Dewalt DW340K Heatgun

Dewalt DW340k Professional Heatgun - Paintstripper

This trade quality hot air gun is suitable for home DIY as well as for professional use.

Designed and marketed as an easy to use, rugged, tough power tool, it is also available to buy at an affordable price.

Unlike other professional brands on sale, the Dewalt DW340k can be purchased for around the same retail price as a branded DIY model but is far superior when it comes to paint stripping, drying, and other tasks.

This is an robust and proven reliable piece of equipment that is suitable for home decorators and professional tradesmen alike, being capable of being used for continuous operation. It is of a manageable size and weight and is very easy to handle.

With 2000w power and a variable heat setting control, this heatgun is versatile giving the user complete control with relation to the material being worked on.

For the stripping of oil based paints on woodwork this unit will produce sufficient heat for the paint to bubble and be easily scraped off. It can also be used for plumbing work where soldered joints are needed when it is used with the addition of a cone shaped nozze.

Additional uses are providing hot air for the shrink wrapping of plastics. Drying out certain types of paint, stains, and varnish. Heating plastic pipes and conduit (allowing them to be bent and shaped for plumbing and electrical installation work). Softening glues and adhesives - in particular on floor tiles and kitchen worktop trims. Drying out damp wood and heat curing of decorating products such as wood and plaster fillers.

A hot air gun can also be used in engineering applications where metal components, shafts, pulleys, bearing housings etc need to be heated to allow removal.

For leisure use a heat gun can alos be a substitute form of ignition for a charcoal barbeque.

Features And Specifications Of The DW340K

• 2000w Power
• Variable Heat Control
• Ergonomic Design
• Temperature Range 50 - 600 Degrees C
• Weight 0.85 kg
• Rubber Vertical stand Insert
• Professional Quality
• Optimised Cooling Fan
• Inc Cone Nozzle, Glass Protector Nozzle
• Inc Spoon Relector Nozzle, Fish tail Nozzle
• Inc Paint Scraper

To sum this model up, it offers professional quality yet at a DIY power tools price! Supplied with a range of useful nozzles and a paint scraper this is not the cheapest hot air gun money can buy, but it is affordable and a great value for money Dewalt Power Tool.

Keeping Power Tools Casings Clean

Methods For Cleaning The Casings On Cordless And Electric Tools

Most modern battery operated and electric power tools have housings and casings manufactured in metal or one type of plastic or another.

Depending on the country the tool is to be distributed and ultimately sold in, the tools casings will be made using either steel, aluminium, or normally an abs type hard plastic. The design and material used is dictated not only by the type of use the tool is to be put to, but also by the health and safety regulations and laws in the country of sale.

In the USA it has been common practice for manufacturers such as Bosch, Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, and many others to use a great deal of aluminium in a power tools construction. This gives some of them an "old fashioned" appearance compared with others which have totally plastic clamshells.

One reason as to why this has been common in the USA compared to the UK, and other countries in Europe, is that in the USA the mains electric supply is 110v compared to 240v. In a 240v power tool there is a possible risk of the user getting an electric shock if the tool is faulty and the electric current conducts through it's metal casing.

All "CE" marked tools for sale in the UK and European countries now have to be double insulated hence their casings are mostly made of plastic or similar materials.

Cleaning Plastic Housings On Power Tools

If oil or grease is present on the particular tools casing the tool should first be disconnected from any power source whether it is mains electric, or battery powered. In the case of cordless tools the battery should be completely removed unless it is self contained.

Using soft cloths and a soft cleaning brush (a toothbrush is ideal), a degreasing agent such as the one manufactured under the brand name "Gunk" should be sparingly applied to the surface areas that need attention. Care needs to be taken to ensure none of the degreasing solution enters the cooling or ventilation apertures.

Following the manufacturers instructions with regards to timescales, the degreasing liquid should be given time to work and break down the dirt, oil, and grease present. It may be neccessary to wipe the solution of the tool casing and apply a new layer of solution several times. It all depends on how dirty or soiled the power tool is.

The use of the soft brush, being agitated in various directions will help the cleaning solution do it's job and allow the cleaning solution to penetrate deep into any scratches, gouges, or pit marks that are present.

When you are happy the degreaser has done its job, the tools casing should be given attention with a clean soft cloth to remove any excess liquid and the oil / grease deposits present. The plastic housing (clamshell) should now be completely dried and left for five to 10 minutes for any vapours to evaporate.

The next stage is to apply a cleaning product that will prevent the grease, oil, or dirt building aggresively up in future and help keep the casing clean. There are several products freely available to buy that are suitable but it is important to choose one that has no silicone or polish type surfactants in its make up.

Some of the most effective plastic cleaning products are those that are used in the automotive industry. One being "autoglym" plastic and rubber cleaner. This is an easy to use gel type solution that is long lasting. It is free of silicone, silica, and ammonia. This is ideal for the cleaning of power tools, forming an anti static barrier that protects against moisture, dirt, dust, oil, and plastic staining.

Dewalt DC988KA 18v Combination Drill

DC988Ka Rechargeable Cordless Combi Drill

This particular cordless battery operated drill is one of the most popular professional power tools bought by tradesmen worldwide.

As with all Dewalt Tools, what makes this combination drill different from other brands is the high build quality, it's robustness, and above everything else, it's high performance at being able to drill effectively into a wide range of construction materials.

The Dewalt DC988KA 18 volt drill is a combination hammer action drill capable of cordless drilling into wood, plastic, metal, plasterboard, plastics, laminates, brick, stone, concrete, as well as many other types of materials.

It's hammer action (a percussion type action) can be turned off or on allowing it to also drill into materials other than masonry. By utilising it's variable speed and two speed gearbox the DC988 is also a strong performer when drilling into steel, aluminium, brass, copper, marble, timber, and plastics.

Especially useful when drilling into stone work is the reverse action fitted to this cordless drill. This allows easy removal of the drill bit being used by simply reversing the bit out of the hole. At the same time this also clears the hole of any masonry dust present.

When drilling into thick gauge steel drill bits have a tendency to become stuck. Again, with the Dewalt DC988KA this is not a problem. The reverse action can be selected permitting the drill bit to be "backed out" and safely removed.

Having a large capacity keyless chuck this combi drill is also capable of accepting large diameter "zip" and "auger" wood drilling bits. By using these or a standard wood bit this 18 volt drill is capable of drilling a hole in timber of up to 50mm diameter in size. One thing worth mentioning regarding this particular drill is the units capability of delivering very high levels of torque. To avoid unnecessarily the breaking of drill or screwdriver bits because of this it is recommended not to use cheap accessories but to use well known branded ones instead.

The high torque figure this model delivers is a real bonus to the way this power tool performs. This is why the DC988KA can drill very large capacity holes even though it is a cordless drill and not an electric one.

Masonry drilling with this tool is recommended with the lower speed (first gear) selected. Although this lowers the chuck rotation speed it allows the motor to run at full pace and at maximum torque. With the percussion hammer action switched on the DC988 KA is capable of drilling holes up to 16mm in diameter in bricks, blocks, cement, stone, and light concrete.

For drilling into steel and other metals holes up to 13mm in diameter can be bored using standard or cobalt drill bits. The recommended gear chosen should be either low or medium (this Dewalt cordless drill has three gears in total) depending on the diameter and thickness of metal being worked on.

Different types of metal may require a lubricating oil or cutting fluid to be applied to assist the drilling procedure being carried out. This acts by cooling the drill bit as well as the metal itself.

A major benefit of the Dewalt DC988KA Cordless drill over other brands is the units predominantly metal chuck. Keyless in design allowing simple and fast changing of accessories, this metal chuck features serrated teeth to tightly grip any bit being used. The metal chuck will allow fitment of drill bits, screwdriver bits, hole saws, and other tool accessories that have a diameter shaft from 3mm to 13mm in size.

Screwdriving Ability: This model can comfortably handle a wide range of screwdriving and fixing applications. In conjuction with the keyless chuck and three (3) speed metal component gearbox this model also has a variable and reverse action trigger speed control as well as multiple setting clutch - torque control. In total there are 22 positions available allowing the user to preset the drill for the job in hand.

Screws and other fixings can be easily applied into a wide range of materials by using the correct combination of settings. Wood screws can be driven into soft and hard timber with the screwheads flush, proud, or reccessed as required. By using the correct torque setting soft screws such as brass screws can be prevented from breaking saving money as well as labour time on the particular job being carried out.

The high torque fiqure this Dewalt Drill delivers also means this model is capable of fastening and tightening metal bolts and nuts as well. Providing up to 52Nm of torque means the DC988 can be used for metal assembly and fabrication tasks, especially work such as assembling metal shelving, constructing boxes, and structures.

All these qualities identifies the Dewalt DC988KA as an ideal power tool for a wide range of uses whether it be a keen diy'er at home, a builder, joiner, electrician, plumber, metal fabricator, handyman, mechanic, or engineer.

Dewalt Power Tools

The History Of Dewalt Power Tools:

"The foundation of Dewalt Power Tools is a success story in it's own right"

The story of the company starts with the original founder; a gentleman called Mr Dewalt.
Typical with the majority of employees working in industrial America in the early 1920's Mr Dewalt held several different positions mostly in timber woodworking mills and in general building construction.

His son who was named Raymond Dewalt followed in his fathers footsteps by also working in similar positions when he too left school. Raymond Dewalt had a mechanical mind as well as a business awareness. Throughout the different jobs he held he was always thinking of ways to cut labour and production costs, to the point where at several of his workplaces he even altered existing tools and machinery by setting up a "specialist" machine to handle a particular task.

During the course of his employment he was offered work as the manager of a woodworking mill that made nearly everything possible in wood, from boxes and crates through to timber houses and buildings. Having a business mind and an understanding of production Raymond was aware that the woodmill was not meeting it's production targets. The owner of the company would not increase it's workforce and it was up to Mr Dewalt to solve the problem and turn production around. Simply put somthing had to be done to increase woodworking capability of the sawmill.

Raymond Dewalt was now faced with a difficult task, how to cut more timber without increasing the companies workforce?

This is where his mechanical mind came into play. Experienced in using different types of tools and equipment and with his mechanical mind Raymond constructed a powerful and robust woodworking saw using three main components; an electric motor, a mounting yoke, and saw blade with spindle. This revolutionary saw was mounted onto a metal arm which allowed the unit to slide back and forth, be raised or lowered, the blade tilted to any required angle, and also adjusted to any bevel. This electric tool was so powerful it carried out the work of several men. Of course this meant labour charges could be reduced at the factory and overall production increased.

This revolutionary saw was the birth of the Dewalt Radial Arm Saw.

Over the coming years the History of Dewalt Power Tools is one success story after another, with changes in the ownership of the company and the introduction of groundbreaking technology in the design and versatility of power tools - all manufactured under the companies brand name.

Year: 1922
Raymond E. Dewalt, then general manager of a woodworking mill, perfects the first radial arm saw for the purpose of increasing production and more versatility in general woodworking operations.

Year: 1924
Dewalt Power Tools Company is formed with manufacturing facilities and offices located in Leola in Pennsylvania, USA. Their first product manufactured is an electric universal woodworking saw called the "Wonder-Worker."

Year: 1929
Dewalt Products Co. moves to a new modern manufacturing plant with office buildings and units in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.

Year: 1941
The Dewalt company begins a period of rapid expansion planned to meet the demands of government orders in connection with the countries national defense and wartime machinery requirements.

Year: 1947
Dewalt Products Co undergoes a complete reorganisation and is re-incorporated under the name of Dewalt Inc.

Year: 1953
The company extends it's manuafcturing and marketing operations into Canada through a wholly owned subsidiary of the business known as Dewalt Canada Ltd.

Year: 1955
Over the next two years, the Dewalt Power Tool Company adds an additional 40,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing / factory space to the plant.

Year: 1960
The company acquires United States and Canadian patent rights to the "Bennett Two-way Panel Saw" from Richard C. Bennett Manufacturing Company in Laceyville, Pennsylvania, USA.

Year: 1960
Perhaps the most memorable event in the history of Dewalt Tools. The company is acquired by the large Black & Decker company, renowned worldwide for quality and affordable cordless and electric powertools, lawnmowers, gardening equipment, and their famous workbench; the "Black & Decker Workmate".

Year: 1961
As production and sales increase the company adds an additional 8,400 Sq. ft. storeroom to the main manufacturing plant.

Year: 1966
As demand for the companies range of powered equipment increases the factory is expanded again with approximately 16,000 sq. ft. of space added to the factories warehouse.

Year: 1967
Introduction of the Dewalt bench grinder.

Year: 1971
Introduces metal cutting machines for cutting of ferrous(steel) and non-ferrous metals.

Year: 1989
The company stops production of it's radial arm saws in North America.

Year: 1992
The Dewalt Power Tools Company introduces it's first range of heavy duty portable electric power tools and accessories designed specifically for homeowners, builders, tradesmen and professional woodworkers.

Year: 1994
Dewalt launches a new system of cordless tools, including drill drivers, combination drills, circular saws, torches, and impact wrenches / drivers.

Year: 2000
The Dewalt Racing Team Racing move into the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.
DEWALT purchases two additional companies; Momentum Laser, Inc. and the Emglo Compressor Company

Year: 2001
Further expansion by way of new tools and equipment aimed at the professional woodworker, plumber, electrician and builder. New tools such as powerful concrete breakers added to the product line up in addition to further development in cordless technology.

Year: 2007
Dewalt expands it's sales of power tools into the UK tool hire market. Popular tools such as it's cordless drills are now a favourite amongst tradesmen who recognise it's robustness, reliability, and overall performance.