wayneburgess

I have 1 set of chanellock and the rest are Bahco the only 2 makers who I have not broken. Never shake hands with an angry Plumber LOL

I use multi tools a lot and as far as blades go to be honest I have found identical results with them all as far as how they cut. The only ones I have found to be a total waste of money were the Japan pattern saw blades, the teeth are big but they just do not cut. The only time Iv'e gone for the more expensive ones is the diamond blades, and again the cheep ones have lasted about the same. The other thing to mention is the battery versions are very very handy.I had my battery one stolen and all my blades and I miss that tool a lot I have a fein corded version and sometimes is a pain in the ass getting the power to where I am working and knowing I could have had the job half done by then with the battery version. I will be saving up for a battery version of the fein.

There's no doubt Festool and Protool are quality tools just don't expect the brute force of some other drills. The plunge cut circular saw and track of Festool is a precision tool for when you want a top class accurate cut. Great tools but boy oh boy get ready to dig deep in your wallet.

There must be some issue over that because ( without sounding like a Metabo rep) the Metabo radio also charges batteries. The bit I don't like is The Metabo 18v radio only charges 18v batteries, and the same with the 12v so you have to carry at least one charger as well as your radio onto the job.

The only thing that the Milwaukee radio's don't seem to do is also act as a charger like other manufacturers do.

Has anyone found anything that japan multi-tool blades will actually cut? I bought a pack of mixed blades with one of them in, and it was utter crap. All the other blades were great.

Did you get one yet Eric?

I have been searching for prices and suppliers in the U.S and am currently waiting for a reply from Footprint with that information Eric. I will let you folks know any information as it becomes available.

I am not a one manufacturer user but I have found Metabo make a great tool, and do have a U.S base. But you are not alone in finding them hard to find over the pond. I know of one U.K supplier www.toolstop.co.uk who ship them world wide but this is not an advertisement and I do not work for them or any other tool company. I just share information and try and help folks make an informed choice. If you have a specific question I can't guarantee I will get the answer but will give it a bloomin good try.

It's been hot over here in the U.K I've been sweating like the last Bee Gee.

My message may be short but it is no less genuine. Thank you.

I have heard great things about those M12 red lithium 3ah batteries.

The one i have is pretty damn powerful and I use it on everything from driving wood screws to putting in fixings for radiators. I get the 18v out when i want to drill bigger holes through joists e.g 3 inch by 8 inch and it drives daredevil spade bits or blue groove tri screw drill bits no problem. Iv'e driven in thousands of screws in the last year with the 12v max and it just keeps going no problem. Metabo are fast becoming my favourite tools with Milwaukee a close second. The 12v max has no battery indicator but who cares I just throw the other one in my pocket and rock on.

I just can't see anyone repairing a brushless motor. They were originally for situations where they ran for hours constantly, and the hall sensor was a single because shut down was rare. On a drill which is stop start stop start the risk is it comes to rest with the sensor exactly in the middle of 2 points, which means it now doesn't know whether to go forwards or in reverse.This can be cured with a second hall sensor, but again I stress all this needs a P.C.B to control it and these motors are sealed units. If you buy one and it starts juddering am sorry guys it will be new motor time, and not a cheap brushes swap you can do yourself at lunchtime. Buyer beware as they say. If you know the good and bad then you make an informed decision, and that's fine, but just want folks to know all that's brushless isn't gold.

I get the point for and against 12v (10.8v) tools. I also get the same point for 18v and above. I honestly think we all should look at how much day in and day out running we do.If it's all day every day then you should be using corded really, because it just makes sense.If your up a ladder, or in a little hell hole of a tight spot on a job or somewhere, there just isn't going to be a way of getting power there, then cordless tools are the way. I just think we are reaching the point where we all need a reality check, and to think a bit harder as you say, before we dive in and start spending. Matching the day in day out work with the right kit is a job in it's self, and worth a good look before you leap. But after all these years on job sites lets be honest lads, battery tools have become a must have on many jobs. 12v is less powerful and sometimes slower, but the compact size can save you a shed load of time, and I have a 12v impact driver that gets used just as much if not more than my 18v, and would hate to be without it.

A good 12v impact driver is a handy bit of kit, and Some of the milwaukee and dewalt 12v tools do not rely too much on sheer power like the pipe cutters and thermal image tools. And to be honest if you are running constantly all day with a circular saw I get out the corded version. 12v like you say seems to be for light weight applications or very small places. I am a bit surprised your 18v is struggling though mine goes all day and slams 1" spade bits through joists with no problem at all.

A drill with no clutch is an accident waiting to happen. You can't always tell when it is going to snatch and whip round on you.

It is another example of manufacturers bending the truth though which I do not like. I have brushed motor tools over 30 years old that have get to have a single repair. And the heat loss argument though true is more about saving battery power a 4 pole motor will produce slightly more torque than the brush-less out there.

Also folks,beware the hype about brush-less motors. Let me fill you in on a BIG BIG secret. The ten times longer they quote is based on running until a brushed motor needs new brushes, not until the brushed motor is dead, new brushes are very cheap, new brush-less motors are not. Ask yourself a question do I trust a P.C.B and a hall sensor more than a carbon brush? which one of these two would you think will take it in the real world? Only time will tell but I'm sticking with a 4 pole brushed motor until I see how the new breed shape up in battle.

There's not much beer in this pub

http://www.footprint-tools.co.uk/ Click on the link above folks and take a look at these tools. They are not just tools they are like surgical instruments and you will end up passing them on to your Grandchildren.

Slightly changing the subject but keeping with the advertising theme. I have a great way to fight back against junk mail, the next time you want to give them pay back for filling your post box with crap, play a little game of mix and send back. This is how it works.Many of them send you a free post return envelope, so what you do is take the crap from one advert put it in the envelope from a different company and post it off, e.g a fast food delivery mail shot, gets sent to a mail order fitness machine company, and so on. The best bit is these losers get to pay the postage, and you get to dispose of they're junk for free. Just make sure you remove anything with your name or address on it. LOL

We are neighbours pal, its just being an island The pond in our yard is a wee bit bigger than most. We have some very strong accents over here too, I am from the north of England so mine is pretty damn strong. Folks over here tend to speak in one accent and write in another. In the north of England where I am from it is full of mad sayings and the list gets bigger every day.

They make many other tools, expect your grandchildren to be using them long after you are gone, they are just pure quality. Some of the saws they make are just like works of art.

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