18 volt News & Reviews

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.

Hammer drills are becoming more and more powerful and can handle many of our concrete drilling needs, but when we need to drill larger holes or we need speed, a rotary hammer is the way to go. Bosch's new RHS181 18-volt cordless rotary offers the portability we want from hammer drills, with the power we expect from rotary hammers.

Looking to get a bargain on a 3/8-inch Lithium-ion Drill? Check out this clearance deal that Lowe's is running on the Bosch DDB180-02 Compact 18-volt drill kit. Regular price is $160. This kit includes two Bosch SlimPack batteries, a charger, a double-sided phillips bit, belt clip, and hard case. 400 in-lbs. of torque - enough torque to drive the most common fasteners and drill bits 7.6" head length and 3 lbs. weight - most compact and lightweight design available provides least amount of use fatigue Keyless chuck with auto-lock - for...

I always try to wait for a hot deal before I buy a tool and this is especially true if my purchase will be a power tool. Why not wait and save when you can? Now through January 31, 2012 Amazon has a few free battery deals on select Bosch cordless tools or combo sets, and with the price of batteries the way they are, these deals are well worth it. Also take notice that the free batteries are all the new HC batteries from Bosch. Deal 1: Free Slim Pack HC (1.5Ah) battery with purchase of...

The world of tools is filled with lots of questions and confusions, which are sometimes magnified by tool manufacturers and their fancy way of using words to try and sell you something. These confusions can be hard for the consumer who just wants to buy the right tool. So, in order to clear up some of these questions, I thought I would answer some of the most common questions I receive.

All of the major brands, and many of the smaller brands, have oscillation tools on the market, except for Makita. A few rumors have been circulating around the internet that Makita is coming out with something in 2012, possibly 18V cordless, but I have not heard anything official from Makita just yet. However, a recent patent discovery tells us that Makita is at least working on an oscillation tool, and it could have a universal blade mount.

Jobsites are full of many hazards, and one of those hazards could be waiting to find a home in your truck tire. I am talking about a single nail or screw that has fallen out of someones toolbag or a dropped screw box, something so small that can ruin your day if it ends up in the wrong place. If you are lucky you end up with only a slow leak and have a way to inflate your tire. Porter-Cable has announced a new High-Pressure/High-Volume Inflator that can not only run off of a...