toolsandshopequipment_april2022 - 22

HAND & SPECIALTY TOOLS
Tool Review
Coast XPH30R Headlamp
Reviewed by Randy Kaiser, technician/service and
parts manager, Rost Motor, Inc. in Manson, Iowa
Q: How did the tool/equipment function
as far as saving you time?
A: This headlamp is a great timesaver.
You can slip it on and have it with you
whenever you need extra light to see
what you're working on. It's rechargeable,
so you don't have to constantly be
replacing the batteries.
Q: How easy was it to use?
A: It's actually very easy to use. There
is a switch on the end of the light that
turns it on and off and changes the
brightness of the light. The lens on the
front of the light turns to adjust the
width of the beam of light. The body of
the light turns in the bracket to adjust
how far up or down the light points.
If needed, the light can be easily
removed from the mounting strap
and used as a separate flashlight.The
end cap is magnetic, so it can attach to
anything metal, and shine where you
need it.
Q: Did it come with any accessories?
A: The flashlight does come with a
charging cord. It has one USB-A connector
and two USB-C connectors. This
makes it very adaptable to charging
from a computer or power brick (which
is not included). It also means that
you can actually charge two devices at
once, which is very handy.
Q: What features did you like?
A: The outer case is a very durable
metal. The light beam is adjustable
from flood to spot. The end cap lights
up to indicate battery state of charge
so that you know when to recharge
it. The end cap also unscrews a little
to expose the charging port for the
battery. Or you can take out the battery
completely and charge it. If you need
to remove the battery to charge it, but
still need to use the light, you can slip
in two CR 123 batteries and you can
continue to use it. The light is very
bright, but if you need extra light for a
KNIPEX TwinGrip
Slip Joint Pliers
Reviewed by Rich Falco, technical
instructor for Carquest Technical Institute
in Palmetto, Florida
Q: How did the tool function as far as
saving you time?
A: These pliers were great at multiple
angles and openings. They were good
for many jobs that I would normally
use several different pliers for, so it
saved me some time by not having to
go back to my toolbox.
Q: What features did you like?
A: They are very good at grabbing from
the side like typical pliers but also
head-on. I was very surprised by how
well it grabs at that angle.
22 Tools & Shop Equipment * April 2022
Q: What types of repairs did you use
this tool for?
A: I am currently restoring a 1974
Honda ST90 motorcycle. There has
been 47 years of rust and abuse to this
little bike. And as soon as I got these
KNIPEX pliers, I knew this would be
the ideal torture test for them. They
worked very well on just about every
nut, bolt, spring, clip, and rusted cotter
pin I tried to grab with them.
Q: Have you used a previous version
of this tool?
A: I have been a fan of the KNIPEX
short time you can hold in the power
button on the end cap and it goes into
" Turbo Mode " and puts out 1,000 lm of
light while you hold the button in. This
level of light is designed for short-term
use, but handy if you need it.
Q: How could the tool be improved?
A: The power cycle will take some
getting used to. When you turn it on,
it goes to medium brightness and then
cycles through to high and then low.
It's just different than most that go
from low to high or vice versa.
Q: Is there any way you could think
to improve or add to this tool?
A: It would be nice if the light came
with a mounting plate that could be
attached to a hard hat for those who
are required to wear one. Then they
wouldn't have to bother with the
mounting strap on their hard hat.
To read the full review, visit
FleetMaintenance.com/21259623.
brand pliers since I got my first set in
the '90s. I own their wire cutters and
pliers. These were a bit smaller than
the other pliers I own, but I found they
worked great on smaller components.
Q: Is there anything you had concerns
about in regard to the tool?
A: Right out of the box, I thought they
felt a little flimsy and I was concerned
that I was going to have to write a bad
review on one of my favorite brands.
I was worried the small button and
mechanism would not hold up. I'm
happy to report they held up very well,
even while trying to do a couple of
things I probably shouldn't have with
these small pliers.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would
you rate this tool overall? Why?
A: I give them a 10. They are a great
addition to my toolbox.
To read the full review, visit
FleetMaintenance.com/21259620.
http://www.FleetMaintenance.com/21259623 http://www.FleetMaintenance.com/21259620
toolsandshopequipment_april2022

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