Contests Galore – Massive Stihl Recall – New Tools from Milwaukee and Makita

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HomeFixated Tool News NirvanaThis latest episode of Tool News Nirvana is chock full of contests from Bosch, Festool and our buddies at OneProjectCloser. It also has a hint of danger with a massive recall of certain Stihl gas-powered yard products. And, of course, more new tool news from Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt. Plus a new Porter Cable compressor you can almost fit in your back pocket. Check out all the tool-sational details!

Bosch Pro or Not So Pro Contest

Bosch Pro Or Not So Pro challengeBosch says, “We’ve all seen it — the schlock repair solution that’s meant to be a temporary hold, but ends up being permanent. We also want to recognize a job well done — the craftsmanship that comes with great pride.”

An example of the not so pro in Bosch's Pro or Not So Pro contest
Bosch’s “Pro or Not So Pro” contest will be highlighting some of these moments and rewarding both the worst applications and the best solutions. That means you’ve got a chance at winning even if you have horrible skills! They’ll be handing out a Bosch Power Box to a winner each week for a month! Just visit Bosch’s BeThePro Facebook page for instructions on how to upload your horrifying or glorifying stories and corresponding photos.

New Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2″ Driver-Drill Kit

makita 18vWith hints of more product releases on the way, the LXFD01 is Makita’s latest release in the 18V LXT Lithium-Ion platform. The kit includes the driver-drill, 2 ea. 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery, 30 minute Rapid Optimum Charger (ENERGY STAR qualified), tool case, and tool belt clip. Model LXFD01Z is the bare tool only. Here are a few stats straight from Señorita Makita (actually, from Makita’s PR team):

The LXFD01 is powered by a Makita-built 4-pole motor with bigger front end ball bearings, and delivers 480 in.lbs. of Max Torque and 290 in.lbs. of PTI Torque. The new planetary gear system and transmission has been redesigned for increased durability in a more compact size, so the LXFD01 is only 7-9/16″ long and weighs only 3.8 lbs. The LXFD01 has 16 clutch settings and a variable 2-speed all-metal transmission (0-400/0-1,500 RPM) to cover a wide range of drilling and driving applications. The improved ergonomic design with a new rubberized soft grip delivers increased comfort on the job, and the built-in L.E.D. light illuminates the drilling surface for applications in dark spaces and close quarters.

Massive Stihl Recall On a Broad Range of Gas Powered Tools

stihl recall gas cap
The BR 500 Blower is just one of several products in this Stihl recall
For those of you that didn’t catch this last month, Stihl has recalled roughly 2.3 million yard power products due to burn and fire hazards. Yes, I said “million.” That’s a lot of yard tools. According to the detailed U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report, ethanol and other fuel additives have been reported to distort the toolless fuel cap. Stihl received 81 reports of difficulty with the caps and fuel spillage but thankfully no injuries have been reported. Products named in the recall include, “Gas powered STIHL trimmers, brushcutters, KombiMotors, hedge trimmers, edgers, clearing saws, pole pruners, and backpack blowers that utilize a toolless fuel cap.” More details on this are also available directly from the Stihl website.

New Milwaukee Rotary Hammers

milwaukee 5263 rotary hammerMilwaukee has announced a trio of new Rotary Hammers including: 5263-21 – 5/8″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Kit, 5262-21 – 7/8″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Kit, and the 2605-22 – M18™ Cordless 7/8″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer. Boasting compact sizes, lighter weights, faster drilling, greater durability and harder impacts, Milwaukee is letting the superlatives fly! The 5263-21 is described as the most compact rotary hammer in it’s class, and Milwaukee’s Anti-Vibration System keeps you isolated from the power. Look for these via our sponsors OhioPowerTool.com and TylerTool.com when they hit the market.

OneProjectCloser Hosts Before & After Contest for Habitat

This is the fourth before and after series our friends over at OneProjectCloser.com have run to raise support and awareness for Habitat for Humanity. Ethan Hagan claims, “We really believe in Habitat’s mission, and we’ve seen how their efforts can transform a community.” Uh-huh. Pssssst, we think it’s all just an elaborate ploy to hide Ethan’s fetish for looking through before and after pics. Either way, if you’d like in on the action, just submit a before/after story with pictures. OPC will pick the best submission each week and the winner gets a $50 gift card PLUS they make a $100 donation to Habitat in the winner’s honor. The series runs through the summer at which point they open up the voting for the best entry. That grand prize winner receives an additional $150 gift card. You can find all the details here at OneProjectCloser.

DeWalt Wearable Backing Flap Discs

DeWalt wearable flap discsIf you’re into welding or metal work, you’ll be happy to hear DeWalt has announced new wearable backing flap discs which are reported to last 2 1/2-times longer than standard flap discs. DeWalt also states 40 percent faster speed stats than standard flap discs. A new exclusive wearable backing wears away at the same rate as the cloth which improves product and reduces waste. If you like seeing sparks fly, you need to check out DeWalt’s promo video here, it has more sparks than the Fourth of July:

PORTER-CABLE® Launches Compact, Low-Noise, One-Gallon Trim Compressor

porter cable C1010
The little engine that could? Meet Porter Cable's most portable compressor yet

Earlier this week PC announced the introduction of its heavy-duty, one-gallon, 135 Max PSI quiet trim compressor, model C1010. When it comes to compressors, we’re all over anything that’s truly quiet. Highlights include: .75 standard feet per cubic minute (SCFM) at 90 pounds per square inch (PSI) and 135 Max PSI. Porter Cable even says at 71 decibels (dBA), “professionals can talk over the unit while it’s in-use.” It doesn’t say how loud they need to talk, but we’re optimistic this pint-size wonder (which weighs in at a mere 24 pounds) works at a hush. An oil-free, long-life pump keeps things clean and low maintenance. Stay tuned for a possible upcoming review.

Big Prizes from Festool This Month

For the month of June Festool has a sweet pairing of the sweepstakestaculous TS 55 Plunge Cut Saw and CT 26 Dust Extractor. This powerhouse combo of Festool goodness retails for over a grand. Enter to win (and find a link to official details) via the Festool Sweepstakes portal.

festool sweeptstakes
There's still time to win this sweet TS 55 Tracksaw and a CT 26 Dust Extractor

Photo of author

About Marc Lyman

Marc grew up under a brave single mom who "encouraged" home improvement on the family home. Early toddler gifts included a tool set, and even a cordless Bosch drill when cordless drills first came out. In grade school (give or take a few years), Marc's mom said, "We need to cut down some trees. . . . here's a chainsaw." A father figure also involved Marc in many home improvement projects, including a summer of home remodeling in Palo Alto, CA. Toss in some Obsessive Compulsive personality traits researching everything home improvement related. The end result: a genetically pre-disposed, socially sculpted home improvement machine! For his complete profile, please visit our About page. Really, it's worth it.

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2 thoughts on “Contests Galore – Massive Stihl Recall – New Tools from Milwaukee and Makita”

    • No sweat Joe, looks like a fun contest! The Stihl recall does sound like a major bummer. When the quantities run into the millions of units, even just a gas cap swap sounds like a pretty major undertaking. The good news is it does not sound like anyone has been injured thus far . . . catching on fire during yard work would not be cool!

      Reply

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