Features

• Includes two 6", six 12", four 18", eight 24", four 30", and four 36" clamps
• Patented profile rail I-beam which minimizes flexing or bending
• Patented non-slip locking device
• Zinc finished drawn rail to prevent black marks from apearing on wood
• Six of our most popular sizes for a total of 30 clamps

Amazon.com

No compressor. No hoses. No kidding. And no sacrifices in speed or power, either. There's absolutely no comparison between this performer and the fuel-cell powered competition, which we thought was a great innovation. But there's no costly fuel cell to replace on this tool—-just pop on a recharged XRP battery and get back on the job. The only difference you'll feel between this and a traditional pneumatic is that you're not tethered to an air hose. It's just as fast and fires just as powerfully into both soft and hard joints. We love that you can choose bump or sequential mode for precision or speed, something most nailers don't offer, and the integrated headlight is another impressive addition, really lighting up your workpiece even in the worst conditions. There's a fantastic six-position numbered dial to reference your depths, so you can move easily between, for example, baseboard and crown molding without struggling to reset the depth. DeWalt's covered what would have been our main safety concern: An air tool can't fire without a hose, but what's to keep this one from being accidentally fired? They've built in a contact trip lock-off. We were pleased with the troubleshooting process, too—the nosepiece is clear and very accessible, letting you clear a jammed fastener without screwdrivers or wrenches, though we couldn't get it to jam for us. Rear loading is simple and fast, and it accepts most brands of 16-gauge nails. The 20-degree angle gives you a little more maneuverability in tight spaces than the straight magazine, but you can't go wrong with either one. It's built tough for the job site, but the home hobbyist would love this tool. Just hook it on your tool belt and go; it's truly one of the coolest tools we've seen and the kit has everything you need: a one-hour charger, two 18V XRP batteries, reversible belt hook, no-mar tip, safety glasses and the heavy-duty kit box. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 6 position dial allows the user to move between applications without having to re-acquire exact depth setting
• Easy access to the nosepiece for the simple removal of a jammed fastener without the use of screwdrivers or tool wrenches
• Tool works as fast as you do with consistent nail penetration into both soft and hard joints
• Sequential operating mode allows for precision placement and the bump operating mode provides the user with production speed
• Headlights provide increased visibility in low-light conditions or confined areas without any light

Amazon.com Review

Providing 8,500 BTU's of cooling power, this energy-efficient air conditioner features "no drip" technology, which is an exclusive process that uses condensation and collected moisture to help cool the air, discharging excess vapor through its 41-inch exhaust hose. The unit is designed with a 24-hour programmable timer, as well as an easy-to-use control panel that incorporates two fan speeds, two air conditioning speeds, as well as "fan only." Setting the unit to "dehumidifier only" allows the built-in dehumidifier to remove up to 60 pints of moisture per day. Its adjustable thermostat can be set to accommodate individual preferences, and unlike central air, the portable air conditioner easily cools where it's needed most. Designed to handle rooms up to approximately 300 square feet, the nice-looking unit can be used almost anywhere, from bedrooms, family rooms, and computer rooms, to wine cellars, garages, and attics. The air conditioner runs quietly due to its high-efficiency rotary compressor and components. Other features include side handles and indoor caster wheels for easy portability, a built-in Freshzone air filtration system, and a window/door bracket for simple installation and exhausting of hot air. The air conditioner measures 31-1/2 by 16-1/3 by 17-4/5 inches, and carries a one-year parts-and-labor warranty and a five-year warranty for the parts on the compressor and sealed system. --Catie Unger ... Read more

Features

• Measures 31-1/2 by 16-1/3 by 17-4/5 inches; 1-year parts-and-labor warranty
• Energy-efficient, portable air conditioner with 8,500 BTU's of cooling power
• Exclusive "no drip" technology uses collected moisture to help cool air
• 24-hour programmable timer; easy-to-use control panel
• Built-in dehumidifier, adjustable thermostat; handles rooms up to 300 square feet

Features

• One-year guarantee
• Patented technology
• Quick and accurate
• Compact and lightweight
• Battery-powered

Reviews (3)

Should 'a bought it last year
Being in the custom home remodeling business I'm always demonstrating to clients how out of square or plumb their existing structure is. When it comes time to re-working the project I had to wrestle with a plumb bob or spend time squaring up. I've looked at the three other shooting type laser tools and found that the PLS5 is the best value for the money. Even the accessories are well thought out 'cause they help me layout square using their pendulum target and the wall bracket lets me position the laser anywhere on the job. It saves me a ton of time and I do more with my PLS5 than my little rotary laser. I need the accuracy and I like the fact that the beams settle down very fast. Squaring is easy because you shoot 90 degree angles as soon as you turn it on. I tried the RoboVector but could not use it much past 30 feet. Beams got too big and I never knew when it was in self leveling range. Sent it back. PLS5 is more money but I learned a long time ago that you usually get what you pay for. Side by side comparisons rates a thumbs up from me for PLS

Almost a great unit if it only....
It is almost a great unit if only:
1) it had brighter beams for daylight use, such as setting square on a house foundation etc. Inside there is plenty of light.

2) the five beams were not offset. When squaring for a foundation layout one must allow for the 1" offset. If I set the laser's plumb-bob beam over a corner mark and point the front beam to my next point, the 90 degree point is going to be 1" off. I don't like this because this is one more thing I have to adjust for. When paying this kind of money I should not have to make adjustments for this.

The PLS5 could learn from a competitive product, the RoboVector, that doesn't have the 1" offset in its square. You get a true square, not just a 90 degree. I can set the plumb on a corner point, point to my next corner and see another corner that is in square with the first corner point. The RoboVector's beams are not as bright which hurts its use outside. The RoboVector is considerably less expensive.The PLS5 is more accurate and that meant a lot to me. See specs.

The PLS5 is a good unit, more accurate, expensive, and with some limitations. A new version (PLS5X) is supposedly better for outdoors. Check it out too. Probably worth the extra.

Leveler Saves Time, While Increasing Accuracy
We build homes and small offices, and we bought a PLS-3. It gave us quicker readings on leveling foundations, and squaring up corners, than conventional leveling tools, strings, triangles, etc. It saved us time, money, readjustments, and it was accurate out to 100 feet.

We have now added a PLS-5, and are doing even more, squaring up walls, making measurements on ceilings without going up a ladder. We recently laid out an entire cathedral ceiling, doing all the measurements and angles while standing on the floor. Both units have paid for themselves in less than a month of use. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

For the price, Makita's 10-inch portable table saw is a solid choice for the job site. The 15 amp motor packs plenty of power, and with a 3-9/16-cut capacity, this saw will rip four-by material on a single pass. This saw also has an electric brake, so adjustments between cuts are both safer and quicker to make. The table's a good size, too: 27 by 22 inches. We also really like the saw's new cam-lock rip fence, which is much easier to adjust than double-locking designs. The bevel adjust has a pretty good rack-and-pinion design (metal, admittedly, would be better). All in all, this saw strikes a nice balance between weight (only 40 pounds) and vibration (minimal). Simply put, the Makita 2703 is a solid saw, better for the job site (quick, powerful, lightweight) than the home shop. For the shop, we'd recommend a saw with a more accurate fence. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Dead-on cam locking rip fence
• Powerful 15 amp motor for smooth cutting
• Large 27" x 22" table
• Lightweight (40 pounds) and portable for easy transporting to the job site
• Electric brake for maximum productivity

Reviews (8)

Quality Product
My family recently inherited one of these from my Uncle Doug (he didn't die but he left to go buy cigarettes one day and never returned-that's another story). We don't like letting things go to waste, so we try to use it whenever we can even though we don't do any carpentry or anything that would require a tablesaw-we've done little school projects and some tailoring, etc. The saw works well, and it's pretty easy to get a handle on, even for non-experts. However, for small projects like cutting paper or cardboard, scissors really still work the best. Nonetheless, I look forward to working with this saw more, and someday I'd like to saw a little statue that we can keep to remind us of Uncle Doug (Doug "the Mug").

Good but needs improvement.
I am a contractor and own 2 of these saws. I have had 2 replaced in the last year because of broken blade bevel mechanisms. The reason is that the gears are plastic and packet with grease that subsequently fill with sawdust and jamb when you try to bevel the blade to 45 deg. I still own the old reliable Makita 8 1/4 2708, never a problem, except the cord getting a little old and frayed. Makita should have stuck with the tried and true design on the bevel and changed only the blade raising handle to a crank (as in the 2703). It's still a good saw, especially when you drop it in a Rousseau stand, I just wish Makita would get rid of the plastic gears.

Tool Time Tim
I bought this saw based on my expierience with Makita tools in general and was not disappointed. It's not a "shop saw'" for doing precision work but as a job saw, for common rips and quick cuts on the jobsite, you can't beat it. Every time I turn it off I say, "I just love this saw". The quick acting electric brake is a boon when you have to make a quick fence change. The light weight is a plus if you have to move it around to access different job areas. There's even a hole in the table to let you see the power switch without having to squat down or step back from the saw. And while were on the subject of the table, it's heavy cast aluminium. A feature not always avalable in a saw in this price range. There's a nice blade well with a vacuum system fitting on the back for dust free opperation. I cut a hole in a wet vac box and bunjied it to the back of the stand, and the sawdust just shoots right in.
This saw is a good value. Just like all my Makita tools, there's enough power to do the job, with a minimum of noise and vibration.

Makita 2703X1
The Makita portable table saw in one form or another, has been around for about twenty years, and will no doubt continue to be around for quite a few more. It was being thrown into the open bed of a pickup truck on a rainy overcast day long before either DeWalt or Bosch were ever a jobsite presence. It is probably one the most popular but mishandled, abused and poorly maintained tools on any given jobsite. The design has improved and changed over the years on it's way to becoming the 10-inch 2703 but has always been very solid and capable, unlike many of the people I've seen attempting to operate it with satisfactory results. This saw was designed to be a rugged heavy-duty general-purpose portable jobsite table saw for use with or without table legs and as such, excels in this area. I'm not sure a professional woodworker would want to attempt to build their heirloom quality furniture or custom cabinetry with any portable table saw, but I do know that with the proper setup it can been done successfully with this saw.
I have always kept the fence properly adjusted and have it faced with 1 X common stock on both sides, so I haven't experienced the problems with alignment and slippage that some other owners have reported in their reviews.
Although I don't believe it was specifically designed for exacting shop use, precise square hairline "shop saw" accuracy is surprisingly attainable with the 2703X1 but, this is not an "out of the box" saw for precision shop woodworking and you will need to take the extra time and steps to set it up properly for precise results. And of course, as with any table saw, results always depend greatly on user skill combined with patience and common practices such as, using a clean high quality blade matched to the material being cut, precisely set and maintained initial blade square and bevel adjustments, wood facing of the miter gauge for stability during cuts (especially important because of the shallow miter gauge slots in the 2703's table), double sided wood facing of the fence to add stability and maintain a smooth parallel path to the blade (especially because of the short length and hollow tubular construction of the fence), always measuring accurately and using a square to set the fence, (for my own personal preference, this requires the not recommended practice of permanently removing of the blade guard), using a protractor or angle gauge to set the miter gauge or blade bevel position, clean waxed table surfaces, solid mounting of the saw base to the table legs, proper support of the work piece and very slow, controlled stock feed rate. Also because of the lightweight construction of the saw, weighting of the table legs with cement blocks or sand bags on a level concrete floor is beneficial to stability and accuracy.
A 6-inch dado is the only size recommended by Makita for use with the 2703 and as such is the only size I have ever used with it. The table insert for the dado costs about twenty dollars.
As for durability, I believe if you ask anyone who owns and routinely uses one if they have had any real problems with it over the years (except for those caused directly by abuse), the response of the majority of owners would most likely be... No.
Overall, I personally feel that with the combination of price, durability and capability the 2703X1 is easily the best portable table saw value on the market today.

Good table saw, but...
I bought this saw about two years ago and have been pleased with its performance for the most part. Light weight and well built, the Makita performs most cutting jobs with ease. It does have two very frustrating negatives about it, though.

By far the biggest fault with the saw is the rip fence. It is never accurate when it is tightened down on the table. As the locking mechanism grabs the front of the table, the opposite end of the fence loosens and strays from square. I have to use a long Try square to align the fence at the rear of the table while very carefully tightening the lock to the front. More often than not, the mechanism pulls the front of the fence away from the Try square and I'm back to where I started.

The other problem with this saw is Makita's use of a non standard size miter gauge slot. This makes it so one can not use any of the really wonderful attachments available to the woodworker.

If I could do it over, I'd spend the extra money on a DeWalt. ... Read more

Features

• Part of the DeWalt 18-volt system of tools
• 310 in./lbs. of torque for increased applications
• 0-500/0-1,500 rpm for increased user flexibility
• Variable speed and reversing for greater accuracy, control, and convenience
• Multi-grip trigger can be used in the least amount of space

Reviews (6)

Color yellow- lemon
This tool worked great for about three months, then while driving a#10 sheet metal screw the trigger froze in the on position, smoke started coming out of the battery pack, the only way to stop it was to disconnect the battery. I'm a cabinetmaker and this is one of the better right angle drills I've owned, it's a bit heavy and the forward and reverse switch is hard to use. The batteries last a long time, I can be on the job all day without charging them,nice.The keyless chuck is one of the best I've used, I hope this is just one of those lemons you get every now and again because I was really begining to like this tool.

Even better with a 1/2 chuck
Out of necessity and because it has ample power, I had been planning to convert this drill to a 1/2" chuck for some time, but just recently got around to it.
Since the DW960 comes with a 3/8" capacity chuck, I assumed that it would be mounted on a 3/8" X 24 TPI spindle as most 3/8" drills are.
Before buying a 1/2" chuck with a reduced 3/8" X 24 TPI mount, I decided to remove the original chuck and check the spindle to be sure.
With the chuck removed, I found that the DW960 has a 1/2" X 20 TPI spindle, which is the standard spindle size for mounting a 1/2" chuck.
I wouldn't bother changing out the chuck on my older model DW966 14.4V right angle drill because it doesn't really have enough power to make it worth the expense, but I decided to check the spindle size on it anyway. It too has the 1/2" X 20 TPI spindle.
Dewalt most likely does this to give the short spindles more strength, not to allow for an upgrade to a 1/2" chuck. Nevertheless, I really need this drill to be a 1/2", so I purchased a Jacobs made Dewalt OEM style keyless chuck from McMaster and installed it on the drill. It fit perfectly, actually better than the original did, and for my work needs, the extra chuck capacity makes all the difference.
I would never attempt to use this right angle drill as hard as my straight 1/2" cordless drill, but when working in a tight space, it's great to finally be able to use the DW960 with my Greenlee hole saws larger than 7/8", which have 7/16" shanks. This was the main reason for wanting to ditch the standard 3/8" chuck.
I've used it with hole saws up to 3-1/2" in 1X and 2-1/2" in 2X material. This seems to be completely within the drills ability without producing any unusual motor strain or heating. Understandably, I'm sure Dewalt would not approve of this modification and if the motor or gear train does eventually end up as toast, I'm okay with the fact that it will be my fault, not Dewalt's.
With that being said, it now appears that I can finally stop waiting for Dewalt to produce an 18V cordless 1/2" right angle drill.

DW960K-2 18V Right Angle Drill:
First the issues...

I bought this drill kit about two month's ago and so far it has performed very well on the job.
I was somewhat concerned to find that even with the fairly high price tag the drill and batteries are both being made completely in Mexico. From my experience, this usually results in a noticeable drop in quality. I suppose this is just a sign of the times and I should be getting used to it by now.
Also, after years of waiting for Dewalt to produce an 18V RAD unit, I still feel somewhat let down by the fact that it only has a 3/8" chuck capacity, especially since almost all of the trades really need a good 1/2" cordless RAD. The 18V RAD that Milwaukee makes is virtually useless and this Dewalt drill could probably spin a 1/2" chuck under most realistic workload conditions.
The two NAFTA batteries included are marked only as XR, not XR-Plus as all recent Dewalt 18V batteries manufactured in Japan are. I'm not sure if this means anything, but it did catch my attention.

And now the praise...

I have owned the almost identical DW966 14.4V version of this drill for several years and it has been worked hard but was always underpowered for heavier drilling tasks such as boring holes in 2X studs and joists or drilling into wall cavities from a basement or crawlspace below or an attic above, even when using spade/paddle type bits. Although the owners manual lists the maximum hole drilling capacities as the same for both the 14.4V and 18V, the new 18V DW960K has 100 inch-pounds more torque and several hundred more RPM's in high speed than the 14.4V model and is much more at ease with the type of heavier work described above. This drill will never replace your corded RAD for continuous heavy use on larger jobs but is great for smaller jobs where you need to drill several holes and don't want to waste time dragging out an extension cord and hunting for a distant electrical outlet. The added cordless advantages of mobility and safety are especially important when working in a damp crawl space or cramped attic area. The DW960 is only slightly larger and just a little heavier than the older 14.4V drill so it can still easily get into the tight places for drilling or driving screws but has lots more of what tradespersons need most, that being, torque and speed with the ability to interchange batteries with all your other DeWalt 18V tools. Overall it seems to be a well made tool and all is fine for now, but I can only wait and see if the NAFTA product durability will be equal to or better than my older Dewalt drill.

Customer Service
A previous review complained about DeWalt customer service phone number not answering.
I just called them at that number and they answered immediately. I got my support specialist and my problem is solved.
Try again.

lack of quality control
I recieved my new DW960k heavy duty cordless drill driver 20 Nov. 03. The next day, FRI. 21 Nov. I took it to work to try it.I put a newer fully charged battery in the tool, there was an imediate bright spark within the drill and it began smoking heavily. Once the fire went out I put a battery back in the drill and now it runs full blast without squezzing the trigger.
I have tryed to contact 1-800-4-dewalt but they aren't answering the phone. It appears that it is better to purchase your tools where they can be tested. I now own every 18 volt cordless tool that dewalt makes, several of some, and I wonder what I am going to have to go through to get this drill replaced, not repaired. I did not purchase a reconditioned tool. ... Read more

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 1-1/2HP motor with enclosed stand and guarded drip proof motor
• Push button switch, chip chute, blade and belt guards
• Arbor and motor pulleys and V-belt, blade guides
• Platinum Pro band saw blade, quick release blade tension lever, integrated 4" dust port

Reviews (8)

Great Band Saw
I received my saw a week after ordering it. The ABF driver was very agreeable about unloading the saw and setting it in my garage. I then was able to unpack it and move it into my basement shop in pieces. The saw was packed very well and arrived in perfect condition. Assembling it was easy, the directions were mostly very clear and easy to follow. I made my own mobile base and assembled the saw on the base so I wouldn't have to lift it more than once. I was apprehensive beforehand about ordering such a big heavy tool, but my experience could not have been better. I also recently purchased a jointer at my local home center, and I wish I had just ordered the Delta from Amazon instead. I bet I would have had an easier time.

So far so good......
After a great deal of studying, reading, looking and touching, I finally bought this saw. I hope this review is of some help to others in the market, the purchase caused me a great number of "sleepless" nights... I highly recommend reading "The Bandsaw Book" by Lonnie Bird (at Amazon for about $14) - it was a great resource and one of the better woodworking books on tools I've purchased.

Overall I think this is an excellent saw. I don't agree with the two gentlemen who only gave it one star. I've only had it a few days but am so far very happy. NO vibration. Runs smoothly and quietly. Switch is fine. I really have no idea how much it weighs; I didn't put it on a scale. I do have some negative comments (below) and will make my final assessment later.

I found the choice boiled down to two saws for me: the Delta X5 and the new Powermatic (made by Jet essentially). I looked at the European saws from Minimax and Laguna but found them to be out of my price range. They are both beautiful saws and if I had the money, I would have looked more seriously at one of them before buying. However, they are both $500+ more than the 14" saws. It also appeared that these saws were better suited for resawing than any scroll work and my intent was more of the latter than the former.

A short comparison:

- Delta claims this saw is the only one "made in the USA." I don't know if that's true or not but don't really care. I buy cars based on quality, not where they're made. It wasn't a selling point for me.

- The PM saw has far more "bells and whistles" than the Delta does out of the box for about the same money.

- I found the casting is clearly beefier on the Delta. The casting on the PM is the same as the other Jet saws.

- I thought the table and trunion mechanism was also beefier on the Delta.

- PM seems to have a better rip fence.

- PM has cast iron wheels, Delta's are aluminum. I'm skeptical about the wheels on the PM providing any "flywheel" effect as the salesman said as they are ribbed and not very beefy (neither are). Delta's are "computer balanced" - a plus for the vibration issue.

- Stand on the Delta has cheap plastic hinges and catch. PM's is metal and nicer (a minor issue).

- PM uses Carter (or Carter style) guides and tension mechanism, which I like better than the new Delta system

The saw:

Assembly was fairly easy and only took a few hours. As with all tools with a motor/belt, the alignment of these is a pain. I think they should come up with a better solution - it can't be that expensive! I ended up having to move the upper pulley out a bit to make it line up with the lower one (which I had pushed as far onto the motor shaft as I could).

Detla claims 100% American and American made - bearings are made it Taiwan. I'm inclined to believe other parts are too. Not a problem for me, I just don't like being lied to as I was by the Delta rep.

Bought the riser block so I needed 105" blades. The "free" platinum pro blade in the box went immediately into the trash. In hindsight, I probably should have used the saw with that blade and then when I wore it out, attached the riser block. A minor thing.

Trunion bolts were missing! This is my biggest complaint. How can they let something so grossly wrong leave their factory unnoticed?? I had to go the local hardware store and buy two bolts. Again, a minor thing but poor quality control as far as I'm concerned.

Upper wheel bearing is bent out of shape but works fine.

Extended blade guard is a poor design and should be re-done. It gets in the way of the upper door and doesn't adjust very easily. I had to bend my door out a little to shut past it. It was a simple thing that only took a second and it works fine now.

NOTE IF YOU BUY THE RISER BLOCK: When you remove the rod that holds the bearings and guides, etc. there's a small ball bearing in the casting that keeps the rod from crashing down on the table when it's loosened. Delta forgets to tell you to catch this ball bearing as it FALLS out of the casting when you remove the rod. I heard it bounce and then spent 20 minutes crawling around on the floor looking for it!

I bought cool blocks and Timberwolf low tension blades from PS Machinery. Both great buys.

Good luck.....

Rates Right-Up There With A The Ford Pinto
Do you have any idea what blowing $900 dollars on a band saw can do to a person? Find out and buy the new and improved Delta-X5 Delta Band Saw. The X5 is noisy, the blade guides are a joke, it vibrates, has poor dust collection (really stupid lower bearing dust door), the tensioning system stinks, has a cheaply wired switch, the table is not flat to the right of the blade, and above all is over-priced by hundreds, and I mean hundreds of dollars. Oh ya, expect to shell-out another $90. bucks for the Delta fence, and more bucks for other third-party parts to help reduce the motor vibrations. Even after spending an additional $300. dollars, it still does'nt run smooth, and I think that's because the upper assembly (which is bolted down) wobbles on it's enclosed stand. Delta's product management team is in serious trouble if they continue to market this kind of poorly made machinery to the American woodworker. The saw is just another example of job out-sourcing which keeps hurting Delta's past reputation for high-performance woodworking equipment. I absolutely know in my heart this is the last machine I buy with the Delta name plate. Buying this saw with the proud label "Made in USA" puts Delta on my list of "Fleecing of America" for ever more. Next time around I will order and gladly pay the freight cost for a Laguna Band Saw. A Euro-saw designed and rigorously tested by real woodworkers.

Great Saw, A Classic, A Small-Shop Standard!
This is a fantastic saw. It's built on a time-honored and proven design (which has been copied by others extensively), and has now been improved upon by the inclusion of the tension release and the better resaw fence included in this model.

The manufacturer's comments say it all, but it's important to take notice of the lower guides on this saw. Having these guides close to the underside of the bottom of the table allows for tight turns and better tracking on straight cuts. The competition doesn't have this type of guide -- only Delta. This is extremely important when the going gets rough (in a tough piece of wood or in a tight turn).

Also, this saw has a super-heavy trunnion underneath it -- heavier than the "you know who's" saw with it's aluminum trunnion.

If you are interested in doing some resawing, get the riser kit (even if you don't do a lot of resawing, the extra capacity is nice). Then, pair the saw up with some of those low-tension Swedish steel blades that are so popular and you can run a 3/4" blade on it with no problem. I don't think the saw would properly tension a 3/4" blade unless you seek out these low tension blades, however. With the riser kit and these blades, this is a fantastic saw for resawing, and it's made even better by the super-adjustable features of the fence that's included.

I've done a lot of cutting on my saw, and I'm extremely pleased with it. Unless you're prepared to spend nearly twice as much, I don't think you'll beat it!

band saw upgrade
I researched quite extensively before my purchase. I owned a craftsman and wanted to upgrade. My choices narrowed to the new powermatic, which is pretty and taiwanese, the delta USA or the Laguna European, all 14in band saws. I went to my local supplier and read tool reviews. They all passed with flying colors. I actually leaned slightly towards the powermatic because it was 50 dollars cheaper and came with more accessories. I then saw the machines next to each other (except laguna),there was no comparison. The delta looked far superior from castings to table to thumb screws, a better machine. I bought one. The only problem I encountered was with the carriage bolts, chrome and black.(Use chrome to put motor mounting bars on, save black for cabinet) I put it together alone, the main saw component is heavy but managed the lift solo.
P.S I got a video from Laguna Tools a week after my purchase. I ordered it when researching. Its very interesting their bandsaws are European and of or what appeared exceptional quality worth checking out. I may have bought too soon!!Get back to you on that. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

When it comes to designing nailers, Hitachi keeps the end user in mind. Their siding coil nailer, engineered for serious siding work, impressed us with its light weight (only 4.6 pounds), which does wonders for your arm (not to mention your productivity) toward the end of a long day. We're also suckers for a good grip, and the NV65AH has a great one--it's rubberized, and, unlike a lot of other tools we've known, it's also a width that normal-size humans can get their hands around. This nailer's got an easy-to-operate depth-of-drive adjustment as well, to countersink or flush-drive nails, and a smooth firing mechanism. The air deflector pivots 360 degrees--a nice, user-friendly feature.

One feature we'd like to have seen is the two bumper plates that go on the front and back of other Hitachi models. These plates really go a long way toward protecting a nailer from unnecessary wear and tear, and, in the end, they probably extend its usage quite a bit. But, on the whole, this is a nice piece of equipment. We'd be happy to fire it up any day. --Michael Shilling ... Read more

Features

• 30-day satisfaction guarantee and one year warranty on parts and labor
• 360 degree adjustable exhaust deflector
• Lightweight, only 4.6 pounds
• Depth of drive adjustment
• 1-1/2- to 2-1/2-inch-by-.090-.099, wire and plastic collated coil nails

Reviews (10)

Performance and Precision
This nailer is like a german sports car. It's got power, performance and handles like a dream. The single most important feature for a good siding nailer is the ability to accurately dial in the depth that the nails are driven. For cedar, or cement board siding the depth of drive is crucial. This nailer lets you adjust the depth of drive with absolute accuracy. You can flush nail all day long and you almost never have to pull your hammer out to set a proud nail. In addition, this nailer is light at 4.6 pounds which is also important when your using it all day on a ladder or scaffolding.

The other feature that I love is that the nailer is extremely well balanced for a coil nailer. Most coil nailers are nose heavy because they don't have the stick housing to counter balance them. This nailer is not nose heavy and just has a great feel in your hand. Of all my tools, this is one of my favorites. I have not had a single jam and I've fired thousands and thousands of nails with it. This is a high performance tool, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has any amount of siding to put up. It's a time saver, and truly a joy to use.

Great coil nailer!
I shot one box of 4800 2 1/4" ring shank galvanized nail through this gun the first time I used it. Oiled it often and kept clean as possible. There was the occasional miss where the nail had fallen out of the coil but it was harmless. Depth gauge worked well and was easy to adjust. This gun is lightweight, the Senco is a beast.

Awesome nailer
I had started hanging cedar shingle by hand,but it was way too slow and I was wasting alot of shingles due to breakage. I purchased this nailer and it proved to be a time and labor saver. I needs to be kept oiled or it will jam but very easy to unjam. Do not think twice just buy it. Now I have a fence to build, lucky me I already have mine.

worth the money
This is the best coil nailer I have ever used! I have run a siding crew for over 5 years and have tried them all proformance wise this gun rates #1 in my eyes.

Single shot trigger is optional
Great gun. Be aware that the single-shot trigger will cost you $25 from Hitachi. Pretty annoying, since Senco sends theirs out for free. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A production woodworker’s dream router, Milwaukee's 3-1/2-horsepowerrouter will handle any bit you give it. Mounted in a table, this unit can take even the place of an expensive shaper for many applications--it's that powerful. The soft start is surprisingly smooth, given the enormous heft of this machine. The design is smart, too. The motor is stationary as you raise and lower it, so the the power cord doesn't wrap around anything. Better yet, everything can be adjusted from above your router table top. Milwaukee's exclusive linear height adjustment system gets you precise adjustments to within 1/8 of an inch and micro-fine adjustments to within 1/64 of an inch with the turn of a knob. When using the unit freehand, you’ll love the tilted handles, an innovation Milwaukee’s competitors should adopt. The slight angle gives you the superior control you need when using a router this powerful, all the way up to the max rpm of 22,000 rpm.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Limited Warranty
• Powerful 15 Amp, 3-1/2 max horsepower EVS Milwaukee motor for maximum power
• Electronic variable speed offers speeds of 10,000-22,000 rpm
• Premium electronic feedback circuitry and Soft Start for precision
• Exclusive linear depth adjustment system with above-the-table access

Reviews (8)

Very nice design, extremly well built! Worth every penny !
Upon receiving this package and opening it, I was enjoying it like a little kid in the candy store. I can not say enough how this tool is nice and well built. I have the smaller brother, 5615-20 as well. After having used that router for a couple of years, and enjoyed every minute of using that nice piece of engineering, I decided to invest in the big brother for my router table, that I am going to build. And boy, I am not disappointed a second! The most valuable feature of the router is, it's fine adjustment design, that makes fine tuning of the depth of the cut, only a pleasure. I have to say that I have tried and tested other brands and makes as well. But this design beats them all, hands down. The fact that you can remove the motor from the body with the snap of a latch handle is another major advantage for me. This means that you can use the body that came with the unit and mount it permanently in the router table and just buy a second body, should you need the router for freehand operations. The electronic feed back system is not a joke and works exactly as advertised. I could hear how the engine reved up when I ran the router through some hard oak and maple and compensated for the load. Smooth start makes the router feel like a very well behaved machine that has no tendency to jump out of your hands flying around the shop, when you start it in free-hand mode. The package includes the D-handles, knobs, and over the table depth adjustment key that makes the picture complete. Overall, very nice design, extremely well built. Worth every penny! The engineers must be proud of their work! Good job guys/gals!

Watch out for raising mechanism
If you purchased one of these machines,,,,be aware that the raising and lowering mechanism is susceptible to slipping. Milwaukee has come up with a solution so that it will not slip or you can have it correted at an authorized repair center. The new ones that are being manufactured are already corrected. Unfortunately I purchased one of the first ones made. It worked great for 6 months,,,,,then slip, slip, slip.

Other than that, I really like the machine. It is a horse that performs beyond expectations.

Great Tool
What can I say it's a Milwaukee tool. Have had this router for about 6 months. Haven't used it on many freehand operations(any bits need 3+ HP shouldn't be done freehand), but under the table this tool has produced flawless cuts with mediocre bits. I have ran horizontal panel raising bits with backcutters and couldn't even get a hint of a bogging motor. One downside if you see it as that is the similarity of a jet engine noise level(but I see this as proof of it's tremendous power). The soft start works great. The only other thing I see wrong with it is when mounted to a 3/4" MDF board for table operation some bits just barely have enough clearance, but this goes for pretty much any router. Milwaukee's depth adjustment is far above the rest in my opinion, because the actual router body is not turned, a definite plus for table operation(controls are always in the same stop. I haven't used the above the table access much but when I do it works great. I would have to say if you have the money to spend this router is definitely worth the price. It can handle anything thrown at it(including shaping operations). Definitely 5 stars!!!

This is THE Router
This is a horse of a router. I bought it on a salesman's recommendation over another router I had spec'd out for primary use on a router table. I haven't yet mounted it in the table, but have used it for other handheld functions. What I can say is WOW!!! The power this thing puts out is remarkable. I had no trouble routing a 3/4" 1 inch deep channel in MDF that would normally take me two(or three) passes with my old one(1 1/2hp). Using it to edge Oak trim is wonderful. I haven't bogged down this router yet. The soft start feature is great. I would very highly recommend this router, in fact, just because of this one, I'm going to buy the d-handled 1 3/4 model.

Big Dog
I purchased this router and its a quality machine,the only thing I can say is that it is great for mounting under a table. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This might just be the perfect miter saw, packed with everything you ever wished for and then some. Of course, a saw's nothing if it's not accurate, but the Bosch 4410 is dead-on right from the box. Of all its great features, our favorite by far is the four-position handle. Like a vertical grip? You've got it. Horizontal? That too. In a stroke of engineering genius, Bosch designed the handle to convert easily to the grip that suits you best, a feature so desirable that we bet it will start appearing on other brands. Our usual complaint about miter saws is that the fence is too low, and Bosch has addressed that with nice 4-1/2 inch tall Speed Track sliding fences, making any bevel setup and crown molding cut a cinch. Yet another change we appreciated was the relocation of the bevel lever and adjustment knob right up in front where you need it. Speaking of bevels, you've got a complete range on both left and right, at 47 and 46 degrees respectively. The miter detent system is super accurate, but sometimes the rest of the world isn't perfect and a 45-degree miter might not be what you need. No problem. Override the detent and sneak up on the cut with the superb micro-fine adjustment, even on a long workpiece, thanks to the sliding base extensions and handy tool-free clamping levers. It always irritates us when we can't read the numbers on a tool, and even that complaint is taken care of with the easy-to-see scale for both the bevels and miters. Last but far from least, this saw is powered by a 3 hp max, 15-amp motor that runs the blade through oak like butter. Even the included blade is high quality and leaves a flawless cut line. A beautiful machine.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Upfront bevel lock lever and range selector knob; tall 4-1/2" Speed-track sliding fences
• 15 amp motor, 4,800 RPM
• Large 21" aluminum base with cast sliding extensions for 37-1/4" total length
• Wedge-and-slot miter detent system offers consistent and precise miter angles over the life of the tool
• Multi-positioned main handle easily locks into any of four positions for optimum comfort and control

Reviews (11)

The Carpenter's Samurai Sword
If you are like me, the first thing that runs through your mind when looking at an expensive tool is 'Wow! But is it worth the money.' Since I'm in the middle of remodeling a kitchen and fixing up a house, I decided to take no chances and make the investment on the assumption that I would eventually use most of this saws features. And I have.

This is the most well thought out miter saw I have ever used. Whether you need to chop, slide, miter, bevel, cut grooves, or make compound cuts, it just simply does the job with a minimum of fuss. If you don't like the angle of the grip, change it. Make gross and fine adjustments. And the carbide blade is incredible as well. And it is built like a rock, a very well oiled rock - if you take care of it it will last forever.

Based on what you do you may want to pick up a second quick clamp, a crown molding support stop, or the extra long base rod kit. There are a few other nifty widgets as well. As I said, Bosch has spent considerable thought in making this a truly professional piece of equipment.

The saw all others want to be!
What can I say, this is the saw that all other compound sliders want to be! The saw came just days after I ordered it in prefect condition. Set up was a breeze, seeing that the saw came dead on accurate. As a seasoned woodworker, I have learned that it is not worth saving a couple of dollars here and a couple of dollars there when buying a tool. The extra cost for this saw is more than worth the price! Don't be fooled by other saws on the market, the Bosch 4410 us the way to go!

Worth the wait
I almost opted for the Hitachi (w/laser guide) because the 4410 was unavailable when I ordered, but I held out and it's worth the wait. No problems with the saw shipped UPS. The bevel was locked down off zero, but the stop was fine - I just set it to the preset, and no problem. The first job I had for the saw was cutting some Ipe decking for a sandbox. If you haven't worked with this stuff - it's brutal - you have to predrill to sink decking screws into it, you can't drill too small (or you'll snap stainless steel screws in half) - and I could only drill about half an inch at a time before the bit would overheat. But this saw cut through it without complaining and left a mirror-like finish (not so hard to do on such a dense wood, I guess). The controls are pretty intuitive. The slide-out extensions and built-in stop are pretty handy, though limited. The table is 3 3/4" high - so you can support long workpieces using 2-2x's and a 1x stacked up (the instruction manual tells you it was designed this way). I like the rotating handle - it's handier than you'd guess - not only do you get your preference of vertical versus horizontal (I like the 45-degree setting), but I find I like different settings with the saw higher or lower (I was cutting with the saw on my garage floor).

My only complaint is the amount of dust it kicks out, but I don't have experience with other models that weren't hooked up to a dust collection system.

devoted Bosch user, disillusioned by Bosch support
I am a professional finish carpenter and cabinet maker with a shop full of tools, most of them Bosch. I ordered this saw in April and received it promptly with a severed power cord. The saw looked great but obviously wasn't much use in its delivered condition. I took it right away to a Bosch warranty service center. They called me the next day to say that they wouldn't fix it under warranty. So I contacted Amazon and they offered me a 10% discount for the damage. I contacted the service center to see if the repair could be completed within that dollar amount and they thought it could. That was over a month ago. I call every week to see if it's fixed. Nobody contacts me to provide updates or explanations; I have to call and call and try to track somebody down. It just goes on and on. I imagine that the saw would be great if I could ever get my hands on it, but this experience is seriously compromising my confidence in Bosch; if I can't count on their service and support, the quality of their tools will be irrelevant. I can't afford to have the tools I rely on disappear into the fog like this. And I think they should have just fixed it under warranty in the first place instead of running a loyal customer through this maze and frustration.

Awesome Saw!!!!
I balked a little on the price, but after working with it, it is worth every penny! Every stop was dead on right out of the box. I swapped the blade with an 80 tooth Freud, and could tell little difference in the cuts from the blade that came with it.

First time set up was very easy. The saw is mostly assembled right out of the box. It took me less than 1/2 hour to install the few small parts and check all of the miter and bevel stops.

It is a great convenience to have all the controls up front. My workshop is crowded, and not having to reach behind to set bevels is a bonus. The micro-adjust feature for the stops is a real time saver for "sneaking up" on a cut.

I have owned and/or used several other brands (D-----, M-----,H-----), but this saw is more accurate and intuitive to use than any of the rest.

Bosch certainly did this one right! ... Read more

Features

• Will handle stock from 1/4"-1 1/8"
• Patented alignment lines and router bit depth stop allow for quick, easy set-up
• Will cut half-blind dovetails, rabbeted half-blind dovetails, through dovetails, box joints, and dovetail dadoes (sliding dovetails)

Features

• All-metal ratcheting chuck with carbide jaws for the highest grip torque on bits
• Milwaukee-built motor provides up to 495 in./lbs. of torque
• Up to 50% more run-time than competitive products
• Milwaukee's exclusive reversible battery allows users to adjust balance and get into tight spaces
• Limited Warranty

Reviews (6)

NOT Made in USA
Received the Milwaukee 0622-24 Kit today. Haven't used it yet. It MAY be a fine tool, but it is NOT made in USA. The drill is made in the Czech Republic, the batteries in Japan and the charger in China. Be forewarned that you are paying a lot for the name and if it is important to you to buy American-made products, this is NOT one! I'm very disappointed and will not buy Milwaukee again.

Best Cordless drill I've ever owned
I thought I had a good cordless drill until I purchased this Milwaukee 0622-24 1/2" drill. This is without a doubt, the most powerful,easy to handle,high torque cordless drill I have ever owned.Period. Everything about this drill is heavy duty including the chuck which is easy to use one handed.If you're looking for a cordless drill that can do it all, look no further,no manufacturer out there can compare with this Milwaukee and best of all, Made in the good ol USA. Five year warranty on this tool.The battery life is long lasting and recharges in only one hour.

I highly recommend this Milwaukee, you won't be disappointed with this titan. No one else come close in quality and features.

YOUR SEARCH IS OVER!!!!
I have owned a Makita, De Walt, Porter Cable, Bosch, and Panasonic 18 volt cordless drills. The Bosch was hard to part with but, I realized I made the right decision after I bought the Milwaukee. It is simply the lightest, most durable 18V drill I have ever used. The batteries last longer, the torque is better, the chuck is indestructable, and the "MADE IN THE USA" stamp pretty much sold me. I have dropped it, left it out in the cold, left it in the heat, and have built 12 decks with it. Only twice did I even have to use the other battery. Bosch comes very close. In my opinion, the others don't even compare.

Home Owner in Fort Erie, ON. Canada
For the last 2 years, I have been busy! I mean, REALLY busy, renovating our house. From decks, to fences - inside jobs / outside jobs. Bottom line: I have "wasted" a couple of drills in the process and wanted the best. NO DISAPPOINTMENTS HERE. Got a couple of more projects going, and this "piece" has performed better than expected. Aside form the Milwaukee name, this thing gives you a feeling of confidence that simply states "There is nothing too tough to handle". A nice feeling when you don't want to be interupted by a failing tool. Nice work, Milwaukee! I'm on my way to buy the 11 amp orbital Sawzall based on my experience with this "work of excellence"!

Heady duty is right
I bought this drill to replace my craftsman 18 volt drill that has taken a beating from woodworking projects to home improvement projects. I must say milwaukee lived up to its name for Heavy Duty. You can tell the first time you fire it up it was built to withstand the harshest abuse. I would reccommend this drill for anyone who can appreciate quality craftsmanship and rock solid performance every time. ... Read more

Features

• 3-prong plug to prevent static electricity accumulation
• Variable speed (0-3,000 RPM) with pre-set maximum speed dial; ideal for ultra slow polishing
• Pre-set speed setting dial (from 600-3,000 RPM) for maximum control
• Electronic speed control maintains constant speed under load
• Easily converts from polisher to sander with hook & loop accessories

Features

• Includes 1 year limited warranty on parts and accessories
• Uses 15 degree 3/4- to 1-3/4¿ wire collated roofing nails
• Rounded body style for updated look
• Powerful high performance motor with adjustable tool-free exhaust diffuser
• Steel safety contact with dual carbide inserts

Reviews (2)

Works good!
I have one of these little nailers - mostly used for roofing sheds. It works good. No complaints. Maybe one nail in 80-100 I'll finish with a light tap with a hammer. That's probably more a ding on the little compressor I use than on the nailer. For what I use it for it works fine. As the man said - It sure beats a hammer.

I have a love/hate relationship with this nailer
I should preface this review by saying that this is the first nailer that I have owned other than a brad or staple nailer. My exposure to nailers of this size is limited.

I just finished a siding job on a rent house that I own. The siding I used was Hariplank and it called for roofing nails for installation. I paid $249 for this nailer at Lowes.

The good:

- Much better than a hammer!
- No jams whatsoever
- Durable and tough (with the exception of the magazine cover)

The bad:

- Heavy!!! During the middle of my siding project I worked two days on a habitat for humanity project. On that project I used a DeWalt angled framing nailer. The DeWalt was much lighter than the PC. When climbing up and down ladders and on roofs a few pounds is really noticed.
- Inconsistant driving depth. Probably half of the nails stopped 1/4" - 1/2" short of being flush with the siding. When I attempted to adjust the depth some of the nails were impacting too hard so I had to back off the depth again. Maybe this had something to do with the fact that the material was fiber cement rather than wood?
- The magazine cover is made from a very flimsy plastic. It didn't break on me but I imagine that one day it will.
- For the price a carrying/storage case would have been nice. ... Read more

Features

• Large cutting capacity handles up to 3-7/8"x6" stock
• 4-1/2" tall pivoting fence for cutting up to 5-1/2" Crown Molding
• Powerful 15 amp Makita motor delivers 4,000 rpm
• Horizontal D-handle design for easy and comfortable operation
• Carbide tipped blade for precise cutting

Reviews (1)

Accurate saw with some minor nuisances
I found the Makita LS1221 to be very accurate and powerful. The miter table to the base were near perfect alignment and the fences were very square to the table. The saw is in no way flimsy. Adjusting the bevel and the miter angles are fairly easy. The miter gage is very easy to read. The bevel gage however does not offer enough contrast, especially after the smallest amount of saw dust gathers on it. The lever for locking the bevel gage should be in the front of the saw. The motor makes an annoying sound when it is first started and is positioned directly on the right side of the saw making it difficult to see what you are cutting as the cut proceeds through the wood. Changing the blade is very difficult because there is no way to support the blade fence out of the way to clear the arbor nut.
This however, should not be a problem for anyone who has three hands. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This battery-powered trimmer converts to a rolling lawn edger with just a turn of the handle. The 24-volt Power Core will give you up to 45 minutes of cutting time on just one charge. A 10-inch cutting swath makes quick work of yard trimming, and when you need more line, just bump the head and it feeds out more .08 commercial-grade line automatically. We like the symmetry and nice balance of this trimmer in hand, too. The unit stores in its wall-mounted charger, which indicates battery status with red and green lights. A great two-in-one yard tool for the homeowner.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Two comfortable grip and hassle-free start switch
• No gas, no cord, and ready when you are
• 24-Volt Power-Core double ball-bearing motor and battery
• 10-inch cutting path, and 0.08-inch commercial grade line
• Wall charge rack included

Reviews (25)

End Your Research... The YardStick is #1
Ease-of-Use and Versatility! That's why you should buy the 24-Volt YardStick Cordless Edger. I did. Think about it, why do you avoid trimming your lawn each and every week? The trimming and edging really doesn't take that long. In my case, the reason I only trimmed about once every three-weeks was, (1) I needed to uncoil one 100 ft. extension cord for the front yard, (2) secure and tie the cord at the source and around the trimmer's handle (to avoid the "Houston, we've got a problem" power outage), (3) avoid the cord itself, (4) work a strategy for getting the cord around trees and flower beds, (5) trim the yard, (6) then rewind and store the cord... only to repeat the process for the backyard! All the real work was in the prep and storage time. What needless pain.

So, I did the research, and my wife got me the YardStick for Father's Day. I looked at other cordless trimmer/edgers, but the recommendations on Amazon for the YardStick, countered by user cautions/comments about other battery (awkward position of start/power switch) and gas edgers (noise/hassle), helped me take the plunge and try American Gardener. A look at American Gardener's web page will help anyone understand that "trimming is their thing."

I knew I'd received a quality product right out of the box. The YardStick, although not a lightweight, was balanced, comfortable to hold, easy to maneuver while being rugged with an elegant/practical design. I'm a tall person, so the "turn style-like" handle adjustments and easy conversion to edger-mode were important. The test drive was a blast. I was amazed at the "quiet" torque created by the 24-volt powerhouse. Cordless has come a long way. This is also the only dual ball-bearing motor I could find, and it hums. The precision of the edging feature was a welcomed surprise.

The chore that used to waste a good 35 minutes, now only took about 12- front AND back! Then, I just placed the YardStick in the charger for next week. Cool.

Five star potential, but...
I purchased my unit two weeks ago after reading the rave reviews. I too was ready to abandon my stinky gas trimmer.

I was initially optimistic when I opened up the unit. The unit was a bit heavy, but well balanced, and I liked how easy it was to spin the handle on the unit to switch the head from horizonal to vertical. The symmetric switch arrangement was intuitive and easy to use.

After charging overnight, I headed out to start trimming. Almost immediately the spool feed became a real pain. The line would not feed smoothly, making it necessary to remove the spool to advance the line manually almost every time. (I now know why they include a second spool for free...).

This weekend I brought it out for its' second use. This time, the spool kicked out a double length of line. This extra amount of line should have hit the line cutter and been trimmed off. Instead, the line wrapped around the cutter and SHEARED IT OFF, sending the nice sharp chunk of metal flying. Since the line cutter is riveted to the line guard, it is not a user replaceable item.

I'm sending it back in the morning and looking at other models. I haven't ruled out other American Gardner products, but I think I will pass on this one.

A little disappointing.
Given the prominently featured rave reviews, I wonder what changed at American Gardener in the last year. I've just taken it out for a spin, and was deeply disappointed in the runtime off a fully charged battery. After 15 minutes of trimming weeds along the perimeter of our jungle-surrounded lot, it was still willing but wimpy. Perhaps runtime varies with the nature of the trimmee: whispy grass along the flower bed edging might not use much battery power. Vigorous, rampant growth might eat the battery alive.

String advance is, if anything, a little too easy. Bumping the ground accidentally advanced the string more than I intended. But that's a good thing, compared to the wrestling matches I've had with string and pliers on other trimmers.

I'm still glad we purchased this unit because frankly, my attention span doesn't last much longer than fifteen minutes anyway, and the mere touch of my hand is death to a 2-cycle engine. We have a gas-powered string trimmer, but I can't start it to save my soul, it's loud, it's stinky, and it's too heavy for me. So this trimmer will actually get a lot of use around our weedy lot, in spite of the lackluster runtime.

Nice idea, questionable quality
Strengths
-----------
* Cordless
* Well balanced
* No gas, no oil, no exhaust fumes!

Weaknesses
------------
* Charge doesn't hold up for larger yards
* Blade that cuts off excess trimmer line broke after 2nd use

Bottom line: Nice idea, run time would be OK for smaller lots, but quality, especially on the the trimmer line blade, is lacking.

If the blade wouldn't have broken, I might have rated it 3.5 stars, instead I will be giving it to UPS to return to Amazon.

American Gardener YS24 24-Volt YardStick Cordless Trimmer
As a previous reviewer also experienced, the trim line cutter broke off the first time I used this product. I was hoping this product would do the job as it seems well built, but with the ease at which the line cutter broke off, I wonder. I have to now return mine and reconsider a gas powered unit. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Once in a while, we come across a tool that just makes us want to shut down the computer and hit the shop with renewed passion---and this is one of those tools. DeWalt has made such a fine router to begin with, but to package it with the bases you'd find yourself wanting later is a great move. The router itself has a super-smooth variable speed 2-1/4 -orsepower motor with a load range of 8,000 to 24,000 rpm and soft-start for virtually no twist. Kudos to DeWalt for giving this model a flat top and not the scalloped edge we've seen on their models before; this makes bit-changing a much better experience. For table use, the fixed base can't be beat. For freehand use, the D-handle offers unparalleled control and comfort. And of course, the plunge base is essential in any workshop, but we like this one for its integrated in-column dust removal (and it really works). An adjustable turret is great for repetitive work, and this turret's got five positions. We also like the placement of the plunge lock, right where you want it. For novice router-users, this is the perfect purchase; if you've been around the collet a few times, you still can't do better than this.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes router motor, D-handle base, fixed base, plunge base, 1/4" and 1/2" one-piece self releasing collets, wrench, sub-base concentricity gauge, vacuum adaptor, large hole sub-base, and kit box
• 2-1/4 HP (max. motor HP), for smooth routing in toughest hardwoods
• Quick release motor latches, to change from fixed to plunge base
• Electronic variable speed from 8,000 to 24,000 rpm
• Micro-fine depth adjustment ring in 1/64" increments

Reviews (7)

Great tool DeWalt!!!
Well, this is my first "yellow" tool. I am a "blue" tool guy but I did not like some of the features on the new Makita routers, they are excellent tools with rave reviews but I did not like the entire motor turning when you adjust the depth. The problem was also compounded that nobody made a D-handle, plunge combo kit. I handled them all, every top name in the business. I took a look at the Dewalt 3piece combo and fell in love with it. It's a very well thought out system. Plus it's the only router brand that I know of that includes all three bases in one kit.

Pros:
Smooth Power, Soft start, very quiet for a router.
Three bases with great ergo design.
Awesome depth adjustment, motor does not twist.
Power cords are detachable.
Easy snap in and out bases.
Spindle lock.
Great value, D-handle base only costs you about 40 bucks with the three piece kit, retail is about $90!!
Fixed base in the router table, D-handle and plunge for freehand work, what else could you want?
Operate the power switch with your thumb without taking your hands off the router on the fixed base and plunge, not an issue with the d-handle.

Cons:
None, well ok, for you really picky people the case is larger than other routers, but remember there are three bases in there.

I did originally purchase the Milwaukee Body grip and loved it before I picked up the DeWalt. The ONLY reason I did not keep it was because I wanted a plunge base and the "red" company does not make a PB for the 5616. I did not want to spend another $200 on a plunge router, and still not have the D-handle option. This is my first router and I could not think of a better kit for the DIY homeowner to have.

Great Router
I really like this router. The soft start is great as well as the ease of use. I guarantee you won't find a better router kit for the price. The router bits that come with the kit are decent...but you'll need a set of carbide bits. It is a breeze to change bases and this has the great feel of a solid piece of machinery! Can't wait to use it again! Nice case too! You will be pleased...I sure am.

Excellent router kit!
I picked up this router kit about two months ago and I have not looked back since. The motor has plenty of power for just about any handheld operation. I don't know that I would mount this unit in a router table though. The Hitachi M12 is more equiped for that duty. Switching bases is quick and simple and the micro adjustment ring allows for accurate height adjustment on the fixed bases.
This router kit would be a great shop addition for any beginner or even a seasoned pro!

nice features, ease of use, ready for inlay, and dovetails..
I purchased this router set to do inlay work and use on the dovetail machine. I wanted to keep my bosch under the table so I did not have to pull it out all the time (by the way the bosch is a nice machine too!).
The Pros

1.) The bases on all three are narrow enough to hold brass bushings to follow templates and it was a snap to start the dovetailing like I wanted. It does have soft start like the bosch.

2.) The D handle is nice too I use that the most. I have had some trouble with the bit coming lose on the 1/4" shank but only because I did not tighten it good from the excitement of having a new tool (no harm done).

3.)It does have variable speed which I love to control on various hardwoods.

4.)The other feature I like are the cord connectors which have their own plugs and are easy to connect. The ends of the cord twist and latch so you know they're in place.

5.)The plunge base has a vaccum port on one of the shafts that I have yet to use.

6.)The dial on the router bases are smooth and raises and lowers the motor with precision and locks tight.

The cons:

1. When routing some stock you can really see the coils and bushings wind up the eletricity through the top vents which is normal but can be distracting, I'll get use to it

2.I like the one wrench bit removal with the push pin to hold the collet in place, but it takes some practice. (No more loose bits!)

Overall the machine is excellent and I am happy with the purchase and performance. The cons are very minor. I would have to choose this machine over the bosch if it were my only router because of how veritile it is (dovetail & inlay bushing bases, three bases, vaccum attachment, and variable speed) but what serious woodworker can only get away with one router? Oh yeah, and I did get the free bits......nice too.

Did come with bits shown
After doing a lot of research this was the perfect router set. Nice balance of features. Also as stated the router bit set was included. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This is a workhorse of a saw, and it definitely lives up to theSkil name (the company that invented these saws in the first place).This latest version of the famous Skil 77 takes all the power andtorque the original is known for and packs it into a lightweightmagnesium housing, bringing it down near the weight range of sidewindersaws. Grasping it by both handles, the saw balances well, and thenotches in the shoe give a good guide for 90- and 45-degree cuts. Ithas a 2-3/8-inch depth of cut at 90 degrees, and 1-15/16 inches at 45degrees. We liked the quick blade height adjustment mechanism and theangled wrench, which helps prevent skinned knuckles during bladechanges. We couldn't feel any difference in performance between thisSkil's 13 amp motor and others drawing 15 amps. Be prepared for aslight twist when you first flip the switch, but after that, it's asmooth machine made right here in the U.S. --Kris Jensen-VanHeste ... Read more

Features

• Diamond arbor
• 13-amp motor provides 4,400 rpm
• Worm drive gearing for more power and torque
• Lightweight magnesium housing
• Push-button blade lock

Reviews (30)

Biggest , baddest , beefy,bulletproof,best bang for the buck
No body but no body builds a better saw than the people who invented the thing so long ago. Yeah , other companies make fine tools. But none better than the skill mag 77. Dewalt tried to copy the design , it was a flop. So they came up with their new hypoid framing saw that doesn't even compare for durability. Milwaukee makes an even bigger wormdrive with a 15 amp motor . It's an also ran. Makita made a super duper hypoid gear saw that stripped gears like they were going out of style. I'll admit that their new one is a lot better than the first but it's still not a skil.Unless you live on the east coast , when you drive by a construction site, 9 times out of 10 you're going to see a worm drive skil saw. There are reasons why .They are the most durable. They run the smoothest. They are the most powerful. I conducted a test of several framing saws. I ran all available wormdrive and hypoid gear saws as well as the Porter Cable blade left 15 amp saw with marathon blades down 16' 2x douglas fir as fast as I could without tripping a breaker. My partner timed me. The skil was the fastest by over a second. Then we switced places. Same result. At the time we had no preference for brand. In fact , we were hoping the new Dewalt would be the best ripping saw.With its bright yellow color and its 15 amp motor, we thought it might be. Not! The 13 amp skil blew everything away. I must say we were impressed. I continue to be to this day. The mag 77 might be heavy but not overly so. In some instances the weight is an advantage. if you are cutting close to the ground , tilt the lumber so the saw is going down. It will glide through with no effort. The length of the saw is also a plus . When crosscutting sheet goods it is much easier to go all the way across from one side without changing your position. The in line design also makes it easier to follow a straight mark on your material. The depth markings are a nice feature for a rough reference point. I have a few minor caveats though . The aluminum shoe isn't as tough as the steel on the older saw. The cords crack pretty bad just past the strain relief. I don't know of many power tool cords that don't though. I think my Bosch and Hilti cords are in tact. If you want a 15 amp motor, a blade brake, a rafter hook or a lightweight package , this is not your saw. If you want the most powerful smoothest running most durable workhorse of a saw then look no further than the skil 77 original or lighter mag 77.

Not a weekend warrior saw!
I didn't do any research when I bought this saw. I didn't have to because everyone I knew then was already using it. It is two pounds lighter than its predecessor but still a heavy saw.
I recommend the Tool hangers Unlimited 21087T Original Worm Drive Saw Hanger for this saw because it comes in handy to hang the saw on a joist or whatever. I use the same hanger on my Hitachi framing nailer.
The blade that comes with the saw last about an hour (a slight exaggeration) but that is the way it is with most blades shipped with new saws, just chuck it and you're in business.
If this is a first time saw purchase you might note that this saw has a lot of torque and actually twist in your hand and toward your body on start up if you are right handed. Not such a big deal unless you pen the guard up like most everyone does with this saw.
Dewault has what they think to be a superior saw and I am seeing it used in the trades a little now. I have tried it and I liked it but who knows if it has the durability of this saw?
The weak point of this saw is its guide or shoe if you prefer to call it that. You have to be careful not to bend it when you sit it down or load it into the van or truck. I did examine the shoe on the Dewault but it appeared to be the same weak design.
However the Mag is by far the best saw I have owned.

why would you buy something other than this
I will keep it short simple my company runs 45 - 50 of these saws every day i wouldnt buy anything other than this saw its light powerful and never dies if you keep a sharp blade and lots of oil in it

Skil HD77M
I really like this saw. The blade is on the left, it is lighter than the other wormdrive Skil makes, and I can't get it to bog down or burn up. I have a Dewalt framing saw that I have used for years and love, but I like this one better. I do recommend the saw hanger, though. It is a nice accessory. You really can't go wrong with this one.

Just Thinking
Skil cornered this market long ago, undisputed.

I would not buy any other manufacturer's 7 1/4" saw!

Remember to change the oil

... ... Read more

Features

• Low noise level at only 87dB for quiet operation
• Large capacity blade cuts 6-1/4¿ at 90° and 4-3/16¿ at 45°
• Weighs only 28.7 pounds for ease of operation
• Electric brake for maximum productivity
• Powerful motor delivers 1,800 max watts out

Reviews (2)

Big, Big saw
This is THE tool for cutting 4xs and 6" Glu-lams. I was surprised at the smooth opperation of this saw on doug fir glu-lams and SYP 4x8s. The 32 tooth blade is the correct unit for very good cuts while framing. The only thing I do not like about this tool is the thumb safety button. Re-locating it to the forward handle would be a big help and ensure that the operator keeps both hands on the saw when starting it. I found myself using my left index finger to press the "safety" button to start each cut, therby removing my L hand from the saw. My right thumb is too large to work the [safety] button.

Tough Jobs demand tough tools
The 5402na is defintly a powerhouse. It slices through 6x stock
with ease. The electric brake stops the blade on a dime and the blade stablizer is wonderful. I strongly reccomend this saw for anyone who works with 6x or 8x stock on a regular basis. It really saves time and effort. ... Read more