Comments for Power Tools News and Views

Comment on Makita LXT Lithium Ion Cordless Tools by bob

bob — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:17:10 +0000

i purchased the makita combo set, two actually, after working with dewalt for 15 years, give or take, and the makita batteries are having a tough time after 2 years this winter. i don’t remember having alot of trouble with the dewalt in the winters. i am hard on tools , leaving in my truck all winter but have ever since first cordless tools. my last purchase two months ago, combo kit just for a sawzall, the retailer told me to charge the batteries when new for 7 nights before using. is this true and if is do you just leave them on all night after they are charged.

Comment on Makita 18V Lithium-Ion Drills – White vs. Blue by dave

dave — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:58:23 +0000

Uh, according to Makita, the only difference between the drills is that the black/whites can use both batteries but only available with the 1.5ah batteries. The blue/black ones only use the 3.0ah batteries. There isn’t a lower standard held for one over the other. The black/whites have belt clips, good chargers, etc. I don’t like the black/white look but it should be a good tool. As far as I can tell, the disadvantage of the black/whites is that their 1.5ah batteries aren’t good with many of the 3.0ah accessory tools available in the blue/black. The 1.5ah batteries don’t have the juice to cut it with a cordless saw for example. If you buy the black/white, you can’t accessorize your cordless setup with bare tools.

Comment on Cordless Tool Batteries – A Primer by Scott S.

Scott S. — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:23:30 +0000

I have NiCD 18V Porter Cable batties. Can they be stored on my wooden work bench in my garage where is gets well below freezing in the winter?

Comment on Convenient Tool Storage…with a Kilt! by Randall

Randall — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:20:14 +0000

Cold weather might be a problem. Just saying…

Comment on Made in the USA – Now just a myth? by Rick Hart

Rick Hart — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:57:35 +0000

The thirty year old 4½” grinder I own recently went to that great grinding field in the sky, and was sent off with lots of flame. I have since been looking for a replacement. To my shagrin I have been unable to locate one that is not built in China. This alone does not make them bad but with millions of fellow Americans out of work I want to keep my money in the United States. My first choice was another Milwaukee Tool … but, I have been unable to locate one made in the United States. As a mater of fact, I have been unable to locate one that is made in the US. Do you know where I can find a US made grinder?

Comment on PDF files won’t open in FireFox? by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:00:26 +0000

ditto

many thanks

Comment on Made in the USA – Now just a myth? by Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:14:55 +0000

Most people say "USA or Germany make high quality tools, whereas China makes cheap and junk tools" Really? I think the problem is the matter of quality control. Greedy businessmen all over the world outsourced production lines to China or India because of cheap labour cost and land, but they are still ripping you off by asking very high price for their products! Do you know that the high optics performance Nikon 50mm AF-D f1.8 lens is made in China?

Comment on Direct Drive Miter Saws with Electronic Speed Control by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:30:23 +0000

i've been on the fence between a dewalt 708/718 and makita ls1214fl. the points you mentioned (direct vs. belt, machine vs. cast base, etc.) have sold me on the makita. i've also notice that when searching on craigslist for miter sawa you can find tons of dewalts but no makitas! i guess owners are so happy with their makitas that no one wants to sell them! any thanks for the informative piece.

Comment on Pressure Washers – Selection and Uses by Alex

Alex — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:17:04 +0000

I need a pressure washer but I don't know what the type is called so I can't find it on Google.

It will be a permanently mounted overhead "tube" with multiple nozzles to clean objects about 100 inches wide as they slide underneath it on a conveyor belt.

An alternative, the kind of undercarriage pressure washing system that trucks at mining camps drive over would work.

Anybody know what these are called?

Comment on Makita LXT Lithium Ion Cordless Tools by Angus0861

Angus0861 — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:28:31 +0000

Hi ,
I have owned my lxt power units for 3 years now and i am extremely happy with them having used the drill (bhp 451) daily.
I have some advice for the drill users that if you use your drill continously under heavy load you will melt the carbon brush holders as this has happened to me twice.
I was drilling a 25mm hole thru stainless steel using a hole saw but did not realise the drill was not being cooled down enough at the rear but maybe I had my gloved hand over the air vents without noticing.
I purchased another identical unit and after several months use I did the same thing again.

This time I replaced the carbon brushes and holder as I have now done with my original drill.

I have used the same 2 batteries for 3 years now without any noticable loss in power and I drill a lot of stainless steel, however I now do not use hole saws.

So overall I would recommend Makita to any one considering purchasing Li-on cordless power tools