Each master is well aware that a good tool accelerates work many times, and that a bad one surprisingly effectively slows it down. Recently, TV has been constantly advertising such a "miracle of technology" as the Power8Workshop kit. Reviews, many beautiful and spectacular clips in color paint the benefits of this kind of tool. But if you try to find something specific on the Internet, you will surely experience one disappointment.
Choice Issues
What will you get if you decide to find some useful information about the characteristics of the tools that are part of the Power8Workshop? The reviews indicate that no one provides such information at all, and therefore few people can decide to purchase. This is especially true for wise home masters, accustomed to judge the real effectiveness of the instrument by its characteristics.
There is only advertising online stores that are not too generous with information. Therefore, we will cite the opinion of experts in our article based on testing a model acquired for the purpose of experiment.
What is included in the kit?
In fairness, I must say that the manufacturer did not stint on a complete set. Here is what the WS4e model offers with the Power8Workshop Pro kit (reviews on the number of components are delighted)
- A universal drill that can be used as a screwdriver and even a hammer drill.
- Two batteries (2400-2600 mAh).
- Set of drills for drill and jigsaw files.
- Circular saw.
- Jigsaw.
- "Tactical" flashlight.
- Reinforced case that can be used as a workbench.
- Charger.
- Packaging case for tools.
- Guides, level and rack combined in one device.
- Protractor.
- Clamping device.
- A bag with a volume sufficient to store the entire tool.
- Strap lever.
- Instructions for use on DVD.
Positive and negative aspects of use
The mechanism was used for exactly a month, after which general conclusions were drawn. As usual, not only pluses were identified, but also cons. We think it’s not worth talking about how the Power8Workshop suite is described (we will review the reviews about it) in advertising. If you believe the commercials from cunning businessmen, then this is just an incredibly useful mechanism, the disadvantages of which are completely absent. Of course, for our masters this fact alone will immediately cause legitimate suspicions.
Immediately striking is the pleasant appearance of the instrument. Surely this is the circumstance that primarily attracts those owners who want to have a neat and functional device at home. Let's give credit to the dimensions of the Power8Workshop (reviews also point to this detail): unlike the same grinder, it can easily be put into an ordinary travel bag.
Judging by the data presented in the complaint, using the "universal set" you can successfully cut plastic pipes, laminate, wood, stone, tile, metal ... In a word, almost all building materials that are only known in the world.
Transition to field trials
Again, judging by the videos, all this is done as easily as possible, with a minimum of physical effort. Of course, the open inscription on the “Made in China” case is somewhat alarming, but will you be able to find an instrument in our country that would not be made by the Chinese? In a word, despite all the suspicions, the machine was purchased, and after a month it was tested in the conditions of the “field”. However, we will not bore you with lengthy arguments, but let us get down to business immediately.
Positive qualities of the tool
- The set is really light, weighs no more than three kilograms. And with such modest dimensions, most of the models have a power of at least 400 V, and the number of revolutions does reach 4000 at all.
- The pleasant appearance is good not only for the eye: thanks to its excellent ergonomics, the device lies perfectly in the hand.
- The cuts of all shapes and sizes are surprisingly smooth and clean.
- Remember how a bunch of Power8Workshop WS2D (reviews of which we are analyzing) and a vacuum cleaner are shown in an advertisement? So, this is really not a publicity stunt: picking it up, you will get rid of 90% of dust and sawdust.
- Wood and its derivatives, plastic and PVC cuts just fine.
- If from time to time you need a tile cutter, the tool can work as such. Cutting stone and tile is going well, but too slowly.
- It is very convenient to make a groove with this saw.
- This kit contains exclusively cordless tools, although the plus is very controversial. Of course, dragging the cable in your wake is very, very inconvenient, but the battery is a controversial choice. Do you think that you can cut or drill a lot of stone or metal using a Chinese battery? Maybe you should buy a second one? But in this case, it is easier to immediately get a normal tool from trusted manufacturers.
Is everything really so "rosy" as smiling "masters" say in advertising, and you need to immediately run to get a Power8Workshop kit? Reviews indicate that you should not rush. There are several rather unpleasant moments, because of which it is impossible to recommend the acquisition of this tool right away. Think better and "estimate." Perhaps you need some more specialized option.
Negative sides
- Cost. The average declared price is about 17 thousand rubles. We will not say that for such money you can easily find a tool of almost professional level: the same chain saw, for example. Of course, this is a set ... But how high quality are several instruments at such a price?
- A definite and very bad minus is consumables. The kit comes with a disk for stone, for metal, as well as for wood and its derivatives, drills and other necessary components. Their landing diameter is 11.1 mm, and the outer dimensions are 54.8 mm. Have you ever seen such discs and drills on the shelves of ordinary construction stores? In the best case, “gifted” sellers will try to stick in circular saw blades with a landing diameter of 30 mm, or will try to sell a disc for a grinder with a 22 mm mounting seat. Of course, in many online stores such kits are sold, and for a relatively decent price. The only trouble is that in most cases the goods are not available.
What the Power8Workshop model WS2D also sins with. The reviews unanimously indicate that in ordinary tool stores you will not find a single consumable. Of course, there are exceptions, but they only happen in large retail chains, which are simply absent in small cities.
- The maximum cut depth is 12 mm, drilling is possible at a greater distance, but only if there is a new, not "life-beaten" battery. For working with metal, this is normal, but for wood, chickens are laughing. A normal circular saw will take a minimum of 100 mm, not to mention chain tools, which are not a hindrance to a 30 cm log. If you need to drill a high-quality concrete bridge, immediately look for a normal hammer drill: the drill from the kit will only scratch such material.
- Speaking of metal: tools from the kit cut it, but the ease of the process is no longer discussed. Of course, rebar, aluminum or galvanized steel disc takes easily. However, they cope well with the steel corner, but with limitations. So, with a thickness of steel up to 6 mm, everything goes perfectly. At the slightest increase in thickness, serious problems begin. In a word, it is more expedient to cut a profile and corners of normal quality with a grinder. In this field, the Power8Workshop WS3J model has proven itself best. Reviews say that his tools more or less cope with the corners.
Other comments
Oh yes, you won’t be able to regulate the number of revolutions, forget about the smooth start system for a circular and jigsaw blade. To reinstall the tiny disk, you need to use two keys at once, while many normal manufacturers of power tools have long been offering ways to manually adjust their products.
The kit does not include even the most primitive vise and / or clamp. Here's how you want to drill a small carbide metal plate? At least you can step on a large piece, but what to do in this case? Hold the item in your fingers while dodging the drill? Of course, such reviews can be considered nit-picking, but the manufacturer is positioning his kit as "universal", "ready to use at any time."
Workmanship
We should also dwell on the quality of those tools that are part of the kit. It is quite acceptable, but still does not reach professional standards. So, the texture of the plastic that goes into the production of this tool kit is noticeably rough. In principle, there is no particular trouble in this, but if you do not have protective gloves, and you need to work a lot, then an abundance of corns will be provided. Fortunately, there are no huge gaps in the tools from the set, which are characteristic, for example, for cheap Chinese planers.
conclusions
This is the general picture we got. What is the final conclusion? Buying a Power8Workshop kit is only worthwhile if you are interested in the possibility of small work in the apartment, when buying a full set of professional power tools is really not very reasonable. For example, if you need to cut a small emphasis for a shelf in the pantry, then the WS8D Power8Workshop kit will show itself in all its glory.
But ... The table for sawing, which is obtained from a reinforced case, is too short for something more serious. You definitely cannot make a carved platband with it.
Professional - professional tool
If you are interested in a decent amount of housework, choosing one is not an option. The high cost, unavailability of components, dubious performance, an incomprehensible manufacturer ... All this more than crosses out the real advantages of this set of tools.