khariV

Clay, non-clumping kitty litter does an OK job of absorbing surface oil. You do have to leave it in one spot though and it won't completely remove the stain but it'll pick up a lot and make the surface not quite so oily looking.

I saw this yesterday when I was looking what other sorts of nailers I might get to go with the Brad nailer I picked up with last week's special. I wonder if Ryobi will come out with a framing nailer too or leave that one to big brother Milwaukee later this year?

I want my DIY projects that involve drilling into concrete to be that neat, fast and dust free!!!

And there you see one big difference between the U.S. and Europe. In Europe, companies get fined if they don't provide dust protection for their workers. In the U.S., we have our elected officials arguing for abolishing the law that restaurant workers wash their hands after using the bathroom... Because people will magically some how just find out which restaurants have people making their sandwiches after handling their junk and they just won't go there. I'm all for getting the government out of my life, but anyone who thinks that a big corporations will ever put long term safety above profits is either delusional or is a shareholder. (Sorry to hijack the cool rumor mill thread- just hit a nerve I guess)

For those on the fence with this deal, HDs deal if the day has lowered the price in the kit to 116! I doubt it'll ever get much below this for the nailer, a battery and a charger.

They drilled through 6 ft. of reinforced concrete? What did they do then - hope there was something good on the other side and fish it out with a grabber on a stick? That must have trained for months in movie theaters getting the good toys out of those grabber machines!

I had a choice of replace or refund. I chose replace and the replacements have been working with no problems.

I have had mixed luck buying recon power tools from CPO. My corded hammer drill and super sawzall worked perfectly and are still going strong. A M18 fuel hammer drill wouldn't run at all - the forward / reverse lockout switch was broken and you couldn't pull the trigger. My miter saw had no bevel detents so you couldn't reliably get the blade to 90 degrees vertical. I really have to wonder how they ever passed the "rigorous" quality check process that they claim to do since neither of those two tools were even remotely functional. Now, that having been said, CPO is a first class company to deal with. They paid for return postage for both malfunctioning tools - even the 80 lb miter saw that I didn't have a chance to test out for nearly 6 weeks after taking delivery. One more thing to consider is that Milwaukee recon tools have a 1 year warranty instead of the standard 5. So, at the end of the day, I love CPO, but I've really had mixed luck with Milwaukee recon tools. Unless you can get in on one of the super recon sales, I don't know that the money saved is worth the potential headache.

I actually really like my job box. I use it to haul around the seemingly endless number of task specific tools and supplies that every project seems to need. I've got my everyday carry tool bag, but it is quite packed and there's no room for caulk, outlets, extra wire, wood putty, sand paper, etc. The odd little job box has saved me from hauling it all around the house in an old cardboard box. Don't get me wrong ... I'll be all over some a red version of the tstak/tough box system too.

You're killing me. I was about to jump on the Ryobi finish nailer deal that HD is running but now I'm thinking I'll wait to see what Milwaukee comes out with.

I've been eyeing the Werner 26' Multi-Ladder - the extra two feet of step ladder would make it a lot more useful for. That having been said, the 22' is now half the price so I might have to jump on this deal and get the bigger one should I end up needing it. What's another ladder, right?

All of my cordless gear is from Milwaukee. I'm quite happy with all of them and wouldn't switch even if someone offered to swap every tool for a different brand. My multi-tool is the only cucko in the nest. After my Dewalt NiCd drill's transmission (is that even what the torque selector ring is called?) bit the dust, I went yellow with the Dewalt 20v Multi-Tool. I use it occasionally and I always enjoy using it when I get it out. The only real problem that I've got with it is that I've only got the one 1.5 AH battery that came in the kit. All of my other battery powered tools ended up being red and I just don't use the Dewalt enough to invest in a 2nd battery for it. So, if I started over would I get the Milwaukee multi-tool? Perhaps. Batteries would be a lot more convenient but then again I do like the blade change mechanism of the Dewalt and it's brushless, so runtime is quite good. Maybe if Milwaukee comes out with a Fuel version of their M18 or even M12 multi-tool, I'll consider switching.

The bit holder is a hex socket with a magnet in the bottom. You just push a bit in and it sticks - no elaborate lock. The only problem is if you put a short bit (1") in to, you have to push it out from the back using a small diameter dill bit or nail - there's a hole in the back of the head that lets you remove stubborn bits that you can't grip from the front.

Nice how-to installation video. I noticed you edited out the "oh $%#@#, I put the blade on backwards" part out of the video. I do have to say though, the proximity of your fingers to the blade made me think I was about to see a totally different sort of video. I love using my miter saw, but you couldn't pay me enough to hold a 3" long 2x4 to cut it in half.

So I've been eyeing the Ryobi One+ Inflator and lights. They seem like great tools that I could definitely use. Then I go to read the fine print and both of them and the batteries that make them go have Prop 65 warnings! I know the easy answer is, wash your hands, wear gloves and don't let the wee ones near the tools, but that's just not the way my life works these days. I can't tell you the number of times my daughter has been through my everyday tool bag asking me what each pair of pliers and each screwdriver is used for. So what gives? Why does Ryobi feel the need to use toxic $*%# in their tools? TTI doesn't seem to do that with their Milwaukee tools. Seems like half of the manufacturers don't give a damn about toxic chemicals (I'm looking at you, oh so tempting RIDGID tool boxes with lead in the handle rubber). With the two little ones walking about whenever I'm working, it's just not worth the risk exposing them. Has anyone else run into this? Any suggestions other than vigilance for avoiding stuff you don't want ending up in your two year old's mouth (not that I really want it on my hands either or want to remember to have to wash my hands every time I pick up a screwdriver or inflate a ball). kdv

Hi all. So I've been lurking and occasionally responding but I just realized that I never bothered to introduce myself - terribly rude. Anyway, I live in Apex, NC (just outside of Raleigh). I'm a software architect with an obsession for building and fixing things - both computer based and in the real world, though DIY has been consuming all of my free time and extra brain cycles of late. About a year ago, I built some shelves in my shed and built a sheet metal chalkboard for my kids. It was that second job that led me to realize the my old 18v Dewalt drill and screwdriver just weren't cutting it anymore. I was looking really closely at the new Dewalt 20v and the Milwaukee M18 lines and just couldn't make up my mind until the plumber left an M18 light behind while fixing my well. When I called him to return it, he told me to keep it and I guess I took that as a sign that I needed to go red Well, a year later and my tool collection has grown to include a 12" SCMS, M18 Fuel Hammer Drills and Impact driver, M12 Fuel Impact and drills, right angle drill, M12 Fuel screwdriver, M18 Fuel circular saw, M18 caulk gun, blower, rotary tool, just about every light that Milwaukee makes and enough batteries to keep everything running. I haven't even mentioned the endless hand tools that seem to hop into my cart every time I hit up HD. I can honestly say that everything actually gets used regularly - no showroom shiny tools here. I really ought to put it all together for a family portrait some day when it's sunny outside. Anyway, it seems like I'm rebuilding my house from the inside out these days (who puts drywall in a crawlspace?!?! Oh - the same person that drywalls the attic floor). I'm more than happy to call in a pro when I need to, but I have a real problem paying someone $400 to install two wall heaters right next to existing outlets (yes, that was a real quote I got). I've greatly enjoyed the TIA vids and the threads on these boards and I look forward to the discussions. kdv

I actually used the Dewalt right angle adapter for about a year. It worked just fine for building some small projects for my children; for driving screws and even the occasional drill hole. The big problem I had with it was that, by design, it is a bit floppy and hard to control. It spins around the drill axis as the drill turns and when the torque increases to anything more than a pre-drilled hole, the whole thing starts to spin. For small screws this is no problem. Using it to drive a spade bit or a screw larger than 3/4" - I ended up needing a third hand - one to hold the drill, one to hold a pair of pliers to steady the right angle adapter and a third hand to place the screw and/or hold the hinge/bracket in place. Magnetic bits and double sided tape only got me so far until I got fed up and just bought the right angle drill. Did I absolutely need it? Probably not, but then again, it made my life easier, wasn't too expensive and works well for what I need it for.

I've got the M12 version. I've actually ended up using it quite a bit more than I had thought I would for tight spaces. Before using it, I had one of those direction changing do-dads, but it just wasn't up to drilling a hole in a stud for running a wire through. The right angle M12 had no problem at all going through 3 stacked 2x studs. I've used it quite a lot to put in L brackets underneath sagging stairs where a regular drill just won't fit. Now, I wouldn't use it for a full electric rough-in, but for here and there when I need to drill or screw in a tighter space, I'm very happy with it. Downsides - none really. The paddle switch takes a little getting used to and the forward/reverse switch isn't like any other M12 or M18 tool I own, but I imagine that's primarily because of the form factor. Battery life is fine - again, I don't use it all day long so a fuel version would likely not add much value for me.

Hopefully when it does come out, it'll have a dust blower and an LED.

I walked out today to pick up my mail and there was a squishy package from Waukesha, Wisconsin. I opened it up and... surprise! I had been selected to get a free t-shirt and stickers from Milwaukee. I guess there is a benefit to registering your tools! (and yes, I just saw that my toes snuck into the picture - sorry for that....)

I was eyeballing the Milwaukee 2720-20 but it doesn't appear to be for sale on the site (either click through on the flyer or browsing directly). Is it just sold out? Looking at the prices, I wish I hadn't already bought the 7 1/2" Fuel Circular Saw (2731). Even with shipping, USD $163 is a killer deal.

Another thing to consider - if you're interested in a rolling type stand, the Ridgid MSUV (AC9945) is fantastic. While it's not as easy to raise as the Bosch Gravity-Rise T4B, it's also almost $100 cheaper. I had to go for a rolling stand as I got really tired of setting up my base (and before that, saw horses and plywood) and lugging out my heavy a$$ saw just to make a couple of quick cuts. With a rolling base, it's no problem at all to wheel it out, pop it open and you're up and running in under 2m - no back aching 75lb miter saws to lift. HD had it on special for $149 during the holidays, so it may go back to that at some point during the next sales rush - (Father's day anyone?) Then again, if you're going for a smaller / lighter saw, it isn't as big of a deal - especially if you get the Dewalt with the free base!

I remember reading that Milwaukee had redesigned some components of the battery as part of the 5 AH battery, though I can't find the original press release online. The graphics and info is still available on toolguyd though (http://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-m18-5ah-battery/) if you want to take a look. It looks like the redesign improved water channeling and vibration protection. I've already got too many 4.0 batteries to start replacing them with 5.0's, but if you're starting fresh, there's no reason not to go for the newer ones I'd say.

I've got the Milwaukee 6955-20. I bought a recon from CPO when they were having a recon sale so got a killer deal. Once I squared it up, it cuts straight and true every time. I can't speak to some of the other saws, but a buddy of mine has a Dewalt 780 with the crunchy slides that's really hard to push. The slides on the Milwaukee are quite nice. You will have to invest in a stock clamp if you're into that sort of thing, as the saw doesn't come with one. The Bosch one fits and works well. One thing I can add is - get yourself a good quality blade. The difference between the stock blade and a chopmaster is night and day for rigidity and staying true cutting through PT 2x12s.

That's an amazing surprise - it's quite cool when your better half feeds your addiction. I found a Milwaukee tool belt under the Christmas tree this year and was just totally blown away that my wife managed to surprise me with something I really needed and had been eyeballing for some time, even though I hadn't told her.