Bosch Professional cordless tools

The Bosch Professional cordless tool systems cater primarily to the construction worker and tradesperson. As a consequence, the power tools tend to be very high-performing and durable. Unlike some other cordless power tool battery brands, the Bosch Professional cordless ecosystem is relatively simple. It consists of a single 18V-based category for the vast majority of its cordless power tools. In addition, it features a smaller 12V-based system for its compact range. That's it!** No FLEXVOLT business, no 80V systems! Just plain old 18V and 12V but with a large and diverse array of tools to choose from.

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Makita logo

Makita has a history of making some of the best, high-precision power tools and its cordless ranges are no exception. Surprisingly though, for such an excellent power tool manufacturer, Makita's cordless power tool systems are a touch on the confusing side.

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DeWalt cordless ranges

DeWalt has established itself as one of the leaders in cordless power tools. The company currently has three different power tool ranges and multiple cordless models that fit into each system. The mainstay of their cordless tools are their 18V XR tools (which includes the 18 XR tools with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE), while their 12V XR tools represent their compact range. To cater to the construction trade, DeWalt also offers a high-powered range of 54V-based tools that begin to approach the power of mains-powered corded tools. Like other reputable power tool brands, DeWalt is gradually moving its cordless line-up to brushless motor designs, which provide greater power, longer runtimes, and extended tool longevity.

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Threaded rods

Threaded rod or threaded bar is used in a wide variety of construction and DIY projects, mainly due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness. However, when it comes to cutting it to size, it is not immediately clear what the best method to use is, especially if one has a lot of them to cut. In this post, we explore the pros and cons of using different cutting methods and try to settle on the best way to cut threaded bar for different users.

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Our latest project involves a neat idea that a couple of DIY enthusiasts recently put together involving the addition of a digital depth gauge, in the form of a set of digital callipers, to a pillar drill / drill press. Normally, inexpensive drill presses come with a crude mechanical depth stop, so adding a set of callipers to the drill provides a level of accuracy that is far better than the depth stop alone.

To make this drill press digital read-out or DRO, the digital callipers are installed on the head of the drill press through the use of a couple of DRO adaptors attached to the jaws of the measuring device. With one of the calliper jaws fixed in place, the other is free to move in unison with the upward and downward motion of the drill bit, thereby measuring the travel depth of the bit as it penetrates a workpiece. In the case of the original authors of this build, the DRO adaptors were made out of metal and were machined to fit. We liked the idea so much that we decided to make a similar build, but instead of repeating the same machining process, we thought it would be more useful to provide an alternative way of making the adaptors, namely through the use of 3D printing.

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Soldering fume hood

When making stuff or doing DIY, one often needs to solder wires or other metals together. However, the act of soldering invariably produces fumes that are bad for our health, especially for those suffering from or are susceptible to asthma or another respiratory disorder (not to mention all the COVID-19 craziness!).

There are a number of ways to avoid the fumes produced from soldering but probably one of the best is to use a fume hood, which sucks away the offending air, trapping it, or just sending it to the outside. However, buying an off-the-shelf commercial fume hood, even the small ones that are specifically designed for soldering, is often prohibitive cost-wise.

So that is where this DIY soldering fume extractor hood build comes in.

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