ARROW T-50 ELITE STAPLER AND BRAD NAILERArrow’s T-50 Elite is a more compact version of the company’s R.E.D. model introduced last year; it has the same drive system and a similar bottom-loading magazine. The drive system takes half as much power to squeeze as that of the old T-50, but the squeeze throw is shorter – a boon to those of us with smaller hands. The Elite offers a drop-down guide for fastening low-voltage wire and a high-low (+/-) switch to control the depth-of-drive. It also drives 1-inch brad nails. |
STANLEY CARBIDE UTILITY BLADESStanley claims its Carbide Utility Blade stays sharp five times longer than standard blades. It’s not solid carbide or carbide-tipped; instead, it’s a steel blade with carbide powder bound to an edge that is then sharpened with a diamond wheel. Since it’s mostly steel, the blade is as flexible as any other. |
MILWAUKEE 18-VOLT ROTARY HAMMERMilwaukee’s M18 Cordless 7/8-inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer should find its strongest market among mechanical contractors who work on commercial jobs, but it will be of interest to any tradesperson who drills a lot of small holes in concrete. According to the maker, its short drop motor design and light weight (7.2 pounds) make for good maneuverability between pipes and ducts and easier overhead handling. The tool has an anti-vibration handle and three modes of operation: rotary hammer, hammer only, and rotation only. |