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POWER TOOLS!


tigerwoodKhorns

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No, this thread is not a tribute to a coked out Tim Allen. :wacko: Its about power tools.

I like Boxx's thread on his new table saw (Congrats) but don't want to hijack it.

Let's talk power tools. This time of year Amazon has a $25 back on $100 purchase on a few brands (Dewalt, Makita and others).

What do you guys like? Anything power tools is fair game, but especially what is on sale at Amazon.

I will post more later, it is Saturday and I have to go use my power tools for a few hours...

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Favorite table saw: Sawstop - Excellent build quality and dust collection. Safety feature keeps all fingers attached. Sawstop is expected to announce a new worksite table saw complete with excellent dust collection and blade safety devise.

http://www.sawstop.com/

Favorite power tools: Festool, by far. German made precision with superior dust extraction. All tools work together in a system. I gave all my Bosch and Porter Cable to my son. He tried my Festools and thinks he got a bad deal.

http://www.festoolusa.com/

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That saw stop looks like a good investment, luckily i have never been hurt using power tools, my grandfather taught me wisely when i was just a youngin to respect the tools.

One of my shop teachers Mr. Connell ( i always took shop classes in school ) was missing half of his fingers and would wave his hands around ( what was left of them anyways) and speak of the importance of shop safety before he fell asleep standing behind his pedestal still standing up. Then it was free time to make things we were forbidden to make.

I have been using many Ryobi brand tools, some purchased used. While not the best products on the market i have found they hold up very well and do what they were meant to do.

My 1/2" drill has been abused mixing concrete, drywall mud, grout, and the usual drilling of course without a hiccup and the Ryobi table saw works great too.

My worst luck has been using Craftsman power tools, every one has broke, reciprocating saw, drill, table saw, jigsaw.

Never again will i buy power tools from sears. Maybe bad luck or overuse i don't know.

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Craftsman tools today and Craftsman tools from years ago are completely different. I have a Craftsman circular saw that I've had for over 30 years that's still going strong. There's no telling how many board feet of lumber it's cut over the years. I've most recently used it on every sub build that I've done. I also have a Makita recriprocating saw that's about the same age as my circular saw that I used during my construction plumbing days. It's been through some of the worst conditions you could ever put a power tool through and it's still plugging along also.

In the last 5 or 10 years I've bought a few DeWalt pieces that have performed very well. I also have been impressed with the 4 Hitachi tools that I've gotten in the last couple years.

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My Craftsman table saw was purchased well over 20 years ago, lasted about 4-5 years and the motor burned out.

The reciprocating saw and jigsaw were purchased 15 or so years ago, the recip saw went first, the shaft wore out and would wobble back and forth excessively and finally got so bad the key chuck lever to change blades would not work.

The jigsaw just stopped working, not sure if it was the switch or the motor, i just threw it out. My Grandfathers Black & Decker is still running strong.

My old Craftsman 3/8 drill trigger would work intermittently and was purchased shortly after the jigsaw, it would kick on and off while cutting and i would have to feather the trigger like an old carbeurator with a bad accelerator pump.

My tools were used most every day though and were probably not made for the professional, i can see a normal homeowner not wearing tools out so quickly.

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My first set was the 5 piece combo pack from Ryobi approx ten years all is still going strong except the brushes on the drill are going out, but it has been used and abused. I have recently taken a liken to Porter-Cable, seems to be contractor grade at home owners prices. I have used some dewalt but have not cared for them as they seem to be pricey and don't do anything more then the Porter-Cable. But will continue to give them a chance. My next pruchase is going to try a Kobalt sliding compound miter saw, that's if the reviews are good.

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It's a shame you didn't get better service out of your tools than you did.

On a good note my Skilsaw circular saw has cut miles of lumber and plywood.

The cord wore out where it comes out of the handle but i rigged some fuel line with black tape over it and has been that way for years.

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The cord wore out where it comes out of the handle

As you know that's common. I believe it's more a product of winding the cord tight when you're putting it away than wear from normal use. I've started leaving about 6" of cord loose at the handle before i wrap the cord around any of my tools.

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Kinda disappointed it's not about Tim Allen.... Can always use a more power thread (:

I have a ryobi kit that's pushing 15 years old. It has treated me well. These spent most of their life in my shop but were later retired to the house . I have gone through many batteries with it and this time around decided to no longer invest in it. I am waiting for the yearly dewalt promotion to happen where they give you $100 towards your trade in tool. Any brand, with or without battery and charger. I will trade in the 4 pieces individually and use it to complete my dewalt xrp kit.

I have had my dewalt xrp drill, impact and nailer now for years also which get used on job sites. my battery charger and drill were stolen which left me with a couple useless tools. Was going to do the 20v+ kit but decided to stay xrp and bought a new kit to keep my other tools going. Dewalt claims they will keep the line going so I made the investment.

I've been wanting a sawstop since I first saw one years ago, for now I dont have room for a table saw so I am looking into a set of bora saw guides, these things get excellent reviews

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The cordless impact driver is IMHO the best tool invented in a while. Make money with that those all the time. Even have a full set of magnetic impact sockets for em too.

I should also mention that I own 4 or 5 portable bandsaws. Since the grinder cutoff wheel has been out the bandsaws mostly sit in their respective cases now. Crazy how tools can become obsolete.

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One thing that gets the tool cords is the fact that the rubber in the cord never stops curing. Just like a tire dry-rotting, the cords on your power tools do the same thing. Using the tool kinda helps keep the rubber juvenated but eventually they all will rot.

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Cords are easy to replace on most tools. This also gives you the opportunity to make it longer or shorter as needed. I'd rather wrap up an extension cord than a cord on a tool. We have turned a few of our rooftop saws cords into little pigtails since they tend to " fall off" when someone isn't paying attention to their cuts. Cheaper to replace an extension cord in most cases.

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The cordless impact driver is IMHO the best tool invented in a while. Make money with that those all the time. Even have a full set of magnetic impact sockets for em too.

I should also mention that I own 4 or 5 portable bandsaws. Since the grinder cutoff wheel has been out the bandsaws mostly sit in their respective cases now. Crazy how tools can become obsolete.

What do you use the impact driver for? Good for a stuck bolt and metal work. Drilling in concrete too. What about Home Improvement projects (mostly woodwork). What other uses?

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As for brands eroding.

Craftsman is not very good anymore. Their old stuff lasted a long time.

B&D - I have an old B&D "Pro" drill from the 1980's that is heavy duty and just keeps on going. I also just had a cheap B&D from the 1980's replaced (still works but the switch is touchy to reverse speeds. I should clean the switch).

I also have an old Porter Cable router (25 years +) that is really heavy duty. I bought some refurbished Porter Cable nail guns on ebay in 2007 and they work very well. Bought a magnesium circular saw too, love that saw. Their new stuff seems to be priced too low, looks like it may be China stuff now.

I am still reluctant to go cordless. Is then 18v and 20v stuff good? I hate having batteries run out or torque go down when you need it. A corded 4A to 6A drill can do wonders.

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I have owned many Ingersoll Rand air tools in the past, they make very good long lasting products.

Normally i dont roll the cords up on my power tools with the exception of the router, i just throw them in a drawer when not in use.

I do like to keep my extension cords neat & tidy or i tend to trip over the dam things.

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Favorite table saw: Sawstop - Excellent build quality and dust collection. Safety feature keeps all fingers attached. Sawstop is expected to announce a new worksite table saw complete with excellent dust collection and blade safety devise.

http://www.sawstop.com/

Favorite power tools: Festool, by far. German made precision with superior dust extraction. All tools work together in a system. I gave all my Bosch and Porter Cable to my son. He tried my Festools and thinks he got a bad deal.

http://www.festoolusa.com/

Nice tools. I have used an industrial table saw before and they just work so well. The fence is as solid as a rock and everything just lines up. Sawstop has the nice safety feature too.

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