WEN 61720 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Review

Nail guns exist in a very crowded market and there’s pretty much a nail gun to suit every single scenario. At the end of the day though, most hobbyists and home-improvement enthusiasts will want to choose just one nail gun and that means they’re going to want something that easy to operate and that is versatile.

Is the WEN 61720 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer the nail gun that you’re looking for? It’s certainly a very affordable option, very light and convenient and not too hard on the eyes. We spent some time testing the product for the review and here’s what we found…

Product Description: Super Light and Breezy

One of the most important things when looking for a nail gun is the lightness and the ergonomic. Many applications will involve using these tools for long periods, whether you’re looking at roofing or you’re building your own furniture. That means you need something that you can use for long stretches without getting exhausted.

The good news is that the WEN 61720 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer is a small, light and colourful device that you’ll be happy to use for extended periods. The color is a nice bright blue and yellow which we enjoy but it’s actually surprisingly powerful accounting for its small size.

This is pneumatic tool, which means you’re going to need an air compressor to run it. The good news is that these can be found very cheaply these days and you can get some very small ones too. Air compressors last a long time and will be useful for a range of applications, so it’s a worthy addition to your tool set.

This is still entry level though and won’t be incredibly powerful. Still though, the WEN 61720 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer should be suitable for fireing 18-gauge brads.

It also has a good capacity with a 100-brad capacity. In our tests it performed very well with only the occasional jam. The good news is that a quick-release magazine provides you with easy access to the head, which means you can unjam your jams. You also get a depth adjustment feature, soft nose (to avoid damaging the material you’re nailing) and a carry case.

Pros and Cons: Amazing for the Price

This is an entry level nail gun, make no mistake. It’s not going to be up to the most demanding tasks and if you’re a professional, then you might want something more powerful to ensure that there is no job too big to handle.

But we’ve still a lot of positive to say about this nail gun and in particular, we’re really impressed with just how powerful it is considering the price. The WEN 61720 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer is remarkably cheap. It’s still very well made though, surprisingly powerful and with all the features you could need. The quick release magazine is a particularly well-thought-out addition and wins this model some more brownie points.

Finally, the design is the other pro. It’s so light, so easy to use and so ergonomic that you can happily spend all day nailing down the backs of wardrobes without getting wrist strain.

As mentioned, one con is that you may experience the occasional jam, but this is pretty par for the course with a small, entry level nail gun. The other con is that you’ll need an air compressor. This is normal but it does add to the price if you don’t have one already.

The other downside of course is that this is limited in terms of its maximum power. That means you’re going to struggle nailing into some materials and you may want to upgrade in future. But for hobbyists and a little home improvement, it should be up to most jobs. And more to the point, at this price it hardly matters!

Conclusion: More Than Meets the Eye

To look at, this is a rather unassuming nail gun that is somewhat plastic – although it looks nice with it. And that is what you’re getting too – there are no advanced features here and it certainly isn’t the most powerful in the world.

But in terms of entry level nail guns, this is one of the best. The only caveat is that air compressor – you may want to consider a battery operated tool if you want to save the additional expense or avoid having to carry an extra gizmo.

source http://www.toolerant.com/wen-61720-34-inch-to-2-inch-18-gauge-brad-nailer-review/

Black & Decker BDCCS20B: A cordless circular saw worth the money?

Black and Decker tools have come a long way in the last 20 years or so, and are no longer regarded as strictly “homeowner only” tools but are instead finding themselves used more and more prominently in workshops and on job sites in the professional realm.

The Black & Decker BDCCS20B cordless circular saw is a prime example of a more professional version of the Black and Decker tool line up, the kind of tool that carpenters, woodworkers, and other experts can turn to in a pinch but certainly the kind of tool that DIYers, weekend warriors, and woodworking enthusiasts can rely on whenever they tackle a new project.

Certainly not the very best cordless circular saw available, but perhaps the very best cordless circular saw at this price point, the Black & Decker BDCCS20B is definitely well worth looking at least a little bit further into.

Check out this quick review for more inside information about this circular saw!

Initial Impressions

The first thing that you’ll notice about this Black and Decker tool is that it is a lot heavier and a lot more “premium” feeling the and most every other Black and Decker tool out there in the last 15 years or so.

That’s because the engineers at Black and Decker have definitely started to introduce better and better construction materials, smarter design, and more reliable components into their premium level tools, and the Black & Decker BDCCS20B circular saw is a perfect example of this new forward thinking approach.

Not the heaviest cordless circular saw out there by any stretch of the imagination, this unit is still pretty lightweight, still easy to control, and will not fatigued you quite as much as some of the other more hefty and premium options available on the market.

You shouldn’t have to worry about cruising right through most construction materials (though anything larger than a 2×6 might heat the unit up a little bit), but all in all this is a tremendously impressive unit that won’t let you down – as long as you respect and understand its shortcomings and don’t push the limits of this unit outside of its comfort zone.

Standout Features

The introduction of a 20 V lithium-ion power plant makes this Black and Decker cordless circular saw a bit of a heavy duty unit, though it still isn’t quite as powerful as corded options are (but what cordless tool ever is?).

The lithium-ion battery is going to recharge really, really quickly (we are talking about going from dead to a full charge in about two hours or so), though the you should only really be able to expect between four and five hours of consistent use out of a full battery.

This is quite a bit short of what the professional cordless circular saw options out there bring to the table (with most promising at least eight hours of run time on a single charge), but for hobbyists and enthusiasts this is plenty of juice to get most weekend projects done.

The included multipurpose circular saw blade that this unit comes with is plenty enough to choose through construction materials but also accurate and find enough to help you cut through finish materials, though it isn’t going to produce quite as clean or as consistent a cut as some of the higher quality (and admittedly more expensive) finish blade options out there.

This is a rip saw through and through, but there’s not any shame in that. If you need something that you can kind of beat without feeling bad about putting it through its paces, this is the cordless circular saw you’re going to want to reach for – especially at this price point!

Pros

• Tremendously lightweight, the Black & Decker BDCCS20B isn’t going to fatigued you very much when you are using it for extended amounts of time. The ergonomics with this circular saw are also pretty impressive, giving you complete control for precision cuts.
• You really cannot beat the price point of this particular cordless circular saw from Black and Decker. Comparable units are easily going to cost two, three, and even four times as much as this circular saw. It offers plenty of “bang for your buck”.
• The lithium-ion battery power plant system gives you extra juice for heavy duty cuts but also guarantees a relatively long run time between chargings. You’ll have to invest in a secondary battery for sure, but that’s a no-brainer with any cordless tool.

Cons

• At the end of the day, the Black & Decker BDCCS20B just isn’t going to be able to go toe to toe with some of the more powerful and higher-quality cordless circular saws from companies like DeWalt and Makita. It just doesn’t have that level of quality or those kind of precision components, but it also doesn’t have a considerably higher price tag to make those things possible.
• There is always a risk of this relatively lightweight cordless circular saw binding in the middle of heavier construction materials, so that’s something that you’re going to need to be aware of right off the bat. As mentioned above, definitely don’t try to push this circular saw out of its comfort zones. You’ll almost always regret it with a safety issue.

Who’s going to be able to get the most out of this tool?

Homeowners, weekend warriors, and DIY enthusiasts will be able to make the very most out of this budget focused cordless circular saw. Professionals will definitely want to spend a little bit more to get a higher-quality unit, but this circular saw can still be used for light work without having to blow up your budget.

Final Verdict

Inexpensive, relatively compact, and plenty capable, there are a lot of things to really appreciate about the Black & Decker BDCCS20B cordless circular saw. You’ll want to purchase a second battery (at least one extra), the rapid charging module, and some higher-quality circular saw blades to get the most out of this unit, but it’s a pretty accomplished tool designed for homeowners and amateurs.

source http://www.toolerant.com/black-decker-bdccs20b-a-cordless-circular-saw-worth-the-money/

DEWALT Bare-Tool DC390B Review: Light and Shadow

As the DIY craze sweeps the nation with no sign of dying out there are more and more people who are doing at home repairs or projects. For some of these people it might not matter what kind of tools or equipment they use – they simply borrow needed supplies from a neighbor or a friend. Others may do more research into what they need for ease of having it in their own home whenever they want to work on their project. These handymen will go beyond the regular hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and nail guns. As they venture into doing more and more work around the house they will often find themselves in need of a good circular saw.

Circular Saws are often battery operated (to keep the user from accidentally cutting the cord as they work), and able to be manipulated into tight spaces. The problem with battery operated versus corded saws lies in the power that the saw has. No matter the power source, most circular saws are perfect for ripping lumber, hard and softwood, particle board and plywood when you’re building. When choosing a circular saw it’s always a good idea to go with a trusted name like DeWalt. Established companies will stand by their products and make sure that they will be covered by a warranty. Especially for the new user, warranties are useful as you learn your way around your new tools.

So who needs this tool?

As we’ve discussed, this tool is perfect for the handyman who needs to rip large pieces of wood. It’s perfect if you’re renovating a room in your house, such as your bathroom. The DeWalt DC390B can be used to cut lumber to frame out your room then immediately used to cut the plywood that will be used to cover the floor. It comes with a left-mounted blade that makes it easy for most users to see exactly where they’re cutting and to follow a line as they work. Even carpenters by trade love this circular saw. It helps them quickly cut the wood that they need to finish projects for their customers. This saw would be particularly helpful in building a deck. It would be an easy thing for the user to line up all the wood that needed to be cut and quickly work down the row, getting everything ready to build at once.

The DeWalt DC390B is superior to other circular saws in a few ways.

• The design and balance of this circular saw are perfect. There’s just enough weight and heft to it that it doesn’t bounce around when making long cuts, but it is light enough for the average user to handle it easily without quickly becoming too tired to continue working. Not everyone understands the importance of a well-weighted circular saw, but the danger of having one bounce up from the cutting surface while still running can’t be understated.
• Another wonderful safety feature is that the blade stops spinning quickly after use. When the blade continues to spin freely it’s easy to accidentally keep cutting the wood you’re working on, or even worse, part of your body. DeWalt thought this through when they made sure that this circular saw would be as safe as possible to operate.

Like anything though, the DeWalt DC390B does have some drawbacks.

• Like any cordless tools, the battery life of this circular saw is lacking. Some users, like professional handymen, may find that having multiple batteries on hand and constantly charging is one way to get around this issue. For others that won’t be something that can be done easily, as the spare batteries are quite expensive. Constantly keeping the saw charging when not in use is one way to work around this issue, although many users will find that to be too much of a pain to do consistently. Nobody wants to worry about their tools not working right in the middle of a big project, and the battery dying can be very frustrating.
• There’s also no case that comes standard with the DeWalt DC390B. Cases can be picked up easily and cheaply, but for someone who travels with their tools this is something that they should consider. When you pay a lot of money for quality products it’s important to protect them. If the circular saw is simply left in your garage or basement for at-home projects then a case might not be as important to you as it is to someone who will travel with it.
• Another concern is that since the battery doesn’t last very long the circular saw itself won’t be as powerful as another one that is corded or comes with a stronger battery. Again, this is something to consider depending on how often and for how long you’ll be using the saw. Spare batteries are the easy (but expensive) way around this problem. Due to the fact that the batteries run out quickly and the saw loses power it’s not possible to simply force the saw to finish a difficult cut like you can with a corded saw. Once this circular saw is done and stuck you are left with the only option of trading out the battery or waiting for it to charge. Corded saws can be manually powered through a hard cut, which means no extra wait time for the user.

Conclusion

For the average user the DeWalt DC390B seems like a wonderful fit. It’s not the most expensive circular saw on the market and does come with some wonderful reviews of users who swear by using it. The design, ease of use, and affordability all need to be weighed against the power and battery life. Although DeWalt stands behind it’s products with a wonderful warranty, that warranty won’t apply to a users’ frustration over how quickly the product loses power when in use. For the quick and easy project around the house this seems like an affordable option. But for the more regular user or the professional, extra batteries don’t seem to be optional.

source http://www.toolerant.com/dewalt-bare-tool-dc390b-review-light-and-shadow/

Review: Roberts Model 10-600 Professional Electric Stapler!

An electric stapler can be very useful for upholstery. If you like making furniture, then no doubt you will occasionally find yourself wanting to add a pattern or some color. Maybe you want to attach a cushion? In short, maybe you don’t want to make do with a hard wooden chair…

The question then is how you go about attaching that material element to your woodwork. And the answer is with an electric stapler. But that’s not all you can do with an electric staple gun. These tools are also very useful for installing sheets of installation, installing carpet and even hanging LED lights. These are one of those tools that make life easier and even if you don’t realize you need one, once you get one, you’ll find that lots of applications and uses suddenly present themselves.

The question though, is how you go about choosing an electric stapler and how you ensure that you are getting a tool that will perform well and handle everything you need it to. Is the Roberts Model 10-600 just such a tool? We tested it for a while and here’s what we have to say…

Product Description: Well Made and Good to Use

This is a nicely made staple gun that looks quite attractive actually in polished chrome and red. It also comes with a carry case, which is always a nice additional touch and can be handy for storage and transportation. The handle is comfortable enough to hold and the trigger is easy to reach. It’s also light enough to use, though this isn’t as big a dealer generally with a staple gun as it is with a nail gun.

Note that his is a pneumatic tool. That is to say that you’re going to need an air compressor to get it to work. If you don’t already have an air compressor, then you should factor this into the overall price. However, an air compressor is generally a very useful tool and can be bought fairly cheaply – it’s something that any home improvement aficionado should own anyway!

To use, the Roberts Model 10-600 offers a great experience. It rarely misfires (though this does happen on occasion and is more common with staple guns vs nail guns) and doesn’t tend to jam. It’s more than powerful enough for the vast majority of tasks and it is light and good to use. In our tests we found it reliable and pleasant and one reviewer with arthritis said she had no problem with it – so that’s a pretty good testament!

Pros and Cons: Awesome on the Whole

The big pro with the Roberts Model 10-600 is that it works incredibly well and is reliable. What more can you ask for really?

This is a light and easy to use tool that is plenty powerful enough and that doesn’t tend to jam or misfire. As mentioned, misfires as a little more common with staple guns so it will happen, but it’s really not a big deal.

While this is true though, there are always going to be a few caveats with any tool and this is no different. For us, the Roberts Model 10-600 worked perfectly and was a joy to use but there are a couple of complaints about faulty units. This is a common issue to be fair though and you shouldn’t let it put you off too much – it just means that the company could possibly stand to improve its quality control.

The only other issue that one review mentions, is that if you put a staple in the wrong place it will be a struggle to get out. But that just shows you how powerful it is!

Conclusion

Overall, there isn’t really much you need from a staple gun. It just needs to put staples in your materials reliably. The Roberts Model 10-600 does that and so it comes with our full recommendation. This is a well made staple gun that works reliably, doesn’t tend to misfire and comes with a nice carry case. There aren’t many fancy features but you don’t really need any for a staple gun.

source http://www.toolerant.com/review-roberts-model-10-600-professional-electric-stapler/

NuMax SFR2190 21 Degree Framing Nailer Reviewed!

There are some tools you’ll keep in the workshop and rarely use. These are your specialist tools that aren’t going to be that practical on a daily basis, but which are rather specialist tools that you bring out for particular purposes.

The nailer is no such tool. This is something you’re going to be bringing out on a highly regular frequency if you’re a professional and for a range of tasks. Hobbyists may use these a little less often but will still find they have a surprising number of applications. So, it needs to be good! Is the NuMax SFR2190 21 Degree Framing Nailer up to the task?

Product Description: Nailed It!

If you’re looking for a powerful and capable framing nailer, then this is it! A framing nailer of course will save your arm when it comes to firing lots of nails and is far easier to use for long stretches when compared with something like a framing hammer. It’s also very useful when you need to get into tight spaces and can be used in a surprisingly wide variety of scenarios when you’re tightening up furniture etc.

This specific device has a range of useful features. It has an adjustable depth for instance, which makes it easy to switch between different sized nails. There’s also a very useful jam removal hole, which will make it easy for you to quickly solve any jams and get right back to work! But it is well made enough that this isn’t much of an issue anyway, as it hardly ever jams! You’re also unlikely to experience misfires.

The nailer may be a little heavy for some but it is very well made and very durable. It is light and dark grey with a comfortable handle and a rather large head. It looks like a quality piece of equipment for the price.

Pros and Cons: Not the Best but Not Bad!

This is a great framing nailer for many reasons. The price is very welcome for instance, the power is good and the system is easy to use. You can adjust the pressure and it goes plenty high enough for the vast majority of applications.

But there are downsides too. There’s no bump fire switch and rather you need to swap the trigger out (the bump fire trigger is included). That’s not a big deal but could take a little more time for production nailing. The depth adjuster is a little stiff at times and there’s no specific jam removal tool. This again isn’t the end of the world but it is a bit of a disappointment considering that most of the biggest brand names do include a jam tool for this price. But this is less of a problem than you might think, seeing as it hardly ever jams. We have run a good few hundred nails through it in our testing and found that it hasn’t jammed once – so that’s very positive.

It’s also important to consider that there’s no belt hook or ladder hook and that the tool can be occasionally inconsistent depending on the hardness of the wood and how you hold it.

One more odd and annoying feature we found is that the magazine would stop when it gets down to three nails. Of course, that isn’t the end of the world, it essentially means that the nailer has a slightly (3 nails) smaller capacity in practice.

But while it’s not a deal breaker, it’s certainly an odd choice and would be better were that not the case. Who knows what is going on there!

Conclusion: A Great Purchase

In short, this is a great purchase for those looking to save money but who still want some good power and performance from their framing nailer. This won’t jam on you, won’t misfire and will be powerful enough to handle the vast majority of jobs. Nevertheless, it is also very affordable and not too heavy. There might seem like a lot of negative points in this review but these are small niggles rather than serious issues. On the whole, you’re getting something that is powerful, reliable and that never misses a beat. That is really what matters and for the price, we really were very impressed with this nailer!

How does it compare? Read this!

source http://www.toolerant.com/numax-sfr2190-21-degree-framing-nailer-reviewed/

PORTER-CABLE 382 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander Review

Sanding off a piece of furniture is a great way to improve the finish and to prevent splinters and imperfections. It ensure that your surfaces are level and gives everything a professional sheen that makes it look like it came from IKEA.

A belt sander is a highly powerful sanding tool that will allow you to create curved edges and perform a range of other applications. But for hobbyists and casual DIY fans, that’s going to be overkill. Instead, an orbital sander might prove to be more appropriate and in that case, you can do a lot worse than the PORTER-CABLE 382.

We decided to put the PORTER-CABLE 382 through its paces for a few days to see how it would measure up to other products and whether or not we could recommend it. We’ve found that it’s a great tool for a lot of reasons and can recommend with only a few reservations.

Product Description: A Good Design All Round

The PORTER-CABLE 382 isn’t terribly attractive to look at in all grey and does have a couple of design faux-pas in our opinion. Other than the color choices, the off putting thing for us is that the wire comes from the top of the device. This means that it’s going to get in the way more than it would in another location and that can be slightly problematic when you’re using a tool that requires manual dexterity. There’s also no handle as such, just an area to grab around the top of the device.

That’s not a deal breaker though and actually, during our review process, we found it to be satisfying to hold and relatively easy to operate for the most part.

The sanding speed meanwhile is very good and there is dust collection here too, which will allow you to collect dust as you go and then throw it out.

Pros and Cons: Very Good but Not the Best

The best thing about the machine is the decent performance and high RPMs. This really does sand things down quickly for the size and cost and is very enjoyable to use on the whole. If you have been using belt sanders until now, then you might find that this makes certain jobs a whole lot easier. Of course it’s still not as powerful as a belt sander and you can’t use it to create rounded edges etc. It will just about remove paint but this can take a while.

It does what it sets out to, is light and easy to use and comes in at a very fair price.

But as mentioned, there are a few design mistakes here too though and it’s certainly not perfect. We don’t love the wire positioning for example and we also find the color a little off-putting. Something else we noticed is that during extended use it can get a little hot and unfortunately the majority of that heat seems to be just where you hold it…

Another issue is the dust collection attachment which is a bit loose, drops a lot of dust and fills up very quickly indeed. So, there are a few cons here as well…

Conclusion: Consider the Rest

This isn’t a bad orbital sander and it will certainly make sanding quick, easy and a little more fun. But as mentioned, it’s also not the best. If you’re in the market for an orbital sander, then you might want to shop around.

And that’s really the most damning thing we can say about the PORTER-CABLE 38: it’s just not as good as some of the competition. Take the BDERO100 from Black and Decker for example. That comes in a little bit cheaper, it doesn’t get hot, the wire comes out the bottom and it has a much nicer looking design that is actually appealing to use.

When there are clearly better options on the market, it’s hard to recommend this and especially as the Black and Decker model is a little more powerful. Some people also say that the last PORTER model was also superior.

So, shop around and look for something better. But if you do end up getting the PORTER-CABLE 382, it will still do a good job. Make sure to read this review to find the best random orbit sander.

source http://www.toolerant.com/porter-cable-382-5-inch-random-orbit-sander-review/

Hitachi NP35A Gauge Micro Pin Nailer Review

The Hitachi NP35A Gauge Micro Pin Nailer is a versatile micro pinner that is perfect for cabinetry, furniture, carpentry or a range of other home improvement applications. In case you’re unsure precisely what a micro pinner is, it is essentially a tool that is well suited to letting you attach small 23-gauge headless pins into light, delicate materials. It works well on baseboards, crown molding, chair rails and more – whereas something more powerful or a bigger nail might look unsightly or cause damage.

Why not use a hammer you cry! Well, you can of course use a hammer and if you’re going to very gently tap away, then you can usually do this without any risk of causing damage. But with a micro pinner, you’ll get the same job done much quicker (often these applications require a lot of nails to be added) and you’ll reduce the likelihood of causing damage to the material. That’s because a micropinner will insert the nail in a single, short, sharp burst of pneumatic pressure which will come from a separate air compressor. If you find yourself doing this a lot, then this can improve your end products, save you time and make your woodwork that much more enjoyable. It can also be useful for holding things together during glue ups and has various other applications too.

With all that said, let’s take a closer look at the Hitachi NP35A Gauge Micro Pin Nailer and see if it is a good fit.

Product Description: Quality, Durable Product With Useful Design Features

In short, the Hitachi NP35A Gauge Micro Pin Nailer knocks it out the park and should offer everything you need it to. The Hitachi NP35A Gauge Micro Pin Nailer is a well put together micro pinner/23 gauge micro pinner. It looks good quality, feels very durable but is also light and comfortable to use over long periods.

There are many useful design features as mentioned and in short, it has everything you could ask for. That includes a soft nose tip to ensure you don’t mark your softer material. This is especially important for a pinner, seeing as you will be working with soft woods! It’s quiet too and pleasant to use with no powerful jolt and the low pin indicator is easy to see. The minimum specified pin length is 5/8” but actually while we were testing it, we found that it worked just fine with 3/8” pins too – so it overdelivers in that regard!

Pros and Cons: Affordable But Reliable

There are few cons worth noting here. The only thing is that it isn’t as big a brand as some of the competition and this can be off-putting for some people. It is made in Taiwan and it seems that the company didn’t invest in an English writer.

But the good news is that Hitachi hasn’t cut corners where it matters. The product feels surprisingly high quality and as mentioned, it is very good to use. Most importantly is that during our review period, we didn’t have any jams or misfires.

Other than that, the pros include the easy access to the magazines which slide in and out very nicely, the automatic adjustment to different pin sizes and of couse the price.

Conclusion: Quality Where it Matters

The Hitachi NP35A Gauge Micro Pin Nailer is not the most expensive nailer but there’s no reason to buy the most expensive nailer when it comes to pinners. You don’t need that much power and there’s ample here on offer. Operation is smooth and reliable and the tool is light and pleasant to use.

When buying cheaper products, it can sometimes be worrying as you wonder if the company has cut corners resulting in inferior performance. The good news is that any corners cut here are not essential and this tool works well at the lower price point and is a handy thing to have around.

In short, we can recommend the Hitachi NP35A Gauge Micro Pin Nailer – buy with confidence! And if you’re on the fence about whether or not to get a pinner, just wait until the next time you have to hammer in hundreds of tiny pins and then ask yourself how much more quickly you could have finished that job…

source http://www.toolerant.com/hitachi-np35a-gauge-micro-pin-nailer-review/