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Toolstop supply power tools to the trade. But we do much more than that; we engage with you via our blog, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. If you want how-to videos, let us know and we'll make them. Questions about power tools? Let us know and we'll answer them. |
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Toolstop Podcast #68 - Tools in Action
Neil and Mark are joined this week on the podcast by Tools In Action Guys!
We have a chat about how they started their website, the sort of tools they enjoy using, how they get a hold of their tools and how their website is commonly used. We also ask them to identify their favourite tools and what they think will be the “next big thing” in tools in 2011. Download the podcast here. [podcast]http://traffic.libsyn.com/toolstop/Toolstop68.mp3[/podcast] Keep up to date with our latest power tool news on the blog, and remember to check out our inspection camera battle! -
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Makita BMR101 Job Site Radio with DAB
Some say the best things in life are worth waiting for. But, of course, statements like that are completely subjective and hard to define; who decides what’s “best”? How do you rank the “thing” you’re waiting for, thereby establishing it’s “worth”. Etc etc.
However, as it’s nearly New Year’s Eve, we’ve no desire to delve into rambles about the philosophical veracity of hackneyed proverbs. Instead we want to talk about something we know some of you have been waiting for.The Makita BMR101 job site radio.
As Neil says in the video below, you may be thinking it’s just the same as Makita’s previous iteration of job site radio, the BMR100. After all, it comes in a choice of two colours (white or blue), it has an auxiliary input, it has a chunky, tactile volume control and it’s suitably buffered against job site mishaps, including being shower proof.
At first glance it may appear as if all Makita has done is add a ‘1’ to the product number.
However, that ‘1’ stands for so much.
Makita finally have a DAB job site radio.
Why is this good news for job site radio-heads?
Firstly, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is incredible. For starters you’re going to have access to loads more radio content, depending on your locations. Plus, because the DAB radios receive digital signals, the quality of your audio experience on the job site will be amazing. No more mornings listening to muddy-sounding MW tuned stations. No more twiddling your knob, trying to pick up a slightly less muffled and scratchy sounding Jeremy Vine Show. The audio is going to sound great as soon as you turn the BMR101 on. That’s because DAB is more robust with regard to noise and multipath fading for mobile listening, since DAB reception quality first degrades rapidly when the signal strength falls below a critical threshold, whereas FM reception quality degrades slowly with the decreasing signal. Other great features of DAB include “radio text” from the station giving real-time information such as song titles, music type and news or traffic updates. That means no more arguments over “who sang that song” and no more waiting until the next travel report before deciding when to venture out into traffic when you head home. Of course, you can’t keep all of the people happy all of the time, no matter how many digital radio stations you have at your finger tips. So, it’s good to know you can over-rule everyone by simply plugging in your mp3 player to the BMR101’s audio input jack meaning you can play your mp3 playlists to everyone’s joy… “Compact” and “rugged” are two words that have to be used when describing the BMR101. Makita have constructed a job site radio that is light enough to lug around and compact enough to have in even the smallest work areas. No, it doesn’t have some of the fancier features such as 3-D sound and it won’t charge your power tool batteries. 
However, if you’re looking for a job site radio that’s small but very well put together, that’ll stand up to typical job site abuse, and is shower resistant, then the BMR101 is probably for you. Talking about power tool batteries, while the BMR101 won’t charge them while you listen to Coldplay on Radio 2, it will run off them, allowing you to unplug from the mains and have the radio in the most remote areas of the job site. So yes, some things are worth waiting for. And for those who’ve been waiting and longing for a Makita DAB job site radio, the wait has surely been worth it now that we have the BMR 101. -
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"It’s the 57th edition of the Toolstop Podcast and first things first, we’d love to get your ratings and reviews on iTunes! Please click here. Download the podcast. This week we cover; Bosch gardening tools
Makita BMR101 DAB radio
Makita LXT202 kit
Sealey AK694 64 piece socket set
Draper Inspection Camera with outtake video" -
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"This time around we’re going hands-on with Hitachi’s 18v combi drill offering, the DV18 DSL 18v. First impressions? It’s green. It’s compact. It’s ergonomic. And it’s deceptively powerful."
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"Sometimes Makita get things right. Get things very right. Other times, they get things just a little bit wrong. And there are occasions like with the BSS611R-ID 18v li-ion triple pack that they get it very right. And just a little bit wrong. All at the same time."
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"We asked what you thought of the Bosch DMF10 Zoom. You told us. RTFM “I have experienced that the DMF10 is unreliable detecting wooden structures behind the wall for some reason. Works better with “knock on wood” technique. Mains voltage and metal works just fine… The only ‘problem’ I have encountered with the tool is that the audible signal is at far too high a pitch for older users thus limiting the ease with which it could otherwise be used, having to rely purely on the visible signals. Since I purchased my Bosch DMF10 Zoom, I have not been able to use it. I purchased it for DIY work on my house, but it does not seem to work. This is because all of the plasterboard in my timber framed house is backed with a thick layer of foil, this stops the tool from working.” And we got the message. So did Bosch. While many of the issues you were having with the DMF10 Zoom were covered by RTFM, it was obvious that it wasn’t the most popular detector we’d ever come across. But this is Bosch we’re talking about. They invented German technological efficiency*, so when the GMS120 Professional multi-material cable detector landed on our desk, nestling comfortably in its efficient little protective bag, we wondered if this, the latest piece of professional tech kit from Bosch would be, well, efficient."
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Toolstop Podcast Edition #49b – A Recap of the Past Year
Following on from last week’s ramble-fest with DIY Donny, we’re bringing you a quick highlight edition featuring some of the stuff we’ve covered on the podcast over the past year or so, including some of the fun and interesting people we’ve met along the way.
This week we hear from;- Eric Streuli (Bosch)
- John Stark (Makita)
- Suzi Perry (Gadget Show)
- Lira Luis (architect)
- The Soundman
Download the podcast.
Also, listen back to edition #43 to hear Chris Elseworthy’s experience on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.Next week on edition #50 we’ll be joined in the study by representatives of Bosch, Makita and DeWalt for a celebratory podcast about all things power tools.
Subscribe on iTunes to make sure you don’t miss it! And make sure you give us your feedback in the comments, just click here.
via toolstop.co.uk -
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Bosch GSR MX2Drive Professional
Get the m4v and ogv versions of this video. All of our videos are available via iTunes.
Bosch have continued to innovate throughout 2010 and in their Q4 series of new power tools they haven’t disappointed. In this instance we have their new screw driver, the GSR MX2 Drive. Among other features, it has a 2-speed gear box operating from the 3.6v power pack. The video demonstrates how the gear box works, but according to Bosch, you start in 2nd speed (which has a variable speed of 0-580rpm) then switch to 1st speed (steady speed of 150rpm) as you meet resistance. This gives you a smooth, non-stop gear shifting. Just watch the video if you want to see it in action!This driver is perfect for tight spaces not only because of the short head length but the LED job light. Of course, the GSR MX2Driver is powered by Bosch’s workhorse lithium ion battery technology.
- highest torque in class: 10Nm
- highest speed in class: 0-580rpm
- most compact in class: 158mm x 127mm
Is this a viable tool for your kit? What sort of jobs would you envisage using the GSR MX2Drive for on the job site? Let us know in the comments.
via toolstop.co.uk -
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Evolution Rage 3 Multipurpose Sliding Mitre Saw
As the saying goes, why buy a saw that can only cut wood? The Evolution Rage 3 multi-purpose sliding mitre saw aims to be the answer to that question.
Download the m4v version. All of our videos are available on iTunes.
The element of this mitre saw that puts it in the position of being able to (attempt) to answer the question is the blade. It’s a tungsten carbide tipped blade that can – and does, as the video demonstrates – cut through wood, aluminium and steel. It also makes short work of wood with nails/screws in it. And you’ll notice that it leaves the metal cool enough to touch immediately after the cut.- Max Depth Cut (90° Bevel): 75mm
- Max Depth Cut (45° Bevel): 40mm
- Max Width Cut (90° Mitre): 300mm
- Max Width Cut (45° Mitre): 210mm
What are your thoughts on this mitre saw? Is it the ideal, multi-purpose, job-site companion? Let us know in the comments.
via toolstop.co.uk -
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Toolstop Podcast #49 – Rambling With DIY Donny
Today on the podcast Mark and Neil are joined by newspaper columnist, radio presenter and star of Sky TV’s “Celebrity Parent SOS” DIY Donny.
Download the podcast.
We admit to rambling a bit on this edition of the podcast, but hopefully you’ll find it as entertaining and enlightening as you always do…You may also want to check out the Toolstop eBay shop, which you can find here! You never know, you may just pick up an absolute bargain power tool.
via toolstop.co.uk
