Michael Springer

About Michael Springer

Craftsman and former tool magazine editor Michael Springer specializes in testing tools and covering the tool industry for construction and woodworking professionals. Based in Boulder County, Colorado, but going wherever the story takes him, Michael crisscrosses the country yearly visiting tool manufacturers and industry personalities and attending trade shows. He also treks to major manufacturers in Europe to stay apprised of the newest tool developments and track the design influences that shape many construction tool products long before they reach our shores. When not out sleuthing or at the shop or job site running the kilowatts through the latest power tools, Michael enjoys unplugging and getting his hands on his collection of antique and new wood shaping tools. He enjoys nothing more than a day of rustic woodworking, starting with a log and making the chips fly with chain saw, axe and adze.

The Hottest New Tools from Milwaukee NPS 2018

Michael Springer May 8, 2018 2 Comments

I just attended the Milwaukee New Product Symposium 2018 and was impressed with the latest and greatest from one of our favorite tool companies. It was my 11th visit to the event, I’ve been there since the start, and it’s amazing to note the arc of cordless progression in the last decade or so. From cordless tools that did what you expected cordless tools to do expanding to models that can outperform corded tools, it’s been a noteworthy progression. And Milwaukee’s goal for rechargeable battery power is to challenge tool fuel sources of all types, not just electricity from the grid or generator. This includes compressed air, gasoline, gas fuel cartridges, disposable batteries, and even hydraulic rams and good old fashioned elbow grease. Let’s look at the top picks for Milwaukee tools coming out in 2018. Read More

Green with Envy – New Hitachi MultiVolt 36/18 Volt Tools

Michael Springer March 1, 2018 1 Comment

Lots of changes are happening with the new, improved Hitachi Power Tools. Since being sold by the giant Hitachi parent company to the investment firm KKR & Co. L.P. last year, the brand is being reinvented under their new ownership. Having previously been a tiny business unit representing less than 2% of a giant corporation (including the assets of sister brand Metabo which Hitachi bought a year earlier), their newfound market agility has freed them up to spend more money for developing and promoting new products like Hitachi MultiVolt (more on that shortly). And, holding their first-ever media event, which I am reporting from, held at the spacious Hitachi North American office, distribution center, and service/repair center just outside Atlanta. Read More