Jronman

@Arkay I would say bags are more versatile. With blow molded cases your probably looking at a case specifically designed to fit the tool it came with and maybe a few accessories. As long as the bag is big enough or tool small enough you can fit it in a bag. I also feel bags are easier to transport. Are bags the best option. I see 3 ways to look at it: you either like bags, dislike bags, or you don't care enough one way or the other. I used to only use bags when I started getting into tools which was a reasonably good setup at the time. I later got introduced to tough system and everything changed. I won't go back to bags. I would have to have a really good reason to use one again for my personal tools. I find tough system or similar modular box systems are the way to go. They tend to require an investment but it is worth it. I feel tough system has even more versatility than bags and as much if not more protection than blow mold cases and on top of that you get more features that bags and blow mold cases don't offer like a weather seal and functionality to lock boxes together. Plus more specialty items like a radio, storage racks, and metal cart work seamlessly together in addition to the standard boxes to make one great system. The fact that it is a system is huge. You don't have to wonder if the boxes are compatible or not.

From what I have heard go flex if possible. I have never used either but from what I have seen the flex is a beast. No 18v saw can beat it. Only one other flex and two Makita x2 saws can compete with it. From what I have heard the 20v saw is DeWALTs best 20v saw ever but many guys feel it would have been better suited in a 6 in blade left configuration. You won't be disappointed with either.

I am wondering when the best time to buy tools are. Before the Holidays ie mid Nov to Dec 31 or post holidays ie Jan 1 to Jan 31. When buying before the holidays you got black friday, black friday week/month, cyber monday, cyber week, usually some kind of 12 day of Christmas or similar deals, and deals that expire on Dec 31. After the Holidays you don't have as many special holidays except for Jan 1st. I hear about post holiday deals for those that wait out the holidays that are supposedly better than pre holiday deals. I find many current deals/promotions/sales expire on Dec 31. Will we expect even better deals to replace them?

Bosch is coming out with GPS tools. It doesn't look like any cordless tools will get the GPS at least from the start. Maybe in a few years we will see it in cordless. Bosch is adding GPS to a corded Brute Turbo breaker hammer. It will be standard equipment. Also all 10 models of corded SDS max hammers will have a retrofit kit available to add GPS.

from what I. have heard is the cordless is an excellent router. I have even seen it cut dados. I haven't ever used either in person so I'm probably not the best guy for advice on these routers.

@SetBuilder I agree. I don't know of anyone who has "cut the air hose". and switched to battery. I foresee it coming though maybe within 10-20 years.

@jtkendall I could see something as simple as a lever to switch between 18g nails and 18g staples. or whatever gauge your using.

With all the advancements in battery nailers/staplers over the past few years they are becoming more common. Batteries aside let talk about air setups. What would you like to see in future air nailers, staplers, and compressors. I was thinking framer guns that can do the same work without compromises with less air and less air power. Would make it so the compressors wouldn't have to run as much. Might even be able to run the framer off of a trim compressor. I would also like to see, without sacrificing power or performance, ultra quiet pancake and ultra quiet framing compressors. I find especially pancake compressors are annoyingly loud.

@fm2176 there is a rebate going on where if you buy an m12 jacket you get a free battery. Might be worth a try?

I got a Husky deal for a 3 pack of medium duty work gloves for around $14, a pack of Makita metric sockets and a pack of standard sockets, and Some Diablo carbide recip blades: one pruning and one wood w/ nails. All from Home Depot. The Sockets and Gloves were in the Christmas tool section. I noticed that the Bessey clamps were in short supply but no new DeWALT clamps to be found.

Did I see Metabo has a heavy duty cordless right angle drill that is not like a Milwaukee hawg/super hawg but more like the Milwaukee corded right angle drill that has been around for years.

@D W what I was told back when I worked for a pro mower was to keep the string/cut parallel to the ground. Some cases may require a bit of tilt. I would say a 15in is a good all around size. not too big but not too small.

I havent heard of this issue before. I have the saw but use it in cordless mode so I haven't had a chance to rest vac activation.

@D W the newer boxes have an updated clip which includes some metal but the majority of it is still plastic. I think the new drawer units and cooler hasve have the updated clips as well as the DS450 and maybe the radio

@TradeCraft @Grumpy MSG According to DeWALT this was something they looked into and supposedly the drawer issues are fixed. I don't know how they were fixed. Guess guys will have to get their hands on them to see if DeWALT's claims are true or not.

@D W could wait for the new 40v which is going to be 17 in.

not sure. The flex don't even have vents. I would hope that air cools somehow.

would this work without needing to plug into a tool activated vac?

I'm considering trying one of each.

this more of a DS300 or DS400 in size? I'm considering getting one 3 drawer and one 2 drawer. Release date?

I wonder if the batteries of this sander will be getting the bluetooth tech rumored to be coming in 2018. I expect the standard 18v batteries to get the tech but not sure about these.

got a replacement jacket coming but I had to go with black medium this time. I guess Acme was out of stock in grey medium.

Maybe something like a Makita version of a Tag or Tick could work?

I've seen the saw but I don't remember ever using it. Makita also has a similar saw. Not sure how they compare.