justinkendall

I completely agree with the whole “don’t get a lot of use after the review is done” statement. I’ve been sent a few things over the last year to try out and give an honest opinion of, and I do give an honest review. I don’t have 100,000 followers on Instagram so I don’t get anywhere near as much as the big reviewers get and it’s usually not the cool new things I would love to actually test out (I.e. Packout), but I still occasionally get some. Most of the tools I’ve reviewed in the last year are things I’ve actually spent my hard earned money on and decided to post about. The only thing I’ve recieved that I use somewhat regularly is the 9.0ah battery and rapid charger Milwaukee sent me. The Ax Carbide blade they sent me is in with the rest of my Sawzall blades but I’ve only needed to use it once since the review. Southwire sent me some stuff to review. I used it, reviewed it, and it’s in my tote if I need it again but I’m not making/running Coax or network cables all day every day. Klein sent me a pair of wire strippers that I hated even though everyone else on Instagram was raving about them and got on me for not liking them. I gave an honest review and they took me out of their reviewer program. Why would I continue using a tool I hate? There’s no reason for me to update on how they’re doing a year later if I hated them and don’t use them. Sunex just sent me a set of impact sockets. I don’t need to change tires every day or wall mount TVs. I know they will hold up well because I have a smaller set I paid for last year. That being said I might not have a need to use them again for 6 months to a year (hopefully I don’t have any tire issues), maybe they will get more use when I buy my M12 ratchet maybe they won’t. I got to choose the tool I reviewed based off a small list they put together. There were two service jacks, two sizes of Impact sockets, two sizes of their new chrome sockets, and one or two other things that I can’t remember (or look up on the review site anymore). I chose the item I’m likely to use the most even if it is something I may use once or twice a year. My most uses tools that I could give an updated review on are tools I paid for with my money. I have them because they’re a tool I actually needed for a project or multiple projects like my M12 5-3/8” circular saw that I’ve had for 2.5 years. DeWalt or Makita could send me their rear handle saw tomorrow and I’d still pick my M12 saw for most of my tasks because 7-1/4” would be overkill for 2x4s and plywood. Same reason I don’t pull out my 7-1/4” or even my 10-1/4” saw everytime I need to cut down a piece of plywood. I’m not going to pick a 17.8lb saw when a 5.35lb saw will do the job better and faster.

There is a USB port and a port for the jacket. USB is on the left side in the photo and the jacket is the round port.

I priced it based on my situation where I don’t have any Flexvolt items yet but a bunch of Milwaukee.

You can interchange them. People use the DeWalt batteries in their Milwaukee jackets all the time. Not sure if DeWalt has an 20v adapter for their jackets but Milwaukee does and you can use either M12 or M18 in the jackets so you don’t have to worry about using the M12 in the DeWalt jacket.

Actually it might be a good option if you’re already in the M18 platform, have no Flexvolt tools, and only need 2-3 different size bits. The shorter lengths are in the $130-200 range. The Flexvolt kit is $800 vs the $500 bare tool Milwaukee. So you could get a couple of bits and still be cheaper.

You can still use them for coring you just have to use their core bits that are made for hammering. I guess depending on the price of the bits and the difference between the DeWalt you may end up paying slightly less than the DeWalt but I haven’t priced it out. Edit: I take it back the bits are expensive from $140-$400 each.

Actually the Stealth Force is the “softest hitting” of the three. It has 2400 RPM and 1700 IPM, the Makita has 3200 RPM and 2700 IPM, and the Surge has 3000 RPM and 4000 IPM. I’ve never used the Ridgid or Makita but own the Surge. It has replaced my normal impact for everything.

DeWalt 1.5's, Milwauke 1.5's, and Makita 2.0's are all $79 at Home Depot. The Kobalt 5.0's are only $80. Definitely a decent option for around the house tools, a loaner set, or for a task you may not want to risk a more expensive tool.

The low cost batteries are one of the reasons I want to try out the Kobalt power tools. I’m going to see if I can’t find the Impact driver or wrench on sale after Christmas to try out.

It is geared towards electricians and plumbers just like the Milwaukee Hole Hawg and Super Hawg are but it can be useful for many trades that either require large holes drilled, work in confined areas where a normal sized drill can't fit, or need to mix something like drywall mud, concrete, paint, etc. I paid $249 for my Hole Hawg recently because the Flexvolt was $400 for a single battery kit and I haven't gotten into the Flexvolt line yet whereas I already have a lot of M18 batteries. I would have jumped on that deal no questions asked.

No it’s available in the states. I think it came out last month. I remember seeing it online when I purchased my TSTAK’s in the beginning of October. Bare tool is $169 and a kit with 2x 4.0ah batteries is $279.

How do you figure? The Milwaukee comparable model is the 2130-20, since the DeWalt has a single head, which is also $199 bare tool. The 2135-20 triple head version is $399 bare tool.

I wonder if we will see promos with a free 5.0ah battery at that price like my Milwaukee was?

That TSTAK cart price is ridiculous. Anyone who needs one and doesn't pick it up from them doesn't deserve tools. I paid $35 on Amazon 2 weeks ago because everywhere else wanted $60 for it.

He didn't demo it in the video so it's hard to tell. He did say it sounds the same though. I'm guessing it's just cosmetic changes. They moved the hose inside, moved the power button over, removed the nicad battery slot so that it only works with the REDLITHIUM batteries, and change the lid's design.

Nice sale on this Bostitch compressor and nailers. Comes with a 18ga, 16ga, and 3/8” crown stapler. Couple of Bosch kits with new lower prices. DeWalt 4.0ah 20V battery 2 pack price lowered $40. $100 off Hitachi 15ga 18v nailer kit and the compact batteries just dropped their price by $40. (Ignore where it says 15-amp, clearly someone input it wrong)

The Milwaukee BDDX does look pretty ugly but I feel that way about all of their brushed M12 tools. Hopefully we see a FUEL version in the states now that Bosch has put out the Flexiclick. There are not enough Bosch tools I would use to justify the battery platform.

Picked up a Southwire Tools 3/4” x 18” auger bit for my Hole Hawg as an impulse buy while in Lowes.

My Hole Hawg came today. I accidentally ordered the one with the standard chuck instead of the Quik-Lok chuck but Acme Tools took care of it for me before my order shipped. Also picked up the Diablo 7/16” Hex Snap-lock mandrel kit for it. Also picked up the Diablo 7/16” Hex Snap-lock mandrel kit for it. They claim it works with most hole saws so I was a little worried it would work with my Milwaukee’s. As you can see it works even with the smallest size. I borrowed @jtkendall‘s One-Key Sawzall to see if my idea of Sawzall and Hole Hawg in one TSTAK II was realistic or not. It fits perfectly. Now I just have to wait until I can order my Sawzall in a few weeks.

I doubt they will go below $79 since that’s what the brushed model is currently going for. The M12 FUEL Screwdriver is one of my favorite tools for odd jobs around the house.

Yeah that’s the one problem I have with my diagonal cutters.

I’m going to second overload protection. If you use them for a lot of repeated holes with no break in between they can get hot and the overload protection will shut them down until they cool off. I’ve had it happen on impact drivers a few times.

How do you like them? I have the 7” diagonal cutters with the power slot and like them a lot. I ordered these from Lowes for in store pickup and when I got there they couldn’t find them and canceled my order. So I got stuck with the non power slot version because I needed them that day.

They do have 20v Max lasers they’re just more expensive than the 12v Max lasers. I’d still buy the 12v since there are going to still offer the batteries. Until DeWalt comes out and officially says they’re discontinuing the 12v Max line in favor of 20, 40, and 60v lines you should take anything about it being discontinued with a grain of salt. They could very well discontinue it tomorrow or it might be a year from now or they might just discontinue the tools and keep adding to the laser lineup. We won’t know until it happens, if it ever does happen.