Amazon.com Review

Cordless screwdrivers are nothing new, but this model from DeWalt puts a heavy-duty twist on the idea, and professionals are sure to appreciate it. DeWalt's 7.2-volt has the most powerful battery pack of any cordless screwdriver on the market, without sacrificing compact design. This screwdriver gets into all the tight spots cordless drills can't, and unlike other cordless screwdrivers, it won't leave you wishing for more power once there. Its 80 inch-pounds of torque is beyond even the toughest competing model, and with 16 clutch settings, it's easy to avoid stripping out screws. We also like this tool's quick-change keyless chuck and the extra maneuverability provided by the two-position handle. This is a generous kit, including the driver, a charger, two batteries, two bits, and a tough case. It may not be a revolution, but it does seem to be the first serious cordless screwdriver designed with professionals in mind. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• Industrial quick release keyless chuck makes bit changing quick and easy
• Adjustable two-position handle adjusts for working in confined areas
• 7.2-volt motor delivers 0-500 rpm and 80 in./lb. of torque
• Variable-speed trigger and reversing operation
• 16-position adjustable clutch provides precise torque adjustments

Reviews (58)

Excellent tool, very good value
I got this for xmas and have been using it daily since then. This is very handy tool. You'll very seldom pick up a hand screwdriver ever again--this is far more efficient.

The tool is easy to use. The batteries hold a charge for quite some time. Basically I reach for this whenever I need to remove or insert a screw around the house or shop(except for driving screws into wood).

The price is on the high end but I think it is worth it. Some of the "lower end" stick screwdrivers are much lighter in your hand, contain more plastic and short term replacement will be inevitable. Remember, you pay the most when you buy a low end product and eventually purchase the higher end anyway.

My only complaint, relatively minor, is that the reverse switch is very close to the trigger and sometimes you can inadvertently reverse direction when you don't want to. DeWalt's engineers made a boo boo here.

Otherwise, a tremendously useful tool.

Best screwdriver yet!
I'm an Appliance Technician and have owned and worn out stick type screwdrivers by Milwaukee, AEG and the last was a Panasonic. I was always disappointed with the torque of the other units and the length of time the batteries would hold up. While looking for a replacement for the last Panasonic I saw this one here at Toolcrib. After comparing the stats, torque, voltages, etc. I decided to give it a try. After all it cost... ... less than the new 3.7 volt Panasonic. BEST decision I've made in a long time! This tool is tremendous! Two other techs where I work already went and bought one too. I run the tool all week and swap batteries Monday morning. Haven't killed a battery as of yet. The torque is amazing. I will say the tool is quite a bit heavier than the others but the trade off of power and run time makes me not mind carrying the extra weight. I've added a set of drill bits that have hex ends and now I don't need to carry a drill on my truck. This tool is terrific and the price amazing. As a previous reviewer said "It's not a Panasonic." He's right, this tool get the job done without struggling or falling short like the Panasonic.

Chuck problem appears fixed by DeWalt
Bought mine here from Amazon.com about a month ago and have used and tested it with much satisfaction ever since. I reviewed all 57 reviews for this tool here before buying and I rely heavily on these reviews before buying. I was concerned about the shaft wobble and the easy releaseability of the bit when the chuck is bumped or put into a tool bucket. These were so well written up by earlier reviewers. I am pleased to say that it appears as if both situations have been resolved. The chuck release spring has been stiffened and the shaft turns true. Tested it with the collar pulled back and there is no wobble. A 6 inch bit spins true. And, the collar needs a firm pull back to release the bit now. The case has ample room for all sorts of accessories. The charger is very light to lug around. The tool brakes when you release the "trigger" which is undocumented and allows you to stop with one thread left connected on screws instead of coasting to a stop and the screw stopping where it may. The slider release to change from a straight to a pistol is spring loaded so you don't have to remember to make sure the tool is locked into its new position. It clicks into a locked positon when the tool arrives at the new configuration. The previous tool I purchased from Amazon using the reviews as decision making was for the Porter-Cable 548P Bayonet Saw.(...) I have been so thankful I did.

Best Cordless Screwdriver I've Ever Owned
Yep, I'll say it again...best cordless screwdriver I've ever owned. Bye, bye to those B&D and Sears "VersaPak" poor performers and expensive batteries. I use it every day and could not be more pleased with its performance. While I'm not a big fan of bright yellow paint jobs...I sure won't have to spend time looking for it when I lay it down...you can definitely see it. DeWalt, you dun gud with this one!

Great Little Tool
I recently purchased this tool. It is higher priced than other models but I am convinced the extra money is well spent. The tool has good power and is comfortable to use. I used it for an electrical project, ran about 20 1-1/4 wood screws, and went around the house tightening every phillips screw I could find and the 1st battery was stilll going strong. This is a small and handy tool that everyone should have. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Light, portable, versatile, and powerful, DeWalt's new little vac is a great invention. We love that it's powered by a 12- to 18-volt battery, allowing for use when the power's off or you're too far from an outlet, and that you can also plug it in for continuous use. If you're a DeWalt fan, it's likely you already have the 12- to 18-volt batteries and the charger, so the fact that this is sold without those won't affect you. But that's a change we'd like to see DeWalt make. Other than that, it couldn't be better. The five-foot hose is flexible, and the cleaning tools fit on board. The suction's impressive, whether on AC or DC power. Unlike other wet-dry vacs, you don't have to change out the filter innards when switching from wet to dry, and we just love that. Just rinse it off to clean it. Its high-efficiency filter is listed at trapping 99.7 percent of dust, and in our book, less dust in the air is a good thing. When you're wet-vacuuming, just empty the tank through the drain port. It's light as a feather, super-portable, and plenty powerful.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes crevice tool and wide nozzle
• Runs off of 12-18V DEWALT battery packs or 120V AC
• Heavy-Duty rubber hose provides durability and flexibility
• Wet/dry filter eliminates change overs
• High efficiency filter traps 99.7% of dust

Reviews (22)

Great Vac
I found this vac very effective. You can plug it in or run it off batteries. The BATTERY AND CHARGER ARE NOT INCLUDED. If you have other DeWalt power tools no problem, if not you can buy their drill for $199 with 2 batteries and a charger, then they give you a cordless screwdriver worth $100 so you get the drill an screwdriver for free and then some. I believe this free screwdriver offer expires around Christmas 2003. I found the unit light in weight and easy to move around. The only thing might have been a longer hose.

Good first try
I like this vacuum. It does what it says it does, and does it well. But. Like all my experience with Dewalt products, they are innovative and well built, but only 90% there as cutting a few corners makes it not as good as it could easily have been. The hose is great - flexible, extendable and light. But the two nozzles don't fit on it very well, and with a bit of pressure applied sideways (easy to do when cleaning up dust) they fall off. Annoying. Just poor quality control I guess. The motor is fine on battery (I use 14.4V) but on mains (when its sucks a bit harder) it screams - ear hurtingly loud when the nozzle sucks something across the tube and no air can get in. And why no built-in charger or extension tube? So four stars because it works well, its innovative - a good idea (well done Dewalt) and there's nothing else like it. But when there is, Dewalt better make some improvements or they'll lose the market.

DeWalt DC500 Cordless/Corded Vac
I bought the DC500 vacuum a few months ago to keep in my truck. Before that, I always had a little 120v 2-gallon wet/dry shop-vac in my truck for small cleanup jobs on service calls. I was keen on the idea of having a decent small cordless wet/dry vac that can run off my Dewalt 18v batteries. Mainly because it seems that when working on smaller jobs, I always end up making little messes that are scattered all around a finished building wherever I have been drilling or cutting, sometimes in remote areas where there is no electrical outlet to be had. This little vac makes it much easier to clean up as I go instead of leaving it until the work is finished and then going back with a dustpan and brush or extension cord and my old 2-gallon shop-vac.
The suction is quite good and the DC500 also has a blower function for getting fine dust out of tight spots and crevices. It uses a single pleated filter for both wet and dry use. Dewalt says the 1-1/4-inch hose is five-feet in length, but the hose actually stretches to almost seven-feet.
I used it to clear a clogged laundry sink and it does pick up water quickly, but of course, since it is only a 2-gallon tank, it fills up fast. A fresh, fully charged 18V XR-Plus battery will last for around ten to fifteen minutes of continuous use. Since I usually only use it for a couple of minutes at a time, I get can get by for quite a while with just one battery but, if needed for extended use I can always go the traditional route an plug it into a 120v outlet with an extension cord. The DC500 doesn't come with a brush attachment, which I use often, so I bought a Shop-Vac 1-1/4 inch right angle brush for about four dollars and just leave it on the hose. That way I can carry all three attachments with the vac for any type of cleanup that comes along.
This little vac gets banged around pretty good in the back of my truck and other than the attachments sometimes falling out of their holders, it seems to be very rugged and takes the rough handling in stride. Overall, I have been quite pleased with this little vac and would recommend the DC500 as an accessory to anyone who already owns other Dewalt cordless tools and battery packs.

No Battery or Charger
Yes, it's a handy, quality built little unit. Yes it is fairly inexpensive. But....

Yes, it is misleading that they don't give you a battery or charger with a cordless vacuum. Not only that, they don't tell you that it isn't supplied.

Got what I paid for ? Maybe, but I feel misled and maybe even tricked.

JHL

Great Vacuum for small projects
I've owned this for about 2 months now and actually have used it a lot more than I thought that I would. For its size, it has good vacuum power. In fact the power is the same whether you are on the cord or the battery. Some have complained that you only get :10 minutes of use. Well, that's a lot of use. You are not supposed to vacuum the house. Typically I have it on for about 30 seconds to a minute. I think that I am getting more than 10 minutes of use by the way. It's great for cleaning up small messes and I think that it has amazing suck power.

Things that I would like to see improved:

1. Add a battery charger
2. The cord should be about 3 feet longer
3. The price is a little steep, but no one else is making this thing and they have to pay for all those NASCAR's.

All in all it's a great little tool especially if you are a handy man and want to leave your clients house clean. ... Read more

Features

• Premium belt sheath included for belt-side portability
• 154 CM steel knife blade for optimal durability
• Titanium handles for lightweight and maximum strength
• Fast outside access to four blades
• Outstanding 25-year limited warranty

Features

• Smooth cast iron table finish with table angle detents.
• Tool-less blade holder allows for fast and easy pin or plain-end blade changes
• Blade holder rotates 90-degrees for infinite cutting length.
• Power take-off port powers a 5" sanding disc (included) and the Dremel Flex Shaft 225 (not included).
• Top-mounted controls are up front for easy access.

Features

• Double insulated
• Powerful Makita inline motor with direct drive
• Automatic oiler for steady bar oiling
• Large trigger switch lever for operation with gloves on
• Ergonomically designed

Reviews (7)

UC4000 What A Find!
I finally gave up the ghost on a gas powered chain saw. Too messy, won't start after sitting for 3 months, etc.. Then I looked at electric chain saws, read many reviews and finally bit the bullet and ordered the UC4000 Makita chain saw. Why didn't I do this earlier? I can't say enough about this product! It is large enough at 16 inches, it is powerful enough at 13 Amps and 3.5 horses to do just about any job around the house. I don't mind dragging the power cord because the saw is a blessing in disguise ..easy to handle, quick to cut, light enough so you can keep going for a long time. the only issue may be with the small oil resovoir,but that doesn't overshadow the usefulness of this saw. I highly recommend this product to anyone but a logger! Great going Makita!!

Electric enough torque???
I fugured an electric chain saw would not have enough torque to do "manly" work so I didn't even consider this tool--but to be sure I rented one from Home Depot for 4 hours yesterday... WOW-- as an alumni user of several gas-powered chain saws--I'm hooked... I just ordered one after that 4-hour experience of taking down 17 trees from 6" to 15" in diameter and turning them all into firewood... my gas powered saws are goign in the next garage sale!

Keith Drury

One of the Best Tools I've Ever Owned
Most people don't take electric chainsaws seriously. That's a mistake where this tool is concerned. In the six months or so that I've owned mine I have used it several hours a week to thin out the back yard, taking down trees as much as 24" in diameter with no problems at all.

The saw is very light considering how powerful it is. You also avoid most of the maintenance headaches that gas saws are known for. Of course, you do have to put up with the one major hassle that electric saws do have - you have to drag around an extension cord, and its pretty easy to snag the cord on something and unplug the saw.

As another reviewer pointed out, it does go through bar oil pretty quickly, but the window for the reservoir is very clear and easy to see, so one can tell when its time to fill up some more.

Rented fro Home Depot
Got tired of always repairing gasoline chainsaw, decided to rent Makita 16" electric at Home Depot for $40 a day. Had five trees to remove, two quite large. Did a great job. Removed approximately 2 - 2 1/2 tons of limbs, trunk, etc in one day (approximately 5 hours of work). Check oil frequently as it does consume a bit but extremely well-balanced. Adjust blade after first 15 minutes of use. Adjust again as needed, mine needed adjusting during 5 hours of use about three times. My next purchase!

Works great at school - planning to buy one
I'm a sculpture student at an art school and we use these chainsaws for carving, for making kerf cuts to carve with hand tools, and I've also used it for kerf cutting pine logs to hew with a hatchet and chisel. I don't have much to compare them to but they work great. We have a Stihl that I didn't like as much, so that's probably a good review for the Makita. The Makita is heavier, but it seems to be balanced better. The chains were a little loose when we got them. The hand guard safety thing seems backward but that's not a big deal. The cord is a little inconvient sometimes since it's got a rubber housing around the plug so you can't use some extension cords. The chain adjustment is not as well placed as our Stihl. The only complaint I have (and maybe it's the same with other saws) is that it guzzles oil! I have to fill it up about every 15 minutes. Also, when I use it at certain angles (like pointed downward) it likes to spray oil. The floor and the wood get oil spray on them. This is a neat tool for woodcarving and the timber-framing type stuff I've been trying, though, and I'd like to have one. Oh yeah, the school bought these based on the fact that a lot of hard-core timber-framers buy this same saw. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Are you looking for a pressure washer with enough power tohandle everyday chores--such as power-washing your deck, sidewalk,patio, grill, or car--but without the hassles associated with larger,commercial-grade, gas-powered units? The Karcher K520M electric pressurewasher may provide the answer. Powered by a 120-volt, 60 Hz inductionmotor, the K520M offers adjustable pressure, with a maximum output of1,600 psi at a rate of 1.8 gallons per minute. While this might not beenough for some commercial applications, such as stripping the paintfrom an entire house, it more than suffices for everyday, at-homechores. As the world's leading manufacturer of high-pressure washers,Karcher has put a lot of care into this unit's design. At 31 pounds, theK520M is lightweight. It's also easy to use. Power to the washer iscontrolled by a trigger gun. Just releasing the trigger shuts it down. Acorrosion- and impact-resistant cover protects the motor and pumpassembly, a garden hose connector with external water filter eliminatesdebris, and a safety lock prevents the trigger from accidentallyengaging when not in use. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Adjustable operating pressure directly at the wand
• Sprayer delivers 1600 psi at a rate of 1.8 gallons per minute
• Complete machine shut-off at the trigger gun
• Built-in GFCI protection for increased safety
• Two wheels for easy transport, pull-out handle, and built-in accessory storage

Reviews (28)

Decent power, great flexibility
I think this is a great product for residential use. I've just recently used it to wash my deck, and scrub away much of the poor paint job that the previous owner had done.

For cleaning, the power it had was quite sufficient to blast away gunk and mildew, without using any cleaning additives. It does have a siphon tube that allows you to mix in cleaning additives, but I found that straight water pressure cleaned just fine.

For paint cleaning, I found it a bit underpowered. I was able to get up all of the paint that needed to come up, but it went a bit slowly. To get the pressure I needed to scour up the paint, I had to hold the nozzle about an inch from the deck surface. Since the width of the water flow is much smaller when the nozzle is so close, it took a while to cover all the surface area.

However, compared to the extra complication and cost of a gas-powered washer, I was willing to accept the thing being slightly underpowered. Setup and breakdown of the washer is a snap. To take a break in the middle of a long project, just flip the safety lock on the nozzle gun, and turn a power switch on the sprayer. And that's all there is to it - no worries about fueling, lubing, cooling, exhaust. Time will tell if the unit lasts as long as a comparable gas powered washer would.

I was somewhat nervous about using an electric appliance for very wet work. However, I found that the long power cord and long hose for the spray nozzle made it easy for me to keep the washer away from my work area. Also, the unit is double insulated, and has a ground-fault interrupt unit on the plug, so I think your chance of injury when using the product correctly is minimal.

I would recommend buying this model over the lesser powered models from Karcher if you plan to do anything more demanding than cleaning decks, driveways and cars. Like I said, it had enough power to do the job of stripping paint off of my deck, but only just. If you're going to be doing large or frequent jobs that demand more pressure, I'd say go to a gas-powered washer.

Be careful when shopping for cleaning agents to use with the washer. Some of them call for being mixed with bleach, or contain caustics, and the manual for this product advises you not to use them with the washer.

Just right for home use
Minimal assembly required, only a screwdriver to pull out tab to firmly attach high pressure hose.

A death in the family exposed a totally repulsively moldy cement pool deck that would have taken days to clean. Using the K12 surface washer to losen up the filth, and the quatro rotary nozzle to do detail clean up, it was clean in a couple of hours, looking new except for some cracks in the cement. No cleaning solution was required, which was a big plus. That quatro nozzle was terrific for cleaning pool filter, gutters, etc. The K530M has just enough power to do any job around the house, washing cars, siding, etc. and is small enough for a 60 yr old lady to move around without any strain. I'm just thrilled that it does everything I had hoped.

We then used the rotary nozzle again to blow some spanish moss off trees and cleaning the trees (with the extension wand attached to the nozzle) became possible for us to do without calling professionals.

Granted the extra options of the wand extensions, the quatro nozzle and the surface washer completed the usefulness of the K520M, but the unit itself is totally satisfactory, the options just make it that much better and more versatile.

We're actually thinking of getting another to keep at another location. It's a very satisfying unit, and so nice to buy something that actually surpasses your expectations.

Karcher K 520 M Pressure Washer
It is now June 2004, & my Karcher is still working fine. I can't explain why more recent buyers have had so much trouble with there's. I did buy the K 12 Surface Clearner & extension hose. It was a great addition & made driveway & sidewalk cleaning easier & faster.

********************************************

After reading the positive customer comments about the Karcher K520M Pressure Washer, I decided to go ahead & purchase one. I was not disappointed. Living in Florida with the humid and rainy conditions, my sidewalk and driveway had become black with mold & mildew. In addition, there is a large oak tree in the front yard that drips brown stains on portions of the driveway and sidewalk. This 1600 PSI model was more than able to remove all of these stains! As in many other reviews I have read, I didn't even need to use any type of cleaner. The pressure of the water was enough to remove the years of build-up.

The unit was easy to unpack & assemble. Just be careful of the external plastic inlet water filter. It looks a little fragile. I suspect it could break if you tried to roll the unit to a new location, dragging the weight of a water-filled hose attached to the filter.

With the supplied nozzle, it did take several hours to clean the area I wanted. In order to remove the dirt & mildew, I had to hold the nozzle about 3 inches from the surface which meant that only a narrow stream was hitting the surface. It worked very well but it was slow and a little painful on my back - walking around half bent over. I kept shifting positions to relieve the stress on my back.

I still have more sidewalk to clean, but before doing it, I decided to order the Karcher K 12 Surface Cleaner (model CS12) & a 25 foot high pressure extension hose. I am hoping it will make the job easier & faster. I decided on the extension hose so that I could cover more area (there is sidewalk on 3 sides of my property) without having to move the unit as frequently, which will reduce the amount of stress on the plastic inlet water filter I mentioned earlier. I ordered these directly from the Karcher website (buykarcher.com) because I could not find the Surface Cleaner sold by any other online site. I am still waiting to receive this unit & I will update this review after I have had a chance to try it.

Overall, I would recommend this Pressure Washer to anyone who has light to medium duty cleaning requirements. It stores in a small space & is much less expensive than the gas powered units.

I've had pretty good luck with this machine
I purchased this machine last fall and have used it a couple of dozen times without it failing me. The power was a little disappointing at first. It seems to have the spray force of about the top one-half of the car washes I've used. It would be a real chore to strip off paint with this critter but it has been more than enough power for a variety of around the house jobs. I wouldn't purchase this if I were a tradesman in that it lacks the durability necessary for day in and day out use on even smaller jobs. It is directed to the homeowner market and I think it hits the mark. It thankfully at times doesn't have too much power to ruin paint and wood stuctures which can happen with some commercial machines. Today I washed two of my cars, Cleaned tenacious bird droppings off of a porch, cleaned half of a deck and a barbeque grill, washed off some garden tools, and then cleaned a rock sidewalk. I figure when its out I should use it on all I can. It's been great in the past for my riding mower (particularly cleaning the deck), and for cleaning a motorhome and boat. I've also cleaned my vinyl siding which was laborious but effective (because its underpowered for this job...but the price was right). It comes with a accessory brush, which is pretty useless. I've read here and elsewhere that the accessory extension tubes for the wand are flimsy so I passed on them. I bought an extension hose which gives me an extra 20 feet or so of manuvering.--It is a wonderful addition in that I don't have to cart the washer unit around so much. It has a low handle and seeing that I'm 6'4" it is uncomfortable to drag it any significant distance. The electrical and wash hoses are bulky and don't store well on the amachine. I bought a couple of cheap cord hanging organizers which helps.The construction is of hard plastic externally with good fit and finish. It doesn't take up much room in my garage with the attachments hanging on the wall in the warm months. It was kind of a pain last fall and winter lugging the whole thing down into my basement in that you can't let it freeze. I did use it through the winter washing the salt off of my vehicles on warmer days and it did an admirable job. For me it has been a reliable workhorse. I see from other reviews that the experiences are pretty variable and it doesn't sound like product support is a high priorith. I've treated mine pretty gentl I think using a short wire reinforced hose extesion to reduce stress on the water intake which appears a little flimsy. I pull the hose around rather then the machine to further reduce knocks and bangs. It's worked so far. At this point if I had to do it over again I would still buy this washer.

Karcher=junk
Had the 360M model worked great for 4 hours then a cheap
"o" ring blew out in the wand..Its a nonstandard size so
you have to get the whole wand from Karcher! I live in
the same town Karcher is headquartered in and it took
4 weeks to get the part under warranty...that was 3 weeks
after I returned it to the store! It was working great, good
pressure, turbo nozzle worked great, quiet and nice...
They could change several things and make a good machine but
they dont.... ... Read more

Features

• Perfect for working and weeding raised beds
• Powerful 12-amp electric motor means quieter, cleaner operations
• More output torque than comparable gas mini-tillers
• Quick flip wheels for easy transportation and storage
• Cultivates gardens, landscaping and flowerbeds

Reviews (3)

Great tiller - with proper understanding
A note of caution on the tiller: it has two components which I've discovered I don't like. The first is a plastic sprocket gear that transfers power from the motor to the driveline and tines. Guess what happens when the little Garden Wizard gets tangled up in a tree root... yes, it completely strips the teeth out of the plastic gear. (Here you can correctly assume it's very cheap to mold a plastic gear instead of machine a metal one.) Second, the thing that's supposed to help eliminate the gear stripping problem is that Remington has a built-in circuit breaker right on the trigger housing. "How convenient", one might think at first, except that the breaker is made in Indonesia under questionable quality control and that the breaker is only rated at 7 amps. The tiller has a 12 amp motor. Why bother advertising that it has such a great feature like a 12 amp motor when the ciruit breaker shuts it off at less than a 60% load?

If you plan to use this product in already tilled and established planting beds, I would say that it's not a bad machine and you'll probably never have a problem with it. If you are trying to break established sod - be forewarned that tree roots or rocks will most likely cause you an instant breakdown.

It sure beats doing it by hand!
I've wanted a garden tiller for years but didn't want to get into storing gas etc. (my lawnmower is electric). I saw this and was sold. It's pretty light so it bounces off hard soil but it's easy to move around the yard. I haven't used the wheels because the handle is so convenient. Using it is like reeling in a large fish. You let it till forward, then pull it back and run over the same area until you reach the desired depth. Tilt left or right to change direction. Removing the tines to remove weeds or clean is easy with the cotter pins. I did break a tine on some stony soil. Oh well. I'd buy it again if I had to do it over.

My first Garden Tiller
I am a garden enthusiast; The big-noisy gas-tiller my neighbor uses kinda scared me off. I've been trying to make a vegetable garden in a less used area of my yard. I discovered the soil to be too hard and clayey and wet. Soil conditions are a gardner's nightmare ! I've been looking for an electric tiller for some years. I found this one in home depot display, when I asked, there was no stock available that day. Then I went back to get it couple of days later, to my amazement I found there was only ONE left !

It has been useful in tilling, easy to handle, I like the easy stop/start mechanism - as with all electric tools, instead of having to leave the engine on all the time. This makes less noise and is smoke-free !

I guess the tilling depth is about 8 inches - this is NOT specified in the manual.

Anyways, of all choices available, this one is good for its price. ... Read more

Features

• Double-wall blow molded enclosures
• Extra large storage capacity - 21 cu ft
• Weight capacity - 690 lbs (50+ paint cans)
• Lockable doors
• Easy to assemble - no tools or hardware required

Reviews (3)

Ok, but not the best for the money.
I decided to clean out the garage after being inspired by a friend who was doing the same. He ended up purchasing the Coleman series which is soo much nicer! The doors have actual hinges on them and they look better. I got the father's day special so for the money I can't complain. Except for the shipping. When I saw the box, I thought for sure these were smashed but they were just a little dented. Get ready to tap lightly with a soft hammer. The box says no tools, but don't believe it.Target had a lower price but I didn't want to pick them up. Target also carries the coleman. I'm saving you time and legwork. Spend 30% more and go with the coleman brand unless you have the money to go with Garage Tek look alikes. If I could do this again, I'd spend the 30% more.

Designed for indoor use
When I bought this cabinet I planned to use it outdoor to store my gardening tools and other stuffs like fertilizer and pesticide. Upon its arrival I discovered the unit wasn't exactly meant for outdoor use right out of the box.

The problem is that the cabinet top is not watertight. After one night of rain there was quite a bit of water inside the cabinet. After some trials and errors I ended up solving the problem by gluing (using silicon) a piece of corrugated vinyl roofing panel on top of the cabinet. This seems to work fines. The roofing panel costs about $7 each at Home Depot. You can cut the panel with a pair of scissors to the right size. Be sure to cut it a little bigger, about an inch or two on each side to give extra protection from heavy rains.

The other reviewer mentioned that the doors are not lined up. This can be fixed by putting shims under the four bottom corners of cabinet. You need to experiment with this. By putting shims under differ "legs" you'll notice the alignments of the doors change.

Another thing about this cabinet is the shelves inside have slots, meaning that if there is a spill on the top shelf the fluid will get the shelves below very quickly.

This cabinet does have some pros, however: reasonably priced, shelving included, good storage capacity, and able to hold heavy stuffs. Assembly was straight forward, although somewhat tedious.

This cabinet is OK if you are using it in your garage and have a perfectly flat floor. If I were to do it again I probably would spend another $60-$80 more and get a different unit.

Design needs some work.
I had high hopes for this cabinet, and I bought the 4 door model as well. It went together easily enough, but when it was completely together, (and I followed the instructions to the letter) the doors did not exactly line up. They do close, but it would look much nicer if they were in proper alignment. The four door model did not seem to have this problem. It's just for the garage, but, still, I would have liked to see a better alignment of the doors. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Bosch's Brute Tough line of cordless drill/drivers are designed and built from the inside out to offer the most power and durability possible. At the heart of this drill is a Bosch-built unibody power train that contains the motor, gearbox, and clutch in one contiguous unit for durability and the best alignment possible. The two-speed gearbox has large all-metal gears for strength, and offers a whopping 500 inch-pounds of torque in high-torque mode and up to 1,300 rpm in high-speed mode. The 18-volt motor has built-in overload protection and externally replaceable brushes to help extend its life. The drill also has a steel-reinforced collar to protect it in the event that it's dropped on the chuck. While we don't recommend dropping your tools off one-story buildings, Bosch claims this one can stand the abuse and keep working. The final layer of protection for the drill is its flexible ABS/Nylon-blend Duracell housing that protects the insides without cracking or shattering on impact.The drill also features a a strong reliable grip and a 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck with carbide teeth for one-handed bit changes. This model comes with two batteries, a one-hour charger, a bit holder, a snap hook, and a carrying case. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• Ratcheting 1/2? single-sleeve chuck with carbide teeth for one handed operation
• Unibody powertrain maintains alignment between clutch, gearbox, and motor for maximum durability
• Dura-shield housing protects tool from harsh job site conditions and impacts
• Two speed gearbox for high speed or high torque as needed
• Externally changeable brushes

Reviews (15)

One of the best 18V drills on the market--TOUGH!
Currently, I have in my arsenal of cordless drills two 14.4v Makita's, an 18V DeWalt, and this Bosch 'Brute' 18V. I also use (and heartily recommend) cordless impact drivers, but that's the subject of another review. Suffice to say, when one simply opts for one or two drills daily; I go for either the Makita 14.4v (if I've got a ton of things to drill and want the reduced weight) or for all around use, the Bosch. I don't think any manufacturer is offering what Bosch brings to the table on this drill. Notable items (from a professional contractor's perspective) are:

>Unbelievable run time from the batteries. Bosch really pegged it on these batteries. 2.4 amp hours, one of the largest in their class. Only Panasonic has longer amp hours, but have you tried to get parts/service on a Panasonic?

>Thoughtful, well-engineered ergonomics. Bosch is the ONLY manufacturer I know of that includes a clip (similar to a carabiner) on the back of the drill that allows you to clip into a belt hook. Other drills, notably drywall guns have these in their corded models, but only Bosch is including it in their general cordless line. Also, the drill has a very, VERY nice rubber grip set. Unlike DeWalt's, which is a harder rubber (or Makita that doesn't include it for some reason), Bosch's rubber is 'tacky' and gives a good impression that you won't lose your grip. Nice touch: They even apply this 'tacky' rubber to the trigger; that's sweet.

>Warranty. Bosch sure understands the pros needs here. 3 year on the drill; you can elect in those times to either send it in for service if it needs it, and they'll guarantee a 5 day turn-around, or you can swap it for another one. The battery guarantee is, I think, industry leading. For 12 months they'll swap it out, for the next 6 months they'll let you have a battery at 50% discount. Nice touches.

>Case. I guess I'm going to have to face that we're not going to get metal cases from anybody, anymore, but Bosch has one of the best plastic ones I've seen. Ample room for two batteries, the drill, the charger, etc. it also includes a smaller, separate storage case for loose items, and has an area of 'rows' that allow insertion of drivers and accessories (very similar to what Dremel offers in their small cases). Get this: real metal latches, too!

>Torque. Good golly, Miss Molly. This drill is on the cusp of offering impact driver spec's!!!! 500 inch pounds of torque; my old DeWalt 18V was 350; this thing is aptly named 'Brute'! Want a real seat-of-the-pants description of the torque? Put this drill in one hand and pull the trigger; you can feel it move sideways, due to the torque. Not badly, not scary, not unsafe by any stretch. All drills to it to some extent, but the big Bosch is NOTICEABLE in your hands. Very torquey, very strong.

>Impact resistance. I saved the best for last, especially if you're a pro. This Bosch offers UNBELIEVABLE protection from common falls. In fact, Bosch regularly demonstrates the tool falling from 40-45 feet at home stores; I caught one in Salisbury, NC and was blown away. You can even check out Bosch's website (www.boschtools.com) and see an actual movie of it being dropped. I have yet to see ANY other manufacturer have that type faith in their product. Drops happen, it's a fact of life. Nice to see a manufacturer designing tool integrity into the product and not keeping their fingers crossed that it might not happen. Overall, this single feature to me is worth the price of admission to professional-grade Bosch tools.

Cons: With all of that glowing prose, you might think I'm a Bosch rep. I'm not. The drill, in my opinion, DOES have two drawbacks, though they're slight. First of all, it isn't small nor lightweight. You will know you're carring around a big, powerful piece of equipment. Second: Bosch, for some engineering reason I'm sure, keeps the top speed of this drill to 1,300 rpms. That is, overall, a good, generic speed. But occasionally, I DO want an ability to spike up to around 1,700 (or faster). My five year old DeWalt 18V is just SO much faster. This is probably more of a personal opinion that job-site necessity, but I do try to uncover any of the nuances of a tool in my reviews, so I had to bring it to the forefront.

VERY, VERY Highly recommended. One of the best tools I use daily. Will withstand a tremendous amount of abuse and it's got a superlative warranty.

unbeatable drill
I am a licensed home improvement contractor in business for over 15 years. I buy a new cordless drill about every year. I have owned Makita, Porter-Cable, Milwaukee, and DeWalt from 12 volt to 19.2 volt. This Bosch drill far surpasses any in the same 18v category. This drill has 500 in lbs of torque, much more than any in this group. I have dropped this drill 8' to concrete and it still works fine. RPM's don't concern me as much as torque. I did not buy this drill from Amazon due to the fact it was not available about 6 mos. ago when I bought this. The price is about $60.00 less than the DeWalt 18v and I think the DeWalt is highly over rated in the drill category. Milwaukee is my second choice. Battery costs are not a concern to me because I can not justify buying two new batteries in a year. Just replace the drill and sell the old one.

Not brute tough, not even wife tough!!
I have owned this drill for less than a year in a home use setting. My wife was using it to hang pictures in a plaster wall when it "stripped out", i. e. the motor was turning but not the chuck. I purchased this drill because it sounded like the components were not likely to fail in a light duty application. Oh well...

Best cordless drill on the market...
The very first thing I did with my new 18v Bosch drill was to drop it 6' onto a concrete floor. Didn't seem to affect it. Review:

1. The chuck is an engineering marvel -- has the be THE best designed drill chuck on the planet. You can remove and insert a bit, and tighten it, in practically no time at all - with only one hand on the chuck. I.e., hold the tool with your left hand (or left foot!) and unscrew the chuck with your right hand (about ½ turn is all it takes). Insert the new bit and tighten the chuck. (You can actually perform this operation with just one hand; just laying the drill on a flat surface or holding it between your legs - in fact, this may be the only drill that could be used by a one-armed person.) Many keyless drills have dual-ring chucks, the ones that require two hands to work. When the bit slips, I find those chuck designs to be nearly impossible to get REALLY tight. Tight is no problem for this tool. I also own a DeWalt ½" electric drill that requires you to hold a button down to tighten/loosen the chuck. That works OK, but on this Bosch drill, the drive shaft locks when the motor is off, so that button isn't necessary. It really is ingenious.

2. Massive torque. If you're used to a 14.4v drill or even other 18v models, keep your eye on screws you're driving. This beast keeps driving until I release the trigger. I've also snapped a couple of screws due to the high torque this tool has, when the clutch setting was on maximum torque.

3. Speed. Low speed is fine, and high speed (1300 rpm) is OK most of the time - but, occasionally, I'd like it to be a tad faster. One of the ways Bosch gets all that torque is through lower RPMs. Besides, for the types of large hole cuts and other things owners would be doing with a tool this powerful, the 1300 rpm maximum does make sense. The trigger's control of speed is flawless.

4. Battery run-time. These batteries last an incredibly long time before needing a recharge.

5. Balance, comfort, and other ergonomics are perfect, at least for me (I have big hands). Very comfortable handle - no sharp places. It's not uncommon for me to dislike tools because of ill-conceived handles, triggers that pinch your finger, sharp corners, too small, etc. This tool feels just right in my hand. It also comes with a quick-detach hook for attaching a strap or hook - nice touch.

6. Weight. Other than price, the only downside to this tool is, it is heavier and slightly larger than 12v or 14.4v drills - i.e., it's a little too heavy for my wife to use comfortably. (Of course, it's much more powerful, holds ½" bits, battery run-time is better, and it has that ingenious chuck.) In any case, I usually keep two cordless drills handy on jobs: this one, and a lighter/smaller (12v or 14.4v) drill for more delicate/small-hole drilling, or when working overhead extensively. The other reason for having two tools, in spite of how incredibly easy it is to change bits on the Bosch, is, to avoid having to change bits/drills as often.

7. The gears are made of steel. That's important to me because my Porter Cable 14.4v drill stripped it's weak nylon gears after a couple of years, long before the batteries wore out. P/C doesn't sell just that $3 gear of course - you had to buy an enter "gear box", as they call it. $60. Heck with that. No more P/C plastic-geared drills for me.

8. Nice plastic case, with a mini-case for bits. Everything fits, and it even has decent metal clasps. Well done.

9. Has the best warranty I've seen for such tools (and the battery), but somehow I doubt if I'll ever need it.

In summary, if it's not too heavy for you to use comfortably, you'll not find a better cordless drill.

Brute Tough!
Been looking to get a cordless drill for a couple years, and was tired of the same ol' yellow brand everybody else has. Got the Bosch Brute after seeing an ad about it being dropped from 40' off scaffolding and then drilling a hole in concrete, etc. The Bosch Brute is an excellent choice. No other drills I've seen can change the brushes externally. For an 18 volt, it feels great to hold, and balances beautifully. I won't knock DeWalt, but if you want to try something else, and want a little more, get the Bosch Brute Tough 18volt! ... Read more

Features

• Mower measures 35 by 26 by 12-1/2 inches and weighs 50 pounds
• Fully-automated lawn mower with docking station; can mow lawn as large as 16,000 square feet
• Program like an alarm clock, so starts at pre-set times, or run using a manual controller
• 5-1/2-horsepower engine; blade speed of 5,800 rpm
• Patented Triple-Chamber Mulching System; touch-sensitive bumpers; theft-deterrent system

Features

• Wheel kit and fully welded frame make transport a breeze
• Generates 5,500 watts continuous with a 9,000 watt surge capacity
• 10-horsepower, overhead-valve Briggs and Stratton engine
• Delivers 13.2 hours of run time at half load, 8.1 hours at full load
• Full panel offers easy access to outlets and circuit breakers

Reviews (12)

Porter-Cable BSI550-W 5,500 Watt Generator with 10 HP Engine
We just went through a power outage and ended up having water in the basement! Our battery back up sump pump was working hard, but the battery went dead. The solution and savior is this portable generator. We bought a Porter-Cable BSI550-W 5,500 Watt Generator with 10 HP Briggs and Stratton Engine. This generator is easy to move with the wheel kit included! Also the OHV engine and electronic ignition make it a breeze to start up! Every time it has started on the first pull! My wife can move the unit and start it up just as easy as me! Never again will we be caught off guard without power! This unit has enough power to run the sump pump, space heater and other small household appliances. Be prepared and get yourself one of these! It is one of the best priced units with good power ratings, engine and a wheel kit! Thank you to Porter Cable and Briggs and Stratton!

Starts easy, runs good!
The shipping of this generator was good. The shipper was ABF Trucking. Their local agent coordinated with me before delivery, which took place two days early.
The generator was shipped with the portability kit in the same box. The instructions for assembly were clear and understandable, but did not help me attach the foot brackets to the generator frame. The frame was drilled but not tapped, so I could not get the screws that were provided started. I used a 1/4-20 tap to thread the holes. Assembly time was about two hours.
After following the preparation instructions, putting fuel in the tank and oil in the engine, and reading the starting instructions on the top of the fuel tank, I pulled the starting cord once, and the engine started. This generator provides enough electricity to run my water pump (1 HP), start my oil burner and run the circulating pumps, run the refrigerator, TV, and provide 1500 watts of lighting. It still had capacity left over, since it handled the startup load of the water pump very well. At $679 this generator is a great backup power source for the average size household. A voltmeter and loadmeter on the control panel would be nice, but at this price I think that is too much to ask.

Porter-Cable BSI550-W 5,500 Watt is a work-horse.
I purchased the Porter-Cable BSI550-W 5,500 Watt Generator with 10 HP Engine because I had to have portable power for residential construction. I bought it so I could run 13 - 15 amp circular saws and a 15 amp, 5 h.p. electric air compressor. It would not kick the compressor on when the air was at 100 lbs. so a serviceman set the rpm at 3700 rpm instead of the factory set 3600 rpm, which generates at 140 volts, no load. It runs great and runs super good. The negative side is having to idle it above the recommeded rpm and the extremely loud noise it makes even with the quiet muffler that it came with. There is also a loud rattling sound in the lower part of the 10 hp B and S engine. I don't know if that's a defect that can be fixed or something that you have to live with. It seems to come from the engine connecting rod to the piston. Other than that it is a great generator for the price. A person who uses it occasionally might not even be bothered by the rattling noise.

Bang for the buck!
This is certainly a step UP from the usual 4,500 watt "budget" generators! Very easy to assemble and a wonderful heavy duty unit that will power MOST of my house in case of electrical problems. Be aware.. you will still need to probably purchase a transfer switch (around $400) and cable (another $50) plus a couple hundred more for installation if you want to do it the "RIGHT" way, however, I figured that in the event of a power outage, it is MORE than worth the cost. I purchased this item when there was free delivery, which was great, because the shipping company said that it would probably have been an additional $200 for shipping this item! I also got a $50 rebate and the price was quite a bit lower than it is now, but I still don't think you can go wrong with this unit. The large fuel tank is certainly a plus! Of course, the delivery company met me and delivered it to the "street" (I had to drag it UP my driveway), but it was well worth it for the price (free!). Porter Cable has a great reputation for this equipment, and I'm looking foward to giving it a full test as soon as my power drops out this winter.

Most Excellent
I am very pleased with this generator. I'm not exactly Tony the toolman, but this was a breeze to start up and to attach the wheel kit. Just added gas and oil started on the first pull. I'm just waiting or the electrician to show up and install the transfer switch and I'll be ready for most anything. I was told that since my furnace is gas and don't have a well pump that I'll be able to hook up most of my house. The shipping with ABF was a little tedious, I had to leave work and arrange a meeting place, but the driver was cool and helpfull. Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow. ... Read more

Features

• Two-year warranty
• Significantly reduces the mosquito population in your yard; covers up to 1-1/2 acres
• Mimics a human by converting propane to CO2, heat, and moisture with its patented catalytic conversion technology
• Silent and odorless; doesn't affect beneficial insects like butterflies, bees, or moths
• Noticeable results are achieved in 7 to 10 days

Reviews (5)

does kill mosquitos, but hard to keep running
It would appear that American Biophysics needed to do a better engineering job. My unit started and ran smoothly through the first propane tank. When it came time to replace the tank, however, I was unable to get the unit to keep running after it started. This became a time-consuming endeavor, trying different propane tanks, repeatedly trying to reset the tanks, using the CO2 cartidges, etc. The people at the propane company, who purged my (second) new tank, seemed to have heard a lot of stories similar to mine. The company did agree to replace my unit with a new one.

Save your Money!! Don't buy anything from this company.
We bought the previous edition of this model in the summer of 2002. It had failed by September and was replaced. We did not have a need to use it in the winter, but it failed again the next summer. We have replaced various parts over and over, quite a few at our own expense. Less than 2 months ago we spent over $200 for the latest "fix". This manufacturer does NOT stand behind its products. At the cost of these machines, one would expect that they would be more that happy to replace these lemons. The fact that they do not makes me think that the newer models are no better than the early ones. MM has suggested that "air in the propane" is a problem. This is the most rediculous excuse ever dreamed up. When filling a propane cylinder, if air is left in it before refilling, the pressure in the cylinder would be excessive since the "air" is compressed to one quarter of its original volume. I view this "excuse" as "blame anyone other than us for our faulty product".

1200 Mosquito Catch and Release Magnet
I bought two of these machines. Had I known of the difficulty in getting one of them to work I wouldn't have bought them. Also, their tech support is that in name only. You call and you're lucky to ever hear a live person on the other end of the phone. I have yet to hear or talk to one. If you leave emails they are responded to automatically. I have replaced and recharged batteries, perged tanks, switched tanks,quick cleaned the thing , covered the little vents on the sides so that the wind won't blow out the flame, and all for nothing.It won't ignite the gas to make the flame to attract the mosquitos.
One machine took a little effort to get going and is working fine. The other one is the Mosquito Magnet from hell.
If they only had good tech support like Gateway or Intuit that would make it all OK, but as far as I am concerned this thing might as well be made in China, and the tech support would come in Chinese. For this very reason I wouldn't buy another Mosquito Magnet. One would think that for almost $1,400.00 you would get more than a recording. And to think that I bought two of the things.

Great, while it works...
Purchased a MM Pro in the summer of 2000. Worked great for two years, then in July of 2002, it wouldn`t stay on. Called customer service a few times, did everything they tole me to, but eventually they sent me a new power unit under warantee. That lasted a little more than one year; in 2003, we started having problems with it again. Called customer service today (July 5, 2004 -- no wait for service rep). Did what they asked. Appears that the muffin fan is dead. Asked about replacing it -- they don`t have any parts information. Not under warantee, must replace head for $350 (and get 6 months warantee on it) or "upgrade" to Pro 2004 for $600 (and get 2 years). I asked them about reliability -- they said the new Pro is more reliable; don`t know if I want to spend $600 to find out.

While it runs, it does catch a lot of mosquitos, but when it breaks, it's an expensive lawn ornament. These guys need to admit they have/had problems with their units and replace the defective ones.

Possible problem at high altitudes--beware
We bought the Mosquito Magnet Pro Plus because we live next to a swamp, and I wanted the latest, greatest device to deal with our West Nile virus bearing 'skeeters here in the Colorado Front Range. The unit arrived, and seemed solid and well designed. The only problem was that the thing would NOT stay running. If you check the manual and the troubleshooting info at the American Biophysics website, you find that aside from the possibility of contaminated propane, there is not much help for this problem. Nonetheless, we tried 4 different propane tanks, using the presurized cylinders to clear the unit, the reset gizmo to clear the tank and regulator. All of it was to no avail. So finally, I contacted AmBioPhys, and they immediately agreed to send a replacement, and have UPS pick up the first one. The second one arrived, and after running for 12 hours, it began to do the same thing...would not keep running. So, I called them again.

This time, I got a more competent tech support person, and we discussed the possibility of the altitude in Colorado being an issue. This seemed feasible since there are things like heat sensors that will shut off the unit if they are not hot enough, and, at elevations, the propane does not burn as hot. Well, ABP is not sure whether it's an issue, but they proposed sending me 2 Liberty Plus units in replacement for the Pro Plus, since it's calibration is somewhat different than the Pro Plus. They sent one immediately, and it is working fine. The second is on the way.

Note that the Pro Plus DOES catch mosquitoes, but, they escape when it turns off, so it's pretty much useless, at least for me. During all this, I asked ABP whether they are having a lot of problems with the Pro Plus, and they said that they are not, but you have to wonder, given that I got two units that would not work.

Anyway, their support was acceptable, but I've lost nearly two months of killing the little buggers while this got sorted out. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Tipke's Fold-It cart carries up to 350 pounds of wood, soil, leaves, debris, and anything else you need to haul, and when you're done, it folds up tight to fit wherever you need to store it. Because it balances the weight of your load over the wheels, it's easy for anyone to tote and maneuver--even when fully stacked. Its sturdy aluminum construction is rust- and corrosion-resistant and cleans up quickly with a spray of the hose. The durable 20-inch pneumatic tires add stability and help it negotiate even the toughest terrain. A removable front panel allows for larger loads and easier dumping of soil or leaves. ... Read more

Features

• Folds for easy storage, requires less than 2 square feet of space
• Sturdy, aluminum construction
• Completely rust and corrosion resistant
• Hauls up to 330 pounds
• Open dimensions are 55 by 33-3/4 by 23 inches

Reviews (17)

Awesome Tool!
When I told my husband that I needed a compact, folding if possible cart or wheelbarrow, he said I was asking for the moon and was doubtful that he'd find one. Well sure enough he found this one and I was thrilled! I'm a professional gardener and when the cart arrived, the assembly was so simple that I was off and loading it up right away. All my tools fit, it was very light weight and it fit very compactly in the back of my Jeep Cherokee. The real test came when I loaded it up with mulch to see how it would work as a wheelbarrow. It was teriffic!! I could fit more in it than the wheelbarrow I was using, and it was easier to fill. Because it has 2 wheels instead of 1, it wouldn't tip over when filled to the brim! Unloading it was easy too, I just took the back off and dumped the mulch where I needed it. The channels for that back panel do get a bit plugged up with mulch after a hard day of work, but clean up easy enough. This cart is totally awesome....this is the best tool investment I made last year! Thanks for a wonderful product!!

HANDY HELPER
Arriving to the job site in a 1-ton utility work truck loaded with all types of tools/equipment/materials is one thing, getting into a building/site with limited access is another. The solution, "fold-it" !! This light weight "mule" has become my best buddy. Prior to purchasing my "fold-it" i either made several trips to and from my work truck, arms loaded to the gills or used a bulky wheelbarrow to carry my tools/material. This is certainly a "tool" that has REALLY made me money (time saver). Although i thought it was pricey for a "cart", i have no regrets. The solution for me as for the gauge of the aluminum was a $35 investment. I went to a local metal materials shop and had 3 pieces of "aluminum diamond deck" cut to fit, 2 lower pieces (by the way, if it really matters to you like it did me, make sure that the fit is the same as the bottom deck of the cart, one side is slightly less then the other in width)the other piece was for the sliding back. I attached the diamond deck using a rivot gun.Maybe if your lucky, after TIPKE reads this, they may offer this idea as an accessory. The thought in my mind as i was "customizing" my "ride" was that regreting the day it would be "car jacked" :( Not only does she look good, but really re-inforced it without much added weight. Now if i could only find someone to cut me some custom aluminum wheels on a CNC machine i could start a "fold_it" cart club. :) All in all dont' hesitate, BUY ONE!! ops, one bad note, the rubber "boots" attached to the front legs fell off. If your not going to do the "diamond deck", at the very least use a dab' of silicon caulk to adhere the rubber boots to the legs. happy haulin'

Best Thing Going BUT----
This will be our third Foldit. (Amazon's got by far the best price at this moment--) It's a workhorse and still the best thing going that I know of BUT be aware:

1. The tires are flimsy. Get good tubes (if the tires come without them) and get a plastic strip thorn-proofer from a bike shop. It will help. Might as well get a can of flat tire spray, too, if you're going to pull it over anything rough or thorny (like berry prunings).

2. The design has a serious weak point: the rolled sides of the cart (where the handles slide in) will split at the handle-locking rivets if you habitually carry much weight (say 50 lb or so) over rough ground. This is very hard to fix and the split widens until there's a big tear and the handles fall out --permanently. That's what finally did in carts one and two. This time I'm going to try to reinforce the area around the rivets immediately, before they have a chance to start a split. Fold-it seems to outlast expensive wood carts by years despite this flaw.

3. Plan to pull the cart. Pushing as you would a wheelbarrow is hopeless. (A Fold-it is not necessarily a wheelbarrow substitute.) It's handier and better balanced by far than any deep plastic or wood cart I've tried, but it's not good at moving manure or heavy loads into the garden --the tires are narrow and sink into worked soil, and it's not made for turning in place or flipping upside down as you would a wheelbarrow. You can push it down a row empty and pull it out with a light load of weeds or produce, though.

4. You get to balance the load yourself. This is good. Some carts get heavier and pull harder as you load them. Balance the load in a Fold-it so there's weight behind the wheels and you can pull it with one finger, on hard ground.

5. The bed is a convenient height, great for taking to the orchard to bring back with heavy baskets of fruit, to the clothesline with heavy baskets of clothes, from car to kitchen door with mega-loads of groceries. Easy to load because the bed is flat and rectangular, and you don't have to lift heavy dog food bags (for instance) over the sides. You can slide them out the back with the gate off.

6. If you use the Fold-it for hauling hay, compost or weeds, expect to spend some time cleaning the fold lines if you ever need to fold it. Plan ahead if you're taking it to a horse show!

it works well WHEN it works, but ...
1.
The plus side is that this thing FOLDS, which saves space during
storage, and which permits it to be carried in a bigger vehicle,
much as a boat supposedly can be carried by a ship.
While the fold feature IS a plus, it also invites p-r-o-b-l-e-m-s
(because moving parts are prone to breakdown and mismatch).
2.
Should the ability of this thing to "go away" (by folding when it
is not needed) not be essential, this reviewer would recommend a
look at the B00011SPU0 (highlight/copy/paste this into "Search").
Although the B00011SPU0 cart does-NOT fold, it has three features
- it has a nice blue color (hey, ya gotta live with it, no?)
- it ships postpaid: i.e., free shipping, though from third party
- it has puncture-proof solid rubber tires, yielding rougher ride
3.
Should you intend to store or use this thing near the seashore, I
suggest that you weigh in the salt air as a factor in the useful
lifespan of your cart. Although the aluminum supposedly* resists
corrosion, there is the (remote?) possibility that the salt air
of an ocean-front location would ROT the aluminum. ROT, not rust.
*"marine grade aluminum"
By way of comparison, the B00011SPU0 has a polyethylene tub; this
plastic is heavy-duty (and non-biodegradable!). The zinc plating
on the B00011SPU0's steel frame (galvanized to resist rust) isn't
permanent, yet your back will probably go out before the cart has
gone to the Road Warrior graveyard.
4.
I omitted one star because aluminum requires obscene amounts of
electricity (uranium or fossil fuel) to manufacture.
The other star is gone because I'd rather hand it to B00011SPU0.
5.
In case you have the determination or patience to forgo WHEELS, I
suggest that you make use of your hip joints to schlep your cargo
-in a SINGLE-wheeled wheelbarrow (more balance, less "footprint")
-in a shoulder-held coolie carrier (twin sides require dexterity)
-in a basket or padded tub atop your head (calls for sobriety)...
6.
Should you intend to use this thing anywhere near motor vehicles,
such as in a driveway or in a campground, please take the time to
affix generous amounts of conspicuous RETROREFLECTIVE tape to all
outer borders of the container. Although MUD and sludge would not
permit the beam of headlights to bounce off the carefully applied
RETROREFLECTIVE tape strips (back to the eyes of the driver), you
still stand a b-e-t-t-e-r chance of saving your Fold-It cart from
being trashed by two tons of steel than by leaving it defenseless
withOUT the 3M tape (preferably canary yellow or zebra-striped).
Apply the tapes BEFORE you first dog the cart, so that the bond
of the adhesive is stronger than when compromised by water/grit.
7.
In order to make your neighbor's cart more attractive to thieves,
mark YOUR cart by either drilling your initials, social, or home
address into a flat panel of the cart. Alternatively, borrow the
"engraving tool" (loaner unit) from your friendly peace officer.
While you're at deterring theft of your cart, take time to also
inscribe a traceable ID onto a hidden part of your nonexpendable
BICYCLES (such as on the underside of the crankshaft): PREVENTION
8.
Hope this review was helpful. Comments welcome to my web address.

Very useful and convenient
This is a very useful cart for anyone who has a large yard like mine and lot of leaves and yard waste to haul around. The ability to fold is a big plus. The light aluminium body makes it very easy to pull it with heavy load. I am surprised that Home Depot or Lowes do not sell anything like this. This is definitely more elegant and easier to handle than the typical wheel barrows. I reduced one star for the high price. I think it can be a little cheaper. The 170 dollars price tag is not completely justified. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

You have to love something as clever as this. We've struggledwith hoisting bikes onto storage hooks in the garage, and that's justnot the way to live--this is. Just screw the pulley system into theceiling studs, thread rope through the guides, attach the rope to your bike, and effortlessly raise your bike to the ceiling. Pro Stor's Monster bike lift hoists bikes as heavy as 50 pounds up to a 12-foot ceiling, and you don't evenbreak a sweat. The locking mechanism prevents accidental release, andyour bike is out of the way. Solid-steel construction leaves nothing toworry about. We like this Monster. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Solid steel construction delivers a 55-pound load capacity
• Bike not included
• Store your bike safely from the ceiling of your garage
• Unique rope locking mechanism secures the bike
• For use on ceilings up to 14 feet high

Reviews (5)

Great And---
First off, this is a GREAT product. Just installed two units on the roof beams of my peaked garage. The bikes squeeze up between the rafters leaving about 8 feet of headroom. CAUTION-when attaching the two plates parallel to the beam the center line axis of the plate wants to lay flush against the wood. I'd suggest you drill 3/8" diameter relief holes in the beam above the plates for the bolt nuts that hold the pulley's to the plates or you will bend the plate when tightening the mounting screws (which run down the central axis of the plate). Also use a screw eye to knot off the end rather than put a knot above the plate (which would require another clearance hole). I needed more than the 48' of the 1/4 " dia. cord supplied but that looked pretty ratty anyway so I replaced it. Finally take into account an additional 12 inches of headroom for the plates and bike holding hooks.

5 Star Product!
A great, economical, easy to install, easy to use bike storage system. I bought 3 and are all well worth the money. I had a problem at first with two of them, but received EXCELLENT customer service from Racor directly, and the problem has been elimiated. It was a actually a pleasure to deal with a manufacturer who takes pride in their product and service. I recommend these to anyone looking to free up some garage space.

Racor PBH-1 Pro Stor Bicycle Hoist Monster
This is a good quality product and an excellent company to buy from. Packaging was professional and shipment was very timely. They went out of their way to e-mail me a letter to better explain how to determine the distance between studs in our finished garage, easier ways to install the hoists along with a picture that is more explanatory and even to say if the two hoist don't work for us, directions on how to return. I give them thumbs up.
Not to forget the hoist. I love the extra room that was made possible by hoisting the bicycles up to the ceiling in our garage. Nothing like getting them out of the way!
They lock into place right at the top of the ceiling and getting them up was not that difficult. I was able to do it by myself.

No Hangups Here
I just mounted my first bike hoist. It works great. I have a 20 ft ceiling in my garage and needed something to use that space. This fits the bill. The only alteration I needed to make was to buy 100 ft of rope. 1/4 inch clothesline rope seems to do the trick. I'm online now to buy 5 more. We shopped other locations, including various bike stores, auto part stores and garage stores. The 39.99 price was the lowest. With free shipping on Amazon.com, it can't be beat.

Great for the bikes and space-saving too!
In today's garages it is almost impossible to get two vehicles inside the garage and still have room for other "garage stuff"! I don't want my bikes outside rotting in the weather, but I don't want them falling on my vehicles either. These bicycle hoists are easy to install once you use a stud finder in order to make sure you anchor them correctly. The pulley system makes it very simple to "pull" the bike to ceiling level and gets them high enough to allow clearance of the front of my fairly high-riding pickup. The bike tires also seem to do better hanging from the ceiling instead of rotting on the ground. I also imagine this to be an easier way to get your bike up off the ground than lifting it onto hooks. ... Read more

Features

• 25" maximum log length
• 5.5 HP Honda OHC engine
• 27 Ton ram pressure
• 3-gallon oil reservoir
• 14 second cycle time

Reviews (4)

Very pleased
Unit started on first pull and has done so every time since.I chose FREE shipping method of delivery. Only took 10 days. I was expecting to wait a month or better. I have split about 2 cords of wood so far, some hard wood but mostly pine. It has plenty of power for my needs. Even split a few tree rounds 40 inches in diameter with no trouble but that was (easy to split) pine.

Very nice machine
I rent a log splitter every year and then HUSTLE to get all the wood split in two days. By the end of those two days, everybody is pretty sore and beat up. I finally decided to get my own so I can split wood at my own pace. This machine is well designed and easy to use. The Honda engine is quiet and started on the very first pull! I split some large oak and while it does slow down on the hard stuff, it doesn't stop. The ram and wedge seem very durable. I don't think this splitter is designed to run for several hours on end. For that kind of use, the next size splitter is probably better. But, who wants to split wood for several hours on end anyway? This is a great deal.

Orderd on Jan 19 2004
Recieved this spliter after almost 2 months. It works like a dream. It started on the first pull after filling with gas and oil. Buy this you will love it.

Potential Customer
I like the way everything was there for review and especially all the specifcations of the unit in question. Only thing I would add would be how much the actual shipping cost would be. I didn't purchase the equipment because of that. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Recycled wood is wonderful to work with, but you run the risk of damage each time you machine it. Old nails, screws, and fasteners will wreck expensive planer, jointer, and saw blades quicker than a wink, but the Lumber Wizard can keep that from ever happening in your shop again. A metal detector for your wood, The Lumber Wizard locates metal buried in wood up to 6 inches thick. In addition to the sound alert, you can plug an earphone into the jack or set the unit to vibrate instead. A smart designer engineered the handle with a little bend in it, so you won’t be dragging your hand along the wood surface, a small touch we appreciate. For about the cost of a good carbide blade, you’ll be saving yourself countless ruined bits and blades. And that makes the Lumber Wizard is a smart investment.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Nine-volt battery is required (battery not included)
• Detects metal in all types of woods up to 6" thick--including particle board and solid woods
• Features a low voltage vibrator, which alerts the user when metal is detected
• Pinpoints exact location of metal objects
• No calibrating, no measuring, no guessing

Reviews (12)

The new model is fantastic. It saves my tail almost daily!
I bought the new Lumber Wizard III a couple of months ago and it has been the perfect detector. After owning the first version for a couple of years I've found the new version to be much better. it is stronger, very reliable and has held up to daily use. I own a restoration shop and use a lot of recycled wood. The old version was tempermental and sometimes needed tuning but the new Lumber Wizard III has been 100% reliable. I also bought one for my father in law and he too is very happy with the new version. From my point of view this is a tool only a fool would be without.

Worth the money if you have lots of wood to check
I upgraded to the lumber wizard after having really good success with the smaller (and cheaper) little wizard from the same company. This is similar to security wands at the airports, but more "woodworker" friendly (you don't have to scrape your knuckles to get close to the wood since the handle is raised - and its half the price of the others). The vibration feature is really nice to have when the workshop gets noisy. I had to fine tune it when I first got it, but haven't touched it since (nearly 3 months). It's super sensitive, but when you get it tuned right and move it slowly and thoroughly, I doubt anything metal would get past it. Much faster to use than the little wizard as well, since the scanner area is much bigger. Well worth it if blades and time are important to you.

Glad I got one before I had to buy planer blades.
Easy to follow instructions. A little sensitive to tune in but once tuned ln I checked 30 to 40 ft. of 1X2 oak with no problem. This wood had three quarter inch long finish nails in it. I thought I found them all till I ran the Wizard over it. I like the long length and offset handle on wide boards so your knuckles dont scrape. Light weight and wide scan path make this product easy to use. Little price to pay for what it can save in nicked tooling. This is the updated Lumber Wizard III.

They improved it with an upgrade
This is a revamp of a previous review. I wasn't sure whether to order one after reading the other reviews, and after visiting the Wizard web site. Well I broke down and ordered one, and I am glad that I did. I noticed that they eliminated the large adjusting knob on the face of the unit. The plastic form pack and instructions that it is shipped in still have the bulge, where the knob used to go, and the cardboard placard still has the instructions on how to use the missing knob. Before it had the large fine adjusting knob, and a recessed fine adjust screw what was used to get the large knob within adjusting range.
Adjusting is simple now. With the single recessed screw, you simply hold it up in the air and turn the screw until it starts to squeal, then back it off just enough for it to get quiet. Now you are at the maximum sensitive setting. It is intuitive and simple enough, that you don't mind, setting it, every time you use it.
Next I wanted to check the accuracy of the unit. I took an aluminum screw and parked it under a 2x4. When I passed it over the squeal rang out. Good there, then I put the screw under two 2x4s, and it didn't find it. Hey if it is buried 3" deep, I wouldn't normally need to be concerned about it. The instructions call for passing over both sides of the wood, so that would cover even a piece of metal inside of a 3" piece of wood. Then I went over to a piece of 3/4 oak, and put a small brass screw under it, it rang out. Then I put it under two 3/4" pieces of wood it rang out again. Under three it failed to notice it. So the unit is great for depths up to 1 1/2".
The other thing worth mentioning is that this is a rather large unit, with the last 7" containing the sensor area. Since the sensor runs along the length of the unit, as compared to across the face, you get much better results, when making a pass that brings the length of the piece of metal into the length of the sensor. So you want to be sure and pass the detector over the same area at right angles to one another.
Sorry for mentioning the obvious but the larger the piece of metal, the easier it is to detect.
Pertaining to the battery holder, I noticed that a reviewer was having trouble with that. I don't know if that was improved over the earlier unit, but the way it is now is great. It removes easily, and reinstalls easily as well. You simply push in the tab and it pops right out. When reinstalling it, you simply push it back in until is snaps in place. I expect to get a lifetime of dependable use out of it.
The manufacturer suggests that you remove the battery when it is not in use, so that is why some people were not getting a lot of use out of a single battery. With the ease of removing the battery, makes this a no hassle procedure. Simply put, you don't mind having to remove it.
In conclusion I have to say that I now highly recommend the Wizard Detector. It is easy to use, works dependably, even when testing it on different pieces of wood. Considering the price of buying an airport security level of detector, makes this Wizard a no brainer. I don't know how it worked before, but this new upgraded unit does the job I was hoping it would. Buy it you won't be sorry.

Good Under Ideal Conditions
This tool can be made to work, and can save blades. But, it is far from perfect. Keep a test board with a known nail handy, and swipe it occasionally during use. Otherwise, the tool will drift off sensitivity, and you won't know it until your $$ carbide blade tells you... The tool is VERY sensitive to humidity, which is fine if you're in one of those spiffy shops that Fine Woodworking is always featuring, but if you're under a tin roof shed on a humid, rainy day, trying to turn salvaged heart pine siding into flooring, well... just forget it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Mounted in a central location, Shop-Vac's clever 5-gallon Hang-Up wet/dry vacuum is the perfect no-clutter cleaning tool for garages, workshops, laundry rooms, and hobby areas. With the vac's 18-foot locking hose, you can cover a large area without the hassle of maneuvering the tank, and the unit's 4-1/2-horsepower motor delivers impressive suction and airflow of 165 cubic feet per minute. The filtering system features a high-quality cartridge filter, along with a foam sleeve for wet pickup. The vacuum also comes with a complete offering of 1-1/4-inch tools, including extension wands, crevice and gulper tools, and a 12-inch floor nozzle with squeegee insert. A handy tool-storage bracket keeps all tools organized and ready to use. ... Read more

Features

• Accessories include extension wands, crevice and gulper tools, and a 12-inch floor nozzle with squeegee insert
• Mounts to wall or post for centralized cleaning
• Powerfull 4.5-horsepower motor delivers 165 cfm of suction
• 5-gallon tank
• 18-foot extra-long hose

Reviews (5)

Good Power, Portable, But Very Loud
Been using it to vacuum up dust on a big painting job. The power is great, the long hose means I sit the canister in the middle of the room and easily reach all the spots I need. It's got good suction for when my basement floods too, although at 5 gallons it won't pump out a lake. My only complaint is that it's very loud. If I use it for more than a few minutes I wear a headset. Still, I consider it a great buy and would buy it again.

HAS NO SUCTION POWER
I bought this shop vac hoping to use it to sweep up bird seeds, cat & dog hair. It really doesn't have the suction necessary to pick up more than a few feathers! I was very disappointed and I can not get help from Amazon making a return so I must be stuck without a refund!!

Super shop-vac
What A wonderful wonderful, vacuum. WHAT POWER!!!! Every garage in America should have this. This Shop-Vac does not miss any dust. You have got to give this A try!!!!

STRONG...BUT NOISY
I mostly use this little vac on a 21/2 inch dust collection system for my table saw and miter saw. It does a real good job of removing dust and chips from the two tools. I have it hanging on a 10x10 post to one side of my small shop and can vacuum the whole shop floor with the 18 foot vac hose that came with the machine. It has a good selection of tools and filter replacement is fast and easy. However, it is noisy. It actually drowns out the sound of my table saw. The 4" Delta dust collector I use for my planer and jointer is actually quieter than this little vac. I will continue to use it (maybe build a sound box for it), because it does do a great job. Except for the noise level, I would reccommend it to anyone.

shop-vac hangup 4.5 hp
I bought 3 of these units for Christmas presents, including myself. The product was so new that the store personnel had no feedback, so I took a chance. We love it ! The portability is fantastic. My son has his hanging on the wall in his workshop and takes it off the convenient wall holder to use in other areas. I haven't bothered to attach my holder, as I carry it all over the house, garage and Suburban. The long hose and cord make it much easier to use than a normal shop-vac which I also own. The regular shop-vacs are a pain to pull after you, while this unit enables you to cover alot of area before you have to move it The suction is strong. It has a slim shape so fits into tight areas or stores easily. Changing a filter takes about 30 seconds. It is beautifully designed to carry about. I will buy more of these in the future. ... Read more

Features

• No Tools needed for assembly.
• Ergonomic handle with easy length adjustment
• Large translucent collection bin that holds 6 gallons and is easy to empty.
• 21 inch wide heavy duty brushes that can be adjusted.
• Swivel caster wheels for easy manuverability.

Features

• Drives more than 600 nails on one battery charge (sold with two batteries)
• Fires a full range of 18-gauge nails from 5/8 to 2 with a firing rate of two nails per second
• Professional nail gun features at an affordable do-it-yourselfer price
• Innovative electronic status indicator tracks condition of nailer
• Eliminates the need for a compressor, hoses or power cord for grab and go convenience

Amazon.com

Don't confuse lightweight with light duty. If we had to assemble a basic tool kit for a homeowner, apartment dweller, or do-it-yourselfer, everything we'd choose is already right here. Now, just because they're smaller and easier to handle, don't assume they can't get the job done. The 7-ounce hammer will drive a nail just like a 20-ouncer, but without the wrist strain. We like the lifetime guarantee, always a plus in our book. Speaking of books, a great little guide comes with the kit and fits neatly in the case. Last but not least, the translucent blue case is cool—a place for everything, including the included assorted hardware, like picture hangers and wall anchors.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Great for smaller hands
• Guaranteed for life
• Unique superior quality
• Ergonomically designed
• Fiberglass grips

Reviews (3)

Loved it, but...
I bought this 30 piece kit and loved it. It's got it all. The only thing is the levels and meassuring tape have magnets on them. The tools are magnetized too, so I have to be very careful not to rest them on anything electronic. But it's a great buy!

Excellent Kit!
I bought this kit several weeks ago, and I am so happy with my purchase!! It has everything I need to get all of the things done that I have been meaning to do. I hung 2 pictures, and also new curtains in my living room. I was actually quite proud when I got the job done!
The how to book is great, and done in a fun way!
I am now motivated to try a bigger project.... will keep you posted!!

my wife is now a "do-it-herselfer"
I recently purchased this wonderful Barbara K toolkit for my wife so she would stop nagging me to do things around the house. Now she does most of our home repairs without needing my assistance. It's a huge weight off my shoulders since we recently purchased a "fixer-upper" home. The tools are great quality and the spring-assisted pliers make using them very easy. Thank you Barbara K for inspiring my wife to be a "do-it-herselfer". ... Read more