ebuild Blog

12-volt 1/4-inch impact driver

Representatives from DeWalt gave ebuild editors a test drive of the company’s newest launch—a lineup of seven 12-volt lithium-ion cordless tools. The introductions include four power tools—a 1/4-inch screwdriver, a 3/8-inch drill/driver, a 1/4-inch impact driver, and a 3/8-inch impact driver—along with an LED work light, an inspection camera, and an  infrared thermometer.

Like other lithium-ion products, the four power tools offer similar performance to nicad tools (about 10% lower) but at half the weight and a more compact body. The screwdriver weighs in at 2.2 pounds and delivers 0-1,050 rpm; the 2.4-pound drill/driver offers 0-400 rpm/0-1,500 rpm; the impact driver weighs 2.3 pounds and offers 0-2,450 rpm; and the impact wrench, at 2.3 pounds, delivers 1,150 inch-pounds of torque.

A bottom-mount battery design allows for a comfortable grip for the drill/driver and other tools.

Seeing the tools up close, it was clear the company’s design teams once again spent ample time on the jobsite to research the features and details that contractors want and need. For example, for the driver tools, the manufacturer says it eschewed an in-handle battery design in favor of a bottom-mount battery like higher-voltage models have, which provides for a narrower, comfortable grip and allows the tools to stand upright.

Simple extras include a reversible belt hook with nail slot and optimally placed and bright LED work lights on the screwdriver, drill/driver, and impact driver. The 1/4-inch screwdriver and 1/4-inch impact driver also feature one-handed bit loading and will accept bit tips as small as 1 inch.

12-volt inspection camera

Another ingenious detail we hadn’t seen before: the inspection camera’s removable screen, which means no more crawling on the ground to see the image as you snake the camera cable up a wall cavity. The wireless screen works from 20 to 30 feet away, and the tool takes pictures and video that store on an SD card for easy emailing.

The infrared thermometer kit measures temperatures from -20 degrees F to 932 degrees F and includes LED indicator lights and an audio alarm that alert users to temperature changes so they don’t have to continually scan back and forth from work surface to screen.

The work light's powerful magnet and bright LEDs provide easy illumination in tight spaces.

Even the compact work light is taken a step further, incorporating a rotating and pivoting head, a magnetic belt clip, and a kick stand.

The tools range in price from $139 to $299 and will be available this fall. –Katy Tomasulo

Duo-Fast has launched a cordless roofing nailer powered by a battery and a fuel cell, providing an alternative to lugging hoses and compressors for repair, punch list, and steep-slope roofing jobs.

Model DFCR175C, which is rolling out to 10 markets through the end of the year and across the country in 2011, weighs 7.5 pounds and includes a quick-loading fuel cell designed specifically for the tool, adjustable depth-of-drive, and a quick-clear nose. It drives two nails per second; the fuel cell lasts for 900 to 1,000 shots and the battery charge drives 2,200 shots.

Along with the tool, Duo-Fast is introducing complementary PowerBoost nails, which the manufacturer says feature a vertical-groove design for greater holding pattern and a black tip coating for ease of drive. Buyers can purchase Fuel + Nail packs, with one fuel cell and six coils of nails that together will accommodate about 200 square feet of shingles.

The tool retails for $530 with a battery, charger, a Fuel + Nail pack, tether, and bag. –Katy Tomasulo

Representatives from TTI visited Building Product recently and gave the editors a sneak peek at some of the tools Ryobi and Ridgid will launch this fall.

Ryobi is expanding its One+ system, an 18-volt line that allows users to switch between a nicad battery, a high-capacity lithium-ion battery, or a compact lithium-ion battery. The interchangeability and the fact that the tools are sold without batteries helps to keep prices down, the maker says. Among the new products is an Impact Wrench  ($99), a drill kit ($89), an impact driver kit ($99), a jobsite radio ($30), a Hi Beam worklight with 60 minutes of continuous runtime per charge ($50), and a paint sprayer with a Quick-Lock container and three spray patterns ($199).

18-Volt Paint Sprayer

Among Ryobi’s accessory introductions is a nifty series of door hardware installation kits that simplify the process and eliminate measuring. The Door Lock Installation Kit shown here, for example, features an auto-strike locator that aligns a template with the strike plate; installers simply set the template, tap to mark, and then drill and install. Latch and hinge kits also are available.

Metal and Wood Door Lock Installation Kit

Five new saws are being offered under the Ryobi brand, including a 10-inch portable table saw with wheeled stand ($299), a 10-inch portable table saw with QuickStand ($199), a 10-inch portable table saw with steel stand ($299), and a 7 1/4-inch miter saw ($79). The new 5-inch portable flooring saw, priced at $150, is said to capture two times more dust than competitors. It weighs less than 20 pounds and includes a tool-free fence and a 7-amp motor.

5-Inch Portable Flooring Saw

Finally, Ryobi is adding to its Tek4 line of jobsite-tough gadget-like tools with an MP3 player, a utility light, a stud finder, and an inspection scope.

Tek4 Inspection Scope

Ridgid’s upcoming introductions include:

–10-inch variable-speed commercial tile saw, which the company says offers the largest cutting capacity of any portable tile saw (34-inch rip, 24-inch diagonal) as well as one-step setup ($899)
–10-inch cast-iron table saw ($499)
–7-inch tabletop wet tile saw with professional-grade rip/miter guide and rugged T-square design ($199)
–JobMax multi-head tool with four-position handle ($99 starter kit)
–Compact orbital jigsaw described as the lightest and most compact in its class ($99)
–Tri-Stack 5-gallon compressor that can be used in five different configurations ($279)

"The Beast" 10-Inch Commercial Tile Saw

–Katy Tomasulo

Representatives from Porter-Cable stopped by to give us a sneak peek at their upcoming fall tool introductions, including the company’s first entries into the 12-volt lithium-ion arena and a cool new jobsite radio.

The manufacturer says it concentrated on two factors for its new roundup of 12-volt Max products: innovation and value. As such, the 12-volt lineup–starting with a drill/driver, an impact driver, and a clamp saw–include a range of helpful features, including some unavailable on other tools, while shunning unnecessary bells and whistles that add weight and cost, all while providing loads of power for their class. With glass-filled-nylon housings, the tools felt rugged enough for the jobsite, yet boast comfortable grips and light weight for easy maneuverability.

The Compact Lithium Clampsaw holds small-diameter materials for smoother cutting.

One addition to the company’s new 12-volt MAX Lithium line of cordless power tools is the Compact Lithium ClampSaw Kit. Some of Porter Cable’s clients mentioned that small diameter materials, such as PVC pipe, would vibrate too much for them to make quick cuts with other reciprocating saws. So, the manufacturer added a built-in, adjustable clamping shoe to this saw that steadies materials with up to a 2-inch diameter. The clamp slides from an unobtrusive spot on the nose using an onboard wrench.  A three-position handle helps users maneuver this compact tool into a variety of hard-to-reach spots. Weighing less than 3 pounds, the tool delivers up to 3,000 spm and features a variable-speed trigger and a tool-free collar for easy blade changing. It has a suggested retail price of $129.

The Compact Lithium 1/4-inch Impact Driver sports 950 inch/pounds of torque.

The 12-volt line’s Compact Lithium ¼-inch Impact Driver Kit delivers 950 inch-pounds of torque, which the company says is a leader in its pricing class. The impact driver reaches speeds of up to 2,400 rpm without kickback and weighs slightly over 2 pounds. It also features a magnetic bit holder, a metal belt hook, and an LED worklight. The tool kit’s suggested retail price is $119.

The Compact Lithium 3/8-inch Drill/Driver weighs slightly over two pounds.

The maker also included a 3/8-inch Compact Lithium Drill/Driver Kit in the 12 Volt line. Weighing slightly over 2 pounds and measuring 7.4 inches long, the tool was designed to help contractors drill in tight spots, such as cabinetry. An adjustable clutch provides 20 driving and drilling settings. The high-speed drill performs at up to 1,200 rpm, includes a variable-speed trigger and a single-sleeve chuck, and also sports a magnetic bit holder and LED worklight. Its suggested retail price is $90.

The new cordless/plug-in radio is designed to be jobsite-tough.

Porter-Cable also previewed its new jobsite radio, a rugged unit with a roll cage, flexible antenna, and weather-resistant speakers. The radio runs off of 18-volt lithium-ion or nicad batteries or can be plugged into an outlet. It includes a backlit clock, digital tuner, auxiliary input for CD and MP3 players, and front outlets for plugging in tools. It has a suggested retail price of $90.

All of the new tools, as well as other introductions, will be available in October. –Victoria Markovitz