Amazon.com Review

Impressively compact, lightweight, and comfortable to use, Panasonic's 12-volt drill/driver fits into tight spaces where other bulkier drills won't. The 3 amp NiMH batteries deliver impressive run time per charge, which is a big plus, especially if you need a tool for continuous use. What about power? This Panasonic packs up to 293 inch-pounds of torque, while the motor's speed control allows full torque delivery at any speed, with dual speed ranges of 0 to 400 and 1 to 1,300 rpm. The 1/2-inch chuck takes bigger bits. The first thing you notice about this tool, however, is how compact it is (the chassis measures only 8-3/16 inches) and how comfortable it feels in your hand. The soft-pad grip provides extra cushion and the balance is superb, two important features if you wield a cordless day in and day out. The tool lacks an onboard bit holder, but that's about all it lacks. This drill is a smart buy for plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and even woodworkers--in short, anyone who wants a small, compact drill that packs a lot of torque and is built to last. The package includes two of Panasonic's long-lasting 3 amp NiMH batteries, a universal charger, and a hard-plastic carrying case. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Compact and lightweight for comfortable all-day use
• Two 3.0 amp NiMH battery packs for longer run time
• Delivers 293 in./lbs. of torque
• 1/2-inch keyless chuck handles larger bits
• 45-minute charger saves time

Reviews (4)

Excellent drill
This is an excellent drill. At 12-Volts this Panasonic packs plenty of punch, and maintains constant speed under load. The finish is excellent and all parts fit together snugly. This drill has just the right weight and size, and fits comfortably in your hand. The Panasonic kit comes with two 3.0 amp batteries so you always have one in the ready. My battery lasts a full day with heavy use.

I bought the Panasonic to replace a 12-V Makita. The Panasonic has more power at the same voltage (the 3 amp batteries). Small drill bits will not spin in the chuck!!! The electronic brake is also excellent, althought this can't be good for the brushes. No problems so far.

My only complaint is that the trigger needs to be more sensitive/responsive. It slowly increases RPM's as you depress it, and then goes right to full speed.

Overall, I highly recommend this drill for all general tasks. It will out-perform other 12V drills, and is just the right weight to carry around or for working overhead.

Perfect combination of weight and power.
I bought this model about 6 months ago and am impressed with its ergonomics,weight, and decent power. I was looking for a new cordless to add to my collection of drills and narrowed my choices down to this drill and the 12 volt Makita 6217DWDEX. The Panosonic is about a 1/4 lbs lighter- at 4 pounds, has a 1/2" chuck versus a 3/8" chuck, and comes with 3amp ni-mh batteries versus 2.6 amp ni-mh for the Makita. Why a 12 volt? Because of weight. What's been happening to cordless drills over the last 2-3 years is ridiculous. The 18 and 24 volt models are now weighing in at around six pounds, are a foot long,and cost twice as much as a good quality high amp corded drill. Torque? How much do you need? More on that later. Anyway, let's talk about this Panasonic drill.
The build quality is excellent. The seams line up perfectly, decals are put on straight, and there were no flaws in its apperance. The grip on this drill is made of a "grippy" rubber which prevents slippage if your hands are sweaty. This "grippy" rubber handle runs up the back of the drill. This could provide a little bit of cushioning protection if you accidentally drop the drill onto a hard surface. The 1/2" keyless ratcheting chuck grips bits very tightly. I haven't had any round shank drills spin on me. I checked the run out of the chuck with a gauge pin and Starrett test indicator and obtained a reading of .004" runout. Quite acceptable for a hand held drill. The 3 amp batteries have ventilation slots in the bottom. This is an important feature because the number one enemy of batteries is heat. Excessive heat will kill batteries. This heat is generated when recharging batteries or if the tool is under a very heavy load. The battery life is excellent so far. I've driven over 300 number 12 screws, 2", on a single charge into treated deck lumber. I've also used a 1 inch spade drill to drill through several 2" thick floor joists and the drill hasn't bogged down. One thing I did notice is that the drill handle gets hot under extended use. The battery doesn't get hot, just the handle and the bottom of the drill housing. This concerns me a little. Heat kills motors eventually. I'll have to keep an eye on this. The batteries have an excellent "shelf life." I've left one of my batteries in the case without charging it for 4 months and it still has a strong charge.
On to rpm, torque, and the clutch. This drill like most has two speed ranges-low, up to 400rpm and high, up to 1300rpm. The trigger on this drill is average. What I mean is that once the trigger is depressed about 2/3rds of the way the drill kicks into maximum rpm. I would like to have a more sensitive trigger. This is my only major complaint about the operation of this drill. By the way, the electric brake on this drill is fabulous! It stops the drill so quickly that the drill actually twitches in your hand when you release the trigger. It's instantaneous! There are 18 clutch settings. The clutch collar clicks solidly when adjusting the clutch and doesn't jump out of position. The torque rating on this drill is advertised to be 293 in. pounds in low gear with the clutch locked out. This is wrong! The actual torque is 199 in. lbs. The 293 in. lbs. is what Panasonic calls its "free load" torque. This "free load" torque is based on mathematical calculations that consider the gear train, magnets in the motor, electrical motor efficiency, and amperage provided by the batteries. It's a theoretical measurement. Under load-when work is actually being done- the actual torque is about 30% less than the advertised torque. What! Don't worry, Dewalt, Makita, Bosch, and Milwaukee, all the premium brands, advertise in the same manner. It's deceptive and unethical (part of the "torque war" that's going on right now), but helps to explain why when a group of 12volt, or 14.4 volt, or 18 volt drills are tested, they are all nearly identical in performance. Some may drill a few more holes, some may drive a few more lag bolts, but the results are pretty close to each other. I knew the torque of this drill was less than advertised before I bought it and wasn't too concerned about it. 199 in lbs. will easily twist the heads off of 10# wood screws if you don't pre drill holes- I've done that. Here's a tip. Whatever the advertised torque is on a cordless drill- subtract 30% from it to get the actual torque. One last comment about torque and this Panasonic. This drill has a feature called "full torque speed control." This means you get the same amount of maximum torque in low range with the clutch locked out no matter how far you depress the trigger. You get the same maximum torque at 70 rpm as you do at 400rpm. This provides great control when driving fasteners. You don't have to "open up" the rpm's to get that extra torque to seat a stubborn screw or lag bolt.
My final conclusion about this drill is that it is well built, lightweight, has enough torque for 95% of your jobs, and has unbelievable battery life. Why lug around a 6 pound 18 volt or 24 volt drill all day when a compact 12 volt will handle almost any fastening or drilling job you encounter? I see a lot of electricians and hvac people use Panasonic 12 volt drills, and I understand why. Nobody wants to stand on a ladder and hold some behemoth drill overhead all day. I would rate this drill as 4- to 4 1/2 stars. I think the trigger should be more sensitive and I am a little concerned about the drill becoming hot under extended use, but I think it has the best combination of weight, ergonomics, battery life, and torque of any compact drill on the market.

Good replacement
Well made replacement for older model Panasonic 12v which lasted 7 years - - the trigger operation does jump from very slow to fast rather abruptly - I would prefer a more gradual, smoother transition.

Great Tool
This is my third Panasonic Drill Kit in the past seven years. I have been very please with the performance. The problem I have is the batteries are very expensive, two replacement batteries cost almost as much as the entire drill kit,( I now have three Drills with chargers), so when you need batteries you may as well buy the entire kit, it is about the same price as two batteries. It would definately be a five star tool if you could replace the batteries reasonably. ... Read more

Features

• Quick release lever
• Range of 16.5 to 22.8 inches
• Action lever for secure pressure
• Fully articulated ends
• Textured rubber pads for gripping

Amazon.com

Large holes and monster screws are no problem for DeWalt's DC984 XRP. We could feel the power with the first squeeze of the trigger. The torque is unbeatable, but the power's not all: In drill mode, a cool three-speed transmission gets you up to a whopping 1,800 rpm. The ½-inch chuck is smooth and easy, and its carbide jaws really grab the bit, a great feature especially in a hammerdrill. Drilling into masonry is easy as pie, with 30,600 blows per minute in your hand. DeWalt's XRP line includes extended run-time batteries, and less recharging means more time at the task. Even the ergonomics are good on this model, with a great, comfortable grip, a nice even balance and a reasonable weight, especially if you're working overhead. We don't know how much use we'd get out of the on-board bit tip holders, but we might be the exception. Great sturdy case, too.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 1/2" ratcheting chuck with carbide jaws prevents bits from slipping
• Superior ergonomics provides optimal balance, comfort, and control
• DeWalt built high torque motor provides 450 in.-lbs. of maximum torque
• Exclusive 3-speed transmission features a maximum 3rd speed at 1,800 rpm
• Hammerdrill mode: 30,600 bpm drills faster holes in masonry applications

Features

• 6.9 amp motor for high performance and overload protection
• Design offers superior balance and control
• Includes Quick Change 3-Jaw keyless chuck for wood and metal drilling
• Quick Change removable chuck for easy changes
• 2.33 ft./lbs. of impact energy for speed and power

Features

• Accuracy guaranteed for life
• Accuracy certified, top and bottom readings
• Strong, wide frame design
• Removable rubber end caps for flush measuring
• Oversized rubber hand holds for comfort

Features

• Level accuracy guaranteed for life; vials will never fog, leak, or require adjustment
• Fast, accurate, and durable; heavy-duty, die-cast frame is virtually indestructible
• Vials have a certified accuracy of .029 degrees (1/32-inch over 72 inches)
• "Rare earth" magnets with up to 10 times the holding power of standard magnets
• Patented vial system never needs adjusting, three crystal clear, non-fogging, unbreakable, monoblock, acrylic vials (one horizontal, one vertical and one at 45 degrees)

Features

• Multi-grip rubber trigger for comfortable use in tight areas
• Variable speed reversing, 0-400/0-1,200 rpm
• Durable, right-angle transmission with sealed ball bearings
• 180 in./lbs. of maximum torque

Reviews (2)

Uninspiring
I had one of these for about a year. I own lots of Dewalt cordless tools, and have been generally very happy with them. I use the heck out of my standard 12v drill, so this right-angle drill seemed like a natural addition. I found the body to be pretty large and clumsy, which kind of defeats the idea of getting something for working in confined spots. Because it was hard to hold and manipulate, I had a hard time driving screws without slipping the bit out of the head frequently. After a while, I just gave up on using this and found other ways to get the work done. (If you're interested, I have used a Milwaukee corded "close quarters" drill and really like it.)

Very Handy
I got this on closeout at a local home center for a steal. Didn't think I would really use it much but I now find myself using it all the time. Great for small or awkward spaces. Good battery life. Fits well and balances nicely in the hand. It's pricey but very handy. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This 1/2-inch chuck hammer drill is designed for drilling holes in brick, cement block, concrete, wood, metal, and resin plate. With additional accessories it can also be used to grind, sand, and polish wood and metal, or to tighten or remove screws. It's powered by a 5 amp motor and has trigger-controlled variable speed from 0 to 2,900 rpm, as well as a variable speed dial to set a speed range. The trigger can be locked on to reduce finger fatigue, and the tool can be operated in hammer drill or drill only modes depending on your application. This hammer drill can drill up to 5/8-inch holes in concrete, 1/2-inch holes in steel, or up to 1-inch holes in wood. The FDV16VB is constructed with ball and needle bearings for durability, has a keyed chuck for easy bit changes, and comes with a carrying case. ... Read more

Features

• 5-amp motor powers through the work
• Low noise cooling air-flow design prevents overheating
• Contains ball and needle bearings for durability
• Keyed chuck holds bits securely during operation
• Trigger controlled variable speed from 0-2900 rpm

Reviews (3)

Hammer Drill?
I bought one, tried to drill a 5/16" hole (half the rated capacity) in concrete with a new masonry bit and smoked the bit. The drill is too fast, even on it's lowest speed to effectively drill holes in concrete, maybe concrete blocks, but not concrete. I took it back 20 minutes after trying to use it. I have other Hitachi products that I am happy with, but not this one. If you want a hammer drill, keep looking, this isn't one...

FDV16VB Hammer Drill
I purchased this drill at a local discount lumber yard
and took it home for a personal try,on installing a 1/2 inch drill on second hole thur a 2x4 the drill made a noise and smoke came out the drill, i do not recommend this drill to no one thanks.

Good light duty drill for the jobs around the house
Since I have a lot of little jobs around the house this easy to handle light and durable piece of machinery is just the thing I need. The first instinct is to buy a powerful tool but this being a second drill I decided some thing light and easy to use is just what I really need. The drill is quite powerful for its size/weight and its variable speed can be used for driving. The drill would warrant a 5 star rating if it wasn't for the variable speed trigger, which is not as smooth when trying to variate the speed, but with regular use I've learned to feather the trigger for driving screws. ... Read more

Features

• Box frame will not warp or twist
• Patented epoxy-locked vials, guaranteed for life
• Removable end caps
• Unique hand hole grips
• Reinforced horizontal vial bridge

Reviews (8)

hats off to stabila
how do you argue with a lifetime warranty. i assume the manufacturer if pretty confident. for good reason. this is a top notch level. i have 5 stabila's and this one gets the most use. easy to read vials, rubber feet for wall grip, and convenient hand holes.

my first had a vial lose its fluid. so i took it back and stabila gave me a new one. buy this one and you are set for life!

the best for your money
After working with my father for years I got a healthy repect for quality tools. My father being very rough on tools would only buy the toughest. In the business of framing houses the toughest tends to be more expensive. As I,ve come into my own try I might too get a cheap tool thinking I got a deal only to realize with a few more bucks my broken tool wouldn't be; and the projects would have been that much easier to build. In short my father has been using this level since it was available and it has taken his abuse and mine.

The Best Framing Level
I had never used a Stabila level prior to using this framing piece. With a lifetime guarantee on the vials, and an accuracy of within .029, I will never use another level. I have given away my other four foot level to a friend as I know that I will never use it again. Stabila has all of the nice little touches like the rubber pads that keep the level from slipping and good handholds. Buy it and be happy.

FROM 4 FT TO TORPEDO. THE BEST
SIMPLY SAID, these are the best levels for our type of business. I have dropped all of mine and one time or another...no ill effects noted. i have two 4 footers (one magnetic) a 32" and 24" as well as the box torpedo. you will never second guess your leveling again if you purchase these. dont blow your money 15 to 20 dollars at a time. invest in these levels and they will pay you back 10 fold

All in agreement say . . . I
Like the other reviewers, this is a fantastic level. How can a level be that much better? Simple, I compared this level against my previous " standard" Johnson levels. I did a simple test while hanging a series of shelving units, I used my Stabila 48, hung the unit. Just for kicks, I set my Johnson 48" on the same unit, it read differently, I then got concerned, which was right? I then took the Stabila 24" out of the padded case and set it on the same shelf, it read level just like the Stabila 48" , I then found my older Johnson mahogany 24", it read different than all three - problem solved STABILA is the way to go - but I am sure the trash man liked the Johnson levels I donated to him. Great levels, as advertised ! ... Read more

Features

• Full one year warranty
• Copper or aluminum and parallel and derated wire sizes
• Voltage drop calculations, motor full-load amps
• Grounding conductor, overload protection, NEMA starter sizes
• Works as a regular calculator

Product Description

The Pacific Laser Systems PLS2E is an improvement on the popular PLS2 Palm laser. The PLS2E is now detectable and can be used outdoors when the laser is not visible in the bright sunlight. This is a self-leveling line generating laser, it will self-level when placed within 6% of level. If the unit is not able to self level the line will not turn on so a visible line is a plumb or level line, no mistakes. The PLS2E has 4 functions controlled by one button: Push the button once and you get a visible horizontal level line going out from the tool at a 90 degree fan angle, if placed in a corner the line will cover 4/5th of a room. Push the button a second time and the line changes from level to plumb giving you a vertical line across the floor, up the wall and across the ceiling. Push the button a 3rd time and both lines are shown. Push it a 4th time and the self leveling feature is removed, the button will change from green to red to alert the user that the self leveling is off, now you can aim the crossed lines at your target. The PLS2E has a second button on it that will slightly dim the visible line but then make it detectable with the detector included. Now even in bright sunlight the lines can be picked up outside. Accuracy is within 1/8th inch at 30 feet and within 3/8th inch at 100 feet. The laser has a 1/4-20 threaded hole for use with a camara tripod. The range of the detector is 100 plus feet. This kit includes a magnetic bracket, a padded belt pouch and a molded plastic case to hold the detector, laser, wall bracket and pouch when not in use. The laser will run for 25-40 hours on 3 AA batteries (not included). Warranty is one year. ... Read more

Features

• Much more economical and durable than expensive rotary laser system
• Accurate to 1/8 inch at 30 feet in plumb or level operations
• Self-Leveling, visible beam laser
• Detectable up to 100 plus feet with detector included
• Ideal for interior and exterior use

Features

• Includes battery, zero reset and thumbwheel for precision adjustments and case
• 50% larger display giving you easy to read numbers
• .0005" accuracy
• Can be used for inside, outside and depth measuring
• Inch or metric display can be easily converted at the push of a button

Reviews (1)

Great Economical Large Caliper
I ordered the 12" Avenger Digital Caliper with the intentions of checking it out and probably sending it back, but I was surprised with value. I also own a 6" Mitutoyo Digimatic which I've had for over 6 years. The Avenger is twice the length and about a third the price I paid for my Mitutoyo!

I had my QA department check it out. Their first comment was that I must have dropped a couple hundred dollars for it. They said that the accuracy is fair, and to keep it away from coolant or other liquids because it would fry the electronics. So, it probably wouldn't hold up well in a machining production environment.

There are almost no places on the Avenger Caliper for chips to end up as with dial-type calipers. And few moving parts to maintain or give accuracy problems. It also comes with a full lifetime product warranty.

The Avenger is a very similar design as compared to my Mitutoyo. They both incorporate the following features: 1) an Absolute Scale to always read true position, 2) Inch/Metric conversion button, 3) depth bar, 4) foam padded case, 5) thumb roll, 6) Locking thumb screw, 7) and floating zero measuring. I was also surprised to find that they both use the same battery and my depth gage fit both units.

The Avenger Digital Caliper is a STEAL. Cheaper than most Dial-type calipers, and it will do everything I need it to. ... Read more

Amazon.com

We started counting all the uses for this little dynamo, but we stopped at 967. We like it for delicate tasks and finer work because it isn’t as powerful as its big brothers, so it’s easier to control. It’s light, extremely maneuverable, the switch is exactly where you want it and heck, it’s just plain fun to use. It’s perfect for jewelry, electronics, tiny woodworking crafts like dollhouse furniture and other intricate hobbies. It uses Dremel’s wide array of bits, so there’s virtually no limit to what you can do with this. Sure, there are store brands on the market for less, but Dremel is king when it comes to rotary tools, and we think they outdid themselves with this one.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Shaft-lock button and unique collet nut make changing bits easy--no wrench required
• 1/8" collet
• Removable battery pack & 3-hour charger
• 2-speed (5,000 & 10,000 RPM)
• 2-year warranty

Reviews (8)

Great for My Use
My dog's breeder recommended this model to use for keeping the dog's nails trimmed. Absolutely perfect for filing down her nails. I always put on a pair of gardening gloves (you know how puppies and dogs wiggle) and this cordless wonder works GREAT. Good price, great work. A very good buy.

Podiatrist Recommended!!
Believe it or not, my podiatrist recommended this gadget for trimming rough skin on my feet. It is not very powerful, which is perfect for this application. If it were too powerful... well, let's not think about that. But it's perfect for trimming excess dead skin, bunions, etc., on the feet. It may have other uses as well, but this is what I do with it.

Awesome tool
I needed a little tool to carry in my tackle box to sharpen fishing hooks. I use a Dremel grinding stone to touch up the barbs and keep them sharp. Don't let this big little tool get away!

My kids' toys have more power
Plenty of Power??? I don't think so. Mine has trouble cutting open a plastic 2 liter soda bottle.

Skip this one and go for the 7.2V model. It has the power you are looking for. Grinding out a fastener that snapped in a steel airplane model was no problem for this 7.2V model. Although, it still takes a good carbide bit for this tricky operation.

A REAL WORKER
I bought one of these tools, when it first hit the street.Man was I surprised with the power. After about 2 years of serious duty I finally wore it out.The only down side was not being able to precisely control the speed.You cant go wrong here folks dremel has built a reputation on simplicity and reliability.This minimite is no exception and is definitely tool box worthy. Now get out there and grind,cut,polish something. ... Read more

Features

• Includes Flashlight, (2) Ni-MH batteries, multi-voltage charger and case
• Two piece D-31 motor for easy serviceability
• All metal gear transmission for smooth, efficient power
• Shift lock drive instantly changes from drill to driver
• 2.6 Ah Ni-MH batteries for greater capacity and longer run time

Reviews (6)

Replacing my DeWalt
My 4 year old DeWalt 12 volt is dying a slow death, and it has only had homeowner use. One battery now holds a charge for 15 minutes of work time and the other is a little better. The clutch slips without much torque on it, even at the highest setting. The chuck won't hold smaller bits. And with hurricane season coming, I needed a drill that I could rely on. So Brown delivered this Makita yesterday. I haven't had much time to work with it yet but so far I'm impressed.

There are only two drills, that I am aware of, that have NiMH batteries (Panasonic and Makita). From my experience with notebook computers, the NiMH batteries cured many of the problems with NiCad batteries. There is no set, so you don't get only 20 percent of the battery's runtime after they have been charged a few times. And a charge lasts much longer. So why not go with the Panasonic with its incredible amp hours. Well I was put off by several reviews that talked about their motors burning up. OK, I know that this could have been planted to sway people like me, or it could have been a rare exception. But you pays your money and you takes your chances. I was looking for a reliable drill with a long service life.

So how does the Makita compare to my old DeWalt.

Both have dual speeds. But the Makita has another sliding switch that kicks the clutch in and out. When set to screw position the clutch is engaged and when set to drill position the clutch is locked out. This would have been a nice feature on the DeWalt, after its clutch started slipping.

The chuck on the DeWalt has one ring that you hold while tightening the bit. The Makita has the normal outer ring and a smaller inner ring. It doesn't seem to make much difference when chucking up a bit; you grab the big ring and run the motor. But when releasing a bit you must use both hands to turn the rings in opposite directions to break the bit loose then run the motor if you need to open up the chuck. This will take me some getting used to.

The DeWalt has a 2 position foward/reverse switch above the trigger. The Makita has a similar switch in the same place but it also has a middle trigger lock position. This will also take some getting used to.

Both drills weigh, balance and feel about the same in my hand.

The Makita has external replaceable brushes. It would have been nice if their documentation gave a generic part number for them that could be found at any electrical supply house. My Hitachi router does this. Hopefully, there will be a number on the brushes themselves.

The Makita comes with a smart charger with several LEDs giving charging information. The charger goes into trickel mode after achieving a full charge. The standard DeWalt charger is very basic. And I am not sure if the DeWalt smart charger, that I bought later, is any better.

The Makita has a metal gear transmission. Thats got to be a good feature. I don't know about the DeWalt.

The Makita came with a flashlight that should be useful. The documentation promises 220 minutes (over 3-1/2 hours) on one charge.

The toolbelt is nice but heavy (2 or 3 pounds). But the belt does not fit around my fat girth. Would have been nice if the belt was about two inches longer or I was about ten years younger.

I am looking forward to seeing how the 14.4 v does when driving 3" deck screws. The DeWalt 12 v just barely didn't have enough torque to run them all the way in.

Very nice upgrade from my old PC 12colt
My beloved, 9 year old 12volt Porter Cable finally died in the midst of hanging drywall. My choices at the big box store were the house brand, Makita or the DeWalt XRP. I bought the DeWalt, and returned it that day. The Makita, on the other hand has been great. Great speed range, awesome torque, very reliable controls, quick charge. And the kicker is the greate runtime!

Buy it, you'll like it.

May the M-Force be with you!
I considered the top 2 drills with Metal Hydride batteries & chose this one since having great results with Makita tools. The added options at this price were hard to pass up since my 12 volt DeWalt XRP drill batteries started going downhill in less than 4 years. No more cordless DeWalt tools for me; especially since I have read of alot of problems with the clutch not working in low gear & the 3 speed switch sticking.
The Makita has the instant drill selector switch, alot better balanced than the DeWalt, a new improved motor with a 2 speed all metal gear system; and the newer battery technology that includes a smart charger. It out performs all the other cordless drills I have had in the past! The flashlight uses the same 2.6 amp MH batteries. It runs smooth & does not make that clunking sound when you let off the trigger as the DeWalt always did.
If you happen to need to change the brushes in the motor, it is a do it yourself job instead of mailing it to a service center.

Thanks Makita for making great quality tools. I have an electric right angle Makita drill with the LED light, a 7 1/2" Makita circular saw, plus the M-Force gloves & toolbelt, and a $40.00 coupon toward another Makita tool. Too bad they never gave any free hats but you can't always have everything.

The Performer!
This package deal from Tool Crib was a deal I could not pass up. It comes with a smart charger and Metal Hydride batteries. I had my mind made up between the Panasonic or the Makita. It has a more precise trigger controll, alot better balanced, and newer technology. By the way, it really runs smooth & has the power to perform! The chuck on this drill grips alot better than any chuckless type I have used before.

Missouri dude not affiliated with company
Considered Milwaukee and Panasonic. But I thought this was a better value and I bought it a couple weeks ago.

Like other reviewers of similar Mikita packages have stated - the flashlight (uses the same rechargeable battery as drill) is unexpectedly great - love it. The gloves are great - but they are one size only - but still fit well. One reviewer said he did high sparking metal type stuff and the glove sort of melted. The directions with the glove, give the limitations for their use. So the reviewer might want to read the directions. The tool belt, which I didn't have, is just fine. Others have complained about the large carrying case, but not me. Just some more room to put stuff in.

(...) So the drill, in effect, cost about $58 bucks.

The other reason I chose the 14.4V is that it is a good weight to torque tradeoff. But the biggy is that I can use the 14.4V Makita batteries with the Makita 14.4V super-torque impact driver and it takes almost no pressure to use. Then I won't have to wrestle with screws and marring them with drill drivers such as this one - it would handle almost anything. Why get a super high torque drill driver when you can effortlessly use an impact driver with not strain. So, for me, 14.4V is high enough.

I used the drill continuosly for about 15 minutes at the highest RPM with a a circular wire brush attachment to remove rust - each battery lasted about 15 minutes. It takes about an hour for each battery to recharge. Two are included. The other thing is the battery will heat up and it will not charge until the recharger automatically senses it is cool enough. At about the third recharge of doing the battery swape, it had to cool for about ten minutes before being able to charge up. So, if you use the drill continuously you might have to wait 30-45 minutes before the other battery is ready to again be swaped.

Oh yeah, I like the drill and all the Makita stuff looks good too.

Overall: Very pleased, great value. ... Read more

Features

• Fuel gauge indicator for optimal power usage
• 300 inch/pounds of torque for heavier household fastening applications
• 0-400/1,250 rpm for controlled starts and fast drilling
• 3/8" Keyless chuck for quick bit changes
• On-tool bit index for easy-access storage

Reviews (1)

Amazing Value
I've been using supercheap 18-Volt drills (Power-Craft, Aerotec, etc.) that you can get on other sites for $30. After going through 3 of them, I finally decided to go with a name-brand. The difference in quality is unbelievable, and the price difference isn't that significant when you factor in the extra battery. I'm sure that Skil doen't even compare in quality to Dewalt, Milwalkie, and the other big "professional" names, but those names are twice as much, and for my purposes, this thing is perfect. ... Read more

Features

• 1 year limited warranty, 60 day unconditional
• 2 Beam, Level, Plumb and Square Laser with full 360 degree rotation
• Range up to 660 feet (diameter) with universal detector (included)
• Three rotational speeds, 50, 250, 600 rpm Dual beams for 90 degree layout
• Accurate to +\- 3/8-inch at 100'; tripod mount included.

Reviews (2)

PORTER CABLE ROBOTOOLZ 3620-2K
I PURCHASED THIS ITEM FROM AMAZON IN JUNE OF 2004 THE FIRST ONE WAS DEFECTIVE IT VIBRATED QUITE A BIT I RETURNED FOR A REPLACEMENT THE SECOND ONE WAS BETTER BUT IT STILL HAD A VIBRATION I REVIEWED THIS ITEM FROM AMAZON AND THE REVIEW IS BASED ON A STABILA PRODUCT THAT I DIDN'T KNOW AT THE TIME PORTER CABLE USED TO BUY THIS ITEM FROM STABILA WITH THEIR NAME ON IT NOW IT IS MANUFACTURED IN CHINA I WOULD LOOK AT OTHER PRODUCTS I WAS DISAPOINTED WITH A PRODUCT WITH A PORTER CABLE NAME ON IT

Great rotary laser--German Quality for under $200.
This rotary laser hails from Germany, a rarity in the under $500 rotary laser market. Similar products typically originate in China; finding a German made rotary at this price point is a serious find. Using the Robotoolz RT-3620 could NOT be easier; it only has 2 buttons; one is the ON/OFF and one is a 3 position mode button. It also has a shield over the rotary laser itself that allows you to further fine tune the laser for more accurate work. Ergonomics are superb; a chimp could work this laser. As with all rotary lasers, exercise caution to not look directly at the laser; it may be 'eye-safe', but I would make it a point to train yourself to keep your eyes away from it. If you're used to simple laser pointing devices, don't trick yourself into thinking this one isn't MUCH brighter; it is.

The RoboTools rotary laser can be used for plumb or level; it actually has two laser exits, one horizontal and one vertical, although you'd be hard pressed to use them both, concurrently. My only complaint, but one I knew before I purchased, is that this laser is NOT self-leveling. Self leveling is a great convenience, but RoboTools thoughtfully provided 3 bubble levels to allow you to get the laser in level across 2 planes. Fine tuning is accomplished with dial wheels that really fine tune the accuracy.

Overall, a great bargain on a well made, well engineered rotary laser. If you haven't used a rotary laser level, I can only state that once you do, you'll wonder how you EVER got along without them previously. They make hanging shelves and cabinets fun again! ... Read more

Features

• One piece aircraft aluminum telescope
• Non-strip focus knob
• Brass leveling screws
• Dust protected eyepiece with fixed cross hairs
• Built-in-sunshade

Features

• Lock switch prevents inadvertenly changing mode or scale while rolling
• 72 built-in scales for more versatility
• Six user-set custom scales calibrate out-of-scale plans
• Two built-in memories for easy area/volume and storing values
• Lock switch prevents inadvertently changing mode or scale while rolling

Reviews (1)

MUST HAVE FOR CONTRACTORS & ESTIMATORS
THIS IS A TIME SAVING TOOL FOR ESTIMATING. GOOD FOR ON THE JOB QUICK REVEIW OF PRINTS AND ORDERING MATERIALS.THIS TOOL SAVES YOU FROM USING AN ENGINEER RULE AND WRITING DOWN THE MEASUREMENT.NOW YOU JUST SET THE SCALE AND ROLL AROUND THE PRINT WHEN YOUR DOWN THE TOTAL FOOTAGE IS ON THE SCALE MASTER BUY THEM UP. SAVE HOURS ON ESTIMATING AND MONEY BY NOT MISSING ANY THING. ... Read more

Features

• Permanently calibrated vials
• Lifetime guarantee

Features

• Positive gear-lock line hold, automatically releases during rewind
• Contractor-grade chalk snap-line with 82 ft.of premium-grade braided line
• Smooth gear-drive winding, up to 3 times faster than standard snap-lines
• Compact, fits comfortably in the palm of your hand yet holds up to 1.6 oz. of chalk
• Durable, heavy-gauge die-cast aluminum case with folding crank

Reviews (1)

Now that's a chalk box!
If you are sick and tired of the plastic junky chalk boxes that should be sold in the toy department, you will love this Tajima chalk box. I have the Tajima Ink Rite and love it, so when I saw this Tajima chalk box, I had to give it a try. First of all it is very good looking, fits in your hand nicely, and is geared to rewind very, very fast. Unlike most chalk boxes with a cheap cotton string, this box has a very strong nylon string. You have to get use to a little stretch on long snaps, but once you are use to that, it is the best. The nylon string gives you a better snap and holds the chalk more evenly so you get a nice line. Also consider getting the Tajima chalk, it is a very fine powder and gives you a nice clean line. Highly recommend, this tool fits in nicely with the other premium tools you are now seeing on the job site. ... Read more