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Porter-Cable 7518 3-1/4 HP Speedmatic 5-Speed Router

When it's time to step up to a bigger router, Porter-Cable's 7518 should be on your list of contenders. It has as powerful a motor as you can find on a router and a reputation for accuracy and dependability. It's designed to work with bits as large as 4 inches in diameter and has electronic soft start and five speeds, to ensure that you'll be able to use those giant panel cutters safely and smoothly. The large bit capacity also makes it a great poor man's shaper when mounted on a good router table. Like most of Porter-Cable's routers, this model features their autorelease collet system, which does a good job of eliminating the problem of frozen bits and the need for rapping on the collet to remove them. Of all the routers we've tried, Porter-Cable's are among those with the lowest vibration and cleanest cuts. One thing we wish Porter-Cable would improve on is the lack of a spindle lock, which means that two wrenches--and potential knuckle wracking--are involved in bit changes. But given that a router's real value is measured by the results it produces, we'd still recommend the 7518 as one of the best routers available and a great choice for any shop. --Brian Trinen

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Ideal for table mounting;

Soft start for smooth performance;

5 speed 15-amp motor maintains constant speed under load;

Aluminum motor housing prevents heat build-up;

Auto release collets;

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Customer Review:

Super deal!

The router arrived several days sooner than expected. So soon in fact, that I'm not ready to install it yet. The price was better than anywhere I could find using all available sources. The guy that works in the tool department at our local Lowes' store said I "stole it" at that price. No complaints on this transaction at all. And, with the name Porter Cable, you can't go wrong.

Pricey but worth it

I bought this router about a year ago to put in a router table. I spent a fair amount of time trying to decide between a router table with a big router or just stepping up to a shaper. I'm glad I went with the router table and router combination.

This monster has handled everything I've thrown at it without a sign of bogging down. The electronic speed control works well keeping the spindle at a constant rate under varying loads and the 5 speed feature allows me to use whatever size bit I need to to do the job.

I have used this to make raised panel doors out of hard maple. No burning and no problems.

Almost perfect!

I am an amatuer woodworker. I bought the 7518 to put in my Bench Dog router table about 5 years ago. I did lots of homework on routers and a majority rated this router high on the list for router table use. I found that it has plenty of power to spare and will handle any bit that will fit in a 1/2 inch collet. It has five speed settings (10,000 to 21,000 rpm) which handle all of the cutting I have ever had to do. The on off switch is a rocker panel style (but I run my 7518 through a "Rousseau" switch that is mounted outside my router table). You do not want to be reaching inside a router table to turn off the power quickly. (The Rousseau is a better switch than the Bench Dog or any other method because it has a "crash bar" over the stop button that is near impossible to miss with hand or knee or anything else you might use.) If there is a drawback to using the 7518 in combonation with a router table, it is the inability of being able to raise the moter up to change bits as some of the newer plunge routers are able to do. (I solved this problem by purchasing the Benchdog Promax Router Lift from Amazon. Addmittedly, I could have continued using the router plate insert and just keep taking the router motor in and out by lifting if out of the table, but the Promax solved several other issues as well, thus justifying the money spent).
And, you need two wrenches (supplied by Porter Cable with the 7518) to change bits. It would be nice if this router had a collet stop locking button, such as found on other routers like the Hitachi MV12, which requires only one wrench to loosen the collet.

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Keywords: Porter-Cable; (Portercable); Routers; Fixed-Base Routers;

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Black & Decker BV2500 Leaf Hog Vac'N'Mulch Blower/Vacuum

With the Black & Decker Leaf Hog, you can clean up both the deck and the lawn with one reasonably priced and easy-to-maintain machine. This blower/vac is electric, so it requires an extension cord and an electric outlet to run, but there's nothing else to set up or maintain. The 12 amp motor has considerable power for its size, more than enough to clear driveways or decks or blow off sections of lawn. At just over 7 pounds, the Leaf Hog is light enough to use for long periods of time, and it's also quiet enough to use at any time of day. Switching from blowing to vacuuming is a snap--literally. The correct button took us a moment to find, but once you've located it, you simply depress it and remove the blowing unit, then attach the vacuum extension in its place. The extension has a bag for mulch, which attaches with a small clasp. When vacuuming, the unit mulches by sucking leaves through the fan assembly. Though this model, with its patented Vortex anticlog vacuum system, does a better job of remaining unclogged than most, you still need to be careful to avoid rocks and sticks. It also has a variable-speed control that lets you choose between 150 and 200 mph blower speed.

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30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty;

Patented Vortex anti-clog vacuum system allows for easy composting and disposal of material;

3 tools in 1--blower, vacuum, and mulcher;

Push button release switches blower to vacuum;

Variable speed control;

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Customer Review:

Forget This One

Well, the thing worked OK for one season, and then the motor started to wheeze and shreik, the smell of burning wire permeated the air, and the Leaf Hog went to Hog Heaven. Look elsewhere and save yourself some money!

Too Powerful?!

So far, the blower really performs!!! I have to be careful not to flow away all of the pebbles on the ground when I am using it. Probably the best electric blower around.... If you don't want to mess around with gas/oil, go with this.

Durability is not what this unit is famous for

To the extent that this piece of molded plastic can be a durable leaf vacuum/blower, it is not. The cheap brass bearing on the motor housing eventually works its way off and with the brushes kitty wumpus on the commutator the unit starts to vibrate and growl like crazy, the sparks fly, and the smell of hot metal permeates the air. After a dozen or so uses, the twist on bag looses its friction fit and falls off the unit. The really cheap zipper on the bag....and the light weight impeller...and so on. The best part of this unit is the 12 inch extension cord.
When it works it works really good but it doesn't work very long.

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Keywords: Landscaping Tools; Blowers & Vacs; Electric; Electric Vacuums; Electric Blowers; Electric Mulchers;

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Black & Decker CMM1000 19" Cordless Mulching/Rear Bag Lawn Mower

While mowing the lawn may never be considered a recreational activity, this rear bag mower from Black & Decker makes the chore as close to fun as it will ever get. With its 24-volt battery, which delivers 5-horsepower gas equivalent at peak torque, this cordless electric mower represents the top of Black & Decker's line of lawn mowing products. During our field tests, this orange powerhouse stood out above other mowers for ease of use and performance. Its versatile operation allowed us to mulch, bag, or expel the debris from its 19-inch cutting path. Switching between the three methods was as easy as removing the catch bag and the mulch plug--easily performed tasks when the mower is not running.

The most obvious difference between the new generation of electric mowers and the heavier gas-powered mowers of yore is the start-up. The ease with which this mower starts is almost stupefying. Simply pull and hold the thin handle lever, then pull the ignition lever, and presto!--the engine is running. To minimize safety risks to young children, a removable safety key must be inserted prior to starting the mower.

Once started, this mower runs like a dream and is much quieter than older gas-powered models. In addition to the lack of noise, vibrations were also dampened by the cushioned handgrips, a feature that makes mowing a much more comfortable experience. Another innovation is the method by which the mower is raised and lowered. Where once it was necessary to adjust each wheel individually, the height of the mowing platform is now controlled by a single squeeze of a single lever, which allows for seven positions from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches. While this mower is much lighter than a gas mower, we did find that this Black & Decker cordless model, weighing in at 76 pounds, is heavier than its corded relatives.

The only disadvantage this machine seems to have is in the power department. While there were no serious problems during our field test, it was necessary to slow down or go back over thicker sections of grass in order to make a completely clean cut. This cordless model also requires a substantial charging time when first out of the box: the manufacturer suggests at least a 16-hour period initially in order to get peak performance and maximum run time. According to Black & Decker, the battery will be 70% energized with four hours of charging. When fully juiced, this mower can be expected to cut between 1/2 and 1/3 of an acre per charge. Though the charge is one aspect that needs to be considered when deciding whether to purchase a corded or a rechargeable mower, we found the added maneuverability of the cordless over the corded model far outweighs the inconvenience of charge times.

When you've finished mowing, the handles fold back, making it easier to store this mower in a tight garage or shed. It comes with a 30-day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and a manufacturer's full two-year warranty.

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30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty;

Convertible mulcher/rear bagger;

Cuts up to 1/2-acre lots on one charge;

One touch height adjustment (1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches);

Lifetime 19-inch 3-in-1 deck;

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Customer Review:

Not worth the long-term cost

At first glance, this mower is good, but pricy. You think, "Hey, I'll never have to buy gas, and I'm saving the environment."

Well, here's where they get you. The warranty on this puppy is 2 years. Black & Decker freely admit (go on, call and ask) that the battery is expected to go bad in 3 to 5 years. The cost of replacing that battery at a Black & Decker service center? About $150.

When you add on a $150 maintenance cost every 3 to 5 years, this mower is really not worth what you pay. I regret buying mine, which is now 3 years old, and has a bad battery.

Recall Information for older CMM1000

After reading reviews I think this recall may have effected some people that had negative reviews.

SAFETY NOTICE


CPSC, Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Announce Recall to Repair CMM1000 and CMM1000R Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers. (date codes 9534-200230)

Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. is recalling to repair certain CMM1000 19-inch electric lawn mowers because an electrical component can overheat, damage the lawn mower, and poses a possibility of a fire hazard.

This recall to repair program involves only CMM1000 lawn mowers with date codes between 9534 thru 200230. Please check your mower as indicated below to see if it is affected.

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2 Problems Out of the Box

The mower charged overnight (red to green charger light) but the charge meter always showed very low charge after repeated chargings. Upon trying to mow, the two-step safety switch worked once, then stopped working (had to hold down both the safety lever and the handlebar lever simultaneously to mow). I used it for 2 swaths across the lawn before deciding it needed to be returned. The Amazon return policy says that they will not accept returns of items that have gasoline, for safety reasons. It seems that policy shouldn't apply to this item, because it is a dry no-spill battery with no gasoline. Read the descripton carefully: Amazon will not accept returns on this item. Reading the manufacturer's warranty manual tells you that any warranty returns must be postage prepaid by the owner (not my idea of a 30-day hassle free return). This item is heavier than a normal gas push mower because of the heavy battery, and I dread what the shipping cost will be. I really wanted this product to work, because it is so beautiful, and would be so sweet to use if it worked. If I had just one problem, I'd forgive them. But TWO defective items on the mower right out of the box, and two inadequate return policies, has left me very dissatisified with this item.

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Keywords: Landscaping Tools; Mowers; Cordless Mowers; (Lawn Mowers); (Lawnmowers); Electric Mowers;

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Marathon 24030BB 7-1/4" x 24 Tooth Circular Saw Blade (10 pack) with FREE ProTouch Retractable Utility Knife

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Unique shoulder design;

Item Includes 10 - Marathon 7-1/4" x 24 tooth circular saw blades and a FREE ProTouch retractable Utility Knife;

Thin kerf design;

Hardened plate;

Specially engineered heat vents;

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Keywords: Blades; Circular Saw Blades; 7.25-inch Blades; (1/4); Hand Tools; Knives; (Knife); Utility Knives;

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