10 BEST POWER TOOLS - The Independent, 27 April 2005

As chosen by consumer expert Mark Harris

Panasonic EY3551GQW cordless saw £330
Whether you’re chopping firewood, making shelves or finally getting round to disposing of your Christmas tree, this cordless wood saw’s bite is much worse than its bark. It’s quiet, has an ergonomic in-line design and uses Panasonic’s powerful 18V rechargeable battery system. It comes with an electric brake, switch lock and transparent cutting window for safety.
Panasonic (0870 535 7357; www.panasonic.co.uk)

Dremel 395 MultiPro £50 --- BEST BUDGET BUY
Think of this miniature tool as a Swiss army knife with a plug. It comes with 15 different accessories to attach to the main 33,000rpm shaft, enabling you to grind, sharpen, cut, polish, drill, clean and sand all manner of materials. Dozens more attachments are available, including a flexible shaft for working around corners and even a mini saw.
Dremel (0845 939 5395; www.dremeleurope.com)

Black & Decker LZR2 laser and detector £50
Before you fire up any of your power tools, you should know exactly where it’s safe to work. This portable unit combines a self-levelling laser for positioning with built-in metal and voltage detectors to prevent you cutting through hidden wires and pipes. A tough rubber casing makes it easy to hold or you can hang it up for hands-free operation.
Black & Decker (01753 511234; www.blackanddecker.co.uk)

Bosch IXO 2 drill/driver £35
Unlike most cordless power tools, the lightweight IXO drill/driver uses new lithium ion battery technology. This means that you can charge it up whenever you need without reducing its capacity, and it won’t lose charge if you haven’t used it for a while. The 3.6V system is fine for screwdriving and light pre-drilling, but don’t rely on it to tackle a big DIY job.
Bosch (01895 834 466; www.bosch.co.uk)

Bosch PSM 160A multisander £50
A small sander is perfect for stripping old furniture or finishing off the awkward corners of larger jobs. This one has a special SoftGrip for one-handed use and changing the triangular sheets is easy thanks to a Velcro fastening strap. You shouldn’t need a face-mask while sanding, as it has a built-in dust extractor using Bosch’s Micro-Filter system.
Bosch (01895 834 466; www.bosch.co.uk)

Black & Decker KR70LSR Laserstorm drill £70 --- BEST BUY
Add some thrill to your drill with a built-in laser unit. It isn’t powerful enough to burn through walls just yet, but it’s perfect for lining up traditional bits. The 730W variable speed Laserstorm can tackle everything from screwdriving to drilling through steel, and has hammer action for tough masonry jobs. It sports a second handle and a lock-on button for comfort.
Black & Decker (01753 511234; www.blackanddecker.co.uk)

Echo PAS-2400 multi-tool £300 --- BEST LUXURY BUY
Show unruly gardens no mercy with a flexible petrol-driven multi-tool. This 24cc two-stroke engine can drive a range of attachments, from a good old trimmer (£90) or lawn edger (£140) to a sophisticated cultivator (£170), pruner (£160) or scarifier (£270). All the attachments fit easily in seconds and the power unit itself has a handy electronic ignition.
Echo (01844 278 800; www.echo-tools.co.uk)

JCB 1800W compound mitre saw £150
If you’re planning to make or repair your own furniture, you’ll need a saw capable of making angled (mitred) cuts. This great value 1800W bench saw has a 4600rpm blade, tilts for mitre, bevel and compounds cuts, and even a laser guide for added accuracy. A dust bag helps keep your workshop clean and there’s an electric brake and lock-off switch for safety.
JCB Shop (0500 144444; www.jcbshop.com)

Kärcher 5.80M pressure washer £300
Blast away dirt, moss and stains with this mobile pressure cleaner. It’s powerful enough to tackle most domestic grime (including muddy cars), or you can dial down the pressure for more delicate tasks. The 5.80M can deliver up to 450 litres of water an hour from its spray lance and has a separate detergent tank controlled directly from the trigger.
Kärcher (01295 752163; www.karcher.co.uk)

Stihl MS180C chainsaw £250
Don’t be frightened by the idea of a chainsaw – modern models are light, easy to use and (with a little care) very safe. This compact chainsaw has an ErgoStart system that reduces the effort required to get it running and chain quick tensioning for quick, mess-free adjustments. Safety features include single-lever operation and a QuickStop chain brake on the front hand-guard.
Stihl (0800 137574 quote IN04PR; www.stihl.co.uk)

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