lithium-ion News & Reviews

Brushless motors are the latest innovation to hit cordless power tools. In fact it is so new that there are few cordless tools that take advantage of the technology. In this article I am going to review two brushless drills that are available now, the 2604-22 Milwaukee Brushless Hammer Drill and the LXPH05 Makita Brushless Hammer Drill. Just for a stat comparison, I also threw in last years HDH181 Bosch Hammer Drill which is not brushless.

Lowe's seems to be clearing out a lot of Bosch tools lately. Every couple of weeks I am back with a new deal they are offering. Up for grabs this time is the Bosch PS31-2A 12V Max Ultra Compact 3/8" Cordless Drill. This is the ultra-compact drill version that features a real drill chuck, so there is no need to buy those special hex drill bits. Other features include a two-speed transmission, a 20 + 1 clutch, and an LED light. The PS31-2A has been marked down to $99 from $149 and there is no need...

Not long ago I wrote about how Adam Savage from Mythbusters loves portable bandsaws. Since he does a lot of traveling for the show, I think he might get a kick out Milwaukee's latest cordless bandsaw which holds the title of lightest and most compact bandsaw on the market. Milwaukee's bandsaw is also the first to run on only 10.8-volts (M12).

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.

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...

Today DeWalt showed us that there are not messing around and they are willing to compete with the other brands to win you over. They were a little behind and had to play catch up with their 18-volt slide-style battery tools known to us as 20V Max, but it looks like they have kept their engineers busy to keep the 20V Max selection growing fast. It was back in June 2011 when DeWalt first introduced their 20V Max tool line and now, only 8 months later, they are expanding on their line with 8 new 20V tools. ...

Over these last few years it seems as tough anything that is both small and cordless is by default made to run off of the 12V rechargeable batteries. But what about the people that are invested into the 18-volt battery system, or people without either? This is where Porter-Cable has done something that I really like, they have introduced both an 18-volt (PCC581B ) and a standard alkaline 9-volt version (PCC582B ) of their new Infrared Thermometers. I should also note that the 18V version is compatible with PC 18V Lithium-ion and NiCd batteries. ...

Personally I think right angle drills are becoming more and more irrelevant, primarily because of the smaller sizes of regular ultra-compact drill; and every year these ultra-compact drills get smaller and smaller. Even though the ultra-compact drill has taken away many a job that the right angle drill could do, there are still times when we need something even smaller. The PS11 is the latest right angle drill from Bosch, but unlike other right angled drills on the market, it has an articulating head. The new head allows the tool be used in standard...

For many Festool owners it is either Festool tools or nothing, and in a time when just about every tool user has an impact driver, these same Festool fans have been making excuses as to why they don't need an impact driver. I have heard excuses like, "I don't need an impact because my Festool drill has more than enough power". Really? More torque than an impact driver? Sure their reasoning is a joke, but we have to admire their loyalty, even though it is annoying. But soon all those Festool owners that don't need impact...