Recent content by bbriggs

I've been using Dewalt cordless for well over a decade and finally made the leap over to lithium when they came out with the 123 cells in 36 volt. I switched over my 18 volt line to lithium soon after, and just bought into the 12v max line (not 123 cells there, though, sigh). The new tools are...

The impact driver is excellent. The drill is one of their compact ones; not as heavy duty as their dcd950 drill. The batteries are their compact lithium ion; they have half as many cells inside as the XRP 18V lithium ion but they are the same cells (Lithium iron phosphate 123 cells) which are...

My 2 cents, having handled and used the DW059 but not owned one, is it is heavy and bulky and therefore somewhat inconvenient. Lack of variable power bothers me too. I'd still like one, and if I bought one it would be now - the DW059B is $110 shipped if you buy it direct from Amazon ($25 off for...

I'll offer that I use a Hypertherm 600, rated to use 6.0 SCFM, and it never runs out of air on my 2hp Emglo compressor rated at something like 8.4 SCFM. The Hypertherm 30 is rated to use 4.0 SCFM if I recall correctly. Both are looking for around 80 psi minimum input pressure I think. You can...

Leatherman Charge Ti; never leaves my side unless in use or I'm on a plane. Externally opening for major tools, one S30V blade, and replaceable screwdriver bits sold me on the upgrade from SuperTool.

+1 on the dewalt 12v max. It's $ off at Amazon right now and includes (for the moment) an impact tool kit with hex to 3/8 square adapter and a handful of deep sockets, among other useful things. I love the balance and feel of these little guys. The DC827 impact has been my favorite cordless tool...

There are many different formulations of lithium batteries, most familiar probably are the ones used in laptop computers. These formulations try to achieve high energy density so the manufacturer can claim greater battery life per charge. Problem is, their capacity is reduced with age whether...

Dewalt is the only one with Li-Fe-PO4 batteries and they get my vote because of that. Their tools are pretty good, but the money you pay for good cordless tools is substantially for the batteries. My tools get used hard all over the farm but certainly not daily. I don't wish to be buying new...