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Preview: NT50GS Gas-Powered 18-Gauge Brad Nailer

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Hitachi just announced the newest edtion to their already extensive nailer lineup with the NT50GS, the gas-powered 18-gauge nailer. You heard right — Hitachi has now made with the cordless gas in a small brad nailer format. We’re guessing it’s to try and slim the lead on those guys in orange.

The new NT50GS will hold a 5/8 in. to 2 in. 100-shot magazine-style load and, as you can see from the pictures, is not covered in the alien-skin green that brings such a polarizing cheer or groan from the masses. The system is powered through a “fuel-rod” gas cartridge that Hitachi says will send 1200 rounds home, and the spark that lights up the gas is provided by a rechargeable 3.6v Li-Ion battery.

The same battery will fit in the cordless screwdriver freebie that Hitachi is throwing in the kit along with a spare battery and charger.

The entire rig will run you about $299 retail and be available at the local home center soon.

NT50GS Gas Powered 18-gauge Brad Nailer [Hitachi]

Posted in Hitachi, Power Tools, Woodworking | 2 Comments »

Find Your Keys Buried In Six Inches Of Concrete

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Compared to the Milwaukee Cordless Detection Tool, your puny stud finder is only a toy. OK, we’re not sure about finding your keys, but it can detect rebar buried 6″ deep in concrete. It can also tell you the location and depth of wood, PEX, PVC, and metal behind gypsum, OSB, ceramic tile, and marble.

This pistol-grip cordless tool is yet another tool that uses Milwaukee’s M12 Lithium-ion battery. Gliding over surfaces on four wheels, it can differentiate between ferrous and non-ferrous metals and can even detect live wires. The white-on-black display with backlight will even show you the center and edges of studs.

If Google’s got it right you can pick up the Sub-Scanner starting at $200, but a more reasonable source like Ohio Power Tool has it listed for $310 without battery.

M12 Sub-Scanner [Milwaukee]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Posted in Measuring, Milwaukee, Power Tools | 9 Comments »

Flip This! Bench Slide Mount

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

With the Bench Slide Mount you can store your bench tools — like the vise and grinder seen above, or any other similar tool weighing up to 75 pounds — under the bench. When needed, slide ‘em forward and swing ‘em up to the top of the bench.

Commerce Welding’s $98 Bench Slide Mount includes a rails system plus mounting, roller, and swivel plates. It mounts to any workbench from 1-3/4″ to 4-1/2″ thick.

Bench Slide Mount [Commerce Welding]
Video [BenchSlideMount.com]

Posted in Power Tools | 6 Comments »

It’s Just Cool: 40″ Band Saw

Monday, July 27th, 2009

This probably would not fit in my garage, and even if it did and I could somehow power it, I doubt that I would ever need to bandsaw something requiring a 40″ throat. On the other hand, this is a really neat hunk-o-machinery.

From Old Woodworking Machines via Stu’s Shed.

Old Woodworking Machines [Corporate Site]

Posted in It's Just Cool, Power Tools, Saws, Woodworking | 4 Comments »

Preview: Stanley Virax M20 Plus

Friday, July 24th, 2009

A pressing machine squeezes fittings together to make solderless joints in copper, stainless and PEX tubing even with residual fluid still in the pipe. It’s wicked handy and it’s what many pros use to fix leaks in modern pipes. Stanley VIRAX now launched the first of its pressing guns into the U.S. market.

The Stanley Virax M20 Plus is a pistol-grip pressing machine about the size of a regular cordless drill. It was engineered specifically for the professional plumber and mechanical contractor who require interchangeable jaw inserts to join 1/2-inch to 1-inch copper and 3/8-inch to 1-inch PEX tubing.

(more…)

Posted in Plumbing Tools, Power Tools, Stanley | 7 Comments »

The Featherguard Is NOT For the Birds

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Here’s an interesting concept from Sommerfeld: a featherboard that doubles as a bit guard — or is it a bit guard that doubles as a featherboard? They claim that it works great for large work pieces like plywood or raised panel doors.

As a featherboard, the Featherguard can hold the workpiece with over 50lbs of pressure, and as a bit guard, it completely covers the bit when installed correctly.

There are few disconcerting things about this accessory — you can’t see the bit through the completely opaque plastic and you need to locate the featherboard directly over the bit rather than in front the bit where you’d normally locate it. That said, it could be a time-saver to only have to position one accessory rather than two.

Sommerfeld includes all knobs and hardware needed to attach the Feathergaurd to your router or table saw. It appears that the Feathergaurd is only available on their website for $25 before shipping charges.

Featherguard [Sommerfeld Tools]

Posted in Power Tools, Safety, Sommerfeld | No Comments »

Hands-On: Milwaukee M12 Power Port

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

One of the best things about the Milwaukee M12 Li-Ion lineup is that Milwaukee recognizes that people who buy their tools have a life outside of work and adapt some of their products to it. I’m not talking beach ball inflators here, but handy gadgets like the 2349-20 Power Port. At first we thought it was a “marsh melon dispenser”* like in Star Trek V, but sadly that’s not the case. It’s a power charger that draws from the standard M12 battery on one end and feeds to USB and a 12v car-charger outlet on the other. We guess that’s just about as good.

(more…)

Posted in Accessories, Hands-On, Milwaukee, Power Tools | 8 Comments »

Reader Question: Bit Trouble

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Our friend Rick wrote to us about a problem he was having with his PS40-2. It seems he found out what happens when you use a straight bit in a quick change chuck.

I’ve got a little bit of a dilemma. So I had let my brother-in-law borrow my Bosch PS40-2 (The Impactor) When I gave it to him I only gave him the bit so he could use it with a 3/8″ socket set for his brakes.

Anyway - today I was over at my in-laws and he still had it and I needed to screw some sheetrock screws into some plywood and figured I’d use my handy dandy PS40-2. Problem was I didn’t have any quick change Phillips bits. So I used a regular bit (half inch tall one, or 3/4″ or whatever the normal ones are). I screwed in a few screws and everything worked great - I even pulled it out once or twice. Well at some point between the 4th and 8th screw, it seemed to sink into the quick change chuck a little more than it had been - and when I was done I could no longer get the bit out. I’ve tried everything - but there’s barely anywhere to get some purchase to grab it. I’ve gotten a good hold on it with a needle nose pliers and still no dice. The Quick Change chuck only comes up a little - but it doesn’t pull up all the way to completely disengage.

(more…)

Posted in Accessories, Bosch, Power Tools, Reader Question | 33 Comments »

Last Chance To Win A Set Of Paslode Cordless Tools

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

This is the last chance to enter the Paslode giveaway, so don’t forget to enter if you already haven’t — and remember that you can add to your chances by entering a comment on this or any of the other Paslode giveaway posts again.

Paslode was kind enough to offer up a set of cordless tools for us to give away to one of our loyal readers. Next month we’ll select a winner from all of you who post valid comments on any of the Paslode giveaway posts (like this one).

Sure, you already post your thoughts here — and you deserve a hearty “thank you” from me and the rest of the Toolmonger community — but now when you post a comment, you’re not only sharing your experience with other Toolmongers around the world; you’re also adding a chance to win! That’s good all ’round, yeah?

Paslode Cordless Giveaway Rules [Toolmonger]

Posted in Giveaways, Paslode, Power Tools | 43 Comments »

Recalls: Wagner Heat Gun

Friday, June 26th, 2009

This recall is my most recent favorite. The Wagner Spray Tech heat guns are being recalled to due to — wait for it — fire and burn hazards. Wagner says you should stop using the recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Basically a component failure can cause the guns to continue to produce heat after the power switch is turned off, which melts the heat gun’s plastic exterior and causes burns if the heat gun is touched. It will also ignite nearby combustibles, posing fire and burn hazards. The good news (and the reason I’m joking around about it) is there have been no injuries or property damage, so this is totally preventative.

The affected models include the Milwaukee Heat Gun MHT3300, ACE HT3500 Heat Gun, and the Wagner Heat Gun HT3500. The heat gun’s name and model number are located on a black label on the bottom of the heat gun’s barrel.

If you have one of these guns, just contact Wagner for a free replacement product.

Wagner Spray Tech Recalls Heat Guns Due to Fire and Burn Hazards [CPSC]

Posted in Power Tools, Wagner | 6 Comments »

Flickr Pool: Drill Press Mystery

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

This interesting-looking old drill press posted to the Toolmonger photo pool has us scratching our collective noggins. It’s obviously a belt-powered drill press of some sort but we have no idea what its original setup would have looked like.

The stock plate doesn’t have a hole in it, which to me says metalwork — though I suppose that’s not always true. The whole thing looks like it’s built for fine adjustment with the knobs at the spindle shaft, but the wheels at the rear are a bit of a question for me. Is the belt supposed to loop through them or is it for a second belt that controls the height?

We always find this type of shop mystery thought-provoking. We hope reader Ghb624 finds out how this rig is meant to be set up and what its original purpose was. Let us know what you think in comments.

Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]

Posted in Drills/Bits, Flickr Pool, Power Tools, Shop Tools | 13 Comments »

Makita 10.8V Li-Ion 3/8″ Driver-Drill Kit

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

The sub-compact 3/8” drill market must be a place where Bosch and the few others were making a killing last year, because almost all the heavy hitters are rolling out with them this year — and Makita is no exception. The DF330DW should look very familiar to anyone that’s been scoping other models of the same class.

(more…)

Posted in Drills/Bits, Makita, Power Tools | 12 Comments »

Preview: Milwaukee Compact Band Saw

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Milwaukee is still putting the final touches on this bad boy, but that didn’t stop them from letting us play with their new compact band saw. Our homie Doug Mahoney, pictured above, models the new corded band saw doing its thing. Yeah, it’s as badass as it looks.

(more…)

Posted in Milwaukee, Power Tools | 4 Comments »

Dealmonger: Free Milwaukee Tool W/ Kit Purchase

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Milwaukee is currently offering a free tool with the purchase of some of the combo kits in their M12, M18, and V28 power tool lines. Depending on availability and the tool line you’re purchasing from, you can choose from such freebies as extra batteries, add-on wet/dry vacs, a Sawzall, and many more items.

This special rebate offer runs through June 30, 2009, and you can find more details on Milwaukee’s website.

Offer Details [Milwaukee]

Posted in Dealmonger, Events, Milwaukee, Power Tools | 5 Comments »

Preview: Milwaukee M12 3/8″ Drill

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Milwaukee unveiled their newest frontline products in the sub-compact cordless wars last week, and the M12 3/8” drill/driver was one of the first out of the gate. This offers a couple of insights: first, this new drill is proof positive that Milwaukee has no plans to drop their M12 line; and second, if you’ve been lamenting the limited choice of tools in this line, you’re in for a good year.

From everything we’ve heard, the big red “M” plans to roll out just shy of a dozen new tools in the M12 line alone this year. Their 3/8” drill is a great start. It features a 0 – 1,500 RPM high gear and 0 – 400 RPM low gear as well as a ripping 250 in-lbs of torque that’ll keep it in stride with the other competitors in its class.

With the rising popularity of the sub-compact lines in the market today, it seems Milwaukee’s going to bet heavy on little tools that boast large performance. From a consumer standpoint we have to agree with that choice — we’ve reached for the high-end Li-Ion subs for the last two years, and they haven’t disappointed us yet. We can’t imagine the M12 3/8” will be any different. We got our hands on one for a short time at the recent Milwaukee event and it seemed very solid.

Pricing looks to be in the $130 - $150 range for the drill, charger, and two-battery set. No word on what drill-only or combo kit pricing will be just yet, but we’ll keep you updated as rollouts occur.

Milwaukee M12 Line [Milwaukee Tools]

Posted in Drills/Bits, Milwaukee, Power Tools | 16 Comments »

Makita 7-1/4″ Hypoid Saw

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

This new 7-1/4″ saw from Makita looks very similar to their other circular saw offerings, and to most other brands on the market, too. But it hides its special feature on the inside — a hypoid gear drive.

(more…)

Posted in Amazon, Makita, Power Tools, Saws | 11 Comments »

Sneak Peak: Craftsman C3 Cordless Chainsaw

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

Yes, ladies and gents, this is a preview of the upcoming Craftsman C3 cordless chainsaw — they’ll add it to the existing C3 line in late July. Craftsman recently released this information to Sears associates only, and just as of today it’s cleared for public consumption. On with the show! (more…)

Posted in Craftsman, Lawn/Garden, Power Tools, Sears | 21 Comments »