Toolstop To Visit Makita Power Tools

Hi, Neil here.

Just getting all my stuff ready for my trip to Milton Keynes tomorrow with Mark.

We’ll be visiting Ray Wilby, Makita training Manager for a couple of days to shoot as many videos as we can.  We’ve given Ray a list of about 50 assorted tools and over the coming weeks we’ll be editing them and uploading them to the Mr Toolstop Youtube site.  We’ll also be embedding them in the content of our product pages on the Toolstop Power Tools Website.

We’re great believers in showing off power tools in their full glory.  We can write a novel and take pictures from as many angles as you like but you just cannot do most power tools justice in words and images.  The feedback we’ve received so far is that our videos are allowing prospective power tool users to make an informed decision on a purchase.

So, the toothbrush is packed, the video camera is packed, the hard work is about to begin.

We’ll report back at the end of the week about the tools you’re likely to be seeing on film over the coming weeks.

What’s the Best Worksite Radio?

Last week, with Big John on holiday, there was a distinct lack of music around the Toolstop office. So, Neil went into the warehouse and grabbed the Dewalt DC011 Worksite Radio to find out how good quality the music was.

The radio is actually quite a heavy duty beast. The speakers are huge and it gives off a great sound from the FM channels. You can also connect a CD player and the sound from this was even more impressive. The CD player can even be stored in the detachable weather proof holder attached to the radio.

Anyway, it got us thinking about the multitude of worksite radios on the market and which one was the best. It really depends on what you’re looking for, some will work from power tool batteries, some will even charge the batteries. Some are more robust and weather proof than others. Some have CD players built in.

So, we want to hear your views. Whats the best radio and why? Here are a few options:

Bosch Radio
Makita Radio
Dewalt Radio
Hitachi Radio
Milwaukee Radio
Ryobi Radio

Add your comments below…..

First Look @ the DeWalt DW030P Laser Measurer

Full details of the product can be found here on the Toolstop website.

Check out all of our videos on our YouTube channel. And if you’re using Twitter, remember to follow us!

First Look Photos – Bosch GSB 16 RE Impact Drill

As it was another fantastic day weather-wise at the Toolstop office we were delighted to shoot a First Look video of the new Bosch GSB 16 RE Impact Drill.

It’s a great looking piece of kit and it made short work drilling into our block of concrete.

We particularly liked the innovative auxiliary handle. This is a handle that actually locks in every 30 degrees and simply won’t move no matter how much muscle you’re putting into the drilling.

Bosch state that it drills up to 33% faster than the competitors when drilling into concrete. We certainly found it drilled like a dream into our block of concrete.

We sell the drill with charger, depth stop, carry case, auxiliary handle and auto lock keyless chuck.

Our YouTube video will be online soon, but in the meantime you can have a look at our photos of the Bosch GSB 16 RE Impact Drill over on our Flickr Power Tool Geekery page*.

*you’re more than welcome to upload your own power tool snaps.

Follow us on Twitter.

First Look – Bosch GDS 14.4V-Li Professional Impact Wrench

Another brand new Bosch power tool landed – with a satisfying thunk – on my desk today, the Bosch GDS 14.4V-Li Professional Impact Wrench. As the weather was lovely we went straight outside to have a play around with it.

Fantastic machine, here’s the video we shot;

We also took some photos, more of which you can find on our Power Tool Geekery page (please join the group and upload your own power tool photos).

Toolstop Toolbags Hit The Mark

Toolstop have recently launched their new heavy duty toolbags.

After surveying existing Toolstop customers who had purchased power tools it was clear that there was not a bag on the market which was robust, functional or good value for money.  Toolstop offer their customers unique power tool packages which means that the tools often outgrow the bags and cases supplied.  The users wanted to store all their tools and accessories in one place rather than in multiple cases and bags.

So, the people at Toolstop got their heads together and designed 3 bags which had all the best features of other bags on the market.  They came up with a multi pocket, heavy duty, robust, durable, functional and versatile set of toolbags.

The Extra Large Model is 30″ in length, the Large one is 26″ and the medium bag is 20″.  The Extra large bag has wheels and a telescopic pull handle because of the weight you will be pulling.  All bags have carry handles as well as detachable shoulder straps.  They all have a detachable mobile phone pouch which has a handy belt loop.  Each bag has a long side pocket which is ideal for holding a saw.  They all have straps on top of the bag which are perfect for holding longer items such as levels or saws.  The multiple interior and exterior pockets will hold everything from bitsets to tape measures.  There are specifically designed compartments inside the bag for holding batteries and battery chargers for cordless tools.  There is even a document pouch inside the bag which is capable of holding A4 size notepads.

All in all, these bags are just what the trade has been waiting for.

Click on the link if you want to see more details of the Toolbags.

See the video below for a more in depth look at the new Toolstop Toolbags.

Toolstop “Extra Discount Deals” Has Landed

Issue 1 of the Toolstop Extra Discount Deals Catalogue has been landing on doorsteps and falling through letterboxes over the last few days.

The catalogue is designed to offer further savings on already best price products.

With around 120 products with savings of between £5 for a toolbag up to £100 for an access tower there are great bargains to be had.

Go to the Toolstop homepage to sign up for the next catalogue.

Here are a few examples of deals online right now.

Dewalt DW625EK Variable Speed Plunge Router – enter voucher code 1020 at the checkout for a £20 discount.

Bosch DLE40 Laser Rangefinder – enter voucher code 1010 at checkout for £10 discount

Draper 10 Piece Set Of Fully Insulated Pliers And Screwdrivers – Enter code 1010 at checkout for £10 discount

Toolstop Extra Discount Deals

Issue 2 will be available in November

See the press release here

The Gadget Show Does Power Tools

I’ve dug out a couple of old scenes from Channel 5’s “The Gadget Show”.

The first one shows a mixture of DIY and Industrial tools such as:

• Black & Decker BDL500M laser level with built in tape measure – a handy wee DIY tool at a very affordable price
• Dewalt D25840K 7kg SDS-max demolition hammer which has some serious breaking power
• Bosch IXO, a tiny electric screwdriver which fits in any pocket

The second one has 5 DIY power tools such as:

• Bosch Prio – a little hand sander
• Black & Decker 18 volt cordless chainsaw
• Bosch Uneo cordless multitool which is capable of drilling, screwdriving and hammering
• Power8 Workshop which has 8 tools in one corless kit

The Power8 Workshop is one of the best selling DIY tools in the Toolstop range. It is a great gift because there are so many different tasks it can perform. It is a multipurpose addition to your set.

What tools would you recommend as being an all-rounder?

Metabo LT and LTX Class Power Tools

Metabo Power Tools are renowned for their quality power tools and they’ve recently extended the range of cordless lithium ion machines

The range includes 14.4 volt LT drill/driver, combi drill and impact driver, LTX drill driver and combi drill, 18 volt LT drill/driver, combi drill and impact driver, LTX drill driver and combi drill. They plan to add more tools later including reciprocating saw, circular saw and 24 volt SDS plus hammer.

Whats special about this new LT and LTX range?

Batteries – the batteries have electronic protection which unlike other battery protection actually monitors the individual cells condition and status while working and charging. This means that whenever needed the battery cells are always 100% fit for the job and will work together to get the job done. The lithium ion batteries also feature discharge and overcharge protection as well as overheat and overload shut down.

Electronic switch – The rubber coated switch featuring soft start, variable speed and quick stop. These features and the improved technolgies behind them help towards extending the life of the machine.

Impuls switch – Impuls function with flashing LED status display. Metabos unique impuls function (boost puls switch) provides short bursts of bosst torque through the drill bit. This makes finishing off difficult screws, extracting difficult screws or starting off holes in polished surfaces far quicker and easier than you’d normally expect.

New Motors Concept – With increased performance and reduced size and improvements in motor cooling and motor overload (burn out) protection these new machines are sure to last much longer than their predecessors.

LT Class Motors – Improved power density enabling more compact size. Optimised ventilation which allows for lower temperatures so lengthens the life span. Improved cooling for longer periods of use.

LTX Class Motors – 4-pole motor for enhanced precision and durability. Stronger magnets improve torque and power. Up to 75% more efficiency. 4 carbon brushes instead of 2 give increased torque output.

Ergonomic Design and Housing – Modern design improving balance and grip. New gear speed selection switch positioned to enable single handed use. All metal gear box (no plastic parts). New clutch reduces machine length. Slide on batteries.

The LT range are suited for medium duty professional applications such as woodworking, interior construction and installation. The weight of the machines is low.

The LTX range are suited for heavier duty applications in the construction industry but still benefit from being lightweight and compact.

These machines can be seen at Toolstop.co.uk now. Let us know if you need more details.

A Video is Worth a Thousand Pictures

The saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” dates back to the 1920s.

Toolstop always keep this in mind when advertising new power tool products on their website and provides up to 5 pictures in various angles and close-ups to ensure the customer has as much detail about the product as possible.

To take it a step further, Toolstop are now producing videos to help the customers make an even more informed choice. By using videos produced by manufacturers such as Bosch, Makita and Dewalt as well as making their own videos it is believed the amount of information the customer will see allows them to better compare the features of the products they are interested in.

Toolstop are producing 2 videos per week which are hosted on sites such as Youtube and Vimeo and embedded within their site. These videos range from how-to, unboxing, educational and instructional. They even have videos showing how to navigate their site and showing how easy it is to shop online on their site.

Visit Mr Toolstop on Youtube or Vimeo or check out the Toolstop site for more info.