Shop department

Feb 1, 2003 12:00 PM

Open stubborn or clogged grease fittings and joints with the Grease Fitting/Joint Cleaner. It helps free up a joint and fitting so it can be greased again.

The tool forces a light-viscosity oil via a zerk into the joint. The oil loosens old, hard grease and removes dirt, rust or debris. New grease may then be pushed into the fitting.

Suggested retail price: $44.95. Contact Innovative Products of America, Dept. FIN, 1674 Kirkwood Pike, Kirkwood, PA 17536, 888/786-7899, visit www.ipatools.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin.

Oil changes are convenient with the new Oil Caddy. The caddy is a metal-wheeled waste oil container that can be rolled under the vehicle to be drained and then rolled to the waste oil holding tank for emptying. The caddy holds up to 15 gal. of waste oil.

To empty the caddy, roll it next to the waste oil tank, screw on a pressure cap and connect the air supply. Open the discharge valve to blow the oil into the waste receptacle and, in a few minutes, the caddy is empty.

The Oil Caddy sells for $329.95 and includes a standard pressure cap, 8 ft. of discharge hose, discharge quick coupler, valve, fitting, and splash guard and screen. Contact K&R Distributing Inc., Dept. FIN, 1404 W. Church St., Marshalltown, IA 50158, 800/383-3908, visit www.krdist.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin.

Powerful cordless drills

Makita introduces a new line of cordless drills called MForce that provide top performance, durability, power and run time. The new drills feature a two-piece D-31 motor for better serviceability, power and efficiency. The motor includes dual-sealed ball bearings, large cooling fan and precise balancing for reduced friction and temperature. Transferring the power from the motor to the bit is the new all-metal gear transmission, protected in dust-proof housing.

The MForce series drills are equipped with Makita's exclusive shift lock drive system that offers instant, one-touch shifting from drill to driver mode. Two 2.6-Ah nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries provide the power. The drills also feature a new locking-ratcheting, keyless chuck.

The drills vary in price depending on size. The 18v, ½-in. cordless driver drill kit retails for $424. The 12v, ⅜-in. kit retails for $315. For a limited time, the new drills come with a free pair of MForce2 gloves, a $40 value. Call Makita at 800/462-5482, visit www.makitatools.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin.

Cut concrete and metal

A new 14-in., handheld cutoff machine from Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation handles metal and concrete cutting applications. The downward cutting rotation pulls the tool through the work with less chance of jamming and kickback. The new model 6185-20 is suited for indoor applications because it does not generate exhaust like a gas-powered machine does. Only one tool, a 5/16-in. Allen wrench, is needed to change blades.

Prices range from $525 to $735. Contact Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., Dept. FIN, 13135 W. Lisbon Rd., Brookfield, WI 53005, 877/729-3878, visit www.mil-electric-tool.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin.