For any contractor or professional woodworker the Hitachi C12LDH 12-inch Dual Bevel Compound Miter Saw is the by far the most complete miter saw I’ve ever used. No matter what the project, this compound miter saw does it all.

First, the Hitachi laser marker system that you can turn on before the blade starts and it’s easily adjustable to the left or right of your cut mark.

Next, the thumb-actuated miter stops allow for simple miter adjustments. And after you set your bevel angle, a micro-bevel adjustment knob provides precise angle adjustment for superb accuracy. The pivoting aluminum fence is 5–1/8 inches high making cutting crown molding a snap.

The powerful 15-amp motor provides plenty of power for any job, and the elastomer grip handle keeps all that power under your precise control. So, if you want power, flexibility, state of the art precision, and durability, this is the only saw for you. Definitely the professional’s choice.

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Choosing a reasonably priced DIY compound miter saw.

Buying a miter saw is quite an investment, and can be a difficult decision with all the choices out there, so knowing what features you’ll need and which ones you’ll use the most is crucial to making a good choice. I’ve had several miter saws over the years and have come to know what features are important and most useful, that’s why, after careful consideration, my recommended choice is the Hitachi C10FCE2 compound miter saw.

This is definitely my favorite reasonably price precision compound miter saw for do-it-yourselfers. Control is the key to accuracy and the elastomer soft grip horizontal handle gives you that control.

Another essential feature is the thumb-actuated positive miter stops, these preset stops provide easy access to the most common angles you’ll use. As well, the easy turn/lock handle provides precise locking on those in-between angles. And the large extended flip fence raises to four inches, which allows you to accurately cut larger pieces, such as crown molding. The easy to use bevel adjustment adjusts up to 45 degrees, to the left, for precision bevel cuts. Plus there’s a convenient hold down clamp for securing you work.

As far as power goes there’s no compromise here. With the saw’s 15-amp motor and 10 inch blade you’re able to make crosscuts and compound miters with ease. And while you’re making those cuts, the dust collection bag catches most of the sawdust, and is very easy to empty.

This is definitely the best all around DIY compound miter saw. The saw comes with a 10-inch blade, extended fence, dust bag, vise assembly, box wrench, and hex bar wrench. And best of all, it comes with Hitachi’s five year warranty, for years of excellent service.

So if you’ve been looking for a reasonably priced compound miter saw, look no further, this is it. Enjoy!

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The DIY hobbyist best choice for cutting the curves, is an excellent jigsaw with all the useful features you’ll need to succeed with speed.

Having a nice variable speed jigsaw around the house or shop is great for cutting curves, notches, circles, and is also a very popular tool with hobbyist. So when I went looking for a reasonably priced DIY jigsaw, I found just what you’ll need in this Hitachi top handled model.

I like the top handle model, with the Elastomer grip, and D shaped handle, as it provides comfort and control. The ladies will really like this feature too, as many tools have to large of a handle to be comfortable and easy to control.

The top-mounted LED light makes for easy cutting in any light, and the powerful dust blower substantially improves visibility of your cut line. Both very important features when choosing a jigsaw.

The powerful 5.8 amp motor, and electronic speed control allows for easy controlled cuts in most materials including; including wood, steel, aluminum, copper, vinyl, and stainless steel sheeting. And all these features come in a jigsaw that weights under 5 lbs! Remember, less weight means more control. Very nice. Oh, I forgot to mention the tool-less blade change system. Just flip the lever, pop the blade out and replace. It’s just that easy.

With all these great features and Hitachi’s 5 year warranty you can be assured that your money has been well spent.

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Here is why Festool is the professional choice when it comes to the best Jigsaws.

Wether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or professional woodworker looking for a commercial quality jigsaw, the Festool Trion PS 300 EQ is by far the best jigsaw you can buy.

When it came to buying a jigsaw for our high end cabinet shop, Festool made it easy. There’s no compromising here, just high quality and durability.

It’s 3-way blade guidance means the blade stays exactly at the angle you set. This means you can achieve precise bevel and miter cuts with ease. The non-scarring base plate takes the worries out of accidental damage to your projects. It sure beats taping up the base to protect your work.

Changing blades couldn’t be easier with Festool’s “fast fix” blade change. Just flip the lever, pop the blade out and replace, all with one finger. Nice.

The powerful 6 amp motor provides enough power to cut through 4–3/4 inch wooden beams, 3/4 inch aluminum, or 3/8 inch steel. Now that’s real power, and the cuts always come out straight and true. All that power combined with the variable speed control, low center of gravity, and ergonomic switch placement allows for easy operation, and precise results. I should also mention that the power cord is the twist lock type, and is removable for easy storage.

Dust collection is accomplished by three slots in the base that connect to the rear dust collection port. Using the splinter guard and chip guard are helpful not only in preventing damage, but also to assist with dust collection.

And don’t forget about transport and storage, Festool has that well in hand also, with their Systainer storage case. It’s made of extremely strong high impact plastic, and is stackable with other Festool cases.

So if perfection is your goal, look no further, Festool has you covered.

By the way, this jigsaw is also available in a top handle model at the same price.

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A proper right-handed circular saw with all the convenient features wrapped into a light-weight, easy-to-use package.

This Milwaukee right handed circular saw is my new favorite DIY power tool. I’d been using a 16 lb worm drive saw for years, but now, around the house, I’m enjoying the lighter weight, as well as the ergonomics of this saw. The ladies will love this saw too, as the tilt-lok handle adjust to most applications, making the saw very easy to control.

This saw is for right handed DIY’ers. Which means, with the blade on the left side of the saw you can easily see the blade, guide, cutting line while holding the saw in your right hand. This makes it much easier to cut a straight line, not to mention safer. The tilt-Lok handle can be adjusted back, for vertical cutting, forward for horizontal cutting, or anywhere in between.

The 15-amp motor provide almost as much power as a commercial worm drive saw and will handle about any DIY project, and in comfort. This saw also has an easy to reach depth lever and bevel adjustment. The bevel will adjust to 50 degrees, farther that most worm drive saws, giving you all the flexibility you’ll need.

This Milwaukee circular saw kit comes with a carbide-tipped saw blade, blade wrench, and hard case for easy storage and transport.

So if it’s time to get serious about buying an easy to handle DIY circular saw, look no further. This one will last you a good long time.
A left handed model is also available.

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The reasons DIY’ers, framers, and contractors choose the Skil worm drive circular saw.

I started in the construction business more years ago than I can remember. First as a laborer and then moving into framing. That’s when I bought my first commercial circular saw: the Skil 7–1/4 inch worm drive saw.

Before that, I was using a standard 7–1/4 inch DIY circular saw. The first time I used my Skilsaw I was totally amazed at the power and how its balance made it so easy to control. This is one amazing saw.

First off, I’ve got to say, this saw was designed and built for framers and contractors, and isn’t for everybody. At 16 lbs it’s quite heavy, and takes a bit of time to learn how to handle. But once you get a handle on it, it’s the finest saw you’ll ever own!

Great care was taken in the design of this fine saw, such as the precision-machined worm gears that eliminate the kickbacks found in the lighter saws. The heavy duty aluminum foot glides smoothly over your work, and the large, quick-release, positive locking bevel and depth levers make this saw easy to use, and extremely accurate.

The 15 amp motor has all the power you’ll need, and there’s easy access to clean or change the brushes. It also comes with a two position saw hook, or sometimes called a sky hook, used for hanging the saw on rafters and joists.

The push button blade lock allows for fast and easy blade changes, and the “anti snag” lower guard allows for very smooth operation.
Skil SHD77 saw details.

I’ve owned and commercially used my Skilsaw for well over twenty years now and have never needed to replace anything, except the blade, of course. In my opinion, no one has built a better worm drive saw.

If you’re considering investing in a worm drive saw, take my advise and buy a Skil. It’s a sure thing.

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The best DIY demolition tool.
If there’s demo work to be done, then you’ll need a reciprocating saw. Often called a “sawzall” (pronounced “Saws All”), this type of saw is an excellent tool for cutting studs away from plates, cutting nails and just getting into those places standard circular saws just won’t go.

A sawzall is very similar to a jig saw, with it’s foot and oscillating blade, but the sawzall blade is much wider, and longer, and a sawzall has much more power.

Most sawzalls are very similar in design but vary in power and features.

The most important features to look for are the ability to change blades quickly without the use of tools, and a comfortable weight and grip. As control is everything when using a sawzall. And of course a great warranty.

That’s why I recommend the Hitachi CR13V, as it provides all the features we’re looking for in a reasonably priced reciprocating saw.
Hitachi’s tool-less blade change system not only makes changing blades really fast, but you can also install the saw blade with the teeth facing either side of the saw.This provides extra flexibility for getting into hard to reach places. The easy grip D-handle, and a weight well under 8 lbs provides the safety and ease of control you need.

As far as power goes, the 10 Amp motor with electronic feedback control gives you all the power you’ll need for most DIY home improvement demo projects.

And Hitachi’s five year warranty completes the list of features on our list, and assures excellent service for many years to come.

The Hitachi CR13V comes with an all-purpose blade, hex bar wrench, and heavy-duty carrying case for easy transport and storage.

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The real truth about tools and their uses.

With the help of almost the entire DIY population here are the seldom revealed, but well know real uses of our common DIY tools. Enjoy!

PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER

Normally used to stab a hole in oil cans thus splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used to strip out Phillips screws, while blistering your palm.

STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER

A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws, and butchering or slotting your palms.

PLIERS

Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

SIDE CUTTERS

Most often used to cut electrical wires resulting in a flash of light, followed by smoke and a breaker being tripped.

VISE-GRIPS

Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

CHISEL

The best tool to create a huge splinter of wood where you only wanted to remove a bit.

HAMMER

Originally employed as a weapon of war. Nowadays the hammer is often used to bend nails, flatten fingers and sometimes destroy anything close to what we are trying to hit.

UTILITY KNIFE

Used to slice through the contents of cardboard packages delivered to your front door; such as seats, clothes, liquids in plastic bottles, books, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Also useful in sharpening pencils from 6″ down to 2″ in a matter of seconds.

PRY BAR

Most effective in destroying the wooden trim that you are trying to remove, or putting a hole in the drywall as you try to remove that wooden trim. Also a great to crumple that metal clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

HOSE CUTTER

Simply a tool used to make hoses too short.

THE NAIL SET

By far the best tool for setting nails and splitting trim at the same time.

HACKSAW

One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle… It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

SKILL SAW

A portable cutting tool used to cut studs too short, make incomprehensible miter cuts, and make weaving cuts down the length of a sheet of plywood.

RECIPROCATING SAW

The perfect power tool for breaking blades as soon as you pull the trigger.

BELT SANDER

An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

THE 1/2″ DRILL with two handles

First off, go ahead and remove that side handle. Now proceed with breaking your wrist. Told you so.

JIG SAW

The best power tool for cutting weavy lines on some bizarre angle.

TABLE SAW

A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity, as well as shortening digits.

PALM SANDER

Excellent for sanding the little scratches out of that table top, but resulting in burning through the veneer.

THE COMPOUND MITER SAW

Yes, you guessed it, for cutting those compound miters on crown molding that are always just a bit to short.

HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK

Used for lifting your car of the ground, but not keeping it there. Also used to test the strength of parts not made for lifting you car off the ground.

DRILL PRESS

A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching whatever you’re drilling out of your hands, so that it smacks you in the chest, flings your beer across the room, and ultimately dents the freshly-painted project you had carefully set in the corner.

WIRE WHEEL

Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, ‘Oh sh –’

OXYACETYLENE TORCH

Used almost exclusively for lighting almost anything in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.

BAND SAW

A large stationary power saw primarily used to cut most types of material into smaller pieces that fit more easily into the trash can, due to cutting on the wrong side of the line.

TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST

A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.

THE SON of a B****’ TOOL

The closest tool you grab and throw across the garage while yelling ‘Son of a B****’ at the top of your lungs, just after having used any of the above. It usually turns out to be the next tool you’ll need right after you let it fly.

A great tip about circular saws.

First off I just want to say thanks to everyone for all the great feedback about the The Best DIY Home Improvement Books. Also, thanks for the list of topics you would like me to cover. I’ll do my best to get to as many as possible.

I’ve also received many questions about tool boxes and it just so happens I discovered a fantastic tool box, totally by accident. In fact, I now use this tool box exclusively to carry all my essential hand tools. I just wish I’d found this tool box long ago — it’s the best tool box I’ve owned and would have saved me a lot of money from buying all those other expensive tools boxes.

One more thing, don’t hesitate to tell me what problems you’ve had, or are having, with your DIY projects, as I’ll be happy to offer solutions to help you get your project back on track. Please let me in on your accomplishments too.

Today’s Essential DIY Tip

Are you ready to buy, upgrade, or having a bit of trouble using your current circular saw?

Are you having trouble getting your cuts straight or just feeling a bit uncomfortable with your saw?

Don’t be discouraged because you’re not alone. This is a case where having the right tool for your do-it-yourself project is so important.

Did you know that these saws come in right– and left-hand models? You probably didn’t as this is a little known fact and probably the reason you’re having difficulties using your current saw.

I’m going to show you the differences between these saws and why having the correct saw will make you life easier.

So here we go.

Here is the type of saw used by most right-handed do it yourselfer’s (well most DIY’ers) — but this is a left-handed saw.

If you are anything like me, you probably just picked up or bought a circular saw and starting using it. And with most things, you just became comfortable what you were using. But many of us just can’t seem to get our cuts to come out straight.

Well I’m right-handed and I did the same thing, but then I noticed that some circular saws have the blade on the other side. What is up with this I thought?

So what makes this circular saw a left-handed saw?

When you’re holding the saw in your left–hand you can easily see the cutting line, guide, blade and your work, making it a snap to cut a straight line. But if you are holding the same saw in your right–hand you have to look over the saw to see the cutting line, guide and blade, thus making it quite difficult to see your work — let alone cut a straight line.

So, the solution for us righty’s is a right-handed circular saw, and here it is!

Now with the handle in your right-hand you don’t have to look across your arm and the circular saw to see. The blade, guide, cutting line and your work are easily visible. So cutting that straight line will be a breeze—not to mention safer too.

Recommended Corded Circular Saws

If you’re looking for a new, corded circular saw for your DIY projects, my personal recommendation is one of these two. Both are high quality, right handed circular saws.

1. Milwaukee 6391–21  15 Amp  7–1/4 inch  Circular Saw–Blade on Left –Tilt-Lok Handle (excellent feature)! Learn More
2. Porter Cable 423 MAG 7–1/4 inch Circular Saw.
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   Give one of these great circular saws a try and see your skill and confidence improve.

   If you have questions about your DIY projects or tools just ask your Personal DIY Consultant. I’m here to help you succeed with speed.

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