PRODUCT Reviews
I've gone through a lot of tools and products over the years and I thought; Why not share that information? It could save folks a lot of time, money and hassle. Some will seem dated, some unfair - but they're all my opinions. I judge on: does it work, robustness and reliability, right-to-repair (fixable), is it circular? Is the packaging excessive? Customer support is also included in the 1-10 score. I endeavor to support my 1-10 score with a small paragraph explaining why.
Vervor Magnetic Drill 1550w: Score: 6
I purchased on Amazon. I had problems (and still do) with the coolant/lubricant getting to the annular cutter - in fact is doesn't work at all. The work-around was to use a spray bottle to manually cool/lubricate the cutter contact area. I opened a trouble ticket but they kept asking for nonsense items like pics and video proving that its not working (how to you take a picture of the absence of something). The customer service site is a hassle to work with. The unit does do the job but is not as advertised. That being said, it is much more affordable compared to big name brands like DeWalt or Milwukee. I have no idea if its repairable.
SunJoe Chiipper Model CJ602E: Score 2
I bought an almost new unit on Craigslist from an old man in the burbs of Denver. It worked well for about 6 months and then the motor grenade-ed and I've not been able to find a replacement. I even called the company and they said they didn't support that machine model. I fear I may now have a boat anchor. You can replace the blades which is a good thing because the blades dull quickly. It also says it'll take 1.5" branches but that's pushing it. It jams a lot too and is quite an inconvenience but not a deal killer. In the end, it was a painful lesson.