SKIL 3317-01 Review: This Miter Saw Surprised me…

Once you add a miter saw to your workshop, you know that things are getting serious.

You can get by in a wide range of woodworking jobs and challenges with a few basic freehand tools like a router and a jigsaw. You’ll have fun clamping your wood in place and cutting through it but you’ll find that occasionally you wish you had a little more control and precision.

Then, when you develop a little further and you start making things for friends or taking on bigger, more elaborate challenges, you’ll find that you need a little more precision, a little more power and a little more reliability.

That’s when you will consider getting a . And when you add this awesome tool to your workshop, it will change the whole way you approach jobs. Now you have a big tool with a large spindle and spinning circular blade that allows you to cut at precise angles, even to make incredibly accurate bevels for adding a bit more finesse to your creations. And the way you use this – laying the wood in place and then simply pressing down on it… it’s a whole other experience.

You’ll never forget your first miter saw and while you’ll move on to even bigger and more powerful things, this may well mark the point at which you started to really up your game.

So as an introduction to miter saws, how does the SKIL 3317-01 measure up?

Great Looking, Budget Friendly

The SKIL 3317-01 is a nice looking miter saw right away. The silver, black and red colorscheme is very modern and it matches the lightweight look and feel of this miter saw nicely. While it is clearly a slightly more budget tool in terms of the weight and apparent durability though, it is still very well made. It feels sturdy and safe and the large guard will keep your fingers nicely out of harm’s way. The handle is also ergonomic and well positioned, while the tool itself is well balanced for a pleasing cutting motion.

At this price, this is clearly a more budget and beginner-oriented tool. That means that it needs to be more user-friendly (something that certain manufacturers tend to forget). Fortunately, this tool is very user friendly thanks to a few nice features. For instance, the ‘quick-mount’ system makes this quick and easy to set up on a miter saw stand (not included). Likewise, the laser cutline guide makes it quicker and easier to start cutting while feeling confident about the angle – this is something we’d like to see in more tools.

The table extension is great too for cutting longer pieces. The clamping system is very good too and is ideal for holding wood securely against the fence while you cut. It even has ambidextrous functionality! It comes with a dust bag too for keeping things clean.

In terms of power, this gives you 15 amps with a 10” blade, which isn’t bad at all for the price. Bevel angle range is 0 to 45 degrees. Oh and you get 9 positive stops for common angles, which also makes it quick and easy.

What are the Pros and Cons?

We like this tool a lot on paper and in practice. In our review period, we found that it was easy to use and nicely designed. Light, quick and accurate, this is a good entry-level tool with a bit more power than you’d expect.

Of course this is not going to replace a more powerful, free-standing miter saw for a professional workshop. This is a 10” blade after all.

Another thing to consider is that while the lightness of this tool make it relatively portable and thus versatile, it also means it can shake quite a lot when cutting through tougher materials.

In Conclusion

Overall, this is a great entry level miter saw. It’s small and the power and strength reflect that to a degree. But it is also smart looking and has a lot of cool extra features and thoughtful design aspects that make it a winner for those who want something quick and easy to use. The positive stops, quick set up and laser guidance all mean that you should be confident using this even as a complete noob!

source http://www.toolerant.com/skil-3317-01-review-this-miter-saw-surprised-me/

source http://toolerant.blogspot.com/2017/04/skil-3317-01-review-this-miter-saw.html

Ryobi ZRTS1143L Miter Saw Review: A concious decision…

A miter saw is a powerful tool that gives you the kind of precision and options that you just don’t get with a lot of other free-hand tools. This is a large tool that stays fixed in place and that has a saw attached to an arm. You place the wood down in place and then you adjust the precise angle of the saw both in terms of the angle of the cut and the angle of the blade and thereby for the slope (bevel) that you’ll get on the edge of the cut.

This is a great addition to any workshop as it will allow you to make far more precise angled cuts than would otherwise be possible. This then opens up a whole world of new possibilities while allowing you to stop messing around with protractors, rules and pencils (and lots and lots of rubbing out…).

Thing is though, just because you’re ready to add a miter saw to your collection, that doesn’t mean that you’re going to want something that has a ton of power and that gives you all the bells and whistles under the sun. Miter saws can be expensive and they can take up a large amount of space, so what if you want something a little more basic?

In that case, the Ryobi ZRTS1143L might just be the ideal tool for you. This is a smaller, more compact and less feature-rich miter saw. But is it enough for your particular needs? Let’s find out!

Too weak for you?

We’ve already reviewed several miter saws that fall into the 10”, 15 amp category. Those are small, light-ish tools that can generally be easily carried from room to room. And the price reflects this.

Well now we’re going smaller and lighter still. The Ryobi ZRTS1143L is a 7” blade with a 9 amp motor, which makes it very much designed for making small cuts. That’s even what the tool describes itself as offering.

This of course is absolutely fine, as long as you know precisely what you’re getting and you’re happy with that. Just know that this isn’t going to be cutting through very thick materials and that it isn’t going to replace any professional grade equipment any time soon.

The design is also of the budget variety. This is a grey and lime green/yellow looking tool which is certainly… an interesting choice. It is light to carry around but also very light to operate which is nice. It is prone to a little occasional vibration though and also lacks some of the stability that you would obviously get from a heavier and bigger tool. Again though, you should have known that going in.

The tool also comes with a laser, which is nice for the price. This of course gives you a little more precision and lets you see precisely where the cut is going to be once you’ve made it. That adds confidence when you’re working and is fun to use. There’s a fence too that comes with little markings for easily seeing the angle and size of things.

It does miss some other key features though, such as a wrench for changing the blade or positive stops.

The good and the bad…

This is a great tool if you want something very basic but still need a miter saw. This is an affordable purchase and one that will give you a good amount of versatility, power and precision for the price. That said though, there are also some features missing here and it’s particularly a shame to find that there’s no positive stops. And of course you are also looking at something that is very much designed for small cuts in thin materials. And what you need to ask yourself is whether that’s really a wise move, seeing as for not much more – in some cases for the same price – you could get a 10” blade and 15 amps.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s a very likeable little saw but when you buy it you are making a conscious decision to get something less powerful. And that’s not even necessarily going to be tied to the price, seeing as there are models out there for a similar amount that offer more power and more features…

PS: Sometimes you can get this tool refurbished for a really good price!

source http://www.toolerant.com/ryobi-zrts1143l-miter-saw-review-a-concious-decision/

source http://toolerant.blogspot.com/2017/04/ryobi-zrts1143l-miter-saw-review.html

Hitachi C10FCE2 Review: The most mediocre Miter Saw of all times?!

It can sometimes be tricky to review ‘budget’ oriented tools. These are tools designed for beginners and it’s not fair to hold them to the same standard as something that is more expensive but more powerful. You can’t expect to get a ton of power out of them and you can’t expect them to have all of the same settings.

But at the same time, you still need to have a decent level of power to make sure that the tool will be suitable for taking on bigger challenges as the hobbyist progresses. Moreover, you need to ensure that the tool will be made to a good standard and from quality materials. It’s no good to have a tool that will shake violently when it is used, or one that feels like it would smash into a thousand pieces if you were to drop it.

The question always comes down to what kind of compromises are okay for you. Do you want something that will be more powerful but a little more cheaply made, or do you want premium quality without the horsepower and features?

Of course the best tools are the ones that make you take on the minimal compromises. So is the Hitachi C10FCE2 just such a tool?

At least it’s very ergonomic…

On the face of it, the Hitachi C10FCE2 is a standard looking miter saw. This tool is colored in green and grey and definitely looks functional rather than exciting – but that’s fine. It feels well made though for the most part, if a little light and it has all of the parts right where you expect. The handle is nicely designed and particularly ergonomic though. We found it very comfortable when we first used it and when researching further, found that it was because of a ‘vibration reducing elastomer’. Not sure about that, but it’s certainly a nice handle to use, which is a very welcome feature.

As is fairly standard for a miter saw at this price point, you are getting 15 amps of power. That’s enough to handle most of the tougher jobs and it’s something that we have had no problems with in our testing. This is a nice feeling tool to use and you shouldn’t have to apply too much force to get it to cut. At 10”, this is not a replacement for a professional tool however.

The miter range is 0-52 degrees, while the bevel range is 0-45 degrees. There’s a large and well-made flip fence that raises to 4” and that is very useful for holding things in place. What’s also nice is the inclusion of positive stops – highly recommended for any miter saw – which will help you to easily find the most common miter positions.

The tool also comes with a laser which is very handy and that helps you to cut with even more confidence (with minor caveats, read below).

Advantages and Disadvantages

This is a very ‘basic’ miter saw then. It has most of the features that you could want, average-to-good power and versatility and a decent build quality with a nice handle.

But it’s also held back by a couple of minor points. For one, the dust evacuation is not good. You’ll find your workspace gets a little dustier using this than with some other tools but that’s less of a problem for a miter saw. It’s also a shame that the laser wasn’t accurate out of the box. It’s actually relatively common to have to calibrate lasers on these kinds of tools but it shouldn’t be and it does mean you feel a little more anxious when using it.

Blade changes can also be a little bit of a pain.

Conclusion

So overall, this is an average miter saw for the price. It’s not going to blow you away and it does have some minor drawbacks but it’s also perfectly good for the job that it’s intended for. It’s well made, the handle is pleasant to use and it is a reasonable introduction to the world of miter saws. If you’re looking for something that will tick all the right boxes and you don’t want to break the bank, this is one to consider. Just know that you could get a bit more performance and functionality for not too much more…

source http://www.toolerant.com/hitachi-c10fce2-review-the-most-mediocre-miter-saw-of-all-times/

source http://toolerant.blogspot.com/2017/04/hitachi-c10fce2-review-most-mediocre.html

PORTER-CABLE 7518: A POWERFUL Compact Router?

The PORTER-CABLE 7518 is a great tool with a ton of great features and a great addition to your workshop repertoire. As a compact router, it’s something you’re going to be using a lot, which is why it’s important to make sure that you invest in something good if you’re serious about your craft. In short, if you have a bit of extra budget to spend, then you might as well spend it on a more powerful router seeing as this is the kind of tool that you’re going to be bringing out at countless opportunities. A router is something you use for cutting grooves, for rounding off edges, for punching holes and for making decorative fluting. It can do the job of a ton of other tools and in some cases it can even make bevel cuts and slice through tough materials.

So when it’s time to stop playing around with cheap tools. When you’re finally ready to start taking your art and craft seriously and when you want to treat yourself to something a bit more premium and powerful – start with the router.

And of all the routers to start with, the PORTER-CABLE 7518 is a good bet.

How can this badboy improve your workshop?

Okay, so when you get this thing out of the box and place it on the table, there is just no denying that it looks like a coffee machine. I mean, it really looks like a coffee machine with two big handles on either side, a transparent center and a black, rounded top.

Now we’re not saying this is a bad thing in any way, it’s just that it’s not going to be the most impressive looking piece of kit in your workshop, which is something of a shame considering it might just be one of the more expensive items.

Once you’ve come to terms with that though, you’re going to be blown away by the punch that this thing is packing. This is a router than can really glide through pretty much any material and that is going to offer you a combination of power and versatility that you just don’t get from budget tools.

You notice this first when you look at the specs. This is a router that is capable of delivering 3-1/4 horsepower. Now that is a lot and it’s sure to make short work of even the rougher materials, it’s a very impressive showing and something you’re not likely to find the limitations of any time soon.

Next up, you have the amazing speed adjustments. You’re not just getting one or two speed adjustments here but can pick between five different settings ranging from 10,000RPM to 21,000RPM. That means you’ll be able to handle a wide range of different materials with no problem.

You also get all of the usual slightly higher end features. These include a soft start motor for gradually getting started and keeping your cuts smooth, along with the usual electronic feedback. The tool makes it easy to swap out bits and it’s very comfortable and easy to use.

Pros and Cons

The obvious advantages of this router then revolve around the significant power you’re getting out of the box, combined with the amazing versatility. It’s rare to find both to such an extent in a compact router and that’s really the big selling point here and the reason that you’re likely to be willing to spend a little bit more on this tool.

But in terms of the downsides, there are a few things that are lacking. One is the design which we’re not huge fans of. It looks a bit like a coffee machine and those handles just aren’t quite as ergonomic or comfortable to use in our testing. We prefer more solid, rubber handles rather than these somewhat flimsy plastic grippers.

This is a fixed base router which is great if you’re going to be using it in a table but not so good for freehand routing. It does mean you’re facing a couple of limitations in terms of how you can use it and in particular, it means that you’re not going to be able to punch holes in it quite so easily.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a very powerful compact router and one that can handle most jobs. It’s just a shame that the design is a little on the divisive side.

source http://www.toolerant.com/porter-cable-7518-a-powerful-compact-router/

source http://toolerant.blogspot.com/2017/04/porter-cable-7518-powerful-compact.html

Mighty Mule Remotes and Multi Code Remotes Introduction

Mighty Mule Remotes

Mighty Mule has been in the business that offers the best metal gates, gate openers, driveway gates, driveway alarms, garden gates, access controls, automatic driveway gates, electric gate openers and automatic gate openers since 1987. Mighty Mule is based in the United States of America.

In the 1980’s, the founder of the company went to Florida and decided to settle there. He then purchased a ranch with horses. When he was renovating his home, he found it taxing of getting in and out of his truck just to open and close his gate with his hands. He thought of installing an automatic gate opener but the quotes he got ranged from $3,000 to $4,500. He thought that this was too much, so he decided to make his own design that is affordable. He made a gate opener that was easy to install and that could be used in far flung areas. He was successful in launching the Mighty Mule E-Z gate brand of gate openers. GTO takes pride that the products that he designs and distribute his gate operator products in the United States of America. Home, ranch, industrial and light professional applications is where the Mighty Mule gate openers are designed for. Since its beginning in 1987, there are over half a million gate operators and access controls that have been installed across the planet. All of its products are in compliance of even exceed all national and federal safety standard.

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Multicode Remotes

Founded in 1990 and manufactures car alarm systems, central locking and power window regulators. In 1997 they were finally listed in the stock exchange of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, formerly known as Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, which is a remarkable milestone for the company. That meant big for the company as it means they are no longer a small business. The company has two operational facilities that has more than 500 full-time employees which includes more than 50 professional engineers. Its main facility is situated in Johor Baru, it serves as its core manufacturing hub. It is well equipped with the latest design and testing facilities. The location of its operational facilities is well planned in order to cater the needs of its domestic customers as well as the one abroad. The other place is located in Port Klanf, Selangor. It has extended its manufacturing and warehousing facilities, business development, marketing and customer support office that provides extensive warehouse and logistics services directly to its customers. Thanks to the massive growth in the automotive industry both locally and internationally, it contributed positively on the growth of the company.

MCE has become the leading Original Equipment Manufacturer specializing in the design and manufacture and supply of automotive electronics and mechatronics parts both for the Malaysian and regional markets. MCE has also provided not only for the OEM segment but also for the supply of international procurement houses and buyers for their custom designed products to meet the specific needs, especially in the pre-delivery installation and the segment for the aftermarket.

The post Mighty Mule Remotes and Multi Code Remotes Introduction appeared first on By: AClickAwayRemotes.com.

source http://blog.aclickawayremotes.com/mighty-mule-and-multi-code-remotes

SKIL 7492-02 Review: A Great Sander for Hobbyists but Weak for Pros

Skil is one of the best known and respected OEMs around when it comes to power tools and the SKIL 7492-02 sander continues the company’s great record. The SKIL 7492-02 is a sander that should be more than up to the majority of tasks that the average hobbyist is likely to throw at it and that boasts great build quality, a decent feature set and a smart all-round design.

A Well-Made Hobbyist Level Sander

This is a corded sander, meaning of course that you will need to think about the location of power outlets and the practicality of having a wire across your floor. But at the same time, it also means you can get 2.8 Amps without packing a huge battery, or having to worry about charge. This is also definitely a mid-grade sander that is aimed more at hobbyists than professionals. It is very affordable and the power output does reflect that.

The performance you’ll get from this sander comes from a 2.8 Amp motor and there is also a vacuum dust port built-in with Clear Filtration Dust Canister. This will collect dust as you sand, helping you to prevent clouds of sawdust billowing up into the air and getting into your lungs. It also means less to clean up afterward.

When we tested the SKIL 7492-02, we found that it did indeed do a great job of keeping the workspace and area around it clean and that added to the convenient feel you get from the device. We also liked the weight and the general feel of the device: at 4 pounds and just 5 inches, you can easily carry this with you and it won’t add too much bulk or weight to your kitbag.

Pros and Cons: Great Convenience, Average Performance

The big pro of this device is the convenience, the weight and the excellent dust collection system. Coupled with an entry-level price, this makes for an all-round excellent experience. Forget hauling a massive tool around with you and having to make sure your spare battery is packed: this is a lightweight device that you can plug in anywhere and that will be ready to go. And that dust collection system really is very effective, meaning that you won’t need to spend ages cleaning up afterward.

Adding to all this is the fantastic ergonomic design. Not only is the unit very lightweight, it also fits well in the hand in our testing and is great to use for long periods. The relatively low power output also means that you don’t get nasty red marks or numb fingers! The sanding pads attach easily using Velcro and can be removed easily too. The Pressure Control Technology is also a nice feature that provides extra sensitivity while you’re sanding and lets you be more precise with your craft.

BUT at the same time, this is a device that is aimed more at hobbyists or those who need the occasional job done around the hoes. The relatively low power output at just 2.8 Amps, really isn’t on par with other sanders from the likes of Bosch. It also may feel a little budget to some in the hand. What’s good news is that the product comes with a regular manufacturer’s warranty, so you won’t need to worry if it does give out.

Conclusion/Summary

It’s all about what you want from your sander. If you want something well designed and made from a reputable company, this will do the trick just nicely. When we were reviewing the product, we found that it was a real joy to use thanks to its lightness, its small size, and the fantastic dust collection.

But if you’re a professional carpenter or you want to elevate your craft to the next level, then you’re going to want to look elsewhere for something a little more powerful. At the price, you can find other products that will give you closer to 3-4 Amps of power but in that case, you will often be sacrificing the lightness or the dust collection to some extent.

In conclusion, this is a great hobbyist sander but not one that’s going to be suitable for pros. Read this if you are looking for the greatest orbit sander.

source http://www.toolerant.com/skil-7492-02-review-a-great-sander-for-hobbyists-but-weak-for-pros/

source http://toolerant.blogspot.com/2017/04/skil-7492-02-review-great-sander-for.html

Top 8 Skylink Remotes for Your Home Garage