Here are some details and opinions on the latest tools Home Depot sent our way for review consideration (as part of our paid partnership).
Ridgid MegaMax Octane
The new Ridgid MegaMax heavy duty modular tool system has hit stores. I was sent their new high-powered 18V Octane brushless base system, which resembles the rear half of a reciprocating saw, and two attachments.
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There are three attachments so far – a SDS rotary hammer head, a 1/2″ right angle drill head, and a reciprocating saw head.
Pricing
- Base handle: $99
- Reciprocating saw attachment: $99
- SDS rotary hammer attachment: $119
- Right angle drill attachment: $69
I’m intrigued by the concept, and regret that none of my recent projects could have benefited from the power the new base handle and heavy duty attachments promise to deliver.
The connection is robust, perhaps surprisingly so. When a tool head is attached, the Ridgid MegaMax combo feels as if it were a one-piece tool.
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The Ridgid MegaMax Octane system has 2 benefits – at least. First, brushless reciprocating saws, right angle drills, and SDS-Plus rotary hammers are not inexpensive. With this system, you get the functionality and performance of up to 3 tools, without having to pay for 3 heavy duty premium tools.
But also, the MegaMax motor connection allows for the tool heads to connect in more than one direction. The reciprocating saw, for example, can be positioned blade-down, or blade-up. That could potentially get users out of a tight spot, or into a tight spot if so desired.
The tool is best paired with a HyperOctane battery pack, such as the new 6.0Ah.
Buy Now(Ridgid MegaMax via Home Depot)
Buy Now(Ridgid 6.0Ah battery via Home Depot)
Dewalt Parts Organizers
Dewalt’s 10 compartment deep organizer has been quite popular over the past few years. Its removable bins are sized for construction supplies, such as bulk fasteners, wire nuts, small parts, and other such components. You can attach multiple units together, via the side locking tabs.
Personally, I prefer shallower organizers with smaller bins, but that’s also due to the nature and size of the parts I need to have sorted and easily accessible.
There are also other Dewalt organizers compatible with the same latching system, such as this smaller 10 compartment organizer. It features removable dividers that can allow for very flexible customizations.
I still haven’t put mine to use, but I have a few ideas that I’ll explore during my next supply cabinet cleanup.
Buy Now(Deep organizer via Home Depot)
Buy Now(Short organizer via Home Depot)
Bosch Favorites
There are several tools that Bosch is my go-to brand for, and laser distance measuring tools is one of them.
Home Depot sent over the Bosch Blaze GLM 50 CX, featuring ±1/16″ accuracy, a 165 foot range, full color backlit display, and Bluetooth connectivity.
While I don’t use Bluetooth layout devices for my own measurements, but the tech is becoming increasingly popular.
This is Bosch’s fully-featured laser distance measuring tool, offering a variety of calculations and measurement modes beyond similar “A to B” distances.
I have always been pleased with the accuracy and user-friendliness of Bosch’s laser distance measuring tools, and this one is no different.
For my own use, I’d buy a less expensive model from Bosch’s lineup, because the range and some of the features of this model are lost on me. But, it’d definitely still be a Bosch.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
I also received a 12pc set of Bosch Daredevil spade bits. This is a good set to buy year-round if you need to replenish your kit, but this time of year? There are bound to be promo sets.
Ah – found one. There’s a 19pc set with pouch, for the same $20.
Buy Now(19pc set with pouch via Home Depot)
Bosch is my choice of spade bit, and I tend to stock up every November.
Diablo Reciprocating Saw Blades
Sweet! Diablo’s carbide-toothed Demo Demon pruning reciprocating saw blade came out last year, but I haven’t tried it out yet. I still haven’t, but I’m happy to have the chance.
I spent a lot of time with Diablo (non-carbide) pruning saw blades last year, and they worked great, aside from the first of a pack of 5 that I bent up. I went through two blades since last Spring, and have been pleased with their performance.
This carbide blade will cut through a lot more per blade, which I’m sure that heavier users will likely appreciate.
See Also: Your Go-To Tree Branch Pruning and Cleanup Tools?
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Dremel Multi-Max and Accessories
I received a new Dremel MM-45 MultiMax oscillating multi-tool, along with a couple of accessory packs.
Dremel is a good choice for DIYers, and their accessories work decently, are affordable, and easy to find. Bosch is my preferred oscillating multi-tool accessory maker, but I’ve used Dremel on occasion due to the mentioned reasons.
This is Dremel’s most powerful multi-tool, also featuring a tool-free Quick lock blade change mechanism.
I have always found Dremel’s MultiMax tools to be a good choice for DIYers, homeowners, and others who want the most bang for the buck out of a multi-tool, and some quick work with the MM-45 leads me to maintain that position.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Bolt Cutters
Ryobi came out with new 18V One+ bolt cutters, designed to replace 14″ manual cutters. Ryobi says that it can cut through chains, locks, bolts, fencing, and wire shelving, and other such materials up to 3/8″ diameter. It can make up to 200 cuts per charge when paired with a high capacity battery pack (which usually means 4.0Ah).
I can’t say I’ve come across a good application to test this on, but I think it’s the kind of tool that someone like a closet outfitter might appreciate. Wire shelving isn’t hard to cut, but it can get tiresome to cut lost of shelves to size.
What kinds of ways would you use a tool like this on?
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
It’ll probably work even better with one of these new 6.0Ah battery packs.
Dewalt Cordless 21° Framing Nailer
I don’t believe we covered this yet, but Dewalt recently came out with a 21° framing nailer. Featuring dual speeds, the DCN21PL nailer is said to be ideal for fencing, framing, and decking applications. It can drive fasteners 2″ to 3-1/4″ long.
For all you framing nailer users out there, do you use 21° or 30-34° nailers?
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
The yeti
Cordless bolt cutters. Great lets make it easier for the skid thieves.
Andy
Hey. They need to make a living too.
Gordon
So this is what they mean when they say a tool “pays for itself.”
Toolfreak
Wow. Cordless bolt cutters.
I do like my Bosch stuff, but the future may be TTi/Ryobi if they keep killing it with all these new tools. Seems like they make cordless everything eventually.
There are pneumatic bolt cutters out there, but the compressor is noisy and it’s a hassle to lug in a compressor, extension cord, air hose, and the bolt cutters, plus not get everything dirty, plus the pneumatic tool has no real control, you just pull the trigger and it clamps and cuts. It’s great for getting through a Grade 8 bolt in under a second, but the tool is heavy and it’s not cheap, either.
Depending on how well this thing really works on, say, a 3/8″ bolt, it may be quite the revolution since you can get much better access with a lightweight cordless tool than with a big heavy pneumatic one, and you can forget manual cutters because they won’t work in spots where you don’t have room to spread the handles or get the jaws around the bolt.
I don’t think bolt cutters are that great for cutting that wire shelving for closets btw, they crush the wire when they cut it, leaving a oval/pinched end, which looks bad if left like that, a vinyl cap won’t fit over it, and they don’t really make anything to form the end back into a round shape. Usually better off sawing it with a fine tooth blade for a smooth cut, round end, and putting a cap on with a dab of adhesive.
Stuart
I’ve had good experiences using bolt cutters on wire shelving and still being able to cap-off the cut ends, but you might be right. I’m just trying to think of repetitive use scenarios where it could come in handy.
fred
Might that Ryobi will be useful for cutting livestock fencing and smallish-diameter threaded rod?
The “up to 3/8” may be optimistic for hardened shackles (that may be a good thing in it being less useful for thieves),
The Makita cordless cutter – would probably be better at handling 3/8 inch bolts – if you do enough of it and your budget can stand it.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XCS02ZK-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Flush-Cutter/dp/B073SLQWYP
The yeti
Way too big to be any use. How is that thing gonna fit in a rafter or a wall
Jason Gill
FYI I think there is a misspelling in the article – “MegaMax” is spelled “MegMax” in a couple places. Keep up the good work guys!
Stuart
Thank you – fixed!
skfarmer
hmmmm. i thought bolt cutters already were cordless……
Kenneth Stephens
+1
garrett
agreed…+1
Rev. Daniel J. Lemke
I hear they’re gonna come out with a cordless tool belt soon after Christmas. ;-P
James
Do you know if it will be Bluetooth enabled?
Corey
No mention of the new flexvolt inline joist drill? DCD470, I believe. That’s got me excited as all get out lol
Evadman
Ryobi is really hitting it out of the park with how fast they are coming out with tools I want, but I don’t want to buy into another battery set. Arrg; decisions, decisions.
fred
I see that they have announced some tools for DIY PEX installations. One (P660) to crimp Oetiker style clamps and one (P661) to compress Zurn-style rings.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-PEX-Tubing-Clamp-Tool-Tool-Only-P660/305261211
bob
I bought into the Ridgid system a little over a year ago. I bought a used sawzall off ebay that looked unused. It stopped working this summer after little to no use. I haven’t tried to take it apart and see what is wrong. I don’t have a lot of faith that this setup will hold up.
I also have the job max system. Its handy, but under powered.
I don’t have a lot of faith that this setup will hold up.
Adabhael
Which JobMax base are you using? 12v, 18v, pneumatic, 4amp AC? I have the corded and find the OMT very satisfactory, the recip saw is obviously less power compared to an 11 amp sawzall, but is handy in tight spots (works one handed). I have the impact driver which I use for drilling and driving only when a full-size 18v will not fit. My use is DIY, not professional, and only to solve particular problems. But I like the versatility, particularly when I need to bring tools to a project and I am not sure what I will find or need to do.
Jimmie
Is it just me or do the ergonomics of the MegaMax seem a little off for the right-angle hole-hawg-style attachment? Seems like an end-trigger is just asking for trouble for a high-torque drill.
jason gloekler
Anyone with experience using the Daredevils? Currently use irwin speedbor’s and always been curious about the Daredevils
fred
We more often used selfeed bits in the plumbing business – but used paddle aka spade bits from time to time in the remodeling business. The Daredevils are aggressive cutters, they have a center auger lead screw rather than a point. That pulls them into the work. That’s OK for through holes – but makes them a bit more difficult to control for blind hole drilling (probably really want to use a Forstner bit for that anyway)
Adam
I’ve got a set of them, and they seem to work well. I haven’t used them for much other than building a few display fixtures at work, though.
Matt
The Dare Devil Spade bits are excellent for for fast drilling but like already mentioned very aggressive. The screw tip really does pull the bit into the work so you have to careful when drilling into wood that may contain nails where you’re drilling… I found that out the hard way with my 1″ bit while installing a door handle. Paired with an impact driver; AWESOME POWER.
TonyT
BTW, Ryobi 9AHr batteries are out (at least available for ordering) but last time I checked hadn’t reached my local store. I’m hoping for a good holiday deal on a pair.
Frank D
Any cost indications for the megamax?
Will they have a kit at a discount?
That was trouble me about the Jobmax. Full price for every single element separate.
Frank D
Found it …
https://www.homedepot.com/s/megamax?NCNI-5
$99 base
$119 SDS
$99 Right angle
$69 Recip
Stuart
Sorry – I did link to all the listings with a search link in the post, as I thought it’d be enough for now, and that I’d follow up with more details or a deeper hands-on depending on reader interests.
There could be a holiday promo, but we won’t know until Black Friday nears. There used to be holiday promos on the JobMax set, and so it wouldn’t be unfair to hope for the same.
Frank D
My bad. I see now that you did. I was on my phone and clicked on the battery.
Stuart
Nope, not your fault.
I went back and added a pricing “box,” which hopefully helps. Thanks!!
Redcastle
Is the Rigid an update of the multi head system interchangeable with Ryobi and marketed over here sometimes as Rigid and sometimes as AEG?
I too have traditionally been a supporter of Bosch laser measures however I recently agreed to produce blank room charts for someone and my Bosch tool was missing. Ordered one for same day delivery on Amazon for £20 as using a manual tape measure in furnished rooms is a chore. Needless to say the day after I bought the replacement the Bosch reappeared. Testing one against the other so far they are so close that even over longer distances the difference is negligible. With regards to the Bluetooth gimmick in the words of Sheldon Cooper “Bluetooth makes everything better”.
Dremel make some blades for their OMT which have functions no one else offers unfortunately to use them in a Fein you need an adaptor which is generally available for £15 I got lucky and found a website in Scotland selling them for £5. I would not have bought the tool just to access the blades.
The Ryobi powered bolt croppers I really hope Fred is correct and they cannot cut a half decent padlock. The introduction of the petrol powered grinder effectively killed the very expensive padlock market here as far as commercial premises went as the insurance companies got fed up of paying for them after some person had hired a grinder for the day (night) and zipped through the lock, the one issue for these jokers was grinders of all types make noise and sparks, the concept that they could now silently and with no visual effects cut off a lock brings me no joy whatsoever. I know you can use manual bolt coppers but a 48″ pair is hard to conceal and even harder to explain away to the police.
Stuart
I don’t think so – I had searched long and hard for images and details when the trademark was first files, and found nothing. If I remember correctly, the JobMax system launched here first too.
Redcastle
Stuart
The concept of a power unit to which you attach different tools is a long way from new, Black & Decker had a unit which could be a drill or a jig saw or something else (cannot remember what) however it was considered a gimmick both because of the livery it was in and it was not particularly well executed.
It can be funny to watch someone pick up the Ryobi One OMT even now and see their reaction when the head comes off, I have not seen the alternative AEG heads in a long time and never saw the Ryobi ones at all.
Someone even tried to produce a “workshop” where lots of different tools were driven from a central power source it was in the days before crowd funding and in the words of a Scottish acquaintance of mine “died oon its arse”.
The pricing would indicate that this is aimed at the higher end of the DIY market (although the selection of heads would suggest they see it as an everyday user tool) and assuming it is well executed if deserves to succeed there, obviously it would be better if it came in a pretty box.
fred
This one motor to power many different tools (one might call them end effectors) hearkens back to the days of water power – when one water wheel turned an overhead shaft and belts from the shaft to pulleys on the tools powered them.
Closer to modern times – back in the 1950’s and ’60’s – the Sears Tool Catalog and others were full of attachments that you could chuck in your drill to turn it into a sander, circular saw, jig saw and perhaps others. Today – Malco and Dewalt still sell attachments that turn your drill into powered shears.
Bolt
Pages 11 and 44 of this catalogue have the most extreme examples of the craftsman multi tool approach. http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/2122.pdf
A couple of years pack I almost bought the big table saw/ jointer/sander/drill press one but I didn’t have the room for something that silly.
But the best example of the single motor approach is still the shopsmith which is still being made today
fred
There seem to be many Shopsmith fans. They never appealed to me – but I had the room for separate tools. If you have limited space and deep pockets – you might also like one of the combination machines from Hammer or Minimax
Stuart
Given the nature of the tools, I think they’re much more aimed at professional users than DIYers.
Redcastle
Stuart
If you caveated your comment that they would be of interest to everyday users who do not need to use these particular tools everyday I am thinking of the angle drill in particular then you have a fair point. The reciprocating saw has the most universal user profile with the SDS being dependent on whether concrete is an everyday challenge.
John
Crikey, cordless bolt cutters for $99. I got cordless bolt cutters already and it only cost $19.95….and mine don’t need a battery!
For the new vineyard I think I will try a cordless angle grinder to cut the wire so there are no burrs on the wire ends.
Jalopy_J
30-34. Even if you don’t buy clipped head nails, they still have a lot more nail capacity. Seems like about all that box stores carry now is 21 though. The industry kind of settled on that one for whatever reason.
fred
We were not framers – but did a wee bit of it in the remodeling business. I thought it incongruous that in some areas where we worked building code would not allow clipped head nails for structural use – but the local HD might only stock them – and not for full-head nail guns. I guess they were being sold for non-structural use.