oz-tool-talk-blog
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Tool reviews and talk from down under
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EGO 56V Battery BLOWER Review!
EGO's 18V battery blower is possibly their best tool. Yes, it's fun and well built and comfortable. But mostly it's just a powerhouse. What else do you want from a blower?
It doesn't have a vaccuum/sucking function, it just blows crap around really well. Specs are as follows:
$299 kit. Comes with 2Ah battery & 40 minute charger
Runtime is around an hour (on low speed)
Turbine fan
Low Speed - 420 m³/h (high efficiency)
High Speed - 650 m³/h
Turbo - 810 m³/h
There's really not much else to say. If you need a blower, why not do away with a cord or 2-stroke mess and just get one of these?
As with all the EGO tools, its the batteries that make them brilliant. If you haven’t read or watched the mower review, do so now because we talk about the batteries there. http://oztooltalk.com/ego-56v-battery-mower-review
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EGO 56V Battery HEDGE TRIMMER Review!
Following on the heels of our other EGO reviews, comes the 56V Hedge Trimmer. I think this pips the blower for the funnest tool I've played with for ages. There is just instant gratification in seeing this quiet, comfortable tool neaten up a hedge or plant as if you were holding a lightsabre.
It runs at 2600 strokes per minute, which is on the lower side, so perhaps something EGO could improve on next time. Having said that, it didn't even remotely struggle with the tests that we asked of it.
Its super comfortable, got a long 61cm bar and is rated to cut 22mm branches. We think that may be a little optimistic, but we didn't have an old woody hedge to try it out on, so this is purely conjecture.
As with all the EGO tools, its the batteries that make them brilliant. The 2Ah battery that comes in the kit is rated to last 60 minutes. If you haven't read or watched the mower review, do so now because we talk about the batteries there. http://oztooltalk.com/ego-56v-battery-mower-review
In summary, this is the most comfortable and funnest tool I've used in a while, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it in the slightest.
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EGO 56V Battery LINE TRIMMER - Review !
EGO's line trimmer doesn't have the class-leading performance of the blower or the wow factor of the mower, but it does hold its own in the line up for one simple reason, noise.
Line trimmers are bloody noisy things, especially when up at full revs. The EGO 56V line trimmer takes a while to get used to, because its so damn quiet! It doesn't have variable speed, you just pull the trigger and go to work. And until you start hitting something solid, it sounds like a bathroom fan.
We like the following:
Plenty enough power for home use
45 minute run-time (I suspect most users will get 30-40)
Very light
Comfortable grips
Build quality is great
Bump feed works a treat
But we'd like to see a couple of improvements
30cm cut diameter is a little small
No shoulder strap means that it can get tiring to hold
Would I buy this trimmer? Absolutely. But anyone with a big yard will get frustrated by the line length. This is perfect for the lawns that you get with modern residential estates.
As with all the EGO tools, its the batteries that make them brilliant. If you haven’t read or watched the mower review, do so now because we talk about the batteries there. http://oztooltalk.com/ego-56v-battery-mower-review
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EGO 56V Battery MOWER - Review !
Nod at the screen if you've ever done any of the following:
Flip your mower on the side and had it billow smoke
Put 2-stroke oil or fuel in your 4-stroke mower
Forgot to buy more oil or petrol just as you pull out the mower
Tweaked something while yanking on a pull-cord
Paid someone else because it's just too messy, loud or painful to start
Well stop nodding at the screen like an idiot and take a look at EGO's 56V battery powered mower. If you've been put off by feeble attempts at battery mowers before, try to keep an open mind. This is 56 Volts of power, over three times that of professional cordless circular saws, grinders and drills.
If you want to know every feature & specification about the mower, head on over to EGO's website. Here is the important info and some of our key thoughts:
$599 kit comes with mower, 4.0Ah battery and 80 minute charger
Up to 45 minute run-time
Sturdy mesh 60L catcher plus mulcher and side shoot
49cm(!) cut width
No oil, petrol or fumes
Super quiet - we didn't feel the need for ear muffs
We love that is has a 49cm deck. It's the widest of all cordless mowers, wider than my 4-stroke mower in fact. This really helps cut down the time it takes to do your lawn.
We also like how easy it is to set-up and use. You really need to watch the video to understand this. It folds up in about 5 seconds, and starts in 2. If you manage to stop it (because it will protect the mower and battery from abuse), you just won't care because it takes 2 seconds to restart again.
What makes this setup special (and what makes us excited about the other EGO tools) is that the battery system is super advanced. The cells follow the 'C' shape of the battery, giving it greater surface area for cooling. Even better, every cell is wrapped in a 'phase change' material, an enclosed (and secret) substance that changes from solid to liquid at 50deg celsius. This means that heaps of heat is taken away from the battery as it's being worked hard or charged fast (both of which heat the cells and reduce their life).
There are a couple of improvements we'd like to see.
I feel like they could have easily put another hole or two in the sliding aluminium handle that would make the mower easier to use for the vertically-challenged folk among us.
The safety bar on the main handle that you have to hold down can add to user fatigue. Especially when trying to use the mower one-handed in awkward spots etc.
The second one is really a safety feature that will probably become the norm, but as it is new to me, it annoyed me a little.
The most important thing about a battery mower is the power and runtime. This unit has plenty of it. It will struggle/stall if you run the blade into dirt, but that is to be expected. We think that it will last 45 minutes with a gentle cut, but probably closer to 30 if you've got some serious work to do. I've got a large backyard by modern estate standards, and it had more than enough juice for my block.
We think this is very well suited to small blocks, particularly in all the residential estates popping up. Go and check one out if you're in the market for a mower, you won't be disapointed.
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Milwaukee FUEL high impact driver review
This is one of those tools that only specific workers need. If you're a linesman, do post and rail fences, plumbing/HVAC - any job requiring large holes in timber regularly - you need this. The rest of us just wish we needed it.
This tool is an M18 FUEL unit, meaning that it is brushless, and (by experience) that it packs a wallop.
Specs are as follows:
Model: M18CHIDH716 | 2765-22
Max Torque: 677 Nm | 500 ft lbs
Anvil type: 7/16" HEX quick change
Speed: 0-1,200 RPM / 0-1,700 Rpm
Weight: 3.5kgs | 7.7 lbs with battery
Length: 222mm | 8.75 inches
It has a variable speed trigger and electric brake. It just coasts through a 57mm hole in our weathered cypress pine post.
What else is there to say? If you need one, you'll love it, it's a beast. At AU$450 for a skin, you won't probably won't buy one to build your kids a cubby house.
OZ Tool Talk approves.
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Milwaukee M18 FUEL Grinder Review - 2780 / M18 CAG125XPD
Not long ago, cordless grinders were a convenience tool, for small tasks that would be over before you could get out the corded grinder. They were pretty easy to stall, especially with a flap disc or grinding wheel.
Enter the FUEL, the first ever brushless 18V Grinder. We lent on this grinder and it just did not want to stop! This unit felt closer in power to a corded model than to its M18 predecessor. The standard M18 is certainly respected so far as brushed units go, but it just isn't in the same league (or country) as its FUEL counterpart.
Specs:
8,500 RPM
5" / 125mm disc diameter
2.4kgs with battery
M14 Spindle
So much for power. What of comfort? It has a nice slimmed handle and has kept the great tool-free guard from the original. The rubber moulding is also very nice in the hand. I also want to give it a vote for sexiest cordless tool.
What we don't like is the 'deadman' paddle. It's cumbersome to hold for long periods, is downright annoying when holding on it's side (for cutting) and has changed the safety lock direction from the original. It's now harder to start accidentally, but also less intuitive to start.
No, we do not like the paddle trigger. But the rest of this tool is so damn awesome that we'd happily put up with the trigger. If only Milwaukee brought the switch version into Australia like the US have.
Another great FUEL from Milwaukee.
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Milwaukee M12 FUEL Rotary Hammer Drill Review - M12 CH
What's 1.9kgs, brushless, and eats concrete for breakfast? If you said an M18 Milwaukee rotary hammer drill, you'd be close. But at this size and weight, it could only be the FUEL M12 CH - Rotary Hammer.
It looks small enough to give to your kids for christmas (which would be an awesome gift by the way, just don't provide any bits). While this may be the most portable rotary hammer drill known to mankind, it still packs a mighty punch.
Official specs:
6mm holes in concrete; stealing candy from a baby.
10mm dynabolt holes in clay bricks; arm-wrestling your 4 year old niece.
12mm holes in concrete; not as fun as above mentioned activities, but still pretty easy.
Easy to throw to colleagues on above floor
Red
Other useful stats:
Max Capacity : 16mm
Blows per minute : 0 - 6200BPM
Speed : 0 - 900 RPM
Weight : 1.9 kg
Length : 254mm
On-tool fuel guage
We only wish it had a belt hook. Also, it has no stubby holder. We recommend getting some 4.0ah batteries with this unit. Despite being brushless, you are asking it to put holes in concete, which is traditionally a substance that resists damage fairly well.
With a street price of $270ish, if you have the M12 line and need to put in anchors regularly, this is a no-brainer. Seriously, stop reading this rubbish and go buy it, it's amazing.
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Milwaukee 18V FUEL 26mm Rotary Hammer Drill - M18 CH
Reviewing rotary hammer drills isn't my favourite job, because it usually means drilling lots of holes into concrete (though it's more fun than comparing grinder discs!). Concrete strikes me as the type of material that wasn't made for drilling, and doesn't want to be drilled.
Nonetheless, review it we did, and it wasn't too painful, because this tool eats concrete quicker than Mike eats smarties. This FUEL 26mm unit (and its 28mm big brother) are really taking another step towards eliminating the gap between cordless and electric tools. In fact in some tests, this tool reportedly beats very good electric models.
Specs are as follows:
26mm concrete drilling capacity
2.4J blow energy at 4,900 BPM
1,400 RPM
3.5kgs with large battery
Anti-vibration system
It's about $350 as a bare tool, which is actually not bad when you consider the price point of it's 'competition' in cordless and corded models. Milwaukee have a ripper tool here.
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Makita Brushless (TINY) Impact Driver Review - DTD148
Makita has lots of 18v impact drivers, so why bother reviewing the umpteenth revamp? Because this one is a groundbreaker. Its so tiny! At a length of just 119mm (that's 4.7" for the unhappy folks living in the 19th century), its hardly bigger than your hand.
You could (but won't) be excused for thinking its a toy, but its specs put it ahead of the competition.
Length: 119mm
Torque: 175Nm
3-Speed: 0-1100, 0-2100, 0-3600 RPM
Weight: 0.88kg (bare) or 1.4 kg with full size battery
Built-in LED battery indicator
It feels great in the hand, is super fast driving all sized fasteners and will fit almost anywhere your hand can. Its basically a smaller, torquier version of the previous (awesome) brushless impact driver, the DTD145.
Any dislikes? Only the price. At $270ish you'll be walking crooked (I'm not sure that's a thing), so it might pay to wait for a price drop. Watch the video!
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Makita Brushless Grinder Review - DGA504Z
Makita has forayed into brushless 18v tools before now, but never outside the standard tools. They've got brushless drills, impact drivers and rotary hammer drill, like many other brands. But Makita is launching brushless technology into other important tools, and spearheading the move with the brushless grinders, DGA504Z and DGA505Z.
This is a great move from Makita because while their standard 18v grinder (DGA452Z) does the job, it is criticised for being a little underpowered. The new brushless models are anything but underpowered. As you'll see in the video below, stopping this cordless grinder is no easy talk, it just refuses to give up. You may consider leaving your corded grinder at home with this in your toolbag.
With great power and longer runtime, the most important boxes are ticked. Other nice features of this tool include:
Available with regular switch (504) or paddle (505)
Reduced size handle for better grip
Toolless guard rotation and removal
Rotatable head for angle flexibility
Compatability with 1.5Ah, 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah and 5.0Ah batteries
On the downside the new grinders are about 45mm longer and 400g heavier than the previous model, but neither of these bothered us much. As can be expected, the price is significantly higher than the old one at AU$250+ for the tool only.
Makita have hit a winner with this great grinder,and they're one of the first to make one brushless. Can't wait to see the brushless circular saw, jig saw and others that are bound to follow.
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Bosch Green Sanding Roller - PRR 250ES Review
Today we got to play with a tool we've never seen the like of before, Bosch's sanding roller - PRR 250ES. This has been released and priced for the DIY range, but may also appeal to a lot of tradies.
This is the most versatile sander you'll ever use. It has a variety of attachments that allow you to sand just about anything. You wouldn't use it to sand a whole table top, but it has no equal in getting into tight places. it also does very well polishing stainless steel (and probably aluminum) and removes heaps of material with an 80G sleeve on the drum/shank.
It's very light at 1.3kg and comfortable in the hand, if a little long. It doesn't make enough noise to warrant earmuffs, but glasses are a must. The guard looks bulky and annoying but its actually quite handy because you can easily move it around as you work, and it has a dust extraction port.
This is a tool i want on my shelf. You have to watch the video to get a real appreciation for just how much punch has been packed into this tool.
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DeWALT 18V 5Ah Battery & DCD995 Brushless Hammer Drill Review
Dewalt has recently released 5Ah batteries in Australia, 5Ah! That is one helluva gas tank.These batteries will of course work with any of Dewalt's 18V XR range, but will be especially welcome news to users of the high-draw tools such as the grinder and circular saw.
We got to test it out with Dewalt's latest and greatest drill, the DCD995. This is a serious tool. It builds on the very successful 3-Speed DCD985 heavy duty hammer drill, but with the following differences:
250g lighter (1.6kg bare tool)
much shorter (213mm)
combined mode selector
more powerful (80Nm!), and
Brushless.
The stylings on Dewalt's brushless tools are sexy too. We still love having a middle speed for tasks that are too difficult in top speed, but a little slow in first.
What can we complain about? We couldn't really find any fault with it, except that it took a while to get here. Some people might miss the separate mode selector and clutch ring, but we don't. This really shouldn't be your main tool for drilling fine fasteners!
Another cracking tool (and battery!) from Dewalt.
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Milwaukee Gen II Compact Drill & Impact – M18 BDD & M18 BID
Milwaukee has FINALLY brought out a compact ‘compact drill’ to their Australian 18V line in recent months. Users of the red tools have always had great premium drills available (including the amazing FUEL) but never a good compact drill, until now.
What’s in the box?
M18 2606-20 Compact Drill Driver
M18 2657-20 Impact Driver (2-Speed)
2 x 2Ah slim batteries
M18/M12 charger
Blow-moulded plastic case
M18 Gen II Compact Drill Driver
SPECS
Model number: 2606-20 | M18 BDD
Weight (no battery): 2.9lbs | 1.43kgs
Length: 7-1/4” | 196mm
Torque: 500 in lbs | 60 Nm
No-load Speed: 450 / 1,800 RPM
Motor: Brushed 4-Pole
Chuck: 13mm ratcheting metal sleeve
This drill is what Milwaukee users have come to expect, elegant and powerful. It had no trouble in our tests driving a 16mm, 250mm auger bit deep into treated pine, though it did heat up. I’ve never had a drill pump out hot air that was uncomfortable to the hand, but this did. I suppose I’m glad the heat was coming out rather than staying in the tool.
The metal chuck on this unit is really nice. It has no wobble at all and is very comfortable to use. If chuck crush were a real thing, I’d have it bad. You get two gears, both of which do an excellent job delivering the drill’s hefty punch.
PROS: Rock-solid chuck, Powerful, Compact
CONS: Puts out a lot of heat
M18 Gen II Impact Driver
SPECS
Model number: 2657-20 | M18 BID
Weight (no battery): 2.2lbs | 1.00 kg
Length: 5-1/2” | 140 mm
Torque: 1500 in lbs | 169 Nm
No-load Speed: 2,000 / 2,750 RPM
Impacts per Minute: 2,450 / 3,450 IPM
Motor: Brushed 4-Pole
Chuck: 1/4” quick-change
In refreshing the M18 brushed drill and impact, I’m pretty impressed Milwaukee has gone beyond the standard single-speed impact driver. Their 3-Speed FUEL impact driver is of course still top dog, but having a 2-Speed brushed unit at this price point is sweet.
It’s also a powerhouse, at least the match of the brushless impact drivers we tested against.
What else is there to say? It’s comfortable, well-made and simple. My only disappointment with this tool is that Milwaukee has stuck with a single LED light, rather than the popular three-LED ring setup.
PROS: Powerful, Compact, 2-Speed
CONS: Single LED light
Final thoughts on the kit:
On sale this twin pack can be had around AU$300, an absolute steal. The slim 2.0Ah batteries are great for keeping down the size and weight of the tools. We were surprised that Milwaukee has supplied this basic kit with the dual voltage charger, capable of charging M12 and M18 batteries.
At this price point, and backed by the Milwaukee 5 year tool, 2 year battery warranty, I can’t recommend the kit enough.
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18V Planer Comparison - Makita BKP180 vs Bosch GHO 18V-Li
A cordless planer is not a tool that everybody sees a need for. Yet I bet that anyone who has used one won't want to give it back. They really can be a pleasure to use, and the Makita and Bosch planers are no exception.
The main specs are as follows:
Bosch GHO 18V-Li - 2.6kg, 82mm blade, 1.6mm cut depth, 14,000RPM
Makita BKP180 - 3.3kg, 82mm blade, 2.0mm cut depth, 14,000RPM
The Makita's extra weight is noticeable, but also excusable as you get a much heftier base plate that should serve tradies well. Other than this, the Bosch has two unusual features:
It only has one cutting blade. This does keep blade cost and maintenance down, but is probably the reason it doesn't have quite as much grunt, and a just-respectable cut capacity of 1.6mm
It has left and right dust chutes! This means that users can direct the chips/dust in whatever direction is least annoying to clean up. It also make fitting a dust bag or dust extraction vac too easy.
Both machines gave a very sharp finish. Both gave very good run times (69.5m and 66.5m for the Bosch and Makita respectively on 3Ah batteries). The Bosch is often a little more expensive . The Makita has a more user-friendly safety-lock.
So, which do we recommend? Well, we love both. If keeping mess to a minimum is vital to you, then the Bosch. For everyone else, the Makita is probably the better choice.
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FEIN 4 Speed Drill Review - ASCM 18 QX
Do you need a high-end cordless drill? Do a lot of steel drilling? Look no further than FEINs new 4 speed drills, the ASCM 18 and ASCM 18 QX.
Not everybody is able to justify up to $700 for a cordless drill kit, but if you're livelihood depends on the speed and precision of your steel and aluminum drilling, maybe you can. I wish I could, this tool is superb.
As you might expect, we can hardly fault this unit. It has great power, great feel and terrific batteries. The German's sure know how to make quality stuff. Pretty decent at kicking a round ball around on grass too.
We also did a short review on the impact driver, impact wrench and compact drill that fills our their 18v range.
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Bosch Brushless Review - Drill and Impact Driver/Wrench
Over the past few weeks we've been lucky enough to review the brand new brushless Bosch Compact Drill and Impact Driver. Models numbers are GSB 18V-EC and GDX 18V-EC (or DD182 and IDH182 for our friends across the pond).
Bosch makes good stuff, everyone knows it and these are no exception. These come in a pack with 4.0Ah batteries (or 2.0Ah slims), and a fast charger.
First up, the compact drill. We already loved the previous (brushed) version, often known as the 'Striker'. It had as much power as any compact drill, and was very short and compact. The only drawback was the plastic chuck (though nice as far as plastic chucks go).
Is the new one an improvement? Not really. The motor is brushless but the handle went backwards. It's still one of the best compacts out there, but we just hoped Bosch would make their terrific drill even better.
The new impact driver / wrench hybrid on the other hand just went to a whole 'nother level. The previous GDX hybrid was an innovation, but lacked power to match it's 'hybrid' nature. The new model is that innovation perfected (near enough).
It still sports the same 1/2" socket drive on the outside, but that is about it for similarities. First up, it has good power now, about on par with the brushless impact drivers from Dewalt and Makita. The unit also looks and feels better. Its got a more streamlined appearance (looks thinner) and the handle is just fantastic! If only the compact drill received the same handle...
So there you have it. One awesome product still awesome, and one good product turned awesome.
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Makita 18V DHP481Z Review - Brushless Hammer Drill
Write-up edited for accuracy upon further testing.
Makita has a tonne of 18V drills, and this isn't the first brushless one. But it IS their first brushless heavy duty drill, and they are making some big claims about it, 125N.m. of claim.
Newton metres (N.m.) is how torque is measured, and that's a good 50% more than any of it's competitors claim. To quell your doubts about it''s torque, Makita have included a side-handle long enough you could unblock your toilet with it (not a suggestion).
We like the feel of this drill, and it certainly ripped through some redgum with a 16mm and 24mm auger bit. However it's electronic protection seems to prevent it from shining in really intense torque tests. It was also able to pull down huge coach bolts into treated pine easier than competitors.
Does it live up to Makita's claims? No it doesn't, but it is a great drill Yep I think it does. The weight and length put it right inline with the competition, and the power is a cut above. So feel free to use the side-handle however you want. Ignore the side handle at your peril!
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