Selasa, 18 Desember 2007
Expensive Cars Crash Too
Expensive Cars Crash Too
10 Most Expensive Cars of 2008
Maybe someday I'll upgrade from my Subaru Forrester...which most definitely didn't make the luxury list!
Here is the Forbes list from 2006...now these cars look like a discount!
Most Expensive Cars, 2006:
Rank
1. Bugatti Veyron, $1,192,057
2. Pagani Zonda Roadster F C12S, $667,321
3. SSC Ultimate Aero, $654,500
4. LeBlanc Mirabeau, $645,084
5. Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, $637,723
6. Koenigsegg CCR 545,568
7. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, $452,750
8. Maybach 62, $448,153
9. Porsche Carrera GT, $440,000
10. Maybach 57S, $430,355
Source: Forbes.com
10 Most Expensive Cars of 2008
Maybe someday I'll upgrade from my Subaru Forrester...which most definitely didn't make the luxury list!
Here is the Forbes list from 2006...now these cars look like a discount!
Most Expensive Cars, 2006:
Rank
1. Bugatti Veyron, $1,192,057
2. Pagani Zonda Roadster F C12S, $667,321
3. SSC Ultimate Aero, $654,500
4. LeBlanc Mirabeau, $645,084
5. Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, $637,723
6. Koenigsegg CCR 545,568
7. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, $452,750
8. Maybach 62, $448,153
9. Porsche Carrera GT, $440,000
10. Maybach 57S, $430,355
Source: Forbes.com
Senin, 17 Desember 2007
The Aston Martin Vanquish, Number 10 on the list of most expensive cars in the world
The Aston Martin Vanquish, Number 10 on the list of most expensive cars in the world
Lamborghini, consistently in the top 10, among the most expensive cars in the world
Rumor has it that Kobe Bryant bought a Murcielago for his wife Vanessa and then had it converted into an automatic transmission because she couldn't drive stick shift. I don't know, that just seems wrong to me...
The Murcielago has a long tradition, with over 42 years of history in the Lamborghini line. This is one of the classic brands in the top 10 list.
Lamborghini, consistently in the top 10, among the most expensive cars in the world
Rumor has it that Kobe Bryant bought a Murcielago for his wife Vanessa and then had it converted into an automatic transmission because she couldn't drive stick shift. I don't know, that just seems wrong to me...
The Murcielago has a long tradition, with over 42 years of history in the Lamborghini line. This is one of the classic brands in the top 10 list.
Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe
This is the type of luxury car that you expect to see in a top 10 list. Rolls Royce has used the brand name "phantom" a number of times. The most recent addition to the Phantom line is the Drophead Coupe. From what I've read so far, it sounds like an amazing vehicle.
The Drophead is a convertible that got released in January 2007. It is similar to other Phantom models and features all of the luxury components that Rolls Royce is known for.
Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe
This is the type of luxury car that you expect to see in a top 10 list. Rolls Royce has used the brand name "phantom" a number of times. The most recent addition to the Phantom line is the Drophead Coupe. From what I've read so far, it sounds like an amazing vehicle.
The Drophead is a convertible that got released in January 2007. It is similar to other Phantom models and features all of the luxury components that Rolls Royce is known for.
The Mayback, ultra luxury, ultra expensive car
Well, the Maybach does look like a luxury ride, but everyone is really waiting for the newest model in the line. Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH announced that they'll soon launch a "Landaulet" convertible like the older historical Maybachs.
But for now, the Maybach is still ranked among the 10 most expensive cars in the world.
The Mayback, ultra luxury, ultra expensive car
Well, the Maybach does look like a luxury ride, but everyone is really waiting for the newest model in the line. Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH announced that they'll soon launch a "Landaulet" convertible like the older historical Maybachs.
But for now, the Maybach is still ranked among the 10 most expensive cars in the world.
Mercedes SLR McLaren, one of the 10 most expensive cars in the world
The SLR is part supercar and part GT. It was built as a collaboration between Mercedes and McLaren Autos. The SLR has a hand-built, 5.4-liter V8 engine.
Check out McLaren Automotive's official SLR McLaren website for additional specs and a couple of cool pics.
Mercedes SLR McLaren, one of the 10 most expensive cars in the world
The SLR is part supercar and part GT. It was built as a collaboration between Mercedes and McLaren Autos. The SLR has a hand-built, 5.4-liter V8 engine.
Check out McLaren Automotive's official SLR McLaren website for additional specs and a couple of cool pics.
Expensive Cars Guide to the Porsche Carrera GT
The Carrera GT has a pure carbon fiber monocoque and subframe, dry sump lubrication and inboard suspension. The Carrera GT radiator is about five times the size of a 911 turbo's.
Porsche claims that over 75 technology patents have been filed from development of the Carrera GT. Maybe that's how they justify the price tag, at just under half a million dollars - putting the GT in the list of the top 10 most expensive cars in the world.
Expensive Cars Guide to the Porsche Carrera GT
The Carrera GT has a pure carbon fiber monocoque and subframe, dry sump lubrication and inboard suspension. The Carrera GT radiator is about five times the size of a 911 turbo's.
Porsche claims that over 75 technology patents have been filed from development of the Carrera GT. Maybe that's how they justify the price tag, at just under half a million dollars - putting the GT in the list of the top 10 most expensive cars in the world.
Minggu, 16 Desember 2007
Koenigsegg CCX, among the most expensive cars in the world
Koenigsegg CCX, among the most expensive cars in the world
Pagani Zonda, one of the 10 most expensive cars
These cars are Juan Fangio's pride and joy. There are less than 100 in the world, and the price tag hurts, but these are amazing vehicles. Originally people thought that the car would be called the Fangio F1, but the name got switched to the Zonda at the last minute.
The Zonda R Clubsport was introduced to the world this year at the Geneva Motor Show.
Pagani Zonda, one of the 10 most expensive cars
These cars are Juan Fangio's pride and joy. There are less than 100 in the world, and the price tag hurts, but these are amazing vehicles. Originally people thought that the car would be called the Fangio F1, but the name got switched to the Zonda at the last minute.
The Zonda R Clubsport was introduced to the world this year at the Geneva Motor Show.
Ferrari Enzo, Second Most Expensive Car
Ferrari does have flare, and with these doors (and this car) you're sure to get noticed. The Ferrari Enzo is the top of the Ferrari line, selling for a cool million bucks. What do you get for a million dollars, aside from some very cool doors and a cure to any mid-life crisis... you get a Berlinetta body, 6.0 liter engine, and F-1 style sequential shift transmission. You'll probably get a lot of speeding tickets too.
Ferrari Enzo, Second Most Expensive Car
Ferrari does have flare, and with these doors (and this car) you're sure to get noticed. The Ferrari Enzo is the top of the Ferrari line, selling for a cool million bucks. What do you get for a million dollars, aside from some very cool doors and a cure to any mid-life crisis... you get a Berlinetta body, 6.0 liter engine, and F-1 style sequential shift transmission. You'll probably get a lot of speeding tickets too.
Bugatti Veyon, top of the most expensive cars list
The Bugatti Veyron is the most expensive car in the world (well, most expensive new car). It was produced by Volkswagon AG's subsidiary, Bugatti SAS. This thing is a rocket ship...it is about as fast and powerful as you can have on the street.
The Veyron is powered by a 987 horsepower W16 engine and has been clocked at over 250 miles per hour.
Unfortunately this car sells for $1,700,000. That's a lot of zeros...
Bugatti Veyon, top of the most expensive cars list
The Bugatti Veyron is the most expensive car in the world (well, most expensive new car). It was produced by Volkswagon AG's subsidiary, Bugatti SAS. This thing is a rocket ship...it is about as fast and powerful as you can have on the street.
The Veyron is powered by a 987 horsepower W16 engine and has been clocked at over 250 miles per hour.
Unfortunately this car sells for $1,700,000. That's a lot of zeros...
A list of the 10 most expensive cars
These are some sweet rides... here is the first list I've found of the 10 most expensive cars in the world:
Bugatti Veyron $1,700,000
Ferrari Enzo $1,000,000
Pagani Zonda C12 F $741,000
Koenigsegg CCX $600,910
Porsche Carrera GT $484,000
Mercedes SLR McLaren $455,500
Maybach 62 $385,250
Rolls-Royce Phantom $320,000
Lamborghini Murcielago $279,900
Aston Martin Vanquish $255,000
A list of the 10 most expensive cars
These are some sweet rides... here is the first list I've found of the 10 most expensive cars in the world:
Bugatti Veyron $1,700,000
Ferrari Enzo $1,000,000
Pagani Zonda C12 F $741,000
Koenigsegg CCX $600,910
Porsche Carrera GT $484,000
Mercedes SLR McLaren $455,500
Maybach 62 $385,250
Rolls-Royce Phantom $320,000
Lamborghini Murcielago $279,900
Aston Martin Vanquish $255,000
Jumat, 24 Agustus 2007
Home Design And Decor
Interior Design And Decorating - For the intrepid interior designer and decorator there are many career choices. Some people prefer working as a general interior designer and decorator. Others prefer to specialize in one kind of interior designing and decorating such as southern home interior decorating or perhaps the western interior decorating theme.
Office interior design and decorating has lots of different specialties for example: blue print drawing, hallway design, lobby decorating etc. It is important to remember the goal of designing and decorating an office that would make the the clients and employees environment feel more at home than insted of a work space.
If you choose to a specialized field of interior design and decorating there are some downsides you need to be aware of. Most important to remember if you limit your scope for a certain shecailized area of interior design and decorating, you are also limiting your number of clients.
For more information visit:
http://www.interior-decorating-4u.com/
There are also upsides to specializing in one particular area of interior design and decorating. Due diligences will be an asset in helping you make a name for yourself and perhaps become one of the top few interior designers and decorators in your specialized area of expertice.
Interior design and decorating is a specialized career with many opportunities. If you have natural creative and artistic talent this is a great way to express your personal creativity. ~Anthony Benjamin~ http://www.mysecretsites.info
By: Anthony Benjamin
About The Author |
Home Security 101 The Basics Of Securing Your Home
In the latest year that statistics were released, 2004, the Bureau of Justice reported that:
* Nearly one out of six homes was violated by a burglar.
* Three fourths of all crime was property related.
* In nearly 90% of all burglaries, the burglar gained entry into the house or other building.
This is something to remember: property crime occurs every 3 seconds, a home burglary every 15 seconds.
That's the bad news. The enormously good news is that almost any expert in the field will tell you that 90%-that's right 90% of all burglaries can be prevented.
So if the odds are so good that it will happen to you and it is such a preventable event-what is it you have to do to stop the burglars?
Let's start with the basics. There are several simple things that can be done to make your home more secure in the face of almost certain intrusion from a burglar. TIME, LIGHT, NOISE-they are the biggest enemies of burglars.
As a matter of fact, homes with a security system have far fewer break-ins than those that don't. This is not an all inclusive list but one that if followed will certainly go a long way toward making your home more secure.
1. Take a critical look at your house from the outside. Look at your home as a burglar would. Is your house well lit maybe with motion activated spotlights? Are there hiding places near doors and windows? If you can spot a potential weakness in your home?s ?look? you can bet a professional burglar can exploit it. Remember that LIGHT is a burglars? enemy-darkness a friend.
2. What could slow down a burglar from entering your home? Simple home security devices such as locks on doors (deadbolts are best) and windows, bars, grates-items that are visible from the exterior of the house will not only act as a deterrent but slow down an intruder should he decide to try to enter. The more time it takes to break into a home, the more discouraged a burglar will become. TIME is the enemy of the burglar.
3. How noisy can you make it if someone gains entry? NOISE is also the enemy of the burglar. There are many home security alarms activated by doors or windows opening or by motion. The sound of a barking dog, real or recorded, are very effective and will scare most burglars away.
LIGHTS, NOISE AND TIME-they are the three biggest enemies of an intruder. If you implement these home security tips to fortify your house you may well avoid a lot of potential break-ins. Implement these home security tips and you will be able to sleep better in a more secure home.
To find out more about some effective home security devices check out the links below.
Jack Krohn is the #1 author of Home Security Articles in the country according to EzineArticles. He owns SECURITY SOLUTIONS a one stop resource that provides solutions and answers for all your self defense and home security problems.
By: Jack Krohn
About The Author |
How to Creatively Decorate Using Floor Lamps
Antique Lamps
There is a certain elegance and intrigue associated with displaying an antique floor lamp. In home design, the mystery and unknown past of such an item is enough to spark the imagination, as well as provide a delightful conversation topic when family and friends visit. Today, there are manufacturers that strive to recreate this very look by emulating flowery, ornamental approaches towards antique furniture, which allows homeowners to match their lighting sources with other elements of their d?cor.
A few common features of antique lamps include the stained-glass lampshade, brass finishes, and intricate designs. When one is interested in truly decorating their home with antique floor lamps, genuine specimens may cost quite a bit, such as French antique lamps carrying a price tag of more than thousands of dollars. Usually, an antique or antique-styled floor lamp is selected because of its look and fit within a setting, rather than bringing light into the room.
One-of-a-Kind Pieces
Floor lamps are also known to serve as a work of art, as some artists fashion one-of-a-kind pieces that sometimes depict odd, creative, or unusual displays. Some of the unique possibilities of artsy floor lamps include planetary designs, sculpted wooden figures, wild animals, and abstract images. Artistic floor lamps may also use unusual objects to construct the base of the lamp, such as animal antlers, petrified wood, branches, or heat-treated metal. They may rise in the air like an ivory torch or bring the look and feel of fantasy with fairies decorating their base.
Some floor lamps are fashioned with a specific art movement in mind, such as colorful Art Deco pieces. Artists may also hand craft their samples and hand paint customized detailing on the outside of the shade to add characteristic touches for home and/or office use.
Regional Flair
Floor lamps are sometimes used to represent or pay homage to regional pride, as seen in Southwestern selections showcasing characteristic elements added to a lamp, such as images of cacti and rattlesnakes. A New York City-themed floor lamp may showcase a silhouette of the Empire State Building. Cozy wilderness scenes of Colorado and other rustic locations may utilize the image of wild critters, such as the grizzly bear or bald eagle.
Create a Mood
Floor lamps allow individuals to create a mood within their home or office that becomes the focus of the space when one enters the room. A gateway to the past may come alive with a Victorian-style street lamp displaying the soft, burnt orange glow of a custom crafted glass lampshade. Perhaps, the theme of your living room is Oriental ? a solid hardwood floor lamp with a Chinese raw lacquer finish with mother of pearl and metal chrome accents will fit into the d?cor. Color also helps create a mood, such as the vibrant shades of red in Asian-style floor lamps.
Mix and Match Color Bulbs to Match Lampshades
The unique part of purchasing a floor lamp is that you may change lampshades to the base of your favorite lamp, just as you can match different colored light bulbs to create varying effects within a room. Depending on the time of day and other outside factors, various lampshade colors transform light into an array of shades, but red, blue, green, and even yellow lights can establish the atmosphere into a controlled setting, such as a romantic environment to a room set aside for contemplation, withdrawal, or reflection.
In conclusion, the many uses and d?cor ideas regarding floor lamps are quite vast, as homeowners may choose from a host of inviting and exciting selections on the market. Today, an assortment of contemporary, traditional, hip, artisan, and antique lamps expand the possibilities of floor lamp interior design.
By: Des Smalls
About The Author |
Parents Working From Home Myth 2 Theres Plenty of Time
The Solution: Create a schedule and stick to it as much as possible. Creating a schedule sounds easy. If you're telecommuting, you'll need to justify the hours you spend, as well as what you were doing. This will also tell you, if you're working as a freelancer or on your own business, how much your time is worth. With a schedule, you'll have some guidelines...something to send to your boss, show to your childcare worker, and tape to the front door for when friends come to call.
You may need to arrange childcare for certain hours that you plan to be home and working: your boss may require it, or you might discover it's impossible to interview people with your toddler running and screaming through the house. Knowing what your timetable looks like will show you where you can spend quality time with your kids while work hours are spent diligently.
In addition, friends and family often believe working from home means available while at home. With a schedule and a chat, you may prevent hurt feelings.
Your schedule will also keep you honest. Most people working from home know the temptation to "just pick up the living room," or "finish breakfast dishes." When you're supposed to be working, be working. Don't let the house cleaning or laundry call to you. Don't throw a load in when you start working unless you're spending your 'break' time folding it.
But before you start feeling hemmed in by your schedule, think about how to create one (if you have the freedom to create your own...some may not.). You know what your needs are. Make a general schedule to prevent interruptions, but then look at the work you have to do. It may be that, without distractions from the office, you're able to do much more in a shorter time. If so, create your personal schedule based on tasks. When you finish certain tasks, take a break. But be sure you know what needs doing each day. If you finish early and want to take a long break or finish up early, be sure you've done at least as much as your boss expects you to. Sometimes telecommuters are expected to outperform their on-site co-workers.
Table Lamps Can Make Your Home Decor Feel More Elegant
Perhaps, the first thing that you will need to decide upon is the color of the paint for your house. But, do you know that all colors need their share of lighting to liven up. Well, yes, this is a fact and table lamps are a cheap and magnificent way of livening up your abode. Many-a-times, impulsive buyers, to make their dream home come true, indulge in quick shopping and pick up table lamps from any store that they come across. Most of the times such buyers base purchases going only by the lamps' looks. However, for effective lighting, there are many other factors you need to consider other than the looks.
The first thing you must consider while buying a table lamp is that - whether it suits your taste and goes well with the shades of your house to make it vibrant and colorful. The lamps' size and shape also matter. The table lamp that you select must reflect your personality, ooze comfort, easy to operate and maintain, and most importantly suit your budget. You must also check the material of the table lamp and ensure that it suits the size of your house ? it will be ridiculous to place a huge table lamp in the corner of a small house, where every nook and corner must be utilized effectively. You need to also pay attention to the placing of the table lamp. If it is made of glass or any other breakable material, keep it in safe place that is away from the reach of children, if there are any in your house. Depending on the purpose of the table lamp, its power must be chosen. For instance, for study purposes the lamp must be of minimum 60 watts, whereas for decorative purposes it can be much lower.
By: Des Smalls
About The Author |
Wall Sconces Are Unique And An Elegant Addition To Your Home Dcor
By: Des Smalls
About The Author |
What To Consider When Decorating Your Home
By: Natasha Hopkins
About The Author |
Exterior Copper Detailing Is Solid Gold In Home Sales
Even in a seller?s market, it?s important that any for-sale home stand out from other choices on a buyer?s list. ?A buyer may visit several realtors and look at up to two-dozen properties in one day,? explains businessman Russell Cazeault. ?That means it?s critical to make a good and lasting impression. Exterior detailing like copper weathervanes, copper wind chimes and copper planters are an affordable way for home owners to say ?Welcome home? to prospective buyers.?
Cazeault has been helping homes makes a good impression for 18 years. He is president of the Cape Cod Weathervane Company which offers a vast selection of decorative copper details and cooper accents for home exteriors. ?Our traditional Cape Cod copper weathervanes are hand-crafted by master artisans with unsurpassed quality and attention to detail,? says Cazeault with pride.
The company also offers a line of nautical weathervanes and has recently added Cape Cod Address Plaques to its product line. Copper weather vanes, brass door knockers, and cast aluminum address plaques are ?functional as well as artful,? says Cazeault. ?This makes them an addition to the value of any home.
Command High Prices With 10 Low-Cost Fixes
Cazeault admits that copper weathervanes may not immediately spring to mind as an incentive for buyers. In fact, when it comes time to ready a home for sale, most owners grab their ladders and paint brushes, purchase lumber and tools, and make plans to do a little fixing up. Before long, ?they?ve spent all their evenings and weekends and all their money making interior changes that may never be seen because the exterior wasn?t inviting,? explains Cazeault.
According to Cazeault, the best way to ?grab eyeballs? is with his Top Ten Quick Fixes To Improve Home Sale Prices. ?These are things any homeowner can do that provides noticeable improvement. And each item takes no more than a few hours ? many less than an hour.?
By: Ruby Ann Stevens
About The Author |
When Selling A Home It Pays To Perk Up Where You Park
If you are thinking of upgrading your home?s garage appeal you may want to consider something more than a standard steel panel door. According to ?Professional Builder? magazine, designer garage doors are one of the "50 Must-Have Features for Today's Home Buyers."
?We had a seller last fall who replaced existing 70s style flush panel garage doors with carriage house style doors and it changed the entire look of the house,? adds Garrett. ?It sold for full asking price the first day on the market and the owners made a profit. The interior had been upgraded -- but it was the exterior that the buyers fell in love with at first sight.?
Here are some additional garage door changes that might take your home to a new selling high:
1. Give your garage door a new layer of paint. Nothing says welcome home like a cheerful front entry. It?s an easy affordable way to freshen up a paint scheme without having to repaint the entire exterior.
2. Add new stylish lighting fixtures. Light up your doorways, driveway and walkways. Better to have more lights at lower wattages than one, very bright one. Angle spotlights to highlight trees and bushes, creating a dramatic nighttime effect. Solar lights that charge during the day are easy to install yourself.
3. Use mulch ? Rather then leaving your garden messy and unkept mulch makes landscaping and garden beds look tidy, crisp and well maintained.
4. Plant lots of flowers. This is always money well spent because it adds charm and life to any exterior. Even if you have never planted flowers you will find it is easy to do. Bringing lots of new colours to your garden will bring a new life to your home.
5. Re-surface your driveway. Instead of a black top or smooth concrete, consider stained or stamped concrete patterns. This can do wonders for curb appeal.
Article courtesy of http://www.RenovationFinder.com., the ultimate home improvement guide.
Find a local contractor for your new renovated driveway at http://www.RenovationFinder.com
About The Author |
Decorating your home with Tiffany lamps
Created and designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, these lamps can be used in any or every room of your home to create a warm and inviting atmosphere to your home. Unlike his father who was in the jewelry business, Louis Comfort Tiffany desired to bring beauty into the home and Tiffany lamps were the stunning result of his creativity. Tiffany loved the rich jewel colors of blood red and blues found in the Byzantium mosaics. He was able to find a way of adding the color to his glass (so it was actually in the glass) instead of having to paint it on at the end. He began by using discarded glass pieces from stained glass panels to create unique designs. The Tiffany lampshades were then created by fitting hand cut glass pieces into copper foil enclosures. Since copper is very strong, Tiffany was able to design unusual and beautiful shades for his lamps.
Tiffany ceiling lights are excellent for lighting up an entire room. Tiffany lamps come in all sizes as well. Lamps for the bedside table, desks, buffets, and even wall sconces are available. There are even styles of Tiffany billiard lights that conveniently hang above your billiard table and look classy at the same time. Tiffany floor lamps are perfect for those spaces that are smaller, but need a good light source. Tiffany chandeliers add instant elegance to any dining area. Wisteria blossoms, lily designs, the sun and moon, dragonflies and peacock feathers are designs often found in Tiffany lamps and can be matched to country d?cor or a more elegant home design. During the daylight hours, a Tiffany lamp serves as an ornamental piece, but at night it adds warmth and a bit of magic to your home. At night, a Tiffany lamp can reflect diamond shaped or coin shaped designs against your wall, adding a coziness to the room. Reading by a Tiffany lamp is wonderful since they have a bright, yet soft, light. Many Tiffany lamps have stylish lamp bases that are curved like a swan?s neck or remind you of a flower stem. Simpler lamp bases are often made fashioned with a mahogany bronze finish to further compliment the hues of greens, plum violet, merlot, and gold in many of the tiffany lampshades. Wrought iron is another stunning accent to some Tiffany lamps.
Tiffany lamps can be placed in a kitchen, a recreation room, a dining room, a bedroom, a living room or even a bathroom and each area will appear more inviting. Tiffany lamps add a touch of elegance and class to any home?s d?cor and can match just about any color scheme.
By: Des Smalls
About The Author |
Window Locks Close a Window of Opportunity for the Burglar (newhome)
By: Martin Underwood
About The Author |
Can One Mans Trash Really Be My Bedroom Decor Treasure (newhome)
By: Ben Weissman
About The Author |
Wood Furniture Care Looking After Wooden Floors in Your Home
About The Author Adam Peters is the copywriter of http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . Find more publications about furniture care at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/magazine/wood-furniture-care.html |
Kamis, 23 Agustus 2007
Advice on How to Choose the Best Cordless Tools in Todays Crowded Marketplace
The most noticeable advancements have been in the battery life, charging time, ergonomics, and torque. If your cordless tools are more than a few years old, maybe you should consider taking a look at what's new in the market. Over the years it's been my experience that when it comes to cordless tools, you actually get what you pay for! This does not mean you need to purchase the most expensive tool on the shelf.
So maybe you have decided to take a look for yourself? There are many factors to consider when it comes to cordless tools. Will it be used all day long or only once in a blue moon? If you are a homeowner and only use cordless tools around the house for minor projects and repairs, there is no need to buy the top of the line tools. However as I stated before you actually get what you pay for, with this in mind I would strongly recommend staying away from the cheaper tools.
Let's just pretend you are driving past the local Mega-lumber/roofing/tool store when you suddenly remember you have been wanting to stop in and check out a new cordless drill. You arrive in the tool aisle and you see a 25 ft. long shelf, three levels deep, with nothing but cordless drills. Aqua blue, black, bright orange, light green, putrid green, red, yellow, amongst others which I can not identify. Where does a person start?
Here are a few ideas to help get you started. Ask your dad, brother, brother-in-law, co-worker, father-in-law, or local handyman. Still do not have an answer, then please read on.
Battery strength is one of the most important factors when choosing any cordless tool. Be wary when evaluating battery strength, higher voltage batteries are not always the best. The type of battery plays a big factor in how the drill will perform over a period of time Nick-Cad (Good), Lithium-Ion (Best). Amp/hr is where the cheaper tools fall on their face 1.4 (bad) 2.4 (good).
Chuck size is another factor in determining the purchase of a cordless drill. For the average homeowner a 3/8" should be fine, however for heavier work a 1/2" drill should be considered.
Torque means how hard can the drill twist, the higher the better.
Weight of the drill can actually give you a good idea of how well its built, after all, steel gears are heavier than plastic ones.
Color can also tell you quite a bit about a drill, specifically, where it is manufactured. Aqua blue (Switzerland), red (Czech), yellow (Mexico), and sometimes the name will even give it away, Nissan etc.
Aqua blue is my color of choice. I realize there is no comparison between a watch and a cordless drill, but by the same token, there is no comparison between a Swiss watch and a Chinese watch either.
I purchased a cordless tool combo-kit of the 18-volt aqua blue variety in the late summer of 2006. The bag contained a quick 30 minute charger, two 2.4 amp/hr batteries, sawzall, circular saw, flashlight, drill, and a jigsaw. I took it home and fully charged the batteries as the manufacturer recommended. Within a couple of days I had to drive approximately 1,500 3" screws in treated lumber. My new aqua blue drill performed this task with room to spare, something that would have sucked the blood out of my yellow drill. As of this writing I have no complaints about my aqua blue tools, and would recommend them to everyone.
As far as I know there are no longer any cordless tools manufactured in America and until such a time my hat is off to the Swiss and aqua blue!
By: Rickie Bell
About The Author Rickie Bell of this article has 28 years experience working in the highly competitive housing market of the west and southwest suburbs of Chicago as a carpenter. His job titles have included Master Roof Cutter, Apprentice, and everything in between. Most of his experience is in the high end custom home marketplace, including all aspects of fine homebuilding. For more information go to my website. |