Dewalt’s new 20V Max compact cordless drill (DCD780C2) is powerful enough to tackle most common drilling and driving tasks without being weighty and tiring to use. Dewalt designed this bad boy to be compact and lightweight, and it looks like they’ve done a great job.

Features & Specifications

Full specs are listed in our Dewalt 20V Max drill comparison, but here they are again in summary: 1/2″ ratcheting chuck, 0-600/0-2000 RPM, 350 UWO torque, 3.4 lb weight, includes 1.5Ah batteries.

There are only 16 clutch settings – 15+1 – and they seem to match well with the drill’s torque delivery. 20-24 settings would offer finer control, but there’s no real need for it here. We were actually surprised as to how smooth the clutch adjustment turns. The knob has rounded detents, which make it as easy to grip with a gloved hand as the bumpy knob on the 12V DCD710S2 drill we reviewed last year.

The ratcheting chuck locks beautifully with a satisfying click-click-click, and doesn’t loosen up at all, even when holding thinner drill bits. We were slightly concerned about how much we’d like the speed selection switch, but it toggles easily with a thumb or 1-2 fingers.

Rubber bumpers protect your work surface should you place the drill on its side, and a removable belt hook and bit holder can be fixed to the drill just above the battery. Also, the
LED work light stays on for about 20 seconds after you release the trigger. This isn’t an earth-shattering feature, but it’s a thoughtful tweak.

Ergonomics & Comfort

If you recall, we gushed about the ergonomics of Dewalt’s 12V Max tools. The pistol-grip on the 20V Max drill is ever so slightly scaled up and lengthened, but it more or less retains the same great grip profile. The pistol grip is pushed further back on the drill than we’re used to, but if anything this improved the grip’s comfort and balance even further.

The drill/driver is balanced just right when paired with a 1.5Ah compact battery. It does not quite approach the lightness of a 12V drill, but it’s as light as we could ask for.

Performance

This is a compact drill, not a heavy-duty powerhouse. As such, it runs into a little trouble drilling very large holes and driving large/long lag bolts. Overload-current protection does not seem to be as sensitive as with other brands’ compact offerings, allowing us to push it a little bit further.

One thing that we definitely appreciated was the higher 2000 RPM capabilities of the motor since we often work with smaller drill bits. This leads to better performance and drill bit longevity.

Conclusion

We can’t find anything to complain about – the DCD780C2 is just a phenomenal compact drill kit. If we had to sum it up, we’d say that the drill is powerful enough for most medium-duty tasks and comfortable enough to use all day.

The compact drill/driver is best suited for DIYers and Pros looking for a compact 18-20V that can deliver more power than 12V models. It is not optimized for those looking for a heavy-duty drill-through-anything and drive-any-bolt model.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

The DCD780C2 kit comes with the drill, 2x 1.5Ah batteries, a quick charger, and carrying case. You can also find the DCD780 drill bundled in a 2-tool combo kit with the new 20V Max impact driver.

Thank you to Dewalt for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or comparison purposes.

It’s been a couple of months since we first talked about Dewalt’s new adjustable wrenches. Introduced last Fall, these wrenches are now widely available, at least online. They may not be pretty, but Dewalt’s adjustable wrenches are downright tough.

The new heavy duty wrenches are designed to provide maximum strength and durability, and to endure rough jobsite handling. I had the chance to preview these new wrenches on two occasions, and found them to be quite impressive. They are a bit crude-looking, but they feel incredibly strong and solid.

Look at the size of this handle!!

The Dewalt wrenches adjusted smoothly and were a joy to test out. But not everyone will love them. Although a scale wasn’t available, these wrenches felt a bit heavier than other same-size wrenches. Other brands’ wrenches often have I-beam-profiled handles, which saves a bit of weight. But on the bright side, the thicker handles on these wrenches give off a sense of greater strength and toughness that almost welcomes abuse.

Prices and Availability

DWHT70289 6 inch: $10.99
DWHT70290 8 inch: $12.99
DWHT70291 10 inch: $14.99
DWHT70292 12 inch: $18.99
DWHT70293 15 inch: $34.99
DWHT70294 6 inch and 10 inch combo pack: $19.99

Buy Now(via Amazon)

I haven’t seen these wrenches in stores yet, only online. If you’re on the fence, the 8″ model looks to be a reasonably good buy at about $15 with shipping. Channellock’s adjustable wrenches are still top-dog in my book, but the Dewalt ones look to be great workhorses.

If you’re looking for a lightweight or low-profile adjustable wrench, or one with thin jaws for use in tight clearance areas, look elsewhere.

While you could just buy one of those all-in-one home tool sets, you get better variety and usefulness if you customize and piece together your own kit. This also allows you to spend more on tools you plan to use frequently and to cheapen out on tools you don’t plan to use as often.

By no means is this an all-encompassing list, but I’ve narrowed it down to the 12 basic and essential tools homeowners and aspiring DIYers should have readily available. Think of it more as the first 12 tools (or tool types) a homeowner should buy. I could have easily expanded the list, but had to draw the line somewhere.

0. Safety Gear – Goggles, Hearing Protection, Gloves

PPE, or personal protective equipment is so essential that it’s number 0 on our list. At the bare minimum you’ll need safety glasses, but goggles offer added protection against chemical splashes. Pick up a box of latex or nitrile gloves to protect against potentially harmful or gross substances. Rugged work gloves are an inexpensive addition to consider, and ear muffs or earplugs protect your hearing when using power tools or noisier kitchen appliances.

Safety goggle recommendations; Hearing protection: Peltor ear muffs

Also worth picking up – a pack of disposable or semi-reusable respirators. Make sure they’re rated N95 or N100, or P95 or P100 for added protection against oil-based aerosols. You only have one pair of lungs!

1. Utility Knife

Utility knives are handy for a wide variety of cutting tasks, and are far better for opening boxes and clamshell packages than cheap paper-cutting scissors. There are plenty of brands and styles available, with basic models priced at $4-7. Tip: be sure to always keep a few replacement blades on-hand.

ToolGuyd Favorites: Stanley QuickSlide (~$12 via Amazon) and Dewalt Folding Utility Knife

2. Tape Measure

Tape measures are especially important for new homeowners and will be heavily utilized when planning out empty rooms. There are many brands, sizes, shapes, and styles available, and it’s okay to start off with a basic model. I recommend starting out with a 25-foot model for home use, and perhaps a small 10 or 12-foot pocketable model to carry when shopping for furniture or room accessories.

Inexpensive 25ft: Stanley PowerLock (~$11 via Amazon); Super-compact: Komelon 10′ ($7 via Amazon)

3. Multi-Bit Screwdrivers

Everyone’s screwdriver needs will be different, but a multi-bit screwdriver is usually a safe bet and can handle most basic tasks. Budget-permitting, a screwdriver set is also a solid investment and usually offers better ergonomics and comfort. There’s also the slightly above bare-minimum combo option: a multi-bit driver plus a quality #2 Phillips screwdriver.

$: Picquic multi-bit ($11 via Amazon); $$: Channellock ratcheting screwdriver; $$$: Wiha 12pc screwdriver set ($55 via Amazon)

Remember, one can never have too many screwdrivers!

3.5 Precision Screwdrivers

Most people neglect to buy precision/jewelers/mini screwdrivers until they really need them, at which point they run out and buy the cheap low-quality sets many retailers insist on pushing. For infrequent use, a 5 or 6-piece set for $5-10 set should suffice.

Trusted brands: Xcelite, Craftsman, Wiha, Wera, Felo, General Tools, Stanley (sometimes), PB Swiss, Moody.

4. Hex Key Set

Two words – IKEA furniture. Sure, a teeny tiny double-ended hex key is included with products that require it, but having full-size hex keys can make ready-to-assemble and knock-down furniture MUCH easier and quicker to assemble. It’s even better if you have T-handle drivers.

If you’re going all-out, ball hex drivers are better for accessing fasteners in tight spots, but straight-hex drivers can handle more torque. Consider buying an all-in-one hex key set for general purpose use and full-size 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm drivers for IKEA assembly and bicycle maintenance needs.

ToolGuyd Favorite: Bondhus ball hex (via Amazon), made in USA.

Tip: You’ll need both inch and metric sizes. Sometimes both sets are sold bundled together.

5. 16oz Claw Hammer + Dead Blow Hammer or Mallet

A 16oz claw hammer is great for driving in smaller nails here and there, and a dead blow hammer is useful for general pounding tasks. And yes, you’ll need both. For the claw hammer, there’s no need for anything fancy – a simple hickory-handled hammer should fit the bill. For the dead blow hammer, a 2 or 3lb model is a good choice, and at least one non-marring face is preferable.

Dead blow hammers can be expensive. If you’re unsure about needing one, consider a non-marring or rubber mallet instead.

Claw hammer: Vaughan or Craftsman; Non-marring: 24oz Vaughan ($20 via Amazon); Dead Blow: Nupla Power Drive ($37 via Amazon)

6. LED Flashlight

Think about a few of the times you may need a flashlight – when the lights go out unexpectedly, when an object rolls under a heavy piece of furniture, or when you hear a ruckus in your yard in the middle of the night. Do you really want to risk your flashlight failing during any of those times? For home use, a 2D or 3D Maglite is harder to lose.

Inexpensive and Trustworthy Favorite: Maglite LEDs ($15+ via Amazon)

7. Adjustable Wrench, Combination Wrenches, Ratchet and Socket Set

At the very least, you’ll need two adjustable wrenches – an 8-inch long model and maybe a 6-inch or 10-inch. Maybe even a 12-inch, but at that point you may be better off with a heavier duty pipe wrench. You can get away from needing longer versions by buying an extra-wide-capacity 8-inch or 10-inch wrench.

Two adjustable wrenches can accomplish a lot – one can hold a hex nut fixed while the other is used to tighten or loosen a hex-head bolt. Beyond adjustable wrenches, consider a adding combination wrenches, which offer greater versatility and improved clearance. A 9-piece metric and 9-piece inch/standard/SAE set should suffice until your needs grow more advanced.

You may not need one right away, but a ratchet and socket set offers even more accessibility options and a speed advantage. Prices range from $20 to $200+, and it’s okay to wait for a good sale to maximize the bang per buck.

Recommendations: Favorite adjustable wrenches; Combination wrenches: Craftsman; Inexpensive ratchet & socket set: Craftsman or Kobalt

8. Pliers and Cutters

This is another big category. To start off with, you’ll need long-nose pliers and either slip-joint pliers or combination pliers. Channellock or tongue-and-groove style pliers are also good to have. If pliers you choose feature built-in cutters, you won’t need a pair of diagonal cutters right away.

Mini bolt or heavy duty utility cutters and a wire stripper or general-purpose electrical multi-tool are also good choices if your budget allows for it.

Recommended brands: Stanley, Channellock and Klein

9. Saw – Hand, Hack, Corded or Cordless

At one point or another, you’re going to need to cut things. There are many, many tools that can handle the job, with new designs coming out every year. If you don’t know what you’ll need to cut, consider a jab saw that accepts reciprocating saw blades, and bundle it with a few general purpose metal, plastic and wood-cutting blades.

Eventually you’ll probably want to pick up a hand saw and hack saw, and possibly even a corded or 12V cordless mini reciprocating saw, like the Bosch pS60. Most basic projects, such as cutting shelves down to size, are best accomplished with a circular saw.

You can hold off on buying a circular saw if you ask the home center or lumber yard to cut your boards down to size before you pay. Most places offer 1-2 free cuts per board, with a marginal fee for additional cuts.

Recommendations: Hand saw: Stanley; Hack saw: Dewalt or Bahco

10. Tool Box

You will need a tool box to help keep everything together. Otherwise, some of your tools will end up in a junk drawer, others will be in the basement, and the rest will be scattered elsewhere. A tool box, even an inexpensive $15 plastic one, will help keep everything in one place. As your tool collection grows, so should the size of your tool box. Alternatively, tool bags often feature a number of pockets and compartments that can help with organization.

Recommendations: Stanley, Keter, Craftsman

11. Cordless Drill Driver + Drill and Screwdriver Bit Set

Cordless drill drivers can be pricey, so it’s okay to wait until you need one to go shopping. Selecting the right cordless drill driver for your needs is a whole discussion in itself, so all I’ll say for now is to stick to reputable brands. Stay away from NiCd if you can help it – you can often find a very good 12V Lithium ion model for the same price as a just-okay 18V NiCd model.

As for drill bits, screwdriver bits and accessories, you get what you pay for. Beware of cheap drill bit sets, especially those by unfamiliar brand names.

General recommendations: Bosch, Dewalt, Kobalt, Makita, Ridgid, Milwaukee, Hitachi, Craftsman Nextec.

12. Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

This is one of those things that you might not think you need until you NEED it. Shop vacuums are great for heavier messes, and when vacuuming up materials that household  vacs simply aren’t designed to handle.

Even an inexpensive shop vacuum will likely last for many years, stretching out its $50-$150 initial investment. As with most things, the more you spend the more you get. Higher-priced vacs come with larger capacity tanks, additional features (e.g. a built-in blower and water drainage valve), larger capacity and longer hoses, more attachments, and longer power cords.

Recommended brands: Shop Vac, Ridgid, Craftsman

PLUS

There are several other tools that, while not as absolutely essential as those listed above, can greatly improve project results or make certain tasks easier to accomplish. At the minimum, I would suggest the following layout tools: 12″ or 16″ combination square with detachable straightedge, 9″ torpedo level, 24″ level and a Speed Square (<$4 via Amazon). And if you’re going to be mounting anything to your walls, you’re going to need a stud finder.

I was going to make these layout tools #11 on the list, but technically you can get around not having them. But how are you going to drill anchor holes for new window shades without a drill?

I Disagree, I Disagree!

I don’t expect everyone to agree with my recommendations and welcome you to share your own opinions in a comment. If you’re a regular ToolGuyd reader, maybe you already have a fully-loaded toolbox. Or maybe it’s half-filled and you’re still building it up piece by piece. Think back – which were the first 12 or so tools that you purchased?

A few months ago I reviewed Timberland’s Pro Helix work boot. Although they took some breaking in, the boots proved to be quite comfortable to wear. But not everyone needs a hard-toe protective boot, so I decided to review the soft-toe version of the boots.

Hard Toe vs. Soft Toe

These days many work boot and safety shoe makers have turned towards space-age alloys and composites to shed weight without compromising the level of protection a traditional steel toe cap provides.

Hard-toe boots provide more protection than soft-toe boots, but sometimes it’s not necessary. Maybe you just need a higher quality boot with no-slip grip and an anti-fatigue sole.

Timberland Pro Helix Soft Boots Summary

These soft-toe boots were tested in DIY and work situations where hard-toe boots were not needed. Like the hard-toe version I previously reviewed, this version required a short break-in period. Total wear time adds up to about 4-weeks.

The boots proved to be comfortable enough for all-day wear, and seem to be durable enough for long-term use. That’s one thing I’ve always liked about Timberland boots and footwear – they are extremely slow-to-wear. They can sometimes cost a little higher than other brands’, but they always deliver.

My only real complaint, other than the minorly inconvenient break-in period, is that the boots only come in brown. A little over 10 years ago, I bought a pair of nice blue Timberland 6-inch boots. And the following year I remember seeing green boots. While I’m not saying that there should be a line of pastel-colored work boots, today’s brown is as boring as yesterday’s tan.

Bottom line, these are nice boots if you’re looking for a soft-toe option. They’re a little pricey at ~$125, but if they follow the tendency I have experienced with other Timberland boots, the added cost is justified with added longevity.

Timberland Pro Helix Work Boots via Amazon
Timberland PRO Helix Work Boots via Timberland

Here are more details about the Timberland Pro Helix work boot lineup.

Thank you to Timberland PRO for unconditionally providing the review sample. Our policy for review samples is to donate or give them away, or to retain them for benchmark and comparison purposes.

A couple of months ago we reviewed Porter Cable’s Oscillating Multi-Tool. It’s a decent tool that we actually liked quite a bit. We’re still waiting for a cross-brand blade and accessory adapter to hit the market, but at least Porter Cable-branded accessories are easy to find.

The above video is more of a video tour, but we can spin it up and take some action shots if anyone’s interested. We’re still in honeymoon-mode with our new Fein MultiMaster that was purchased during an Amazon holiday sale, but can always mix it up.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

We have tested Craftsman’s new digital woodworking router, and it left us with a fairy positive impression. The RPM recommendation function was a little wasted on us, but we can see how it would benefit beginners not yet familiar with how to match up router speeds with bit sizes.

Digital Controls

The router has a built-in library that offers speed recommendations in case you’re not sure which setting to use. Working through the library speed settings is absolutely painless and takes just a moment. First, you match up the shape of your bit to a very limited selection of bit styles. Then, you set the diameter of your router bit. While doing this, you will see the recommended RPM settings change accordingly.

Next, you set the material type that you will be working with – hardwood, softwood, or plastics. After this step, the RPMs are set to one of 6 settings, with both the setting number and RPMs displayed on the LCD screen for reference.

There is of course a manual override as well. Without pressing the “set” button at the top of the spindle, simply press + or – to adjust the RPM setting. You can manually fine tune the spindle’s speed from 10,000 to 25,000 RPM, with a total 11 speed settings.

What We Liked

• Solid construction
• Quick and easy plunge depth settings and micro-adjust
• Soft-start motor
• Comes with edge guide and vacuum adapter
• Consistent power and performance
• Easy straight-in, straight-out spindle removal for bit changes
• Spindle lock, meaning that only one wrench is needed for bit changes
• Printed RPM guide at top of spindle
• Digital speed readout with 11 manual speed settings

What Needs Improvement

• Plastic chip deflector keeps popping off
• Power switch in a slightly awkward place
• Sub-base opening is too narrow to fit larger bits**
• No fixed-base kit option

**Update: as mentioned by Joe in the comments, an optional add-on sub-base kit is available, and includes sub-bases with a range of opening widths.

Summary

In the end, we were impressed by the router’s solid performance and neat feature set. Beginners will appreciate the speed recommendations, and intermediate users will appreciate the router’s digital speed readout. Pressing either the + or – button to change speeds is also a lot easier than rotating a tiny knob.

The $130 retail price seems a bit high for a one-base consumer kit, but it’s a great buy when on sale for $100. The router comes with an edge guide, vacuum adapter, and both 1/4″ and 1/2″ collets. There is also a depth adjustment wrench, but we do not recommend that you use a plunge router base with a router table.

Buy Now(via Sears)

Thank you to Craftsman for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or benchmark and comparison purposes.

Husky’s new 22″ plastic tool box has a wider body than most others I’ve seen, making it great for bulky items and even power tools. It features a one-handed latch, a comfortable rubberized handle, and a removable plastic tool tray.

I’m currently working on a group of tool box reviews, and so I brought the Husky along to my parents’ house, hoping for a second opinion. After checking them all out, my father pointed to the Husky, declaring it his favorite. A little while later, he even asked me to buy him one.

Okay, so my father  likes the tool box, and wants one for his hand or garden tools. No big deal, right? Wrong, it’s a huge deal. My father very rarely asks me to buy something for him. The last thing he asked for was a LensMate filter adapter for his Canon SX camera, and that was almost 19 months ago. This video will show you why he likes the design so much:

If anyone has any questions about what it can and cannot hold, don’t hesitate to ask. It holds cordless tools no problem, with the exception of circular saws unless you leave out the plastic tray.

Pros:

• Roomy interior
• Metal latch
• One-handed opening
• Quick closure
• Reasonably well-thought out removable tray
• No gimmicks of unnecessary frills
• Well-balanced and comfortable to carry
• DOES NOT TIP OVER! (This is the feature that my father raved most about)

Minor Cons:

• One-handed opening is not “one-touch”
• Only available in one size

Summary

In all, this is a very nice box that is hard to find fault with. It is very well designed, inside and out. That it requires one hand to open and not just one-touch is a minor gripe. The latches on this box are a leap ahead compared to other tool boxes in the Husky’s price range.

If you’re looking for a new tool box, be sure to check out the Husky in-store. I still have not made up my mind as to whether it’s my favorite of all the new models that just came out, but it’s definitely high up there. I also cannot say whether it will hold up to professional use, but it definitely feels to be robust enough for heavy DIY use.

The Husky 22″ tool box can be purchased from Home Depot for $25. Note that right now it looks to be an in-store-only item. It appears that Keter is the OEM, so we might eventually see other brand names on the same tool box.

The sample featured in this review was purchased at retail.

(Remember, our Craftsman Max Axess socket set giveaway ends this Friday. So if you haven’t entered yet, get on over there and do so!)

We’ve been casually testing one of Craftsman Max Axess pass-thru socket sets for a couple of weeks now, and have really grown to like it.

What’s HOT:

• High quality ratchets
• Great build quality all around, perfect finish
• All-in-one system fits in a low-profile carry/storage case that we actually want to keep!
• Ratchets come with adapters for regular 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ sockets
• Pass-thru sockets can take the place of deep sockets, wrenches, or specialty sockets in many cases
• Low-profile ratchet + shallow sockets = great for limited clearance applications
• Compatible with Gearwrench pass-thru sockets, screwdriver bits, and accessories (at least all the ones we tried)

What can be improved:

• What about a 11/32″ socket? (Yes, we’ve got unusual needs)
• Fit of spinner handle could be a little better
• How about a screwdriver bit adapter?

In all, there’s not much to complain about. As you can see, most of our criticisms are trivial. What we would really like to see come out is a smaller kit that includes the 1/4″ ratchet, a bit adapter, a few screwdriver bits and a storage case as nice as the one this set came with. The regular price of $70 is a little steep, but we feel that sale prices of $55-60 make this a great buy.

Buy Now(via Sears)

The Max Axess set is featured on page 5 of Sears’ 2011 Holiday Catalog.

Don’t forget to use coupon code SEARS2011.

Thank you to Craftsman for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or benchmark and comparison purposes.

Rockwell’s JawHorse SheetMaster is their newest clamping work stand and improves upon the bestselling JawHorse in a number of areas. Most notably, the SheetMaster has a larger out-of-box capacity, features two rugged wheels instead of a large roller for mobility, and has been tweaked for quicker setup and tear-down.

After evaluating the SheetMaster ourselves, we passed it around to a couple of colleagues for second opinions. That may not have been the wisest choice since nobody wanted to give it back!

Monstrous Clamping Capacity

Although you can add a plywood jaw to the original JawHorse to hold a full sheet of plywood or quarter sheet along its 48″ length, the SheetMaster offers this capacity out-of-the-box. The SheetMaster offers the same 1-ton clamping pressure and can also support up to 600 lbs.

You won’t always need that 49″ clamping capacity, but it certainly does come in handy when working with large sheets or panels. Even so, the SheetMaster is not just about increased capacity.

Improved Mobility

The original JawHorse has a roller wheel for portability, a feature we’re not particularly fond of. Sure, it works well enough on smooth flooring, but it’s not very well suited to uneven or textured surfaces. Rockwell did away with the roller and opted for two inline skate-style wheels for the SheetMaster, which make it an absolute joy to roll around, indoors and out. The SheetMaster even seems to be slightly more maneuverable indoors on smooth floors.

Setup/Breakdown & Portability

The leg-locking mechanisms of the SheetMaster have been redesigned for quicker setup and teardown. While the JawHorse is  quick to fold and unfold, the process feels downright clumsy in comparison to the SheetMaster. Aside from being quicker to setup and pack up, the SheetMaster’s new design makes it easier to do so as well. We found that we could now unlock the legs and fold them up with a one-hand motion.

Rockwell also changed how the the SheetMaster locks together for transport. With the new stand, the legs fold in first and the clamping lever afterwards, locking everything together. The third leg then locks in on top of that for storage.

Conclusion

Why did we only compare the JawHorse SheetMaster to the Jawhorse? Because the Jawhorse is the best portable work holding clamp on the market today. There are others, of course, such as the Ridgid SuperClamp, but they’re puny in comparison to the Jawhorse.

The improvements Rockwell put into the SheetMaster make it even more appealing for professional and advanced users. Some DIYers and homeowners may be turned off by the higher pricepoint, but you’re getting a lot more for your money. What you also get more of is added size and weight. This isn’t a deal-breaker, just something to be aware of.

We very highly recommend Rockwell’s new Jarhorse SheetMaster. We think that it may have been a better idea to name it “Jawhorse Pro” or similar, since it seems to have been redesigned with professionals in mind. There is no doubt in our minds that the SheetMaster is the best clamping work stand on the market today.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

The original Jawhorse is still a great buy as well. Functionality between the two work stands is comparable, with the SheetMaster mainly improving on the execution. If Rockwell decides to release a smaller Jawhorse-mini version as well, to meet the near-$100 pricepoint, they will absolutely dominate the market.

Thank you to Rockwell for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or benchmark and comparison purposes.

Although we only intended to review the Sidekick, we came across a great deal on the Wingman and promptly purchased one for personal use and review. Since much of what we said about the Sidekick holds true about the Wingman, we decided to do a comparison video review that focuses more on the tools’ different features.

Although the scissors gave us some trouble initially, they work perfectly now that we realized they need a little extra force to deploy. If the liner lock is not engaged, the scissors will not work properly.

Leatherman Sidekick vs. Wingman Summary

Assuming that you only plan to buy one of these multi-tools, here are a couple of points to help you choose one over the other:

Leatherman Sidekick

• plain edge blade
• wood-cutting saw
• leather pouch that can be reappropriated for use with other smaller tools
• neat carabiner accessory

Leatherman Wingman

• combination plain edge and partially serrated blade
• scissors (although they’re not the greatest)
• package opener (we LOVE this feature!)
• lower price – $30 vs. $40

So that’s what it comes down to – blade preferences, scissors vs saw, package opener vs. small serrated knife, price, and cool accessories that you may or may not care for.

Sidekick via Amazon
Wingman via Amazon, and don’t forget about the holiday season special pricing at Home Depot

After a lengthy delay, both pliers arrived, and I used them a couple of times this month. Although their jaws are nicely machined and the tools appear to be well built, I’m not a fan of the adjustment design. The auto-locking handles are a nice feature, but I found that the pliers are just too clunky to adjust and jam frequently.

After mentioning this on the Garage Journal forum, I was told that I might need to break them in a bit more.  One or two members also expressed dissatisfaction with these pliers, so I’m not sure what to think.

Purchase these Alligator pliers via Amazon
Recommended Knipex alternatives: Cobra pliers, Pliers Wrench

Last month Porter Cable announced two new infrared thermometers that are powered by either an 18V rechargeable battery or common 9V alkaline battery. Wondering how well the $60 devices compared to the other IR thermometers we have used before, we asked for a sample of the 9V version (PCC582) to test out.

Features

The IR thermometer features a -22°-590°F measurement range, ±1.8° accuracy, and 12:1 spot ratio. You press the trigger to turn on the unit and sample a reference temperature, and an LED beam signals if your measured readings are hotter (red LED), colder (blue LED), or within limits (green LED) compared to the reference as you scan across different areas. You can set the LED signal threshold to be 1°, 5°, or 10°F, or can disable the feature entirely. Up to 10 temperatures can be recorded and played back on the device, and a small button changes units from °F to °C.

A backlit LCD displays the reference temperature (top right), current temperature reading (bottom), threshold (top left), and when in playback mode it shows the recorded temperature.

Size, Build Quality & Design

The thermometer fits comfortably in the hand, and is built with a solid-feeling plastic body. It is larger than other units on the market, but this is not necessarily a bad thing as it makes the device easier to hold, point, and pull out of a tool bag.

Performance

Temperature readings were accurate and were verified with another non-contact IR thermometer and a thermocouple. The colored LED beam spreads out over a distance, seemingly corresponding with the size of the sampled area at that distance, and is bright enough even across normal sized rooms.

VS. the Competition

Dewalt’s IR thermometer, which we reviewed a couple of months ago, is about double the price (including 12V battery and charger), but offers more powerful measurement options and a higher temperature range.

Cheap Import Model - these can be found at quite a few retailers for under $20, and are more compact but with potential accuracy, reliability, and repeatability issues.

Fluke Mini IR thermometer - this model and others like it are more compact, have higher temperature measurement ranges, greater accuracy, and are more expensive, but are not quite as quick for detecting thermal differences.

Black & Decker Thermal Leak Detector - the direct inspiration and backbone technology of the Porter Cable IR thermometer. The Leak Detector is slightly more compact but less rugged and does not feature the PC’s 10-measurement memory. Sensor specs are not available, but we assume the temperature range and accuracy are comparable. The Leak Detector is about $25 cheaper than than PC.

Conclusion

The Porter Cable infrared thermometer proved to be a very capable device. It has a tethered protector cap that keeps dust and debris away from the lens, a comfortable rubberized grip, and overall good feel to it. Taking individual measurements is quick and easy, and the thermal scanning feature and LED signal system performed well.

We recommend the IR thermometer, and prefer Porter Cable’s 9V model over the 18V one. But if you don’t need jobsite-tough build quality or the memory feature, the Black and Decker version looks to offer much of the same functionality at a lower price point.

Our only complaint is that there is no way to temporarily remove the dangling tethered lens/sensor cap.

Thank you to Porter Cable for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or benchmark and comparison purposes.

Once these flashlights hit the retail market, we’ll take a closer more detailed look to see if anything has changed from the pre-production models we previewed. If nothing changes, the 2XAA model will probably make it onto our list of the 5 Best LED Flashlights under $20, which we’ll probably have to rename.

We have been reviewing an Elzetta ZFL-M60 LED flashlight, and while our toughness tests are still underway, we thought to do a quick review about what we have seen so far.

First Impression

The Elzetta ZFL-M60 is flat-out one of the most well-constructed flashlights we have ever seen. Every aspect of the anodized aluminum body is perfectly machined, from the head module and tail cap grooves, to the knurling. Quite a few of the other flashlights we have seen and own do come close, but fall short when you pay attention to finer design details.

The ZFL-M60 is designed as a tactical and weapons light, but it is very well suited as an everyday flashlight as well.

Elzetta with Malkoff Devices LED Light Output

How do I say this nicely? The ZLF-M60 beats the juice out of many other tactical flashlights in its price range. Even Surefire’s newer G2X and 6PX tactical flashlights (including variants) just cannot compare as the Elzetta’s Malkoff-made LED module throws a much brighter and whiter light.

The Coast A25 LED flashlight that we reviewed the other day does best the Elzetta in terms of brightness. However, the A25 is larger, heavier, and is rated as water-resistant whereas the ZFL-M60 is completely sealed and waterproof.

Low-light mode

Our review sample has two brightness modes, low and high intensity, that are selected via the rotary tail cap switch. A momentary and latching push-button switch turns on the flashlight, and the tail cap is rotated to select the intensity setting. Fully-tightened/clockwise sets the light to maximum output mode, and a slight counter-clockwise twist sets the flashlight to low-output mode.

High-output mode

Maximum output is rated at 235 lumens and low-intensity output at 15 lumens, which is usable for casual lighting needs. Runtime is 1.5 hours at full output, or 40 hours at low.

Impact-Resistance, Toughness, Durability

Did you catch the video of the Elzetta representative hammering a nail with one of these flashlights? That’s a pretty good example of how impact-resistant these flashlights are.

Thus far we have dropped (thrown) the flashlight, submerged it in water, and shook it up real good. Absolutely nothing we tried seemed to have affected the ZFL-M60! All we’ve done was tire ourselves out, so we will be heading back to the drawing board to plan another series of tests.

Made in USA!

That’s right, the Elzetta ZFL-M60 tactical LED flashlight is made in the USA! This does mean that the price of the ZFL-M60 will be higher than similar imported aluminum-bodied flashlights, but it’s worth it. As mentioned, the machining of the flashlight body is exceptional, and we could not find any flaws in the grooves, threads, knurling, body rings, or crenelated bezel.

Conclusion

The Elzetta ZFL-M60 is a rock-solid tactical flashlight. Elzetta claims that it is the toughest flashlight on the market, and from what we have seen, we believe this 100%. It is worth mentioning that we don’t usually use flashlights in life-or-death situations, especially not in combat where a weapons light may be used. Even so, we don’t recall ever seeing as well-built a flashlight as the Elzetta.

We absolutely loved the Elzetta, and found it to be an incredibly well designed flashlight. The LED module is from Malkoff Devices, which has a phenomenal reputation for quality. You cannot go wrong with the Elzetta ZFL-M60 – we highly recommend it!

These flashlights start at about $155. The model we reviewed is the CS2D versiom – crenelated bezel, 2-cell body, with high/low clicky tailcap, and is priced at $180.

Product and purchase information via Elzetta

Our only complaint (if you can even call it that) is a very minor one. Somehow the flashlight was turned on inside its packaging due to rough handling by the USPS, almost completely depleting the batteries. The click switch is springy and does require some force to depress, so the flashlight won’t likely turn on accidentally when carried in a case or holster, or even in a bag. But, it has happened, and can potentially happen again. The size of the click switch is comfortable, so our preferred solution for rough transport will be to unscrew the tail cap a bit until it disengages, just in case.

One thing to note is that the LED beam focus is of the spotlight illumination type – there is no floodlight mode. The same is true for all flashlights of this nature.

Thank you to Elzetta for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or benchmark and comparison purposes.

We have been testing out the Coast A25 LED flashlight for about two weeks now, and it has proved to be an absolutely amazing flashlight. In a number of areas, the A25 is honestly one of the finest flashlights we have ever seen.

Coast A25 Build Quality

The A25 is built with a sealed head (the flashlight is water-resistant), recessed lens, finely machined stainless steel body, rounded tail cap, red o-ring to help seal things up, and a very nice push-button switch. The flashlight appears to be adequately shock proof, something we inadvertently tested by accidentally dropping the flashlight a couple of times.

Technical Specs

• 1.42″ bezel diameter, 1.13″ body diameter, 5.5″ length
• 10.4oz weight (with batteries)
• 196 lumen, 27 lumen, strobe output modes
• 2 hrs 45 minute and 26 hrs runtime (high and low output modes)

Flashlight Operation

The A25 has three illumination modes – the brightest setting, a strobe setting and low-light setting, in that order. You can toggle through these modes by either partially pressing the momentary button switch, or by pushing harder until you turn the light on, then off, and on again, repeating up to 3 times.

Floodlight mode

The one thing that I do not like about the flashlight is the order of the LED modes. I most often use high-output and low-output settings, with little to no need for the strobe mode. Having to cycle past the strobe mode does not require much effort, but it can be slightly annoying.

The momentary-on and click-on tailcap push-button extends slightly beyond the domed tail cap, and is well-sized and extremely comfortable to press, even repeatedly. You have to press the switch button below the flush surface of the tail cap for it to latch on, so there is little chance of the flashlight locking on accidentally. However, if the flashlight is carried loose in a pocket or bag, the momentary mode can still be activated if bumped.

LED Focusing

Focusing motion, from flood (left) to spotlight (right)

You can focus the LED light beam from floodlight to spotlight mode by pushing the head module forward. Pulling it back switches the focus back to floodlight mode. Coast calls this their Pure Beam Focusing Optic System with Fingertip Speed Focus Control, and we found it to be a real joy to use. Most flashlight lens focusing systems require two hands and a twisting motion to work. The Coast A25 can focused with one hand!

LED Output and Light Quality

The A25 throws the most uniform illumination beam that I have ever seen. At a distance of maybe 6-inches and further, the floodlight is absolutely flawless, a perfect uniformly-lit circle. The outer edge of the circle appears to have slightly different intensity level, but with such a large and uniform primary spread, we hardly took notice.

Floodlight from ~10-in away

When focus is set to spotlight mode, the A25 throws a very tight white central beam and a diffuse spread. We found the spotlight to be brighter than several tactical lights, including the Surefire G2X, and several tacticool lights, such as the popular Nebo Redline that we reviewed.

Stainless Steel Finish and the Included Sheath

One more thing I really like about the Coast A25 flashlight is its stainless steel construction and clean appearance. The solid stainless steel also serves as a giant heat sink, but it also looks quite stylish, especially the machined angles of the head module and tail cap. But the satin/semi-brushed finish won’t look good for long as the flashlight scratches easily when carried openly next to other tools.

A canvas sheath is included with the flashlight, and is actually pretty well constructed itself. The sheath has a partially cushioned liner, velcro closure, double-layered expandable elastic sides, and a sturdy belt loop that closes with both velcro and a snap button.

Conclusion

The Coast A25 is an amazing flashlight that we very thoroughly enjoyed using and reviewing. Its floodlight throw is about as uniform and perfectly circular as I have ever seen, and the spotlight mode impressed us quite a bit with how bright and tightly focused it was.

We found the low and high output levels to be appropriate for both light duty and heavily demanding needs. The A25 outputs close to 200 lumens when you need it, and a very usable 27 lumens when you need maximum runtime.

4xAAA battery cartridge

Would we recommend the Coast A25 LED flashlight? Absolutely, in a heartbeat. This model has given us a new respect for Coast, and we will definitely take a closer look at their other LED flashlights and products in the future. The A25 is currently priced at about $83.

More info via Coast (item #19247)

Coast A25 LED Flashlight Photo Gallery:

Thank you to Coast for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or benchmark and comparison purposes.