Shuutr

Ziegen bock in the brew of choice in my fridge

I still don't see the allure. I can see how it could be a new ballgame with media rights and all, but as a way to connect, I don't get it yet.

Very funny. I actually bought a truck two months ago. Got last years model. The only thing that bothers me that in a $30k truck they put in $10 spearks. The original lasted a week. The replacement even less.

You have made pretty good use of a small space. When I was in school I didn't bother buying tools because a) I didn't have the money and I didn't want to move it every year or two. Good job creating your space. It looks more cluttered (lots of stuff in small space) than I would be comfortable in, but also more organized than I am by a long shot. Kudos

I think there is a place for all four lines. Price may dictate where you are able to get into and task may dictate the power you need. If you have M18 tools but don't need the most powerful, you can buy in at a lower price point. If you need the most powerful and longest lasting battery and don't mind lifting the weight, the top of the line FUEL with 4 ah battery is worth the money. I think the m12 line is perfect for the weekend guy, but sometimes you may have a hard time selling that to the weekend guy who had an 18v nicad that lost it's juice a few years back. Also the m12 line is great for tradesmen that don't need the most powerful, but rather need something small or light. Given enough batteries, the m12 FUEL may be the ideal tool for some trade.

The phone, wallet and pocketknife is Every Day. The other two are Most Every Day. Wallet - Saddleback ID wallet http://www.saddlebackleather.com/frontpocketidwallet iPhone Pen - Currently a Zebra F-301 Pocketknife (not to be confused as a weapon): Usually Benchmade Mini grip, Spyderco Chaparral, Delica, or dragonfly on work days. Larger pocketknives on off days. flashligh: Foursevens Quark Pro http://www.foursevens.com/products/QP2L-X-AF Sometimes rotate in thrunite, fenix, and other foursevens lights I have.

You may already know this, but on the terminals (found at the pro desk, door area, carpet area, appliances, etc) the top line of the desktop has icons for Price check on a row of icons labeled public. I have used terminals in about 8 different HDs in my area. I haven't been told not to yet, but I also don't try to search when they are busy helping customers. Now I agree that things get discounted across the country at different rates, but the pricing eventually is the same, just months apart. I'm sure they have an algorithm that takes into account area inventory and incoming model distribution that factor in. But when I hear about something that was 99.99 and is in the store computer for 25.03 in another region, it will eventually discount to that level, but it will make stops along the way. Somewhere in the 80s, then in the 40s or 50s. The problem is when it hits 25.03 in your area there may not be any left in your area. Surely that manager realizes that the "internet nuts" are going to share a deal. They should expect that and come up with a better response that calling us "nuts" but whatever. Just the other day I saw a computer listing for a Bosch drill and battery for under $50. There wasn't one in the inventory of the stores in my area. I got my hopes up for just a second only to have them dashed.

I don't like the idea of the LED returning to the base of the drill. I really like the x5 drill LED on the chuck.

Lowes has the bosch drill and I driver set for $129 for today only. http://www.lowes.com/pd_472190-353-CLPK26-181_0__?productId=50217719&cm_mmc=email_promo-_-20150703-_-lm_81380-_-dotd&et_rid=45334686&et_cid=81380 Bosch 18-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Combo Kit with Soft CaseModel #: CLPK26-181 Includes: DDB181 1/2-in compact drill/driver, IDS181 1/4-in hex impact driver, two 1.5-Ah slimpack batteries, charger, carrying bag, and 2 screwdriving bits From looking around a bit, there are newer models. Tougher models of the drill for sure. And it isn't brushless, but it is a bosch drill and impact driver and two batteries for $129.

If it is already on sale or "new lower price" you are out of luck

Similar to the job max I got a Neo Ultimate Multi Head tool. I got it on clearance somewhere so it's didn't set me back much and it was a do-everything. Tool. For what I use it for most, cutting up boxes, it works ok. And if ridgid made a tool that just did that, I'd probably buy it. Problem: you can't find spare parts. The batteries haven't crapped out yet, but when they do my options are limited. The saw blade isn't at lowes or Home Depot so I'll have to sharpen it, I guess. I have a better multi tool (dremel and Milwaukee) I have a better drill and ratchet (Milwaukee). So eventually it'll get trashed, but these off brand tools become useless pretty quick.

I need more time to try work like that.

I say use it. Use the heck out of it. Torture test it. If at any point you think you wont use it, pass it along to someone else that hasn't upgraded their craftsman or B&D set.

CPO outlets is offering 15% off orders over $75. Seems routine, but if you need something that downs often go on sale, now is a chance. Code: stars15

Awesome win

Big gun, knife and fishing fan here. Knife - fixed blade - Benchmade Bone Collector Skinner. The short one. Not the long skinny one. Rarely carried but it is my favorite Knife - folder - Benchmade Mini Grip (custom scales on a Doug Ritter blade). H&K mini axis folder is nice too. Followed closely by the Spyderco Sage 3 or Chaparral or Delica Gun - CZ 75. 9mm. No better made shooter for my hand. Naturally accurate and fun to shoot. I also shoot a glock 23 well, M&P 9mm and a Colt 1911 45. Fishing- I love to fish. Only end up going once or twice a year. That will change. I fish for bass with a shimano curado.

you got a manager that didn't want to do paperwork, well done

I had a friend shoot me a pic of that set from HD yesterday. I told him it was definitely worth the price. I have a feeling the impact driver will be a hit with him in the garage and the screwdriver would be a hit with him and his wife. I then told him it likely wasn't the last m12 tool he would buy. Which made me think of the PSA in my youth where an older kid was telling a younger kid how to sell drugs. Start by giving drugs away for free. When they come back, that is when you charge them. M12, I'm on to you. I'm also hooked, but I'm on to you

Its the cost/usefulness balance. If you want quality it costs money and sometimes more than people can afford. How much are you willing to invest for you needs can vary depending on who you are. If they make $15 profit per dewalt drill targeted at one crowd and $5 per B&D drill targeted at another larger crowd, those products can be equally profitable without competing with each other. And they can compete with any other company not owned by them. I don't think there is a lot of hate toward dewalt, but from what I have gathered on the interwebs is that DeWalt is relying on their name to sell tools while other companies are raising the bar (is use they are top two or three in head to head comparisons). They are great tools and have been great for a while. But the market swings. Surely DeWalt has something in the pipeline to regain their momentum in the marketplace. And then we will opine about the days when big Red wrecked shop.

They also own Buick and Cadillac. Each line has different strategies to grab market share. DeWalt is B&Ds Cadillac

Checked three HD on my way to work. Both Milwaukee and Ridgid sale items were still scanning full price. The husky cart too.

Guns were my first big hobby. Bought a bunch of inexpensive shooters with good reputations. Sold a bunch to finance higher end products. Streamlined at one point to 9mm and .22lr pistols. Then the shortage happened bought .45 and .40. Bought and sold some more. When I realized I was only taking less than half my pistols when I went to the range I sold off half of what I owned. I settled on a moderately diverse collection of users. My next collection was pocket knives and I went through a similar pattern. Bought a bunch of CRKT/SAK/gerbers and Chinese knockoffs. Sold those to buy cold steel, Spyderco and Benchmade. Sold some rarely carried knives to get a CRK Sebenza and customized some of my more favored Benchmade and Spyderco. I then sold off those I didn't carry to buy some nice power tools. Its a familiar pattern. As you research new models, you learn the pros and cons and what serves you best. Streamlined is good but focus on what you will use most. Don't invest in things that aren't exactly what you want. It will only frustrate you and you never get back what you paid for them. There are enough deals that show up with batteries and chargers, there really isn't a need to focus on just one line. But if you are planning to outfit with a lot of cordless tools, think about everything you will use and pick the line that does those tools right.

I've already picked up the x5 set. Can't wait to expand as new tools get released.

I don't know if you are talking about the Ridgid or Milwaukee, but the milwaukee M12 XC two-packs are on sale for $79 at HD http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-XC-High-Capacity-Battery-2-Pack-48-11-2412/203630471

I hope there are some x4 tools left when I head home.