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Milwaukee's M18 Cordless 7/8-inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer should find its strongest market among mechanical contractors who work on commercial jobs, but it will be of interest to any tradesperson who drills a lot of small holes in concrete.
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Throughout the year, the Tools of the Trade staff sees and tests hundreds of tools. We're especially busy now, because it's the season when many companies introduce new tools and unveil them at the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association show held every November. On the following pages...
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In a perfect world there would be temporary power where and when you needed it, but in reality, many contractors must rely on portable generators some or all of the time. As a framing contractor, I've had to use them myself, so I understand how important it is to get a dependable machine that can...
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Subcompact tools are the fastest growing segment of the cordless market. The number of available models has grown from a mere handful four years ago to more than 100 today. The tools in this category are defined by their small size, light weight, and 10.8-volt lithium-ion battery packs (which for...
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My first encounter with construction lasers was 20-plus years ago on a commercial job site, where a subcontractor was using a rotary laser to level the track for a suspended ceiling. The tool obviously saved a lot of time, and even though it could only shoot level, I was jealous that my company...
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Fifteen years ago, when I started out as a framer, Skil was the only real choice for carpenters looking for an inline saw. Since then, a lot more companies have started making these tools and now there are quite a few to choose from.
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As a framing contractor, I rely on nail guns more than almost any other tool. When I buy a framing gun I look for a model that is comfortable to handle, able to toenail well, and powerful enough to drive nails flush every time.