Tools of the Trade: Tool Tests and Reviews

Festool Hybrid Driver

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:17:54 EST

The Ti 15 brushless impact driver is also a drill/driver.

Brushless Impact Driver Teardown

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:17:29 EST

DeWalt DCF895 Brushless Impact Driver – shown here with compact battery. Let the teardown begin.

Tool Test: 18-Volt Drill/Drivers

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:15:50 EST

Today's cordless drills are significantly better than the ones I used four or five years ago — they have more power and greater runtime, and take less time to charge. Many of them are lighter, too. The most obvious change has been the move from nicad to lithium-ion batteries, with lithium-ion becoming the de facto standard for pro-grade tools. But it's not just the batteries that have gotten better; now motors are smaller and more efficient, and chargers charge more effectively, because they communicate with the batteries.

Tool Test: 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Impact Drivers

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 02:09:17 EST

For this article my crew and I tested 18 lithium-ion impact-driver kits. Some companies sell the same tool in two kits – each with different batteries – and in such cases we tested both versions. We used all the drivers for several months, trading them around so that everybody had experience with each one.

Tools Up Close: Makita Compact Drill/Driver

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 07:13:52 EST

The Makita drill/driver is short & a mere 7-9/16 inches from chuck to tail. With the battery attached, it weighs 3.3 pounds, which is lighter than the vast majority of 18-volt drill/drivers. Its small size and weight make for easy handling overhead and in tight spaces like cabinets and narrow joist bays. To create a more comfortable and ergonomic handle than the ones on previous models, the manufacturer tapered the bottom of the grip and added vertical ribbing.

Tool Test: Subcompact Drill/Drivers and Impact Drivers

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 07:13:51 EST

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 marketing purposes are referred to as 12-volt packs). As with any voltage platform, the first tool a new user usually buys is a drill/driver, followed by an impact driver, so for this article I tested both.

2010 Editor's Choice: Hitachi WH14DBL Compact Cordless Impact Driver

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:37:42 EST

We love the way this category has continued to evolve, especially in terms of performance features previously seen only in industrial assembly tools.

Nail Jack Pro Model, Nail Hunter and Staple Jack Pliers

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 01:29:23 EST

Nail Jack extraction pliers have an 'anvil' behind the head that you pound on to drive the tips into the wood surrounding a nail.

Irwin Vise-Grip 10CR Fast Release Pliers

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 01:29:19 EST

Irwin's newest Vise-Grip pliers have a 'self-energizing' jaw design that shifts under load and self-tightens, similar to the action of a pipe wrench.

Kunz 5 Plus Jack Plane

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:26:21 EST

Kunz has a new premium plane line.

First Test: Diablo Hand-Held Mixers

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 01:06:30 EST

Tile contractors spend a lot of time standing over a 5-gallon bucket mixing various setting materials, and most just use a 1/2-inch drill for the job. That's not an ideal approach, because the tool isn't purpose-built for the application. Always on the lookout for something better, we found the right tools for the job in the new Diablo DM800E and DM1602E hand-held mixers. There's a big difference between using these machines and a standard drill, because they have features designed specifically for mixing needs. Both come with a 1/2-inch chuck for any hexagonal-shank paddles and an M14 threaded metric adapter to fit European-style paddles.

First Test: DeWalt Right-Angle Drill

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:13:29 EST

Years ago, when I started out as a young plumbing apprentice, the venerable Milwaukee Hole Hawg was the only right-angle drill used throughout the trades. It was big, heavy, and powerful. I went for more than one ride on that drill, and the countless smashed knuckles I endured were a real lesson in reaction torque. Thankfully, as the years have gone on, manufacturers have installed low-gear clutches in their drills, but some of these disengage too easily with large-diameter holes or wet lumber. So I was very interested to see how DeWalt's new Bind-Up Control in its DWD460 right-angle drill might help my poor old plumber's hands.

Tool Test: Compact & Subcompact Drill/Drivers

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:13:25 EST

Cordless drill/drivers have come a long way since the first one I purchased more than 20 years ago. It's interesting, though, that some have come full circle and ended up about the same size as those small, early tools, but with much better performance.

Cordless Impact Drivers

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 06:00:39 EST

We set out to test the latest 18-volt lithium-ion impact drivers, but we made a few exceptions to round out the field. All but the Bosch are LI-powered, but a few different voltages and tool configurations are in the mix.

Delta 17-959L and Powermatic 2800 Drill Presses

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:43:59 EST

The first drill press I ever used was 40 years ago in my grandfather's workshop, and the ones I've used since, during my 22 years as a woodworker, haven't changed much. Woodworkers have always struggled with basic machines designed for metalworking.

Electric Concrete Breakers

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:44:29 EST

Electric-powered breaker hammers have found a niche in the construction trades. In a wide variety of circumstances, these convenient tools fit the bill for small-scale demolition work.

2009 Editors' Choice: Makita Compact Hammer Drill/Driver

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:24:04 EST

Cordless drill/drivers seem to be shrinking; everywhere you look, brands are coming out with smaller and lighter versions

2009 Editors' Choice: Ridgid 12-Volt Subcompact Drill With Chuck

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:44:45 EST

Following in the lithium-ion subcompact trend is the new Ridgid Micros, but it has an important difference: a 3/8-inch drill chuck.

First Test: T-Drill T-35 Tee-Forming Tool

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:28:27 EST

A T-Drill is a unique, incredible plumber's tool that I've relied on to give me a competitive edge for nearly a decade, yet most people–including many plumbers–have never heard of it. So when I was asked to review the new T-35, I was eager to see what kind of improvements they made to this amazing tool.

Cordless Rotary Hammers

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:26:55 EST

As a self-employed contractor in New England for nearly 30 years, I've relied on rotary hammers for as long as I've been in business. As a concrete foundation contractor, I've used them to drill holes for placing rebar into existing foundations to tie into a new pour, and occasionally on new foundations to chisel out a misplaced or forgotten beam pocket or utility chase. These days, with my projects ranging from residential remodeling and new construction to light commercial work, I use them less often but for more varied tasks like drilling for missed anchor bolts, installing deck ledger bolts into foundation walls, chiseling out old concrete firestops, creating holes for conduit, and especially tying new foundations into old.