Tag Archives: Tool Review
Klein 1005 Crimper/Pliers Review: Right for Our Shop?
We’ve put the Klein Tools 1005 Cutting/Crimping Tool through the kind of daily use that quickly exposes a pretender. On paper it’s a straightforward cutter/crimper for 10–22 AWG terminals and connectors, handling both insulated and non‑insulated ends—exactly the range that crowds our bench. In hand, it feels like a classic shop companion: sturdy, no-nonsense, and confident when it closes on a crimp. We like that it aims to be an all-in-one helper, trimming wire cleanly and then moving straight into a controlled squeeze for consistent connections. Still, “Made in USA” and a famous name aren’t the whole story. The real question is whether the 1005 earns a permanent spot in our tool roll.
Milwaukee 2626-20 Oscillating Multi-Tool: Our Shop?
In our shop, the Milwaukee 2626-20 M18 oscillating multi-tool quickly proved it’s more than a “nice-to-have” gadget. With up to 18,000 OPM, it hums through a surprising range of tasks—flush cuts in trim, quick notches in plywood, and those awkward, corner-hugging jobs that usually demand three different tools. We appreciated that Milwaukee includes woodcutting blades and a sanding pad with sheets, letting us jump straight into real work without a separate accessory run. The cordless layout keeps our bench area uncluttered, and the tool feels ready for jobsite abuse. Since it’s sold as a power-tool-only kit, we treated it as a smart add-on for anyone already running M18 batteries.
Milwaukee 12V Cordless Rotary Tool Review: Our Shop?
In our shop, the Milwaukee Cordless Rotary Tool, 12.0V quickly proved it isn’t trying to be a full-size die grinder—it’s aiming to be the grab-and-go problem solver that lives within arm’s reach. We used it for quick deburring, light sanding, trimming plastic, and touching up tight corners where a larger tool feels clumsy. The cordless freedom kept our workflow moving, and the compact feel made detail work less fatiguing during short bursts. Power delivery feels suited to precision rather than brute force, which is exactly what we want from a rotary tool at this size. In this review, we’ll break down what impressed us, what slowed us down, and where it earns a permanent spot on our bench.
Edward Tools Drill Mixer Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our shop, mixing paint and joint compound is one of those small chores that can quietly steal time—unless the tool is right. The Edward Tools Paint and Mud Mixer for Drill aims to be that fix, with a 15 3/4" zinc-plated steel shaft and a 5/16" non-slip hex head designed to stay put in the chuck. It’s rated to mix 1 to 3 gallons, which fits the everyday buckets we actually use, and the reinforced weld suggests it’s built for repeated, gritty jobs. What caught our attention most is the promise of easy cleanup—because dried mud on a mixer is a slow-motion nightmare. In this review, we’ll see whether it blends smoothly, resists wobble, and earns its place on our wall.
10″ Self-Healing Cutting Mat Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our shop, a cutting mat has to earn its space—especially a compact one. This 10" self-healing cutting mat surprised us with how “finished” it feels for a small round tool: the non-slip base stays planted when we’re trimming quilt pieces, and the scalloped edge makes it easy to grip and reposition without smudging our work. After a few sessions with rotary cutters and craft knives, the surface largely bounced back, keeping our lines cleaner and our cuts more predictable. We also liked how it slips beside the sewing machine without stealing table real estate. That said, the 10" size is best for patchwork, paper piecing, and small leather or art projects—not big yardage.
KAKURI Coping Saw Review: Worth It for Our Home Shop?
In our home shop, the KAKURI Coping Saw Coping Frame and 5 Replacement Blades Set arrived like a small invitation to slow down and cut with intention. The frame feels straightforward in the hand—light enough for long sessions, but steady when we’re tracing tight curves in wood board. We appreciated having multiple blades on deck; swapping from a fine-tooth option for cleaner scrollwork to a tougher blade for plastic (and even the occasional thin metal piece) kept the pace moving without improvising. Tensioning the blade took a minute to dial in, yet once set, the saw tracked predictably and made inside cuts less fussy than our jigsaw. It’s not flashy, but it’s practical—exactly what we want on a crowded bench.
EZARC Obsidian Oscillating Saw Blades: Our Shop?
In our shop, oscillating blades aren’t “nice-to-haves”—they’re the difference between a clean cut and a long afternoon. The EZARC Obsidian Carbide Oscillating Saw Blades (3-pack) claim multi-material confidence, and we put that promise to work where it matters: trimming PVC, nibbling through drywall, and bumping into the inevitable hidden nail. The carbide edge feels built for those mixed-mess moments, when wood turns into metal mid-stroke and most blades start whining. We also like the quick-release compatibility, which keeps our workflow moving instead of hunting for hex keys. Are these the blades we reach for first? That depends on the job—but they’re firmly in our “ready drawer” for anything unpredictable.
Bosch PS31 12V Drill/Driver Review: Our Shop Fit?
We didn’t expect a 12V drill to earn much bench time, but the BOSCH PS31-2A 12V Max 3/8-Inch Drill/Driver Kit kept sneaking into our hands. Its compact body slips into cabinet corners and tight stud bays where bulkier tools usually stall the job. The variable-speed trigger feels predictable, letting us feather in small screws without stripping heads, then ramp up for light drilling when needed. With two 2 Ah batteries in the kit, downtime stayed low—one pack working while the other sat on the charger. It’s not trying to be a brute, and we didn’t ask it to. For everyday assembly, punch-list fixes, and quick shop tasks, it may be exactly our pace.
Slice Micro Safety Cutter Review: Right Shop Utility Knife?
We didn’t expect a keychain-sized cutter to earn a spot in our daily toolkit, but the Slice Micro Safety Cutter has been quietly impressive. This 2-pack in green feels more like a smart accessory than a traditional utility knife: small, easy to stash, and quick to grab when boxes, mailers, or stubborn packaging show up. The ceramic blade is designed for safety, and in our hands it delivered controlled, shallow cuts that reduce the “oops” moments without making us work harder. Slice claims the blade lasts up to 11x longer than metal, and while we’ll keep testing, it’s already outlasting the disposable blades we usually burn through. For light-duty opening, it’s surprisingly satisfying.
Cooltop Hot Wire Cutter Review: Right for Our Shop?
In our shop, foam is everywhere—prototype packaging, display mockups, and the occasional last-minute cosplay repair. The Cooltop Hot Wire Foam Cutter kit promises to turn those messy, crumbling cuts into smooth, controlled passes, and its 18W heated knife format feels built for practical, hands-on work. We like the idea of a tool that can glide through EPS and KT board without the dust storm our utility blades leave behind, especially when we’re shaping curves or trimming tight corners. The included cleaning pen is a small detail, but one that suggests the kit expects real use, not just a one-off project. Still, we’re asking the big question: does it stay consistent under pressure, or only on easy cuts?
