THIS week, we watch several new tools from Makita hit the test track, the Milwaukee 1” D Handle breaks the torque test channel, and we have details on our LIVE 100k event, and you won’t believe what we’re giving away. This is your Power Tool Week In Review!
Tool Box Buzz | Metabo Brad Nailer
We have a bunch of news and reviews to get to this week… starting with Metabo HPT, which is about to launch a pair of new nailers that showed up on two of our favorite review channels this week. Over at Tool Box Buzz, Rob Robillard picked up the soon to be released, Metabo HPT 18V Multivolt 18 Guage Brad Nailer. This updated version is now 30% smaller, 31% lighter, and features an extremely effective Air Spring Drive System, that Rob does a better job explaining than I would. Rob delivers his typical detailed analysis, coming back with only one real complaint, that being, the lack of a lockout feature when you’re out of nails. Besides, that, he seems pretty pumped about this tiny powerhouse,
Workshop Addict | Metabo Nailers
Brian the WorkshopAddict got the same Metabo HPT Brad Nailer, but also got an example of the new Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt Cordless Paper Strip Framing Nailer. As he points out, Hitachi had a great reputation for making extremely good nailers, and when they switched their name to Metabo HPT, besides confusing the crap out of every Metabo fan, they also continued their tradition of making really solid nailers. Brian was impressed with the small size of the new Brad Nailer just like Robillard. But it was the new Framing Nailer that got my attention. Brian takes his time walking you through every single feature, and carefully explains why the technological enhancements in both of these nailers take another important step towards the death of the framer’s compressor. For the full review head over to WorkshopAddict.
Man Caver Tools | Makita Sub Compact Drill
Moving on to Makita, Dave welcomed us into the Man Cave again, this time opening up a brand new Makita Sub-Compact Drill Driver, the exact same one we announced last week here on Belts and Boxes. THIS is the Makita XFD15, and wow is this thing small. Look at it next to that Milwaukee M12! But of course, this is their brushless 18V drill, which means you’d expect it to perform fairly well, while enjoying the ergonomic convenience of such a small form factor. And the Makita doesn’t disappoint. But being a sub compact, you’re simply going to find it’s limits earlier than you would on a full sized tool, and if you watch this video, you’re gonna see that happen. But Dave is just getting started, and so we can expect to see this new Makita take on it’s competitors in the very near future.
Tools & Stuff | Makita 6” Circular Saw
Now we couldn’t talk about Makita without heading to New Zealand, where our buddy at Tools & Stuff keeps buying Japanese versions of Makita tools that the rest of the world has yet to see, including XGT 40V Circular Saws. So far, here in the states, we’ve got a 7 1/4″ in both a sidewinder and a rear handle configuration and a huge 10 1/4″ version. Previously T&S showed us an absolutely amazing 5″ XGT saw with a bunch of genius features, and now he’s managed to get a 6 1/2″ version as well. At first glance, it looks a LOT like the 5″ version, including a black plastic body, polished plate, and what he thinks is an inverted blade. Silly Hobbit, you’re in the southern hemisphere. That blade is right side up to us. He likes the improved battery orientation, allowing you to use a much larger 5ah battery, that’s about the same size as the saw. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the cool partially removable base like the 5″, but you can’t have everything. Of course with this running on the 40V XGT platform, and a smaller blade, you’d expect the torque and power to be pretty fantastic. To find out if it is, you should head over to Tools & Stuff.
Shop Tool Reviews | Makita Grease Gun
Our last Makita stop is with Tim over at Shop Tool Reviews. Thanks to Makita, dispensing grease just got easier. THIS is the Makita XPG01 18V Grease Gun. And while Tim seems to be pretty excited about it, this is a little outside my range. And while I may not know much about Grease guns, I can always count on Tim to know more than enough for both of us. And this time he takes the new tool into his shop, and puts it to work. He seems to be pretty happy with the new addition and if this is a tool that would find a home in your workflow, I’ll always suggest you get Tim’s opinion first. You can watch the full review at Shop Tool Reviews.
Torque Test Channel | Milwaukee 1” D-Handle
Moving on to Milwaukee, the boys at Torque Test Channel FINALLY got their hands on the boss, the VIP, the chief, the big Kahuna, the tasty enchilada. This is the Milwaukee 1” D-Handle High Torque Impact Wrench of the junkyard Gods, and it broke their torque Dyno. Sort off… it bent the 1” thick face plate. Seriously. Fortunately, they were able to replace it with a 1 ¼” thick piece of steel, that somehow manages to stand up to the big red beast. Now this impact wrench is already something of legend coming out in June of last year, and making a lot of noise ever since. Many of us have been waiting for this thing to show up on TTC, and this week it does. I don’t want to spoil anything else. As always, their torque tests are easily as entertaining as they are educational, and you really shouldn’t miss this one.
Philly Fixed | Cheap Impacts
You know, sometimes, the job doesn’t call for the BIGGEST tasty enchila… whatever. Sometimes you just need an inexpensive tool with a bit less power, but a whole pile of value. Fortunately, Jim over at Philly Fixed has been running a series called Cheap Tool Tuesday, and this week he looks at some of the cheapest, and consequently biggest impacts ever. I’m quite familiar with the HART and Ryobi, but the other two were… something new. That’s the Parkside Impact, which isn’t sold online but only in this German Grocery store. Which is where I NORMALLY buy my impacts, but I’ve been on this Mexican food kick, so my German groceries slash impact shopping has been sparse. But there it is. And Jim rounds off this group with a brand called Popo Man, and just like the name Coptool, it does NOT have anything to do with the Police. And let me tell you, this ambitious group of go-getters didn’t disappoint. To find out which of these tools is the king of entry-level, oversized impacts, head over to get your Philly fixed.
Tool Review Zone | Utility Scraper
Right, our last stop is in the tool review zone. Now I’m sure you’ve seen those IG or Tictoks of this crazy utility knife slash scraper right? Well Clint decided he wanted to see what all the fuss was about, so he reluctantly went to Lowes, MAN that guy does not like Lowes for some dramatic reason, and bought one for himself. There’s not a lot of new information here. It does exactly what we’ve all seen it do, but it’s way more fun when it’s Clint doing the demo.
Belts and Boxes 100k Celebration
Alright, we have some crazy news for you. You might have noticed the shiny thing above Sarah’s head on our set. That’s our 100k subscriber Silver Play Button from YouTube. Since we hit 100k, we’ve been planning a 100k live event, and we have some details for you. We hinted that this was going to be big, but honestly it’s already getting bigger than we thought. As of right now, we plan to go live for at least 2 hours on Sunday September 12th to hang out with YOU, and give away a ton of cool STUFF. We’ve already told you about the $2000 worth of Gift Cards, but as of right now, we also have over $3,500 in new tools! That includes tools from EGO, SKIL, FLEX, HART, DeWALT, RYOBI, and more! At this point, we’d have to give away tools or a gift card every 5 minutes just to finish in 2 hours. So be SURE you’re gonna be sitting down on September 12th, from noon till, well, whenever we finish giving away a crap ton of prizes. It’s going to be awesome. We’ll also be doing a big Q&A, where you can ask us almost anything you want. ALMOST, and we’ll be playing some trivia games with your favorite content creators here on YouTube. Plus, we’ll be announcing our new Production Crew Program, and you’re gonna want to be a part of it, so don’t miss it.
Last week we got a look at whatever tool that is. I want to thank SKIL, and Ohio Power Tool for sponsoring this episode. Guys, we couldn’t do it without you. IF you liked this episode, give it a thumbs up and if you loved it, we hope that you subscribe. Have a safe weekend, and I’ll see you next week!
