I mean it this time – for 2015 there will be plenty more video coverage. I didn’t do many hands-on or review videos for 2014, and there are a couple of reasons why.
Mainly, it’s hard to produce good videos solo. Written reviews take a lot more time, but it’s a format I have much more experience and comfort with. Doing the one-man-band thing is tough, and that’s just putting a tool in front of the camera. If I were to demo a tool in front of the camera, that would create additional challenges.
But, practice is the only way to get better. So here are a couple of quick review videos. Yes, I know I should read from a script. I should probably also keep a timer in front of me. And despite having really bright lights and manually controlling the camera setting, the videos are still a little dark. My goal for 2015 is to produce videos at a steadier pace, and so the videos should get better.
Advertisement
As an aside, I keep last year’s video feedback request post at the top of a bookmark list. If you have any requests or preferences, that’s where you should chime in.
The following videos were all uploaded in late November, but since I haven’t shared most of them yet, let’s just say they’re for December.
New Irwin Pliers
These are quick reviews of Irwin’s new NWS-made pliers. I’m familiar with both tool designs, and so they didn’t require much testing. The only different compared to the NWS versions I own are the grips, which are just as comfortable, possibly more so.
PB Swiss Tools
Advertisement
This video followed my review of PB Swiss’s stubby bit holder screwdriver.
Milwaukee Screwdrivers
There’s also a written review of Milwaukee’s ratcheting compact screwdriver.
I wanted to wait for the 6pc set to come out, but couldn’t pass up the chance to check out the 4pc set that’s available now. Check out my preview of Milwaukee’s precision screwdrivers for more details.
PowerPax Battery Holder
I wrote about these PowerPax battery holders a while ago, but several email conversations with readers led me to create a quick video about these. A post addressing readers’ questions about battery holders will likely go up soon.
Kobalt Gearless Ratchets
Don’t forget to check out my full review of Kobalt’s Direct Drive ratchet as well.
FlipOut Driver
The FlipOut driver is a tool I really wanted to like, but didn’t.
fred
I find it great that you keep trying to improve content – now adding videos.
What I find myself using videos for (e.g. YouTube) is when I’m looking to add/refine a new skill or trying to make a buying decision about a new (to me anyway) tool. When I decided to purchase a Festool Track saw some years ago – it was in part based on some of the videos showing it in use. The same may be said for my purchase of a Festool Domino 700XL (I was comparing it to the 500) and some of its aftermarket add-ons. I also decided on a Lamello Cantex this way even though I had previously been using a Hoffman. In this regard I like videos that show things like “what’s in the box – what you get and what you probably will want to add and then what might just be nice to have etc. Videos that attempt to do side-by-side comparisons are also helpful when they point out advantages and limitations – one tool versus another.
I realize that you do not have a cameraman (it’ll probably be some time until your son is up to this) and vast staff to help out with these endeavors – but keep up the good work.
Doug Draper
Producing quality videos that get thousands of views is much harder than writing reviews. I do both so I know from experience. Best advise is to go over features, and then show the tool performing if possible. Having high quality video equipment and editing software is also a must.
Phil
Okay, I have to admit to firing off all the videos at the same time, and the resulting audio is giggle inducing. 😉
Caleb
Personally I greatly prefer reading text to watching videos. Compared to most people I am a fast reader so videos slow me down a lot. I can also read in environments in which it is not appropriate to watch a video. If I find a link to something that does not include a text along with videos I am very likely to avoid that site in the future.
That being said, there are some skills that cannot be transmitted very efficiently via text so that would be an exception. When videos are used they are more effective if kept short and used to supplement text.
I will admit that I have not watched any of your videos so the following criticism is just a broad brush and does not directly or intentionally refer to anything you have posted. Many of the videos that I have seen online are done incredibly poorly and include huge amounts of dead air. If they are edited correctly, they can be a great help, but so many are done so poorly that it has influenced me to be even more wary of wasting my time on most online videos.