Adjustable, integrated fence for precise positioning Preset depth stops for all common biscuit sizes Three-year limited warranty, one-year free service, 90-day money-back guarantee. Integrated, Adjustable Fence for Accuracy Accuracy is critical when creating joints and The DEWALT Plate Joiner Kit delivers. 45 degree locating notch in fence allows indexing off the outside surface of a mitered joint; non-marring, heavy-duty aluminum shoe allows joiner to be clamped for stationary work.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have yet to find a dewalt product that disappoints."
"works great, cuts into wood with ease, and is very adjustable."
"Works great and a nice addition to my tool collection."
"Works as advertised."
"works really well."
"Great for my DIY projects."
"I don't usually write reviews but felt I had to on this product."
Best Sanders
The WEN Belt Disc Sander easily sands, smooths and removes all of the jagged edges and splinters on your wood and lumber. This package also includes an 80-grit sanding disc, an 80-grit sanding belt, a miter gauge for steady sanding on angled edges, a stop bar for safety and control, and a 2.25 inch dust port to connect a dust extractor. Two-in-one sanding machine includes both a 4-by-36 inch belt and a 6-by-6 inch disc.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"the disc and belt run true - no wobble at all - and the unit is quite heavy. I bolted the WEN to a plywood base, and using some scrap cabinet-grade plywood, made a table that is solid, exactly 90 degrees to the disc, and can be adjusted to get as close to the disc as I need it to be. If I ever need to sand at an angle, I can just put the table back on (but beware, the angle gage for the table is made of tape and is very inaccurate!"
"The machine is the same as the Ryobi Bench Sander Green BD4601G one at Home Depot, but with WEN labeling. After I watched my son almost stick his finger in the the danger spot where the belt meets the machine, I promptly looked up the model number for the Ryobi guard and bought it to replace the junky WEN guard."
"The main reason it only received two stars is because it struggled to sand some of the larger pieces I was working on, eventually coming to a stop. If I used my hand to get the belt going, the motor would eventually kick in and turn the belt, but it would be so slow it wouldn't be useful."
"My previous Delta brand bench sander would also have been underpowered for the amount and types of needs I have now as well. The belt sander is easier to change from horizonal to vertical than other models I've used."
"2 months old and it started on fire in my garage....belt guard is made of plastic and once it ignited it went crazy and even the paint started burning...That plastic belt guard ignited in an instant and the fire spread fast to the paint and melted the plastic throughout the side of the sander including knobs and table supports... my 30 amazon return window closed and WEN will not honor their 2 year warranty due to less than 30 seconds of sanding titanium plate.so I am out $85 because WEN uses cheap materials to build an 'ok' sander."
"In the middle of sanding a piece of pine, a loud POP from the machine, everything slows down, kills the breaker, and then lots of smoke and flames out the bottom."
Best Drill Presses
It's a drill press, tool holder and flex shaft holder all in one. Tool Holder- Holds Tool at 90 Degrees Horizontal for Tasks Such as Polishing Metal Objects, Sanding Different Shapes and Grinding Metal Pieces.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"no ammount of adjustment can fix this, I took the entire thing appart, and determined it is a problem with the plastic mold. if you are only going to be drilling thin peices of material and dont need real accuracy this wont bother you."
"This is a beautifully crafted tool, that has been obviously carefully engineered by Dremel. Thank you Dremel for so many decades of producing fine, useful tools for us DIY craftsmen."
"Maybe at some point I'll have some detailed wood work to do but unless you have a specific use in mind I wouldn't purchase this with the Dremel as I did (especially if you already have a drill press)."
"I have a need for a small drill press, however I did not want to take up a lot of bench space Since I already own a dremel tool, I thought this product would work for me."
"In addition to this I would have liked to see a way to lock the spring loaded drill press in a down position for when you are using it to cut or route areas out, this way you could drill down, lock it in position at a set height and carry on with your cut rather than having to loosen and adjust the entire mechanism. In the end this is a great accessory if you need an affordable solution for using your dremel as a drill press, or if you need a vice etc."
"The first time I tried using it: I attached the rotary tool and lowered it on a small plastic part."
"I've attached a picture and both holes were made with a 1/8" drill bit at different speeds to show the horrible lack of precision."
"And, worst of all, there is play in the plastic housing that connects the tool to the base so you cannot use it for precision drill pressing in anything harder than cheese."
Best Arbor Presses
HHIP pro-series arbor press for riveting, squeezing, punching, bending, and other pressing applications. 1 ton press capacity and 14-inches height. Removable machined steel anvil provides accurate work support in four slot positions.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"got package quickly as described looks nice ... so far so good."
"good product."
"shipped quickly, assembled easily (no instructions)."
"heavy duty, i customized mine, the left handed wheel adds stability, shipped very well for a heavy product & quick too."
"For the price, can't be beat."
"Perfect for pressing eyelets."
"I haven't used it that much yet, but it's tighter than I expected."
Best Shop Dust Collectors
Air filter system with remote and electrostatic pre-filter; includes programmable timer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Filter change is easy with 2 flip clamps to remove filters, Fan is very powerful and will create currents in the shop."
"Nothing works as well as this unit in clearing the dust from the air in seconds without having to open up my shop when I use my power tools."
"Additionally, the unit had a couple of irritating QA issues: every bolt, inside and out of the unit was either hand-tight or worked itself out completely during shipping."
"I went back to their web page and noticed an email for customer support, so tried that, and a couple days later received a reply. I pulled the unit from the ceiling, and while I had it down, removed the air filters, and saw the bolt looked a little difficult, I thought I could get it back in, and it only took a couple minutes. I'll update the review as I get into a heavier sanding project and let you know how it's working, but I suspect it will clear the air of dust very quickly."
"Very pleased with this unit."
"Not enough to require hearing protection by any means, but enough to let you know it's there and increase the background noise in the shop when combined with the radio and dust collection system."
"And the reviewer that writes that the unit is lightweight must be a very BIG guy!!! I was going to bolt mine to the ceiling, but I have my workshop in an enclosed porch (24' x 12') and the porch ceiling would cave in, if I tried to attach the unit to it."
"I bought this for my shop to help collect the fine fine sawdust floating around in the air and in my eyes and in my lungs and on all my tools."
Best Shop Wet Dry Vacuums
2.5 gallon storage tank and 2 horsepower motor with an auto shut-off to prevent overflow.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Before getting this product I would go downtown to one of those car wash places and poke an endless supply of quarters into a bulky commercial vacuum cleaner. This has never been a pleasant experience since the car wash vacuum cleaners always seem to come with large barely-flexible, cumbersome hoses equipped with an over-wide nozzle ill-suited to clean the hard-to-reach places in your car."
"However, I seriously don't have the space for a large shop vac so the compact size of this is so great yet it performs as strongly as the large sizes. One typically runs and hides while the other follows me around barking madly at it--but with this little shop vac they even kept coming up to it while I'm using it with no barking. So I promptly turned off the water, changed the filter from the cloth to the water filter in this little vac and proceeded to test its wet suction! I haven't tried the wet part yet or the "blow" part either but if the suction works this well, then I'm sure I'll have no worries."
"NOTE: for fireplace ashes and drywall dust, which are extremely fine, the manufacturer recommends an optional fine filter, and this is important, as the powdery dust from ashes will work through a regular filter and burn out the motor. If you do (and I did) hardly any ash gets through to the filter over the motor, and you can simply remove the bag and drop it in the garbage instead of turning the canister over and dumping the ashes in a choking cloud of dust."
"I've tried it wet and dry and both work great (NOTE: make sure to use the correct filter for wet and dry which comes with the vacuum)."
"It is a workhorse in our basement, where I can use it to reach spider webs on walls and ceiling corners because it has a six foot hose and is light weight."
"It also comes with an attachment to clean the car's air vents as they can become dusty."