Eric - TIA

We tested the Dewalt 12V Max Impact Driver. We were very suprised by this drill as it rivals most 18V drivers, but half the weight. You can read the review here - Dewalt 12V Max Impact Driver. Let us know what you think.

We reviewed the Dremel 8200. This is a great tool to have on hand. It does just about everything. We reviewed the 8200 1/28. We would recommend not being cheap and buying the 2/28 kit. The only difference between the two is the 2/28 comes with 2 batteries instead of one. The Dremel and accessories are all the same in each kit. You can read more about the review at Dremel 8200 Review

Can you post a picture of what your talking about and I can help you.

Yeah I had to shut down the forum for a while to upgrade etc, and that kinda of killed the forum for a while. I just got it back up and running and hopefully everything is smooth. It should pick up shortly as it was before it was shut down.

Starting from the beginning helped out, not we know what the problem is and can take it from there. Since we know it is the switch and you replaced the switch, then it has to be the wiring to the switch. By reading what you stated in the previous post, looks like the wiring is the problem. If you look at how you explained how the switch is wired, you actually have two circles and not the one we spoke about. You have both the positive and negative going to the switch and this breaks up the circuit. You should have the positive from the battery going to the switch, then on another pole or pin you should have the positive from all the lights hooked up here. The negatives from the lights should not even be going to the switch, they should all go directly to the battery. Never interrupt the negative. Take a look at it now and you will see how it completes the circuit or the circle. Try this and I bet it works for you, if not let me know and we can look further into the problem. If it works, not you can go to your resistor to see what size you need. Remember since it is parallel, you only really need on resistor between the battery and the switch on the positive wire.

The problem is not a resistor, it is your wiring. There is something that is crossed. If your battery only gets hot when the toggle switch is on, then your pulling too much power. A toggle switch that is off, should not be letting any juice go through and therefore shouldn't cause the battery to get hot. Since the battery is getting hot in the off position, you still have juice flowing through the wires. Lets start from scratch and make it simple, leave out the ground, poles etc. We are just going to focus on two wires, the positive and negative. Picture the whole electric circuit as one complete circle. It doesn't matter what you add or how much you add. The juice starts off at the battery and has to complete a complete travel around the circle, back to the battery. A toggle switch is suppose to interrupt that circle and stop the flow in the off position. When you put the toggle switch in the on position, it puts the circle back in place and allows the eclectic to complete the circle. So this is why I think it is a crossed wire or a wiring problem. A resistor just resists the current or volts. I am not sure if you have the LED system in series or parallel, but that will help guide your resistor. They are completely different on the structure and set up. You said you had 4-AA batteries, my guess is you have parallel because most low voltage is run that way for various reasons. This means you are running 6 Volts through your lines. If your LED lights each can handle 6V, then you don't need a resistor. If they handle less, then this is were a resistor comes in play. Now that we have some differences and why it must be a wiring problem, lets take the problem. Lets go back to basics and take away any doubts. First start from the beginning as you should always do with any problems. Test each light on its own and see if you have the same battery problem. Again make sure you have the right resistor in place so you do not blow any lights. If all the lights work separately, then you know its not a light problem. Now hook them all up to the battery, if the battery gets hot, then you know it is a wiring problem. If the battery doesn't get hot, you know the wiring is OK. So next hook up the toggle switch. If the batteries do not get, your good to go and what ever the problem was, you fixed. If the batteries get hot, then you know you have a bad toggle switch or you have your wiring to the toggle switch wrong. Once you do this, let me knwo what you find and we can go to the next step.

We finished our review of the 1207Max. This tool has some pretty cool features. A lot to like about this ratchet. Ingersoll Rand 1207Max D-3 Review Let us know what you think

We took a look at Ingersoll Rand's 1105Max D-2 which is a 1/4" ratchet wrench. Overall this is a very nice tool with great power. Read the full review of the Ingersoll Rand 1105Max D-2

We took a look at the Dewalt toughcase and overall were very happy with this case. The materials and way they designed the case, shows it was meant to be used on a daily basis Read the review for Dewalt's Toughcase Let us know what you think.

The current code is 3.5 to 5'. I haven't heard any new regulations coming through in regards to the height and placement of extingishers. I you need the baisc a,b,c on main runs, D in metal areas and K in kitchen or other grease areas.

I agree, cheap bits can ruin your tools. I know times are tough and we all need to cut corners, but bits is not one of them. If that is even the case on why the router is heating up. Without much info, it sounds like this could be the problem.

Cordless is great for certain jobs, but other jobs you need a corded. Techology is just not there yet to compete with some of the corded power tools. In regards to the blades you hit the nail on the head. With some of the new techology and way they create certain types of metal, you would think they would have some great blades out by now. I guess the profit margin is to great to justify a change.

We just finished up our review of the Bosch reciprocating saw. We think Bosch makes some of the best power tools around and would like to hear what you think. Are we seeing clear our just in the clouds. See the review here - Bosch Reciprocating Saw Review

Hilti are great power tools. I tried the breaker line, but haven't seen the chisles. I heard they are great and keep up with even the toughest of jobs.

Yeah we are doing beta testing trying to get all the bugs out. We were using phpbb and switched to Vbulletin. We should get these small little things fixed soon.

We completed our review of the Bosch 3-point laser system. Over all this is a great laser. Bosch makes some of the best power tools around and this is no different. Take a look at the review below and let us know what you think. Bosch Laser Review

There are a lot of contractor bags avaliable today. We took a quick look at the Bosch tool bag.

We wanted to start a new posting for the homeowner and their projects. Ask questions and help each other out.

Bosch is a true professional power tool company. We have reviewed the Bosch kit and wanted to cover their batteries esp the ECP. Anyone have any good or bad experiences with these?

I think Leatherman is the best bet. Basically it is a Swiss Army knive on roids. We have done two reviews on the multitools and they seem to be very good. We have seen numerous guys who carry them around on a daily basis and never had any problems with them. I think it is a great idea to have something on you, just in case. http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2009/07/leatherman-freestyle/ http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2009/07/leatherman-wave/

Hilti does make some of the best professional power tools around. They are expensive, but well worth it for most of the tools and again it depends how hard you work your tools. Hilti's headquarters are located in Liechtenstein and your landing on their main website, instead of the US based website. If you go to http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/ you will see everything in English. This website will also give you the correct phone numbers to contact people in the states. I am not sure where you live, so I can not give you the direct phone number, but if you call (866) 445-8827, they can help. They have different divisions and will guide you to the right place and the right sales rep. Hilti sells most of their power tools and fasteners through their rep, but as you said there are certain HD stores that carry some of their tools, but mostly the smaller tools, while most HD you can rent their tools. Hilti does this for another sales channel and actually at these stores, they have a trained Hilti rep to help the consumer, so its not just some HD guy who is not familiar with Hilti power tools. Hilti also sells their tools in their proshops, where they also fix their tools. I hope this helps, but if you need more information, just let us know.

We reviewed the Bosch CFL180 Flash light. This is an 18V flash Light and would like to here your thoughts. Do you like this style of light?

Congrads on your first project. You will find many frusterating things, but well worth it. Lots of fun and great sense after the project is done. In regards to your problems, it could be a couple things, but I doubt it is a bad saw. First make sure your blades are always sharp. You also want to match your blade to your material you are cutting. Depending upon the material, sometimes you might even have to score it first. One thing to note is notice which way the blade is spinning. On a table saw it is spinning towards you while a circular saw it is spinning away from you. So for a table saw you usually have the finish surface up so you can see it. With a circular saw you have the finish side down or away from you, that way even is you are using the worng blade or a dull blade, the chips will be on top or the side that could be hidden such as a table top.

We are putting a video together with the M12 Copper pipe cutter. Very cool tool. Well worth it. I will pm you once we post the video and review.

I agree it sounds like the drive shaft and main gear. Just make sure nothing is wedged in the shaft and preventing the shaft from moving. If nothing is wedged in the shaft, I would check out mmtool. Seemes like a good deal with a free estimate.