18 volt News & Reviews

Almost exactly 3 years ago Makita announced their first 36-volt cordless tool, and today we got word of a new 36-volt rotary hammer that I assume will take its place. There is also news of a new Makita 18-volt rotary hammer that is brushless and even has an on-board HEPA vac option.

How much power do you really need from an impact driver? Unless you are running lag bolts, you really don't need as much as the top of the line impact drivers offer. The race to be the most powerful will never end, but that doesn't mean that you need to participate in that race. You might just need something like Bosch's new IDS181 Impactor, an Impact Driver for driving screws.

Back in January 2011 I reviewed the Porter-Cable 12-volt Clampsaw and really liked the Clampsaw feature. I liked the feature so much that the Clampsaw was chosen as a ToolRank Editors Pick. The tool did have its problems, but I suspect Porter-Cable took their time to address these for the 18-volt version (PCC475B).

The city named Milwaukee may be known to many folks as the brewing powerhouse, but the brand name Milwaukee is known to many tradesmen as the tool powerhouse. Remembering back to my first mornings on a job site, where I noticed electricians gathered around a train of brown gang boxes, and where plumbers congregated similarly nearby, and where HVAC guys and pipe fitters too stood ready to lift open those heavy brown lids, and notably when the lids raised and arms rushed in, out came the stout red cases with the name Milwaukee in prominent white. Last...

Oh great another cordless LED work light. And when I say oh great, I mean it in the good way. Oh Great!!! Having enough light while working is a must, so I am always happy to see new and better lights coming out. The New 18-volt Makita LXLM03 12 LED work light (flashlight) is looking like a nice step in the right direction.

It looks like the battle of 18V cordless oscillating multi-tools has officially begun. Porter-Cable is taking their oscillating tool design, with tool-less accessory change, to their 18-volt lithium-ion cordless line and is going up against Makita.

Remember back in December I posted an article about rumors floating around the internet that Makita was coming out with an oscillation tool and that an 18-volt cordless model was also in the works? Well it turns out that the rumors were correct. Last week – while I was out sick – Makita posted a couple of videos on their Youtube channel that outed their new upcoming products.

Makita introduced a new Impact Driver (model LXDT04) and a new Hammer Drill (model LXPH01) over the weekend, but their specifications lead me to believe that these belong in a mid-range class. I don't know that Makita officially has a mid-range class of tools, but I believe these tools fall into that class for a number of reasons. Either that or Makita is moving in the wrong direction in order to produce more compact tools.

If you are in the market for some entry level power tools that can help with your DIY needs, a discounted Porter-Cable 18V combo kit might be just what you need. The combo kit includes a 1/2-inch drill with a two position gear box, an impact driver for all your fastening needs, a flashlight, two 18V lithium-ion batteries, a 30 minute charger, and a soft carrying bag. In some locations Lowe's is selling the PCL318IDC-2 3-tool combo kit for as low as $71.60. You can order it online and pick it up at your local store,...

When it comes to drills and other popular power tools, it can be hard to rank one higher than another because they are all so similar these days. The race to offer the most power has plateaued, and now manufactures have to win over our hearts with other features. Does the new Bosch HDH181 Cordless Hammer Drill have what it takes to win you over? We put it to the test.