By now you’ve probably heard all about Ridgid’s new modular JobMax cordless power tool system. Featuring a universal handle and interchangeable tool heads, the JobMax system is designed to be versatile and affordable. But how well do the tools actually function? We’ve been reviewing the JobMax system for some time now, and have come to a […]
Bausch & Lomb Watchmaker’s Loupe
When working on some small parts the other day, I pulled out my trusty Bausch & Lomb watchmaker’s loupe. With a 4x magnification, this loupe provides an ample field of view and depth of focus. For greater magnification needs, I head on over to a 10-40x opical inspection microscope, although I’m considering a digital USB microscope for future […]
Beta Engineers Hammer Hands-on Review
As part of my shop rebuild, I have been researching and buying several new hand tools for quick use, like my go-to screwdrivers. These tools are intended to be hung on a pegboard for easy access and will be used to perform a variety of tasks, quickly and efficiently. My latest tool acquisition is a Beta shop hammer. […]
Senco Fusion Nailer First Impressions
We recently received a Senco Fusion angled finish nailer for review, and after charging its 18V battery this morning I felt compelled to fire off a few test nails. Driving in those first nails was extremely satisfying. My first impression was that the Senco did not at all seem short on power, although it did feel a […]
Wiha Pocket Folding Ruler Review
Wiha offers quite a few sizes and styles of folding rulers. Their smallest size, model #61601, is sized just right for stowing away in a pocket, tackle box, or tool box. These folding rulers are waterproof, flexible, and extremely durable. Or are they? Jeff was kind of enough to put one of these rulers through a […]
Porter Cable Cordless 18V Circular Saw Review
As you may recall, we’ve been reviewing the various tools included in Porter Cable’s Lithium-ion cordless tool kit. Today, we’re going to be reviewing their cordless 6-1/2″ circular saw. I’ve got to hand it to the engineers over at Porter Cable – their 18V lithium-ion cordless drill driver really blew our expectations out of the water. Build quality, […]
Sam’s Club Seville 24″ Wall Cabinet – Reader Review
Reader JeffD was kind enough to share with us his review of the heavy duty Seville wall cabinets sold at Sam’s Club. Jeff bought six of these cabinets for $58 each (a killer price!), and has evaluated them with authoritative detail. If you recall, these cabinets are 24″ wide x 28″ tall x 12″ deep, and feature […]
Craftsman Ratcheting Elbow Wrenches Hands-on Review
With their pivoting box ends, Craftsman’s ratcheting elbow wrenches are anything but ordinary. Possibly inspired by similarly styled indexable ratchets, these elbow wrenches are designed for use in tight spaces and situations where a fastener may be obstructed. Curious about whether these new wrenches were innovative, gimmicky, or both, we set out to review them. In the end, […]
C.H. Hanson Remedies Potential Ball Level Crosshair Issue!
Last month we posted an update to our review of C.H. Hanson’s Precision Ball Level. In our experience, the ball level worked exactly as advertised, and looked to be very solidly made. In our update, we discussed a slight design flaw that made new levels susceptible to damage under certain conditions – perhaps careless handling at […]
Hands-on Review of Dremel’s New Cordless Rotary Tool
Dremel’s new 8200 cordless rotary tool is powered by a brand new 12V-max Li-ion battery, making it the fastest and most powerful cordless tool of its kind. The 8200 is not exactly compact, but its battery allows it to be used for many jobs where a corded tool would be inconvenient or impossible to use. We are avid fans […]
Bosch Power Box 360 Jobsite Radio Hands-on Review
A few weeks ago, we talked about Bosch’s new Power Box 360 music/power center, and how it claims to “re-define” jobsite sound. The new Power Box 360 features four speakers and a subwoofer, modern media connectivity options, and quite a few snazzy features. While that sounds great on paper, how does the Power Box 360 […]
Kobalt 17 Gallon 1.5HP Compressor Review
A few weeks ago I met up with Brian, a ToolGuyd contributor, and I spotted a Kobalt compressor (model 236005) in his shop. This unit is no longer available for sale at Lowes, but I’ve recently seen quite a few of them for sale on Craigslist and ebay, and carbon-copy units are still available at other retailers. […]
Milwaukee M12 Cordless Drill a Solid Performer
Steve from over at the ShopNGarage blog & forum recently reviewed Milwaukee’s M12 cordless drill and driver. The review was overwhelmingly positive, confirming our expectation that the M12 3/8″ drill is a very solid performer. As we also noticed in our own review of Milwaukee’s similarly featured 3/8″ right angle drill, Steve mentions that the drill’s chuck felt […]
Porter Cable 18V Li-Ion Cordless Drill Review
A few weeks ago, we received a Porter Cable 18V Li-ion cordless combo set to review. Since then, we have been putting the tools through a rigorous review process, starting with the cordless drill. Seeing as how the drill will be many users’ most frequently used tool, we spent quite a bit of time evaluating its […]
Dewalt Magnetic ToughCase Review
Dewalt’s new magnetic ToughCase is designed to be a highly portable storage case for larger drill bits, saw blades, and other bulky accessories that can be difficult to stow away. Right away, I must tell you that I absolutely love Dewalt’s various tool and accessory storage cases. They’re tough, well-built, and usually have extremely secure […]
Five Exotic Hand Tools Reviewed
I wrote an article over at Popular Mechanics reviewing five exotic and uncommon hand tools you’ll probably never see at your local big box hardware stores. These handy tools will likely be discussed in greater detail here on ToolGuyd in the future, but for now, check out my reviews over at PopMech! Attack of the Exotic, Off-Brand Hand Tools via […]
Bucket Boss Rear Guard Tool Sheath Review
Bucket Boss’s Rear Guard Tool Sheath is a small utility pouch that is great for carrying a a few tools around hands-free. The Rear Guard can be attached to an ordinary pants belt, and also has a flap that can be inserted into a back pocket for extra stability. I’ve been using a Rear Guard for quite some time now […]
Porter Cable 18V Cordless Tool Combo Kit Review I
Towards the end of 2008, Porter Cable revamped their 18V cordless tool lineup and came out with all new tools and combo kits. Since then, we’ve been a little hesitant to embrace these new tools for several reasons, but ultimately decided that they’re worth a fair and objective evaluation. We’re going to kick off a series […]
American Hammer 8oz Brass Hammer Review
Reader JD was kind enough to share a very detailed review of a recently purchased 8oz brass American Hammer with us. If you recall, American Hammer is currently holding a direct-sales promotion and has heavily discounted many of their hammers.
Spiral Supports Fine Tunable Shelf Support Pins Review
Spiral Supports are a brand new shelf support pin of a unique design that is claimed to provide perfect shelving every time. These shelf pins are quick and easy to adjust, and can be used to eliminate the wobbling or trembling associated with slightly misaligned support pin holes in cabinets and shelving. Even if you can […]