I have spent the last three months using rotary hammers on everything from 2-inch Tapcon holes for deck ledgers to 1-1/2 inch through-holes for plumbing penetrations in poured basement walls. That hands-on time gave me a clear picture of which rotary hammers for concrete actually deliver on their box promises, and which ones leave you … Read more
Without question, a purpose-built demolition hammer is the right tool for breaking concrete, and our team spent the last 60 days testing 8 of the most popular corded models on the market to find the best demolition hammers for breaking concrete. We pushed each one through patio slabs, driveway sections, brick walls, and a stubborn … Read more
I spent the last three months cutting steel pipe, slicing through rebar, and grinding down welds on a metal fabrication project in my shop. Through that grind (pun intended), I learned that not every angle grinder handles metal the same way. Some bog down the second you lean into thick steel, while others slice through … Read more
You can build a long list of woodworking tools, but the moment you need to flatten a tabletop, strip paint from a deck, or shape a curved edge, a belt sander becomes the only tool that gets the job done in a reasonable amount of time. After spending several weeks rotating through 8 different models … Read more
I still remember the first time I tried to flatten a 36-inch tabletop by hand. Three days of sanding with a random orbital sander, and the thing still had visible low spots. That weekend sold me on drum sanders. After helping our team test and review woodworking equipment for the last four years, I’ve watched … Read more
Curved edges are where most woodworking projects either sing or fall flat, and finding the best spindle sanders for curved edges is the fastest way to take the sting out of inside radii, cabriole legs, and shaped chair parts. After three months of testing eight benchtop and portable models in our shop, our team settled … Read more
Most contractors I know spend more time with an impact driver in their hand than just about any other tool on the job site. Whether you’re framing a house, hanging ductwork, building decks, or running mechanical fasteners all day, the right cordless impact driver is the difference between keeping up with the crew and falling … Read more
I remember the first time I tried to mount a TV bracket into a brick fireplace surround with a regular drill. The bit barely scratched the surface, the motor screamed, and after 20 minutes I had a half-inch deep hole and a blister on my palm. That was the day I learned the difference between … Read more
When I started building out my workshop last year, I bought a traditional steel toolbox and felt pretty good about it. Then a contractor friend showed up with his Milwaukee PACKOUT setup, stacked three modules high, rolled it across a gravel job site, and pulled out exactly what he needed in under 10 seconds. That … Read more
I have spent years watching contractors lose money to junk tool boxes that crack after one drop off a tailgate or flood after a rainy pour. When you frame houses, pull wire, or service HVAC units for a living, your storage has to survive the truck bed, the job trailer, and the rainstorm you did … Read more