Tool Reviews

"Ridgid is on beat with this Compact Radio"

This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign. 

WHATS INCLUDED

The Ridgid Compact Radio comes packed with the 18-Volt cordless mini bluetooth radio with radio app, two AAA batteries to keep the clock set and station presets saved.

TESTING OUT THE RIDGID COMPACT RADIO

When first testing out the RIDGID compact radio, I had a bit of trouble connecting to the bluetooth but once I was connected it was smooth sailing. The sound quality of the radio was pretty decent, as well. It was clear and evident that this would be a great compact radio for a small shop.

The usb and aux ports worked just fine and overall my experience of the radio was going pretty well at this point. Initially, trying to connect to the RIDGID app took a little longer than normal bluetooth syncs I've experienced, but once I was connected, it was smooth sailing.

I used the RIDGID battery to power up my RIDGID compact radio and first let me say that my garage is at least 80% cordless, so this compact radio fits right in. The radio lasted a good amount of time on battery in my opinion, so I was happy about that. Some people would argue that it would be better to have both an a/c power cord and be battery operable, but I'm satisfied with its current state.

FAVORITE FEATURES

Bluetooth Capability

This is probably one of the most obvious favorite features, but nonetheless, its one of my favs. This RIDGID compact radio is compatible with a RIDGID radio app that pairs to your smart phone and allows you to stream music, control the radio remotely, and set jobsite alerts and alarms all through bluetooth wireless technology. If you're not a big fan of bluetooth, don't fret, because the RIDGID compact radio also features an aux in connection.

Compact Design

The compact design really makes it easy to move around when working in the shop, and I am more likely to grab this when I'm on the go then some of the other bigger radios I have. It features a fold-down, rotatable antenna that is both flexible and durable and delivers clear reception. Even with its compact design, it is weather resistant to protect from jobsite conditions,

USB Charging

I am always using my phone in the shop while I am building so it's nice that this radio features a usb charging port that allows me to charge my phone, and since the radio is compact, its easy to move around if need be. 

HOW COULD IT BE BETTER?

Although this is a nice compact radio, it would be nice if the speaker quality was a little bit better. I don't know if this is affected because of the size of the radio, but I love to jam, especially in my shop, and some more volume and clearness would definitely elevate this tool. 

The RIDGID compact radio retails for $69.97 at the Home Depot.

I acknowledge that the Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the The Home Depot Pro-Spective Campaign. As a part of the program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purposes of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own. My post complies with the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

"The Milwaukee Packout storage system has got the strength to stand the test of time."

When I started traveling to do projects, I realized how vital it was to have good durable storage and the Milwaukee Packout Tool Box Storage System has really impressed me. Today I will be sharing all the ins and outs of this Milwaukee tool box storage and sharing all of my favorite features.

WHATS INCLUDED

The Milwaukee Packout Tool Box storage comes packed with separate Milwaukee PACKOUT modular storage products that includes individual bins inside.

TESTING OUT THE MILWAUKEE PACKOUT

The first thing I noticed about the Milwaukee Packout was its durability. The Milwaukee packout was designed for harsh jobsite conditions and features an IP65 rated weather seal to keep out rain and jobsite debris. In my opinion, Milwaukee did a great job building this outer core. Its evident that this tool storage system can definitely with stand some opposition.

The storage system was also easy to interlock together; with an easy slide over the other, the modular systems locked into place easily and even though the modular systems were durable, seperatly they were fairly light. 

FAVORITE FEATURES

Interior Organizer Tray 

My favorite feature on the packout storage system has to hands-down be the interior organizer trays inside. This really comes in handy when I need to store away smaller items in the the storage system and makes me feel that much more organized. The trays are also removable, so whether I need to store bigger tools or store small items, I have the option to do both.

Stacking Design

I think the stacking design of the Milwaukee Packout storage system is unique and makes it easy to stack them together. This stood out to me because most storage systems stacking design is similar but this design intrigued me and made it easy to interlock together

Durability

I mentioned this above, but the durability of this Milwaukee Packout storage system is one of my favorite features. With it being able to hold over 200 lbs and durable design, I am more likely to take this tool storage along with me on projects when I travel. It also makes me feel confident when I go to a job site outdoors that my tools inside will be safe.

This feature is also a good justification for the price tag. Ive tested out some other great tool storage systems, but this one by far has been the most durable and have one of the best weight capacities.

HOW IT COULD BE BETTER

The only thing I can say about this Milwaukee packout storage that I disliked was the process to unlock the storage from each other. It seemed like I struggled a few times to slide it off of each other. It's not bad enough to discourage me from wanting it but I definitely think there's room for improvement.

The Milwaukee Packout Storage system retails at The Home Depot for $279.00

"What essential tools and items do you need in your workshop? Im here to tell you."

Since I started building about two years ago, I caught on quick to the essentials needed for a shop. So today I'm giving you a breakdown of what helps me function in my shop on a weekly basis.

This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign. There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.  

Storage and Organization

This is probably one of the most essential things to have in the workshop, especially for me. If you want to keep your shop tidy and organized you must have some kind of storage. Luckily, there are plenty of options out there for storage.

I really enjoy my Husky 28-Drawer Small Part Organizer, Its small enough for me to store on my workbench and organizes all of my smaller pieces such as nuts, bolts, etc. It's lightweight design is both dependable and durable and I love that it is also wall mountable. 

Things that would otherwise get lost of not organized well. I really love that the little bins are not attached, so if you want to carry screws around with you , you can just remove the bin from he organizer and then put it back when you are finished with it, and with 28 bins, there is plenty of storage for those small items.

If your looking for something a little larger, something like my 52" Husky Tool Chest and Cabinet Combo would probably be something you are interested in. 

In this new day and age, having USB ports is becoming a necessity, and having them in my shop makes working that much better. This tool and chest cabinet combo features two cord strips that gives me so much more mobility in my shop.

The bottom drawers on the chest cabinet are deep and have the ability to hold some of my heavier tools, which helps eliminate room. I don't know if you've ever tried to hang a circular saw on the wall, but its not as easy as any old tool, so having room in my workbench just makes life easier.

I also make good use of the skinny top drawers, with all my drill bits, it's nice to be able to store them all in one place.

Lighting

If your shop is anything like mine, you know that lighting is definitely a must-have. This Milwaukee Light with Flood Mode offers the user 2-lights in 1 for area lighting and tasking lighting. With 2,200-Lumen of output in area mode for illuminating large work areas and 1000-Lumen of flood lighting for task situations there is no application this light cant handle. This light offers up to 18 hours of run time meaning it lasts throughout working on a project and is equipped with a high impact polycarbonate lens to withstand harsh jobsite abuse.

Charging Station

At first, this wasn't obvious, but with all the tools that I have accumulated over the last year, it was clear this was necessary. I have battery chargers from different types of brands and I was getting frustrated with them being all over the place.

So I purchased a long power strip and placed them all in one place. This makes it easier for me to just pop in a battery when its dead without having to waste time looking for the appropriate charger. As you can see I have plenty, and these chargers get the job done. 

One of my newest additions to the charging station is the Makita 18-Volt Charger Kit, its protected against overloading, over-discharging and overheating. Like my other chargers its durability works great in the shop.

 Air Compressor

Even though I am the cordless queen and love the freedom of cordless tools, I think having an air compressor in the shop is a must. Although I don't use it often, it is nice to have around when I really need it. I have the Ryobi Pancake Compressor and absolutely love it.

Shop Vac

I think most can agree that you need some kind of cleaning solution in the shop, so having a shop vac is a no-brainer. As you can see, I am a big fam of Ridgid Shop Vacs. I have a 16-gallon vac that I use more for dust collection with my planer and then I have a smaller 6-gallon version for picking up dry around the shop.

This smaller Ridgid vac also happens to showcase Ridgid's new vac design. To read the full review on this Ridgid Shop Vac click here.

Miscellaneous Items

The bigger shop items are always obvious, but there are a few tools I use occasionally that are nice to have in the shop as well.

Husky Tube Cutter

This isn't a tool I use often but it's definitely something I'm glad I have when I need it. This Husky Tube Cutter is designed for pipes 5/8 in. to 2-1/8 in. in diameter. Clean cuts are made on copper, brass, aluminum, etc. I really like the quick adjust feature because it provides the user with fast cutting speeds. It is a heavy duty tubing cutter and a must in my shop. This is a great option if you're looking for a good tube cutter.

Wiss Straight-Cut Aviation Snips

Another tool I use every now and again; Aviation Snipes. Sometimes regular scissors just won't cut it so I use these snips anytime I'm dealing with aluminum sheets. It cuts straight, left and right in light stock and has a comfort grip handle made of rubber for great command and control. It cuts over three miles of CRS in a lifetime and is a great addition to the shop.

Thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley

I acknowledge that the Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the THD Pro-Spective Tool Review Program. As a part of the program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purposes of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own. My post complies with the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

"If drywall is in your future, you can't miss this Ryobi Drywall Screw Gun"

WHATS INCLUDED

The Ryobi Drywall Screw gun comes packed with the Ryobi Drywall Screw gun, a PR2 bit and a belt clip. The Ryobi Screw gun is compatible with the ONE+ batteries as other Ryobi tools but the battery is sold separately.

There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.  

TESTING THE RYOBI DRYWALL SCREW GUN

While testing out the Ryobi Drywall Screw gun  I noticed that it was really light and portable. It has a great amount of power and control and for the price, it seems to be a great tool for what you’re getting. Two of the main things to be aware of when using the Drywall gun is to hold it straight and level. These two things will guarantee the best use.

The driver works in two modes. One by pulling the trigger on the drywall screw gun and the other, quiet drive mode. Which in this mode you can either lock the trigger in the on position or have the drywall screw gun sense the pressure from the screw. The Quiet Drive mode is better for battery conservation. The screw gun nose is adjustable and removable and increases the accuracy of each screw placement and has gripzone over mold with micro-texture for optimum grip and user comfort.

FAVOROITE FEATURES

Belt Clip Design

The new belt clip design makes it really easy to swap between sides. I really love that it is fastener free. With most tools the belt clip goes on with little screws and it makes removing the clip a hassle. This new design was definitley a move in the right direction. 

Magnetic Bit Holder

This Ryobi drywall screw gun has a new and improved MAGTRAY magnetic holder for convenient placement of screws and bits. If you're like me, your not good with keeping up with small bits, so this is probably a favorite amongst many.

LED Light

The LED light brightens up the work area and remains on after the trigger is released, making it easy to see in darker work areas. This led light seems to be a little brighter than ones I've seen on tools in the past, so I was super happy with it.

HOW COULD IT BE BETTER?

A collated screw magazine attachment would really take this tool to the next level. Hopefully this is already currently in the works, but to eliminate having to pick up a screw each time would be huge for this tool. Additionally, the magnetic bit seems to not be as strong as it could be. I will note that it’s nice to have it included at all, but it is one area that could improve in my opinion.

The Ryobi Drywall Screw gun retails for 99.00 at The Home Depot.

The new Ridgid Shop Vac design is leaving old wet dry shop vac designs in the dust.

I cant express how excited I am about the new Ridgid Shop Vac design, the small subtle feature changes on this baby was just the right changes for me to want this thing that much more.

This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign. 

The new Ridgid Shop vac features new scroll technology that shapes the vac’s airflow and has increased the power of the Vac and features 7 new upgrades.

Currently, I have a 16-gallon Ridgid shop vac and although I have known Ridgid to have one of the best shop vacs, some of the design features on my 16-gallon vac were frustrating to maneuver, and even though it’s a much bigger vac that holds a lot more debris, I actually prefer the new Smaller vac with the design change vs. my old Ridgid.

If I was using the shop vac for dust collection I would stick with the bigger one; but being that I use the shop vac for vacuuming and blowing only; this 6 gallon Ridgid wet/dry shop vac was a no brainer.

Testing Out the Shop Vac

The Ridgid 6-Gallon Shop vac comes packed with the 3.5 peak vac, the locking hose with Dual-Flex, three extension wands, utility nozzle, and a Qwik Lock Filter. The Ridgid shop vac basically came assembled out of the box, the only real assembly was attaching the top handle. 

One of the first things I noticed while testing out the Ridgid Shop Vac was the ease of operation. Using this Ridgid 6-gallon shop vac was effortless and is a great vac for everyday cleanup of small dirt and debris.

This vac had really great suction for being so small; and I really love that this vac also functions as a blower. The ease of switching the hose to switch between the two was effortless.

Favorite Features

Accesory Storage  This hands down is the best feature on the Ridgid 6 gallon wet/dry shop vac in my opinion. The accessory pieces fit right into the rolling castor wheel pieces. So you don’t have to worry about any extra attachment pieces. When it comes to any kind of attachments on a tool, I am always one to misplace them, so having a spot where I can store the accessories is HUGE.                                               

Compact Design This 6 gallon shop vac requires little storage space in my workshop and was made to be easy to lift and comfortable to carry with the top carry handle.                             

Price Point Even with all of the new added features, the NXT vacs are still the same price as older models which makes it much easier to make the change.     

Cord Organization I really like how Ridgid designed the top handle to be able to house the cord. The cord wraps around the top handle and the outer tabs seem long enough to be able to hold the cord when it’s fully wrapped around.

I would love to see a crevice attachment for smaller corners, I think I would prefer that over the third extension wand.

Also when I'm ready to put it away it seems like I just can’t find the best way to roll up that hose. I try to wrap it neatly but it either unwraps or just doesn’t want to cooperate. You can attach the hose and put it up somewhere but it would be nice to have some kind of feature that would store it nicely.

The Ridgid Shop Vac retails for $49.97 at The Home Depot.

Household tools that everyone can use.

This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign. 

I have always been guilty of focusing on the big hottest tools but always forget about the tools/items that I use everyday. So I am sharing a few items with you today that would be great to have around the house.

There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.

Husky SAE / Husky Metric Long-Pattern Universal Combination Wrench Set

I can't tell you how many times these wrenches come in handy. Its not always something I enjoy buying but definitely something I like having around the house.

The new Husky Combination wrenches have a surface grip technology that allows tough jobs to get done. The long pattern wrench is 10% longer than a regular Husky wrench allowing better accesss to reach fasteners. The set covers sizes from 8 to 19 mm. 

Check out my video below to see how I used my husky wrenches to assemble my barn door hardware.

Dremel Stylo+ Craft Tool

This Dremel Craft Tool is the perfect household tool for fun quick projects. Check out my full review here to learn more, but here is a list of my favorite features. Lightweight Design The sleek design on the Dremel Stylo definitely makes it easier to use, compared to other Dremel rotary tools that where much bulkier. It also has a very comfortable grip.

Quiet Motor When doing a project like calligraphy, it can be pretty time consuming, so I really love the quiet motor. It isn't completely silent, but quiet enough were I don't mind having it run for minutes on end.

Variable Speed The Dremel Stylo's variable speed ranges from 5,000 RPM to 22,000 RPM. This gives optimal speed control for applications such as wood engraving, glass etching and much more.

Check out my first test run with the Dremel Stylo.

HDX Batteries

As a content creator, I find myself needing batteries for all types of things. Who knew that Home Depot had their own battery line-up, HDX batteries. They are affordable and have proven performance to last just as long as leading brands. ITs safe to say you will need batteries at some point in your life; often more than not so be sure to check these out the next time your battery shopping. The HDX batteries are available in AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and varying packs.

The Dremel Stylo is catering to the calligraphers.

I was excited to try out this Dremel Stylo because I have a secret love for calligraphy that Ive been hiding. In high school and college I would always practice  in my school notebook and thanks to Dremel, I can try it on wood; day made!

This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign.

 There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.  

WHATS INCLUDED

The Dremel Stylo package comes packed with Dremel Stylo Craft Tool, the Dremel attachments and a carrying bag.

TESTING THE DREMEL STYLO+

I've used Dremel rotary tools to try and do calligraphy in wood before, but this particular Dremel Stylo Versatile Craft Tool has been the best I've used for that particular thing. The fact that the body of the Dremel stylo+ is sleek and lightweight makes it much easier to maneuver.

Check out the video below to see how my first test run went.

 My first test run with the Dremel Stylo was a breeze and I've had quite a bit of fun with it. I decided to create these acrylic place cards using the Dremel Craft Tool and I loved the way they came out. 

You can check out my post here on how I used my Stylo to create these fun tablescape name plates.

FAVORITE FEATURES

Lightweight Design The sleek design on the Dremel Stylo definitely makes it easier to use, compared to other Dremel rotary tools that where much bulkier. It also has a very comfortable grip.

Quiet Motor When doing a project like calligraphy, it can be pretty time consuming, so I really love the quiet motor. It isn't completely silent, but quiet enough were I don't mind having it run for minutes on end.

Variable Speed The Dremel Stylo's variable speed ranges from 5,000 RPM to 22,000 RPM. This gives optimal speed control for applications such as wood engraving, glass etching and much more.

HOW COULD IT BE BETTER?

Under the bottom the of the Dremel Stylo is a lock button that helps with inserting the different attachments, but I noticed while using the Dremel that if you press it while the Dremel is on, it will kind of zap you (zap is the only word I can think of to describe it). After accidentally hitting it a couple of times (mistaking it for the power button) I quickly realized that this was definitely a flaw that could be frustrating. Hopefully the guys over at Dremel have plans to do something about this on future models.

I would also like if they could come out with a cordless option, but I'm sure that would mean losing the lightweight feature, so I'm not 100% that I would prefer cordless over the sleek design.

The Dremel Stylo Versatile Craft Tool retails for $49.00 at the Home Depot.

Thanks for reading guys! XOXO Ashley

This Milwaukee Hackzall is taking brushless to a whole notha' level.

This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign. 

I don't use reciprocating saws often but I enjoyed using this Milwaukee Hackzall reciprocating saw. I also liked using these Milwaukee Performance gloves specifically because I can use my phone with them on. I have ditched plenty of gloves for that reason, so these definitely have a place in my shop.

WHATS INCLUDED

The Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Hackzall Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit W/ Free M18 5.0Ah Battery comes packed with the Cordless Brushless Hackzall reciprocating saw, a 3.0Ah battery, a tool bag and a charger. I know that tool kits can get expensive, but I'd rather pay a little extra and have everything at once, rather than by each part piece by piece.

My first drill I ever purchased, I purchased by itself and then went back and got a battery and then realized I needed a charger lol and paid a fortune (partially because it was DEWALT), so now I always look at the kit deals first.

TESTING OUT THE HACKZALL

To test out the Milwaukee Hackzall Reciprocating Saw I used the Milwaukee 12 in. 7/11 Teeth per in. Wrecker Demolition Cutting Reciprocating Saw Blade (5-Pack), the Next Generation Wrecker is designed for Multi-Material demolition cutting meaning it has the capability of cutting nail embedded wood, plastics and a variety of metals.This blade has 25% more high speed steel for increase life and durability.

This hackzall is slightly different than a regular reciprocating saw because it is designed for one handed operation. Setup is really easy, which I love because some tools are tedious when inserting a blade. You twist a knob and insert the blade that locks into place. 

As mentioned above, I used my Small Performance Work Gloves, Black when testing out the Hackzall. When breaking down pallets, I usually like to wear some sort of hand protection.

FAVORITE FEATURES

One Handed Design The one handed design is by far my most favorite feature of this reciprocating saw.  I felt like I had more control with the tool because I didn't have to use two hands. Originally, I tried to use two hands somehow because that's what Im use to but I just had to adjust because  surprisingly one hand was really enough. The way the design provided control with one hand was impressive in my book.

Lower Vibration Anytime I use a reciprocating saw I always feel like I'm doing something wrong because of all the vibration. While cutting the PVC pipe I experienced some vibration but not as much as other saws Ive tried. The dual gear counter-balance mechanism rally reduces vibration.

 Variable Speed Variable speed is always one of my favorite features. The blade will move at various speeds depending on how much you press the trigger.  

HOW COULD IT BE BETTER? 

Off the top of my head, I really can't think of anything that would make this hackzall better, which is a good thing. The only thing I could say is that the setup of inserting the blade was easy but trying to turn it and hold the tool was a little bit inconvenient, its easy now but I think some tweaking could make it better. 

This Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Hackzall Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit W/ Free M18 5.0Ah Battery retails for $199 at The Home Depot. 

 This RIDGID cordless impact wrench will make you want to cancel your AAA membership?

The RIDGID impact wrench was one tool that had me super excited. I personally love to ride in style, but that has come at a cost. My car rides on 20" rims and I have low-profile tires and already this year I've had 3 flat tires. I know bummer! 

WHATS INCLUDED

TESTING THE IMPACT WRENCH

FAVORITE FEATURES

Four Modes

The Ridgid Impact Wrench has four modes.The first mode is the auto setting, marked with an A, most likely best used to tighten nuts and bolts.  I noticed that the wrench shuts down automatically once the bolt is secure meaning no stripped nuts and bolts. This is a great feature for someone who isn't familiar with performing actions such as changing a tire. Modes 1 and 2 seemed to have a smooth application and I could tell mode three had the real power.

  

The RYOBI devour is taking sweeper to a whole new level!

WHATS INCLUDED

Packed in the box is the Ryobi Sweeper itself and the attaching handle. Super easy to assemble. No real work necessary........this time.

TESTING THE SWEEPER

I am a huge fan of any type of tool that I can operate without having to use any instructions, so maybe I am bias but using this devour sweeper was really easy. When seeeping I noticed that it’s better to place whatever your sweeping directly in the middle for the best sweep.

When powering on the Ryobi sweeper , I tried lightly pressing the power button but it works better with a hard kick or hard push.

FAVORITE FEATURES

The Ryobi devour sweeper is equipped with a 4.5 Gal. tub capacity and you get over 2 hours of runtime when you use a RYOBI P108 battery, powerful sweeping and long runtime, you can't beat that.

I also love that the power switch is conveniently located where you can use your foot to power it on and a rear-height adjustment knob for use on various terrain levels.

Additionally, the LED headlights provide improved visibility for a number of applications, and the adjustable, pivoting handle and rubber feet provide optimal ergonomic and compact storage.

With any tool, you have to have a place to put it and I'm so glad Ryobi created a way to make this devour sweeper easy to store. Luckily, I had the perfect spot for it.

HOW COULD IT BE BETTER?

The only thing I noticed that could be an issue is the fact that the Ryobi sweeper blows out air on the outsides, I noticed this when sweeping up huge amounts of sawdust. I don’t think this would be a problem for wood chunks or garbage but for sawdust if that blow out could somehow be minimized, I think it would make the tool that much better.

The Ryobi Sweeper retails for $139.00 at your Local Home Depot!

Adding some character to your walls? Make sure you have the right tools!

 

All of the wall photos featured in this post are designs by Urban Wall Design and you're in for a real treat! Be sure to go check these guys out on Facebook and Instagram! 

Tool 1: Ryobi Brad Nailer

Tool 2: Bosch Self-Leveling Laser 

If you are the meticulous type, you will find this tool most useful. This Bosch Self-Leveling Laser is a tool that projects two lines, making a cross-line projection; making alignment and leveling easier.

Once your line is in place you can lock it at any angle. Wall treatments can be a tedious job and planning out my wall projects just got a lot easier with this tool.

Tool 3: Bosch Laser Measure

Tool 4: Ridgid Miter Saw

With most projects you need a good miter saw! I have hade this Ridgid Miter saw for a little while now and I am super impressed with it. I love the crown molding feature on the saw and with the lifetime warranty you can't beat it.

This saw features a 70 degree bevel capacity which means you can cut angles for days. With all the cuts it takes to create a great wall project, make sure you have the right saw to do it. To see a video of this saw in action, click here.

Tool 5: Dremel Oscilating Tool

It's grinding time, and Makita has come to play!

This review is sponsored by the Home Depot as a part of The Home Depot's Pro-Spective Campaign. 

WHATS INCLUDED

The box comes packed with the Makita 18-Volt Brushless Angle Grinder, two 18V batteries, two discs, a dual-port charger and storage bag. The storage bag was actually a great  quality. I may or may not use this bag for something else! This kit is well worth the price tag. There are some affiliate links in this post, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no cost to you. Click Here to read my full disclosure.

TESTING OUT THE ANGLE GRINDER

I'm not even going to lie, when I pulled the grinder out of the box my reaction was "Holy Smokes" thats big. This grinder is no little tool. It weighs about 12 pounds and its heavy duty for sure. Surprisingly, after turning on for the first time it wasn't as intimidating but this baby has got some power.

When I first picked up the angle grinder I thought it would be a little awkward to hold just by the way the design looked but with the handle that's attached at the top, once I got the angle grinder into a good position, it didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I also, noticed that the body of the actually grinder was very durable and well built.

Part of me wishes I had a bigger piece of metal to cut with because the little metal bars I cut with this grinder was no match for it. It was like cutting paper. I can imagine that this grinder could handle massive pieces of metal if need be.

FAVORITE FEATURES

BRAKE

I am all about safety; especially when it pertains to a tool that I don't have a lot of experience with. The electric brake on the angle grinder stops the grinding or cut-off wheel in 2 seconds or less for maximum productivity. In addition to that, the electronic torque control turns the motor off if the rotation speed suddenly slows or the wheel is forced to stop. Makita's automatic speed change technology adjusts speed and torque during use for the best possible performance.

CORDLESS

This will always be a favorite feature of mine, because lets face it! No one wants to hassle with a cord. This Makita Angle Grinder takes two 18V batteries (which are also compatible with many other Makita branded tools). I also like that Makita put indicators on their batteries so you can see how much juice is left on your battery. I hate playing the guessing game with batteries so they get a thumbs up from me for that feature.

 HANDLE

I couldn't imagine handling this thing without a handle so it makes this one of my favorite features. I also like that they give you the option to put the handle on either side. Can't forget about the leftys! Even being right handed, there may be some situations where I could benefit from switching the handle.

HOW COULD IT BE BETTER?

 Although I don't have much experience with angle grinders, I can imagine that having variable speed would make this tool that much better. But it is already great as is.

This Makita 18-volt Brushless Angle Girnder Kit retails for $399.00 at The Home Depot. Purchase Here.

I acknowledge that the Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the THD Pro-Spective Tool Review Program. As a part of the program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purposes of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own. My post complies with the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.