Editorial Review

Solid performance and serious convenience--that more or lesssums up DeWalt's cordless combo kit. With two XRP extended run-timebatteries and a one-hour fast charger, you've got the foundation forhigh-performance, long-lasting equipment, and DeWalt doesn't stopthere. The heavy-duty, 18-volt, 1/2-inch drill/driver/hammer drill willdo up to 2,000 rpm and 34,000 beats per minute, and can produce 450inch-pounds of maximum sustained torque. The carbide-tipped chuck jawshave excellent bit grip. There's also an automatic spindle lock, aswell as an antislip comfort grip. We were especially impressed with thebalance of this hammer drill--its T-handle design distributes weightevenly so it's easy to hold, even over long periods of time, and thegrips seem to work for people of all different hand sizes. Theheavy-duty, 18-volt reciprocating saw offers a keyless blade clamp for quickblade changes, a pivoting shoe with an open top for maximum visibility,and a variable-speed trigger for blade control. The saw also has anelectric brake. It's an accurate tool, and the grips--especially thefront one--provide excellent user control. This reciprocating saw makesup to 2,800 spm, and has a 7/8-inch stroke length. It weighs only 6.5pounds, and because it's cordless, there simply isn't a better optionfor working in tight spaces or above your head. The kit also includes atough plastic case that will hold both tools and the charger.--Jonathon Tudor ... Read more

Features

• Lever action keyless blade clamp makes changing blades quick and easy
• DeWalt-built motor on the Drill/driver/hammerdrill delivers 450 in./lbs. of torque
• Drill/driver/hammerdrill features 3-speed all metal transmission
• The 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck with carbide jaws keeps a tighter grip on bits
• Reciprocating saw delivers 0-2,800 spm with a 7/8-inch stroke length for fast cutting

Reviews (2)

High quality and heavy duty
Nice functionality on drill and hammer function.
Lots of torque and battery life is remarkable.
I am right-handed and have large hands which means that I have to use care to fully depress "forward" button when changing from "reverse" to "forward" (it is a little awkwardly positioned). I did have difficulty engaging the hammer function one time, which sorted itself out after switching from "forward" to "reverse" and back again...

The saw is a dream with regards to weight, balance and power.
It does however, as everyone says, use up the batteries quite quickly (more than 4 long diagonal cuts of a 2x10 will kill a battery). But remember, it isn't expected to compete with a normal AC power tool...

I would recommend that Dewalt sell this kit with one of the normal heavy duty 18V batteries and one of the extra heavy duty batteries to make the kit even better.

Heavy Power
This is an excellent combo with more power than most people will need for the job.The drill is the heart of the deal with the drill alone retailing for only $100 less than this kit.It has 450 inch-pounds of torque, which is enough to ripe the head off an unsuspecting dry-wall screw (this is great! nice power).The chuck and grip are well designed.If these tools have a draw back it would be the price (a bit on the high side) and weight (there are not light...which feels good, but what about the end of the day?), but ultimately these tools are comfortable, powerful, and really loveable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Cordless Tools    4. Combo Packs    5. (Volt)    6. (V)   

Editorial Review

Who wants to install 400 feet of crown molding? We'd be thefirst to volunteer, as long as we get to use this finish nailer.Weighing fewer than 4 pounds, it's light, ergonomically pleasant, andhas a great line of sight. We really like the depth adjustment on thismodel, an easy-as-pie five-position vertical slide right next to thetrigger. Nails load in a second, and you have the nice option of lockand load, or load and lock--something we think every nailer shouldoffer. Jams clear in no time without tools, another feature that showsoff DeWalt's attention to detail. The pad is high quality and didn'tmar anything we tried it on. Speaking of trying on, we looked great inthe cool, mirrored safety glasses included in the kit, and we're sureyou will, too. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Swept back contact trip with low-profile no-mar pad
• Lightweight magnesium frame, weighs only 3.85 pounds
• Five position vertical slide for indexed depth setting
• Dual load magazine can be used either as "load and lock" or "lock and load"
• Tool-free jam clearing and 360-degree exhaust

Reviews (16)

Good when it works.4 service trips in 10 box of nails
I bought this when it was on sale @ Home Despot when it first came out and there was a promo on.Let me preface this and say this one has been used by 3 or 4 of us home owners to put in baseboard, crown, and casing as well as a bunch of nailing on some hardwood floors.

Let me also state that I have $2k worth of other dewalt tools that work beautifully.This is the first and last pneumatic tool though.

I noticed that it did have a bit of a tendency to double tap.After using it a short bit, I lent it to a friend. He had a jam (we're both been using nothing but Porter Cable nails) of some sort that broke it.Being a good guy, he assumed it was his fault and paid $80 to have it repaired.

I got it back in working order, and then promptly had it break again.This time, I called Dewalt service and they said it was an early model and they would replace the piston which had been replaced in later models.They tested it and returned it to me working.

I ran through less than a strip of nails, and went to do something over my head, and discovered that it wouldn't fire upside down.Another trip back to the service center, and it was fixed again.When I took it home, I discovered that they'd replaced my sequential trigger with the other type.

Arrrggh.

Anyway, when it works, this nailer is nice and lightweight. It sets nails beautifully.I'm not fond of the composite nail strip, nor the depth adjust and safety mechanism.

Best finish nailer out there!
My company installs hardwood floors and this is the best finish nailer out there. I also have 3 Porter Cable DA250B angled finish nailers and they would be my 2nd choice but have had more quality problems with them. The Senco sfn 35 was junk but the SFN 30 is OK as is the SFN 40. But I would still pick the Dewalt for the best finish nailer. We shoot through some tough wood species and while the Senco and Porter Cable nailers have failed the Dewalt proves reliable.

Plain tired of driving nails?
DeWalt hit the nail on the head (no pun intended) with this great nail gun. Works flawlessly, feels great, well balanced and looks good. This one wins hands down over the rest of the players. Enough said! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Air Tools    2. Nailers    3. Finish Nailers    4. (Nail Guns)    5. (Nailguns)    6. (De Walt)   

Features

• One year warranty/30-day performance certification
• 3.7 amp motor for efficient polishing action
• Electronic variable speed
• Random, swirl-free polishing action for a fine finish
• 100% ball bearing construction for durability

Reviews (12)

Excellent tool and time saver
I use this polisher on my trucks and my boat and find it to be an excellent tool for compounding and waxing. Its use probably cuts in half the amount of time necessary to wax a vehicle - perhaps more. On vehicles I use it only to apply the polish removing the glaze by hand. However on the boat I use it for application and polishing. Several reviewers have noted that it is light weight so perhaps it is my age (60+) showing but I find it the polisher gets fairly heavy after a few hours of compounding a boat. I would also recommend wearing a decent pair of leather gloves when operating the polisher otherwise you can probably expect a large blister on the hand hold the side handle.For what its worth I use the orange hook and loop pads from Griot's Garage. I find the quality of the tool itself to be excellent and fully expect it to last for many, many years.

Excellent tool for DIY detailers
This is the tool of choice for many professional and most DIY detailers.

As many reviewers have stated the hook and loop (velcro) pad makes using this tool MUCH easier.To do a proper job on you car, plane or boat you will need to use at least two different types of pads.Thus the ability to simply rip off a pad and stick on a the next one is a HUGE time saver.

As mentioned it is a bit louder than you would expect so you may want to consider hearing protection if you are going to be using it for long periods of time.

Pad selection will depend on the job you need to do.Choosing the right pads for the job can be determined by visiting www.properautocare.comthey will teach you how to use the polisher and the correct pads as well as the correct wax/polishing products for you needs.

Establishing and understanding your needs and then buying the correct pads and polish/wax is required to deliver the best results.

Your end result is completly dependent on how well you do the basics.The Porter Cable is just a tool that makes the job MUCH easier...and in a lot of cases does things that you could never accomplish by hand...however it's not a miracle worker on its own.

This is a solidly built tool for professionals and I recommend it highly.Don't waste your time with those cheapie versions...buy this and you will never regret it.

Best Wax Applicator ever
I use it to wax my 45' Boat and three cars. So good, I bought two!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Porter-Cable    2. (Portercable)    3. Polishers & Buffers   

Editorial Review

While there are a number of rotary tools on the market made by a host of different manufacturers, the Dremel Moto Tool is the one they all strive to copy. Dremel's MultiPro variable-speed model is great for a huge range of projects, from home improvement tasks to hobbies and crafting. It has a continuously adjustable speed range from 5,000 to 35,000 rpm, which allows the user to effectively work with materials as soft as balsa wood and as hard as ceramics. The kit comes with an assortment of accessories and a handy carrying case. Others may copy it, but Dremel has been making rotary tools so long they've come close to perfecting the idea. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• Sharpen, drill, polish, sand and more
• Variable speed 5,000 - 35,000 RPM
• High quality ball bearing construction
• 75 assorted accessories
• Storage case with removable bit storage tray

Reviews (10)

Hate to burst the Dremel bubble..
Two problems..

Although I rarely use mine (maybe once every two months), sometime during the first year I started having to fight my charger so it would charge the tool.

Secondly, The variable switch stopped working.So now I have only one speed..High.

I plan on shipping it back to get it fixed, but since I rarely use it, it hasn't been a top priority..

When you pay for a expensive tool, you expect it to be dependable and not stop working right in a few months when you're not using it.

I guess I should have stuck with Lowes's house brand...

Accept no substitutes...
Was looking at a cheapo $14 one at the store but after looking at the market place and best bang for the buck, I used up some remaining gift certificates to purchase one of these.

Perfect for moding a computer case, trimming down some tiles and basic woodwork.

Accept no subsitutes...
Was looking at a cheapo $14 one at the store but after looking at the market place and best bang for the buck, I used up some remaining gift certificates to purchase one of these.

Perfect for moding a computer case, trimming down some tiles and basic woodwork. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dremel    2. (Dremmel)    3. Rotary Tools   

Features

• Electric start, electronic governor, automatic voltage regulation, pneumatic wheel kit, tune-up kit and starting battery are all standard with this unit
• Powered by a robust 30 HP 992cc OHVI (overhead valve industrial) engine with full pressure lubrication and automatic idle control
• 150% surge capacity to 22,500 watts for extra motor starting capability
• Includes GFCI protected outlets and full power 50 amp NEMA 14-50 outlet
• Features large 16-gallon fuel tank for extended run time - Up to 10 hours at half load

Subjects:  1. Generators    2. (Generaters)    3. Power Supplies   

Editorial Review

With this 2-1/2-inch, 16-gauge finish nailer, Porter-Cable continues to make good on their reputation as one of the top pneumatic toolmakers. The gun's straight magazine is well thought out, made from aluminum, and top loading. This is a sturdy, compact nailer that shoots a conveniently wide range of 16-gauge nails, from 3/4 to 2-1/2 inches. The nailer has a good balance and a nice, thin grip made of porous rubber. (You don't have to have the hands of a giant to comfortably operate this gun.) The gun has a nicely designed depth-of-drive adjustment. There's also a muffled exhaust port, so it's quieter than a lot of other nailers--plus the exhaust port is adjustable, so you can direct the discharge where you want it. The gun's also lighter than we'd expected, always a good thing in a tool a lot of us use all day long. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Adjustable exhaust port and depth-of-drive for maximum comfort and control
• Drives 3/4-inch to 2-1/2-inch, 16 gauge finish nails without the need for a nail guide
• Internal piston-catch ensures full driver blade stroke every time
• Teflon cylinder for less friction and reduced O-ring wear for long lasting action
• Quick-release nose piece for fast clearing of jams and less down time

Reviews (17)

I Expected More From Porter Cable
Yet another Christmas present from my wife, and a very thoughtful one too, but I own Senco's and this PC just doesn't cut it.To me it seems rather clunky and old school.

I recently installed some 5/8" plywood shelves that I wanted to pin into the poplar supports.A project this gun should've handled with ease.Not only did I have a difficult time getting this gun into the space, which my Senco fit into, but it wouldn't even sink the nails!!I really couldn't believe it, so I got out my Senco and using the same 90 psi had no problems at all... it even countersunk them.

PC, like all tool companies, should stick with what they do best...in PC's case probably routers. I'll stick with Senco for nail guns.After reading my own review perhaps I should've given it two stars. Stick with the Senco.

Thanks and I hope you find this review helpful.And, Good Luck with your own dreams!

Perfect Nailer
There is nothing I don't like about this nailer.It takes a wide range of nail lengths and drives them all perfectly.Its easy to use, easy to load, and is lightweight, yet well made.

I'll pass
I purchased this item from Amazon refurbished. It arrived leaking oil and the nail depth adjustment didn't do anything. Regardless how high or low I adjusted the air pressure the nailer was shooting 1" nails through 1-1/2" lumber. Save yourself the aggravation and just buy new. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Porter-Cable    2. (Portercable)    3. Air Tools    4. Nailers    5. Finish Nailers    6. (Nail Guns)    7. (Nailguns)   

Editorial Review

Black & Decker’s VersaPak tools are great for the homeowner, and to keep them running, you’ll want some spare batteries. Some advantages to these include their freedom from "memory," which keeps you from getting a full recharge and the fact that you’ll get at least 300 full recharges on each battery. They’ll power all the 3.6-volt VersaPak tools, including the ScumBuster and screwdrivers. Of course, once you buy a VersaPak tool, you don’t have a choice of batteries, but we’ve found these to be reliable and well able to power the 3.6-volt VersaPak line. The charger has a light that lets you know you’ve inserted the batteries for a charge, and three hours later, they’re ready to go. Our only suggestion: We’d like to see Black & Decker revamp the charger to let us know when the batteries are fully charged. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Interchangeable batteries work with all VersaPak products
• Batteries be recharged over 300 times and has no memory
• Charger recharges batteries in 3 hours
• Two year home use warranty

Reviews (15)

BUM BATTERIES
THIS IS A GOOD LITTEL DRIVER.BATTERIES ARE NOT WORTH THE POWDER TO BLOW THEM UP.WHY WOULD B&D TAKE A GOOD IDEA AND SCREW IT UP WITH CHEAP OUTSOURCEDBATTERIES?EVER HEAR OF NICKEL HYDRIDE? I LEFT MINE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NO ONE WOULD PICK IT UP.

Same problems with batteries and charger
B&D's claims for the batteries are just not true.I have had the same problems with very short battery life and intermittent charger described in other reviews.I have gone through several sets of gold batteries (don't even try the cheaper ones!).

And now, to make matters worse, you can't buy replacements locally anymore (they have been replaced by other tools with different batteries) and have to scour the internet trying to keep my tools working.

I will be replacing my tools very soon, I'm sure.The only reason I give 2 stars instead of one is that the tools do work pretty well when you can get a new battery in them.

bad batteries
great idea - lots of different tools all use same rechargeable batteries.BUT these batteries die in <1 year.I have a whole set of tools that use these, but now my choice is: spend $60/yr on batteries, or get a new set of tools that will last longer!Pretty easy decision at this point... considering I already have a great Craftsman drill and there are other tools that use the same batteries.
BE WARNED - if you buy these you will be buying them forever.
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Black & Decker    2. (Black and Decker)    3. Cordless Tools    4. Battery Packs    5. 3.6 Volt    6. (3.6V)    7. (3.6Volt)    8. (V)   

Editorial Review

You don't think about flashlights until you need one, and then it's too late to worry about dead batteries. Mag Instrument's rechargeable system guarantees light, features a top-of-the-line flashlight, and delivers up to 1,000 hours of battery life. The flashlight changes from spotlight to floodlight with a turn of the head, and the 360-degree charging ring allows it to be mounted and recharged in any position. High-grade O-rings at each opening ensure resistance to water and shock. The durable hard-anodized finish protects the light from the sort of bumps and knocks that can happen in the dark. The system includes a recharging cradle, a rechargeable battery pack, two mounting brackets, a 110-volt AC converter, and a 12-volt DC cigarette-lighter adapter. ... Read more

Features

• Limited lifetime warranty
• High-intensity adjustable light beam
• Delivers up to 1,000 hours of battery life
• Sealed O-rings for water and shock resistance
• 360-degree charging ring recharges in any position

Reviews (26)

Best Flashlight Ever
I have owned this flashlight for over 20 years.It is the most dependable light ever.It was given to my dad from the police chief of our city.I now live in his house and it hangs on the wall next to the door always charged and ready.If there is ever a blackout, you know right where it is and you know it is ready.We all reach for it several times a day.I just bought a new one to put at my other door.It is dependable and sturdy and can be used as a weapon if needed.Best light I have ever owned.You will wonder how you ever got along without it.

INCREDIBLE light!!!
I have been a home inspector for 19 years.About 14 years ago, I bought a mag rechargeable.In all of those years of crawling under hundreds of houses, banging that light against rocks, floor joists, and in one case, an agitated field RAT, this thing has NEVER failed me.
I am looking at buying a second one, and only my FOURTH battery after ALL of those years!!! One of the reasons for buying another one is that the switch finally failed, and I REFUSE to use a 'lesser' light while I am having this one repaired. The times that I have had to use my backup regular flashlight (a pretty decent rayovac roughneck), it has been like being 'blind' under a house! The pure BRIGHTNESS is amazing!The spot focus on this light is very precise, though I have found that some bulbs focus better than others.
These things are also TOUGH...I have dropped mine a couple of DOZEN times onto concrete and asphalt (yep!!! I am clumsy!)And that WILL sometimes kill a bulb..But the flashlight is almost indestructible!If you could just SEE how battered and scarred this thing IS, you wouldn't believe it still works!
You will NOT be disappointed in this flashlight!It is the BEST investment that I have made in equipment EVER!!!
ENJOY!

Safety for Women
This will be the second one I've owned.The first one I had for 10 years and left on a bus, by accident.It is the best deterrent one could hope for.When your carrying it like a cop with your hand at the lamp ready to flash it in someones face to stun them with the light, pop them on the forehead to get their attention, or knock them to the ground using it like a baseball bat.Men look at you very differently, a bit scared and not cat calling and blowing you kisses. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Flashlights    2. (Flash Lights)    3. Camping Accessories   

Editorial Review

A reliable generator is essential gear for contractors, but it's also important for home owners, campers, RV enthusiasts and others who may face planned or unplanned power needs. The Generac 9777 4,000 watt extended-life generator is just such a tool. The generator is ideally suited for either occasional or everyday use. A rugged, 7.8-horsepower overhead valve industrial engine provides 4,000 watts of reliable electricity and up to 13.5 hours of use on a single four-gallon tank of fuel. The unit is versatile and easy to use, with two 20 amp 120V power outlets, one full-power 30 amp 120V twist lock outlet, and one full-power 20 amp 120/240V twist lock outlet. It also comes with charger cables for recharging 12V batteries. The engine runs quietly and is designed with several added smart features, including an oversized dual element air filter, an automotive-style oil filter, and full-pressure lubrication. It also features a pressurized low oil shutdown system, automatic idle control, and a power surge alternator that protects against power fluctuations when starting and operating several motor-driven items at the same time. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• 13.5 hours of runtime on a single tank of fuel
• Powered by a Generac OHVI extended life engine with full pressure lubrication
• Ultra-quiet large muffler and intake silencers keep noise to a minimum
• Auto voltage regulation holds voltage steady for use with sensitive electronics
• Auto idle control saves fuel by idling engine down when no load is needed

Reviews (21)

Outstanding Generator (update)
During the hurricane Charley power outage my neighbor was kind enough to run an extension cord from his generator over to my house and saved all my food.The day we got power back I ordered the 9777 from Amazon with super saver shipping and $25 off promotion.Four days after I received it Hurricane Frances slammed the Florida East coast HARD.This little generator saved our bacon for three days while we were without power.The best thing I can say about it, and the reason I bought this item, is the fantastic fuel economy.I was getting between 3 and 5 hours per gallon while powering a freezer, refrigerator, fans, lights, television, coffee pot and using the built in 12 volt charging function.This compares to my neighbor with his gallon per hour usage.It started up every time with one or two pulls, has pressurized lubrication, an idle function switch and a built in 12 volt charger.I do agree with others that the little foot on the front of the unit could be beefier but still give it 5 stars because of the miserly fuel consumption.Do not underestimate this fact when looking for generators since gas was not available down here in Florida for several days after the hurricane passed.

After this was written Hurricane Jeanne hit us several weeks later.Again, this little generator ran flawlessly for several days powering all of the above plus the window air conditioner (Panasonic, see separate review) that I had purchased for just such an occasion.Fuel consumption was the same and all my neighbors with thier 5500 Watt overkill units were sure jealous of that.I still heartily recommend this generator.

faulty oil pressure switch
WE bought this generator as a emergency power unit about 3 yrs ago.we have run it for a total of maybe 40 hours.the last time we used it,itran for 1hr. then shut down. would start right back then do it again. unit is full of oil.unpluged oil pressure switch now it will run. this unit is not very quiet but still quieter than some coleman generators.factory should include extra switch and symptoms of this problem in manual.

Commercial Grade
I recently purchased my Generac 4000 EXL for my RV. ( Also for my home, in the event of rolling power black-outs.The product is very sound in design with big generator features at a economical price.I especially like the pressurized oil system for the engine as it will extend the life of the engine. The electric start is a "must have" for a portable generator. (even more so for a RV)The automatic idle control is great and helps with noise control. (The unit tends to be a little noisy when under a heavy load.) The generator is compact and can easily be stored in the RV.
I have found the generator to be able to handle all my power needs. Even when the AC unit is turned on the Generac 4000 handles the power needs without problems.
One note:
I did purshase a three year service contract on the unit just to take care of any problems.So far I have had no problems with the unit.
I highly recommend this generator... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Generators    2. (Generaters)    3. Power Supplies   

Editorial Review

Looking right out of the Jetsons' household, Fein's Turbo II vacuum is one the most effective on the market. With features like automatic start and dust-sealed switches, it's specifically designed to work with shaping, routing, or sanding tools, which create a lot of dust. It's also as quiet as any shop vacuum we've heard, making it easier to use in close proximity to a project, or in an enclosed space, and its internal fabric boot helps keep dust to a minimum. The Turbo II has a 7.3-gallon solid capacity, a 6.8-gallon liquid capacity, and a 1,300-watt, 9-1/2 amp, two-stage motor. Its size and sturdy rollers make it very portable and easy to dump after being filled. Unlike some larger models, you'll still be able to lift and empty this vacuum by yourself. The body is solid plastic and will hold up well to wear. The shape of the vacuum makes it easy to move around a job site--there aren't any big handles or attachments sticking out (other then the hose) to get snagged when wheeling the vacuum around. Fein's Turbo II is--hands down--a very high-quality, very low-noise vacuum, well worth the investment for carpenters, woodworkers, and craftspeople. --Jonathon Tudor ... Read more

Features

• 16-foot long hose, and a fabric boot filter collects dust down to 5 microns
• Auto start for dust extraction when connected to your power tool
• 2-stage motor with bypass cooling for a longer life
• Quiet operation at only 57.8 db
• 7.3-gallons solid, 6.8-gallons fluid capacity

Reviews (55)

Good Vacuum, Bad Waranty
I'm writing this messege with the intent of alerting users to some issues I just experienced with the Fein Model 9-55-13 vacuum.I"m not recommending against buying one, but I do think they should revisit their service policy.

I had my unit for about a year and a half.During that time I was genrealy very pleased with the unit in many respects.It had fantastic dust collection, a resonable foot print, and of course made a lot less noise than anything else.

A few days back it broke.I called Fein and was told that I had to send it into either Pitsburg or Hartford.I told them I was a contractor and needed an immediate replacement.The rep asked me if I wanted to buy a new one!

I sent an email.Below is the response (note he got my name wrong):

Craig Morrison [cmorriso@feinus.com]
Hi Vince,

I am not really sure how to respond to thie compliant, or even if we should. While I think our repair centers probably shouldn't throw repair estimates at our customers, and wait till they actually see the tool, I also don't believe that Sears, or any other manufacture would consider a "no-charge" replacement on a power tool that has been used for a year and half.

Craig

Contast this with Shopvac - 5 year waranty (and a cheap unit!)
http://www.shopvac.com/web/products/detail.asp?ID=100&HdnSource=index&StoreID=
(Note: I had a shopvac that was a few years old and they simply sent me out a new engine when it broke OVERNIGHT!!!)

Festool - 3 year waranty (this is what I replaced my Fein with)
http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=6&prodid=583360

Not Very Powerful and a Pain to Clean
I have had this vac for about three years now.I use it a lot when sanding and it does a nice job collecting dust so I don't have to wear a dust mask and I don't get covered with dust whensanding.My sanding discs last a lot longer when using the vac.
Cleaning the filter is a pain because I have to go outside with a nozzle and hose connected to my compressor.I blow the dust off the filter and it makes a huge cloud of dust outside and I have to hose down the residue on the ground.
The vacuum loses power as the filter becomes clogged.At first it was very quiet but after a while it became louder and louder and now is about as loud as any other shop vac.
The sucking power is not impressive.It has no more sucking power than my household vacuum. What is nice is that when you turn it on it doesn't blow a cloud of dust like other shop vacs.The small diameter hose clogs easy with small scraps.The acessories are extra and not cheap.

FEIN Turbo almost a great product
I bought it for it's relatively low noise level - which it delivers.

It's hard to believe that a premium priced product like this would have some glaring shortcomings such as:

ON-OFF switch is concealed from view and the symmetrical design of the top gives no clue where it is every time you look to turn it on or off. I made a bandaid fix by placing a piece of tape on the top above the switch location - (-at this price?)

The casters must be smallest of any on the market and they are not guarded. Any obstruction on the floor such as an air hose or extension cord will stop them.

There is no built in provision for storing the powercord.

There is completely inadequate provision for storage of the vacuum hose. If at least one or two more wire formed brackets were included it would help a lot.

There is NO provision at all for storing any nozzles or hose extension.

These shortcomings will annoy every time the product is used - NOT GOOD.

This is a case of function being sacrificed at the altar of Industrial Design, yet so unnecessary and so easily avoidable.

Hans Dutchman ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fein    2. (Fien)    3. Vacuums    4. Wet-Dry Vacuums    5. (Vacumes)    6. (Vaccuums)    7. (Vaccums)    8. (Vacums)   

Editorial Review

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already a Dremel owner, and we don’t have to tell you how incredibly versatile this little tool is. Adding the drill press attachment will expand your Dremel capabilities, turning it into a drill press as well as a great stationary sanding tool. We wouldn’t use this in place of a regular drill press, mind you, but it has its own range of uses that a benchtop or floor model isn’t suited for. Precise micro holes are a cinch with the Dremel in this stand; it’s smooth-riding and sturdy, and you Dremel users know how well it drives the smallest bits, the kind a regular drill press would swallow up. We like that you can mount the Dremel horizontally as well, so your Dremel becomes a mini stationary sander—just bring your workpiece to it. We think there are parts, like the base, that could be beefier, but for the price, we like it.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Convert your rotary tool into a drill press
• Includes rack & pinion feed lever, large base and many other features of larger units
• Easily modifies to a tool holder for added versatility
• Rotary tool not included
• For use with rotary tool models 275, 285, 395, 398 and 780

Reviews (12)

useful but not for fine work
I bought this as a cheap alternative to a drill press (I already have a Dremel).It is useful for most rough work, but cannot be used for fine work since the column is an aluminium tube and the tool holder is plastic - there is too much yield in the structure.By fine I mean, if you need to drill a hole within less than 1/32 inch of a marked location.
The press also has a little (mysterious) sideways play that I could not get rid of by any amount of tightening.

Low End JUNK
I purchased one of these to make my dremel into a drill press for wood - mostly softwood and it has been a terrible experience. The collars that attach the tool do not allow for perfect square alignment and the dremel many times cant seat a bit so there is no wobble. I was disappointed with this tool. I found that MicroMark makes a small hobby drill press (as well as other great tools) that is sturdy, reliable and excellent. It maycost more then the dremel but you do get what you pay for.

Good for PCB drilling
I bought this attachment for drilling 0.7mm holes on printed circuit boards. It had a little side-play, but rotating the height guide eliminated the problem. I use it with a Black & Decker RTX (yes, it works if you replace the top holding screw with a longer one and force the holding ring a little bit) and the Dremel multi-chuck for holding such small drill bits, and it works great.

I couldn't imagine using a standard 10" drill press with a 1/2" chuck along with 0.7mm (less than 1/32") drill bits, and the drill press adapters for conventional hand drills had WAY too much play. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dremel    2. (Dremmel)    3. Rotary Tool Accessories   

Editorial Review

Bosch has really broken ahead of the pack with their new miter finder/digital protractor/angle finder. The handiest thing, in our opinion, you can do with this tool is calculate miter and bevel angles for crown molding cuts easily and efficiently--using the molding spring angle and the corner angle as your input. It's also great for remodelers who often need to cut trim at odd angles to achieve a good fit. The tool's digital display is large and easy to read, and there's also a hold function that freezes the measurement. The finder also has an old-school leveler, so you know you're operating in pure horizontal reality. Plus, it fits lightly in your hand. Really, this is a very cool and unique tool, one we think finish carpenters and remodelers will find invaluable in their quest for quick, perfect fits. --Michael Shilling ... Read more

Features

• Level - Built-in vertical and horizontal spirit levels, accurate to 0 +/- 0.05°
• Versatile measuring tool, 4 tools in one - Anglefinder, Compound Cut Calculator, Protractor, Level
• Anglefinder - Determines the exact angles of jobsite or workpiece, eliminating guesswork
• Compound Cut Calculator - Automatically determines the exact miter and bevel setings necessary to make each crown molding cut fit precisely.
• Protractor - precisely positions the workpiece or intended cut line at the desired angle

Reviews (38)

My angle finder is precise!
I hadn't been able to perfectly square-up my 12" radial arm saw until I bought the Bosch DWM40L Miter Finder Digital Protractor/Angle Finder.Using a large square, or my other protractor tools, the blade appeared to be at a perfect right angle to the fence, but cuts were ever so slighly off-square.Placing one edge of this tool on the 12" blade and the other on the left side of saw fence, it read 89.7 degrees.Placing it on the blade and the right side of the fence, it read 90.3 degrees -- the perfect complement of the first reading.After a good bit of adjusting on the saw, I was finally able to get a 90.0 reading on both sides.Now, the radial arm saw cuts accurate right angles.I used this tool to "perfectly" set right angles on several tools, and have used it sucessfully in construction projects to precisely match angles.

I agree with another reviewer that said the tool should have a locking mechinism to hold the desired angle.However, since the angle is clearly displayed on the LED readout, it's not difficult to adjust the tool to whatever angle you want if it changes.

This tool a huge technological leap forward when compared to mechanical protractors/angle finders; because the electronic LED display shows the angle to a tenth of a degree.If you don't need that level of precision, consider a less expansive angle finder, such as the excellent Starrett 505A-12 ProSite Protractor.

Efficient and NEARLY (not exactly) precise, but...
This product does NOT, I repeat, does not give you an accurate reading--at least not for 90-degrees, anyway. I own the most squared stainless steel square ever built. It is the same square I use to establish set angles on my table saws and other tools. When lining the DWM against it, the DWN falls short. Nothing monumental--we're talking fractions of a degree, nonetheless... take it for what it's worth.
The product appears to be durable and the programmable angle calculations are anon and accurate. But... is this product actually worth the price? Absolutely not. And here's why.

The manufacturer lists accessories for this angle finder. One of the most important ones is the extension. That extension should NOT be an accessory; it should be included in the price because 3 out of 5 angles I measure do not have long enough bases to rest the tool on. Hence, the extension. Are you reading this, Bosch? Stop being so cheap!
Further, the case is extra as well. I mean, come on! Nearly every tool that is sold on the market comes with its own case. What makes this product any different? Oh, I know... capitalism. Yes, it's certainly well constructed and definitely not meant to be banged around. So why not include the carrying case with it? Make the extension and the carrying case part of the package, then, YES... the price would be worth it.
One more con. I cannot believe the engineers of the DWM opted not to place an angle lock on this device. I really can't. If you're using this product to measure, let's say, several measurements containing the same angle, God forbid you accidentally bang it, or bang the tool into the wood, etc. You'll instantly lose the angle. It's not as feeble as you may assume upon reading this; nonetheless, it will indeed move with the slightest nudge.
Hope this helps....

Worth learning how to use it
I bought this over a year ago to help with a house I'm building. I started doing the kitchen and couldn't remember the directions so I did part of the kitchen, a inside and outside corner without it. I was all trial and error and I wasted alot of wood.

I decided to sit down and learn how to use this tool and it was worth it.I finished the rest of a large kitchen with a few crazy angles in one day and it came out great.

I just wished I learned how to use it properly sooner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bosch    2. (Bosh)    3. Measuring & Layout Tools    4. Protractors    5. (Protracters)   

Features

• Dust, dirt, and water resistant - 1 year limited warranty
• Five self-leveling orthogonal beams:level, plumb, and square
• Electronic self-leveling with flashing out-of-level indicator
• Visible and accurate to 1/4" @ 100'
• Powered by four AA batteries, auto-shut off with low battery indicator

Reviews (19)

So good I bought two!
I bought my first RT-7610-5 about 2 years ago.It turned out to be a great unit.Unfortunately, it was stolen from me off of a jobsite.I decided to buy a new one and I am even happier with my new unit.It seems to level a little faster than my previous one and I think the dot is a bit sharper.Great tool - I highly recommend it.

Great Laser
Like some of the other reviewers, I bought this unit and it worked great out of the box.However, after a few months on non-use, it did not want to level.I tried batteries from another device that was working ( so I assumed the batteries were good), but still no luck.The factory said to make sure the batteries were fresh, so I bought new alkaline batteries and now the unit is working fine.This is a great tool, and I seem to find more uses for it all the time.My advice to anyone having trouble is - MAKE SURE your batteries are fresh.

Works Great - Calibrate it yourself
I tried a couple co-workers lasers and found both to be about equal.One of the unique features of the RoboToolz is that the user can calibrate the tool on the jobsite, saving both the time and expense of sending the tool back to the factory, and, therefore, keeping it working.It levels quickly and projects a tight beam.Overall, a great tool at a great price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Measuring & Layout Tools    2. Rotary Lasers    3. (Rotery Lasers)   

Editorial Review

Porter-Cable's 3-by-21-inch belt sander features an all-metal housingthat gives the tool a solid feel, makes it tough to damage, and lets you sandeffectively without having to press down. This sander also does a great job ofkeeping belts centered, a terrific bonus because there's nothing morefrustrating that having to constantly re-center a belt. According toPorter-Cable, the all-metal housing accounts for the centered placement of the belts.The sander remains rigid, even during heavy use, and the metal helps dissipateheat, keeping the belt relatively cool and in place.

This sander also has a variable-speed dial that lets you match the speed of thebelt with the application, so you can speed up for aggressive removal or dialdown for more precision. We really like the 360-degree adjustable top dustnozzle--a feature you won't find on many belt sanders--because it lets you pivotthe dust bag (or hose if you're hooked up to a dust vac), a huge conveniencewhen sanding in corners or along edges. And, lastly, this is a quietsander, thanks both to Porter-Cable's newly designed gear system, which meshesmore accurately, and to the sander's serpentine drive belt, which makesconsiderably less noise than a more common cog system. For a belt sander, thistool is surprisingly easy on the ears, and that's a very good thing. --JonGroebner ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Powerful sanding action
• Variable-speed dial
• Belt & gear drive
• Designed for flush sanding

Reviews (36)

Great belt sander
I bought this sander after having bad luck with the Dewalt 3x21 belt sander.---After many hours of using the PC352vs, I will have to say--THIS IS A KEEPER!.Very well made,powerful,sands smoothly with better balance than I expected. It is made and runs just as well as my 4x24 porter cable sander. I now have four Porter Cable sanders--two orbitals and two belt sanders--they all have been great performers. I highly recommend Porter Cable sanders!

Good sander
I picked one of these up in exchange for a DeWalt that died after a half hour of use.So far it lasted the afternoon.I used it to sand a workbench top.

The dust collection was very good.When I finished I had a couple of pounds of dust in the bag.

OPEN DRIVE DRUM
I agree that this is a powerful sander. Has anyone else had
any type of problem with the open drive drum? Some users have had the power cord get sucked into the sander.
Thanks and HAPPY HOLIDAYS
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Porter-Cable    2. (Portercable)    3. Sanders    4. Belt Sanders   

Editorial Review

JET's 14-inch band saw offers woodworkers two big improvementsover other band saws in this class. The blade guide with light springtension inside the mechanism was the first thing we noticed. It staysin place when you loosen it instead of crashing down on the tabletop(or your fingers) as guides from other saws can. This allows fortwo-handed height adjustment, letting you set the guide precisely whereyou want it quickly and easily. The blade guide also offersoil-impregnated plastic parts rather than steel, so the blade stayssharp longer. We were also impressed with the blade tracking device,which locks in place so there's no need for readjustment after the testrun. The saw has a 1-horsepower motor that's fan cooled and fullyenclosed for dust protection, and computer-balanced, die-cast aluminumwheels for smooth operation. The 15-by-15-inch cast-iron table isslightly larger than tables on competing band saws, and it tilts 45degrees to the right and 10 degrees to the left.

Other advantages include a heavy-gauge metal housing and a powdercoating (rather than paint), meaning the saw will hold up to regularusage and still look good. Another user-friendly feature is thequick-connect electrical plug, so you don't have to follow long cordsto their outlets before each blade change. Band saws aren't thedustiest machines around, so the 2-inch dust port for the shop vacseems just right, but a 2- to 4-inch converter can be added for usewith a more serious shop-dust-collection system. This saw is best forshops doing smaller pieces or serious hobbyists who want to do finework. Owners will enjoy quick and easy setup by following a clear setof instructions. --Nancy Gleason ... Read more

Features

• 1 hp, single-phase, 115/230-volt motor moves the blade at 3,000 sfpm
• Features a 6-by-13-1/2-inch cutting capacity
• Graphite-impregnated polymer blade guides deliver a cooler-running blade
• 15-by-15-inch cast-iron tilting table provides extra support for work pieces

Reviews (27)

First of Two Reviews
After hours and months or reseach and review reading I came to purchase the Jet 14" bandsaw.I am only going to review what I have seen in the limited time that I have owned it.It took about two hours for complete set up to include the mobile base, fence system, and riser block.Only very minor adjustments were made which you would expect from any new tool purchase.I encountered no problems with the enclosed hardware and the fit and finish on the machine was excellent.First time out the machine passed the nickle test with all stock parts to include the belt.

After I log some major hours on the machine I will be back with what I really think of the tool.After all it's what your money buys in the long run that really matters.

Outstanding choice
I have spent a year looking at the different band saws. At first I was looking at Delta and comparing it to the other saws. I got stuck on Delta because I own other Delta tools and I liked the quality and performance of these machines. So, I ordered a Delta 14 inch band saw. But after reading the reviews (excellent source of information) I quickly cancelled the order. Then about the same time a Jet 14 inch band saw caught my eye. It was the same price and the reviews were excellent. So I purchased it. I was impressed right from the start. I received the saw 3 days early (way to go ABF). It took a little time to assemble the saw but it went right together. After a few fine adjustments were made on the blocks and the bearing the saw was ready to go. The operation was smooth and very little vibration. Only one recommendation, purchase the mobile base at the same time. It will save time and your back moving it around the shop.

Really nice band saw
In this price range, this band saw can't be beat.I've ued mine for ripping, resawing, precision work, hardwoods, softwoods, plastics. The only time the motor bogs down is when I'm resawing thick stock.

But there are a few things I'd change:

1. The guide blocks wear awfully fast. I bought a set of Cool Blocks and they are wonderful.

2. The fence isn't so hot. After just a few weeks, it wouldn't lock to the table.I now insert a piece of sandpaper in the locking cam. It works but this could be designed better. (Fences are not new technology--this really shouldn't be a problem.)

3. The table top is just too small.

4. Buy the riser (height extender). Before long, you'll want to resaw a 10" wide board.Trust me, you will.

5. The dust control port is stupid, awful and a waste of time. The port is 2 1/2" on the exit side. But, if you look inside the port, the internal restriction is 1" x 1/2" !!! Whoever designed this should be fired. (Don't designers test their products?) You will want to cut a hole on the door and install a 4" dust port. Relatively easy to do. And it is worth it.With a 4" dust port, you could run the band saw in the living room.JET really needs to fix the dust port.

Overall, I'm satisfied for the price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Band Saws    3. (Bandsaws)   

Editorial Review

Black & Decker has taken five popular home workshop tools and put them together into one compact, cordless unit in the Black & Decker 14.4-volt cordless multi-tool kit. The 14.4-volt model offers five interchangeable, locking heads that provide drill/driver, circular saw, jig saw, router and sander/polisher features. While not as powerful or feature-laden as most stand-alones, the multi-tool provides an excellent starting point or addition to a home enthusiast's arsenal. The drill head operates at variable speeds of 0-700 rpm. A 24-position clutch provides up to 115 in./lbs. of torque. And a 3/8-inch keyless chuck makes bit changes easy. The 3-3/8 inch circular saw features a 20-tooth carbide tipped blade and operates at 0-1,100 rpm. A spindle lock allows quick blade changes, while a thin kerf minimizes waste. The jigsaw features Black & Decker's exclusive, tool-free QuickClamp blade change system. A see-through bezel offers a cleaner view of the cut line, while a blade support roller keeps the blade straight for an accurate finish. The router features a 1/4-inch collet and spindle lock. Good visibility, micro-depth adjustments and an operating speed of 0-8,000 rpm make it well-suited for small, high-speed project work. The sander/polisher is also versatile. It reaches into tight spaces, accepts Mouse attachments, and spins at 0-8,000 opm.--Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Detail sanding pad works in tight corners
• One tool with five attachments for drill/driving, sanding/polishing, cutting and decorative edging
• Drill/driver has 24-position clutch and keyless chuck
• Saw has 3-3/8 inch blade for cutting 1x material
• Router operates at 8,000 rpm for high-speed applications

Reviews (16)

Great for the occasional fixes around the house
LIKES
1) Great price. This use to be 99$ back then.
2) Multi tool. 5 tools in one! Thats like 20$ each tool.
3) Comes with spare battery and a nice bag.

DISLIKES
1) Not powerful enough for the router, circ saw
2) Circ Saw doesnt cut really deep
3) Router is really miniature
4) Batteries die fast w/ the router, circ saw
5) A little on the heavy side

Low power? No power!
Well, the jigsaw ain't great, but at leaset it works-just don't try to use it one handed. The ridiculous placement of the "safe start" button means you have to have both hands on the tool to use it. High vibration means jagged cuts despite a finishing blade. And no top control means "swervy" lines. Fine for most, but it bothered me. The sander drained BOTH batteries within minutes. It worked well for those minutes, though. And don't get me started on the drill! No power whatsoever. My wifes 9.6v Bosch out-drilled/out-drove this P.O.S. So, a $200 jigsaw that isn't very good. Yowza. I think I'll try Ryobi. I've heard good things.

Handy for the House
This kit is excellent for the house. I've used it many times for all sorts of stuff. I'm glad it doesn't take up too much space; you don't have to lug a different tool to a project...they are all right there. If you plan to use it for serious woodworking, I'd imagine that it wouldn't be too great in that the battery will drain somewhat quickly when using it as a jigsaw(but then again it comes with two batteries.) For a handy and sufficiently powerful household tool package, this is both effective and even fun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Black & Decker    2. (Black and Decker)    3. Rotary Tools   

Editorial Review

The X5 is one of the finest pieces of machinery we've seen. It's the left-tilt version of Delta's magnificent Unisaw, and everything from the motor to the finely machined T-slots is of the highest standard. Take the motor, for example. It's a 3 HP, single phase 230-volt with full-voltage starter. It flawlessly powers a positive-traction, three-belt V-drive that runs between two massive lifetime ball bearings for no--and we mean zero--vibration. The table is cast-iron, smooth as glass, along with two cast-iron extension wings and a beautifully laminated table supported by rock-solid, leveler-footed steel legs. Riding along the huge 76-by-27-inch table surface is a 50-inch Unifence guide with an adjustable flip-stop; if you've ever used one, you know the precision. It glides like it's on air and locks down with not a hair's breadth of error, even at its maximum 50 inches to the right of the blade. Even the arbor is a piece of perfection, precision-ground, stress-proofed and flange-faced after production. Inside this 600-pound saw's cabinet is a clever slope that directs sawdust right to the 4-inch duct collector chute to eliminate clogging in the cabinet. Quality saws always have a T-slot for the miter gauge, and this one's no exception, allowing you to extend Delta's super-precise Auto-Set miter gauge far beyond the front edge without tip-out or instability on both sides of the 10-inch blade. The left-tilting arbor allows you a max cut of 2-1/8 inches at 45 degrees, putting big gorgeous bevels well within your reach. If it's precision and power you're after, this is the last saw you'll ever buy.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• Includes machine with left tilt, 3 HP single phase motor for powerful cutting
• 50" Unifence saw guide with adjustable flip stop
• Carbide tipped 50 tooth ATB&R saw blade, laminated table board, adjustable steel support legs
• Two cast iron extension wings, standard insert, miter gage, motor cover and 4" dust connector

Reviews (2)

items improperly shipped
Amazon shipped this item using ABF as the freight company. Either the table saw was not secured to the pallet or ABF removed the strapping, because the tip indicator had been activated. In addition, the box was crushed on one side and there was a 6 inch and an 8 inch hole in the box. A quick inspection also revealed the motor cover had been crushed and the styrofoam packing was laying in pieces. The drill press, shipped on the same order, had punched through the box and had indications that the shaft impacted with another item. The jointer also had punched through the box and styrofoam packing material.

All items were on pallets however, none of the items were strapped down to the pallet and no shrink wrap was used to secure the items to each other.

After a full day of deliveries by this truck, there were no signs of tie down straps, loose or otherwise, anywhere on the truck nor were the other two crates on the truck strapped down. Boxes listed as 'This Side Up' were laying on their sides. Boxes clearly labled 'Top Heavy' were not secured to pallets.

After seeing this level of shipping abuse, no further inspection was necessary as the entire shipment had to be refused.

Interesting enough, Amazon is glad to cancel the order and provide a refund however, I somewhat expected them to offer to resend the items using another carrier... which they did not.

Last saw you'll ever need
Size, power, flexibility, power, precision, power, power, power.I'm a casual woodworker.I'd like to think I'll someday get good enough to find some obscure feature this saw lacks.I doubt I ever will.My 2nd and final saw purchase.No regrets, not even the cost. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Table Saws    3. Stationary Table Saws    4. (Tablesaws)   

Editorial Review

Walnut glides like butter under the three-knife cutterhead of this superb portable planer. And say good-bye to end snipe, that enemy of thrifty woodworkers. Stock comes out with a near-flawless finish because the three knives make an impressive 96 cuts per inch. You won't need to trim off the damaged ends anymore either, because the four-column carriage lock stifles the movement that causes snipe. Replacing the knives isn't complicated, another plus. The dust hood is even included, and we say bravo to that, because planers make a mess. The depth of cut and thickness gauges are well-placed and easy to read; the handles make toting this 80-plus-pounder a little easier. We think the weight's a plus, though, as it adds to the tool's stability. Home woodworkers, do-it-yourselfers, and contractors will love this planer.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• M2 laminated knives are disposable and reversible
• Three knife cutter-head for superior surface finish
• 96 cuts per inch for a smooth finish
• Extra-large folding tables and a four column carriage lock minimize the movement that causes snipe
• One tool knife change system allows the user to easily seat new knives

Reviews (13)

The Best in Throw-away Tools
Being a professional woodworker since 1985, I gave it one star because out-of-the-box it did a great job and the 3 M2 laminated steel reversible blades are superior to the HS steel, hands down. I couldn't believe how much antique heart pine I planed in one blade change. Then came the blade change: Oh, boy !
They should have never used an aluminum head to house blades.(A definite no-no for a company that advertises it's tools as "industrial".) I stripped a head out of a supposed hardened steel blade bolt with the dinky little hex-head hand-jobber wrench supplied with the tool. The wrench is designed to keep us from over-torqueing the bolts when we change the blades. But that did not prevent the boys in Taiwan from over-torqueing the cheap things with their air tools before shipping. Not a cheap fix, nor a quick one. If DeWalt would have given me a steel head for this thing and some good bolts I would have kept it, but me and my business cannot afford the wait(or the "hurry-up-and-wait"). I guess if the U.S. Army cannot get good steel, then good hardened steel bolts are also too much for me to ask for:
"You weren't sent to work with the tools that you need; you were sent to work with the tools that you got !"
We definitely pay for what we get as American "consumers".

Disappointing start, but a wonderful machine
I purchased this machine about six months ago after being extremely impressed with my neighbor's DeWalt DW733 planer.

After just a few uses with some Pine boards, I felt that something wasn't quite right.After calling DeWalt and explaining the problem best I could, they were stumped and suggested I take it to my local DeWalt service center, which happened to be just a few miles from my house.After a week or two, the said they had found nothing wrong with it.After testing it upon return, I could definitely tell that something had been fixed, tightened, adjusted, whatever.It worked great for a very short time after that on Pine and Cypress boards, but more problems began developing.Dull blades seemed to be the culprit, so I attempted to flip them.But guess what -- one of the blades had already been flipped!I replaced all the blades with new ones and the difference in performance is incredible.It is now the wonderful machine that impressed me so much at my neighbor's.But I'm puzzled as to why my blades needed replacing after very little usage on soft lumber.

Quality control seemed to have skipped my machine for some reason, but now that the bugs are gone (I hope), this is a great planer.I'd give it 5 stars, but I'm giving it 4 for the bugs I had to deal with.One other quality control problem: the data sticker on my machine says it's a DW735 13" Thickness Planer!The folks at DeWalt sure were shocked and confused at that big oversight.

By the way, buy or build a stand for this machine.I built a 2-tool, flip-top stand for about $50.Unless you always have a helper handy, you can forget about moving it on a regular basis.Besides, the vibration tends to move the machine if not bolted down.

Lastly, buy hearing protection.Unless you're already deaf, you'll need it.

This is one cool tool
I can't belive the great job this does.I get hardwood scraps from cabinet shops to make panels for my scroll saw art(also a dewalt) and this machine goes threw the cherry wood like a hot knife threw snow. I haven't had to put a sander on anything that has gone threw this planer yet and I give it a good work. Way to go Dewalt. I have tryed other brands but nothing has come close to this machine save your money and buy this one first. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Planers    4. Bench-Top Planers    5. (Planners)    6. (Plainers)    7. (Surface Planers)    8. (Portable)   

Features

• Tables for DW735 Planer
• Tables are detachable or can be folded for convenience
• Comes complete with easy install hardware kit

Reviews (5)

Don't own a set but lets talk snipe
I don't own these table extensions.I don't have any extensions.I don't get snipe.Why?Because I put a slight amount of upward pressure on the board as it leaves the planer.I've run 2-300BF through the planer with no snipe.

Can't Do Without Them
As has been noted by another reviewer, these table extensions for the DeWalt DW735 planer aren't really optional.The only good reason not to buy them is that you intend to build a full table for the planer.This isn't a bad idea, since it gives the woodworker the ability to set up some sled jigs for for planning bowed and twisted lumber.But if you intend to make even a pretense of having a portable planer these are required.Unless you like snipe.

Snipe, if you don't know, is the extra deep cutting that can occur at the ends of the board intil it finds (and keeps its level.Frankly, all portable (and many stationary) planers snipe.Even with these tables you will get some, just not as much or as often as without them.The added stability you get from the tables is often enough to get everything stable before the wood hits the blades instead of four inches later.

These extensions are surprisingly stable.They do fold up out of the way, but there isn't any mechanism to keep them up.I use a Velcro strap, but heavy-duty industrial rubber bands will do just fine.I wouldn't wait to discover that you need these in the middle of a battle with 8/4 hard maple.Buy them when you buy the planer and you won't ever regret it.

Required for good results
These tables are not included with the DW735 planer. Don't let that lead you to believe that they are optional. I tried to run the planer without them, and I got significant snipe. Adding the tables improved the snipe quite a bit, and as I adjust the tables to be level with the bed of the planer, the snipe keeps decreasing. If you want to get the performance you paid for with the DW735, you need these tables.

The tables should be purchased with the planer and mounted before the planer is bolted down to its final resting place. To mount the tables, the planer must be moved off of its platform just enough to get a few fingers and a wrench underneath the base. The instructions make a big deal about securing the planer during this operation, but I think their concerns are overstated. Only about 2" of the base needs to be accessible from underneath in order to mount the table, and this leaves the planer in a very stable position. Just be careful and use your own judgement.

It's true that the outfeed table does not fold up. Let's set this in perspective. This is a sign of inattentive design. It's silly, it's embarassing to DeWalt, but it doesn't reduce the usefulness of the infeed and outfeed tables. Frankly, I don't understand why it's so important that the tables fold at all. Jointers have huge cast iron infeed and outfeed tables that don't fold, and the only complaint I have heard about them is that they are never large enough. It seems to me the only point of folding tables is to perpetuate the silly notion that this is a "portable benchtop planer". I don't consider any object weighing 90 pounds to be "portable". I wonder how much more it would have cost DeWalt to have provided a non-folding cast iron bed of equivalent size. Perhaps that's coming in their next version.

Having tried the planer with and without, I am glad I bought the tables. I would recommend them to anyone with a DW735 planer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Planers    3. Bench-Top Planers    4. (Planners)    5. (Plainers)    6. (Surface Planers)    7. (Portable)   

Features

• Features a hollow recess on back of the jig
• A gate that covers the opening which locks the clamp on the jig
• Extension plate
• Lifetime Guarantee

Reviews (7)

With an accessory, this is all you'll need
I recently bought the Kreg K2000 Pro Pack after owning a Rocket for several years.It is an upgrade and the K2000 is a very nice system but . . .

In retrospect, had I bought a Kreg bench clamp unit and stuck with the Rocket system, I'd be just as well off.Using the clamp to put the Rocket against the piece your going to pocket hole works perfectly and pretty much negates the need for the K2000.After the hole is bored, use the bench clamp instead of the face clamp (which can be awkward when tightening screws) and it's done and perfectly flush.I don't regret the purchase of the K2000 kit because it works great, but I kind of wish I had saved the extra money, but between the kit, the bench clamp, and a right angle clamp, it's a mini-pocket hole factory.

Juat about the finest small jig in my arsenal
If you hang doors, you absolutely need the Porter-Cable 126 Portaplane.If you do cabinet work, you'd best invest in the Kreg pockethole jig. My bar clamps and doweling jig will be consigned forevermore to the back of the shop.I was skeptical of the claims that this little tool could make face frame construction so quick, effortless, and accurate, but after five minutes of work I was sold on it.It's everything Kreg claims that it is!Note:I ran out of Kreg's screws at the end of my last project and wondered if any other # 6 screw MIGHT work in a pinch.I needed just four more to finish the job.I tried drywall screws after reaming out the flat base of the bore...forget it.The key is the flat base of the screwhead, the pitch of the threads, AND the self tapping point.All designed to work together in a near-perfect little system.Avoid any knock-offs.6 stars.

Excellent Product/Easy to Use
I have been using the Kreg Pocket Jig for about eight years and have been totally satisfied. For cabinet construction, I generally use pocket screws in conjunction with biscuits. It may take a little longer, but the end result is perfect alignment and no clamping reqired. ... Read more