Combating Power Loss Or Decreased Performance in Power Tools

Usually a loss of power or decrease in overall performance from our power tools can be defined by a suffering connection between the tool's power source (i.e. the power cord or battery) and the tool's motor.

Just where this glitch exists along the electrical highway though, is where our journey begins. To find our weak link, we'll simply follow the power flow from the tool's power source to the tool's motor and checking our main components along the way.

Dewalt DW718 Miter Saw Fence Alignment

With a tool so tough as Dewalt's DW718 12" double-bevel sliding compound miter saw, it is no mystery that the sucker is going to get a little kicked around. Of course, the regular abuses of jobsite life will wear on the tool and eventually it's going to require a bit of tinkering on your behalf. Don't fret though, said tinkering is generally simple with the right tools and a bit of patience.

It may surprise you to learn that the leading cause of inaccurate miter saw cuts is actually a misaligned or warped fence.

Introducing: Dewalt's DCF815S2 Cordless Impact Driver

In early October 2010 Dewalt released their new line of 12v MAX power tools. Among this release was the DCF815S2, an 1/4" impact driver with the guts and gumption to make mincemeat of its very anticipated debut and, perhaps, a mincemeat pie of the present competition.

Featuring a minor redesign that moves the tool battery directly below the handle, this 12v impact driver is now more compact and ergonomic than any of Dewalt's previous comparable releases. The slightly longer handle is slim and comfortable to grip and provides a stable base for the driver.

Replacing Power Tool Switches - How to Know the Time Has Come

It is no mystery that a lot can go wrong inside a power tool, what is a bit mysterious though, is how to determine exactly which part of your power tool is currently suffering. As we all know, power tools are some seriously cool machines, so cool in fact, they will literally try to help you solve this diagnostic conundrum.

Knowing which subtle clues to look for can help you diagnose a power tool problem in a snap. For instance, when your switch goes bad, your power tool will behave in a specific way.

The first symptoms to arise will come in the form of malfunctioning or failing start-ups. You will attempt to activate the tool and as if life has simply left it for greener pastures, the tool will be absolutely dead, or, at least, it will require several pumps and perhaps a joggle or two to revive itself.

A Brief History of DeWalt Power Tools

From the time he was a child Raymond E DeWalt watched and learned from his father the intricacies of woodworking and complex construction. Upon leaving school as an adolescent, he continued to follow this path and earned his keep at mills and construction sites as jobs were available.

The young DeWalt though, also learned from his father that a life in mill-work was difficult one, and in order to simplify his own life and to capitalize on both the physical and economical expenses of hard labor, he used the advantages of his youth and experience to continually refine and enhance the machines around him to meet the certain needs and specifications of different jobsites.

DeWalt's ingenuity and expertise in the field were largely and always evident and soon he was offered a position as the head of a major woodworking mill that manufactured nearly everything from the simple six-panel box to the modern, complex home.

Christmas Gifts For Dad - Power Tools

Christmas gifts for dad do not have to be a painful, dreaded and miserable task around the holidays. Honestly, Dads are not that complex. Stuff they can do while drinking beer, stuff they can destroy or use to destroy or stuff that assists them in making food.

If you get them a gift in this area... success is yours. So, here are some examples of just one of those categories, stuff they can use to destroy, also known as power tools.

Reciprocating Saw

This little gem of a christmas gift for dad is a must have in the garage. Also know as a "saw zaw" this tool will basically cut through, cut off or cut around anything that you need it to. It is a very versatile tool and comes in different sizes, varieties and styles.

I would recommend looking at one of the popular brands of power tools (Dewalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, etc) and finding your best deal on an at least 18V cordless type. If Dad doesn't have one already, it will make an excellent Christmas gift for Dad this year.

Corded Power Tools Vs Cordless - What's the Best Option?

If you're looking to buy a new power tool such as a drill or saw, there's one big decision to factor in. Corded or cordless. There are benefits and disadvantages of both options. Here's a few things to consider before you hit the hardware store.

The first option that most people consider is cordless. There are a lot of immediate benefits to having a cordless power tool. The most obvious is that you don't have to mess around with a cord. Depending on where you are working in your house, it can be difficult to find an empty plug to use.

With a cordless model you have the freedom to move around. This is fantastic if you are doing several home improvement jobs at the same time. You can work inside and outside without having to constantly plug and unplug your tool.

There are also several disadvantages to cordless tools. The biggest is charging the battery. It takes several hours to recharge a cordless battery pack. Unless you plan ahead, this can put a wrinkle in you home fix it plans.

Replacing Power Tool Parts - Is it the Carbon Brush Or the Switch?

You are are in the middle of replacing your old windows. In the excitement of your project, your power tool begins to run one minute, only to shut off the next! One moment it's working fine, just like it always did, and the next it is completely dead. You click the trigger a few times and it's running again. What in the world is going on?

Chances are that you are not out of luck. There are clues which can help you find the problem. While many problems may cause intermittent tool operation, two of the most common failures are the switch and the carbon brushes.

The Switch

The switch usually sits behind the main trigger, controlling power flow from the wall to the tool. When a switch is worn out, it works less and less frequently. At first it works pretty much all of the time. Occasionally it may need to be clicked twice to start the tool.

Over time, you may find yourself clicking the switch several times every time you start the tool. Of course, once the tool is running it works perfectly as long as you hold down the trigger. Don't throw that power tool away! You probably just need a new switch.

Carbon Brushes

Carbon brushes transfer power to the motor of your power tool. Carbon Brush problems are a little different from the switch. When carbon brushes become marginal, a power tool will begin to "cut out" while it's running. Sometimes you might tap or slap the tool to get it running again. The trigger starts the tool just fine, but it doesn't run well. This sort of symptom usually points to a carbon brush problem. You will want to inspect your carbon brushes before replacing them.

A worn out carbon brush will often have a small amount of carbon remaining, or it will be pitted or chipped.

If your carbon brushes are bad, it sometimes means that your power tool has bigger problems (like a worn out motor). Quite often though, a fresh pair of carbon brushes can get you working again.

At eReplacementParts.com we believe in the life of your power tool. The investment you make should not walk out the door when parts are replaceable. We want to make your life easier and it is our goal that you are able to find the power tool replacement parts you need. Lisa Putman is a writer for the Salt Lake City, Utah based company, eReplacementParts.com. Check us out at http://www.eReplacementParts.com We are here to answer your questions. You may send us an email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at info@ereplacementparts.com. You may also call us toll free at 1-866-802-6383, 8:30-5:00 Monday - Friday.

Cordless Leaf Blower - Is it the Ideal Power Tool For Your Garden?

When we were kids, we would love to play around the lawn with those fallen leaves scattered all over, kicking them around, picking a handful of them up and throwing them to our playmates. We would even jump over or throw ourselves into a pile of dead leaves which would lead to our moms scolding us. Those were the fun days.

Now, as an adult, things aren't the same anymore. We now understand why mom was so furious. Cleaning the yard is a no-joke task and it's definitely not a child's play. Although it can be fun at times doing the job, it's not as enjoyable as when it was just pure play. Now, it's pure work.

Another pure work is finding that best tool to be used for sweeping the lawn. Since there are many different gardening tools to compare and choose from, one can say that this also qualifies as another gruesome labor as part of adulthood. After all, looking for an ideal equipment is not as simple as looking for an ideal paint color for your room.

You may already have a bunch of tools in your home like brooms, rakes and lawn sweepers. But if you feel that they're not the power tools you are looking for, why don't you try leaf blowers? Some say that a certain cordless leaf blower will save you from the misery of maintaining your yard's cleanliness. Could this be the answer to your prayer?

The cordless leaf blower is battery operated. So that means you can move around the lawn freely and easily. You don't have to worry about electric cords that limit your move and get tangled and tied up. When you want to make sure you have sufficient power, you may bring an extra battery or two just in case the first battery gets drained before you complete your routine.

Furthermore, the rechargeable leaf blower, as others may call it, is a quiet tool. That's better compared to those leaf blowers that are gas powered and have noisy engines. They are also light weight and easy to operate. If your lawn is not that huge and doesn't have many trees in it, this is perfect for you. Plus, you'll be able to reach places in your garden that other tools can't.

On the flip side, this cordless type of leaf blowers don't have that much power required especially for larger lawns or for those yards that grow a lot of trees in them. That type of blower might not be able to handle that huge amount of leaves. But it all depends on you. If you think you should give other tools a try, you can do so. But if you're very much satisfied with the performance of cordless leaf blowers, then that's just fine.

Get more specific information on the cordless leaf blower device to make sure you make the right choice. Also if you love gardening your will benefit from using lawn tractor attachments for hauling grass, weeds and dirt. Check the out now.

The Facts About Reconditioned Power Tools

Buying reconditioned power tools can save craftsmen hundreds of dollars while also delivering the same high-performance and professional results skilled workers expect from their power tools. Reconditioned tools offer an excellent value, a manufacturer's warranty, and all the dynamism and reliability of a factory new tool.

So, What Exactly is a Reconditioned Tool?

For minor cosmetic or technical defects some tools will inevitably be returned to the manufacturer. These tools are then rigorously inspected, tested, and restored to meet all factory specifications. After the tools have been approved for re-sale, they emerge onto the scene as reconditioned tools, as little diamonds in the rough, if you will.

Because these tools have been returned to the factory, they can no longer be marketed as "new." This is, however, largely to the consumer's benefit. Here's why: when the tools are returned to the factory, they undergo stringent performance tests and checks to ensure the tool runs better than optimally.

Factory standards are high, and every reconditioned tool must pass a series of strenuous tests before approval. Essentially consumers are getting the same tool (perhaps even a better tool for all this checking) with the same manufacturer warranty, for a fraction of the price. In fact, reconditioned tools generally cost around 30-50% less than their retailing counterparts.

Are Reconditioned Tools Really a Better Value?

Yes! Reconditioned power tools are an extremely good value. They are essentially a like-new tool with the same one year manufacturer's warranty, and a much smaller price tag. Some recons do come out of the factory with a small cosmetic blemish or two, but this is a very small price to pay for new tool, with a perfectly running motor, at a fraction of the cost.

Aside from price, the "R" at the end of the tool's model number, and the slight difference in packaging (box color, mostly), there is little to no difference between reconditioned and new power tools.

Which Brands Offer Reconditioned Tools?

Many brands refurbish and sell reconditioned tools. Among other brands, the major manufacturers DeWalt, Porter-Cable, Delta, Bosch, Skil, Makita, and Fein all market quality reconditioned power tools.

Reconditioned tools are cost effective, quality inspected, and come with the same warranty as a brand new tool. Coming straight from the factory, recons undergo meticulous testing to ensure they are in optimal condition to bring craftsmen the greatest, most professional power tool experience. For the quality and value, it just makes sense to buy reconditioned power tools.

As a student at the Univ. of Utah, Mallory Kramer is earning her degree in English. 3 years ago she joined M&M Tool adding to their over 150 years combined experience; she specializes in tool parts & web communications. For over 60 years M&M Tool has provided the best service to the tool industry with parts, sales, & service to expert level woodworking products, tools, & machinery. Visit M&M Tool's Forum for woodworking articles, info, & advice.