Tools & Stuff

It's hard to beat grinding sparks!

And he says he is going to keep the Makita... I wonder how he is going to cover the holes back up?

It is looking to be one of my favourite Makitas. It already looks like I have had it for months!

I am waiting for the Makita 18v x2 10". It is a beast with some very handy and cool features. I hope it is not too far off...

And my rather long review...

After months of waiting I finally have one!

This little beauty put a smile on my dial today!

I nearly got one the other day, but after reading all the reviews on Amazon I changed my mind.

Yeah, the first one was a 14.4v wasn't it?

Photography was not allowed. The only thing I got a pic of was the wheelbarrow.

Yes the vac was fully operational and was being operated by the 10 inch and the plunge simultaneously. The tools did not yet have model numbers assigned to them. Dual bevel, operated from the front, no having to reach behind which I really liked. Both the plunge and 10 inch need both batteries as far as I am aware.

I had a play with all the tools below at a recent Makita trade expo... so here is what I can remember... Some of the tools on display were apparently the only ones in the world and were just prototypes. All of the below items are battery tools. 165mm 18v mitre saw 10" 18v x2 sliding mitre saw with bluetooth, huge dust extraction port (x2) which will turn on your bluetooth dust extractor vac when you pull the trigger on the saw. Trim router, they gave 2 away, unfortunately I didn't get one, but was informed a shop up the road from me is going to get the first shipment of these in NZ so I am happy. 18v x2 plungesaw very nice, also with bluetooth for the vac (not sure how new this one is) Rebar blush cutter for cutting reinforcing flush with concrete, kinda looks like a cross between an angle grinder and a biscuit cutter. x2 rear handled circ saw that most of you have already seen by now. 12v fan 12v laser level with adapter for 18v (quite cool) 2 new 12v jigsaws 12v carpet/vinyl shears (much quicker with a knife than this this thing) Wheelbarrow!!! Can you believe it That is all I can remember at the moment. Will add more if things pop into my head, and add more detail on some of the above.

The only after market battery I have bought was an Hitachi. It wouldn't hold a charge after only a couple of weeks, I won't ever buy a knock-off again.

But what you all want to know is what new tools right... so here is what I can remember... Some of the tools on display were apparently the only ones in the world and were just prototypes. All of the below items are battery tools. 165mm 18v mitre saw 10" 18v x2 sliding mitre saw with bluetooth, huge dust extraction port (x2) which will turn on your bluetooth dust extractor vac when you pull the trigger on the saw. Trim router, they gave 2 away, unfortunately I didn't get one, but was informed a shop up the road from me is going to get the first shipment of these in NZ so I am happy. 18v x2 plungesaw very nice, also with bluetooth for the vac (not sure how new this one is) Rebar blush cutter for cutting reinforcing flush with concrete, kinda looks like a cross between an angle grinder and a biscuit cutter. x2 rear handled circ saw that most of you have already seen by now. 12v fan 12v laser level with adapter for 18v (quite cool) 2 new 12v jigsaws 12v carpet/vinyl shears (much quicker with a knife than this this thing) Wheelbarrow!!! Can you believe it That is all I can remember at the moment. Will add more if things pop into my head, and add more detail on some of the above.

Here are my freebies...

So I went to the Makita Roadshow in Auckland last night and saw this interesting development... It takes 2 batteries, but runs on one. When that dies, flick a switch to jump to the other battery. Can travel at max speed of 3.5kmh (which is faster than it sounds) carrying 130kg for 7.2km on a 6ah battery. Has twin lights on the front, disc brake on the front tyre, goes in forward and reverse and has a dump lever. Also comes in a cart version.

Well it was an interesting night out. Got to try plenty of new tools. Photography was not allowed as with last year, but I took a photo of something I haven't seen mentioned on here before which I think I will start a new topic for once I get the pic off my phone.

That time of the year again. Makita expo tonight in Auckland. Hope to get a play with the new 18v trim router. Hopefully a few other new goodies to play with also...

I have one, use it all the time, love it.

What a stupid idea. So many things tool companies come out with now are just unnecessary gimmicks.

How is what?

No Auckland, I looked at the wrong date.

I am looking forward to having a play with this at the June Makita Expo. Would be nice to win one on the night. Looking forward to other new Makita tools that are in the pipeline too.

I wa about to go on a Makita spending spree, but with all those new options coming up I might have to hold back for a while...