2023 Holiday Tool Gift Guide

This year’s TBB’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide will help you pick out the perfect gift(s) for that hard-to-buy-for tradesperson in your life. Especially if you’re shopping for someone who just wants tools but already seems to have too many. Or that special person talks about tools and hardware even when they know you don’t have a clue what they are talking about. Yeah… we’re here to help!  Whether you need that last small gift or are looking to start off with a big bang, we have you covered. We go through the heartache, pain, and suffering of testing out some of the industry’s uniquest (yep, that’s a real word), most practical, and just plain coolest tools and job site gadgets to create a full-spectrum holiday gift guide.

To help you out, regardless of your budget, we broke down the tools by price categories which are:

• $30 and under:  The Simple gift
• $30-75:  The Perfect gift
• $75-200:  The Surefire gift
• Over $200:  Santa’s REALLY nice list!

And all of the tools in our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide are ones that are in our job site kits or our Pros’ workshops. So hang some lights and then get ready to hang out with us for a bit.

$30 and under Gifts | The Simple gift

• DEWALT Elite Ceramic-Coated Abrasives

If you are trying to think of something small to finish off your list or throw in a stocking these DEWALT abrasive discs are awesome. They come in a variety of sizes to fit a wide range of angle grinders. The ceramic abrasive quality is second to none. It may not seem exciting but having discs on hand that don’t burn out in a hurry is awesome when you’re in the middle of metal fabrication of any kind. It’s a fun way to let someone try a new brand or style of something they may already buy on a regular basis.

Purchase at DEWALT for $8-20

• Kobalt 24 & 48 in. Levels

We’re sure you builder has calibrated eyeballs (just like us) and doesn’t always need a level. But when they do… have them reach for one of these Kobalt levels. The 24″ level is great for most common indoor tasks like hanging pictures or shelves. And the 48″ level is great for more intense tasks like leveling framing or as a straight edge for plywood or drywall sheets. The bubbles on these Kobalt levels are easy to see, they are durable, and best of all the price is reasonable.

Purchase at Lowes for $18-25

• Milwaukee Tape Measure 2-Pack Set

We will probably never have a holiday gift guide without a tape measure. This year it’s the Milwaukee tape measures that caught our eye. They are the most essential tool at hand and one that typically wears out from such frequent use. These tape measures are easy to read, have a solidly designed locking lever, and are rugged as hell. They have great extension rigidity until they hit their fold point. They are sure to last until you decide to replace them next holiday season (and beyond). You cant go wrong with a Milwaukee tape measure.

Purchase at Home Depot for $20

• Gerber Zilch Knife

If you’ve relied on any of our previous holiday gift guides you’ll know that we love a good pocket knife. Chances are your tool lover may as well. Look for further than the Gerber Zilch. This is a sharp-as-hell out of the box, straightforward folding knife. There are multiple color schemes to choose from (we loved the tactical coyote brown and black knife). Its lightweight and sports a great belt clip. The locking mechanism is a standard inside handle locking tab design and it works great.

Purchase at Gerber for $25

• Elgin Firebolt Flashlight

The Elgin Firebolt is a well-rounded flashlight in every way. First, it features a tough yet lightweight metal case. And the case is hex shaped to prevent it from rolling off work surfaces. It also has a magnetic integrated into the side so you can stick it on a close metal surface to work hands free. Second, its satisfyingly bright (~100 lumens) for a single LED light. And third, the battery life (2x AAA batteries) is surprisingly efficient. And the IP66 rating means it’s actually quite weatherproof. Shoot, get a couple to leave in the shop or in some vehicles and you’ll be reaping the rewards of a solid holiday purchase for a long time to come.

Purchase at Elgin USA for $25

• Ryobi USB Rechargeable Inflator

Having an inflator in your vehicle can be a literal lifesaver. The Ryobi USB-battery digital readout inflator works wonderfully. It’s the most compact battery powered inflator we’ve used and includes an integrated inflator needle if you need to fill up a ball. The USB battery is recharged using a Type C USB cord which is pretty universal these days. Getting the tire pressure low warning on a cold winter morning is no fun but skipping a quick trip to the gas station or firing up your air compressor saves time and frustration.

Purchase at Home Depot for $30

• Milwaukee Hex Key Set

There are few things more annoying than having a missing hex key when you are in the middle of a task involving small bolts or fasteners. This Milwaukee hex key set eliminates that hassle by conveniently mounting common hex key sizes on a flip out style handle. The handle, unlike some cheaper versions, is sturdy and won’t crack under the torque applied from breaking free stuck fasteners. They are compact and easy to store too with hardened metal that won’t strip easily. These make a great small gift or stocking stuffer for sure!

Purchase at Home Depot for $30

$30-75 Gifts | The Perfect gift

• Craftsman Versastack Tool Box

A good storage option is always appropriate. And the Craftsman Versastack Deep Tool Box is a great option in the storage department. It checks all the boxes we look for — weather protected (IP54 rated), stackable, reconfigurable, durable, and cost effective. The last thing we want is to spend more on the toolbox than the tools inside them. But the Versastack is not a compromise as much as its a innovative solution. It allows you to fit a variety of tools and parts in mutliple compartments to make getting them safely to and from a jobsite hassle free.

Purchase at Lowes for $38

• KREG Rip Cut System

For those of us that may not have a panel saw set up in the garage or want to go through the hassle of laying out and fitting up a track saw… check out the KREG Ripcut System. This system incorporates a universal base to house your circular saw and a sturdy, adjustable guide bar to quickly and easily Rip panels to desired widths. It takes up hardly any space and is surprisingly accurate for rough carpentry jobs. And in this price category it probably doesn’t break the bank either.

Purchase at Home Depot for $40

• Microjig Dovetail Ratchet Clamp

One of our shop Pros recently needed some quick-adjusting clamps with a dovetail-compatible foot for a table saw rail and CNC table hold-downs. He tested out these Microjig Dovetail Ratchet Clamps and loved them. The foot securely slides along a T-Track or dovetail groove. The foot firmly ratchets into place and includes a spring mechanism to allow it to maintain its setting despite gravity’s best efforts. The angle of the foot is designed to work with a 14-degree dovetail as well so this clamp allows for completely custom jig and clamp designs that can be reconfigured with ease.

Purchase at Microjig for $42

• KREG Drawer Front Mounting System

We couldn’t decide which KREG tool we loved more (see above) so we decided to include the KREG drawer front mounting system as well. This custom jig set makes quick, accurate, and repeatable work of mounting drawer fronts on custom drawers. So not only does this work great for new build projects on the horizon but can also help with renovating current installs with easy drawers’ front swaps to upgrade your current abode. It’s another space efficient, low cost, unique tool that your tool lover might not realize they’ve always wanted.

Purchase at Kreg for $50

• Gearwrench 3-Ton Jackstand Set

Does your tool hound like to get under a hood and turn a wrench? If so, or if they aspire to, then check out the new Gearwrench 3 ton jack stands. They have a double pin locking feature for an added safety feature to make sure the vehicle you’re working on stays where it should – above you! They are rugged and offer an industry standard wide base and ratcheting adjustment design. Plus the yellow powder coat finish looks great… especially if your gift getter has other gold toned tools in the shop!

Purchase at ACME Tools for $50

• Garret Wade Caliper & Compass set

Fine craftsmanship and finish carpentry require precision. So whether your making sure the thickness of your substrates and materials is exactly the same or ensuring that multiple work points have the same center radius offset, these Garret Wade precision tools are perfect. They are crafted from solid back steel with brass fittings. So they not only are designed well but look outstanding. They come in a convenient storage box that will ensure they stay in place to be handed down to the next generation of woodworker in your family line.

Purchase at Garret Wade for $50

• Ryobi USB Rechargeable Soldering Pen

You know what we don’t love? Contorting our bodies into confined spaces while doing plumbing or electrical work and THEN having to manipulate a hot soldering iron and cord with Flux and wire. So we love a cordless option here to make maneuvering to secure (or resecure) a tight to reach pipe or wire connection. The Ryobi USB soldering iron incorporates a Type-C USB rechargeable, 2 Ah battery into a compact design to create a functional yet lightweight and comparatively inexpensive option to benefit any homeowner DIYer. It’s definitely worth considering!

Purchase at Home Depot for $70

$75-200 Gifts | The Surefire gift

• Bosch Colt 1-HP Palm Router

Palm or trim routers are very useful tools to ensure smooth laminates or layer-ed glue-up tasks. As far as routers go, they are lightweight and portable. The Bosch Colt 1-HP palm router is impressively powerful and smooth and stands out in this compact router class. It is great for small shops where power and outlets are plentiful. It is also an excellent choice for any CNC router tools and investments which is a task we tested heavily while trying out the Bosch Colt. The variable speed dial is responsive and stays in place despite constant vibrations which is an important feature. The collet was easy to access, and the quick release collar was well designed and easy to adjust. All in all, this is a great trim router option with all the core features we look for in a corded option.

Purchase at Lowes for $79

• Elgin Rampage Headphones

We’ve had Elgin USA hearing protection on our shops for years and are as impressed with them today as we were when we first put them on. And we appreciate a variety of designs to match a variety of tasks. So, while we love Elgin’s REBEL earbuds for welding and grinding, the RAMPAGE headphones are awesome for tasks like cutting and nailing. They fit snugly over your ears without becoming uncomfortable after hours of use. They offer a respectable 25 dB noise rating (OSHA compliant!) and connect to a phone via Bluetooth. Best of all though the button design was designed in an easy-to-operate-even-with-work gloves way. Use it to adjust volume or make calls with the integrated mic. These is truly a well thought out piece of hearing protection.

Purchase at Elgin USA for $85

• Go Rhino HS-30 Hitch Step

Not all of those getting gifts are young and spry. So if your gift target might be a little slower or more careful reaching into the bed of their truck these days, check out the Rhino hitch step. It’s a straightforward design that fits into a standard 2 in. female hitch receiver. Between the heavy-duty steel, powder coat finish, and non-slip surface treatment, this is a rugged and practical gift that will earn its keep time and time again. Even better? The angled-corners design of the HS-30 means that if you forget it’s mounted at walk into it (not that we ever do that) you are less likely to hobble away with a serious injury.

Purchase at Real Truck for $86

• Bosch BLAZE 165 ft. Green Laser Measuring Tool

When you need to frequently take long distance measurements this is the tool for you. But this Bosch BLAZE (GLM165-25G) does way more than just straight liine measurements. Integrated features include: Fixed/Continuous measurement, area, volume, indirect height, and wall area calculating among others. The green laser is extremely bright and easy to see even in full daylight at distance. And if you’re skeptical on its precision don’t be; this laser measurement tool is accurate to +/- 1/16 in.  Bosch included a haptic vibrate feature so even if you’re on a loud jobsite, you can still feel confirmation of button presses even if you can’t hear the audible beeps. Lastly, the BLAZE is a rugged design ready for the elements with an IP65 weather-protected rating and reinforced housing. This is a great investment for PROs and folks doing onsite estimates and measurement with regularity.

Purchase at Home Depot for $97

• Gerber FAST Tanto Knife

Does a knife enthusiast ever have enough knifes? Nope, no way. So if you’re looking for a good knife option with some unique features you should consider Gerber’s FAST Tanto knife. Gerber has an assisted opening design, called FAST, that makes this knife as fun to open as it is to use. It’s got a great textured grip that helps keep it firmly in your grip. And the black Tanto-style blade is different than your average round edged blade and really stands out. And at $99 its a mid-range option that feels more high end than that!

Purchase at Gerber for $99

• Kobalt Utility Cart

There is nothing more frustrating than setting down a tool mid task only to turn around and have it disappear. We blame it on shop Gremlins… Having a utility cart that easily rolls from task to task is a life saver for keeping the Gremlins at bay. This Kobalt cart makes it easy to sort and store your tools and accessories as you go. It saves you time and frustration. And can even prevent you from losing or accidently breaking pieces and having to re-buy them. It’s a great option that may not be the first thing they think of or ask for.

Purchase at Lowes for $119

• Husky Liners Weatherbeater Floor Mats

We admittedly put our work trucks through their paces. So, one of the first things we make sure they have is some heavy-duty rubber floor mats. These Husky floor mats fit like a glove and are built to stand up to the rigors of a work crew. But that doesn’t mean that they are only for work trucks. They look so good that they are an instant upgrade to any vehicle – cars, vans included. The only vehicle we wouldn’t put them on is a motorcycle. They are a breeze to pull out and hose or power wash off as well. And the sectioned design means that spills of mud won’t spill off the edges of the mat. Grab a set for an easy win.

Purchase at Real Truck for $60-199 ($125 as shown)

• Gearwrench Rolling Mechanics Seat

Sometimes it’s nice to get off your feet in the workshop. And when you can do that in a seat designed to make shop or mechanic work easier than all the better. This Gearwrench rolling mechanics seat features an adjustable height air shock and full 360-degree swivel to allow you to adjust to any angle or position required by the task at hand. Its powder-coated steel finish and rubberized, solvent-resistant seat are built to last. And maybe best of all? The base hoses 5 magnetic pie-shaped storage trays to conveniently hold your small parts as you work. Don’t wait to load one up so your holiday recipient can take a load off.

Purchase at Home Depot for $135

• Craftsman OVERDRIVE 121-piece Mechanics Tool Set

Another staple we like to include for gift guides is a well thought out hand tool set. And Craftsman’s OVERDRIVE mechanics set is a great option. It has all the common wrenches and sockets your tool lover will need to tackle any nut and bolt-based task they can dream up. It has a wide range of both metric and SAE sizes conveniently packaged in a hardshell clam case to keep them secure and accounted for. The gunmetal grey style finish looks great too. Plus, these sockets and wrenched meet or exceed all AMSE certified tolerances so they are plug and play for any commercial uses as well. You can’t go wrong here with this mechanics set from Craftsman, especially with an extra $50 off for the holidays.

Purchase at Lowes for $149

• Garret Wade 333 drill/driver Bit Set

Can we ever have enough drill and driver bits? No… we cannot. And this Garret Wade 333-piece drill and driver accessory set is a huge step in ensuring you always have the drill and driver bits you need on hand. The case makes for secure and organized storage which can be a huge timesaver vs. hunting for a loose accessory. Drill bit styles include: long and short masonry, long and short spade, TiN twist, black oxide twist, and brad point bits. Driver bits include: 100 hex shank drivers of every description, a drill sizer, multiple nail sets, drill stop collars, a countersink, and a dozen fractional socket drivers. Yeah, it’s a complete set for sure!

Purchase at Garret Wade for $160 (on sale)

• Danner Bull Run Chelsea Boots 6 in.

When you’re on your feet for hours at a time, usually on hard, rocky, or uneven surfaces, a good pair of work boots makes a world of difference. Enter the Danner Bull Run Chelsea boots. They look great and feel just as good. The Ortholite sole and steel shank keep your foot well supported and protected, as does Electrical Hazard protected sole (ASTM F2892-18 rated). In addition, the traction is oil and slip resistant while the lace-free slip on design means that wood or metal shavings and slag won’t get trapped in the tongue or laces. These boots are a great value considering they’re under $200. And if the person receiving them is inclined to get them re-soled vs replace them down the road then that’s even an option as well. There’s a reason Danner has a great reputation and these boots definitely live up to it!

Purchase at Danner Boots for $173

• Ryobi 18V Cordless Drill & Driver +2 Combo Kit

There was no way we could put together a gift guide without featuring a cordless too combo. We were still surprised to be able to put the tool combo in this price category though. Here’s the kicker though; this 2-tool Drill Driver combo comes with 2 free additional tools to choose from. Besides that, this Drill Driver combo kit is worth the cost on its own. It makes easy work of 1/4 in. hex shank bits and round bits up to 1/2 in. diameter while providing ample power for any DIY task you throw at it. Ryobi’s ONE+ 18V lineup has countless compatible tools so this is a great starting point for anyone looking to get into a cordless DIY lineup!

Purchase at Home Depot for $199

• Helly Hansen Insulated Oxford Work Jacket

Having to work outside on a cold jobsite in the winter can be miserable. So, we are always open to outdoor workwear to keep up warm and comfortable so we can focus on our work and not the weather. The Helly Hansen Insulated Oxford Jacket is a heavy-duty option that is warm and comfortable. We were impressed that it didn’t impede our overall mobility as much as other winter workwear we’ve tried out. Plus, It looks awesome so you can wear it out on weekends, and it will still impress. Helly Hansen is a go to brand for us because they deliver great looking, tough clothes that are built with the details in mind. And the insulated Oxford Jacket exemplifies these traits.

Purchase at Helly Hansen Workwear for $199

• Gearwrench 3 & 3.5 Low-Profile Ton Jacks

So, if you’re considering 3-ton jack stands why not up the ante with a heavy-duty jack from Gearwrench to go with it? Whether you opt for a standard 3 ton or 3.5-ton low profile jack, they’ll be thrilled. These are automotive tech geared, professional-level floor jacks. They offer exceptional speed and ease of lifting in a rugged piece of equipment. The protected handle is a nice feature to prevent accidental automotive paint scratching while the dual pistons create a smooth and easier lifting action. They even have an integrated small parts storage spot to throw small parts so they don’t get lost. Lastly, these jacks are certified to the ASME PASE lifting standard to keep any commercial uses industry safety compliant.

Purchase at ACME Tools for $190-220

$200+ Gifts | Santa’s REALLY Nice List!

• Milwaukee M18 Cordless Finish Nailer, 18GA

Here’s a simple fact… waiting for air compressors and dancing around air hoses is not ideal. So when we tested out the Milwaukee 18V finish nailer a while back, it didn’t take long for us to fall in love. This nailer is as smooth and reliable as any pneumatic one we’ve used without the hassle. and with approx. 1500 nails on a single 2Ah battery, the battery life won’t hold you back. It offers versatility and performance in a compact design that upholds Milwaukee’s standards of excellence. it is a great addition to the M18 lineup and would make a great gift for the handyperson on your shopping list. It also made it a great inclusion in our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide.

Purchase at Home Depot for $249

• Dovoh 3-plane 360-degree H3 laser level

We were very impressed with Dovoh’s new 3-plane, 360-degree laser. It has all the features we hoped for — super bright (110mw), green laser lines with fantastic optics (up to 197 ft!), rugged construction with a secure case and good rechargeable battery life up to 18 hrs (plus it comes with a spare battery).  The Dovoh 3-plane laser gives you the ability to easily switch between auto level mode or angle lock mode for non-level line projections. And it’s among the best as far as level accuracy goes (±1/13 in. at 33ft). It comes ready to mount on a standard tripod 1/4 in. x 20 threat mount. The magnetic base with the fine adjustment design allows you to easily get the exact alignment you need. And if you’re hesitant about going with a new brand, know that Dovoh backs their products with a 2-Year Quality Warranty + 5-Year Accuracy Warranty!

Purchase at Dovoh for $279 (10% off w/ code SASOFF10)

• DEWALT 20V Cordless Belt Sander

Most woodworkers have a variety of sanders, and a few of them are likely to be cordless. But a belt sander is often thought of as a corded tool and may not be one of them. The DEWALT 20V cordless belt sander (Bare tool) may just change this assumption. It proves power on par with mane 110V corded belt sanders. Better yet it features a swiveling shop vac port that provides good flexibility and a dust decreased (never free) environment. They lock-on button is easy to use, and the variable-speed trigger and dial settings allow for a wide range of speed settings. Loading new sandpaper is easy with the quick release lever too. and the 3×21 in. roll size is comparatively large for a cordless belt sander. This is on Santa’s really good list for a reason; it’s a really good sander!

Purchase at Lowes for $299 (Tool Only)

• Lund Duraloader Arched Aluminum Folding Truck Ramps

We load/unload a lot of tools and equipment into our work trucks. So anything that makes that job easier and lowers our risk of breaking them or hurting ourselves while doing it is a great thing. The Lund Duraloader Arched Folding Ramps are priceless when it comes to loading your truck. And if your gift receiver regularly loads an ATV, dirt bike, lawn mower, or other power equipment with wheels into a truck and doesn’t have a good set of ramps then just commit to these ramps now. They are long (10 ft.) and arched to provide a shallow entry angle and prevent bottoming out while loading. They only weigh 17 lbs yet can support 750 lbs per ramp. And they fold in half for easy truck bed storage. They are made of durable aluminum and have a great grip design to prevent slips and falls even in slick conditions.

Purchase at Real Truck for $299 (per ramp)

• Kobalt 7 in. 20V Cordless Wet Tile Saw

We were thrilled to test this tool out since the versatility offered by a cordless tile saw is phenomenal. cutting tile is not something that many folks think cordless for but after testing out the Kobalt 24V tile saw, you may want to reconsider. The water basin design does a good job of catching spray to recirculate while the full sliding top is smooth and allows for repeatable and accurate cuts to a variety of sized tiles. This tool is a godsend when working in a renovation with no power. It limits trips to and from the saw to remeasure tile fit since you can easily bring the saw right to your tiling location. And you don’t have to fight for generator outlets or drags cords to get there. Awesome!

Purchase at Lowes for $380

HAPPY HOLIDAYS… | 2023 Holiday Gift Guide!

We know shopping for tool lovers is definitely a labor of love. It makes you ask “What do you get someone who seems to already have everything?” Just trust TBB’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide to give you some great suggestions whether you are looking for the perfect small gift or that one unbelievable, big gift. Happy Holidays from the Tool Box Buzz Team!

2023 Holiday Gift Guide is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Cordless Blower | Head-To-Head

What would the perfect cordless leaf blower be? Wait…can we even call them leaf blowers? I certainly don’t use mine for leaves, I use them to blow sawdust on my job sites, my tools, out of my van and tool shed, or to clean off my patio and porch. They’re just blowers!

Comparing 15 Blowers

Fifteen manufacturers sent us their best handheld cordless blower. The majority of these blowers can be found in kit configuration and are sold at most common and online retailers. In past testings, we’ve received comments that we should include Harbor freight tools, so in this head-to-head test, we’re happy to welcome Harbor Freight’s Atlas blower to this test.

ATLAS

Model – 56994
Voltage – 80V
Battery Watt Hour – 288 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 150
CFM’s – 605 CFM’s
Length – 35-⅜”
Weight – 4lbs, 6oz
Price – 274.99 (when added kit components)

CRAFTSMAN

Model – CMCBL730P1
Voltage – 20V
Battery Watt Hour – 100 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 110
CFM’s – 410 CFM’s
Length – 33-½”
Weight – 5lbs, 7oz
Price – $149.00

DEWALT

Model – DCBL772X1
Voltage – 60V
Battery Watt Hour – 180 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 125
CFM’s – 600 CFM
Length – 36-¾”
Weight – 6lbs, 2oz
Price – $299.00

ECHO

Model – DPB-2500
Voltage – 56V
Battery Watt Hour – 252 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 158
CFM’s – 549 CFM’s
Length – 36-¼”
Weight – 5lbs, 6oz
Price – $199.99

EGO

Model – LB7654
Voltage 56V
Battery Watt Hour – 280 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 200
CFM’s – 765 CFM’s
Length – 36-½
Weight – 4lbs, 11oz
Price – $329.00

GREENWORKS

Model – BLB489
Voltage: 80V
Battery Watt Hour – 180 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 170
CFM’s – 730 CFM’s
Length – 37-1/8
Weight – 5lbs, 8ozs
Price – $342.99

HART

Model – HLB07VNM
Voltage: 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 180 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 155
CFM’s – 600 CFMs
Length – 37-⅜”
Weight – 6lbs, 12ozs
Price – $138.00

KOBALT

Model – KLB 1040A-03
Voltage 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 160 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 120
CFM’s – 520 CFM’s
Length -33-¾”
Weight – 5lbs, 4ozs
Price – $169.00

MAKITA

Model – GBU01M1
Voltage 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 160 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 143
CFM’s – 565 CFM’s
Length – 33-1/2″, 35-1/2″, 37-1/2″ (ADJUSTABLE)
Weight – 5lbs, 5ozs
Price – $439.00

MILWAUKEE

Model – 2824-20
Voltage 18V
Battery Combined Watt Hour – 288 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 145
CFM’s – 600 CFM
Length – 37-⅜”
Weight – 6lbs, 1oz
Price – $707.00 (not kit)

RIDGID

Model – R01601K
Voltage – 18V
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 130
Battery Watt Hour – 288 Wh
CFM’s – 510 CFM’s
Noise dB – 83.1
Length – 34-¼”
Weight – 5lbs, 7ozs
Price – $241.53

RYOBI

Model – RY404100
Voltage – 40V
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 190
CFM’s – 730 CFM’s
*Battery Watt Hour – 144 Wh
Noise dB – 84.6
Length – 37-⅞”
Weight – 6lbs, 4ozs
Price – $269.00
*Wh based on one battery

SKIL

Model – BL4713-c-11
Voltage 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 100 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 193
CFM’s – 500 CFM’s
Length – 36”
Weight – 4lbs, 3ozs
Price – $159.00

STIHL

Model – BGA 86
Voltage: 36V
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 154
Battery Watt Hour – 337 Wh
CFM’s – 459 CFMs
Length – 38-½” (ADJUSTABLE)
Weight – 6lbs, 5ozs
Price – $839.97 (not kit)

TORO

Model – 51822
Voltage – 60v
Battery Watt Hour – 216 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 157
CFM’s – 605 CFMs
Length – 37-½”
Weight – 5lbs, 8oz
Price – $290.03

Cordless Blower Testing | 7 Criteria

Our goal was NOT to verify marketing claims, instead, we used ANSI testing standards as a guide, to create consistent, repeatable, and measurable data that you can make intelligent decisions on.

Our team scored the blowers on seven criteria, each ranked independently, and the “Overall Best Cordless Blower” was determined using the combined test results.

We include but did not rank price and best value categories, but list them here for your own informational purposes.

7 Scoring Criteria

1. Pitot Tube Run-time Testing – Directly measure air speed with a pitot tube and calculate MPH and CFM during a runtime performance test
2. Weighted Sled Test – tested the thrust performance with a sled rig on rails.
3. Ergonomics and Features – Ergonomics is really important to users and an important category to consider when purchasing any power tool.
4. Balance – Measured the balance and resulting rotation in the off and full throttle states.
5. Noise -Measured Decibels at full throttle
6. Best Value – Not ranked.
7. Price – The kit price at the time of publishing. Not ranked.

Anemometer | Pitot Tube Air Test

I’ll be honest, I had to ask Jeff what a Pitot tube was. Jeff, also a helicopter pilot, explained that a pitot tube probe measures the pressure difference of an air stream and can calculate fluid flow velocity. The Pitot Tube was invented by a French engineer, Henri Pitot, in the early 18th century.

Pitot tubes are widely used to determine the airspeed of aircraft, the water speed of boats, and the flow velocity of liquids, air, and gasses in various industries.

When manufacturers test their blowers to come up with the MPH and CFM values they follow an American National Standard (ANSI) procedure to measure the force or thrust. This is effectively an electronic scale that measures the force in Newton’s 5 inches from the blower nozzle.

Using fluid dynamics theory and measured environmental parameters like temperature, pressure, and humidity, the average and peak MPH and CFM values can be calculated.

We replicated this ANSI procedure to validate the measured MPH values gathered from our pitot tube instrument. Both measurements aligned. Here’s a summary of that procedure:

1. We used a 13.8 in ± aluminum plate as a force plate for our electronic scale.
2. We vertically mounted and centered the blowers in our rig and off the force plate 5”.
3. The blower was operated for 10 seconds, and the result was recorded.
4. Three tests were performed for an average measurement.
5. Barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity were recorded
6. Used ANSI blower performance equations to calculate theoretical peak and average blower speed

Anemometer and Pitot Tube | Testing

The Pitot Tube was set up 5 inches from each blower in the center of the air stream. Batteries were fully charged and measurements were taken at full throttle. The data was collected at 1 Hz sample rate or once per second until the battery was drained.

An ExTech HD350 Pitot Tube Anemometer was used to perform this test. The chart below shows data for all 15 blowers.

Using this data we were able to determine and calculate 4 important metrics for each blower, ranked them separately, and also combined them for an “Airflow Performance” winner.

1. Run-time in minutes
2. Average Speed
3. Average CFM
4. Total air moved

Run-time | Sustained Performance Winner | Stihl

You can see from the chart that the Stihl ran the longest, at 25.4 minutes. Second place was ECHO with 19.4 minutes, followed in third place by Milwaukee at 16.7 minutes.

This is a good time to talk about open and closed-loop battery control and how it relates to sustained performance. One of the biggest complaints with cordless blowers is their poor run-time and tendency to suffer a drop in sustained performance over time, as the battery discharges.

Three blowers Makita, Milwaukee, and Stihl all have closed-loop control on the battery output enabling them to run at a consistent [not peak] speed, for the life of the battery. While these blower batteries may have more power that could be drawn from them, these closed loop controls limit the output so an expected level of sustained performance can be delivered over a longer period of time. This is a feature that appeals to Pro users.

In contrast, most of the blowers, we tested, showed open-loop control.  Their peak performance was delivered within the first few moments of battery discharge, and then a variable level of declining performance results, as the battery discharges.  For example, the Ryobi blower showed a 22% drop in performance when comparing a fully charged battery to one that is half “empty”.

The three closed-loop control blowers we tested, all handle the dwindling voltage of their batteries a bit differently:

• Makita ran at a consistent speed until it quit.
• Milwaukee ran at a consistent speed for over 90% of the battery life before rapidly fading.
• Stihl ran consistently for over 80% and then when the voltage began to drop, it forced a reduction to 75% peak power to continue on for an additional 5 minutes.

As pro tool users, we feel that having a blowers power stay consistent, and maintain its performance over the entire battery charge is really important.

Average Speed Winner | Stihl

Speed is measured in miles per hour and measures air velocity, or more specifically, the rate at which air passes through the blower’s nozzle.

A higher mph rating, results in the ability to push more dense or sticky debris like gravel or wet leaves. One interesting fact is that many tool companies market their blower’s performances by their PEAK measurement. We used average recordings to give you the MOST realistic and honest measurement.

The Stihl performed the best with an average speed of 124.5 mph. Second place was Milwaukee at 119.8 mph and closely followed in third place was Makita at 119.5 mph.

Note – The chart shows the EGO with the highest initial peak speed, but its average performance over time dropped, resulting in a fourth placement.

CFM Winner | EGO

Cubic feet per minute or CFM was calculated by taking the measured speed data and combining it with the area of the nozzle opening, to calculate the volume of air moved per minute.

The EGO came in first with 659 CFM. Second place was Makita with 643 CFM, and third was HART with 628 CFM.

The higher the CFM value, the more air your blower produces, resulting in a wider area cleaned in a shorter time.

Total Air Moved Winner | Stihl

The winner of this category is a combination of run-time and average CFM. This is an indication of the total amount of work performed on a battery charge.

The Stihl performed the best, coming in at 11,550 cubic feet, followed by ECHO with 11,126 cubic feet. Third place was Milwaukee with 10,032 cubic feet.

Overall Airflow Performance Winner | Milwaukee

It’s important to note that two of the above categories are power performance values, and the other two are indications of battery size and runtime. In order to level the playing field between tortoises and hares we combined all four categories to see how the blowers performed in totality.

The winner was Milwaukee, followed closely by EGO and Stihl.

Weighted Sled Test | Power Test Winner | EGO

Who doesn’t like a strong-man contest?  We’ve touched on the importance of MPH and CFM, but the importance of where these two values intersect is the overall “force or thrust” that a blower can produce.

Manufacturers measure this force in Newtons in their development and testing. We developed a test rig to indirectly measure thrust and provide a good visual understanding.

We built a weighted sled that rides on low-friction wheels attached to inclined rails.

Sled Procedure

Prior to each blower test the rails and wheels were cleaned and lubricated with silicone. To perform this test we placed each blower’s tube onto a v-shaped rest, mounted to the sled. We placed the blower body onto a tool rest setting the blower in the same plane as the sled rails. Once set, we ran each blower for a 10-second count and recorded the sled movement on a measuring tape mounted to the sled. Three tests were completed for an average measurement. All blowers were tested with a 5.5 weight placed on the sled rig.

Two blowers maxed this test out, they were the EGO and Ryobi. We then added a second 5.5. lb plate and retested both blowers. The Ryobi was able to move the sled approximately halfway, while the EGO maxed out the rig a second time!

The sled topped out at 70 inches. Our chart below does not account for the additional weighted tests for EGO or Ryobi. EGO was the clear winner, Ryobi was second followed by Harbor Freight’s Atlas blower which was able to move the sled 66 inches.

Blower Nozzle or No Nozzle | What’s Best?

We wanted to see the direct impact of the nozzles on our weighted sled rig. The nozzles are designed to narrow the opening of the chute and increase the speed of air coming out.

Many people don’t realize that manufacturers will often use a nozzle to measure higher peak MPH values and will use the wider chute opening without the nozzle to list their peak CFM number. The same blower, but tested with different configurations.

Most manufacturers supply a nozzle because many users feel it increases performance, and they ask for it. The reality is that adding a nozzle may increase the localized air stream speed, but the added friction and constriction reduce the overall performance.  [E.g Milwaukee reduces from 17.5 to 17 Newtons, but increases from 145 to 155 mph]

Our sled test results showed that adding a nozzle to the blower drastically reduced the blower’s performance on the sled test. For example, the Ryobi which was able to max out the test sled at 70-inches without a nozzle, was only able to achieve 58-inches with a nozzle. Similar results were observed with EGO and Milwaukee nozzles.

Ergonomics and Features Winner | EGO

This category is compiled from the combined opinions of the TBB crew after using the tools. Grip, throttle, battery removal, intake placement, and adjustable chute length were evaluated.

The EGO eked out a win with 10 points, followed closely by Makita and Milwaukee which tied for second place each with 11 points.

Grip

While all blowers had relatively comfortable grips, both the EGO and Milwaukee stood out. They have base stands that can double as a two-handed hold for overhead use or off-balance use.

Throttle | Trigger | Power On

When it came to evaluating the blower’s throttle, the TBB crew favored blowers with a single point of activation. Unfortunately, most blowers employ a boost button, which we feel is an unnecessary hassle and a marketing gimmick.  Some of the blowers, like the Craftsman, have boost features that can be locked on – we preferred that to having to hold the button down. Pro users definitely do not want to have to engage a second button.

The Milwaukee throttle stood out with ambidextrous use and had a very responsive throttle control and no boost button.

Lastly, some blowers have a power-on switch, or safety feature, in order to power on the trigger. Most of the crew found these features frustrating.

Battery Insertion and Removal

When considering the battery removal and installation, the crew really liked those blowers, like the Kobalt, that offer a spring-loaded ejection.

Milwaukee lost points in this category by being the only blower to employ dual batteries.

Adjustable Chutes

Makita, along with Stihl offers an adjustable chute, with several configurations. We felt this may appeal to users who might want to adjust their blower chute to their height.

Air Intake Location

Intakes were also evaluated. The team favored rear-mounted over side-mounted intakes due to side-mounted intakes sucking in the user’s pant legs when held close to the body.

Balance and Rotational Force Winner | ECHO

Too much rotational force can result in a blower that you’re constantly fighting to control, or worse results in a wrist injury like tendonitis. Wrist tendonitis is frequently caused by activities requiring sideways motion of the wrist while gripping. Activities such as using a blower in a side to side motion can lead to Dequervain’s tendonitis.

Rotational Force Rig

We built a rig to hold each blower’s handle to simulate a neutral grip position. The rig allowed the blower to rotate freely on this axis.

We used some image analysis to capture the angle of the blower chute relative to the horizon. The angle at rest with the blower powered off was measured, followed by the blower in the full throttle state.

We considered two values to be the most important when analyzing this data and used their individual rankings to determine the blower with the best balance.

1. Angle under load
2. Difference between no-load and full load

The first was the angle under load relative to the horizon. We found the most strain on the wrist was felt when the blower wanted to pitch down directly at the ground, forcing the user to pull the blower back up to a useful working angle.

The blowers we tested pitched down between a comfortable 40 degrees, to a very uncomfortable near vertical 89 degrees.

The second value we considered important was the change or Delta between the blower at rest and under load. A well-balanced blower should have minimal change in pitch when the throttle is activated. A bower that swings a large amount is likely to be harder to control. The smallest delta observed was 15 degrees and the highest was 57 degrees.

The ECHO took the best Balance category. The Echo had a no-load balance of 19 degrees and deflected to 40 degrees down under full throttle. This comfortable 40 degrees nose-down attitude coupled with the relatively small change of just 19 degrees scored it top marks.

Craftsman came in second with a  no-load measurement of 31 degrees and a full load of 46 degrees. Stihl followed in third place with 19 and 41 degrees.

Cordless Blower Noise Winner | Stihl

OSHA sets legal limits on noise exposure based on a worker’s 8-hour work day. For noise, OSHA’s permissible exposure limit is 90 dB.

To measure relative decibels mounted the blowers. back into our rotational rig, and mounted a decibel meter 24” away from the blower to simulate the distance between a user’s ear and wrist. Three readings were captured and an average was recorded.

The blower that was the quietest was the Stihl coming in at 81.5 dB. The second quietest was the RIDGID averaging 83.1 dB followed by the RYOBI averaging at 84.2 dB.

The blowers that were the loudest were the DEWALT and ECHO averaging 97.9 db.

Best Price Winner | Hart

When purchasing tools, price is unquestionably a crucial factor, particularly for those of you who are just beginning out in the trades or are DIY/Homeowners just starting out.

We ranked pricing as *kits and with blowers that weren’t sold in kit form, we included a battery(s) and charger to even the playing field.

* Ryobi kit comes with 2 batteries.

At the time of testing, the best-priced blower kit was the Hart coming in at $138.00. The second lowest price was the Craftsman at $149.00 and the third was the Skil at $159.00.

The most expensive blower we tested was the Stihl BGA 86, coming in at $839.97.  The majority of these blowers can be purchased at ACME Tool or your local big box store.

Best Value Blower Winner | Hart

Price and quality will continue to be the top deciding factors for consumers. In today’s economy, consumers are looking for ways to stretch their dollars further, and tool companies need a solution to deliver a well-made, powerful tool at a competitive price, without sacrificing quality.

As we have indicated, we do not include pricing in our overall scoring, but we include it and always suggest our pick for best value.

The Hart was an easy decision for us, it performed exceptionally well in our testing, and is priced the lowest, guaranteeing a seat at the “best value” table. Hart scored in the fourth place in noise, and mid-pack on pretty much all the other categories scored, finishing in 6^th place.

Best Cordless Blower Winner | Milwaukee

Milwaukee 36-volt cordless blower came in first place scoring a total of 20 points. It scored tops in airflow performance, second in features and ergonomics, and fourth in balance.

The Milwaukee operates easily in either user’s hand and has a responsive trigger. Its sturdy base plate doubles as a secondhand grip, and the heads-up battery display is a nice touch. The crew appreciated that there was no boost or turbo button to engage, everything you need comes from the trigger. Milwaukee did suffer in the ergonomic battery scoring category due to the fact that it was the only blower in the lineup with two batteries.  That second battery, while inconvenient, clearly helped push the power and runtime up where it needs to be.

The formidable EGO came in second place with 22 points. EGO scored tops in both ergonomics, features, and the sled thrust test. The EGO was clearly the most powerful of the blowers out of the gate.  The open loop battery control and resulting performance drop over time coupled with the mediocre balance numbers pulled the EGO down from walking away with the top spot.

The EGO is a powerful blower but some users will find that they have to fight to hold it in position, it has a recessed throttle control which the team appreciated. Like Milwaukee, the EGO has a base stand that allows the user to place a two-handed hold for overhead use. Ego also has a nice spring-assisted battery removal feature, which one would not appreciate unless you were testing 15 blowers!

Stihl took third place with 25 points. Stihl took tops in noise and third place in both balance and airflow performance. The Stihl is a robust tool with a nicely designed spring-assist battery removal setup. The team liked that it has an adjustable-length chute, but did not like having to manipulate the awkward safety lever to power it on.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re considering purchasing a blower you should first think about the application, you’re using it for, and then performance. A lot of these blower measurements we shared result in a compromise, so if you want our advice, we feel you should choose a blower that is “stronger for longer.”

Our Head-to-Head tests take time to complete and we are ultimately limited in scope as we’re not a professional testing company. We cannot do long-term testing that would shed light on longevity or durability, and we can’t possibly test every application that you might use a blower for.

We receive a lot of comments about how we arrive at our winner.  We’ve openly shared ALL the data from our tests, and you can rank the tools however you want. In this article, if you hover over the line or column in our graphs, you’ll be able to see the actual values. Hopefully, you’ll find this Head-To-Head useful when comparing compact cordless blowers.

If you have a moment, please check out our other Head-to-Head Tests.

Best Cordless Blower | Head-2-Head Video | 2023

Best Cordless Blower 2023 | Head-To-Head is a post from Tool Box Buzz

 TBB’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

TBB’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide will help you pick out the perfect gift(s) for that hard-to-buy-for tradesperson in your life. Especially if you’re shopping for someone who just wants tools but already seems to have too many. Or that special person talks about tools and hardware even when they know you don’t have a clue what they are talking about. Yeah… we’re here to help!  Whether you need that last small gift or are looking to start off with a big bang, we have you covered. We go through the heartache, pain, and suffering of testing out some of the industry’s uniquest (yep, that’s a real word), most practical, and just plain coolest tools and job site gadgets to create a full-spectrum holiday gift guide.

To help you out, regardless of your budget, we broke down the tools by price categories which are:

• $50 and under:  The simple and/or “add on” gift
• $50-100:  The standard gift category
• $100-200:  The solid winner gift
• Over $200:  Santa’s REALLY nice list!

And all of the tools in our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide are ones that are in our job site kits or our Pros’ workshops. So hang some lights and then get ready to hang out with us for a bit.

$50 and under Gifts | The simple and/or “add on” gift

• Craftsman Magnetic Cup Holder

If your Tool lover spends [too much] time in their workshop, and especially if they have a beverage or two while there, then this  is the perfect gift. Just sneak out there and look at any steel-topped surface like a table saw or jointer. See any rust rings? Well this inexpensive gift will eliminate those and give your person a place to put their drink after they work up a sweat and need to take a break. It’s magnetic and can also be mounted with screws, which we love.

Purchase at Lowes for $15

• Microjig GRR-RIP  Push Block & Fit Finder

It’s always fun to get a new tool but it’s equally important to use them safely. If you want your Tool Lover to keep all their fingers intact then you should check out the Microjig GRR-RIP Push Block. It has “smart hooks” that fold up on a flat surface or stay down to catch the back edge of a piece of wood being pushed through the table saw or jointer. It has a long surface area and great grip to make it super easy to keep a solid hold on your workpiece as you push it through the blade. The Fit Finder is an ingenious tool for finding the half thickness measure of a piece of wood or metal material. You slide the “P2” piece to the height of the material and the “P3” piece automatically adjusts to the halfway mark. It’s awesome for making easy lap joints on a table saw or even finding the center of a pipe or round lathe blank.

Purchase the GRR-RIP Push Block for $35

Purchase the Fit Finder for $34

• Spyder Shop Stool

Standing for long periods of time doesn’t always feel great. Especially on a concrete or hard packed floor. In work boots. So give your builder a sweet stool to take a break on. The Spyder stool is just the right height for a standard workbench, shop countertop, or draftsman’s table. The flared-out legs make it very stable and the boot bars give you a nice place to rest your feet while sitting.

Purchase at Lowes for $49

• Kreg 1/4 in Shank Router Flush-Trim Bit

We’ve used flush trim router bits A LOT in or work shops over the years. But when Kreg let us test out their new flush trim bits that feature top AND bottom mounted guide bearings we were immediately excited. These allow you to trim 1 1/8 in. thick material. The 1/4 in. shank paired great with the Ridgid Trim router featured below but Kreg also makes these in a 1/2 in. shank version. Like any decent router bit they sport a carbide edge and work great for template cutting. If your tool lover uses a handheld or table-mounted router then these are a must have.

Purchase at ACME Tools for $15

• Spyder Mach Blue Drill Bits

Drill bits are always a great gift because they sometimes break or get lost or just plain get dull. These Spyder bits look as good as they perform. The Blue finish also makes it easy to tell them apart from older bits that aren’t part of the set. The hex shank means they work with standard impact drivers as well as drill bits. The clear front case also makes it easy to keep track of missing drill bits before you store them away. They’ll love them!

Purchase at Lowes for $40

• DEWALT Oscillating Multi-Tool Blade Set

We use our Oscillating Multi Tool (OMT) all the time, whether cutting trim or leveling off protruding nail heads. But these tasks take their toll and the blades, no matter how good, get dull or chip off teeth. This is a great set from a great manufacturer. It has a good variety of blade shapes for a range of common materials. The case is handy and keeps the blades securely in place. And at $35 it’s a great value for what you’re getting from DEWALT!

Purchase at Home Depot for $35

• Crescent 4-Piece Chisel Set

Chisels may not be the first hand tool to come to mind but we use our consistently. Whether cleaning up a mortice and tenon joint or creating a just-right hinge recess, chisels are incredibly handy hand tools. This 4 Piece chisel set from Crescent holds their edge well and gives you the 4 basic sizes you need to tackle most any job. They are all steel construction with a large striking surface on the backside of the handle. The handle is really comfortable and grippy (you know what we mean) as well, so it won’t slip when you need to give it a good hammer strike.

Purchase at ACME Tools for $33

• Apex 11-Piece Pass Through Wrench Set

You might be thinking, my tool person already has wrenches. Too many wrenches for me to keep track of. But do they have a through wrench? A through wrench is built for ratcheting down nuts on long bolts or threaded rod. This Apex through wrench is even better because the through socket port is on the backend of an adjustable wrench. You get 2 tools in one here which makes it great to throw in your bag or truck and use on a number of jobs or tasks. Plus, the black-edition finish just looks sexy.

Purchase at Home Depot for $34

• Ryobi Li-USB Carver Kit

Sometimes you need a big saw or blade to make a big cut. But what about the smaller, detail cuts? Enter the Ryobi Carver kit. This rechargeable cordless charger kit comes with 3 blade designs: Straight, V-Gouge, and U-Gouge. It’s the prefect option for relief carving or restoration projects. Its lightweight and comfortable and delivers surprising power and utility for its size. And at $50 it’s not going to break the bank. This is a definite winner from Ryobi and something your tool lover might not have yet.

Purchase at Home Depot for $50

• Gerber Knives | Lockdown Slim Pry & Shark Belly Plain

We love knives. They may be one of the simplest and oldest hand tools around. These Gerber knives are awesome. The Lockdown Slim Pry (left) features 7 essential tools from a standard knife to a bottle opener, to a mini pry bar. It’s housed in a low-profile design that is both modern and easy to slide into your pocket. The Shark Belly (right) is an everyday carry, single blade pocketknife with a modern sheepsfoot blade and textured Sharkskin Grip. It has a scratch-resistant pocket clip and holds an edge quite impressively. Both knives come with Gerber’s awesome limited lifetime warranty as well.

Purchase at Gerber for $45/$47

$50-100 Gifts | The standard gift category

• Bora Tools 40 in. Parallel Clamp

We are big fans of Bora Tools Parallel clamps. They are often the go-to shop clamps. These 40 in. Bora parallel clamps are rugged and with the parallel face design offer even clamping pressure (up to 1100 lbs!) over the length of both clamping feet. They are designed to last with high quality steel and composite materials and come with removable work surface contact pads.  The orange color is easy to spot and they are built to last. The price point is on par compared to other manufacturers. So check them out at the links below.

Purchase at Bora for $56 (single)

Purchase at Home Depot for $100 (2-pack)

• Microjig Blade & Bit Cleaning System

We are big fans of keeping our equipment in the best shape possible to extend tool life and overall performance. The Microjig Blade cleaning system is an easy way to meet this goal. It allows you to use all-purpose cleaner (we used Mr. Clean) and a gentle abrasive pad to easily (and safely!) clean circular saw blades up to 12 in. as well as both 1/4 and 1/2 in. router bits. This is especially helpful if you’ve been working with soft woods that may have sap or pitch in the lumber and can heat up and stick to the blade when cutting. The included magnetic blade handle is also great for changing out blades on your table or miter saw. And at $99 its a small investment that has some serious long-term advantages!

Purchase the Blade & Bit Clean System for $99

• Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener

We’ve featured a lot of tools and knives in our articles. Now we want to give you an option to sharpen them once you dull them out. This Work sharp knife and tool sharpener is our handheld offering to meet that need. it can easily sharpen every knife and tool you own. It uses flexible belts set at just the right angle to quickly restore the edge on your blades. The work Sharp knife and tool sharpener also has sharpening guides, and a two-speed motor and is very comfortable and user friendly. It even comes with a decent carry bag.

Purchase at Worksharp tools for $99

• Elgin Rumble (and Rebel) Earbuds

You know we prioritize safety at Tool Box Buzz. Power tools pose a long-term risk to hearing. So grab a pair of Elgin OSHA-compliant, NRR 27 decibel rated Rumble ear buds. We love them because they combine great hearing protection with clear audio quality. The earbud design with silicone ear tips and over ear hooks also means they stay securely in place even when running vibrating tools or wielding hand tools. Ear buds also offer the added advantage of working great with eye protection or headgear, such as grinding shields or welding helmets. The battery life is great on these Elgin earbuds, and they are IP67 rated meaning they are dust and sweat proof, essential jobsite characteristics. Elgin also sent us a pair of the Rebel Earbuds (which have no neck wire) and with an even more impressive NRR rating of 25 decibels, they are also great. Plus, the impact-resistant case even has a built in LED flashlight. At $129 they are a better fit in the next price category though.

Purchase at Elgin USA for $99

• Stanley Socket Set, Black Edition

If you need a full-spectrum socket set, as opposed to a small truck-friendly one (like the Apex set above), then check out this Stanley socket set. It has a sturdy molded case and everything you need at a great price to include both 1/4 in and 3/8 in shallow and deep sockets. And the black chrome finish with laser engraved markings is super easy to read which is great compared to all-stainless finish. This Stanley 69-piece socket set has everything you need and exceeds ANSI industry standards.

Purchase at Home Depot for $68

• Gear Wrench 10-Piece Bolt Biter Extractor Set

Broken fasteners are an unavoidable headache for any experienced builder or tool hound. The Gear Wrench Bolt Biter 10-piece set is the perfect solution to this problem. Made of high-quality steel and featuring a fluted edge design, they are made to last. It’s also super convenient to have the right-sized drill bits in the same storage case. They are also bi-directional meaning they can also tighten, not just loosen. This is great for those times it’s easier to drive the busted fastener the rest of the way through the material its embedded in. These are a necessity for anyone in the construction industry.

Purchase at Home Depot for $70

• Ryobi 18V 6-Port Supercharger

We love cordless tools and have featured countless reviews on Ryobi battery-powered tools over the years. If your tool lover uses Ryobi 18V power tools, then buy this. Why? Because instead of having to plug in one battery at a time, this charger allows you to plug in 6 batteries into a single charger. It charges them one at a time, in series, so when you head out to your shop later on, you’ll have 6 charged Ryobi 18V batteries waiting for you. And because it’s the intelliport SUPERCHARGED version, its cuts down on charging time compared to standard Ryobi 18V charging times. It works on Lithium or older Ni-Cd batteries and has an integrated USB charger to simultaneously charge a USB device while powering up batteries.

Purchase at Home Depot for $89

$100-200 Gifts | The Solid Winner Gift

• Diablo 8″ Stacked Dado Blade Set

This Diablo 8 in. stacked Dado blade set checks all the boxes we look for in a blade system. The blades have a low-friction coating, Carbide tipped blade teeth (that are resharpenable), shims for precision adjustments, and a carrying case. The set is designed to fit standard 5/8 in. arbors and features negative hook angles to produce splinter free edges and flat bottom grooves as advertised. This set is even ideal for underpowered saws because it requires less power to feed. And at $115, these blades are an investment that will allow you to custom build cabinets and shelving using precision dado and rabbet cuts for years to come. There’s a reason Diablo blades are common in all our TBB shops and this set will show you why!

Purchase at Home Depot for $115

• Little Giant 22-Ft Multi-Position Ladder

We are huge fans of a tool that has multiple uses. This Little Giant 22 ft. multi position ladder exemplifies this characteristic. It works as an A-frame, extension, 90-degree, or tressel-and-plank ladder. It has spring-assisted rapid locks to make position changes simple and secure. The wide flared legs make for a very stable base and help it meet or exceed all OSHA and ANSI industry standards. It’s crafted from aluminum and weighs in at a mere 38 lbs, yet holds up to 300 lbs. And best of all it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. At a sale price of $179 this is a great value for a great ladder!

Purchase at Lowes for $179

• Milwaukee M18 FUEL Angle Grinder

As the saying goes, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. So don’t ask why Milwaukee is offering this kit for $199 (it’s usually over $500) and just buy it. Milwaukee FUEL products are among the most popular and prolific on any Professional jobsite. This Milwaukee 18V FUEL grinder is no exception. It features our preferred paddle switch design, multi-position mountable handle, and tool-free guard and blade adjustments. In addition, this M18 Grinder has REDLINK Plus, which is an electronic feature that allows the tool to talk to the battery to deliver the most power. This grinder is a beast and on par with any 11-Amp corded grinder we’ve used. It also comes with 2x 5.0 Ah RED Lithium batteries and a charger. This makes for one sweet gift! Find additional details at the TBB review article here.

Purchase at Home Depot for $199

• DEWALT 5-Inch 20V Orbital Sander

There’s nothing better than the final sanding on a beautiful hand-crafted creation. And this DEWALT 20V, 5-inch orbital sander kit is the perfect choice to get it done. It comes with a comfortable and powerful sander, 2Ah battery, charger, and sweet canvas storage bag. It has all the features you need including a variable speed switch that allows you to set the sander to anywhere from 8,000 and 12,000-OPMs. You can also hook a 1 7/8 in. dust extractor to it or use it with the included one-hand-removable dust bag. It’s lightweight and well balanced and at $129, its $100 cheaper than usual. We also have a TBB review article for that too!

Purchase at Lowes for $129

• Milwaukee M18 1/4 Sheet Sander

Keeping with our theme of finish sanding, the Milwaukee M18, 1/4 sheet sander is a great finish option for those tool lovers that already own (or want to own) Milwaukee tools. It’s a high-performing, variable-speed sander that oscillated anywhere from 11000-1300 OPMs. Additionally, it’s 2-stem clamp system for holding down the paper works perfectly. And the universal hose adapter and removable dust bag both did a great job collecting the dust we made. This sander also features Milwaukee’s REDLINK Plus (like the angle grinder above), to enable tool to battery communication and deliver optimized power. As far as cordless quarter-sheet sanders go, you can’t do any better than this Milwaukee one!

Purchase at Home Depot for $149

• Kreg PRO720 Pocket Hole Jig

Kreg has made a name for itself in the pocket hole jog game. And the PRO720 exemplifies why. This multi-featured jig uses Automaxx clamping action to single-handedly clamp onto materials 1/2-1 1/2 in thick. The Gripmaxx surface holds material securely in place so the pocket holes are exactly where you want them to be every time. The chip ejection port (with optional shop vac attachment) helped keep the clamping area relatively free of dust and shavings while the on-board accessory storage was incredible handy in keeping the easy to lose bits, collet, and wrench securely in place. The blend of impact-resistant polymer and steel framing make this a durable, high-quality jig that your tool lover is sure to enjoy.

Purchase at ACME Tools for $109

• Ryobi 18V ONE+ Hybrid Propane Heater

It’s easier to work in a comfortable space, so why not get your workshop dweller a heater to keep their space warm? The Ryobi 18V hybrid propane heater is a great choice. It offers the option to run off a standard Ryobi 18V Lithium battery or plug directly into a 110V wall outlet. A standard 20 lb propane tank will last you around 12 hrs if you run it at the lowest heat setting. Although it blasts anywhere from 30000-60000 BTUs. And have no fear, even the lowest setting puts off some impressive heat! It features an internal fan to help circulate the hot air and enabling it to effectively heat up to 2500 sq/ft. The electronic ignition is easy to use and its a very light unit making it quite easy to carry around.

Purchase at Home Depot for $149

• Gerber Knives | US-Assist S30V & Dual Force Multitool

OK, OK. I know we already included some knives in a prior section. But some knife lovers have refined tastes. And some tool lovers are always after the newest and best multi-tool. Gerber has you covered in both cases. The US-Assist S30V (right) is a spring-assisted, bearing based single blade knife. It looks sleek and functions flawlessly. It’s boasts S30 high-grade steel, perfectly placed thumb studs, and a phenomenal cross lock system to keep the blade locked, whether open or closed. The Dual Force (left) is a multi-tool highlighted by its impressive slip-jaw pliers. In standard multi-tool fashion, it also boasts 11 other tools mostly housed within its butterfly opening design. It comes with a rugged nylon sheath. And as before, both tools also come with Gerber’s awesome limited lifetime warranty!

Purchase at Gerber for $151/$110

• Ridgid 4 & 6Ah + “Free” Tool (Trim Router) Set

When we saw this Black Friday Only deal we couldn’t pass it up. Usually, a Ridgid 4Ah and 6Ah lithium battery set alone is $169. So add in a “free” 18V tool to pair with them and this literally feels like a steal. We opted to test out the 1/4 in. trim router and weren’t disappointed. Ridgid is an excellent entry-level Professional line and the trim router worked great on pine, cherry, oak, and poplar boards. It has a micro-adjustment dial, integrated LED light, 1 7/8 in. dust port, and soft start feature. Both batteries, the charger, and the router fit in the nice nylon carry bag as well. This is usually a $469 package so plan your black Friday shopping around it!

Purchase at Home Depot for $169

$200+ Gifts | Santa’s REALLY Nice List!

• Gearwrench Men’s Heated Canvas Jacket

We already covered the value of staying warm while working. But what if you aren’t working in a workshop? Then look no further. The Gearwrench Men’s heater canvas jacket is awesome! The Cavas material is both super comfortable and machine washable. The battery securely zips into the interior pocket. We loved its chape as the battery felt way less bulky than competitor offerings. The 3 carbon fiber heat zones worked great and kept us toasty in the crisp New England fall weather. The included 5Ah battery lasted 8 hrs between low and medium heat. And It’s also water resistant so even when we were working outside and got caught in a light rain, we weren’t soaked to the bone. Yep, this jacket is great and so is this TBB review on it!

Purchase at Gearwrench for $220

• Napier Outdoors Sportz Truck Tent

Does your gift target have a truck? Like the outdoors? Then grab this Napier Truck tent and let them combine them both. This tent mounts directly onto the bed of a standard pickup truck and provides an elevated campsite wherever you can drive. It features a sewed bottom for weather protection, front and rear windows (so you can get through the back window into your cab) and both a rainfly and awning. The Napier truck tent stores conveniently into a small bag so you can keep it in your truck for impromptu camping trips. It also boasts over 5′ 6″ of headroom so it doesn’t feel as compact as we thought it might. It’s not cheap at $299, but it’s a gift that is sure to make memories as you make your special person happy.

Purchase at Real Truck for $299

• Work Sharp WS3000 Tool Sharpener

We couldn’t help but include a second Work Sharp sharpened on our list. One that we’ve reviewed in detail on TBB. This one is a more elaborate, bench-mounted option. This Air-cooled, dry sharpening system eliminates the mess of a wet system and delivers higher material removal rates without affecting the steel temper. It can handle blades up to 2 in wide. Switching between bevel angles is simple and fast since it’s as simple as adjusting the port (vs. a detachable jig). It uses a tempered glass grinding wheel which is calibration free. There’s also no need to change between fixtures, grade wheels, or use multiple machines get a razor-sharp edge. If your worker uses straight blades like knives or chisels with any frequency, then this is a fantastic tool!

Purchase at Worksharp for $280

• Dometic Patrol 55 QT. Ice Chest

Long days in the hot sun will make a person thirsty, so why not think about a full featured cooler to keep your beverages of choice ice cold? The Dometic Patrol cooler is THAT cooler. It has a single-piece rotomolded design and extra thick PU insulation. The tough polymer materials are meant to withstand any rough & tumble environment. The large leak-proof drain makes cleaning your cooler easier and the Deep-freeze lid seal is absolutely airtight. The rope handles are heavy duty and sure to last. Lastly, the multi-use welded wire dock that can be used to hold a cup holder or a bottle opener. This is an investment as this cooler is the last one you’ll have to buy. And it looks pretty great too in whatever color you choose!

Purchase at Real Truck for $279

• Skilsaw 10 in. Portable Wormdrive Pro Jobsite Table Saw

We saved the biggest gift for last but for good reason. It’s worth spending some hard-earned cash on if you are looking for that one big gift. The Skilsaw SPT99-11 is a phenomenal portable table saw. We’ve used it on a variety of jobsites, and it has always performed exceptionally. It is a 15Amp, 10 in. fully featured portable saw and comes with Skilsaw’s amazing folding stand. The 16 in. wheels truly make this jobsite portable (and easy to load in the back of a work truck too). We have always loved Skilsaw’s worm drive design which is featured on this saw. This saw has a 30 1/2 in. rip cut and 3 1/4 in. depth of cut capacity and on-board storage for the rip fence, miter gauge, push stick, and blade guard/anti-kickback paws assembly. The rack-and-pinion fence design is incredibly smooth and solid. It also has a left-tilting blade that cants over to a 45-degree angle. The 2 in., downward-angled dust port fits most standard shop vacs and does a solid job taking care of the sawdust created. And the sliding outfeed support rack is a well thought out integrated feature. See more details on this saw in our TBB article. This is a great value and sure to make any tool lover’s Holiday the best ever!

Purchase at Lowes for $649

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

We know shopping for tool lovers is definitely a labor of love. It makes you ask “What do you get someone who seems to already have everything?” Just trust TBB’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide to give you some great suggestions whether you are looking for the perfect small gift or that one unbelievable, big gift. Happy Holidays from the Tool Box Buzz Team!

 TBB’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best 18V-24V Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-To-Head |2022

Over 70 years ago (1951 to be exact) Milwaukee Tools introduced the first reciprocating saw called the SAWZALL. Since then technology has advanced dramatically. Currently, there is a plethora of full-size cordless reciprocating saws that are being used on millions of job sites every day!

Demolition contractors, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanical contractors (both residential and commercial), and even firefighters are among the users. We can’t think of another power instrument that touches so many diverse trades than the reciprocating saw.

Cordless Reciprocating Saw Line Up

Fifteen manufacturers sent us their best cordless reciprocating saw on their 18v-24v platforms. We received the following 17 reciprocating saws for this Head-To-Head.

Craftsman Reciprocating Saw

• Model: CMCS351B
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3200 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/8″
• Weight: 6.92 LBS
• Price: $99.00

DEWALT Reciprocating Saw

• Model: DCS386B
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/8″
• Weight: 7.7 LBS
• Price: $169.00

FLEX Reciprocating Saw

• Model: FX2271-Z
• Voltage: 24V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 10.67 LBS
• Price: $199.00

Hart Reciprocating Saw

• Model: HPRS25
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3200 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 5.0 LBS
• Price: $115.00

Hilti Reciprocating Saw

• Model: SR 6-22 #2240583
• Voltage: 22V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 2600 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.8 LBS
• Price: $299.00

Kobalt Reciprocating Saw

• Model: KXRS 124B-03
• Voltage: 24V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3100 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.4 LBS
• Price: $149.00

Kobalt Reciprocating Saw

• Model: KRS 224B-03
• Voltage: 24V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3100 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.0 LBS
• Price: $129.00

Makita Reciprocating Saw

• Model: XRJ05Z
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 8.2 LBS
• Price: $179.00

Metabo Reciprocating Saw

• Model: 602267850
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 2700 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 5.5 LBS
• Price: $179.00

Metabo HPT  Reciprocating Saw

• Model: CR18DBL
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.0 LBS
• Price: $139.00

Milwaukee  Sawzall Reciprocating Saw

• Model: 2822-20
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.8 LBS
• Price: $259.00

Milwaukee Sawzall Reciprocating Saw

• Model: 2722-20
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 8.8 LBS
• Price: $249.00

Porter-Cable Reciprocating Saw

• Model: PCC670B
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 4.35 Lbs
• Price: $62.00

RIDGID Reciprocating Saw

• Model: R8647B
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3200 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 7.2 LBS
• Price: $189.00

Ryobi Reciprocating Saw

• Model: PBLRS01B
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3200 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.7 LBS
• Price: $149.00

Skil Reciprocating Saw

• Model: RS582902
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 4.63 LBS
• Price: $89.99

WORX Reciprocating Saw

• Model: WX516L
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-3/16″
• Weight: 5.52 LBS
• Price: $109.00

Note: Bosch was asked to participate in this Reciprocating Saw Head-to-Head, however, they declined.

Head-to-Head Testing Format

For our Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-to-Head, our team looked at a total of 9 criteria, which are listed below. Each criterion was ranked independently, and the “Overall Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw” was determined using a combination of the test results.

We wanted to develop various speed tests related to several significant trades for this Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-to-Head. We created tests that appeal to the following users and added to the standard testing criteria we always add in our Head-To-Head tests.

1. General Contractor / Demolition [timed cut test]
2. Plumbing / Heating Contractors [timed cut test]
3. Electricians [timed cut test]
4. Features
5. Ergonomics
6. Size
7. Noise
8. Price
9. Best Value
   

Testing Blade Information

All reciprocating saws were fitted with task-specific, brand-new Milwaukee Nitrus Carbide blades before testing, which shifted the focus away from the blades and more toward the saws.

• Timed Test 1:   Gas Pipe for plumbers.
• Timed Test 2:  Unistrut for electricians.
• Timed Test 3:  Nail Embedded Wood for Carpenters and Remodelers.

NITRUS CARBIDE teeth on these reciprocating saw blades allow you to cut longer, and faster. Compared to standard carbide tooth blades, Milwaukee claims that the NITRUS CARBIDE technology outlasts existing carbide-toothed reciprocating saw blades by 3-times. Milwaukee uses 25% more Carbide per tooth on their NITRUS CARBIDE blades.

Battery Pack Guidelines

For this Head to Head, we requested manufacturers send us two of their batteries in the 4.0Ah to 6.0Ah range. This was to even out the playing field as some of these companies have very large batteries for these saws.

Testing Format Information

For the Nail Embedded and Uni-strut testing, we suspended a 10-pound weight from an anchor strap on the forward grip of each reciprocating saw to ensure that each saw received the same cutting pressure.

The cut began with both hands on the saw, the front hand was released to let the 10-pound weight draw the blade through the cut. Also, some of these saws include a variable speed option. We performed the tests using the highest factory-applied speed setting.

Jig Information

Tool Box Buzz has spent countless hours designing, building, and tweaking our test jig which allows us to remove human error in some of our testing.

To ensure a repeatable even cut, the jig is composed of 4 extruded aluminum towers that act as vertical rails for a mounting platform that holds and constrains the saw.  At the heart of the jig is a 3D-printed fractal vise that can move around irregular surfaces of the saw to provide even horizontal clamping force.  Additional straps are used to hold the saws in place.

All of the saws were fitted with new Milwaukee 6-inch TORCH blades. ( 7 TPI with Nitrus Carbide Teeth) – 48-00-5261

A timing system is used on the jig that takes advantage of two carefully positioned micro-switches that control the start and stop time of the cut.  Our process was to raise the saws above the material with an attached rope, start the saws at their highest setting and use a Velcro strap to keep the saw trigger in the “full-on” position.  The saw is carefully lowered into the cut and the micro-switch timing starts as the cut sequence is initiated.  At this time the weight of the saw and the weight of the mounting platform ~20lbs was the cutting force exerted into the cut.

Gas Pipe Speed Test | Winner – FLEX

This gas pipe test is designed for plumbing and heating contractors.  Using 1-1/2″ cylindrical black steel schedule 40 gas pipe. We utilized the new Milwaukee Torch blades suitable for the thick metal in each saw and timed three cuts using our testing rig. We used Rockwell Jawhorses to hold the pipe at the desired height while we cut.

The winner of the gas pipe test was the FLEX 2271-Z with an impressive average time of 4.71 seconds. Second place was the Kobalt KRS-224B with a time of 5.15 seconds and third was the Milwaukee One Key 2822-20 with 5.63 seconds. The slowest saw that actually finished the test was the WORX coming in at 16.42 seconds.

This test, combined with the weight of the testing jig proved to be a challenge for some of the saws and a borderline torture test. The strong cutting force really gave the more robust saws their moment to shine.

Hart, Kobalt KXRS, Metabo HPT, Porter Cable, Ryobi, and Skil could not complete the test and received a DNF [Did Not Finish]. The Metabo HPT and Kobalt saws were overloaded and went into thermal overload, a feature designed to protect the motor, automatically shutting the saw down. The Porter-Cable and Skill saw motors were also overloaded, but do not have thermal overload protection, so the testing team stopped the test.

Unistrut Speed Test | Winner – FLEX

For electricians and mechanical contractors, Uni-strut is a standardized formed structural system used for light structural support, frequently for supporting wiring, piping, or mechanical components.  In each saw, we utilized new Milwaukee TORCH, (6″ 7 TPI w/ Nitrus Carbide Teeth) – 48-00-5261, blades and recorded the average time for three cuts. We used a 10lb weight on an anchor strap and let the weight do the cutting.

The winner of this test was the FLEX 2271-Z with a speed of 3.67 seconds. Kobalt KRS in a close second with 4.23 seconds and third place went to the Makita 18v at 4.48 seconds.

Every saw was able to complete this test. The slowest saw of the group was the Ridgid R8647B coming in at a whopping 23.42 seconds.

Nail Embedded Wood Speed Test | Winner – Makita 18V

For our nail-embedded wood test, we took three 2×10 joists, fastened them together, and added five (5) 3-1/2″ nails into each 2×10 for a total of fifteen (15) nails. We used a 10 lb weight fixed to an anchor strap at the front of each saw and then plowed through three nail-embedded 2x10s with each cut.

This simulates heavy-duty demolition cutting for carpenters, remodelers, and general contractors. In each saw, we utilized a new Milwaukee WRECKER (9″ 6 TPI with Nitrus Carbide Teeth) –  48-00-5272, blade suited for nail-embedded wood, and timed three cuts.

The winner of this test was the Makita XRJ05Z with an impressive speed of 28.69 seconds. The team commented on how easy the Makita is to install the blade and the surprising cutting speed.

Two-hundredths of a second [.02] slower was the FLEX at 28.71. Finishing up in third place was the Milwaukee Super Sawzall 2722-20 with an average speed of 29.62.

Porter Cable had the longest cut time at 129.51 seconds. Skil was the only saw that did not finish a cut in the test [DNF], stopping a few seconds in.

Features | Winner – Milwaukee 2722-20 One-Key

Comparing tool features from different brands is challenging, but  “the devil is in the details.” We feel that a feature assessment is necessary and the entire team discussed these features and scored them.  Each feature was worth 1 point. The total number of points available was 7.

1. Rafter hook
2. Orbital action
3. Blade release lever
4. LED Light
5. Shoe plate
6. Variable speed
7. Standout Features

The winner of the feature section is the Milwaukee One Key 2822-20. This saw had a total of 7 points, with a perfect score. This saw was well-balanced, and has a super comfortable grip and over molding, a solid rafter hook, and a smooth spring lever for blade changing.  The crew noted that the back-light for electronic controls needs to be brighter or a different contrast for working in sunlight operations.

There was a two-way tie for second place, the Milwaukee Super Sawzall, and the Ridgid with 5 points each.

The only saw that did not have any of these features was the Porter Cable, which resulted in a 0 score.

Rafter Hook

Almost all of the saws with rafter hooks were metal hooks and a swivel mount. The Hilti was the only exception with a narrower, ABS plastic style hook.

Variable Speed

All the reciprocating tested had variable triggers, but only five allow for an upper RPM limit setting. Of those five, the Milwaukee Super Sawzall has a variable analog speed dial. The Milwaukee One-Key reciprocating allows three preset settings on the tool and additional customization RPM controlling and settings through the One-Key AP. 

Stand-Out Features

Standout features are ones that other saws do not have and should be thought about when making a purchase.

Milwaukee ONE-KEY

The Milwaukee 2722-20 is the first reciprocating saw in its field to wirelessly link to a smartphone and track, manage, and customize a tool’s usage and location. With Unlimited Tool Customization, you can connect to the device and access preset setups for particular materials and fasteners, or you can fully customize the output speed and power for the current application. The custom profile is then saved to the tool’s memory after the desired output performance has been attained, making the connection to the smartphone unnecessary. Up to 4 unique profiles can be conveniently accessed from the tool’s memory with the touch of a button. Additionally, your personalized profiles are kept in the cloud and accessible at any time.

Using tools across your network of jobs and users is completely visible with integrated tool tracking, which ONE-KEY offers. The app will track all ONE-KEY compatible devices within a 100-foot radius of your phone.

All devices are traceable regardless of whether the battery is charged or on the tool because the capability is built into the instrument rather than the battery.

The program will automatically keep track of the last time a tool was in its vicinity, making it easier to find missing tools and improving crew responsibility. If you’re having problems finding a misplaced tool, ask anyone with the ONE-KEY app for assistance in broadening your search.

Additionally, the One-Key also has fixed orbital action. This means you can not turn it on or off. Unlike the Super Sawzall, which has a selectable orbit, the One-Key detects the best orbital action for cutting material.

HILTI On!Track

The HILTI 22V Nuron tools generate data which is then stored on the Nuron batteries and sent securely to the cloud during every charge without any operator interaction. NURON batteries have an internal memory card that can simultaneously store information from up to 12 tools.

When the batteries are plugged into the charger, the data is automatically uploaded to the cloud via cellular networks without any setup required. This allows users to make data-driven decisions based on site-specific tool usage patterns. Using Hilt’s ON! Track software on app and web customers can track this information by user or job site or leave it at a tool level, whichever they prefer.

Together with services like Hilti Fleet Management [paid subscription service] tool data can be used to reduce downtime and optimize tool cribs to boost customer productivity.

While this is an excellent feature, the team feels it needs to do more for the majority of Pro contractor users who are unable or unwilling to subscribe to the Hilti Fleet Management services.

DEWALT Flexvolt Advantage

DEWALT FLEXVOLT Batteries can unlock more power and better performance with Flexvolt Advantage 20v Max tools. The FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE technology-equipped tools are aware of the battery’s connection and alter their power output accordingly. When combined with FLEXVOLT batteries, DEWALT 20V MAX* tools with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE technology give end users greater power.

Ergonomics | Winner – Milwaukee 2822-20  One-key

The ergonomics evaluation in this section is purely subjective and based on the opinions of the testing crew. After a full day of running performance tests, the team sat down and ranked each tool in several categories on a score of 1-10 [1 being the best]. For the ergonomics evaluation, the team evaluated the following criteria:

1. Subjective Vibration
2. Grip comfort
3. Ease of Blade Change
4. Ease of Shoe Plate Adjustment

The Milwaukee One-key reciprocating saw came in with a six score and never dropped below 2nd place in the four tested categories.  Hilti saw came in 2nd with an eight score. Third place went to the flex with double the points of the first two saws with a score of 15.

Subjective Vibration

Each evaluator ranked the tools based on perceived vibration for this category while performing each performance test. The average ranking was used for the final vibration ranking.

Vibration standouts:

The FLEX and Metabo HPT saws had minimal vibration.  The FLEX  saw includes active vibration control with FLEX’s “Shockshield Vibration Suppression.” According to FLEX, it reduces vibration by 40%.  In our testing, without knowing this information, the entire crew all commented that the FLEX was one of the saws with the least vibration.  Impressively it did this without bogging down or a reduction in power.

FLEX was “smooth as silk” to operate. ~ Rob

Grip Comfort

The crew collectively assessed how the grip surface, hand shape, and over-molding felt. Grip comfort is probably the hardest to score as a team due to the wide range of shapes and sizes of hands the team members have.

Grip Standout: DEWALT and Hilti

The team felt that the DEWALT and the Hilti saws had the most comfortable grip.

Ease of Blade Change

Every tool in this category included a tool-free blade change design. The comparison focused on the ease of changing blades. The entire team favored the external spring-loaded lever used to change the blade. The rest of the saw uses a spring-loaded twisting collet to change the blade.

Blade Change Standouts: DEWALT and Hart

Both the DEWALT and Hart saws use a spring-loaded lever to release or insert the blade. This lever was easy to operate with or without gloves.

The FLEX and Makita collets lock open and allow the blade to be inserted without twisting. The issue the team had with the collets was that many were difficult to grip, impossible to operate with gloves on, and the collet could sometimes get “buried” inside the housing of the tool, necessitating you to pull the trigger to reach the collet.

Shoe Plate Adjustment

Of the tools that had shoe plate adjustment the ones that did were controlled by either of the following:

• Lever  [A team favorite]
• Push button
• Allen key

It’s 2022, and onboard hex keys for shoe plate adjustments seem archaic but not having an adjustable shoe plate is silly. – TBB Crew Scott

FLEX has a push button on the front of the tool’s housing. During the testing, this button was recessed and got stuck inside the housing- making it impossible to adjust the shoe plate. Upon further inspection, there did not appear to be any debris build-up. The consensus was that the fit and finish of this mechanism needed to improve.

The two Kobalt Saws – have an ergonomically placed, single button, that adjusts the shoe easily. The shoe extends to the furthest point but does not come out of the tools.  The team liked that, but this button could inadvertently be hit while in operation.

The Milwaukee M18 One-Key saw has two buttons, on each side, to easily release the shoe plate completely. Dual controls need to be pressed at the same time, making a using mishap unlikely.

Size | Winner – Porter Cable

To compare the saws’ overall size (compactness), the length ranking and the weight ranking were added together. The tools were ranked from smallest to largest and least heavy to heaviest. Smaller more compact tools are easier to operate in tight spaces and weight is always a fatigue factor.

Let’s face it, a saw lighter in weight and packs a punch [power] transcends into unicorn status!  Weight is a huge consideration, after the performance, when using a reciprocating saw. The larger size saws translated into performance in our testing, we sure wish it were the opposite.

You often operate a reciprocating saw overhead, and the task can quickly cause fatigue. During the evaluation process, each reciprocating saw was weighed on our digital scale WITHOUT a battery. There are so many variations of battery packs on the market; some operators may choose a smaller battery pack for overhead tasks, and some may not.

Porter Cable took the size category measuring 15″ in length and weighing in at 4.35 lbs as a bare tool. Second place was the Skil which is 16″ in length and 4.83 lbs. Third went to Hart with 17-1/2″ and 5.00 lbs respectively.

The longest-length saw we tested was the Milwaukee One Key at 21-1/2″, placing it in last place when added with a weight of 8.80lbs. The heaviest saw was the FLEX, weighing 10.67 lbs which when added to its length of 18″, ranks it 15th out of 17 saws.

Noise Saw | Winner  – HILTI

OSHA allows 8 hours of exposure for noise levels up to 90 decibels, but the exposure limits drop rapidly at 95 decibels and higher. Hearing protection should be worn when operating a reciprocating saw because they are extremely loud.

We used a decibel meter to measure the saw’s dB level in a no-load situation at a set distance of the same height as a user’s ear spacing to test these saws consistently. The crucial point is that the saws were always compared against each other, despite decibel measurements being relative to any setting. We evaluated these saws in a no-load capacity; nevertheless, when the saws are loaded, the noise level increases and the cutting material dictates the noise level.

The saw that was the quietest was the HILTI Nuron at 87 dBs. The second quietest saw was the Metabo at 92.0 decibels. The loudest reciprocating saw we tested was the Hart at 102.8 decibels.

Best Reciprocating Saw Price | Winner – Porter Cable

Price is always a consideration when deciding which saw is best for a user. For each of the saws “as-tested,” we’ve given the current bare tool pricing discovered online at the time of writing.

The price of a tool can sometimes be the deciding factor in whether or not to buy it. We can all agree that price is an essential factor to consider when purchasing tools, especially for those of you who are just getting started in the trades. We also understand that most contractors are brand loyal and will prefer to stick with their current battery platform rather than branch out and build a new line of cordless instruments.

The reciprocating saw that cost the least was the Porter Cable coming in at $62.00 bare tool. The second cheapest-priced saw was the Skil at $89.99 [this is the kit price]. Both of these saws fall into the DIY category for saws.

The most expensive saw we tested was the Hilti Nuron which came in at $299.00 bare tool.

We did not include the price in our overall score as we felt the lesser-priced DIY saws would penalize the higher-priced, better-performing Pro-rated saws. We have pricing in its own section for you to use as you need to. Most of these saws may be found at your local big box stores, and almost all of them can be found online like ACME Tools or Amazon.

Best Value Reciprocating Saw | Winner – Kobalt KRS 224B-03

This category winner often resonates with almost everyone, because shines on the tool that performs well in our tests, while not breaking the bank. The best value reciprocating saw is the Kobalt KRS 224B-03, which came fifth place overall [out of 17 tools] and is the fifth least expensive saw, priced at $129.00 [bare tool].  This saw came in 4th place in Features, top 10 in the nail-embedded cutting test, second place in gas pipe testing, and fifth in the uni-strut cut test. It’s a solid-performing, well-priced tool and one that anyone would be happy using.

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw | Winner – FLEX

It’s evident to the team that Flex is pushing hard on the gas pedal to enter the Pro market. This imposing saw is fantastic!

The Flex reciprocating saw was a clear winner in our testing process, with 37 awe-inspiring points. Flex shined in our performance testing, coming in 1st place in the gas pipe testing, 1st in uni-strut testing, and 2nd in nail-embedded wood.

It came in third in ergonomics and fourth in features. It is a large, stunningly powerful saw with low vibration; the team feels Flex has room to improve the blade change [collet] mechanism.

Second place was the Milwaukee One-key coming in with 44-points. A stand-out winner in ergonomics, with robust features and performance that never dipped below 5 in any cutting speed tests. The Milwaukee is a feature-rich, comfortable, robust saw. If the Flex is a suped-up, hyper-fast, and smooth-riding Chevy, the M18 Sawzall is clearly a Mercedes. Its only flaw was the hard-to-see controls in direct sunlight.

Third place goes to the Metabo 602267850. The Metabo performed held its own in every category, and their smaller footprint and lower decibel ratings propelled them to score higher in the ranks. This saw could use some improvement on vibration and the team was not a fan of the battery eject button, which is not easy to manipulate.

The MOST Comprehensive Information Available

Our ALL Pro contractor team put some serious time and effort into our Best Reciprocating Saw Head-to-Head evaluations to provide you with the most comprehensive information available.

These tests and evaluations are tough, take a lot of time, but are limited in scope. We cannot do long-term ROI testing that would determine longevity. However, the team does see a few of these tools “punch above their weight,” in our testing only to smoke out or leave us with questions about their longevity down the road. Many of those tools are also not considered pro brands.

We get lots of comments about how we make the final rankings. There are dozens of ways to compare tools; we share ALL the data from our tests, so you can re-rank the tools however you want. If you don’t care about an item we ranked? No problem. Remove that from the matrix above and re-rank them.

Other Head-to-Head Testing

In case you missed it, the crew at Tool Box Buzz has published four Head-To-Heads this year. If you have a moment, please check them out here:  Head-to-Head Tests.

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-To-Head Video | 2022

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-To-Head | 2022 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

TBB’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

Do you dread having to find a gift for the workshop-a-holic in your family? Well, have no fear! Our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide will help you pick out the perfect gift(s) for that hard-to-buy-for tradesperson in your life. We go through the heartache, pain, and suffering of testing out some of the industries uniquest (yep, that’s a real word), most practical, and just plain coolest tools and job site gadgets to create a full-spectrum holiday gift guide.

To help you out regardless of your budget, we broke down the tools by price categories which are:

• $50 and under
• $50-100
• $100-200
• $200+ (Santa’s REALLY Nice List!)

And all of the tools in our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide are ones that are on our job site kits or in our Pros’ workshops. So hang some lights and then get ready to hang out with us for a bit.

$50 and under Gifts

Ryobi 11 in. Flexi-Shaft Bit Holder

Why didn’t I get one of these before!? This flexible shaft drill/driver extension from Ryobi lets you reach all the formerly hard-to-reach places for your fastening needs. Tight space? Deep hole? Angled approach required? Yes, this bit extension lets you reach them all. And at $9 it’s a no-brainer. Purchase Here

Ryobi 18V ONE+ Compact Bluetooth Speaker

Do you know what’s better than finishing up an error-free job?  Doing it while listening to great tunes. This small, light and inexpensive Bluetooth speaker is easy to throw in a toolbox for those times when you’ve got a job to do and you aren’t wearing hearing protection. The sound is good and the Bluetooth is easy to pair. So for $30 it’s an easy choice. Purchase Here

Ridgid Flip Top Portable Work Support

I’ve got A Ridgid flip-top support on both the infeed and outfeed side of my table saw as I type this. And they are fantastic! They eliminate the misaligned tracking that often comes with roller support stands. And adjusting them to just the right height is incredibly easy so they’ll work with pretty much any tool in the workshop. These stands can be locked in a flat position or set with a limited range of swivel-ability to easily receive incoming feed materials. They run about $33 and are worth every penny! Purchase Here

Bosch 61″ BT150 Compact Tripod

Sometimes we want to take some quality pictures of a job well done. Or shine some light on a dark work area. Your job site task might even require a precision leveled laser for an added level of accuracy (intentional foreshadowing here). Whichever of these needs arises, the Bosch 61″ BT150 Tripod offers a fully-adjustable tripod to keep your tools steady. They cost $50, which is less than it would cost to hire an extra set of hands to hold said tools even less steady for a day. Purchase Here

$50-100 Gifts

Ridgid 14-Piece Oscillating Multi-Tool Blade Kit

You can never go wrong with extra blades for an oft-used tool (yep, more foreshadowing). And with a multitude of uses, an oscillating multi-tool can sometimes chew through blades and accessories. This Ridgid oscillating multi-tool blade set gives a good variety of popular (and high-need) blades at a fraction of the cost compared to getting them individually. It runs for around $55. Purchase Here

Milwaukee 10 in. 40T + 60T & 7 1/4 in. Carbide Metal-Cutting Saw Blades

Recognize a theme here? Another couple of blade sets for arguably the most used tool in many workshops (and millwork floors). This time of the circular variety. Milwaukee’s 10 in. 40 & 60 tooth blade set is a perfect combo kit for any standard table saw. And their 7 1/4 in. circular saw metal cutting blade offers essential material-cutting versatility without requiring the purchase of a specialized tool. The 10 in. blade set runs for $69, while the 7 1/4 in. metal cutting blade goes for $60. Remember, these are an investment that will absolutely span many jobs and projects. Purchase 10 in. Here & 7 1/4 in. Here 

Crescent Tools 44 in. Indexing-head Wrecking Bar

Does your lucky gift receiver have an itch to pull apart some pallets and repurpose the wood into a beautiful hand-crafted masterpiece? Better question… Do you have a desire for them to do that? Or do they ever need to cleanly remove decking or planking during a restoration or demo job? The Crescent tools 44 in. indexing-head wrecking bar makes these tasks a breeze. At least compared to the alternative of using a shorter pry-bar, crow-bar, or (heaven help them) a hammer and wedge. They cost $63 which is still significantly less than the over-the-counter back pain remedies you would otherwise have to buy at the end of the job. Purchase Here

Milwaukee 500-Lumen Rechargeable Flashlight 2011R & M12 Rover Floodlight

Can you ever have too many flashlights and work lights? No. The answer is no! And Milwaukee has some of our favorites. This re-chargeable Milwaukee penlight also has a magnetic base as well as a two-way clip. That means it’s as easy to stick onto a metal surface as it is to clip onto the brim of your favorite work hat. It quickly recharges using a standard mini-USB cable. The Rover M12 floodlight is fantastic in its own right. It also has a magnetic base and is powered using Milwaukee’s M12 battery platform. Plus, the light has 2 brightness settings, and best of all? the light swivels to give you increased position-ability (also a real word) for any task you might need it for.  At $60 and $69, they aren’t cheap, but they are definitely 2 of our favorite lights for a reason! Purchase 500 Lumen Light here & M12 Rover Light here

Craftsman 11-Piece Ratcheting Wrench Set (SAE or Metric)

I have a wrench set, so did I really need a new wrench set? The answer, after using Craftsman’s new ratcheting wrenches, was a definite yes. Craftsman has created a fantastic wrench set with a combo of open-ended and ratcheting closed-ended wrenches. the ratcheting closed-end means tightening or loosening tight nuts or bolts in a cramped space is now easy, with no knuckle bleeding, experience. The polished, chromed steel looks great and the range the 11-piece set covers will handle most light-duty shop or automotive tasks you throw at it. They run about $74 and come on either SAE or Metric with Craftsman’s standard lifetime warranty. Purchase SAE Set Here & Metric Set Here

Ryobi 15- Piece Router Bit Set, 1/4 in. Shank

The router is an extremely versatile workshop or job site tool. From trimming countertops to rounding odd sharp wood edges, there seems to be a router bit for almost every wood application. This set is a perfect fit for anyone that finds themselves firing up their trim router with any frequency. It comes with an excellent range of bits in a convenient storage case. And it will save them money in the long run by not being forced to buy individual bits for each application. Just make sure your tool-loving counterpart is using a 1/4 in. shank router collet become snagging this great set for $65. Purchase Here

$100-200 Gifts

Winckelsteel 12-piece Woodcarving Set

Not every job has to be an arduous task. Sometimes handcrafting a custom-tailored workpiece can be a therapeutic experience. And the Winckelsteel 12-piece woodcarving set offers such an experience. If your woodworker, whether budding or professional, has ever expressed a desire to get into woodcarving, then this full-size set is the perfect starting point. The hardened steel blades come pre-sharpened and are designed to hold an edge well. And the solid wood handles are comfortable and look great in the included canvas roll-up carrying case. It will cost you $120 to put this under the tree. Purchase Here

Boss 18 oz. Framing or 14 Oz. Finish Hammer

I literally have a drawer full of hammers in my workshop. But none compare to my Boss hammers. But these hammers are more than just a hammer. They also have an integrated (albeit rough) angle measuring, T-square, and 6 in. ruler built into their handle. These work great for basic framing tasks and will quickly become any job site PRO’s go-to hammer. They are well balanced and even included a magnetic, recessed nail-starter spot at the top of the head. Oh yea, and they look and feel fantastic too. They will cost you $145 but make a great fit for anyone swinging a hammer day in and day out on a job site. Purchase Here

DEWALT 20V 7 1/4 in. Circular Saw w/ FlexVolt Advantage

A circular saw is an invaluable tool whether in the workshop or on the job site. If your tool addict doesn’t have one (or has an older one) then you need, not should, to help them upgrade. The DEWALT 20 circular saw with FlexVolt advantage is the perfect fit and one of our go-to tools. It supplies ample power and is comfortable for extended periods of use. It’s also extremely accurate and offers a great line of sight. Plus, it has some great design features with an integrated rafter hoof, super-bright LED light. And it maximizes safety with a well-designed electric brake. You can embarrass Santa and buy this saw for $199. Purchase Here

$200+ Gifts (Santa’s REALLY Nice List!)

Milwaukee M12 QUIETSHELL Realtree Heated Jacket

Does your tool-craving gift target like to hunt? Or do they like camouflage? Or do they just enjoy being warm outside when it’s freezing? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then the Milwaukee M12 QUIETSHELL RealTree Heated Jacket is sure to be a winner. And it’s literally the hottest thing on our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide. It’s extremely comfortable and the well-placed heating elements (in the core and the pockets) have separate controls for 3 levels of heat. Plus, the QUIETSHELL material is soft on the inside and out, eliminating and unwanted swishing while walking. it runs true to size and can be purchased with or without a battery. And the battery can be placed in the front or rear pocket so the jacket is comfortable to wear whether say… sitting back in a tree stand or chair or leaning forward on a ladder. It’s currently priced at $229. Purchase Here

Bosch Green Cross-Line Laser Level & Upgraded w/ Plum Line

If your favorite workshop or job site expert ever needs to precisely align and install lights, outlets, windows, doors, tiles, cabinets, trim, etc… then a Bosch auto-leveling laser light (either GLL100-40G and the GC100-40G) is a necessity, not a need. These lights both have a horizontal and vertical bright green laser line covering near 180-degrees. They both also self-level and are accurate to 1/8 in. at 30 ft. It even comes “pre-wrapped” in a heavy-duty molded plastic case and includes a magnetic L-bracket. They also pair exceptionally well with the Bosch Tripod previously highlighted in this article. So what’s the difference between the GLL and the GCL? The GCL has a third added feature; an upright and downward-facing laser plum line! They are definitely high-end tools at $235 and $289 respectively. But may fill a serious need that can often get overlooked. Purchase GLL100-40G Here & GCL100-40G Here

Milwaukee Packout Rolling Jobsite Toolbox Set

The Milwaukee Packout series of job sites, portable toolboxes is an industry favorite, and for good reason. They are tough and offer industry-leading job site protection, storage, and portability of any PROs essential tools. If your PRO hasn’t made the leap yet to the Milwaukee Packout series then this is the perfect starter set. It includes a rolling base, a medium-sized toolbox, and open storage crate. They are constructed of the highest-grade composite polymer materials to withstand the rigors of and elements on any job site. And they look great to boot. Plus, by buying this combo kit, you end up with some serious savings when compared to buying each piece individually. We use them on our sites with great success for years now. At $230 you can’t go wrong with the Milwaukee Packout Rolling Jobsite Toolbox Set. Purchase Here

Craftsman 41 in. Rolling Toolbox S2000 Base and Upper Cabinet

Last up is the Craftsman 41-inch series toolboxes. Each piece is purchased individually so if you don’t want both (yet), start with the rolling base. Having a large toolbox in the workshop means better organization, time savings, and a lower risk of tool loss or damage. The heavy-duty casters and 18GA steel I-beam construction make it rugged. Add in full-extension drawers (rated at 100 lbs) with drawer liners & mat and Craftsman has a real winner. Want to go all out? Just add the matching upper box in black! It comes complete with an integrated power strip and charging area and features the same keyed internal locking system as its companion bottom toolbox. At $459 (Lower base) and $259 (Upper), these are the most expensive items on our 2021 holiday gift guide. But these are probably significantly less expensive than the tools they will contain so it’s worth considering. Purchase Upper Toolbox Here & Lower Toolbox Here

We know shopping for tool lovers is definitely a labor of love. It makes you ask “What do you get someone who seems to already have everything?” But trust our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide to gift you some great suggestions that are sure to be winners and bring a smile to your loved ones face.

2021 Holiday Gift Guide is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Cordless Mid-Torque Impact Wrench Head-2-Head

In standard fashion, the Tool Box Buzz crew got together to plan out our Head-2-Head tests based on new tool releases and your feedback. And Cordless Mid-Torque Impact Wrenches were near the top of our list. The impact wrench is an incredibly versatile tool that provides unparalleled torque and power for working with large fasteners and bolts. We use them on the jobsite early and often! This Head-2-Head in particular provides an in-depth look at the power, performance, ergonomics, features, and more for the current range of leading manufacturer cordless mid-torque impact wrenches.

An impact wrench is indispensable to many other skilled trades workers, amateurs, and tinkerers, and is a mainstay of the mechanic’s toolbox. Furthermore, cordless technology adds simplicity and portability to a tool that was previously bound by an air-hose leash.

Our Professional contractor-based ToolBoxBuzz crew decided to evaluate the current cordless mid-torque impact wrenches to determine just how capable they really are. We put a total of nine different makes and models through a series of tough and baseline tests. This wide testing field covers everything from well-known professional brands to some surprising homeowner and value brands.

In order to get real-world and professional user feedback, we took our tools on-site; to the Dalling Construction company. Dalling specializes in large site work projects as well as utility construction and paving jobs. The Dalling family was kind enough to allow us to use their yard as well as test our cordless mid-torque impact wrenches on some of their industrial equipment. We also recruited some heavy equipment service mechanics to assist with evaluating the tools. They were pretty excited to join our crew for the Day!

Defining Mid-Torque

The range of cordless impact wrenches available right now is huge. These tools ultimately fall into one of three classes – low, medium (or mid), and high torque. A mid-torque offering is capable of handling the majority of common fasteners found on job sites, shops, and industrial settings.

When deciding on our sample criteria for this Head-2-Head, the crew realized that we needed to limit the tools tested to those within a defined range. We chose fastening torque as our limiting factor and set the acceptable range from 300-550 Ft/Lbf. This range best represented what we consider “mid-torque” while being compact and portable enough for a variety of applications. This torque range will also easily handle most common fastener applications while still being able to punch up to the occasional heavy application.

The Head-2-Head Lineup

Craftsman V20* 1/2″ 20V

• Model: CMCF900B
• Fastening Torque: 350 Ft/Lbf
• Busting Torque: Unpublished
• RPM: 1700
• IPM: 2500
• Bare Tool Weight: 4.66 Lbs.
• Battery Tested: V20 4.0 Ah
• Anvil Type: Friction Ring
• Motor Type: Brushed

DEWALT 20V MAX* XR 1/2″ Mid Range

• Model: DCF896B
• Fastening Torque: 330 Ft/Lbf
• Busting Torque: Unpublished
• RPM: 2000
• IPM: 3100
• Bare Tool Weight: 3.48 Lbs.
• Battery Tested: 20V MAX 5.0 Ah
• Anvil Type: Friction Ring or Detent Pin
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Warranty: 3 Year Limited

DEWALT Atomic 20V Max*  1/2″

• Model: DCF921B
• Fastening Torque: 300 Ft/Lbf
• Busting Torque: 450 Ft/Lbf
• RPM: 2500
• IPM: 3550
• Bare Tool Weight: 2.4 Lbs.
• Battery Tested: 20V MAX XR 4.0 Ah
• Anvil Type: Friction Ring or Detent Pin
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Makita 18V LXT 1/2″ Mid-Torque

• Model: XWT18XVZ
• Fastening Torque: 520 Ft/Lbf
• Busting Torque: 740 Ft/Lbf
• RPM: 2200
• IPM: 2700
• Bare Tool Weight: 5.31 Lbs.
• Battery Tested: 18V LXT 5.0 Ah
• Anvil Type: Friction Ring or Detent Pin
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Metabo SSW 18 LTX 600

• Model: US602198550
• Fastening Torque: 450 Ft/Lbf
• Busting Torque: 665 Ft/Lbf
• RPM: 1600
• IPM: 2200
• Bare Tool Weight: 5.5 Lbs.
• Battery Tested: CAS 18V LiHD 5.5 Ah
• Anvil Type: Friction Ring
• Motor Type: Brushed
• Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2″ Mid Torque

• Model: 2962-20
• Fastening Torque: 550 Ft/Lbf
• Busting Torque: 650 Ft/Lbf
• RPM: 2575
• IPM: 3100
• Bare Tool Weight: 3.5 Lbs.
• Battery Tested: M18 REDLITHIUM XC 5.0 Ah
• Anvil Type: Friction Ring or Detent Pin
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Warranty: 5 Years

Porter-Cable 20V MAX* 1/2″

• Model: PCC740B
• Fastening Torque: 330 Ft/Lbf
• Busting Torque: Unpublished
• RPM: 1700
• IPM: 2500
• Bare Tool Weight: 4.6 Lbs.
• Battery Tested: 20V MAX* 4.0 Ah
• Anvil Type: Friction Ring
• Motor Type: Brushed
• Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Ridgid 18V OCTANE 1/2″

• Model: R86011B
• Fastening Torque: 485 Ft/Lbf
• Busting Torque: 620 Ft/Lbf
• RPM: 2600
• IPM: 3500
• Bare Tool Weight: 3.75 Lbs.
• Battery Tested: 18V MAX Output 4.0 Ah
• Anvil Type: Friction Ring
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Ryobi ONE+ HP 1/2″

• Model: P262
• Fastening Torque: 450 Ft/Lbf
• Busting Torque: 600 Ft/Lbf
• RPM: 2800
• IPM: 3200
• Bare Tool Weight: 3.75 Lbs.
• Battery Tested: 18V One+ 4.0 Ah
• Anvil Type: Friction Ring
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Warranty: 3 Years

Selecting the Proper Accessories

We realized that adequate automotive-grade impact-rated sockets were essential for extracting the absolute peak performance from this equipment. When it comes to getting professional-grade results on a project, choosing the right blade or drill bit is crucial, and the same goes for sockets. Impact wrenches apply a tremendous amount of force and punishment to the sockets to which they’re attached. To fully utilize the tool’s power, the torsional force, as well as the impact of the anvil, must be adequately delivered to the bolt or fastener.

A non-impact rated standard socket will round off, deform, or possibly shatter and explode when exposed to this amount of force. Impact-rated sockets are forged from high-grade steel, with thicker walls, and improved geometry. This protects the fastener and the tool from being damaged while also ensuring the safety of the user.

The crew selected the Milwaukee SHOCKWAVE Impact Duty 1/2″ 6-Point sockets to be our testing sockets for all of the tools. These sockets are optimized for performance in Heavy-Duty applications. Each tool was outfitted with a matching Milwaukee socket during testing to ensure consistency in performance. Overall these sockets are of excellent quality with large easy to read ink-filled markings. The dual-hole design also made it easier to switch out sockets on our tools with detent pin anvils.

Cordless Mid-Torque Impact Wrench Scoring Criteria

1. Power – Measured breaking torque capability under high demand.
2. Speed – Timed breaking torque performance application.
3. Torture Test – High demand performance fastening torque application.
4. Ergonomics
5. Features
6. Decibel Output
7. Price

Breaking Torque

The bread and butter of impact wrenches is their ability to break a stuck or corroded fastener loose. This keeps an individual’s knuckles from getting busted using a wrench or having to put lengths of pipe on a breaker bar for extra leverage. The convenience and portability of cordless make this an even easier task to accomplish. In order to put this power to the test, we created some special test jigs.

To give us a solid, repeatable, work surface, we made a portable jig that could be secured in a vise on-site. This jig is made from a large slab of steel with cutouts for bolts to pass through as well as a chamfer on the backside to lock the nuts in place. We paired this testing jig with a set of heavy-duty Grade 8 steel bolts, nuts, and washers. The bolts are 1 1/4″ in diameter by 3 1/2″ long with a 1 7/8″ hex head. A bolt this large is capable of withstanding 1,875 Ft/Lbf of force. We chose such a large bolt in order to withstand the repeated application of torque during testing, while still fitting our test rig.

In order to torque these bolts to the desired spec, we used a B-RAD Select BL cordless torque system. This digitally controlled tool is capable of applying the desired amount of tightening torque to a bolt effortlessly. The digital torque gauge allows the user to dial in the torque spec in ten-pound increments. By using a 1″ drive impact socket, the RAD tool then applies the torque with the assistance of a steel counterbalance lever. The RAD then automatically stops once the torque spec is achieved. It was a really cool experience using this tool!

During the test, a bolt was assigned to each tool and placed in the jig. The bolt was then torqued to the published breaking torque spec for each tool. Unfortunately, Craftsman, DEWALT, and Porter-Cable do not publish this value so it took some trial and error. Once the bolt was torqued, our impact wrenches were fitted with a 1 7/8″ impact socket and switched to their highest setting. We then applied breaking torque to the bolts with the impact wrench for ten seconds to see if the tool could break it loose. If it was unsuccessful, the bolt was loosened and the torque value lowered ten pounds, and reapplied with the RAD.

We chose to limit each run to ten seconds after discussing the test with several heavy service mechanics. They all agreed that if the tool couldn’t perform the task in ten seconds, then they would stop and switch to a larger or traditional pneumatic tool.

Our top-performing tool in this category is Makita. While the Makita has a published breaking-force torque of 740 Ft/Lbf, we were able to successfully break loose the bolt at 700 Ft/Lbf. This variation in the numbers is consistent with the extra-large hardware and accompanying impact socket. Despite that, the Makita powered through our test! Not only was the Makita our strongest performer, but it also broke the 700 Ft/Lbf bolt loose in well under ten seconds. This was remarkable to our entire test crew.

Metabo took second place breaking loose 660 Ft/Lbf which was within five pounds of its published spec. The Metabo is definitely large and in charge. While larger and heavier than every other tool tested, it hits with authority. After performing the test, the Metabo became our admin tool to reset the jig every time due to its smooth and powerful performance.

Milwaukee took third place breaking loose 610 Ft/Lbf, which was forty pounds less than its published spec. The Milwaukee was a consistent performer and a crew favorite throughout the testing process.

Craftsman, DEWALT, DEWALT Atomic, and Porter-Cable all finished towards the bottom of our test pool. Ridgid and Ryobi threw up some impressive numbers, but they were far less than the published spec. Additionally, the Ridgid overheated during the testing process severely. It shut down completely and was set aside for almost an hour before it was able to function again and finish the test.

The Ryobi tool died unexpectedly. While performing the test, the tool shut off after impacting for approximately six seconds. All of the lights flashed and the tool wouldn’t work again. We switched batteries, allowed the tool to cool, and still experienced the same issue. The tool then randomly started working again later on. Ryobi replaced this unit for us, but we experienced the same malfunction a second time. The tool was still able to complete the test and break loose 510 Ft/Lbf, but unfortunately, the Ryobi does not appear to be able to withstand demanding heavy use with a socket this large.

Performance Breaking Torque

When you are in a construction yard with a lot of big iron laying around, lug nuts are in great supply. That’s why we chose a timed removal of heavy truck lug nuts as our test for breaking torque performance. With heavy equipment, the forces placed on bolts, particularly lug nuts, are so extreme that they will often seize in place or be over-torqued in the field using a large air tool. Fortunately for us, a large MACK tractor cab was available with lug nuts capable of withstanding 500-600 Ft/Lbf of torque.

The front wheel of the truck had a total of ten lugs. We choose to do a timed removal of eight in order to keep the wheel in place and act as a makeshift test rig. Each lug was removed, oiled to prevent seizing, and then reapplied with the RAD Tool to exactly 500 Ft/Lbf. This process was repeated eight times to test each tool. Unfortunately, the DEWALT Atomic was not available in time to perform this test. Therefore it will not be included in the scoring. The Atomic is also not marketed as a true mid-torque tool and this task is better suited for the larger DEWALT DCF896B, which was tested.

Ryobi completely smoked this test with a time of 22.44 seconds. After completing the run, the whole crew did a double-take and then started laughing. Ryobi has made great strides to produce better and more powerful tools and this performance was a great example of that new mindset.

Ridgid came in a close second at 23.6 seconds. Again, these two “value” brands are continuing to push the envelope of performance. Milwaukee took third place at 25.5 seconds and Makita in fourth at 26.1. These were the top performers amongst our traditional Pro brands.

DEWALT was a big surprise to us as our slowest tool finishing the test in over a minute and a half. One of our test crew members, Trevor, is a road mechanic servicing a fleet of trucks and earthwork equipment. Trevor shared with us that removing truck lug nuts is a job that he always defaults to air tools for the sake of time and productivity. However, after getting hands-on experience with our cordless mid-torque impact wrenches he was extremely impressed with their ability to break loose all eight bolts and to do it quickly.

Performance Fastening Torque

While impact wrenches are most commonly associated with the mechanical trades, they are invaluable at times in the carpentry world as well. With the current popularity of timber frame construction as well as the increasing presence of laminate-type materials, large lag-type fasteners are a job site standard. A cordless mid-torque impact wrench is the most efficient tool for these larger fasteners due to its ability to apply massive amounts of torque compared to a quarter-inch impact driver.

We decided to truly stress our tools by performing a timed lag bolt drive into a wooden beam. The bolts selected were 1/2″ diameter x 8″ long hex head galvanized lag screws. Driving one of these lags is a good representation of the power of each tool. However, we decided to drive five with each tool. It gets better. The beam that we drove the lags into was constructed using five layers of 2X10X10 Doug Fir framing lumber with a layer of 1.75″ LVL sandwiched in the middle. We pre-drilled through the first two layers of material and partially into the LVL in order to set the lags, however, we left all the other layers undrilled to test the tools even further.

This was an extremely demanding test. In fact, a job such as this is likely outside the scope of what a mid-torque tool is designed to perform. But with all the technology advances present in the majority of our tested tools, we as a crew really wanted to bring that performance to the ragged edge of failure and see how they held up. We were pleasantly surprised to find that all nine tools successfully completed the test. All five lags were driven until the surface of the wood began to deform. Upon completion, a temperature reading was taken of the tool body housing, the battery, the exterior of the socket, as well as the surface of the anvil. The battery was also checked to see power consumed during the test.

In first place was the Ryobi! The Ryobi completely dominated the test, finishing a full 25 seconds ahead of our second-place finisher. Upon completion of the test, the operator summed it up perfectly, “This thing is an Ox!”.

Ridgid took second place beating out Milwaukee (3rd Place) by just eight seconds. In 4th place, the Metabo is heavy but has very little felt vibration. Porter-Cable also surprised our crew with its performance in this test. It was described by the operator as being balanced in the hand and easy to control.

Makita came in 6th place, which was a bit of a surprise. The Makita seemed to slow down and self-adjust more than any tool, even while in the highest power setting. The Makita’s computer system optimizes battery efficiency and protects the motor and battery packs. This became a bit of a hindrance during this test because it caused the Makita to lose time.  DEWALT finished 7th overall with Craftsman in 8th place.

Overall we found interesting data trends during this test. Most of the tools used half of a battery charge to complete all five lags. The Metabo, with its brushed motor, consumed 75%.

The temperature range was also very spread out. Five of the test tools had a socket surface temperature of almost 200° F. While the battery temperatures measured were only surface temperature readings, three tools were over 100° F, including our 1st and 2nd place finishers. In real-world conditions, a rest period for the tool after performing a task like this would be strongly advised to preserve your battery cells and internal electronics.

Ergonomics

How a tool interfaces with the user and the level of comfort that it provides is a huge consideration for most users. The repetitive nature of the daily tasks associated with a lifetime in the construction industry can lead to long-term fatigue and even injury with an uncomfortable or unbalanced tool. However, ergonomics are often very subjective.

In order to rank our tools, we chose a total of twelve categories. The tools were given a point value for each category, from one to five. One being the best and five being the worst. If a tool completely lacked that feature, it was given a six for the category. These points were then added up to give us our rank structure with the lowest score winning.

Makita took first place in this category. The Makita’s contoured grip, high-quality switches, and controls, as well as minimal felt vibration made it a crew favorite. While not the lightest tool we tested, the Makita packs a ton of power and performance into a sleek package.

The DEWALT Atomic with a 1 7/8″ impact socket attached. AKA the Noisy Cricket.

The DEWALT Atomic came in second. This mighty little powerhouse is extremely comfortable and compact in the hand. Unfortunately, the small size and light-weight translate into more felt vibration for the user during demanding tasks.

The full-size DEWALT came in third with an extremely comfortable design and very minimal felt vibration. Ryobi finishes fourth with a grip that is well suited to larger hands. Ridgid came in fifth with generous overmolding and texturing.

A trend we noticed amongst all of the tools was a preference from our crew for the compact tools with brushless motors. Both DEWALT models, Makita, Milwaukee, Ridgid, and Ryobi all feature compact tool head designs that are balanced and proportionate with the overall footprint with a battery inserted. The larger and more bulky tools were more unpleasant to use because they felt unbalanced and cumbersome.

Cordless Mid-Torque Impact Wrench Features

Our sample body of tools offered a broad range of feature options. From barebones bolt busters to tools with so many different modes you need an engineering degree to understand them. Consequently, the entire crew worked together to sort out what features are great and desirable and which were poorly executed or unnecessary. The features we examined were modes, special settings, ability to dial in torque, and quality of the LED work light.

The Makita featured the most special settings of any of the tools. With three forward and three reverse auto stop modes, the XWT18XVZ is capable of dialing in the torque value for any fastener. Additionally, there are four different selectable IPM and RPM modes as well as a full-speed mode. All of these modes are easily selected by the push-button controls, but they were a little confusing at first to the test crew.  However, we quickly warmed up to them and appreciated the level of adjustability available. You can read more about the Makita features in one of our recent ToolBoxBuzz reviews.

Makita also included a vibration-resistant coupling at the base of the tool. This protects the battery pack from absorbing excessive felt vibration, which saves the contacts and prolongs the life of the battery. For all of these reasons, the Makita was our overall winner in the features category.

Second place went to the DEWALT Atomic. This mini powerhouse features an excellent triple LED light system in the face of the tool. The controls are also easy to use with large push-button controls for the two-speed settings as well as the dedicated lag screw mode, LED light control, and auto spin-out mode which slows the tool once a faster has come loose to prevent it from flying across the room. The push button and easy-to-identify pictures were all appreciated by us knuckle-draggers on the crew.

In third place, we have a three-way tie between Milwaukee, Ridgid, and Ryobi. All three of these tools feature a triple LED light system on the face of the tool, as well as three forward and three reverse speeds and an additional Auto mode.

The Milwaukee and Ryobi use digital push button switches at the base of the tool while the Rigid uses a manual switch located on the top. The auto mode stops the tool during fastening as soon as it begins impacting in order to prevent over-tightening. In reverse, they will slow to prevent throwing a loose fastener. The Auto mode of these tools was extremely helpful to our test crew when we snug up fasteners in our testing jigs before performing the tests.

The fourth place was DEWALT with the best non-halo style work light located at the base of the tool. The DEWALT also features an easy-to-reach, positive, manual mode selector switch. Metabo finished fifth with an excellent variable speed trigger, but lacked any special modes and has a pretty terrible work light. Craftsman and Porter-Cable tied for the sixth place spot due to lacking any special modes or features and very average work lights and variable-speed triggers.

Overall, our crew found an overwhelming preference for the tools with triple “halo” style LED work light systems located on the face of the tool. The DEWALT Atomic, Milwaukee, Ridgid, and Ryobi all featured this style of light. We found it superior to any other style due to the fact that it illuminates more of the work area clear and directs the beam at the socket or fastener. The Milwaukee was the best of all of these tools, with the brightest and widest spill of any of the tools. Some of the tools, like the Ridgid, feature a dedicated light switch to activate the light without pulling the trigger. This felt unnecessary to our crew and we chose to omit it from consideration when determining our rankings.

Decibel Rating

The sound of a pneumatic impact wrench is unmistakable. Our cordless impact wrenches sounded less like their pneumatic counterparts and more like impact drivers on steroids. During the lag bolt drive, we measured the at-ear decibel levels for each tool under load. The under-load level was most important to us to truly gauge the potential for hearing damage in the field.

Our decibels readings showed almost the completely opposite results of our speed and performance tests. The quietest tool was the Craftsman (73.4Db) followed by DEWALT in second (74.6) and Porter-Cable in third (75.8).

Our faster and more powerful tools produced more noise during use, which directly correlates to their high RPM, IPM, and torque specifications. Ryobi, Ridgid, and DWALT Atomic were our loudest tools. With Makita and Milwaukee in the middle of the pack.

While all nine of our tools were under the OSHA mandated hearing protection level of 85 decibels, this test was conducted outside in an open space. We strongly recommend hearing protection while using any of these tools. Especially when working indoors or in confined spaces.

Cordless Mid-Torque Impact Wrench Pricing

Pricing is often one of our most difficult categories to consider. With the multitude of online retailers currently, a massive scatter-plot chart has to be made for each tool to figure out pricing. Kit vs. bare tool pricing also rears its ugly head when sifting through this data as well. Because of all this, we choose to rank our tools based on bare tool pricing, however, pricing is not considered when determining our overall winner.

As of the time of publishing this article, Porter-Cable is our lowest price tool at $120.00 as a bare tool. Craftsman is the next cheapest and Ryobi comes in third. Metabo is our second most expensive tool at $249.00 and Makita breaks the bank as our most expensive tool at $289.00. The high price tag of the Makita is no surprise given the multitude of technology and features it comes with.

Below are Buy Now links where you purchase many of the tools featured in this Head-2-Head from some of our favorite retailers.

Overall Value

The overall value category is one of our crew favorites. This category is where we directly compare out-of-pocket expense to raw performance. Users currently invested in a cordless battery platform may not value this award, but it caters to the first-time buyer.

Our pick for the best overall value is the Ryobi. The Ryobi took first place in both our performance fastening test (lag bolts) and performance breaking torque (lug nuts) tests, by a considerable margin. Additionally, it tied for third place in features and took fourth place in ergonomics. All of this while being our third most affordable tool. The Ryobi built up an impressive pedigree during our testing and greatly impressed the crew overall. The Ryobi One+ HP impact wrench is a great example of the future of Ryobi tools. While we did experience some issues with our testing samples, the performance was undeniable.

Best Cordless Mid-Torque Impact Wrench

At the end of the day, our goal is to determine which cordless mid-torque impact wrench is best overall. This is a decision not based on conjecture but on real-world quantified data and testing. After completing all of our testing and analyzing the results, we found that we have a tie for first place between Makita and Ryobi.

Makita was first in breaking torque as well as ergonomics and features. Overall the crew felt that the Makita is a hi-tech, sleek, and outstandingly well-built tool. It was powerful during all of our testing, although the built-in safety and preservation features hurt it slightly during the lug nuts and lag bolts tests. We all expected a show stopper with the Makita, and it delivered.

The Ryobi really threw us for a loop. The power and speed of this tool dropped a lot of jaws on testing day. Landslide victories go to Ryobi in both of our performance tests, while maintaining a top-five finish in all but one category, and being named best value! We were expecting a lot out of this tool, but it blew all of our expectations out of the water. The Ryobi earned a first-place rank in our Head-2-Head based on performance, but we did experience some durability issues. The One+ HP impact wrench is incredibly powerful, but the thermal overload protection built into it stopped it dead on two occasions during our use. When considering this, the Ryobi may not be best suited for daily professional-grade use, such as with a service mechanic.

Tie Breaker

With a tie in the first place, we omit second place to rank all nine participating tools. Therefore, Milwaukee drops into the third-place slot. The Milwaukee mid-torque impact wrench was a consistent performer. Finishing top-five in every single category.

Ridgid finished in fourth place. ToolBoxBuzz has always referred to Ridgid as one of the absolute best values in tools. The Ridgid Octane’s performance lived up to its reputation. Metabo finished fifth and was a hard worker. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles that other brands provide, it simply works.

The new DEWALT Atomic was a late entry to the competition and had impressive features, which brought it to sixth place. The original legacy DEWALT mid-torque was also extremely comfortable to use and finished seventh. Rounding out the bottom end of our lineup was Porter-Cable in eighth and Craftsman in ninth.

With this Head-2-Head, our goal was to develop testing protocols that blended specifically calibrated vacuum scenarios, as well as real-world applications. During the process, we made all of our data as transparent as possible. This way readers, consumers, and professionals can select a tool that best meets their needs. While we crowned what we consider to be the best cordless mid-torque impact wrench, we encourage you to use our findings to help make the decision that best meets your individual needs.

Best Cordless Mid-Torque Impact Wrench Head-2-Head is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Craftsman 20V Brushless 18GA Stapler and 21° Framing Nail Guns (Models: CMCN621PL & CMCN618N)

Craftsman 20V 18GA Stapler and 21° Nail Guns

Manufacturer: Craftsman
Model number: CMCN621PL & CMCN618N
Power source: 20V (Lithium)
Motor size: Brushless

Features and Specifications | Craftsman CMCN621PL

Features:

• Tool-Free Depth of Drive Adjustment
• Tool-Free Jam Release
• 360-degree Rafter hook
• Jam indicator light
• Steel Magazine

Specifications:

• Angle: 21-degree
• Battery: 20V
• Nail Gauge: 10Ga. Roundhead (0.113 – 0.148 inch diameter)
• Magazine: 49 Nail
• Nail Length: 2 to 3-1/4 inch
• Tool Weight:  8.8 lbs (bare tool)

Design & Key Features | Craftsman CMCN621PL

The Craftsman 20V CMCN621PL 21-degree framing nail gun is a fully-featured framing nailer. It had many of the essential options we look for in a framing nailer we want to bring on the job site. It offers an adjustable depth setting and is built around a long-lasting 20V cordless & brushless platform. The CMCN621PL also allows for a useful range of nail lengths from 2 – 3 -1/4 inches centered around a standard 10GA nail size.  It also offers an integrated tool-free jam release for quick recovery from fasteners jamming mid-work. These features allowed us to use the CMCN621PL with almost no issues to stud out (and adding strapping to) a garage addition .

We found the ergonomics to be comfortable and reasonably balanced. The CMCN621PL is heavy at about 10 lbs with a 4Ah battery, but not that much more so than other cordless framing nailers we’ve used. We appreciated the multi-function status indicator light built into the back of the tool for easy viewing. The light works as both a low-battery and nail jam indicator light. It was easy to see even during daylight when working overhead on strapping.

The CMCN621PL 21-degree framing nailer also has a sturdy plastic nose safety protector. The full circle enclosure can help in aligning nails (but it does obscure the line of sight too). The nose assembly seemed well designed and sturdy with many metal components. This may seem obvious but we’ve tested other nail guns where this wasn’t the case and we were concerned about tool longevity. So we appreciated the CMCN621PL nose design even if there were some slippage issues (more in a bit). Overall the CMCN621PL design and key-features can be described as basic and streamlined to get the job done.

Adjustability and Performance | Craftsman CMCN621PL

Craftsman included a number of integrated adjustment options into the CMCN621PL 21-degree nail gun. The first feature we want to highlight is the tool-free jam release lever.

There is nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of driving a series of framing nails and jamming up. The Tool-free jam release lever is a quick fix to this issue. Kudos to Craftsman though as we never got an opportunity to test out this function. Try as we might we couldn’t get the Craftsman MCN621PL 21-degree nail gun to jam. It gave us a few days of jam-free operations.

The CMCN621PL also features a tool-free nail depth adjustment knob.  The knob is built into the tool driving nose just above the safety tip. It responded well to the adjustments we made when switching between job site tasks and was very intuitive to use. We appreciated the stamped guide pictures on which way to turn for each setting. We also liked that the steel housing protruded slightly above the adjustment knob giving a degree of protection to the plastic knob (more on that in a bit).

The overall power and battery life of the CMCN621PL 21-degree framing nailer were both positives. We had no issues driving nails into a variety of surfaces. we did find that we had to increase the power when toenailing but that’s not uncommon. And the gun worked fine once adjusted. We also got about 3 hours of consistent use out of a 4Ah battery which was at least average if not better. For a 20V cordless framing nailer, we were satisfied with the CMCN621PL’s overall performance.

Room For Improvement

The CMCN621PL 21-degree framing nailer missed out on a couple of features we really like to see in a framing nailer. First, There was no bump mode designed on this gun. Bump mode is a great feature that we use often on the job site. It allows you to hold the trigger and drive a nail simply by bumping the safety tip down fully. This is the quickest way to drive a series of nails. and saving time on a job site is the gold standard and saves dollars. We really missed this feature, especially after extended use in single drive mode (where the trigger has to be pulled for each nail driven).

Second, and also frustrating, was the nail load design. Unlike other framing nailers, the CMCN621PL 21-degree framing nailer has a top load design. A clip of plastic collated 10GA nails drops into a top-recessed mounting slot. Then the spring-loaded catch is pulled back and a clip grabs the top of the end nail head to pull the clip forward. This was an issue when we loaded 2 clips into the gun. On a couple of occasions, the spring-loaded catch pulled the clips crookedly and caused a jam. It was easy to reset, but a direct result of the top-loading slot and nail head catch design.

Lastly, some of the high-impact parts of this gun were designed with plastic components. This contributed to the nose tip slipping when toe-nailing. Designing the safety tip to include non-slip spurs or non-slip rubber vs. plastic would go a long way to solving this issue. Eliminating plastic components on the rafter hook and nose assembly would also likely increase the durability of the tool. While these functioned well while we used the CMCN621PL, they make us question how well the CMCN621PL will hold up to PRO-level job site use over time. Again, these were not issues at all during our test of the CMCN621PL 21-degree framing nail gun.

Overall Impression | Craftsman CMCN621PL

The Craftsman CMCN621PL 21-degree framing nail gun is a good DIY framing nailer but not one we would bring to the job site. It delivers good power and user-friendly ergonomics. The average weight for a cordless framing nailer was not burdensome in any way. But it will be a noticeable change for users switching from pneumatic framing nailers. But the hose-free maneuverability more than justifies the weight. Craftsman should consider an optional magazine extension which would be a huge feature for PROs on the job site. Although without a bump drive feature this tool is really not designed to reach the PRO market. The depth adjustment worked well and the CMCN621PL had no issues continuously driving nails into stud framing. Overall the CMCN621PL is a decent offering with ample power and battery life for a DIYer needing a framing nailer for limited use.

Features and Specifications | Craftsman CMCN618N

Features:

• Tool-Free Depth of Drive Adjustment
• Tool-Free Jam Release
• Steel Magazine

Specifications:

• Fastener Type: Narrow Crown Staples
• Fastener Gauge: 18 Gauge
• Battery: 20V
• Fastener Length: 1/2 to 1-1/2 inch
• Crown Width: 1/4 inch
• Tool Weight: 5.6 lbs (bare tool)

Design & Key Features | Craftsman CMCN618N

The Craftsman CMCN618N 20V narrow crown stapler is a fully-featured narrow crown stapler. Of the 2 nailers, it was my favorite! Crown Staple nail guns or “nailers,” as they are often called, play a complementary role with their siblings; the framing and finish nailers. narrow crown staples are often used to join a miter, thin trim, or cabinetry joints together. They have an advantage because the crown secures or “catches” the surface of the material they are being driven through. This makes for a very secure connection, especially in thin or delicate wood or material.

The loading mechanism for the CMCN618N is very simple and user-friendly. There is a large catch release trigger located at the back of the clip magazine. Once pressed, you pull the cover back to expose the open bottom of the magazine. narrow crown staples (1/2 to 1-1/2 inch) are simply dropped into the open slot on the bottom of the tool before the magazine cover is pushed back into place. This simple but secure design allowed for quick and easy loading every time. And know how much we love efficient, time-saving tool designs.

We were also big fans of the dual-LED design. As noted above, narrow crown staplers are often used with trim work or cabinet joinery. And as every PRO knows, those are not always the most well-lit crevices or corners. So having dual LEDs was awesome. There was a slight amount of light blocking from the magazine, but they still proved quite effective.

Adjustability and Performance | Craftsman CMCN618N

The Craftsman CMCN618N 20V narrow crown stapler features an easy adjustment option for stapler depth setting. The adjustment method for the depth on the Craftsman 20V Brad Nail Gun was a bit different than other designs we’ve seen. The user adjusts the depth with the tool-free knob while watching the alignment bars move in the depth window.  The depth adjustment simply controls how far from the material the stapler nose is when driving the staples. It doesn’t increase the overall power level. As a result, this gives more depth constancy when working with consistent materials. This shows up in performance. This gun shoots constantly, after just a few calibrating shots.

The Craftsman CMCN618N also features a tool-free jam release lever. This is the same overall design as was discussed on the CMCN621PL 21-degree framing nail gun. It worked well the one time a staple actually jammed up in this gun. It is conveniently located out of the way on the top of the gun. Again, having a way to quickly clear jammed fasteners is great but we were more impressed that we only had to use it once. Not bad!

We also found that the battery life was excellent on the CMCN618N. A single 4Ah battery got us through a full day of intermittent staple driving. We used mostly 1-1/4 inch (1/4 crown) staples on trim and cabinet drawers. The ramp-up time was good, not exceptional for the operations we performed. On a few occasions, there was a very minor (less than 1 second) lag required between driving staples.

Room For Improvement

As with most tools, there is always a little room for improvement and the CMCN618N  is no exception. First, the loading window could be easily extended to give the user a better idea of how many staples are loaded at any time. With the current location and size of the load indicator window, you can see when the tool gets down to about 20 staples or below. Why not extend the window so you know the number of loaded staples anytime? Second, the tool belt slip is inserted into the slot and then a screw is tightened to hold it in place. On one occasion the clip was able to wiggle around the screw head and pop off. We recommend Craftsman look at the clip design to make it more secure. This will prevent accidental falls and drops that could damage the tool.

Overall Impression | Craftsman CMCN618N

Our overall impression of the Craftsman CMCN618N 20V NArrow crown stapler is that it’s a very good staple gun. It delivers high-end, adjustable performance. It has great ergonomics paired with very good battery life, But the CMCN618N also sports well-designed LED lights and a tool-free jam mechanism that makes operations smooth and reliable. We appreciated the good line of sight on the nose which allowed accurate placement of staples every time. There is no reason as to why a professional could not get great results with this tool and would make a great addition to the professional or DIYer. Nicely done Craftsman!

Final Thoughts | Craftsman 20V Nail Guns

Craftsman has stepped up its game with these Craftsman 20V Nail Guns.  While there are still a few improvements to be made, they functioned well overall. Reliability is critical and these guns both proved to be very reliable throughout our test operations. Craftsman put some thought into both the ergonomic and performance features. Unfortunately, the 21-degree framing nailer is missing some core features that make it a PRO level tool. The battery life and power met all our expectations for accomplished. We recommend Craftsman look at some of the high-risk impat areas of the guns and replace a few plastic components where able. Overall, for anyone who already owns Craftsman 20V tools, these nail guns are a good addition to your kit. And if you are looking to get into the DIY cordless nail gun game, you should check these Craftsman 20V nail guns out!

Craftsman 20V Stapler & Framing Nail Guns Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Comparing Manufacturer’s Warranties

Comparing warranties between manufacturers has always been difficult, if not practically impossible.  Yet we all have the same few basic questions with regard to each brand’s warranty.   So here at Tool Box Buzz, we decided to ask the vendors themselves to answer those basic questions for you in plain English.  And they did!

Here are the questions we asked

We figured that there are 14 questions that cover the bases as far as what we really need to know.  So here’s what we asked each brand:

For each category o power tools that you sell (if there’s more than one), including batteries:

1. How long are the warranty periods for?
2. How do you require registration to be done, if at all?
3. How long a time from purchase does the customer have to register?
4. Must the receipt be kept?
5. What do the warranties cover?
6. Is the customer responsible for part of the repair/replacement expense?
7. What are the exclusions?
8. What will void the warranty?
9. How do you get service (bring the tool to store, bring it to a dealer, send it to a repair center, etc.)?
10. If to a service center, how many certified repair facilities are there in the US?
11. Who determines if the tool is covered under warranty, and how do they do that?
12. If the customer has to send it somewhere, who pays shipping charges?
13. If the customer brings the tool to a store or dealer, will they get an immediate replacement?
14. Is there an average turnaround time?

The Brands Covered

We got responses from 15 brands to which we sent those questions.  We asked the vendors to respond in a standard format, and their actual responses are linked to by each of their names below (numbers after a brand name link to separate documents of the response).

• BLACK + DECKER
• Bosch
• CRAFTSMAN
• DEWALT
• Festool
• Hart
• Hilti
• Makita
• Metabo HPT
• Milwaukee
• Paslode (1) (2) (3)
• Porter-Cable
• Ridgid
• Ryobi
• Skil (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

IMPORTANT NOTE What follows is our necessarily very brief few-word synopsis of the vendors’ responses.  It is not the complete vendor response. Nor does it cover all the details and subtleties.  For that, you’ll need to click through the hyperlinks above.  In some places, we put an asterisk (*) after a point to indicate that additional detail is found in that vendor’s response when that answer was complicated.

How long are the warranty periods for?

This is the most basic question and the starting point for most of our consideration.  Of course, the devil is in the details, and the rest of the questions address them.  But here’s where we all start.

BLACK + DECKER  2 years for tools and batteries

Bosch  Corded tools – 1 year | cordless tools – 3 years | chargers (made after August 2020) – 3 years | batteries – 2 years | measuring tools – 1 or 2 years*

CRAFTSMAN  90-day money-back | 3-year limited

DEWALT  90-day money-back guarantee, 1-year free service, 3-year limited warranty on most tools.  Batteries have 2 or 3-year warranties

Festool  3 years wear-and-tear

Hart  3 years

Hilti  20 year warranty | 2 year wear-and-tear

Makita  3 years Lithium-Ion Tool, Battery, Charger, and Pneumatic Nailer | 1-year general product warranty | 2 years emissions-related components

Metabo HPT HPT Materials and workmanship only, not wear-and-tear.  Depending on type of tool: limited lifetime, 5 years, 2 years, or 1 year*.  90 or 30-days for accessory-type items.*

Milwaukee  Power tools – 5 years | Equipment – 2 years | Batteries – 3 years

Paslode  Cordless Two-Year Bumper to Bumper Warranty. Pneumatics (including Duo-Fast) 1-year Limited Warranty. Five years on molded parts for both (see * for details).

Porter-Cable  Power tools – 3 years | batteries – 2-3 years

Ridgid  3 years | most items eligible for LSA

Ryobi  3 years | 40-volt tools – 5 years

Skil  Corded handheld – 1 year | Benchtop – 3 years | Cordless/OPE/measurement – 5 years | batteries & chargers – 2 years

How do you require registration to be done if at all?

Registration — specifically failing to do so — has been the bane of many busy pros.  We see here that most brands don’t require registration these days.

BLACK + DECKER  Not required

Bosch  Online or phone

CRAFTSMAN  Not required

DEWALT  Not required

Festool  Not required (in the USA)

Hart  Not required

Hilti  Not required

Makita  Not required but online recommended

Metabo HPT HPT  Not required

Milwaukee  Not required

Paslode  Not required but recommended, online

Porter-Cable  Not required

Ridgid  Online or by mail

Ryobi  Not required

Skil  Not required but encouraged

How long from purchase does the customer have to register?

While registration isn’t required by most brands, it is always a good idea and making a habit of registering new tools is best practice.  We highly recommend keeping a folder for each expensive tool with the warranty, registration, and receipt…and anything else that might be needed down the road.

BLACK + DECKER  N/A

Bosch  Corded and corded tools – anytime during warranty period | measuring tools – within 8 weeks from purchase

CRAFTSMAN  N/A

DEWALT  N/A

Festool  Not required, but within 30 days is best

Hart  N/A

Hilti  N/A

Makita  N/A

Metabo HPT  N/A

Milwaukee  N/A

Paslode  Anytime during the warranty period

Porter-Cable  N/A

Ridgid  90 days

Ryobi  N/A

Skil  Generally within 30 days to get full warranty

Must the receipt be kept?

Many manufacturers don’t require a receipt to be kept, and in many cases the tool’s date of manufacture will be considered the start of the warranty period.  But see the note above about keeping a folder for each significant tool–it’s just good business sense!

BLACK + DECKER  Preferred, but not necessary

Bosch  Yes

CRAFTSMAN  Yes

DEWALT  Preferred but not necessary

Festool  Yes

Hart  No, but recommended

Hilti  No

Makita  No, but recommended

Metabo HPT  No, but recommended

Milwaukee  No, but recommended

Paslode  No, but recommended, otherwise serial # is coded with date of manufacture and dictates warranty period.

Porter-Cable  Preferred but not necessary

Ridgid  No, but recommended, especially with LSA

Ryobi  No, but recommended

Skil  Yes (one-time exception)

What does the warranty cover?

Ahh, here’s where we get into the devil’s details.  Note that most warranties cover defects in the manufacture of the tool, but a couple go significantly beyond that.

BLACK + DECKER  Defects in materials and workmanship

Bosch  Materials and workmanship

CRAFTSMAN  Defects in materials and workmanship

DEWALT  Year 1: Maintenance and parts are worn due to normal use | Years 2-3: Defects in materials or workmanship.

Festool  Everything except consumables

Hart  Materials and workmanship

Hilti  20 years material & workmanship | 2 years wear-and-tear

Makita  Materials and workmanship

Metabo HPT  Materials and workmanship

Milwaukee  Materials and workmanship

Paslode  Cordless – Everything (even if it falls off a roof) during the first 2 years; 5 years molded parts. | Pneumatics – One year on non-wear parts complex; 90 days on normal wearing, see table*

Porter-Cable  Year 1: Maintenance and parts are worn due to normal use | Years 2-3: Defects in materials or workmanship.

Ridgid  Materials and workmanship | LSA covers wear and tear

Ryobi  Materials and workmanship

Skil  Materials and workmanship

Is the customer responsible for part of the repair/replacement expense?

In all cases the customer isn’t responsible for part of the repair expense if the tool is covered under warranty…as it should be.

BLACK + DECKER  No

Bosch  No if covered under warranty

CRAFTSMAN  No

DEWALT  No

Festool  No

Hart  No

Hilti  No

Makita  No

Metabo HPT  No

Milwaukee  No

Paslode  No

Porter-Cable  No

Ridgid  No

Ryobi  No

Skil  No

What are the exclusions?

More of the devil’s details.  There are significant differences between brands here, but note that most vendors disallow coverage if the tool is misused or abused, but some Paslode covers their tools regardless of what you do to them.

BLACK + DECKER  Abuse, accidental damage, unauthorized repairs

Bosch  Misuse, careless handling, misrepair

CRAFTSMAN  Abuse, accidental damage, unauthorized repair

DEWALT  Abuse, accidental damage, unauthorized repair

Festool  Purchase outside USA

Hart  accidents, misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification or repairs by other than Authorized Service Centers

Hilti  Wear-and-tear excludes abuse or non-intended use and some accessories

Makita  Normal wear-and-tear, alterations, unauthorized repair, abuse, misuse improper maintenance, the improper operation*

Metabo HPT  Unauthorized repair, non-conforming parts, normal wear-and-tear, abuse, inappropriate use, neglect, accidents.

Milwaukee  Normal wear-and-tear, and abuse

Paslode  Cordless – none | Pneumatics – see table*

Porter-Cable  Abuse, accidents, unauthorized repair

Ridgid  accidents, misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification or repairs by other than Authorized Service Centers

Ryobi  accidents, misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification or repairs by other than Authorized Service Centers

Skil  Warranty not transferrable

What will void the warranty?

There are some significant differences here; note that purchase outside the United States will void some warranties.  We always recommend buying from an authorized dealer no matter your geographic area.

BLACK + DECKER  Modifications, use outside a home environment

Bosch  Misuse, careless handling, misrepair

CRAFTSMAN  Modifications

DEWALT  Modifications

Festool  Modifications, misuse, use inconsistent with the intent of the tool

Hart  Misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification, or unauthorized repair

Hilti  Abuse

Makita  See above

Metabo HPT  See above.

Milwaukee  See above

Paslode  Cordless – non-U.S. purchase, improper use, non-authorized nails. | Pneumatics – see table*, also non-U.S. purchase

Porter-Cable  Modifications

Ridgid  Misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification, or unauthorized repair

Ryobi  Misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, modification, or unauthorized repair

Skil  Abuse, modification, unauthorized repair, purchase through unauthorized or third party seller

How do you get service?

The big differences here are mostly whether you can take the tool to a retail dealer or if you have to get it to a service center.

BLACK + DECKER  Factory or authorized repair center

Bosch  Ship to or drop off at Bosch service center

CRAFTSMAN  Take to retailer

DEWALT  Factory or authorized repair center

Festool  Repair center in Indiana

Hart  Get to repair center

Hilti  Ship to repair center or bring to Hilti store

Makita  Return to the repair center

Metabo HPT  Bring or ship to the service center

Milwaukee  Initiate service online or by telephone

Paslode  Bring to authorized service center – or send back to Paslode.

Porter-Cable  factory or authorized service center

Ridgid  Get to repair center

Ryobi  Get to the repair center

Skil  Get to the service center

How many repair centers in the U.S.?

Most brands have hundreds of authorized repair centers in addition to factory service centers.  The services you can get at a non-factory-operated center will of course vary considerably.

BLACK + DECKER  20 factory, 700+ authorized

Bosch  4 Bosch service centers | 400+ authorized service centers

CRAFTSMAN  N/A

DEWALT  20 factory, 700+ authorized

Festool  1

Hart  214+ independent

Hilti  4

Makita  12 factory | 1500+ authorized

Metabo HPT  800+ authorized

Milwaukee  20 factory  | hundreds authorized

Paslode  300+ authorized

Porter-Cable  20 factory | 700+ authorized

Ridgid  330+ independent | Home Depot tool rental centers

Ryobi  330+ independent | Home Depot tool rental centers

Skil  140+

Who determines if the tool is covered, and how do they do that?

In all cases someone at the service center itself determines if a tool is covered.  Of course, there’s no way for us to determine, or even properly ask, just how strict or forgiving that person will be…on that particular day.

BLACK + DECKER  Service center review

Bosch  Bosch Service technician

CRAFTSMAN  Retailer review

DEWALT  Service center review

Festool  Festool employees

Hart  Technician

Hilti  Serial number provides information

Makita  Service center

Metabo HPT  Technician

Milwaukee  Technician

Paslode  The service center

Porter-Cable  Service center review

Ridgid  Technician

Ryobi  Technician

Skil  Customer service, technician

Who pays shipping charges (if under warranty)?

This is an important detail.  If you have to pay for a heavy tool to get to a service center, it may be easier/cheaper just to scrap the tool.  Whatever the vendor’s policy, you always want duplicates of tools that will grind a job to a halt if they go down.

BLACK + DECKER  Customer pays to ship to the service center

Bosch  Bosch pays if, under warranty, the customer pays return charges if not covered by warranty

CRAFTSMAN  Customer must bring to a retailer

DEWALT  Customer pays shipping to the service center

Festool  Festool

Hart  Customer pays inbound

Hilti   if under wear-and-tear coverage

Makita  Customer (one exception)*

Metabo HPT  Metabo HPT

Milwaukee  Milwaukee

Paslode  – Paslode pays both ways |  Pneumatics – must bring to the service center, if sent to Factory, Paslode pays for return only

Porter-Cable  Customer pays to ship to the service center

Ridgid  Customer pays inbound

Ryobi  Customer pays inbound

Skil  Will recommend service location within driving distance; otherwise shipping pre-paid

If the customer brings the tool to a store or dealer, will they get an immediate replacement?

Most brands will offer a refund or replacement within 30-90 days of purchase.  Some brands differ.  We regard a refund as the same as a replacement since you can simply return a tool you’re unhappy with and buy a new one on the spot.

BLACK + DECKER  Most retailers have a 30-day return policy

Bosch  Yes within 30 days |  180 days for PROFACTOR rotary hammer*

CRAFTSMAN  If under warranty, yes

DEWALT  30-day returns to retailers | 90-day returns for most tools at the service center

Festool  No

Hart  No

Hilti  Yes for batteries, chargers, and some tools

Makita  30 days replacement or refund

Metabo HPT  30 days

Milwaukee  No

Paslode  Pneumatics – Store/dealer discretion

Porter-Cable  30 days at retailer | 90 days at the factory service center

Ridgid  90 day return to retailer

Ryobi  90 day return or refund at the retailer

Skil  Depending on circumstances

Is there an average turnaround time?

All brands offer reasonable, if not extraordinary, turnaround times.  Of course, these don’t include the shipping transit times.  Again, make sure you have, or can easily get, dups of vital tools.

BLACK + DECKER  5 business days

Bosch  5 business days

CRAFTSMAN  N/A

DEWALT  5 business days

Festool  48-72 hours

Hart  No

Hilti  Same day in, same day out

Makita  3 days

Metabo HPT  48 hours

Milwaukee  7-10 business days

Paslode  3 days

Porter-Cable  5 business days

Ridgid  No

Ryobi  No

Skil  Goal of 5-7 days

Conclusion

We were surprised by how similar most warranty terms are, and of course very happy to see some of the extraordinarily generous terms of some brands in some areas.  It seems that the manufacturers realize how important warranties are to most pro purchase decisions.  As you would expect in a competitive industry, at similar price points the terms are reasonably close.  Warranty terms aren’t the only characteristic that’s important in a decision to buy, but they can often make or break a decision to invest long-term in one brand rather than another.

Comparing Manufacturer’s Warranties is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Cordless Jigsaw – Comparison Testing

A jigsaw is worth it’s weight in gold due to the ability to quickly customize shapes and sizes of lumber for seamless fit-ups and emergency fixes. When our team of PROs got together recently to plan out our newest Head-2-Head, cordless jigsaw competition, we knew our PRO followers and subscribers were curious about many of these same design and performance considerations.  After careful planning a range of uniquely crafted tests and jigs, and cutting hundreds of board feet ¼ inch at a time, we’ve delivered very detailed “Best Cordless Jigsaw” data you’ve come to expect (and crave) from our Tool Box Buzz team of PROs.

Best Top-Handle Jigsaw Evaluation Format

For this Best Cordless Jigsaw evaluation, several categories were developed including; Precision & Accuracy, Performance (speed/power), Features, Ergonomics, and Price.

Each of the categories were ranked individually and used to determine the Best Top-Handled Cordless Jigsaw based on the combined results.

• Accuracy– The accuracy of the jigsaws was compared including the ability to follow a shape, blade drift, and ease of cutting along irregular paths.
• Performance [Power / Speed Test]-We looked at cutting speed as an indicator of saw motor performance.
• Features– An overall comparison of features and specifications.
• Ergonomics– Ergonomics are really important to users and an important category to consider when purchasing any power tool. In addition to traditional ergonomics, we also included functionality in this category.
• Vibration – we recorded and analyzed the vibrations of the tools during our speed testing.
• Price– Price is always an important factor in determining which saw is best for a user. We’ve included the current pricing found online for each of the saws “as-tested,” at the time of publication.
• Best Value Saw – Often times this category winner tends to resonate with most folks as it tends to perform well in the tests but feels good on the wallet

Cordless Jigsaw Specifications

Black & Decker

• Model: BDCJS20C
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-2,500SPM
• Stroke Length: 3/4″
• Weight: 4.3lbs
• Tool-Free Blade Change
• Accepts both U and T shank blades
• Built-in dust blower
• 45° bevel shoe capacity for angled cuts in both directions
• Variable Speed Trigger

Bosch

• Model: JSH180B
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-2,700 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 4.1lbs
• One-handed blade insertion and ejection for convenience and ease of use
• LED light for illuminating cut line
• Adjustable footplate for bevel cuts of up to 45°
• Built-in dust blower
• Variable Speed Trigger

Craftsman

• Model: CMSC600D1
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-2,500 SPM
• Stroke Length: 3/4″
• Weight: 4.35 lbs
• Beveling shoe for bevel cuts of up to 45°
• Variable speed trigger
• 3 orbital cutting settings
• Key-less blade clamp
• Built-in dust blower

DEWALT

• Model: DCS334P1
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-3,200 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 5.2 lbs
• Brushless Motor
• Integrated dust blower
• All-metal, keyless shoe bevel with detents at 0°, 15°, 30°, and a positive stop at 45°
• 4-position orbital action
• LED light
• Variable Speed Trigger
• Accepts t-shank jigsaw blades

Festool

• Model: 576535
• Strokes Per Minute: 500-3,800 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 5.29 lbs
• Variable speed motor blade automatically adapts to the style of cut
• Tool-free multi-base platform and inserts
• Carbide blade guidance system for perpendicular cuts
• Stroboscopic LEDs freeze the blade in operation
• Brushless motor

Hilti

• Model: 2133672
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-3,000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-3/32″
• Weight: 5.41 lbs
• Variable-speed trigger with lock for continuous sawing
• Keyless “push in, click” chuck
• LED light
• Built-in dust blower
• Adjustable footplate for bevel cuts of up to 45°

Kobalt

• Model: KJS 324B-03
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-3,000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 5.2lbs
• Brushless Motor
• 4-position orbital action
• Tool-free blade changes
• Tool-free shoe adjustments; bevel left and right at 45°
• Dust blower
• Built-in LED light

Makita

• Model: XVJ02Z
• Strokes Per Minute: 800-3,500 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 5.8lbs
• Brushless Motor
• 3 orbital settings
• Variable 6-speed control dial
• The no-load speed reduction feature automatically reduces SPM for more accurate cutting starts
• “Tool-less” blade change system
• 0°- 45° left or right bevel capacity

Metabo

• Model: STAB18LTX100
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-2,800 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 5.8lbs
• Selectable shaving blower function ensures free view of cutting line
• 4 Orbital Modes
• 0°- 45° left or right bevel capacity
• Changing saw blades without tools and with automatic ejection

Metabo HPT

• Model: CJ18DAQ4
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-2,500 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/32″
• Weight: 4.2lbs
• 4 cutting modes
• LED light
• Variable speed trigger
• Tool-less blade change
• Splinter Guard
• Dust Blower
• 45º left and right adjustable base

Milwaukee

• Model: 2737-20
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-3,500 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 4.85 lbs
• On/Off cut line blower keeps the cut line clear of debris, and allows user to turn off blower when using dust extraction
• Accepts T-Shank jigsaw blades
• 4-position orbital cutting
• Tool-less shoe bevel with positive stops allows for quick and accurate shoe adjustment with detents at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°
• LED light
• Brushless Motor
• Variable Speed Trigger

Porter-Cable

• Model: PCC650B
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-2,500 SPM
• Stroke Length: 3/4″
• Weight: 4.2lbs
• Dust Blower
• 3 orbital settings
• Beveling shoe provides the ability to cut 0 to 45-degree bevel cuts
• Tool-free blade release
• Variable speed trigger

RIDGID

• Model: R8832B
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-3,500 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 4.15lbs
• Line Start Mode creates a more efficient, controlled cut by increasing speed after engaging material
• Adjustable Orbital Action
• Variable Speed Trigger and Variable Speed Dial
• Brushless Motor

Ryobi

• Model: PBLJS01
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-3,500 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 4.0lbs
• Brushless Motor
• Easy release blade lever for quick blade changes
• 4 Orbital Settings
• Variable Speed Dial
• Tool-free bevel adjustment for easy bevel changes, with locking detent at 45° left and right
• Die-cast metal base for increased durability with included non-marring shoe
• LED Light

Skil

• Model: JS820202
• Strokes Per Minute: 0-3,000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 4.74lbs
• Brushless Motor
• 4 Stage Orbital Action
• Dust Blower
• Tool-Free Blade Change

Cordless Jigsaw Accuracy

For the accuracy category each of the jigsaws was ranked on accuracy in the following areas:

• Line of Sight 
• Blade tracking
• Bevel accuracy when set to 45 degrees.
• Cross-cut accuracy when set to 90 degrees (how perpendicular the cut is to the surface)

The major factors that affect the accuracy of jigsaw cuts are: How well you can see the line of cut and how well the saw’s blade stays square to the workpiece (or at a fixed angle during bevel cuts). Generally, a jigsaw with less of its body overhanging the blade is easier to use, especially when you’re working in cramped quarters or trying to follow a curved line, for example cutting out a scrollwork pattern.

Diablo Jigsaw Blades

To be consistent, all the jigsaws were equipped with a new DIABLO 3-1/4″ 20-TPI scrolling blade and a DIABLO 4″ 10-TPI Fine Finish Wood blade.  Each jigsaw was tested at 90-degree, 45-degree, and also with a scrolling blade for pattern work.

Pattern Cutting (Curves)

For the pattern cutting (curves) each saw was set to maximum speed with zero orbital action. A scrolling template was used to trace all the boards consistently, and each jigsaw was used to make numerous cuts in 3/4′” Poplar.

Finish carpenters and woodworkers use jigsaws for fitting and installations.  A jigsaw’s ability to make an accurate cut is crucial and even a slight misalignment or bevel issue can cause compounding errors on a project.

Clean Cutting

Getting clean jigsaw cuts with only light splintering, tear out, and surface chipping is chiefly a matter of selecting a blade that’s designed for the job. All the saws were evaluated on how clean the saws cut.  The team was pleasantly surprised to see three lesser-priced saws [RIDGID, Ryobi, and SKIL] cut as nice as the higher-priced Festool. These were the cleanest edge, cutting saws with the least tear-out. This “clean-cut result,” was also due to using the same Diablo blades along with the operator’s skill set using the tools.

Blade Deflection

Every cut was measured and evaluated for blade deflection at 45-degree and 90-degree cutting. On the 90-degree cuts Festool, Milwaukee, Metabo and Makita ranked the best. On the 45-degree cuts, Festool was the best followed by Milwaukee.

Blade Tracking

Tracking was evaluated by following lines to see how easy or hard it was to follow the line. The Festool, Metabo, RIDGID, Ryobi, and SKIL were the best tracking jigsaws. Again we were surprised to see a more economic brand rank side-by-side with the higher-priced German-engineered saws.

It’s worth noting that when scoring the line-of-sight, points were awarded based on the operator’s ability to consistently see the blade cutting through the popular.  Points were not awarded based on the cut-line deviation from the template cut-line. This ensured that operator error was minimized as a primary scoring factor in this evaluation area. 

Best Cordless Jigsaw Accuracy Winner – FESTOOL

Festool shined in all 4 test categories with a perfect score of 4 points.  It had dead-on accuracy for both 45 and 90-degree cuts. It has a good line of sight and a strobe light system that allows you to see the blade while cutting.  It consistently produced clean cuts and its blade tracked extremely well, with minimal blade deflection at 45 and 90-degrees.

The Milwaukee came away with the second-best score – a total of 6-points. It tied with the Festool for near-perfect 45 and 90-degree blade deflection and an excellent line of sight. Milwaukee’s score was 1-point lower in the tracking and clean cuts categories.

A three-way tie for third-highest score went to Metabo, RIDGID, and Ryobi all with 7-points each.

Performance Testing (Power/Speed)

An obvious question when comparing the performance of different jigsaws is “which saw cuts the fastest?”  This test also equates to power and power equates to cutting thicker, harder-to-cut materials.

Recognizing that using jigsaws requires the operator to make dozens if not, hundreds of minuscule adjustments during each cut we decided to try to eliminate the human variable. To test the power, we built a jig to hold the saws and pull the saws into 3/4″ plywood using a weighted pulley system.

In the TBB jig, we supported the 3’ pieces of plywood on a frame that in turn was held to the workbench by clamps. The frame allowed for the clearance of the maximum depth of the jigsaw blade. We also used a hold-down clamp on the far edge of the frame and secured the plywood to the frame with three screws each time we made a cut.  That replicated the way a piece of material would be secured in the field. Each saw was fitted with a DIABLO 5″ 6-TPI Fast Cutting Wood blade, designed specifically for fast, rough cutting.

We designed the height of the fixture to be such that the bottom of the sled holding the saw just touched the plywood material. We wanted no gap between the sled and the workpiece because this would introduce additional vibration and is not the manner in which one uses a jigsaw. To cut down on the friction of the larger sled base, we installed an HDPE slick strip surface onto the bottom of the sled. This meant that each run would have consistent friction between the sled and the material. Also, this closely emulated the way the tool is commonly used.

We used this jig to remove as much human variation as possible to allow for the fairest capabilities-based test possible. We used natural, constant force (via the weight) to provide a straight, equal frictionless track to allow the saws the chance to cut as fast as they could.  The saw’s motor power provided consistent strokes per minute (SPM) speed. 

The pulling force was provided by a weighted pulley system which pulled the jigsaws through the material with consistent force. This approach has 2 main benefits:

1. First, it allows a constant force to be applied to each jigsaw in the same way that an operator tries to apply a constant force while cutting.
2. Secondly, by allowing for natural resistance (as opposed to forcing a constant cutting speed via mechanical motors) it allows the saw to cut at its natural maximum speed based on the maximum strokes per minute and the power of the motor. This also underscores the importance of using the same blade types on all saws as without it this test would not truly measure the natural maximum cutting speed. 

The sled fixture held the saws securely and the aluminum tracks kept the saw moving in a consistent and parallel fashion. The saws were in contact with the sled and the sled in contact with the workpiece. During the course of testing, this fixture performed with no issues.

Performance Testing (Power/Speed) – Winner MILWAUKEE

Normalization by Watt-hours

Editor’s Note: An error was found in the calculation for this section and the updated results pushed Milwaukee to the top spot and moved Hilti down to 4th place. Updated September 2022.

These saws came with a different sized “energy power plant” or a combination of battery voltages and Amp-hour ratings. As you can imagine, the saw with the greatest watt-hour battery theoretically has a leg up on its competition with regard to performance. For most of our cordless tool comparisons, we level the playing field by normalizing the results based on total watt-hours. In this way, the reader can see which saw has the most effective combination of battery technology, stamina, and motor power on a per-watt-hour basis.

In this H2H, the batteries were all 18v (under load), with the exception being the Hilti and Kobalt which operate at 22V and 24V respectively. As you can see in the attached table, we derived the watt-hours by multiplying the load voltage by the amp-hours. The following table shows the results of the performance test when normalized.

The saw with the best score for inches/sec/Watt-hr was the Milwaukee with a result of 0.0394. It was closely followed by the second-best score from DEWALT at 0.0386. Festool recorded the third-best score with 0.345.

It is interesting to note that these three saws had the three fastest timed runs for the entire group. Clearly, by both measures, these three saws are the top speed/power saws.

During the Speed/Power test, we noted that a few of the saws had difficulty completing the test. The Black & Decker and Craftsman saws could not finish this test and we listed them as DNF (Did Not Finish). During the run, they could not hold the blade in their blade follower and the blade skewed to the side so badly the saws stopped.

The Porter-Cable saw had the same tendency, but the saw managed to muscle through to the end of the plywood board. You can see that the Porter-Cable average cut time was more than 50% longer than the saw above it in the table. The average cut time indicates the difficulty that it had completed the test. It is interesting to note that these three saws have a very similar design.

Bent blades from the DNF saws

One other saw exhibited difficulty in the Speed/Power test. The Metabo saw had the blade come free of the grooved roller wheel in each run. While the Metabo’s blades did not heal over sideways, the blades did show a wear pattern that the side of the blade ran along the outside of the wheel, not inside of the wheel with the grooved track. Such behavior was undoubtedly the reason the Metabo saw finished in the middle of the pack for Speed/Power.

While we do not know and did not explore the reasons why these four saws had issues while the other eleven did not. We can say that when a person is operating a jigsaw, the user will make immediate and minuscule adjustments to the path, speed, and force they apply in using the saw. That way, if the saw starts to wander or drift, the user can intervene. In this test, once a condition started, the sled made no adjustments and the saws/blade combination proceeded on and the issue compounded on itself – to the point where at least two of the saws’ blades were so skewed to the side that the saw could no longer pull the blade through the wood.

Best Cordless Jigsaw Features – Winner  RIDGID

Comparing tool features from multiple brands is never easy but the devil is in the details, so a feature comparison is certainly warranted. We looked at 10 different features on these saws and rated them 1 through 5 for each saw. [1 being best]

1. Handle and Trigger
2. Soft Start
3. Variable Speed [Trigger and Dial]
4. Selectable Blade Orbit
5. Blade Guide System
6. Blade Change Clamp
7. Shoe plate – Tilting
8. Dust Blower / Collection
9. LED Light
10. Power Lock-on

The RIDGID took first place in features with 17-points, followed by the Festool with 18-points, and Makita and Milwaukee tied for third place with 21-points. DEWALT followed with 23-points to finish fourth. 

The RIDGID consistently showed up in this test as a jigsaw NOT to be ignored. While not considered a higher-end saw, by most pros, the RIDGID has a feature set that many expect in a high-end saw. 

“RIDGID is the hidden gem”  ~ Scott Arnold TBB Crew

Handle and Trigger

A good handle is important on a jigsaw for user comfort and also because a solid grip is essential to controlling the movement of the tool during cutting. In general, over-molds are softer to the touch than hard plastic, provide a more secure grip and even dampen tool vibration slightly.

Note – The pommel at the front of the DEWALT’s handle was unique and allowed a two-handed grip — we found it helpful when cutting in awkward positions.

Wider triggers offer you more gripping options and control, whereas narrower jigsaw triggers can be clumsy and hard to grip while cutting. A jigsaw’s most important operational feature is its trigger that switches the tool on and off.

Note – Ryobi trigger is hard to pull and for a 1/4″, requiring an over-pull, and then the tool activates. This made using the saw with precision difficult.

Festool went to sleep on this handle, it’s too smooth, too narrow, and the rise in the handle is awkward. It feels toy like ~ Ethan Bickford TBB Crew 

The team favored the larger size triggers on the Festool, Hilti, Makita, Metabo, and Milwaukee. We also liked the dual-trigger system on the Festool that locks the saw on or allows you to control the variable speed with a trigger pull.

The team was split with the trigger safety feature on the Makita that required you to turn the power on or off. The crew members that had recently used Makita tools were used to it and knew that it was a consistent feature on their new tools. Other team members felt like it was an unnecessary additional step and did not like having to press a button before the tool started.

Soft / Auto Start 

The Makita jigsaw has “soft-start” motor electronics that start the motor at a slow level and stays at a low speed until the tool starts to cut material. In general, a soft start can prevent the saw from suddenly jerking if you start cutting with the blade in contact with the material. Once the saw engages material the RPMs ramp up.

The RIDGID has a “line-start” feature on the variable speed dial. This feature starts the blade at a lower RPM until engaged in the wood – allowing you to start your cut.

The Festool has an “A” symbol on the variable speed dial that also starts the saw at a lower rpm speed and speeds up when the blade engages the material being cut.

Variable Speed

All of the jigsaws with the exception of the Ryobi have a variable-speed trigger to allow you to vary the speed of the saw according to how hard you pull the trigger or where the speed adjustment wheel is set. Variable triggers that let you ramp up the speed of the blade gradually, up to the maximum set on its variable-speed dial. This is useful when starting cuts in very hard and/or splintery woods as well as materials prone to chipping, like tile and plastics.

The DEWALT, Hilti, Festool, Makita, RIDGID, and Ryobi were the only saws with variable-speed dials that allow you to set the upper limit of motor speed and, hence, the number of blade strokes per minute. This makes a jigsaw a more versatile cutting machine.

Selectable Blade Orbit

This mechanism moves the blade forward slightly during the upstroke cut, resulting in a more aggressive cutting action than if the blade simply reciprocated up and down. The mechanism also moves the saw blade back slightly, so it clears the kerf during the return downstroke and saves wear on the teeth. Adjusting the amount of blade orbit makes the saw cut more or less aggressively. Most saws have four-orbit settings: 0 (no orbit) or 1 for cutting metals and plastics; 1 or 2 for fine and curved cuts; and 3 (maximum orbit) for faster, rougher cuts.

All of the saws, with the exception of the Black and Decker, have selectable blade orbits.

Blade Guide System

Most of the saws use a grooved wheel blade guide system. The groove guides and keeps the blade in alignment. The Festool has a true “blade guide” system. It has a smooth wheel and a v-shaped metal guide that contacts and stabilizes the backside of the blade and keeps it from deflecting during cutting.

All the jigsaws featured had tool-free blade change systems, which allow you to safely and easily change out blades thanks to a spring-loaded lever and clamp.

Blade Change Clamp Lever

All of the jigsaws allow tool-less blade changes, employing a lever that opens the blade clamp on the end of the saw’s plunger — the part that moves the blade up and down. Tool-less blade clamps make changing the tang-style saw blades each model uses quick and easy. But each clamp is different and some are easier to work with than others. They were all easy in their own way – these three saws stood out.

• The Festool’s “Fast Fix”.
• The Makita also has a terrific mechanism with a spring-loaded lever
• The Bosch’s “One Touch” blade change system

This can save you from burning your fingers trying to pull a hot blade out of the clamp after a prolonged cutting session.

DEWALT rattles when you back up the blade and hit the workpiece. Most blade clamps use a twist lock so when pressure is applied to the back of the blade generally the worst thing that happens is it might jump out of the blade guide. But the blade clamp on the DEWALT releases with a linear action that is in line with the blade. This means that when the blade is pushed backward (like when making complicated cuts and making relief cuts) it starts to release the blade clamp, and pushes on the blade clamp release lever, and makes an alarming rattling noise. I could definitely see these causing problems when aggressively moving the saw around to make a tight cut.

Tilting Shoe Plate

Adjusting the angle of a jigsaw’s shoe plate allows the saw to make bevel cuts, say for the edge of scribing baseboard. While all these jigsaws have tilting footplates, only the DEWALT, Kobalt, RIGID, Ryobi, Milwaukee, and Skil allow tool-less angle changes. The rest of the saws require an ALLEN wrench to adjust the base.

The best adjustable tool-less lever was the DEWALT, Milwaukee, and Skil.  These saw levers were easy to manipulate and the tilting base released, adjusted, and locked easily and quickly.

The Festool comes as a fixed base. If you want to bevel this saw you need to purchase an accessory kit. This kit has an adjustable base controlled by a knob.  Because of this, we scored the Festool a 3 [mid-range]

Festool has an accessory beveling base plate that is certainly unique. It is split and bevels in a butterfly fashion with a split down the middle. This is fine for bevel cuts in the middle of a large workpiece but can be a problem when back beveling near the edge of a workpiece as the baseplate will frequently hit the workpiece.

Dust Blower / Dust Collection

Jigsaw blowers don’t impress us much – most of these saws still require you to blow the dust away from the dust, but that doesn’t mean that all blowers are equal.

Milwaukee, Kobalt, Metabo, Skil, Ridgid, and Kobalt have a selectable blower switch giving you an option to turn the blower on or off. The Bosch, Hilti, Craftsman, Black and Decker, Metabo HPT, Porter-Cable have ‘always-on” blowers. All the saws feature a dust blower that uses air channeled from the motor fan to blow dust away from just in front of the blade. The blowers overall do a “just ok” job at removing dust.

Built-in LED Light

All but the Black and Decker, Porter-cable, Craftsman, and Metabo have LED lighting.

The Makita and RIDGID are the only two saws that allow you to activate the LED without engaging the blade.

The best LED was the Milwaukee saw with a bright, full circle halo that surrounds the saw with no shadow line. The Festool was similar in brightness but did not throw out the same size halo. The Festool had a really large halo, not as bright and full of shadows due to its guard. All saw included a built-in LED light. A built-in LED light is a particularly welcome feature on any jigsaw since the overhanging body tends to cast a shadow in the area of the blade.

Power Lock-On

Only four saws have a lock-on feature. The Festool, Makita, RIDGID, and Ryobi have the ability to lock the trigger in the on position.  Makita, RIDGID, and Ryobi are set up for right-handed users with a lock-on button positioned for use by the right thumb. The Festool has an ambidextrous slide switch on both sides of the saw, positioned lower on the saw head.

Ergonomics Winner – HILTI and Milwaukee

Ergonomics is the science of designing and producing tools that improve a worker’s efficiency while reducing discomfort, fatigue, and risk of injury.

In laymen’s terms, ergonomics is the interface between the user and the tool. How’s it feel when using it? For this ergonomic section, we considered the following factors, rating them 1 thru 5. [1 being best]

• Grip
• Trigger
• Adjustments and Switches relating to right and left users.

HILTI and Milwaukee had a tie for the best Ergonomics score. Bosch, Metabo and DEWALT had the second-best scores in Ergonomics, followed by Makita and Skil. The Festool has a trigger safety is on the left side of the tool making it difficult for a left-handed user to actuate.  The Makita, RIDGID, and Ryobi have a trigger lock on switches on the left side of the tool making it difficult for a left-handed user.

Vibration –  Winner  Makita

Regardless of how fast a jigsaw cuts, the less vibration it produces, the better. All jigsaws employ some sort of counterbalance system to reduce the up-and-down shaking created by the reciprocating plunger and blade, and some work better than others.

During the speed/power test, we wanted to collect data on the relative difference for the vibration that each saw produced. To accomplish the data collection during actual runs, we attached a fixture to hold an iPhone firmly onto the sled. This phone has a built-in set of accelerometer sensors and we installed an app that not only created an image of the vibration but provided the average and peak vibration readings in G’s for each run.

The data between the average vibration and the peak vibration were close in the rankings. This validates the results of the readings recorded for the individual saws.

Based on our testing the top three saws with the least vibration were Makita, Festool, and Skil.

Dust Collection

From carpenters working in finished spaces, to shop workers who want to reduce the amount of airborne dust in their environment, knowing how well a saw will integrate with a vacuum is an important measure of performance for any user.

We did NOT test for dust collection since all of the TTB crew members agreed that they do not use dust extraction on a jigsaw.

During our discussion, we agreed that we usually use jigsaws for scribing, finishing cuts from a table or circular saw, and cutting openings. All these cuts are critical and the hose can drag the back of the saw around and mess up the cut. Plus the generally infrequent use means that the time and inconvenience isn’t worth it for the small amount of dust made.

The Hilti comes with an integrated air dust channel, the Festool has a dust chute that inserts into the base plate directly behind the blade. The Milwaukee and RIDGID come with a dust port that inserts into the base plate and collects from directly behind the blade guide.

Many of the other saws, like Bosch, Makita, and  Metabo, can be connected to dust collection but do not come standard with a dust port.

Price

Below we’ve included the current pricing (at the time of publication). Pricing is based on the bare tools where available. We chose the bare tool because the jigsaw is typically a secondary tool to one’s tool arsenal.

The best-priced cordless top-handled jigsaw was the Black and Decker at $ 49.00.  Second place was the porter cable priced at $55.25  followed by Craftsman at $ 116.55

The highest price saw in this testing war the Festool Carvex which sells for $ 349.00 The Festool Carvex machines (all versions – corded and cordless) come in a Systainer with or without a battery.

The TBB Crew chose a huge range of jigsaws to test, from DIY quality to professional grade. Because of this, we did not include pricing in our final scoring.

Best Cordless Jigsaw Winner –Festool

The competition for the best cordless jigsaw went to Festool with 18-points.

The Festool came tops in both the accuracy and feature categories and 2nd in vibration. It’s a superbly cutting saw and super precise. We critiqued Festool because the user needs to buy an accessory kit if they want to bevel cut with the saw.

Makita tied for 2nd with Milwaukee and scored tops in the vibration category, second in features, and third in ergonomics.  The TBB Crew found the Makita to have good power, liked the soft-start feature, and really appreciated its low vibration. It has a compact footprint and is truly a nice cutting saw. Similar to Festool, we critiqued Makita’s lack of tool-less beveling. The user requires a tool to bevel the saw base. Makita also scored in the very middle for accuracy/precision. 

Milwaukee tied for second place with 19-points followed by RIDGID at 26-points and Hilti at 27-points, , and DEWALT with 28-points.

Milwaukee had a solid showing with a first-place tie with Hilti in ergonomics. It scored first place in power and third place in features.  The crew all said it was a powerful, nice cutting saw requiring minimal effort to operate.

The Hilti tied with Milwaukee for the first place rank in ergonomics – the entire team commented about how comfortable this saw was to use. It’s a nice feeling saw but was hard to see the cut-line through the dust hood.

RIDGID scored second place in features and fourth in vibration. It scored in the middle of the pack for all other categories which secured its close win over the DEWALT.

Best Value Top-Handle Cordless  Jigsaw – Winner Milwaukee

The best value is the  Milwaukee jigsaw.  The Milwaukee saw came in 3rd overall in this testing and priced mid-pack at $ 168.00 [bare tool]  It was a solid performer and is offered at a good price making this saw the best value jigsaw.

Conclusion

The MOST Comprehensive Information Available

Our ALL Pro contractor team put some serious time and effort into our Best Cordless Jigsaw Head-to-Head evaluation to bring you the most comprehensive information available.

These tests and evaluations are very difficult, take a lot of time, and ultimately limited in scope as we’re not a professional testing company and we’ve got limited time to evaluate the tools. We cannot do long-term testing that would shed light on durability and we can’t possibly test every application that you might use one of these saws for.

We get lots of comments about how we make the final rankings. As we’ve stated, there are hundreds of ways to compare tools. The good news is we’ve openly shared ALL the data from our tests, and you can rank the tools however you want. Don’t care about an item we ranked? No problem. Simply remove that from the matrix above and re-rank them. Hopefully, you’ll find this Head-To-Head useful when comparing compact cordless miter saws.

If you have a moment, please check out our other Head-to-Head Tests.

Best Cordless Top-Handle Jigsaw Head-To-Head is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Cordless Compact Miter Saw Head To Head

For this installment of our “Head-to-Head” series, we took a look at compact cordless miter saws. These saws range from a tiny 6-1/2″ to 8-1/2″ with the majority falling into 7-1/4″.  We’ve given these saws thorough testing, looking at a variety of criteria to help you decide which compact miter saw will work best for your needs.

Compact saws are a great option for small shops, homeowners, and carpenter’s with limited space. A compact sliding miter saw can have a horizontal cut capacity that rivals that of full size 12″ saws!  Don’t be fooled by their size, these saws can hold their own and make most of the cuts that a professional needs to make on a regular basis. Between their impressive capacity, smaller size, and significantly lower weight these saws are definitely worth a look.

Best Compact Sliding Miter Saw Evaluation Format

Once again our team has put some serious time and effort into our Best Compact Cordless Miter Saw evaluation to bring you the most comprehensive information available. For this evaluation, we broke things into several categories including Precision & Accuracy, Performance (speed/power), Features, Ergonomics, Dust Collection, Decibels, and Price. For each of these categories, we will rank the saws, and in the end, we will name the Best Compact Cordless Miter Saw based on the combined results.

• Precision, and Accuracy – In this category, we evaluated the accuracy of the miter saws out of the box and how easy it is to make adjustments.
• Performance [Power / Speed Test] -We looked at cutting speed as an indicator of saw motor performance.
• Run-time – Lots of Pros think run-time is important. The performance evaluation took a very deep dive into the power of the saw motors and how well the saws managed repetitive cutting of framing lumber.
• Features – An overall comparison of features and specifications.
• Ergonomics – Ergonomics are really important to users and an important category to consider when purchasing any power tool. In addition to traditional ergonomics, we also included functionality in this category.
• Dust Collection – Construction is a messy business and dust is one of the biggest hazards in our industry.
• Decibels – We evaluated the sound level in decibels
• Price – Price is always an important factor in determining which saw is best for a user. We’ve included the current pricing found online for each of the saws “as-tested,” at the time of publication.

Compact Sliding Miter Saw Specifications

Below is a list of general specifications that relate to each saw

Bosch GCM18V-08N14

• Blade Size:  8-1/2″
• RPM:  4500
• Weight:  31.5 lb
• Max Angle Cut: 0-45 L/R
• Max Bevel Cut: 0-45 Left Only
• Vertical Capacity: 2-3/4″
• Horizontal Capacity: 10-5/8″
• Laser /Light: Laser
• Battery Voltage: 18V
• Battery Ah:  8.0 Ah

Craftsman  CMCS714M1

• Blade Size:  7-1/4″
• RPM:  3800
• Weight:  21 lb
• Max Angle Cut: 0-47 L/R
• Max Bevel Cut: 0-47 Left Only
• Vertical Capacity: 3-1/2″”
• Horizontal Capacity: 8″
• Laser /Light: Light
• Battery Voltage: 18v [20 volt max]
• Battery Ah:  4.0 Ah

DEWALT DCS361

• Blade Size:  7-1/4″
• RPM:  4100
• Weight:  31.6 lb
• Max Angle Cut: 0-48 L/R
• Max Bevel Cut: -1-46 Left
• Vertical Capacity: 3-1/2″”
• Horizontal Capacity: 8″
• Laser /Light: Light with Shadowline
• Battery Voltage: 18v [20 volt max]
• Battery Ah:  4.0 Ah

Kobalt KMS 0724B-03

• Blade Size:  7-1/4″
• RPM:  5100
• Weight:  31 lb
• Max Angle Cut: 0-48 L/R
• Max Bevel Cut: 0-48  L
• Vertical Capacity: 2-1/4″
• Horizontal Capacity: 9-3/8″
• Laser /Light: Light
• Battery Voltage: 21.6V (24 volt max)
• Battery Ah: 6.0 Ah

Metabo HPT C3607DRAQ4

• Blade Size:  7-1/4″
• RPM:  4000
• Weight:  34 lb
• Max Angle Cut: 0-45 L/R
• Max Bevel Cut: 0-47 L / 57 R
• Vertical Capacity: 3-1/3″
• Horizontal Capacity: 12-13/64″
• Laser /Light: Laser
• Battery Voltage: 36V
• Battery Ah:  2.5 Ah (at 36V)
• AC / DC capable with accessory

Makita  XSL02

• Blade Size:  7-1/2″
• RPM:  5700
• Weight:
• Weight 28.9 lb
• Max Angle Cut: 0-47 Left and o-57 Right
• Max Bevel Cut: 0-45 Right  and 0-5 Left
• Vertical Capacity: 2-1/16” x 11-3/4”
• Horizontal Capacity: 12-1/4″”
• Battery Voltage: 36V (running two 18V packs at same time)
• Battery Ah:  5.0 Ah

Milwaukee 2733-20

• Blade Size:  7-1/4″
• RPM:  5000
• Weight:  28 lb [w/ battery]
• Max Angle Cut: 0-45 L/R
• Max Bevel Cut: 0-48 L
• Vertical Capacity: 3-1/2″
• Horizontal Capacity: 8″
• Laser /Light: Light
• Battery Voltage: 18V
• Battery Ah:  5.0 Ah

Miter Saw Accuracy and Precision

To be consistent, all the saws, when able, were equipped with a Milwaukee 60-tooth blade.

Many users that buy a miter saw will open the shipping box and begin to use the saw right out of the box. Framers or other craftsmen that are not too concerned with the finest accuracy come to mind. However, other users will care a lot about the accuracy of their new saw and want to tune it to as near perfect as can be achieved. For a finish carpenter, or woodworker a miter saw’s ability to make an accurate cut must be routinely checked and maintained because a little misalignment can cause compounding errors on a project.

We checked the calibration of the saws out of the box, recorded our findings, and then calibrated the saws, noting the level of difficulty to get them tuned up. Miter saw calibration is a critical step because a difference as small as 1° over a 1-in. span will result in a 1/64-in. the gap in the finished miter joint.  Similarly, 3° over 5-in. span gives you a 9/32-in. gap.

Compact Cordless Miter Saw Accuracy Testing   Winner Craftsman

The TBB crew wanted to give the readers an idea of how well the saws scored on accuracy right out of the box. We looked at the following areas:

• Table flatness
• Fence flatness
• Bevel accuracy when set to 0 degrees
• Miter accuracy when set to 45 degrees.
• Crosscut accuracy when set to 90 degrees

The Craftsman showed up on this out of the box testing with a first-place score of 9 points. With exception of its 45-degree accuracy, it scored tops in every category. Bosch was second with 13-points, Makita had 14-points and Milwaukee 15-points.

Table Flatness – For table flatness, we used a Bridge City Tool Works 24 inch stainless steel flat edge. We placed the flat edge onto the table and first looked for any light that could shine between the table surface and the stainless flat edge. Where the light shone through, we took a set of machinist feeler gauges and determined the size of the gap under the flat edge. We recorded the data and proceeded to check the fence’s accuracy. We turned the Bridge City flat edge and held it up to the lower part of each saws’ fence. Some of the saws have a single piece lower fence and others have a two-part lower fence. We measured any gap between the fence and the flat edge and noted the maximum reading from the feeler gauges.

0-Degree Bevel –  For 90-degree bevel accuracy, we adjusted the saws to contact the factory setting for a 90-degree vertical cut. Then we used a Wixey digital gauge to measure the degrees between the table of the saw and the body of the blade. The Wixey gauge can be set to zero out any inclination in the saw as it sits on a bench. This enables the user to read the accurate relative difference in inclination between the table and the blade. We zeroed out the gauge each time we took a reading.


45-Degree Miter – Cutting 45-degree miters is a critical function of these types of miter saws. We measured the factory 45-degree cuts by setting the saw to its 45-degree setting. We made a cut into 2×4 lumber and read the actual cut with a digital T-Bevel gauge. For each cut, we zeroed the gauge. Then we took the reading and recorded the data. This type of gauge is accurate to one-tenth of a degree.

90-Degree Cross Cut – For this test, we set the saw to the factory 90-degree setting for a cross-cut. We crosscut a piece of plywood that had one edge squared with a track saw. We took the ‘cut-off’ piece and flipped it 180 degrees along the long axis. We lined up the two pieces against a straight edge and noted if there were a gap between the two halves along the cut edge. If we saw a gap, we measured this gap with feeler gauges. Flipping one of the pieces 180 degrees, meant that any deviation from a 90-degree cut would show twice the error than just measuring one side by itself.

Miter Saw Performance

For the performance section, we tested the run-time and speed of cut with the battery sold with the saw in a kitted form.

Power Test – Winner Makita

The Power Test is a good indication of what the saw and blade configuration can cut. We made five timed cuts in 7-1/4″ LVL  lumber and recorded the average time. This is a simple test with some uncontrolled variables, but our methods were fair.

We had the same operator conduct each cut, with the instruction to let the saw do the cutting, apply as much pressure as the saw and blade would allow. We waited for the blade to come to a complete stop, indexed the material, and then started a fresh cut. Time was started from the time the blade hit the wood till it exited out the back of the LVL and completed the cut. We timed 5 cuts per saw and took the average time.

The Makita crushed this test coming in at 2.0 seconds, with the Kobalt coming in second at  2.2 seconds per cut, followed by Metabo HPT in third at 2.7 seconds.

Run-time Test – Winner Makita

For the run-time test, we made repetitive cuts in KD lumber until the battery was exhausted or thermal overload prevented further cutting.  Operators were instructed to start the saw and bring it up to speed. Bring the saw forward, make the cut, wait for the blade to stop, reset, and repeat.

Run-time Test	# Cuts	Rank
Makita	328	1
Kobalt	252	2
Bosch	248	3
Metabo HPT	185	4
Milwaukee	182	5
Craftsman	174	6
DEWALT	154	7

WP DataTables

Makita with its dual battery system crushed this test with 328 cuts.  Bosch and Kobalt also shined in this test, with 248 and 252 cuts respectively, cutting 60+ more cuts than the fourth-place Metabo HPT. No thermal overloads were encountered. Note, for the overall calculation of the best miter saw we are NOT using this run-time test, we use the normalized ranking that accounts for total battery pack energy (watt-hrs) listed below.

Run-time Normalization by Watt-hours – Winner Craftsman

Each of these saws came with a different sized “energy power plant” or battery configuration. As you can imagine, the saw with the greatest watt-hr battery theoretically has a leg up on its competition for run-time cuts. Whenever we do a cordless tool comparison, we level the playing field by taking the results and dividing the results by the number of watt-hr for the particular saws’ battery.

	# Cuts	Watt-Hr	Cuts/Watt-hr	Rank
Craftsman	174	72	2.42	1
DEWALT	154	72	2.14	2
Metabo HPT	185	90	2.06	3
Milwaukee	182	90	2.02	4
Kobalt	252	129.6	1.94	5
Makita	328	180	1.82	6
Bosch	248	144	1.72	7

WP DataTables

In this H2H, the batteries varied both in voltage and amp-hrs. We derive watt-hrs by multiplying the load voltage by the amp-hours. The following table shows the results of the run-time test when normalized for the battery pack watt-hours.

After running the calculations, Craftsman came in first with 2.4 cuts per watt-hour, followed by DEWALT and Metabo HPT with 2.1 cuts/watt-hr, and third place was Milwaukee with 2.0 cuts/watt-hr. This test allows us to see who has the most effective combination of battery technology, stamina, and motor power on a per watt-hr basis.

Compact Miter Saw Features – Winner – Milwaukee

Comparing tools from multiple brands is never easy but the devil can live in the details at times so a comparison is certainly warranted.

We looked at the following 10 features and ranked them 1-5.

1. Laser light
2. Max Angle
3. Max Bevel
4. Dust port
5. Outriggers
6. Forward Slide / Compact
7. Capacity
8. Blade Brake
9. Blade Guard Operation
10. Dado Cut

	Milwaukee	Metabo HPT	Kobalt	Makita	Bosch	Craftsman	DEWALT
Laser Light	1	5	3	6	3	1	1
Max Angle	2	1	2	1	4	4	4
Max Bevel	1	3	1	3	3	5	5
Dust port	1	6	3	3	2	3	3
Outriggers	3	1	3	2	2	3	3
Fwd Slide	2	1	4	3	6	2	4
Blade Brake	2	1	2	2	4	5	6
2-way Bevel	1	1	1	4	4	4	4
Cut Capacity	5	1	3	1	2	4	4
Blade Guard	3	2	6	3	1	3	3
Dado Cut	5	1	4	2	2	3	5
Total	21	22	28	28	31	34	37
Rank	1	2	3	3	4	5	6

WP DataTables

The Milwaukee came in first with 21 points followed closely by the Metabo HPT at 22 points. The Makita and Kobalt tied for third with 28 points.

The team especially liked the rack and pinion bevel adjustment, the 52-degree max angle, and the dado with a scoring feature. This feature allows you to set a scoring cut or to set up a dado cut.