Free Soft

Recently we had several manufacturers visit Ohio Power Tool as part of the annual Tent Sale & Tool Expo. As you might assume this was a very interactive event and everyone had an opportunity to test out many of the new tools. Luckily it was terrific weather and all the vendors could set up tables and tent in the front parking lot. Below are a few short video clips of the new Milwaukee M12 tools that were on hand.

The M12 Copper Tubing Cutter - 2471-22 ($219)

This is a very innovative product and easy to use. There is a switch next to the trigger which locks the open end so you can put the tube in place. Once the copper tube is in the tool flip the switch and pull the trigger. The tool does have a slight tendency to want to pull itself down but with a firm grip it makes a very clean cut.

The M12 Hackzall – 2420-22 ($179)   

The new Hackzall is a very cool new product for the Milwaukee M12 line. At first glance it looks simply like a Sawzall with a little less power but really it is much more. It can do a wide range of different job where you might use a jigsaw or Rotozip. At the same time it’s good for cutting wood, metal and PVC pipe as well. The video below is just one of the examples of a different type of application for the Hackzall where it is simulating cutting a hole for an electrical box in drywall.

Until the end of the year there is also an offer for a free M12 impact (tool only) with the purchase of selected other M12 tools. Both of these are included in the offer as well as the Micro Driver, Impact and M-Spector Camera.  

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From time to time I like to look at the top professional tools brands and see what they are up to. Typically I’ll go to their various social media outlets to get the updates and I had a though, why not have one place and make it easy to find them all or better yet pit them against each other in a virtual Battle Royal.

Why is social media important for a power tool company? Obviously it’s important for any company to be involved in the communication about their own products. Please make it as easy as possible for us to get info on your company, events, promos, new tools and accessories.  Probably one of the best examples of a power tool company using social media (although not part of the showdown) would be the Ridgid Forum, here you get real professionals, company reps and lots of others asking talking about new products, applications, issues, events, etc. Why can’t all of them just have awesome forums where we can talk tools.

Milwaukee Tools – FaceBook – YouTube – Twitter
For years it seemed like Milwaukee Tools was perhaps a little behind the times, they were first out with V28 tools with success but also had some misses. Over the past two years however I have been very impressed with what I have seen from the Red camp. With lots of very innovative new products and some real excitement all the way down the line these guys have good focus on professional customers and do a good job of getting info out in many different channels.

Makita Tools – FaceBook – YouTube – Twitter
Makita Tools I think has understood the idea of being involved directly with customers for some time. Not only do they do a good job online but they tie it all in very nicely with their direct promotions/sponsorships in motor sports, MLS Soccer, the 53’ Experience Makita semi-truck, contests, sweepstakes and of course Miss Makita 2010 & Senorita Makita 2010. If there were a high school for power tools, Makita would probably be the coolest kid in class.

DeWalt Tools – FaceBook – YouTube – Pro Blogs
The Yellow brand is by far the most popular of any tool brand and has been for years. They are focused on FaceBook and YouTube with plenty of good videos available on both. The Pro Blogs are a nice feature of their site. They also tie their online outreach in with DeWalt Racing & NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth which helps get more user/fans involved.

Bosch Tools – (Social What Now)
It is kind of surprising Bosch doesn’t do more with social media. I feel like they do a great job getting info out to magazines and other traditional media. They have innovative new products and build product specific sites like www.boschdaredevil.com so obviously not afraid of being online. They are also good about getting info to other bloggers for new products. The lack of social media has got to be by design and perhaps they just don’t like to toot their own horns but it sure would make it easier for the rest of us to stay up on their products, promos, events, etc.

Who wins… got to give credit to the DeWalt for this one, mainly for their Facebook Page which has a ton of user interaction (and better weapons, photo for the DeWalt M16 from the Facebook page). I’m going to call second place a tie between Makita & Milwaukee, which is kind of a coop-out but I really have trouble picking here. Both are doing some good things in different areas but how do I pick between innovative new products and Miss Makita. Bosch takes a back seat for this round. Social media obviously has zero impact on tool quality but if you use it I guess you expect everyone else to as well.

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