Festool Cordless Angle Grinder AGC 18-115

Cordless Angle Grinder AGC 18-125 5.2 EBI

4.5/5

Manufacturer: Festool
Model number: 576823
Price: $625
Power source: 18 V battery
Weight: 5.95 lbs (with battery)

Features and Specifications

First impressions

The Festool AGC 18-115 is the smoothest grinder I have used. It has a soft start that almost eliminates the sudden jerking that happens when you turn on other grinders. Festool also decoupled the motor from the housing making this tool vibrate much less than any other grinder I have used. The battery and power switch are oriented on a parallel axis to the grinding or cutting wheel. This does have the advantage of putting the switch right under your thumb during cutting tasks.

For someone who does mostly residential remodeling I’ve been dealing with a lot of structural steel lately. This has given me some quality time with the Festool AGC 18-115. I’ve had to cut notches in ½” plate steel, trim down ½”, ⅝’ and ¾” anchor bolts, cut ¼” steel plate, cut #4 and #5 rebar, and bevel the ends of ½” threaded rod.

Grinders tend to bounce a bit during use. Especially during grinding tasks. I found that this tendency was drastically reduced with the AGC 18-115 due to the tight manufacturing tolerances, design, and decoupling of the motor and gearbox from the housing of the tool.

A grinder is usually a no-nonsense, on/off kind of tool. It either does the job or it doesn’t. But this is far and away the most refined and feature-rich grinder I have used. The AGC 18-115 produces minimal vibration, is easy to handle, and has a tool-less guard adjustment and tool-less wheel fixing nut.

It is also variable speed which opens up a lot of versatility for grinding materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and even doing some polishing with the appropriate attachments.

In Use

The power is on par with other cordless grinders I’ve used. On a recent job we were replacing or repairing a bunch of footings and piers under an existing home. We found that a few of the footings were actually OK and reusable. But this left some old rebar sticking out of the footings. I was going to leave it (a little more reinforcement can’t hurt) but one bent bar was too close to the form work and would be in danger of rusting out and cracking or spalling the concrete over time. So I had to cut it after the form work was already in place. I have to tell you cutting #4 bar down inside a 14” by 14” by three and a half foot deep box is not my idea of a good time. But the AGC-18 made quick work of it and did so without kicking back or vibrating my hand off my forearm. It was very comfortable to use even in this uncomfortable situation.

Later on this same job, I had to modify a shower drain to add weep channels. These channels allow water to drain out of the shower pan. Some drain bodies aren’t set up with this and the easiest way to fix it is to grind a channel in the threads of the brass. I dialed down the speed, put in a fresh disc and was able to perform this delicate task with ease and plenty of control.

Systematic Systainer Approach

Like the vast majority of Festool’s offerings the AGC 18-115 Cordless Angle Grinder comes in a Systainer. With an insert that holds the tool, two batteries, a charger, and a few accessories. The Systainer system has additional organizers, totes, and customizable inserts. In addition, they stack and interlock quickly and easily with each other and on top of Festool’s dust extractors. Plus the Systainer 3 system has wall-mounted rack systems available that can be used in the workshop or for vehicle storage. The Systainer system has been around for a long time in Europe and while the cases may not be as robust as some systems they last a long time when treated with care and take up significantly less space than many of their competitors.

The not so great.

The grip is pretty thick.

This is normal for most grinders. But a lot of companies are making an effort to slim down the body of the tool to make the grip more comfortable and ergonomic. While the grip does step down when past the actual motor it would be nice if it was stepped down to an even smaller diameter as a slimmer, easier to hold tool would be nice.

Lack of dust extraction options

One of my main uses for an angle grinder is coping trim or making end grain scribes using coarse grit sanding discs. The low vibration and smooth operation make the AGC 18-115 a great tool for this but, like any angle grinder, it throws around a lot of fine dust. A dust extraction shroud would be fantastic for this task and in keeping with Festool’s commitment to excellent dust extraction.
Price, like all things Festool, is at or near the top of the price spectrum. But if you’re looking at Festool you probably already know this and are OK with paying the premium for a high-end power tool.

Festool Cordless Angle Grinder AGC 18-115 | Final Thoughts

This is a high quality, super smooth grinder with some really nice features. Aside from the thick grip, it is a very ergonomically friendly tool. If it suits your needs and you can justify the price you won’t be disappointed.

Festool Cordless Angle Grinder AGC 18-115 Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Makita LXT X2 Cordless Lawnmower XML08PT1

Makita Cordless Brushless Lawnmower XML08PT1

Manufacturer: Makita
Model number: XML08PT1
Price: 699.00
Power source: 36v [2-18v]
Motor size: cordless

Makita 18V X2 (36V) LXT® Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 21″ Self‑Propelled Lawn Mower Kit with 4 Batteries (5.0Ah) XML08PT1

Specifications and Features

• Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive Self Propelled 1.5 to 3 MPH
• Deck Size: 21″
• Cutting Height: 1-1/4″-4″
• No gas, emissions, oil mixing, or pull starts
• Self-propelled with variable speed (1.5 MPH – 3 MPH)
• 4 bay battery system for 2 times more run time
• Powered by (2) 18V LXT® batteries with the option to insert (2) additional batteries for extended run time
• Commercial-grade steel deck
• 3-in-1 design allows for mulching, bagging, or side discharge
• 2,800 RPM
• Quiet mode reduces noise by providing constant speed control at 2,300 RPM
• Grass catcher bag holds up to 2 bushels of grass

First Impressions of the Makita XML08PT1 21″ Lawnmower

I was able to do some extended testing with the Makita after our cordless lawnmower head-to-head. The Makita has the look and feel of a mower that was built for daily nonstop use by professional landscapers. The Makita features large-diameter rubber over-molded wheels, a steel deck, and everything about it is tight and made to stand up to some hard use. Screws and bolts hold everything together including the handle (which is not adjustable or foldable without a wrench). Almost all of the moving parts are metal. In short, this high-quality tool is made for the long haul.

Getting lost in the weeds

During this testing I used this mower for work is was not designed for. Knocking down a field of very tall weeds and grass. This was a torture test for sure and while the mower did bog down occasionally it still completed the task with little complaint and usually just requiring some grass and weeds to be cleared out of the chute. Mowing in more normal situations was easy, and other than the much quieter motor and lack of gas fumes felt just like using a gas-powered mower.

The old-school style metal handle and safety bar are no frills but I personally find this style more comfortable than the fatter, rubber over-mold handles found on many cordless electric mowers.

This mower is heavy with the heavy-duty steel deck and 4 batteries on board but it was easy to maneuver in and around obstacles. The self-propelling feature keeps the mower moving at a good clip and makes larger mowing jobs go quicker and easier. The bagging feature works great and collects the vast majority of clippings during use. During our head to head, we did a runtime test, the Makita XML08PT1 ran 83 minutes, and mowed 35,000 Sq. Ft. with 4 6.0 Ah batteries.

Noise

One of the biggest questions readers have asked about cordless mowers seems to be how much noise do they make?

We did a basic decibel test to measure the sound pressure of this mower to get an idea of how much noise it makes. The test consisted of running the mower with the deck raised to its midpoint level sitting on the concrete slab floor in a large barn decibel meter at approximately user height. The decibel meter used an ITU-R 468 frequency rating.

We ran the test for enough time to have the mower reach a maximum and stable rpm speed. Makita registered at only 80.5 dB about the same as garbage disposal. This is well below the OSHA limit requiring hearing protection over a period of an 8-hour shift.

For reference, the average gas lawnmower produces approximately 95 – 100 dB. Compared to a 100 dB noise level, the Makita XMLPT081 mower reduces the sound energy you hear by over 20 times compared to a loud gas mower. (decibels are a logarithmic scale, 14 decibels difference is approximately 20 times louder). Many communities have adopted noise restrictions that limit the time that you can mow with a gas mower. Please note that the sound pressure value was measured while running on top of a concrete slab. In practice, the Makita mower would be much quieter when used on a lawn.

Storage and Transport

The design intent for Makita’s engineers and designers was to produce a mower for the pro-market. To this end, the Makita’s handle does not fold for storage. This makes for a mower that has fewer moving parts and therefore fewer potential points of failure. Pro landscapers are all about efficiency and speed so a folding handle is a no-go as that keeps them from getting on and off the job more quickly. For the home user, this may be a non-issue if you have a good amount of space and don’t want to fiddle with a folding handle. But it could be a deal-breaker for some.

One of the nice things about this mower is the big handles on the front of the deck and the back of the mower. Allowing it to be easily picked up and put in the back of a truck or trailer.

Overall

This is a great mower designed and built with the professional in mind and the price and reflects that. The only downside I can find to this mower is the lack of a folding handle. . If you are in the market for a self-propelled mower take a look at the Makita XMLPT081

Makita Cordless Brushless Lawnmower XML08PT1 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Festool TID 18 1/4″ hex Impact Driver Review

Festool TID-18 Impact Driver

5/5

Manufacturer: Festool
Model number: TID-18
Price: $349
Power source: Cordless
Motor size: 18v
Weight: 3.3 lbs (with battery)

With careful use and adjustable speed settings they can easily drive tiny #4 wood screws and much larger structural wood screws and lags. Recent advances include settings for sheet metal screws that allow the impact driver to spin fast to get the hole self-drilled and then slow down to avoid stripping the fastener or the metal (a common problem when using an impact driver with these screws). Festool hasn’t had an impact driver available in the US market for a number of years. This was a big hole in their cordless offerings which they are filling with the very capable TID-18.

Festool TID 18 Impact Driver Features

Festool did not mess around when coming to market with their impact driver. This is a fully featured impact driver, with three speed settings and a T-mode that allows driving sheet metal screws without stripping. They opted for a tried and true mechanical mechanism rather than a hydraulic oil impulse driver mechanism. The thought on this design is longevity. The TID-18 boasts a very respectable 1598.9 inch pound of torque and 3200 RPM at max speed.

The TID 18 uses a 1/4″ hex fitting (not Centrotec). The standard 1/4″ hex drive will be compatible with all your existing 1/4″ hex bits and holders.

The TID-18 also includes a belt clip that can be mounted on either side of the tool and excellent magnetic bit storage on each side of the tool just above the battery. These slots can hold 2″ bits or a couple of one inch bits.

Festool TID 18 Ergonomics

The handle is comfortable and narrower than my usual daily driver, I prefer the handle on the Festool. The controls are straight forward. The chuck allows bits to be inserted one handed and the length and rough knurling make it very easy to grip and remove bits with or without gloves.

The speed change button has a firm feel and is somewhat recessed so it isn’t easily pressed by accident. Forward/reverse switch is large enough to be easy to press but doesn’t get in the way or get accidentally hit and isn’t too sharp or uncomfortable during use.

The battery gauge is easy to see but is only three steps. I much prefer a 4 step where when I get down to one pip I know it’s pretty much time to think about throwing the battery on the charger.

In use

The TID 18 has no problem with finesse work with smaller fasteners. Driving small cabinet hinge screws and other delicate fasteners with very good control. The TID 18 has a very refined feel, the soft start ramps up quickly and smoothly, but the power is there and it will drive large fasteners home with the best of them. When driving larger structural screws the TID 18 seems louder than my usual impact.

I went full Festool cordless when building some concrete slab form work for a small addition. This is not the kind of work most people associate with Festool. But their BHC 18 Rotary Hammer worked beautifully alongside the TID 18. After drilling and driving for around one hundred 1/4″x4″ concrete screws I can say with certainty that these tools are very much up to the task.

Later on the same addition we needed to attach wood plates and furring strips to the structural steel posts and beams that make up the structure of the addition. The PDC hammer-drill driver made quick work of pre-drilling the 3/8″ to 1/2″ thick steel for Tek screws. And the TID 18 impact driver had absolutely no problem driving #12×2-1/2″ Tek screws. The 3.1 Ah compact batteries provided excellent run time requiring only one battery change per day with heavy use.

The LED light is effective at lighting the area where the screw is being driven and gives the user decent light in most situations. The location of the light (at the bottom of the handle near the speed controls) has advantages and disadvantages. This location allows the LED to light up an area easily but is limited in really tight spaces as the light can be blocked by obstructions. So far this has only been an issue when driving screws into a stud set back a few inches into a 2×3 wall.

What’s the advantage?

About the first thing a lot of people say when they hear “Festool” is “Too expensive!” but you need to consider not just the initial cost but overall value. With Festool you are getting a tool that is designed and built to last. Tools that are built to last are going to cost more. Festool goes so far as to wind their own electric motors and to boot was the first company to offer brushless motors on their tools. They’ve been doing this years longer than anyone else. With Festool you’re also getting one of the best case/toolbox systems currently available with nearly every tool they make. Well designed cases and accessories that can make you and your storage and organization more efficient. You’re not just getting a tool you’re investing in an organization system. The Systainer 3 that the TID-18 comes in is compatible with Tanos’ new rack storage system and all the previous generations of Systainers.

Overall

The TID-18 has all the features of a fully featured impact driver and the advantage of an excellent warranty, a great case system, and Festool quality. If you’re already a Festool user and need an impact driver you don’t need to hesitate, this is an excellent tool. If you’re new to Festool cordless and want start your system, this is a great entry into Festool.

Festool TID 18 1/4″ hex Impact Driver Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

18V X2 (36V) LXT® Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 7‑1/4” Circular Saw

With Guide Rail Compatible Base XSH08

18V X2 (36V) LXT® Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 7‑1/4” Circular Saw with Guide Rail Compatible Base

4.5/5

Manufacturer: Makita
Model number: XSH08
Price: $339
Power source: Cordless
Motor size: 36 Volt
Weight: 11.3 lbs

The Makita XSH08Z 18V X2 LXT Lithium-Ion 36V Brushless Cordless 7-1/4” Circular Saw with Guide Rail Compatible Base Is an incredibly versatile cordless saw. It’s not like a track saw, which plunges, it has a conventional retractable blade guard and acts just like a cordless circular saw in regular use. But the base is a little bigger but otherwise it is very similar to the Makita XSH01 with the notable difference that it can be used with a track!

XSH08 Specifications

• Blade Diameter : 7-1/4″
• Arbor : 5/8″
• 0°- 48° bevel capacity with a positive stop at 45°
• Max. Cutting Capacity (at 90°) : 2-3/8″
• Max. Cutting Capacity (at 45°) : 1-11/16″
• Max. Cutting Capacity (at 48°) : 1-5/8″
• No Load Speed : 6,000 RPM
• Battery : 2X 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion
• Overall Length : 13-3/4″
• Net Weight (with batteries) : 11.3 lbs.

XSH08 Features

• Guide rail compatible saw base
• Powered by two 18v LXT batteries
• Brushless Motor eliminates carbon brushes, for cooler and more efficient operation
• Electronic speed control adjusts cutting speed and torque during cut
• Electric brake
• Die-cast magnesium base, blade guard, and blade cover
• 3-stage L.E.D. gauges indicate battery charge levels
• On-board blade wrench
• Flat motor housing design for stability when changing the blade
• Built-in dust blower cleans the line of cut
• Built-in tether notch (tether sold separately)
• Dual L.E.D. lights
• Included dust nozzle accessory allows connection to a vacuum for improved dust collection
• 3-year limited warranty

Notable Features XSH08

Anti-tip pawl: Just like Makita’s track saws this saw features their bevel anti-tip feature. A slide on the base pushes a metal disc into a slot on the track that prevents the saw from tipping during bevel cuts.

Electric Brake: For productivity and safety. This feature works very well and very quickly stopping the blade almost as soon as your finger is off the trigger.

Track Compatible Base: The track compatible base is fully featured with anti-slop adjusters, an anti-tip pawl, and dual bevel lock knobs. Makita saws are also compatible with Festool style tracks although the anti-tip feature will not work with Festool style tracks.

Dust extraction Attachment: A small plastic dust port which is compatible with a wide variety of 35mm dust hoses from Bosch, Fein, Festool, Dewalt, Makita, Metabo and others.

LED Lights: Two LEDs provide ample light and are tucked under the saw to illuminate the area where the blade meets the work, very effective.

Scales: There is no scale on the front of the saw, this is probably due to the fact that the base has an uneven surface by necessity to create the slots which make the base track compatible. However, there are kerf slots, one for 0 and one for 45 degree bevels. The depth gauge is easy to read. Some reference or a split scale to set depth while using a track would be helpful.

The bevel scale is cast and is easy to read but only has tick marks in 5 degree increments. This limits scales accuracy but in my experience using a cutoff or bevel square as a “jig” is usually more effective than using the scale anyway.

Locks and Levers: The dual bevel locks make for a rock solid bevel adjustment with or without a track. The guard retraction lever is small and plastic, it’s somewhat slippery but does get the job done. The depth adjustment lever is big and has a nice grippy rubber boot on it making it very easy to actuate.

On The Job

I swapped out the stock blade for a finish blade to test the track saw-like aspects of the Makita XSH08 Track compatible cordless circular saw and it worked very well. I was even able to rip down Corian to make a waterproof interior jamb and window casing for a window replacement in a shower. The results weren’t flawless but there was almost no chip out and the work piece required minimal sanding to remove saw marks and get to a nice smooth finish. I used dust extraction during this process, it worked pretty well but certainly not as well as a plunge cut track saw. The open guard simply can’t catch as much dust as that of a plunge cut saw.

Results were very good when cutting birch ply or pre-finished maple ply with a good finish blade and as with the Corian required only a little sanding to remove saw marks.

I also used the Makita XSH08 Track compatible cordless circular saw as a circular saw without the track for cutting framing lumber on the same job as well as framing partition walls. I found the wide base to be slightly awkward at first, I’m more accustomed to narrower bases, but the wide base is very stable and I quickly got used to it. This saw cuts effortlessly through framing lumber. No bog down or complaints from the tool at all. And the power is plenty for cutting LVL too!

Room for Improvement

One place that could use a little improvement are the edges of the base. They are not 100% straight. For rough cuts in framing this doesn’t really matter but when using a speed square as a quick guide for cuts in trim This can make for a bad cut as the saw can enter the workpiece at the wrong angle or curve very slightly during the cut. I do not know if this is just a fluke or if this is a pervasive problem. This can be solved by using the saw with a short track for cross cuts. But if you will be using a straight edge guide for cross cuts I would recommend checking the base of the saw in-store if you can or making sure your retailer has a good return policy if this is something that matters to you.

Overall Impression Makita XSH08

The Makita XSH08 Track compatible cordless circular saw is a great all around saw built on the LXT X2 platform giving it impressive speed and power. Usually a jack-of-all-trades is a master-of-none. But in this case the Makita XSH08Z is a very capable cordless sidewinder with the added bonuses of track compatibility, and dust extraction, with no drastic compromises to circular saw performance. If you are looking for a solid cordless circular saw and want some added versatility this is a great saw to take a look at!

Makita LXT® Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 7‑1/4” Circular Saw XSH08 Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Makita LXT X2 String Trimmer XRU15 Review

Makita LXT X2 String Trimmer XRU15

4.5/5

Manufacturer: Makita
Model number: XRU15
Price: $389
Power source: Cordless
Motor size: 36 Volt
Weight: 10.4 lbs (with batteries)

Makita’s LXT X2 line of tools is expanding rapidly. Taking on tasks that just a few years ago were solidly the domain of corded or gas powered tools. In that vein the XRU15 is Makita’s latest offering in string trimmers. When I was growing up I would take on the task of “Weed Whacking”, so called because of the amusing alliteration and the fact that the tool my family owned for this task was a “Weed Eater” this was your typical string trimmer, with a 2 stroke engine, oil and gas mix, smelly, hard to start, and would vibrate your hands to numbness and rattle the fillings out of your teeth after 30 minutes of use. Turns out 20 years can make a HUGE difference in a tool.

Makita LXT X2 XRU15 String Trimmer

• Up to 1-1/2 hours of run time with 18V LXT® 5.0Ah batteries
• Makita-built Outer Rotor BL Brushless Motor direct-drive
• Automatic Torque Drive Technology mode automatically shifts from 3,500-6,500 RPM for extended run time or added power
• 3 speed options (Low: 3,500 RPM, Medium: 5,300 RPM, High: 6,500 RPM)
• 15″ cutting swath
• Includes bump and feed trimmer head loaded with 0.080″ twisted quiet line

Battery Powered Advantages

The Makita XRU15 is battery powered so there’s no gas fumes, no popping your shoulder out of it’s socket trying to start it. Plus the motor is right at the head of the tool. There’s no coupler or drive rod and no 2-stroke engine hammering away so it is significantly quieter and vibrates so much less than a gas powered trimmer it’s almost unbelievable. Plus, there’s no burning hot muffler just waiting for a good opportunity to give you a hard-to-explain-the-location-of burn on your upper arm or elbow.

Basically the Makita XRU15 allows you to have all the pleasant experiences of using a string trimmer and almost none of the unpleasantness. Ok so we’ve established that it’s cleaner, safer, more user friendly, but how well does it work? It works awesome. At 6,500 RPM this trimmer gets the job done. A 15” cutting swath allows the user to get into pretty tight spots and work around obstacles but is also big enough to make short work of larger jobs. The bump feed head can be dis-assembled to reload without tools. The bump feed mechanism works very well, consistently feeding the trimmer line to get back to max length with a few quick bumps.

In Use

I used the XRU15 to trim the grass around my house and around some of the septic treatment buildings and infrastructure for my condo development. I trimmed around tanks, pipes, buildings, stone walls, and edged around walkways, gardens, access hatches, and man-hole covers set at grade level. The XRU15 had plenty of power for the task and only bogged down when I hit bittersweet vines that were around ⅜” thick! I did manage to get the head wound up with vines once but the on-board allen key acts as an arbor lock so the auto-feed head can be removed. I quickly had the jam cleared and was right back to trimming.

All in all I trimmed or edged around a dozen or so hatches, a couple of small out-buildings, my own house, and my neighbors house.  I also did some edging around the sidewalk and garden beds in my yard. I was running two freshly charged 5.0 Ah batteries but still had about 50% power left when I was done with the above tasks. Pretty impressive run-time!

What We Like

Lightweight and easy to handle. The XRU15 has a low operating weight of 10.4 lbs with batteries. The motor being at the head keeps vibration down and gives the tool almost perfect balance. During my testing I had to take a ¼ mile walk to get to some of the grass that I needed to trim. During my ¼ mile walk it was easy to carry one handed, with excellent balance and minimal fatigue. I only had to switch hands once for comfort.

Auto feed, bump auto feed has been around for a while and this one works well. It’s a little finicky to reload but the disassembly and winding doesn’t require tools. Main thing to remember is to keep tension on the line when re-installing the spool.

Excellent User Comfort

The motor being at the head provides lower vibration due to the lack of a drive rod and other mechanical pieces needed to keep the trimmer head spinning. Also the front loop handle attaches to the shaft of the tool via a rubber sleeve which cuts down on high frequency vibration for the user.

The harness just has a rubber pad on it, but because of the low weight it really doesn’t need any more than that. The tool can also spin freely on the harness allowing for easy transitions from trimming to edging. I found myself flipping the tool around quickly and easily while performing these tasks back to back and the trigger and trigger lock work almost as easily upside down as they do right side up.

The trigger and trigger lock have a really light pull so there’s no fatigue from fighting an overly aggressive trigger spring. A squeeze on the handle depresses both the trigger lock on top of the handle and the trigger itself.

All in all I found this to be one of those tools that I don’t really need to think about using. The balance, handles, and trigger were all so intuitive and well laid out that I could focus on the work at hand. In an ideal world this is how tools should be.

18 volt platform: The Makita LXT X2 platform is a great way to get good power for a lot of different tools while still using readily available Makita LXT 18 volt batteries. This is a great way to ease entry into the expanding world of cordless tools and outdoor power equipment like the XRU15. If you’re already on the Makita platform this trimmer is a no brainer! If you’re trying to decide what platform to get on, well, the makita LXT/LXT X2 platform is a pretty solid bet.

What Could Use Improvement

The shoulder harness is just a bit short for me. I’m not a small guy (6’2”, 275 lbs) but anyone much bigger than me could have some issues with this. Another 6 to 12 inches of strap would be great.

The buttons for the reverse function, power/speed select are small and not super easy to use with gloves. However once you have the buttons pressed and things set how you want the trigger and trigger lock are large and easy to use.

Loading the auto-feed head is a little finicky. Getting the trimmer line wound, winding it in the correct direction, making sure that you have the correct amount of line sticking out, and keeping it from coming unwound while loading it back into the machine is a bit of a challenge.

A simpler auto-feed setup would be nice. Another issue with this is the direction of wind. If you don’t wind it in the correct direction the auto-feed won’t work. The auto-feed head requires a left hand wind. But the auto-feed spool has notes for both left and right hand wind and the only place where the correct direction is mentioned is in the manual. Also the manual specifies a specific amount of trimmer line and that the two ends be off-set by 3-⅛” or so. Some better markings on the tool would be good here. I’m going to take a paint marker and circle the correct orientation, and draw two lines 3-⅛” apart somewhere unobtrusive. That way when I get this bad boy out next spring I won’t have to dig up the manual to figure out how to load the reel.

The line breaks pretty frequently. I’ve been using gas trimmers with the super thick, pre-cut line that you weave into the trimmer head. The auto feed line is much thinner and can break pretty frequently when encountering rough stuff. But when used for normal grass trimming and edging the line held up much better. Also the thinner line makes a cleaner cut than the super-thick pre-cut stuff.

Options in the Makita Line

The XRU15 is also compatible with Makita’s new PDC01 battery backpack system doubling the run time!

Makita also offers the XRU18 which is the big brother to the XRU15. The XRU18 has a wider cutting swath and overall larger size. Might be worth taking a look at if you have larger areas to trim or edge. But for smaller scale and detail work the XRU15 is perfect.

Final Verdict

This is a solid tool with excellent ergonomics and surprisingly good performance. There are some minor issues with set-up but in use this is an absolutely great machine. If you need a string trimmer you can’t go wrong with the Makita XRU15.

Makita LXT X2 String Trimmer XRU15 Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Bosch Dust Extractor GAS20-17AH Review

BOSCH 17 GALLON WET/DRY HEPA VAC GAS20-17AH

5/5

Manufacturer: Bosch
Model number: GAS20-17AH
Power source: Corded
Motor size: 17.5 AMP
Weight: 63 lbs.

Front view, notice the lever at the bottom of the tool. Flipping this allows the canister to be tipped.

Bosch Dust Extractor

Why a dust extractor?  OSHA compliance, the recently implemented rules on silica dust exposure and mitigation have really changed how dust is managed on the job site. Water spray or dust extraction is required by these OSHA regs and this extractor meets those specs. Which require better seals, filtration, and more power than you’ll find on any big box store wet/dry vac.

Some shops may just want a big dust extractor for ease of cleanup, less frequent emptying, and superior at-the-tool dust extraction. The at-the-tool dust extraction will also help with cleanup and finally, but most importantly, health and safety. The fewer particulates you breathe and get into your lungs the better.

The Bosch Dust Extractor GAS20-17AH In Use

Now I’ve been using my smaller 9-gallon extractor for years and love the integration with L-Boxx, the small footprint, powerful suction, and tool actuation feature. So when I found out Bosch was releasing a big brother to these dust extractors I wanted to get my hands on it! The Bosch 17 Gallon GAS20-17AH is massive compared to it’s smaller siblings. See what they look like together in the back of my truck:

So far I’ve used the Bosch 17 gallon dust extractor GAS20-17AH for workshop cleanup, concrete grinding dust extraction, track sawdust extraction and work truck clean-out.

The GAS20-17AH does not have tool actuation but that makes sense given that it draws 17.5 amps so all but the smallest corded tools would be very likely to trip a breaker if used on the same circuit. So when using this dust extractor with a power tool a second circuit or cordless is the way to go.

The supplied anti-static hose is 16′ long and the cord is 27′ long. This gives you plenty of reach to work without needing to find another outlet in most situations.

The seals, filter, automatic filter cleaning, and superior suction means very little dust escapes this tool. There’s always a bit that gets away while you’re working but that is inevitable.

The paper filter bag can jam up with dust during use (I’ve found this to be typical of dust extractors when used with paper filter bags and especially doing concrete grinding or cutting) but removing the vac head and tapping and shaking the bag a little periodically really improves suction.

Quick and thorough cleanup.

Cleanup with the Bosch Dust Extractor GAS20-17AH

During cleanup, the 16 ft hose means you barely have to move the tool itself to clean a smaller sized shop. But when you do need to move the Bosch 17 gallon dust extractor GAS20-17AH has big casters and wheels on this vac make it much easier to move around the shop or job site than smaller vacs with smaller front casters. Cords, and uneven floors, are much less of an issue than they are with the smaller vacs. The provided floor sweep is really wide and makes workshop cleanup go very quickly.

Another unique feature of this tool is the dumping mechanism. Which allows the vac to be tipped while keeping the mobile base on all four wheels.  This feature is useful for dumping liquids down a floor drain or dumping into a container that is close to the floor level. The bucket can be completely removed from the base assembly making it easier to empty and clean.

Wet Pickup

This vac features an auto-shutoff water sensor and a drain hose. Making wet pickup easy to manage. When the vac shuts off, find a floor drain and pop the hose off the back of the vac and let gravity do the rest.

Demonstrating the tip feature.

Power

The CFM change from the 150 CFM of the 9 amp VAC090S Bosch dust extractor and this 300 CFM monster is striking. Fewer dust escapes during tool use and cleanup. I’ve had good results with smaller dust extractors while cup grinding concrete but with this vac almost no dust escapes.

OSHA requires 25 CFM per inch diameter of the grinder attachment being used while cutting or grinding concrete. Most dust extractors top out at around 150 CFM limiting them to a 6″ grinding wheel. While the Bosch 17 gallon dust extractor GAS20-17AH 300 CFM capacity means you could use a 12-inch grinding wheel that isn’t readily available in the consumer tool market but it means you can use a 7″ or 9″ grinder to speed up your work. This also means that with an optional Y adapter this vac can be used with two small tools simultaneously and still be within OSHA compliance. Very impressive.

I have been using the Bosch VAC090S for a few years and it is a great vac. The Bosch 17 gallon dust extractor GAS20-17AH is an up-sized version and if it is anything like it’s smaller brother then it will be a great, long-lasting tool. The dust extraction capability of this tool is not matched by anything else readily available on the market at this time. The features are well-thought-out and make it easier for the user to handle the larger loads, and weight that it’s capacity delivers. If you are serious about OSHA silica compliance, keeping your workspace clean, and are running multiple smaller, or bigger cutting or grinding tools then the Bosch 17 gallon dust extractor GAS20-17AH is a no-brainer.

BOSCH HEPA VAC DUST EXTRACTOR GAS20-17AH Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Metabo HPT CR36DAQ4 MultiVolt Reciprocating Saw

Metabo HPT CR36DAQ4 Brushless Multi-Volt Reciprocating Saw

4.5/5

Manufacturer: Metabo HPT
Model number: CR36DAQ4
Price: 399
Power source: 36v battery or Corded
Motor size: 36V
Weight: 10.6 lbs

We took the Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36 Volt Reciprocating Saw to a job-site and used it for some selective demo work and some basic framing tasks like cutting out plates for doorways, cutting out sub-floor for repairs, and general framing and carpentry tasks.

Metabo HPT CR36DAQ4 First Impression

This is a powerful and fully featured saw. Some standout features include the variable speed trigger combined with a 4-step push button max speed setting that allows the user to dial in tool speed to the task. The orbital action on the saw is also adjustable in 4 steps with a lever on the side of the tool. There is a bright front-facing LED work-light with a push-button on off switch. This LED light is very effective, putting plenty of light on the cut during use. There is also a nice big rafter hook on a swivel on the side of the tool that will hook onto 2x , LVL, or I-joists easily.

One of the best features of this saw is the ability to go back and forth between corded and cordless. If you’ve got a few quick cuts to make or if you’re going to be moving around a lot just throw a battery in and get it done, but if you’re going to be doing demo all day and want to save your battery for other uses put the (optional) adapter in and cut away. The cord is plenty long at almost 25 ft. The cordless adapter does make for an odd placement of the power cord with it sticking down forward of the handle of the tool. Didn’t cause any problems for us but could make the saw more difficult to maneuver in tight spots. In which case you can just switch to the battery!

In Use: Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36 Volt Reciprocating Saw

This saw is a beast. At one point we needed to cut through a 6″ thick beam in place but didn’t have access to do a through cut. There was sub-floor above, another beam below, and plumbing and electrical in the way on either side hindering access. I was able to rock the blade into the face of the beam and cut a kerf that allowed me to chisel out the beam. The saw didn’t hesitate, kick-back, or bog down in a plunge cutting application in 100 year old framing. I was very impressed that the Metabo HPT 36v MultiVolt was able to do this difficult task with such ease.

We also used the Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36 Volt Reciprocating Saw to cut steel channel. The variable speed function made this very easy to do with great control to get a decently clean cut for a reciprocating saw.

The saw also excelled at general framing and demolition tasks. This saw just chewed through anything we threw at it and didn’t beat us up in the process. The UVB (User Vibration Protection) works well, this saw vibrates much less than many saws I’ve used and didn’t leave me feeling like I’d taken as much of a beating as the wood I was cutting.

Battery life is very good. With a fully charged battery I didn’t need to change out the battery during a normal work day.

Metabo HPT CR36DAQ4 – Room For Improvement

The shoe adjustment is a thin plastic lever that is tucked so tightly into the rubber over-mold grip that it is not at all easy to release. A thicker lever with easier access would be a nice change.

The blade quick release is a twist-collar style, it is tool-less which is good. But a quick release lever that is accessible from the side of the tool is better than a quick release collar that requires pulling on the blade or running to saw to get the collar fully forward and out of the housing at the front of the tool.

Overall: Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36 Volt Reciprocating Saw

A couple minor tweaks to ergonomics on the shoe adjustment lever and the blade change and this saw would be almost perfect.  The Metabo HPT Multi Volt 36 Volt Reciprocating Saw is a killer reciprocating saw, powerful, user friendly, and versatile.

Metabo HPT MultiVolt Reciprocating Saw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Metabo HPT MultiVolt Miter Saw

Tool manufacturers are pushing the limits of cordless tools further and further every day. Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi Power Tools) is going big into their new dual voltage 36 volt cordless/corded platform. We’ve tested a couple of these tools including the 36V MultiVolt 1/2-in Hammer Drill. One standout addition is the C3610DRAM 36V MultiVolt Brushless 10″ Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw with AC/DC adapter. This saw uses brushless technology and 36 volt battery platform to deliver performance that rivals that of a corded saw and if you don’t want to be charging batteries you can plug it in using the AC adapter.

We took this tool to a residential remodeling project where we used it to cut the trim for a second floor addition/remodel. Three bedrooms, a walk-in closet, laundry room, bathroom, and hallway later, we’ve put this saw through its paces. Now let’s get to the review!

Metabo HPT C3610DRAM Multivolt 36V Brushless 10" Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw with AC/DC Adapter

3/5

Manufacturer: Metabo HPT
Model number: C3610DRAM
Price: $619
Power source: 36 Volt Li-Ion battery or Corded AC Adapter
Motor size: 36 volt
Weight: 45.5 lbs

Metabo C3610DRAM First Impression

As any experienced carpenter knows, usually one of the very first things you do when you get a new saw is to throw away the stock blade. But I was pleasantly surprised by the cut quality I got with the stock blade. It wasn’t great, but it was fine for the paint grade trim work we were doing on this project.

The controls are up front and easy to use. The bevel lock is located on the front of the tool for easy access. It works well. While cutting some trim stock that would butt into an inside corner, I put a 10-degree back bevel on the end of the board and the controls were very intuitive and easy to use. There is a zero degree stop pin that needs to be pulled out before you can bevel right, but that’s fairly standard, and beveling left is a breeze.

The miter lock has the release button and lock lever setup typical of many miter saws these days. The miter detent override is also up front on the left side of the saw table and it’s easy to access and use.

Multi-Volt Capability

The biggest selling point of the Metabo HPT Multi-Volt miter saw is the Multi-Volt capability: click the battery-shaped adapter into the tool, just like any battery, and plug the adapter into the wall: it’s a corded tool now.

Switching between the battery and the AC adapter is easy, just like changing a battery. The adapter consists of a battery-shaped adapter a long length of cord, and a box that contains some additional electronics, and finally a shorter length of cord with the plug at the end. The overall length of the assembly and cord is very generous, around 25 ft. When plugged in there is a fan in the adapter that makes a high pitched whine. A little distracting but gets lost in jobsite noise pretty easily. The AC adapter works with no noticeable loss or increase in power vs. using the battery.

When using the battery the run time was really impressive. I would frequently go a full day of installing trim or flooring without needing to change the battery out for the AC adapter.

Power

The Metabo HPT Multi-Volt miter saw is not noticeably different from a corded 10″ sliding compound miter saw when cutting trim. I gang cut some 1×5 stock for window casing in stacks of 4 boards and this saw didn’t hesitate in the least. We also laid 2-1/4″ white oak strip flooring for this job and there were a lot of acute angle cuts due to intersections between thresholds on angled doorways and the flooring. Once again we had no issues with power while cutting the oak flooring or thresholds. All in all we were very impressed with the power of this saw.

Difficulty with setup

The left side fence arrived out of square to blade by about 1/32 over 2″ doesn’t sound like much but when you’re cutting casing that 1/32″ over 2″ quickly turns into 2-1/2″ over a 6′-8″ leg. With a few minutes a 5mm allen key and a good combination square I was able to square up the fence. I found  that one of the allen screws that needed to be loosened to adjust the fence are not accessible with a normal “L” shaped allen key and require either using the long leg of the allen key with a wrench on the short leg for leverage or a “T” allen wrench to loosen.

Room for improvement

Cut Accuracy

The Metabo HPT Multi-Volt miter saw has a lot of flex. Very little pressure can cause a lot of blade deflection. To the point where I ended up cutting into the throat plate of the saw during some bevel cuts. If care is taken while cutting deflection can mostly be avoided but at this price point this saw should be more stiff. I was able to get square cuts but it required a very deliberate cut with little to no lateral pressure on the handle.

There is quite a bit of slop in the miter detents. So it’s pretty easy to move the saw table off the detent a little bit if you aren’t careful while engaging the miter lock. This can result in inaccurate cuts. And the miter lock pin is made of plastic and there is quite a lot of slop in the assembly. I would like to see a more precise metal assembly for this that would make for higher accuracy and greater durability.

The line laser moves around during cutting which defeats the purpose of a laser line. Just barely touching the adjustment dials moves the laser a lot making it difficult to make the laser line up with the blade. In addition the blade guard is either blocking the laser or the adjustment dials so you can either see the laser or get to the adjusters, but not both. A more accurate laser line with easier adjustment would be good but honestly I don’t find lasers on miter saws to be terribly useful. Personally I’d rather just have good LED lighting.

LED Work Light Needs Work

The LED work light is placed too far back and behind the fence. This makes the LEDs useless unless the saw carriage has been pulled almost all the way forward on the rails. Plus the LEDs are on the left side of the saw so the blade casts a shadow when making cuts to the right side of the blade. So it never actually shines directly on the area where the blade actually hits the wood. This makes the feature almost completely useless. Which is sad because the lights are bright and could have been effective. I’d like the LEDs to be moved forward and two of the four LEDs were moved  to the right side of the saw.

Left-Handed Usability

As a lefty I find the trigger lock difficult to use. The horizontal handle has the trigger lock on the left side of the handle opposite of my left thumb. I am able to push the trigger lock with the heel of my hand but it is awkward. Either do away with the trigger lock or put it on both sides of the horizontal handle do it can be used with either hand easily.

Price

At $619 the price for this saw is pretty high. Given the above mentioned issues I’d like to see this at a lower price point.

Overall Impressions of the Metabo HPT Multi-Volt Miter Saw C3610DRAM

Currently priced at $619 with the AC/DC adapter and a battery (but no charger) via rebate. This is an impressively powerful cordless/corded saw that gets the job done despite some features that need some work. But for the price this should be a premium saw and those features should work well if not almost perfectly. That said if you aren’t concerned with LEDs or lasers and want a surprisingly powerful cordless/corded miter saw the Metabo HPT is definitely worth a look.

Metabo HPT C3610DRAM 36V MultiVolt Brushless 10″ Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw is a post from Tool Box Buzz

NEW Bosch Brushless 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder With Electronic Interface

The Bosch GWS18V-45PSC 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder has a  brushless motor provides better power, runtime, and an advanced user interface.

Bosch User Interface

On-tool HMI (human/machine interface) screen combines with expanded app capability to provide a complete look at grinder performance and working status

This user interface on the Bosch GWS18V-45PSC 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder allows the user to change the tool speed with the push of a button and the interface changes color depending on the status of the tool: green for operational; yellow identifies an issue with the grinder like higher motor temperatures; red means the grinder is offline; and blue means the grinder is connected to a mobile device.

Connectivity

The included Bosch GCY30-4 Bluetooth module allows the grinder to connect to a mobile device with the free Bosch Toolbox App which can be found at the Apple App Store ® or the Google Play ® Store. The Bosch Toolbox App allows users to make some changes to tool function including changing speed of the soft-start feature, setting LED brightness, and the ability to monitor battery charge and safety information.

Safety

Advanced electronics also provide safety features including drop control, which shuts off the tool if dropped, and kick-back control that shuts down the grinder’s motor if it becomes jammed. There’s also restart protection–preventing the tool from starting up when inserting a fresh battery.

Ergonomics

The Bosch GWS18V-45PSC 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder features a two-position Vibration Control side handle, which provides greater control than previous generation Bosch cordless grinders. It also makes operation of the grinder less fatiguing for the user. The side
handle can switch from left to right for additional control and a slim soft-grip design provides additional user comfort.

Expect to see this grinder in a kit:

• Bosch GWS18V-45PSC 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder  (kit)  with no-lock on paddle switch
• CORE18V GBA18V63 18V 6.3 Ah battery
• BC1880 18V fast charger
• wheel guard
• communication module
• vibration control handle
• grinding disc
• carrying bag

Bosch was kind enough to send us one of these brand new grinders to test. Our review will be coming soon!

To learn more about Bosch products click here.

Bosch GWS18V-45PSC 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder is a post from Tool Box Buzz

The Milwaukee M18 Rocket Dual Pack waterproof light.

LEDs have drastically changed the way we bring light into homes. Both in terms of light fixtures and in terms of job site lights. LEDs are far superior to their halogen and florescent counterparts. They use less power to generate more light with less heat or risk of fire, and far greater durability. The lower power draw of LEDs has also drastically expanded the capability of cordless jobsite lights. Allowing a cordless light to provide whole room lighting rather than small area and task lighting. This technology has been taken a step further with this Milwaukee Rocket waterproof light. Making a tool that has all day run-time with 9.0 Ah batteries and is waterproof!

M18 ROCKET Dual Pack Tower Light w/One Key

Manufacturer: Milwaukee
Model number: 2120-20
Price: $599.00
Power source: M18 Battery
Weight: 18.95 lbs

On the jobsite

The design and ergonomics of this light are great. The light sets up and adjusts in height in seconds without fiddling with knobs. And it folds up into a compact size that is very easy to carry rather than the mess of tubes and wires of most job-site lights. The on/off and power adjustment buttons are easy to operate and very intuitive. There is also a button for Bluetooth operation in case you want to connect with the Milwaukee One Key app. The battery compartment latch is straightforward to open and close and has a gasket seal to keep out dust and water.

The Milwaukee Rocket waterproof light also has a great deal of flexibility in terms of positioning and setup. The light can be extended up to about 5.5 ft and the arm can be swung in an arc over the base. The head swivels in all directions allowing you to get the light where you need it really easily. You can even leave the legs collapsed and extend the arm and have a ground light for spotting irregularities in floors or looking under equipment or furniture.

I used this light on a variety of jobs doing interior trim and finish work as well as lighting unfinished spaces like a barn attic where I was re-framing the roof. In those small and sometimes awkward spaces the lack of a cord was a big plus. And this one light was able to provide plenty of light in all of those spaces.

On a commercial project the Rocket waterproof light easily lit up a vestibule I was working in. I was installing baseboard and was able to get plenty of light by simply setting up the light and pointing it at the ceiling. The result was even, bright light that allowed me to install pre-finished baseboard with minimal hassle and no cords getting in the way.

Serious light for serious work

The Milwaukee Rocket waterproof light is very bright. With a claimed 5400 lumen output on high multi-workday run time on the low (1600 lumen) setting this light will keep your job site well-lit for hours. In smaller spaces it can be used alone to light your work space. It’s not too heavy or cumbersome and can be easily moved around either when fully extended to 5′ 5″ or folded down into a neat compact size. Because it is so bright I have been able to get away with using this light on the lower settings almost exclusively.

Connectivity and tracking

The Milwaukee Rocket waterproof light is One Key enabled. Milwaukee’s proprietary One Key app allows you to track the tool and when connected via Bluetooth the app has a battery gauge that shows approximate remaining run-time and a slider to adjust the brightness of the light.

Dust and waterproof down to one meter

This tool is IP67 rated this is an international standard. IP stands for Ingress Protection, The first number corresponds to the dust ingress rating, 6 is the best rating for dust ingress and means the tool is totally sealed against dust, the second number corresponds to the water ingress rating, 7 means the tool is waterproof to a depth of 1 meter. We decided the best way to test this was to dunk the light in a bathtub full of water and hold it down there while the light was on. We had no problems whatsoever and when I pulled it out and opened the battery compartment it was bone dry.

Downsides

Price. Milwaukee has a bunch of lighting options. But this one is special in that it can be used in wet environments with no problems. Much safer than a corded light! So while it is expensive if you work in wet environments I think the cost is pretty well justified in the safety factor alone.

No corded option. To make the light waterproof (and safe) Milwaukee needed to forgo a corded option. So this is a trade-off. You get a cordless waterproof light but you simply cannot plug it in.

Run time. You’ll need two 9.0 Ah batteries to get the most out of this light. On 5.0 Ah batteries it simply doesn’t last. But if you have the batteries the runtime is outstanding!

Overall

The Milwaukee Rocket waterproof light is expensive but it brings some very unique features to the table and for contractors and tradespeople that need a waterproof light it will quickly become their go-to cordless worklight.

M18 ROCKET Dual Pack Tower Light w/One Key

Buy Now

$599.00

GDBMHVNN142074833

M18 2120-20 ROCKET Waterproof Tower Light Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz