builditguy

After using my Ryobi stapler for the last 2 days. I was checking out what other tools were out there. I was thinking about these lights. Thanks for the post.

A little late to this thread, but I thought I would chime in anyway. A couple years ago I bought a Ryobi battery narrow crown stapler. We use staples for aluminum soffit. We were dragging around the hoses and compressor. I thought I would try it out. So far the stapler has worked great. I have no complaints. While I was at it, I went ahead and bought the 18ga brad nailer. We use a brad nailer alot. The brad nailer worked great for about 6 to 9 months, then nothing. One day it just stopped working. I didn't bother with trying to return it, because I thought I might drift away from the Ryobi and get a DeWalt nailer. I ended up buying another nailer and it's been doing great. We've used it alot. More than the stapler. I would prefer the brad nailer leave a smaller hole in the wood, but that would be the only complaint. We also have a Paslode brad nailer and while it does a slightly better job, it rarely gets used. I can't even remember the last time the air guns were drug out. I will also admit, I'm terrible about maintenance. Get them out, work, throw them back in the bag and on to the next job. I've never cleaned or lubed them. Isn't that something you save until they stop working? I'm not a fan of cheap tools, but I really can't complain about these. If either one of them were to die, today, I wouldn't hesitate to order another one. As far as how many nails or staples you can do on a charge, I have no idea. It's so many that it doesn't even matter. I have 2 small batteries and 1 charger and I've never had an issue.

Nope. DW431. I assume you mean the old one. The new (to me) one showed up the other day. DW433. It's heavy. Works good. I also got the small Porter Cable. It showed up as well. I figured I would take a picture of both and post them. I've only used them a couple times for very small things. The homeowner, where we are working, has used the DeWalt more than I have.

No luck. Like the other sites, they list the part number, but it can't be added to the cart. I'm sure there are some out there somewhere, but finding them would be tough. I do appreciate the help though.

I didn't, but I will now. That part number looks right. Another website shows them and gives a price, but when you try to buy it , it comes up obsolete and unavailable. Thanks. I'll check it out Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's not working. The gear is made of a material that seems similar to Bakelite. It is very brittle and continues to break into smaller pieces. I also don't have all the pieces. I suspect some of them were so small the went through the holes in the guard. Oh well. I'll keep my eyes open for some parts. I think there is a chance, this gear just fell apart due to age. On a brighter note, I bought the small porter cable and an older Dewalt off eBay. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a good idea, looking for other parts that might fit. I couldn't find any used ones. Not even broken used ones. I lost out on an eBay bid. Too rich for my blood. Of course you know what I'm doing tonight. Putting humpty dumpty back together again. I don't think I have all the pieces. Right now I have 3 pieces back together. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought about grumpy' s advice on fixing it. Since I was going to salvage the cord anyway, I decided to check it out. Turns out it is only the plastic pulley on the bottom. Easy fix. The problem is the parts are obsolete and unavailable. What really got me about trying to fix it, was reading reviews on other sanders. Everyone was talking about the tracking. The dw431 has electronic tracking. I realized I've never had to touch the tracking knob. Looks like that is it. I ordered the smaller porter cable this morning. Still considering a larger one though. I might even go cheap and try a rigid. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with all your thoughts on the Porter Cable. Although I still plan on buying the smaller one, I'm seriously considering the bigger one also. I have really thought about what I use the sander for. Initially I was thinking I only use it for scribing tops, panels, or finished woods. The more I thought about it, we do use it for sanding sub-floors. Knocking off high spots. We've also used it for sanding down decks, when we're done. No finish sanding on decks. More like making sure there are not splinters sticking up for bare feet to catch. Especially on docks. While we don't do too many, we did 3 last year and have another one, to be done by Memorial day weekend. Come to think of it, I'd better get one ordered. I did go to Menards yesterday, but they didn't have anything I wanted.

When you pull the trigger, it runs, but the best does not move. It sounded like grinding gears right before it quit. I didn't really consider having it looked at. Even if it could be repaired, it would probably cost almost as much as a new one. That is, if the parts are available. I tried to get a new dust bag for it, years ago. The were no longer produced. I know there are some parts out there, but most aren't made anymore. I can't remember how old it is. Maybe 15 years? Just looked up the 352vs. Looks pretty good. I am probably going to get the small Porter Cable one, but I've been thinking about getting a full sized also.

I have no doubt the Franklin is a good stud finder. A couple years ago, I was about to buy one off Amazon. When you are on the page, they show some other options. They do this for everything. I saw the CH Hanson magnetic stud finder. That's the one I got. There are a couple reasons. My stuff stays in the truck or trailer. Batteries die. I have 2 electrical testers laying on my desk right now, waiting for batteries. With the magnetic one, it is always ready to go. I have to say, this is the best magnetic stud finder I've ever seen. Also, everyone I work with and all subs. The magnets are really strong. When you lightly slide the stud finder over the wall, it literally pulls out of your hand when you cross over a nail. Obviously it works best on drywall. It does work on veneer plaster, just not as good. When I say it doesn't work as good, it still works perfectly. They were about $10 then. After the first one, I bought several and give them away. You can't go wrong with this stud finder.

Yes to the Dewalt. The fence is great. I don't have that model. I have the larger and older one, but the fence is the same. Beyond the fence, mine has worked hard and continues to do so. No complaints Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My old belt sander was such a pain. The bag for the dust never really worked. It would blow dust everywhere. Mostly right in your face. The speed adjustment seemed to always adjust lower, everytime you sat it down. It was heavy, probably because I wasn't using it on a flat surface. I was always holding it up to something or running it sideways. After a weekend of looking at what's available and the new belt sanders. I miss the old one. I didn't appreciate how good it was. Oh well. Things change, tools change.

Since "alot of guys that do work for you" use DeWalt. See if you can borrow one of their chargers. You will only need it about an hour. That will pinpoint the issue.

I haven't used a sanding disc in the grinder, for wood. Until yesterday that is. We used it for the rest of the day. It was ok, for what we were doing, but I'll probably stick with the belt sander. Old dogs I guess. I looked at Home Depot and Lowes. Wasn't very impressed. I guess I never realized how good mine was. They are a lot of plastic. While I was at Lowes, I picked up some 2.5. X 14 belts. Even though I couldn't get my hands on one, I'll probably go with one of the porter cable ones. Thanks for the input. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I supposed I should have added, I mostly use my sander to sand down to a scribe on a countertop. Yesterday was sanding to a scribe on 1/4" thick plywood. An end panel. I don't use it for woodwork. (At least what I consider woodwork) I really just use it to take of minimal amounts of material. Just any type of fine tuning to get pieces to fit better.

My belt sander finally died. It lasted a long time, had a hard life, and I have no complaints. I think it had been dropped one too many times. So now it's on to a new one. But which one? Of course I looked for Dewalt, but I don't think they make one anymore. I'm not opposed to getting a slightly used one from eBay, but there is another option I am considering. I've been looking at the small porter cable one. 2 1/2" x 14" belt. I think the size will work for me. Fit in the truck better. Will probably do everything I need it to do. The reviews say it gets really hot. Almost too hot to hold. Since I don't use mine to sand a lot, I think it will work. The biggest issue is sanding belts. No place near me has them. I can get plenty of 3. X 21. Even 3 x 18 are hard to come by. Locally that is. My first choice would be a 20v 3 x 21. I seriously doubt that will ever happen. Any opinions/ input? Thanks in advance. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm either lucky or I don't use my grinder the same as others. I've never had an issue with the batteries and the grinder. Of course I'm not grinding down welds all day, but I've probably had it out 3 days this week. Used it about 2 hours yesterday. Not solid 2 hours, but a significant amount of grinding with a sanding disc. It will never out perform a corded one, but I have no complaints about the grinder or the battery usage. If it died, I would have another one, by the end of the day.

As mentioned above, the kind of work done, makes a huge difference in their life span. In my opinion. Yesterday my belt sander died. It's had a hard life. From truck to jobsite for years. Dropped who knows how many times. Rained on more than once. Fell off the tailgate yesterday. If it lived in a shop it would have had an easier life. Of course it wouldn't have had any cool scars to tell it's friends about.

Why are you adding 2' to the lower level? Just curious. Seems like a lot of work for an additional 80 sq. ft. That was the old way of adding sq. ft. to a house without adding it to the foundation. Once I had a house that added 8" extra to the second floor. Didn't make sense to me. Looks like you are off to a great start. Foundation and material. A day or two and nobody will know it wasn't like that from the beginning.

I thought this over yesterday. I can't think of anything I would run out and buy. I have most everything I need. Now I'm trying to figure out what that means. Are my expectations low or am I living a fulfilled life? Either way, tools would not be on my list. The other day, one of my competitors stopped by the jobsite. Competitor yes, but friend also. He was talking about how he would have to finish his current job, if he won the lottery. I just laughed. I said, I wouldn't finish anything. I would hire him to finish my jobs. Unrelated to tools. The one thing I would buy is a double wide. I've had my eye on one with 40 acres. $300,000 is just a little steep for me. Then make sure my friends and family were set up.

You are setting yourself up. Milwaukee has a die hard following. I would say the Milwaukee tools I bought 25 years ago, were not very good quality. Most lasted less than a year or two. I think they are better now, than then. In fact, I don't think I have a single Milwaukee tool from then. I think all tools have their fair share of repairs.

I didn't even think about the brushless part. It does make a difference. We had the 18v before these. The part about cooling down also. When we use ours to cut siding, when one battery dies, the other is already charged. Of course we can do a whole house with only a couple batteries. I definitely think the cutting is a lot easier on them than grinding. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love mine. Have one in each truck and constantly finding uses for them. They won't go long term, grinding, but I've never had a problem with the batteries. Recently we started to use them for cutting vinyl siding. Could say enough good about them. I will say, we use them mostly for cutting and very little grinding. Using thin cutting wheels and diamond blades. I'll bet it is out of the truck at least once a week. I don't even carry a corded one anymore. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wonder if he can still swing the saw side to side.