December 15, 2010
Campbell Hausfeld has started bundling little 1-gallon compressors with various tool sets, specific to particular DIY audiences. They've got a Home Decor kit well-suited for the artsy craftsies, a Home Maintenance kit which seems to center around drain cleaning and putty spreading, and finally, a Home Improvement kit, which is the one that interests us the most as it's created around carpentry tasks. Campbell Hausfeld was nice enough to box one up and send it our way so that we could check it out.
Included with the kit is the little compressor, a pneumatic brad/stapler, a pneumatic caulking gun, a few air hose attachments, and a pouch full of hand tools.
So what are the hand tools like? Well, it's a bit of a mixed bag. The rafter square looks like it would last about 22 second on a job site, but the pry bar looks as good as any we've seen. The utility knife is really basic; the level works fine, but is plastic; and the 5-in-1 looks good.
The brad gun has a nice feel to it and it's only the non-bumpered nose that bums us out. It's the kind of nose that's going to dent the workpiece no matter what you do. But other than that, it's a fine gun. It shoots both brad nails and crown staples.
It was actually the caulking gun that we liked the most (and trust us, we were pretty doubtful). We put in a tube of cold Liquid Nail and it didn't have any problems getting some to squeeze out as if it were 90 degrees out.
But let's cut to the chase here. This kit isn't about the subtleties of the tools, it isn't about how ergonomic the handles are, it's about value. It's about bang for the buck. And the bottom line here is that it's a lot of bang, for a-lot-less-than-what-you'd-expect buck. The CH Home Improvement Kit costs about $140 which is pretty nice for all of this in one box.
We think that really anyone would be happy with this kit. It would be good not only for the first time DIYer, but also the carpenter looking for a quick and easy set-up for punch list tasks (after throwing out the rafter square, of course). Or better yet, for the young carpenter who is looking to get some tools, but might not have the cash just yet to get the really aggressive stuff.
At the moment, there is no online availability for the kit, but if you're interested, call 1-888-CHPower (247 6937)
November 23, 2010
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of being visited by Jason Swanson, the Director of Communications for both Ridgid and Ryobi. Swanson was nice enough to make the trip out to our HQ in order to show us some of the new items that the companies are rolling out in the next few months. Right now, we're going to take a look at a few of the standouts from the new Ridgid line-up.
Ridgid Tri-Stack 5-Gallon Air Compressor
This one will likely make even the crustiest old carpenter raise an eyebrow. It's a standard twin tank compressor...no wait, it's not. What's that third piece sitting up by the motor? Is that a...no it can't be....yeah, it's a third tank. And it's what? Removable? Are you kidding? So you're saying I can blast out framing nails all day and then when it comes time to head up to the third floor to case out the closet door, I can just take the small tank with me? Pretty slick. $279 at Home Depot. For more information, the press release is after the jump.
Ridgid Fuego Compact Jigsaw
You know how Himalayan cats have those faces that are all flat and pushed in? Well apparently the gene crossed over to Ridgid's new jigsaw. Regardless of the funky look of the thing, the size alone is appealing. It's low to the workpiece and has a very long footprint for good stability. It has a 4 amp motor so while the jury is still out on it's cutting ability, the portability is clear just by holding it. $99 at Home Depot. For more information, the press release is after the jump.
Ridgid Dual Saw
We don't have an image for this, but the one that we got our hands on was pretty sweet. It looks like Ridgid is taking the dual saw technology and putting it in a much nicer package. Instead of the simple grinder body that the Craftsman and the Omni have, Ridgid has placed a few handles and grab bars on the tool to allow, what we would assume, is very good control over the cut. Expect to see this one early next year.
We'd like to thank Jason for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come out and see us. We had a good time talking to him and we think it's great how committed he is to the idea that you guys, our readers, get the most up-to-date info on both lines of tools.
Continue reading: "Three New Items from Ridgid"
October 22, 2010
Senco, who until recently had the worst website in all of tooldom has given their online presence a much needed fluff and buff. Actually, that's not true, what they did was thankfully start over from scratch. Their new uber-cool finish gun, the Fusion (our review here), already had its own micro-site, but it was becoming more and more of a struggle to hold back the retching when we were forced to deal with their main company site. It was so bad it belongs in a museum.
But that's all over and the new site looks good (and even has a link back to us in the 'Press/News' section...HOO-HAA).
So check out the new and much improved Senco website here.
October 6, 2010
It's apparently video day today. If you still have any patience left after listening to the dude who did the Bosch voice over, you should check out the video on the new Duo-Fast Cordless Roofing gun. We had a lot to say about the gun when it was announced a month ago but we hadn't yet had a chance to see it in action. Well here it is...
September 21, 2010
Last week at The Remodeling Show, Paslode released their version of the Cordless Roofing Nailer that Duo-Fast announced earlier in the month. Other than the paint color, it's the same tool, so if you prefer orange over blue, boy is this your lucky day!
Check out what we had to say about Duo-Fast's nailer here.
September 10, 2010
It's been a busy time for nail guns. First, Bosch hit the scene with their Full-Force Technology, a big advancement in air-powered guns, then, a few months ago, Senco introduced the Fusion cordless nailer, which combined pneumatic strength with a cordless single fuel source. And now, here's Duo-Fast with another first: a battery/gas powered coil roofing nailer.
Last night, we were lucky enough to sit in on a conference call with Duo-Fast as they introduced this fella to the world and afterward we had a cup of tea with an imaginary friend and had a nice little Q&A about the tool.
So this is the first cordless coil nailer?
Continue reading: "Duo-Fast DFCR175C Cordless Roofing Nailer"
September 9, 2010
Campbell Hausfeld is releasing four new tool kits, all based around their mini-compressors and a fastener. In addition to these two items are a number of task appropriate hand tools.
The kits are (from the press release):
The Home Décor Kit (Model FP260096) is made up of a one gallon air compressor with décor kit and bonus air brush kit. This kit is designed to allow maximize production for a variety of projects that include, but are not limited to, wood crafts, fabric crafts, wall painting, ceramic painting, upholstery, wall art, crafts and window treatments. Suggested retail is $140.
This kit includes one gallon air compressor, storage bag and:
Continue reading: "Campbell Hausfeld Tool Kits"
September 7, 2010
First off, we need to thank the people at Duo-Fast. They not only sent us this gun to review, but they sent it in, like, February or something. A loooong time ago. They've been very patient while we've had it and not once sent out a 'wtf?' email. There is only one to-be-reviewed item that we've had longer (and that one we've had for about three years). We're a bit embarrassed that it took us eight months to get this one out, but it's amazing that when you're looking for a siding project, siding projects are hard to find....but anyway...
Continue reading: "Duo-Fast DF225C Coil Siding Nailer - Review"
August 23, 2010
The nice folks at Duo-Fast are supplying us with one of their new coil siding nailers to give away to a lucky reader. The new gun is lightweight (lighter, as far as we can tell, than any other pro-grade siding nailer on the market) and takes plastic-collated nails to reduce the nasty, rusty staining that can happen with metal-collated nails. It's got a street value of about $370.
We've had one for a while now and have been testing it out for an upcoming review (hopefully to be posted before the contest is over) and so far, it's been a champ.
So to enter, leave a comment at this post telling us two reasons why you should be the one to get the nailer. We'll choose the winner based on who we think is most deserving, or who makes us laugh, or who, at that moment, we think is the most sincere. It's a crapshoot, really, what exactly we're looking for, but we'll know when we find it, so just be yourself. We'll do the drawing on Tuesday, September 7th, the day after Labor Day.
More information on the tool is at Duo-Fast and the press release on the gun is after the jump. If you don't have the patience to wait for the contest to end, but you want one of these nailers oh so bad, you can pick one up at Amazon.com.
Continue reading: "Win a Duo-Fast DF225C Coil Siding Nailer from Tool Snob!"
August 11, 2010
Last year, Bosch got into the pneumatic game with a lot of fanfare, most of it centered around something they called Full-Force Technology. In a normal pneumatic gun, a portion of the air blast enters a reserve chamber and is used to reset the firing pin. Bosch removed these chambers and figured out a way to create an entirely separate second blast of air in order to do the dirty work of pin resetting. Without these chambers, a lot of bulk could be removed from their guns, and without a portion of the air used to reset the firing pin, the guns could be more powerful, 10% according to Bosch.
Well they recently sent us the BNS200 brad gun to check out and we put it to the test, first in regular use and then in the shop. In this second setting we directly compared it to two other solid guns that we have; our old reliable Porter-Cable and the gold standard of brad guns, the Cadex 18.50.
Continue reading: "Bosch BNS200-18 Brad Nailer - Review"
Campbell Hausfeld Home Improvement Project Kit (FP260097) - Review
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