New DIY Products

The latest tools tested and reviewed by Fred-in-the shed

Updated 13th January 2012

New Dremel Multi-max  cordless multi-tool

New 26mm Deep cut version Exakt precision saw( DC 270)

New Exakt EC320 Saw and combined Planer Sander (SP180)

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New Vibration frees sander with best ever dust extraction

New 14.4v and 18v cordless vacuums from Makita

New VDE pliers with 7 functions

New Bosch cordless multi-tool

 

New Dremel MultiMax with  Lithium Ion Batteries The new Dremel tool is available in mains and a battery version that  has the latest Lithium Ion Batteries that also power the Dremel 8200  Multitool (see further down the page), The Oscillatiing tool works in the same way as the Fein Multimaster and Bosch GOP model. It comes with a sander attachment, plunge-cut saw and a segment saw.  An optional accessory is the fantastic grout removing blade which is coated with tungsten carbide chips but is thin enough to fit between most tiles. Dremel have brought out a universal adaptor which allows all the Multi-Max accessories to fit other oscillating tools such as Fein, Rockwell, Bosch, Ridgid, Worx and Masterforce. The Dremel Multimax is more compact than the other cordless multi-tools I have tried and is well balanced and comfortable to use. If you have this AND the Dremel 8200 in your toolkit then you will be a very handy person indeed! These are 2 tools that I would not want to be without and use all the time to take the hard work out of sanding, cutting metal, grinding and sharpening tools.

Universall Adapter allows

Multi-purpose VDE pliers for Electrical Work These Draper Ergo VD pliers have 7 functions and are highly insulated for electrical safety. The functions include 3 different wire cutters, a crimper and pattress screw cutters for those M3 and M5 screws that hold sockets in but are often too long. There is also a wire looping device so you can nicely loop wire to place around terminals. The pliers are very well made and have a new ergonomic shape that make them comfortable to hold for those tricky little moments. Full time professional electricians will have a range of pliers but if you are short of tool box space or are not a full time sparky then these pliers will serve you well.  Check price of Draper Ergo VDE Pliers at another Fredshed partner

This 7 in 1 tool makes a great gift for Mr or Mrs DIY No excuse not to change that plug now!   See My New Page - Fred's Top 10 Practical Gifts SEE MY NEW PAGE ON KITCHEN TOOLS & GADGETS

Makita BCL180 Cordless Vacuum Powered by 18v 3AH Li-ion Battery   Is this the best cordless vacuum ever? This is the new Makita BCL180 using the fantastic 18v Li-ion battery that powers the huge range of professional tools. It is also available in a 14.4v version and replaces my old 12v version that I loved and used for years. What I love about the Makita cordless vacuums is the quality of the mouldings and the simple - no nonsense functional design. The new models also have improved filters that are washable, long lasting but also cheap to replace .Unlike 99% of the "dustbuster" type vacuums the Makita ones have separate batteries that mean you don't have to replace the vacuum when the battery dies.If a Black & Decker Dustbuster battery fails you have to replace the battery AND the motor as they come as a unit which makes the tool uneconomic to repair.  Makita batteries just slide in an out and my ones have lasted 4 years so far. The incredible 3amp hour 1v Li-ion battery gives the vacuum the longest running time of any cordless vacuum and beats the Dyson by miles. I am currently using this 18v version almost every day and testing and comparing it against the 22v Dyson DC35 Digital Slim. The Dyson is more stylish and has better filtration but is let down by only running for 5 or 6 minutes on full power.

Click here for more details and best price on new Makita Cordless Vacuums

Ryobi Plus One Range  - New Colours and Li-ion Batteries The superb 18v range of powertools from Ryobi is undergoing a makeover with a new colour and new products. The blue  range has been available for about 8 years with 18v Nicad batteries and is popular with DIYers and also builders who don't want to spend the big bucks on the likes of Dewalt and Makita. Ryobi ( who also own premium brands AEG and Milwaukee) have been very clever and reverse engineered their new Li-ion batteries to fit all the old tools in their range. You will need a new charger for the Li-ion batteries but this development will enable many people to upgrade their batteries and get years more life from their tools. I am testing some of the new (and old) 18v Ryobi tools with the new Li-ion batteries and am so far impressed. The best Ryobi Li-ion battery still has a bit less power than Makita (2.6 vs 3 amp/h ) but it is still impressive and has more capacity than the Dewalt Li-ion batteries.      A mixed set of 10 blades costs around £5.

The Ryobi  plus one range is changing colour from blue to Lime green in 2010 There are over 20 tools in the range with more to come! I would advise going for the Lithium ion batteries now. They are lighter and will last longer. I was surprised to discover in my tests the Ryobi Whipped the more expensive Makita saw!

Exakt precision saw - a new safer way to cut flat materials

The latest PS 150 Professional model was launched here in September 2008!

A Deep Cut (26mm ) version known as the DC 270 is being tested by Fredshed now

The EC310 has now been re-designed and a more Ergonomic EC 320 model is available too.

check out my special Exakt pages or mail me for more details!

 

The Exakt precision saw is one of the most exciting and innovative products that I have seen for a long time. If you have laminate flooring or plywood to cut then you will probably be thinking of using a circular saw or jigsaw. Both these machines have serious drawbacks. Circular saws can be dangerous, and cant make small, accurate cuts.  Jigsaws great for curves but are difficult to keep in a straight line. This new tool has a small circular blade that can be precisely adjusted to cut material up to 14mm deep. The blade is retractable and only appears when you press on the handle to start cutting. The tool is incredibly good at cutting straight lines and can be use on the floor or bench with a sheet of scrap wood underneath. There are now 4 models available, the EC310 is the DIY/budget version and cuts to 11-12mm A more Ergomonic version  EC320 comes with an extra blade to cut tiles. The new PS-150 has a deeper 14mm cut and is aimed more at the professional user. It replaces the old PS-140 A new deepcut version DC270, cuts to 26mm , launched 2010. All models take a variety of different blades that will cut wood, softer metal , masonry and ceramics, in fact everything except glass! ( I am adding Perspex, to the list too as it melts ) The best blades are the TCT (tungsten carbide) ones which last at least 20 times longer than an HSS blade when cutting wood or laminate and cost about 30% more. If you want the cheaper DIY version click below for the best deal on the upgraded EC-310 N model This is a new tool from my recommended retailer and not a graded refurbished old model as sold on ebay click here to see my page on Exakt Precision Saws Including the new Deep cut DC270 shown below!	HSS 44 Cutting blade shown with the retractable, dust collecting safety guard removed Click here to buy the Pro Version Exakt PS-150 saw kit £117.99 inc Uk delivery  * safety update The new EC 320 DIY  version below has a 11m cut but is easier to use as it has better ergonomics £96 approx inc UK delivery click here for detail
Laminate Floor Cutter New Guillotine style manual cutter from Vitrex If you can't afford the Exakt saw or don't want to buy powertools it is possible to lay laminate flooring quickly by using this tool to make most of the cross cuts and then using a handsaw for any fiddly bits and the long end cuts. The tool works quickly and easily, making very clean cuts and little dust.
AT LAST - A REAL DUSTLESS SANDING SYSTEM 2008 GOLDEN SHED AWARD WINNER After years of disappointment from testing sanders with useless dust boxes I have finally found a way of sanding without covering everything in dust. The Abranet sanding system requires hand power and a vacuum cleaner to attach the hose to so is harder work than using an electric sander but amazingly effective. The really clever part of the Abranet sanding system is the mesh sanding sheets that allow dust particles to pass right through and then into the vacuum hose. These abrasive sheets use aluminium oxide to remove material and seem to last at least 5 times longer than normal aluminium oxide sheets. The Abranet abrasive is velcro backed so can be cut to shape to fit other makes of sander.  The new Abranet sanding system from Mirka of Finland who have been supplying an industrial version of their sanding system to the marine and automotive industries from many years. The DIY version of the system fits a Henry vacuum but performs best with the dedicated Mirka dust extraction vacuum. Sanding sheets - Which are best? Another "hidden" problem with sanders is the cost and availability of the sanding sheets. This applies mostly to the velcro style pads for DIY models which can be very expensive. One of the big problems with sanding sheets is clogging, especially on gloss paints and varnish. This clogging is made worse by powered sanders as the heat melts the paint into a sticky goo. The new Abranet "dustless sanding system2 uses mesh to enable dust particles to pass through and be extracted.    Buy a dust free sanding kit
Latest News -Under testing Bosch bring out 2 cordless versions of the 3 in 1 multi-tool. This Bosch GOP tool uses 10.8v lithium ion batteries and is the same blades as the Bosch mains 3-in1 tool featured on this page. The new 10.8v GOP costs about £140 and comes with a range of accessories. 1 sander head, 5 sheets of abrasive, a saw  blade, and 2 Lithium Ion Batteries that also fit other Bosch tools. The Blue Bosch GOP is from the professional range of tools, in 2011 Bosch will do the same tool in its standard Green coloured DIY range. The new model (PMF 10.8 Li) is very similar but uses different batteries and charger so it is not compatible with the most popular Bosch 10.8v Li-ion batteries. Approx price £117 with 1 battery.  click to buy new bosch cordless multitool from a fredshed partner site    Breaking News ,UK based company CEL have launched a similar 10.8v multitool to cater for the DIYer rather than the professional user. It comes with only one battery and a few accessories. If you buy an extra battery it works out at about half the price of the Bosch GOP, but does not have the option of being able to use the batteries in other small powertools.   use the links below to see prices from my retail partners  buy Bosch GOP with everything included!      click to see all Bosch multi tool accessories	The powered plunge cut saw is extremely useful for small fiddly jobs. I have a friend who is a locksmith and uses this tool to cut new lock catches in. The tool paid for itself in around 5 jobs! The GOP multi tool is also one of the best cordless sanders available as it has superb batteries and uses small delta shape sanding pads that can get into corners and up to edges. Finally you can use the GOP to cut through sheets of wood like a circular saw with the segment blade. OTHER PROFESSIONAL QUALITY TOOLS IN THE RANGE You can use the same batteries in a 10.8 volt impact driver, drill driver. angle head driver sheet metal cutter and LED torch.    Click here for Bosch 10.8v batteries There is also a pro quality mains powered version of this tool, the Bosch GOP 250 CE multi cutter. This mains version is the equivalent of the Fein Multimaster but it does not have the quick release mechanism for fast blade changes like the Fein. Personally I am not too bothered about the quick release function as I often get my finger trapped in it!   Breaking News 2011 More manufacturers are copying this multitool and versions are now available from AEG, CEL, Einhell and others. My advice is to stick to the Bosch ones if you can, I have tried and tested them and don't think there is anything better, (apart from the Fein)

The best circular saw? - Cuts Wood and Metal!

 

Multi Purpose Circular saw with dust collection This new design of circular saw has built in dust and debris collection to cut down the mess and discomfort of working with these potentially scary tools. The new rage circular saw has a number of innovative features that make it easier and safer to use than standard circular saws. The rage blade can cut through wood and metal so will not jump out of your hands if you hit a nail in some wood. A diamond tipped blade is also available for cutting concrete and masonry.   (240v or 110v - for site work)

Evolution Rage circular saw for wood metal or concrete This Circular saw cuts anything AND collects the dust!    Buy 240v Evolution Rage with free diamond blade

My master builders (Fred &Barney) have been testing the Evolution rage saw whilst working at the the shed. They were uncharacteristically impressed with it and particularly like the dust collection feature. Tim the plumber also used it to cut channels in a concrete floor for pipe work. (see image page right) The saw made easy work of this job and created significantly less dust than an angle grinder. The Evolution Rage saw has one minor drawback in that the rotating blade cover cannot be easily retracted for angled plunge cuts. This is a trade off from having the dust collection box but is  small price to pay for having that excellent feature. The saw retails for £99 approx with replacement blades at £20. (240v or 110v - for site work) - use link below to compare prices    Buy 240v Evolution Rage with free diamond blade   Evolution also make a range of larger chops saws. more details on the evolution rage circular saws and blades   Breaking  News Chopsaw for wood & metal New compact version ! Evolution has just released this mini version of the chopsaw which is designed for people like plumbers and electricians who are working on site and may have multiple small cuts to make in material like trunking or pipes. The saw is very well made and the same blade will cut through wood or metal with ease. The small size of the blade makes this a specialist tool so don't confuse it with the general purpose mitres saws that come with a larger blade that will only cut wood. The Evolution Rage 4 has max cut of 97mm and a 1250w motor  check price and spec of the new Rage 4 lightweight chopsaw

The Rage 4 Chopsaw cutting a metal fixing.

 

Bosch bring out cheaper version of the award winning Fein Multimaster. I don' generally like copies of innovative tools but as the 25 year patent has run out on the fantastic Fein MultiMaster there is nothing illegal about Bosch making a copy of it and using their vast marketing machine to make this superb genre of powertool more widely available. Also the Fein costs about £180 which is too much for most DIY users. The Bosch PM180 E has less power (180w against 250W) but is under £70 which is more affordable. Also the blades are cheaper too. I have extensively used the Bosch PM180E and can report that it does the job well, but with a bit more noise and vibration than the Fein. The tool comes with 2 saw blades and a sander attachment with 6 pads. It has a 19mm dust extraction hole. Watch this space for more test updates. use the links below to buy from my partner tooled-up.com  buy Bosch PMF 180 from fredshed partner

The Bosch All rounder 3-in 1 multifunction powertool (shown with a plunge cut saw blade).      to compare price with another supplier use link below  more details on the New Bosch PMF 180E

Want the real Mcoy!

More power -more blades (more money)

 

New Model Fein MultiMaster wins Golden Shed Award   This is David Makintosh, product manager of Fein UK at the Homebuilding and Renovation show with his 2007 Golden Shed Award for the fantastic Fein MultiMaster power tool. This tool is like a Dremel on steroids and can be used to saw, sand, chisel, file, grind, and polish. I have seen it and many other specialist tools at trade shows over many years. Most come and go and are cleverly marketed gadgets, but the Fein Multimaster is one of the few tools that performs as well on the job as it does in an exhibition setting. The Fein MultiMaster is a serious professional tool and is here to stay. The original tool has been in production for 25 years and has now been revamped with an easier tool exchange lever- that's why gets the 2007 Golden Shed Award - as featured in Loaded Magazine.	c 2007 Golden Shed Award Winner
Plunge Cutting Blade The Oscillating saw blade can get right into edges which no other tool can do. Used horizontally this saw is a must have for fitting laminate floor under skirting board or taking the bottom off doors. Powered Scraper The scraper blade will save you so much time and arm ache when removing paint, varnish or adhesive. The Tungsten Carbide rasp is a heavy duty long life sander. For finer sanding the usual range of papers are available and this tool has optional dust extraction. The Fein MultiMaster is also one of the best sanders I have ever used. The rapid sideways movements seem to clear dust form the paper and clogging is minimal. The Fein MultiMaster has many more blades and applications. To see or buy the new Model with quick release click this link for my New Fein MultiMaster page The New MultiMaster top set comes in an Orange plastic box. If you see one for sale with a metal box it is the OLD MODEL without the quick release blade mechanism. use the links below to see prices from my partners at tooled-up.com  buy the cheaper Fein Multimaster start set
The smallest and most powerful torch in the world? 2008 GOLDEN SHED AWARD WINNER New technology bulbs and reflectors now enable torches to be significantly brighter AND last longer! The torch shown right is the latest hi tech torch and is designed for the Police to use. It is only  5 inches long and weights 148g but is bright enough to dazzle a criminal  at 100 yards. The latest version puts out 105 Lumens. It runs off 3 normal AAA batteries, and has gold plated connectors for maximum efficiency. This makes an excellent and practical present for anyone, buy one now and forget one Christmas present! use the link below to compare the price against Tooled-up.com  check price of the Ultimate Torch -The LED-Lenser Police tech     NEW MODEL  EVEN MORE POWERFUL THAN THE POLICE TECH! The image above shows the new Led Lensor T7 tactical torch which is only slightly bigger than the police tech focus but is almost twice as bright! This incredible torch uses 4 AAA batteries to give 200 Lumens and also has a very useful one handed sliding focus feature. If you want the best LED torch then i think this is the one and I absolutely love it. It comes with a sturdy case and presentation box if you want to give it as a present. I think using 4 AAA batteries instead of 3 is a great idea as they tend to come in packs of 4 anyway. Use the links opposite to buy the best LED torch available and also help my work testing products.	The Police Tech Focus Torch    I have now owned and used this torch for 3 years and am so pleased with it. This is a small torch but throws out an amazing light and keeps on shinning for ages on the same batteries. If you want to buy someone a useful present you cant go wrong with this one. Keep one in your car and kitchen for emergencies!     USE THE LINKS BELOW FOR THE EVEN MORE POWERFUL T7 TACTICAL TORCH   Check price of Lenser T7 Torch at another Fredshed partner See My New Page - Fred's Top 10 Practical Gifts SEE MY NEW PAGE ON KITCHEN TOOLS & GADGETS
Dustless Sanding ? Is this a myth? When it comes to the cheap end of the DIY tool market the answer is defiantly yes! I have tried many sanders with all sorts of special filters that clog up after minutes of use or fall apart when you try to clean them.  Some sanders come with the facility to attach a vacuum cleaner but the effectiveness of this depends on the holes in the sanding sheet staying clear. Also for small jobs attaching a vacuum cleaner can be a lot of trouble. Worx have developed a new low vibration sander that uses a totally new and unique dual pad system and a cyclonic filter that seems to solve a lot of these problems. I recently tested the "Worx Pro WU651 vibrafree dual pad random orbital sander" at a trade show and now have one in use in the shed. Apart from having the longest name of any tool I know it was extremely effective and knocks spots of the Dewalt machine in a short sanding show down. The anti vibration mechanism in the Worx sander really does work and the clear plastic dust extraction box is the most effective I have seen and has no paper filter to clog up or fall apart when washed. The box is also easy to empty by pressing a button to click open the back end of it. Most dust extraction boxes require removal to empty and this is usually an extremely messy job.	Worx Pro WU651 vibrafree dual pad random orbital sander is the best of this type I have used and is also extremely robust and well made. There are 3 unique features to this sander and none of them are gimmicks. This sander will now go on long term test

Dremel now with Lithium Ion Batteries The superb Dremel tool has been improved with a cordless version that now has the latest Lithium Ion Batteries. The cordless Dremel is one of those tools every home should have. It is so useful for grinding, sharpening, polishing, and much more. There are dozens of attachments and now the Dremel comes in a handy soft case and not that annoying plastic one that annoyed me so much. The new cordless Dremel is designed so it can stand up on your workbench which is a feature I love as my workbench is always a mess and anything that stands up is more likely to be found! The big advantage with a Lithium Ion battery is that if you leave this tool unused for a while there is a good chance that the battery will have held it's power. Also when it does go flat you can charge it much faster than the old model.   Always wear eye protection when using a Dremel - bits tend to fly off at high speed!

buy any Dremel tool or accessory online

Quick Adjustable Spanners

 

The adjustable spanner is a plumbers favourite and an essential part of any workshops toolkit. (Though a well equipped workshop should not need them too much) Two new designs for quick adjustment are now available . One has a  manual  mechanism which requires you to push the jaws for rapid and accurate adjustment. It is a well made tool and  does not slip. The Black & Decker Auto wrench is heavier and powered by 3 AAA batteries and can be operated quickly with one hand. The British designed Milligrip is lighter and is  adjustable in 1mm increments which is ok unless you have a rounded off nut. An imperial sized version known as the Amerigrip will also available.

Milligrip Quick Adjusting Spanners approx prices 25mm version £16 32mm version £19

Learn to lay Bricks or improve your bricklaying skills. If you love your DIY work or just need to save money you may want to try your hand a laying bricks. What you will soon find it that it is not as simple as your old days Leggo days on the kitchen floor.. Bricklaying is a real skill and very hard to achieve a top class job. An average DIYer should be able to manage making a brick BBQ or small garden wall but are unlikely to get a good result on anything larger or more complicated. "The Bricky" is a sturdy plastic frame designed to help you place the bricks in the right place with the right amount of mortar. I have used it and was impressed with the results.  It comes with a DVD and has good feedback from most of the people who have used it.

If you found my advice helpful you can support my work by returning to this page and using my links when purchasing your secateurs. Also any products bought from Amazon using the links below will produce a small commission that helps cover my hosting costs. thanks, Fred

 

A Sander with Dust Collection that works? I thought I had found a sander that actually collects the dust for more than 5 minutes and you can empty without getting covered in it. The new Black & Decker cyclonic sander really surprised me as I was expecting it not to work - (call me a cynic) I have sanded a large area of wood floor, painted doors and rough timber and was so happy to see the dust in the little container and not in my face. Everything was fine and dandy until I tried to sand some bare plaster - then the filter blocked and I got covered in dust as usual. However , all is not lost as it is possible to discard the filter and fit vacuum hose to the dust extraction cavity. Overall this is a very good sander and would be greatly improved if it was supplied with more filters. This version is the 4-in-1 that adapts to become an orbital sander, detail sander and delta sander.    see the largest range of delta sanding sheets

This new cyclonic sander passed all the tests except plaster dust. If you know a sander that can deal with plaster and collect the dust let me know.    check price and more details of the Black&Decker Cyclonic sander

Silicone Rescue tape This new product was developed for the US navy to repair leaks and holes in boats. It is now available to everyone and is a potentially lifesaving product that will make a valuable addition to every boat owner and auto repairers tool kit. The MAGIC property of this tape is that it melts into itself and forms a very strong, watertight and heat resistant seal. The tape comes in a reel and is not sticky in any way. Only when you stretch it does it begin to melt , stick together and form a seal. I deliberately cut a hole in this hose and repaired it with rescue tape. It held for quite a while until a severe frost got at it. To be fair I should have extended it further up the hose though. I also used it to hold the tubes of my wheelchair together as an emergency repair when it snapped in half! This was very successful and now I keep my rescue tape handy at all times. I am very impressed with this new technology product and will be reporting on its long term performance. * it can be applied to wet material - even underwater!

CORDLESS LED INSPECTION LAMPS These new style inspection lamps use LED bulbs to make the battery last longer and make the lamp more durable. I think the Black and Decker version is the best as the LED's are encased in solid shatterproof resin which is almost indestructible. You can see me on you tube trying to smash one 2 years ago. I still use my Black & Decker LED lamp highly recommend it after 4 years of use. The lamp shown right is made by Concept and is not shatterproof but has a useful magnetic pad for holding onto car bonnets and other steel objects.  The introduction of LED bulbs has revolutionised the lighting market and will continue to do so. I am currently testing a lamp with the amazing Nichia LED that is 10 times brighter than normal LED's. click the link below to see me trying and failing to smash the toughest LED inspection lantern http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEHdvBV_wqw&feature=channel

Cordless LED Lanterns The 26 LED version is the one I own and recommend.

Cordless Screwdrivers tested and reviewed

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