Monthly Archives: January 2010

Makita 5007MG Review

Posted on by
Reply

The 5007MG Magnesium is a 7 1/4in circular saw made by Makita. It has easy-to-read number markings on base and depth, which allows the user to cut accurately. It can quickly change from 0 to 45 degrees by easy grip levers. It is a workhorse of a circular saw at only $260, which is why it is one of the more popular Makita circular saws currently out there. So, in this review, we’ve compiled the most critical points every user and would-be buyer should know.

What people say

“This new saw from Makita is an outstanding improvement over previous models. It has a much more substantial feel and the rubber grips are nice too. The base plate is now made from cast magnesium which should make it stronger and add to its durability. The rubber grips on the depth and bevel adjustment levers are also welcomed, no more skinned knuckles trying to pry the old style loose. The fit and finish of this saw is also outstanding. The saw has as much or more power than any other sidewinder on the market. I’m not a salesman, just one who appreciates fine tools and this saw from Makita would make a nice addition to anyone tool bin.”

“This is the finest circular saw I have ever owned. This is coming from someone who owns 5 circular saw presently and over 30 year experience. I think I’ve owned every circular saw made. The led lights are really nice, the balance perfect, adjustments sweet and the motor seems to just glide through wood with simplicity. Makita saws became the most popular among contractors long ago because of there light weight and the thinnest blade guide in the industry. The only gripe is when you set the depth gauge which is really nice if you go past 0 it gets stuck. Now when you set the gauge it’s easier to go to 0 then up to the depth you want. The angle gauge has positive stops never saw this before I like it.”

“The saw works wonderfully, and cuts exactly what it is supposed to cut. The problem though, for those of us who are lefties is that the blower blows the sawdust directly into your face, and there’s no getting around it. We’ve basically handed this saw off to our right handed saw guy to use. I am sure that somewhere out there Makita makes a left handed version, but in the meantime we’re out shopping for a different saw. If you are right handed, this is an excellent saw for the money and has held up well for both a school remodel and building a 4 story hotel so far. Just beware if you are left handed that you should try to either find a left handed model, or get a different saw.”

Read more reviews here.

makita 5007mg

Makita Battery KR23

Posted on by
Reply

Makita KR23

The Makita KR23/43 battery is an old model NiCd battery used in cordless drills, screwdrivers, etc. If you are looking for a replacement battery for the KR 23, your best bet would be to use the Makita 7000. It is a direct replacement for a number of Makita batteries, including the KR23. The Makita 7000 sells for around the $22.00 price range.

Makita 7000

Karcher 9162315

Posted on by
Reply

The Karcher 9162315 is a direct replacement 5-foot pressure washer hose used on the Karcher K2400HH and 2401H. It has a maximum psi rating of 2,600, and has a diameter of .25 inches, and has a twist coupler connection with a 14 millimeter seal on both ends. It can be used as a replacement for Karcher hose # 9162319.

Karcher 9112014

Posted on by
Reply

The Karcher gun, model #9112014, is a direct replacement for the #9112011 & #9112009 guns. It has a 22-millimeter male twist couple inlet and outlet port—standard to all Karcher pressure washers. This gun lance is used on gas-engined pressure washers, including the popular K2400 model. The 9112014 has a maximum pressure rating of 3,700 psi.

Note: You can use Karcher #9162315 hose (50 feet) with this wand.

karcher 9112014

Bench Dog 40-031 Review

Posted on by
Reply

The 40-031 by Bench Dog is a cast iron router table extension. It is paired with a table saw and already includes a fence and an insert plate. It easily mounts to standard right-tilt 10″ table saws and is fully adjustable via a miter track and a T-slot. The package includes a router top, a fence, insert plates and some hardware. It measures 1.5″ x 27″ x 16″ and weighs 62 pounds.

Reviews

“I purchased this router table in July 2005 and can honestly say that it was one of the best tools I’ve ever bought. Everything about it, even the way it was packed, was first rate. All necessary components, nuts, bolts, etc. were carefully marked. The instructions were clear, precise, and accurate. Installation on a rather old (but reliable) Sears table saw was easy and exactly as advertised. Assembly took no more than half an hour. The quality of the finish is superb. I’m using this table with a Hitachi 3 1/4″ hp plunge router and it works great. Solid with minimal vibration. It is truly a pleasure to find such an excellent made in the USA tool.” — Levi Murray from Pacific Palisades

“Fantastic. Easy install and super accurate fence. I have this mounted to the left side of my Delta 675 contractors saw and really like the added weight to the saw overall. This is a very well thought out attachment that adds a few more functions to your saw. For example, you can use the router tables miter slot to increase the size of your crosscut sled. The removable fence is beautiful and easy to store since it goes right under the table. It is well worth the wait and should be listed in the tool shed catalog instead of just online.” — Ken S. Fabe

“I purchased this router table for mounting on my Delta Unisaw. It has worked extremely well. I used a Benchdog ProLift and Porter Cable 7518 in the table with a digital readout that I added to the Prolift. I find the cast iron table does an excellent job of reducing vibration and adds some extra room to the left side of the table saw for supporting sheet goods for ripping. I also can utilize my out feed table for the saw to catch long pieces being run through the router table. The table and fence have slots for conveniently mounting feather boards and other fixtures. The front fence mounting slots are also convenient for mounting fixtures. Overall, an excellent router table and addition to the table saw.” — Gerry Haslem from Troy, Michigan

Ingersoll Rand XLE

Posted on by
Reply

The Ingersoll Rand XLE is a series of reciprocating compressors ranging from 125 to 500 horsepower, with a CFM of 687 to 3,100. It is a really old model, produced between 1958 and 1999, and used a 10-stroke pump. Other features of the XLE series include: two stage, direct driven, lubricated double acting, water cooled, crosshead type, flange mounted and forced feed lubrication among others.

Currently, if you have and old model XLE, there are a number of places you can buy parts from. There are also some selling used XLE compressors.

Below is an example of an Ingersoll Rand XLE.

Steel City 55230

Posted on by
Reply

The Steel City 55230 is a 6″ X 89″ Oscillating Edge Sander. It has a reinforced platen that minimizes deflection and improves tracking when the belt is tilted from 90° to 0. It comes with an auxiliary end table which mounts above its motor for rigidity on circular sanding projects. For operator safety, the 55230 comes with safety paddle-type switch that is widely visible for easy access during operation.

The 55230 comes with a 2-horsepower induction motor. It also has an on board storage platform to store tools, belts, wrenches and other accessories needed for each job. The 55230 lists for $1,099.99.

Dremel 395 Review

Posted on by
Reply

Dremel rotary tools are tools with a million uses. Yes, you’ll just never run out of things to do with these handy devices, and, although there are a handful of other brands out there producing such rotary tools, Dremel is still the head honcho. Come to think of it, you could actually call such tools “Dremels.”

The Dremel 395 is a classic model. It comes with 10 accessories, speed varies from 5,000-35,000 rpm, Dremel’s signature quick-change collet nut and a comfortable plastic housing. It has been used in virtually every household, so, in this review, we compiled the raves of exactly that—the average-Joe-Dremel-user.

Reviews

“I have owned the Multi-Pro kit for 8 months now, and I don’t know how I lived without it before. The jobs it can do are limited only by your imagination. The variable speed lets you match the speed to the work. It cleans and sharpens all my other power tools, lawn mower blades, too. It makes cuts in all types of materials in tight places for remodeling jobs; you know, under sinks and floors, inside walls and ceilings. I especially like the cutting wheels (careful, they are brittle) to flush cut nails and screws, or shape small metal pieces. I’ve used them to grind out welds when repairing tricycles for the preschool where my wife teaches. With the sanding drums, I’ve smoothed and shaped small wooden projects. I plan on taking the Multi-Pro to 4H Summer Camp this year for the woodworking class I teach. Remember to go slow and make several passes when cutting material for best results.” — bryghtbuild from Charleston, WV

“These little rotary tools are so useful the possibilities are endless.If your an around the house do-it-yourselfer or a well seasoned carpenter this little guy will suit everyone.I couldn’t even begin to explain all it can do in a short review.Just read the book that comes with the tool and let your imagination and creativity do the rest.Other tool makers produce such a tool but I do think that dremal has inspired them all.My advice is stick with Dremel.They are so well made and offer so many options and accessories.You just cant go wrong. Now get out there and polish,cut or grind something.” — Bradley Keller from Brightwood, OR

“I bought one of these several years ago and have found very few things that a dremel can’t do. Sharpening lawnmower blades, polishing metals, cutting and carving wood, sanding, cutting drywall, drilling holes, gunsmithing, etc… The possibilities are endless. If you have room, you can set up a workbench with the limitless supply of accessories. This is, by far, the most versatile tool ever invented.” — Lodge2 from Texas

DD2T2

Posted on by
Reply

The Ingersoll Rand DD2T2, or the “DD2T2″ (say that repeatedly, fast) is what others commonly refer to as a “twin hot dog compressor.” It is rated at 14.5 amperes, has a 2-horsepower motor, and a 9-gallon (total) air capacity. It is quite popular for being lightweight, compact and durable—which means the DD2T2 is often seen and used on job sites for interior finishing, roofing or heavier construction applicaitons.

The DD2T2 is oiled. Other might find that peculiar for a portable air compressor, but there lies the secret of its pump life. Plus, the parts are crafted from rugged cast iron. The kit comes with a 1/4″ universal coupler, regulator and pressure gauge. It measures 21″ x 17″ x 15″ and weighs only 65.4 pounds.

What others think

“Running several framing crews with larger units, we always have a need for smaller units for punchout work. Impulse units simply cost too much to operate on site all day (do the math). Setting the unit up you can easily run 2, even more nailers on this pump. The pump size and volume is what is important not just the size of the tank. It does no good to have a 60 gallon tank if it takes an hour to recover. It is a great little pump and a very dependable unit. My oldest one is 8 years old.” — Jeffrey Jones from Mocksville, NC

“I had bought an Ingersoll Rand oilless air compressor with 20 gallon tank >25 years ago. Well used on the shop/farm/construction until the piston connecting rod broke. Got my moneys worth and then some. Hadn’t got around to throwing it away maybe salvaging the tank when I got a recall notice from IR for tank safety. They picked up the old compressor and let me buy an DD2T2 for $100 including shipping or or refund. Have used DD2T2 now for 4 years. Its rugged, powerfull, quite for an air compressor and very well made. Easily out performed the larger compressor it replaced. A company standing behind their products is rare these days. Tools are an investment, good tools cost money and I have got many good returns via Ingersoll Rand air compressors. Good company great portable air compressor.” — R. McMahon from Knoxville, TN

The Akeda DC16

Posted on by
Reply

The Akeda DC16 is a drawer construction dovetail jig. It weighs around 28 lbs. and retails for $330. So, what does this jig offer over other lowly “regular” jigs? Speed. In fact, AKEDA claims it is the “quickest on the drawer!” This is primarily because of variable layout and variable pin angle technology—which, makes the DC16 (and BC24) virtually free of adjustments.

You can change your stock thickness, switch between dovetails, box joints and half blinds, alternate between tails and pins and change your pin angle—all without adjusting anything on the jig.

Sample Reviews

“Getting started with the new AKEDA DC16 dovetail jig is as simple as taking it out of the box and clamping it to a bench.” — American Woodworker

“The Akeda DC16 is a quality product, built by some fine folks, and has a great deal more versatility that I was able to demonstrate for you here. It will do what you ask it to do, reliably, consistently and easily.” — Howard Ruttan