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Gerber Clutch - Mini Pliers Keychain Tool

The Gerber Clutch is a small multi-tool that features spring-action needlenose pliers, a straight-edge blade, a phillips screwdriver, two flat-head screwdrivers, a bottle opener, tweezers, and a nail file.  It's not going to replace even a small tool set, but you can carry it on your key-chain.

The Clutch weighs in at 3 ounces and is 2.5 inches closed up.  The blade is about 2 inches long, therefore legal in just about every state, and made out of aluminum, so don't expect to do any heavy cutting with it, but it is fairly sharp.

The red or grey handle is made out of anodized aircraft aluminum and feels quite sturdy, and the spring in the pliers feels relativey strong, compared to off-brand keychain size multitools, but will slip if you're putting a lot of tension on it.  The tools are slightly difficult to get out of the handle, so you'll need strong fingernails.

If you're looking for a keychain/pocket size multi-tool, this is one of the better ones with pliers, instead of scissors.  And Gerber has been known to stand behind their products when they have to.

Specs and reviews at Amazon.

Micra Comparison

UPDATE: How does the Clutch compare to the Leatherman Micra?  Here it is.

The Micra, instead of having pliers, has very nice spring-action scissors.  For a key-chain multi-tool, they are surprisingly sturdy.  The Micra, instead of aluminum, is made of 100% stainless steel, making it all the more sturdy.  It also features a small knife, tweezers, nail file, 2 flat-head screwdrivers, a phillips head screwdriver, a bottle opener, and ruler.  Unlike the Clutch, they are all very easy to get out of the handle.

The Micra is the same length as the Clutch closed (2.5 inches) and weighs in at 1.75 ounces.  Like all Leatherman's it carries an outstanding 25 year warranty.

Personaly, I like the Micra, but usually have more of a need for pliers than scissors - this is where the Clutch has the advantage.  This is up to you though; neither should disappoint.

Makita LS1013 Line of Compound Miter Saws

A compound miter saw is a must have for any shop; it is a saw where the blade both tilts (bevels) and rotates (miters), allowing you to make compound-angle cuts.  It is rapidly replacing the radial arm saw for cross-cutting long boards and making these angled cuts. 

This compact (28.125" x 20.5" x 25.25" / 48.5 lbs), powerful Makita LS1013 series features a dual steel rails supported by linear ball bearings to ensure stable, accurate cutting; a powerful direct drive 15 Amp motor (3700 RPMS); 9 positive stops at 15, 22.5, 30, 45 degrees left or right for the most common miter cuts; electronic speed control to maintain constant speed under heavy load; and the very convenient soft start feature for controlled operation.

This professional-quality saw tilts up to 45 degrees left and right allowing for bevel cuts at both ends of a board without having to flip the board around. It comes on an aluminum worktable that also rotates 45 degrees to the left and 52 degrees to the right.

The LS1013F has get a high-powered fluorescent light (rated at 2000 hours).  The LS1013L has a laser to highlight cut lines for quick, accurate cuts. Unlike most miter saws, however, this laser is mounted above the blade, meaning that you don't have to turn on the saw to activate the laser.  The LS1013FL has both.  Some people find these superfluous.

Like it's older brother the LS1212 (12" blade, no laser or light), the saw carriage slides on two very smooth precision-ground steel rails that run on ball bearing guides and features a large side track for longer cuts.  The miter lock is also placed up front with the rail lock allowing the blade to go from slice mode to chop mode without reaching behind the saw.  The LS1212 won the esteemed Editor's Choice Workbench Award of Quality, with it's only flaw being a mushy depth stop.  Fortunately, things have only gotten better, with the extra features and a fix to the mushy depth stop in the LS1013, as we haven't noticed it all.

If you haven't bought any Makita brand tools before, the warranties are second to none.  In our opinion, for the size and the price, you can't find a better saw.  And if you can find these saws for less than $450.00 jump on them - well, not literally, of course.

LS1013
LS1013F
LS1013L
LS1013FL

Leatherman Charge Comparisons and Reviews

The Leatherman Charge AL, ALX, and TTi, new to 2007, are hands down the best multi-tools on the market.  Leatherman has updated some of the features that receieved complaints in the Wave to create an almost flawless multi-tool.

First, what they have in common:

Needlenose pliers
Regular pliers
Wire cutters
Hard-wire cutters
Clip-point knife
Serrated knife
Saw
Wood/metal file
Diamond-coated file
Large bit driver
Small bit driver
8 double-end bits
Ruler (8 inch)
Bottle/can opener
fixed lanyard ring
Quick-release lanyard ring
Removable pocket clip


Charge AL

The AL (pictured above) weighs in at 8.4 oz, the ALX (pictured below) at 8.3 oz, and the TTi (pictured below) at 8.2 oz.  The TTi is made of Titanium, said to be slightly stronger and lighter than the AL(X)'s T6 aircraft aluminum.  In use, you'd hardly guess/notice it.  The blade on the the TTi is made out of S30V stainless steel, a more sophisticated grade steel than the AL(X)'s 154CM stainless steel.  Again, in use, it wouldn't be noticed.


Charge ALX

The Charges have large bit drivers allowing for double-ended bits to be swapped in and out.  Each have at least one large-bit driver, while the ALX has two, allowing for less swapping, and the carrying of more bits.  The AL and TTi each come with 8 bits, and the ALX comes with 9, although a 42-piece accessory kit can be purchased. 



The bits are slightly thinner than standard bits, like they've been grinded equally on two sides of a standard bit--in fact, this is exactly what has happened, for you DIYer bit-makers.  On the one hand, standard bits would have been nice.  On the other, Leatherman is making bits in this size, and it does allow for a smaller/ligher package while maintaining the strength of the driver.  The drivers, by the way, are non-magnetic--perfect for computer repair.


Charge TTi

The AL has scissors, while the ALX has a cutting hook and the extra large bit driver, along with wire crimpers.  The TTi has the cutting hook, scissors, and wire crimpers, but only one large bit driver.  The scissors are the second weakness of this new series: Leatherman went with shorter blades, than the Wave, but claim that they retain their sharpness better--perhaps they do.  In truth, most multi-tool scissors are awkward to work with, so, really, the Charge's main flaw is that they didn't reinvent them.

This is the extent of the differences.

The quick-release lanyard ring and removable pocket clip now come with the tool, instead of as an accessory, as in the past, and each one comes with either a ballilstic nylon or leather sheath.  Both will carry the Charge in an opened or closed position, the included bits, the full 42-piece bit set, and comes with two side pockets for necessities like mini-flashlights.



One thing I always consider in purchases like this is size.  This could easily replace a small-to-medium size set of tools, but I would like to carry it with me, maybe even in my pocket.  In order to demonstrate that the Charge, although a bit heavy, can in fact be carried comfortably in the pocket, here is a size comparison with standard, everyday-carry folding knives:



Leatherman Charge Al/Alx/TTi
- Closed length: 4"
- Weight: 8.4/8.3/8.2 oz.

Leatherman h502/h503
- Closed length: 4.5"
- Open length: 7.6"
- Blade length: 3.1"
- Weight: 7.2 oz.

Spyderco Delica (Review):
- Closed length: 4.25"
- Open length: 7.125"
- Blade Length: 2.9"
- Weight: 2.55 oz

Spyderco Endura:
- Closed length: 5"
- Open length: 8.25"
- Blade length: 3.75"
- Weight: 3.6 oz

Kershaw Leek:
- Closed length: 4"
- Open length: 7"
- Blade length: 3"
- Weight: 3.1 oz

Conclusion

Along with Leatherman's second-to-none support, this is a tool you will not be dissappointed in.  Again, if you can afford the price, this is without a doubt, the best multi-tool on the market.  Personally, I like the ALX, just because I never use the scissors and don't mind the extra tenth of an ounce.

For reviews and product information:

Charge AL with Nylon Sheath and Gift Tin
Charge AL with Leather Sheath and Gift Tin
Charge ALX Multitool with Nylon Sheath and Gift Tin
Charge TTi with Nylon Sheath and Gift Tin

Denali 10" Compound Saw

Amazon has been tossing the price for this saw between $40 and 60 for a while now; I caught it somewhere in between.  I had read through most of the reviews on Amazon and decided that, for the money, this would be a worthwhile purchase. 



First things first.  This is a cheap miter saw.  Is it going to work as well as a 300$ saw?  No.  Will it work as well as a 200$ saw?  Some people say yes.  I'd say, if you're not doing precision work, maybe.

Some of the reviews mentioned it not being completely square when they got it.  Mine was.  The 40-tooth blade that comes with it isn't the greatest, so, if you plan on doing any finish work, a $20+ investment at your local hardware store will be in order. 

At has a cheap feel to it, until you start cutting.  It does what it's intended to, and it does it well.  It has no problem getting through any of the wood I put in front of it, with its 14-amp motor, and the cuts are smooth and clean.  It also has a very nice finish - not soft and mushy like some miter saws cut.  I like this.

Another really nice aspect of this saw is its size.  It weighs in at about 25 pounds and can easily be carried with one hand.  If you're going from yard to deck to garage to truck, this is something to be considered.

After reviewing the 59 reviews (4 stars total) and considering my personal experience, it seems that what makes this a cheap saw, other than blade, is the variance that comes with the setup.  Some people had plastic tabs broken off - Amazon takes care of that with replacements and gift cards, but most simply had to make adjustments or not be concerned with sub-degree error. 

My take: if you can catch it at 40, jump on it.  It's hard to be disappointed with this miter saw at that price.

More specs and reviews at Amazon.