If DeWalt were to fix this dust port issue and upgrade the motor to a brushless one, I’d probably rate it higher than the brilliant Makita DHS680Z. It cuts through timber so easily and confidently, that if you already own DeWalt batteries, this is a no-brainer to get hold of. Having tools with excellent durability is extremely important. Not only will it mean you will not have to spend out on replacement tools when they break prematurely, but because tougher tools will do a better job. Sometimes cheaper ones can appear to work great until wear and damage suddenly make them unusable, and you are left unable to complete your task. This will lead to an extended work period as you will have to go out and buy a replacement. If you use that tool as part of your profession, it could mean the difference between hitting your deadline or not. No matter what kind of job you have or how you’re using the equipment, make sure your tools can stand up to the task in the first place. Power tools can sell for a decent price, which has opened up the doors to cheap and fake tools coming onto the market to maximise profit. The issues we have with such tools are that they may not provide the power needed to complete the job given. Also, many of them are made with flimsy materials that could fall apart easily with the vibrations of usage. The best-case scenario is that the tool will stop working, but in the worst case, they can explode, burst into flame or shatter over the user. They certainly know a thing or two about making a comfortable handle. The rubberised overmoulded grip stretches from the bottom of the trigger grip and envelops the entire “T-shaped” front grip as well. It’s a cinch to hang on to, even without my trusty nitrile coated work gloves on. The problems with the dust extractor placement don’t stop there unfortunately. When plugged into a dust extractor hose, there’s barely enough room left for your hand on the handle! I’m surprised at this design decision as it’s not very user friendly or well thought out. And if you’re a left handed user, it’s virtually impossible.

Nowadays, top brands offer work boots in a whole array of colours and designs to give more options to the buyer, as well as doing a fantastic job at keeping your feet safe while you are working. Cheap / Off brand Power Tools You may have to pay more than the cheaper or disposable options on the market, but you will be thankful if a near miss or accident occurs and it was your PPE that reduced or avoided the injury. Work Boots Even though the only saw on my list to come in a “proper” hard case is the Makita HS7601, the sturdy carboard boxes that some saws were shipped in were good enough for a temporary home. This isn’t the heaviest duty circular saw I’ve used, so it would need its own case before long.Wear clothing that fits well. Loose clothing or accessories can get caught in a tool’s moving parts, which could result in dire consequences. After several weeks of testing the DeWalt DCS391 Circular Saw out against regular construction timber, hard oak and even a bit of super tough Iroko, I’m almost a DeWalt convert. It’s hard to fault the grip, power and handling you get from this cordless saw. It’s a premium product with just a few problems. Finding a trustworthy brand can be a big undertaking, and when you are faced with lots of recommended companies, the search can feel daunting. Some manufactures cater to different areas of the workforce, and not all brands offer all the tools in every field. First, you need to ask yourself if the brand you have chosen can provide you with the tools you need now, and the ones you will need in the future. Of course, you could buy from multiple brands, but that will require more research that takes up valuable time. Cheap drill bits do not cut well when they are brand new and don’t cut cleanly either. It will make the job slower and more difficult. It can be challenging to identify if a cheap drill bit is doing a good job because they can work great on lighter materials. Once you go to use it on the heavier stuff, however, you will run into an array of issues that will frustrate you. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) When you are finished using a compression tool like a nail gun, make sure that the pressure is released before you break the hose connections.

When in control of a hand or power tool, it is your responsibility to do everything in your power to keep you and the environment safe. That means wearing visors, gloves, goggles with anti-fogging coatings, vented respirators, face masks made of premium cushion materials and ear muffs with soft ear cups.But what I really don’t like that when you loosen off the fastener, it drops all the way to 50° rather than 45°. It’s good that you can get up to 50°, but you’re much more likely to need a 45° bevel. You need to stop and line it up each time, there isn’t a detent that helps you catch the common bevel angles you might need like 22.5°either. First of all, many well-known brand names tend to boast about their flagship tools in television, trade magazines and online ads. They tend to make the harder jobs look extremely simple when using their specific brand. Of course, the basis of this is to help sell their product. So is this a realistic representation of what the tool can do for you, especially if you’re just starting out? The answer is no. Different skill levels and experience has a significant factor in the effectiveness of a tool, as well as other things.