By
Jon Eakes
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You have probably seen all
the advertising about the new Lithium-Ion power tool batteries. I even wrote
a lot about them in this column recently. Well, Milwaukee sent me a compact
little 18-volt half-inch hammer drill (Milwaukee 0824-20) that runs on both
Lithium-Ion and Ni-Cad batteries, so I could compare the two on the same tool.
The comparison simply confirmed the advertising: the same power with both batteries
except that the Li-Ion lasted much longer and did not fade at the end of a charge.
The drill was a little gem
with a ratchet chuck, which grabs the bit without ripping the skin off your
hand (I've been spoiled: ratchet chucks are the only ones I use anymore), and
lots of torque. But I must tell you that the first thing that really impressed
me, before I even turned on the drill, was the power cord on the battery charger.
It is so simple that it is brilliant. The charger requires two amps and an outlet
becomes full using only about four amps, so we always carry around buss bars
to plug all our chargers into just one outlet. Look at this Milwaukee charger,
which, by the way, charges 18v Ni-Cad, 18v Li-Ion and 28v Li-Ion batteries.
It plugs into the wall and you can piggyback another plug on the top of the
first one. It has its built-in multiple outlets! These are the little things
that really make me happy in life.
To test the power of
the batteries, they sent along a 2-9/16-in.self-feeding plumber's bit (Milwaukee
48-25-2561) - sort of like a hole saw but with no plug. In fact, it is a giant
rough cut Forstner bit that cuts a circle and chips out the stuff in the middle
with a shaving blade. I actually was a bit doubtful given the rather small
size of the cordless drill but, after the first hole, I found myself saying
out loud: "I'm impressed." I had to drill one hole in my floor joists,
just to prove that the bit and drill do in fact fit squarely between joists
on 16-in. centres. The self-feeding screw meant that I didn't even have to
push to cut the hole. You can drill off-square about 15 degrees, but no more.
However, because it is not a hole saw, you can just keep on going and it can
be sharpened with a simple hand file.
For the battery test, I made Swiss cheese out of a 4x4 with no effort.
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Portable
assistant
How about a little consumer item that may be as good as another man on the payroll?
Ryobi basically makes consumer tools and sells them uniquely through Home Depot.
When they first sent me publicity on the MultiTASKit, I passed over it, thinking
it was just another gadget. When they sent me a kit, it sat on the shelf for
a while because suction-cup gadgets never stick very well and always end up
leaving marks on the wall. It's too bad they don't really explain its revolutionary
nature in their marketing materials.
Above you can see the base unit that holds various accessories, and the suction
cup on the bottom. What is so special is that it is actually a battery-operated
vacuum pump, and you keep that pump going while you are using it - so it really
does stick to just about any surface with tremendous holding power. Even if
you have a bit of a textured paint surface, there is a cushion pad to put on
the wall and the vacuum efficiently closes up the gaps. So there is a base unit
that sticks where you want it to stick, and can be quickly and easily moved
with no marks.
Now you can use the recessed
magnets to hold a tape measure, anywhere on any surface, not just on the edge
of something. You can also add the magnetic tray accessory to keep screws
close at hand. Of course, there are both flashlight and laser beam accessories.
And my favourite is the "helping hand" - a spring-loaded, extensible
third arm. As well, a base plate will substitute magnets, straps or screws
for that vacuum suction cup. I know this sounds like an advertisement, but
for the solo renovator, how many times have you needed an assistant just to
hold the other end of something? This is a consumer tool well worth looking
at and handling with care so that it will last a long time.
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Chalk
lines, the smart way
Stanley deserves some praise for its new FatMax Xtreme chalk line box. The
first visible innovation is a pair of windows that let you see just how much
chalk is in the box. Then you have to get the knack of how to release the
string hook, which no longer just hangs around getting caught on things in
the tool box.
You push the shaft of the handle and the line is completely free to pull,
without the handle moving at all. When you open the handle, a very efficient
gear mechanism engages to pull that line in incredibly rapidly. What you don't
see in the photo is the belt hook, so it is easier to take with you than ever
before. Good job, Stanley. HB
Montreal-based TV broadcaster, author, home renovation and tool expert
Jon Eakes provides a tool feature in each edition of Home BUILDER.
www.JonEakes.com
