fm2176

I wish I could assist you, but I haven't gotten a lathe yet, and the last one I used was an old industrial one when I worked at a gutter business 25 years ago. The owner's father had invented a hinge we built in house, so the old band saw and lathe were used by the owner himself (I was a 17-year-old dropout, so it was probably for the best that I only worked the drill press and tumbler).

I wrote about these in the "What Tools Did You Buy Today?" thread, but Lowe's has some great deals for those looking for a decent drill/impact kit or simply more batteries for their existing tools. For $170 or less, you can buy into MetaboHPT (formerly Hitachi) with a hammer drill and Triple Hammer impact driver, one 5.0Ah MultiVolt battery and one 3.0Ah 18v battery with charger. The hammer drill kit is currently $103.05 and the bare tool 18v Triple Hammer $67.05. Black drills and impacts are available as well for even less, but come with 1.5Ah batteries. Essentially, you can build a drill/impact kit with two batteries for as little as $120 or so. A short while ago I stumbled across a Multivolt circular saw and pneumatic roofing nailer combo for $259, which was a bargain as well. As for Bosch, they've got their bare tool band saw, two rotary hammers, and a drill/impact kit on clearance. The drill/impact kit is $139 at my local store, and comes with a hammer drill, Freak impact driver, two compact 4.0Ah batteries, and charger. The band saw and rotary hammers aren't discounted as deeply, but would make fine additions to the kit if purchased. Either of these brands will serve well in a professional environment, and at clearance pricing are nearly as cheap as homeowner grade tools (Black & Decker, entry-level Ryobi, etc.). I'm trying to resist the urge to pick up the other Bosch kit for the batteries alone, as 4.0 batteries are usually $99 each.

Lowe's just can't stop tempting me... I've been considering the Milwaukee M12 installation driver, but the free tool promo just isn't enticing enough. Choice of right angle drill (pretty much covered by the installation driver kit), rotary tool (I have a Hitachi 12v), 3/8" ratchet (have one), or OMT (have two DeWalts). So, after walking through my local HD and picking up some toilet paper and a Ryobi surface cleaner for the pressure washer, I headed over to the Blue Store. Long story short, I now own a Bosch 18v hammer drill and Freak impact kit. Originally $349, it was on clearance for $139, less than either of the tools by themselves. They had a similar kit for $179 but the hammer drill in it has less impressive specs. While there I also picked up the last two USB power hubs for $11 and change (originally $29), since my DeWalt and Ridgid ones are MIA.

I'm liking them so far. The circular saw has a quiet mode that reduces power but eliminates the trademark high pitch squeal of typical saws. It's also fairly compact and lightweight compared to my M18 Fuel and even the Gen 5x Ridgid. The hammer drill seems decent, and the Triple Hammer has four speeds (soft, normal, power, and self-drilling screw) that may come in handy, but I haven't tested them yet. I do like the ability to turn off the work lights on the saw and Triple Hammer. I can't say how often I'll use the feature, but a light isn't always necessary, and I've found some situations where it is a hindrance.

I picked up the MetaboHPT compact hammer drill kit and bare tool Triple Hammer impact driver from Lowe's. My military discount didn't apply since the tools were at the minimum retail price ($103.05 for the drill kit and $67.05 for the Triple Hammer). I also bought the DeWalt power cleaner but haven't tried it out yet (besides confirming that the Ryobi soap blaster nozzle I grabbed on clearance fits). I have the EGO mower, but the DeWalt mower kit with two 10Ah batteries at $360 was tempting me. I need to get a mower for the other house but it won't be an expensive one, so if I get the DeWalt it's staying here and working with the EGO.

Does this tear down really surprise any of us? Most of the cordless tools we use in North America these days are designed to do the job at the lowest possible cost. DeWalt drill stopped drilling within three years of purchase? Send it back for repair or replacement. Milwaukee Sawzall not sawing? Same thing, only you have five years of warranty. Out of warranty, or damaged due to abuse or neglect? A quick trip to the local big box will net a replacement for a couple hundred dollars or less, a trip to the supply house or hardware store may cost a slight bit more. I lack AvE's tear down analysis skills, but comparing today's mass-produced tools to those of yesteryear seems to point towards a higher quality product back when DeWalt and Milwaukee made tools in the US. I have older tools inherited from my dad that just seem...better made than the plastic cordless wonders I now possess. Ergonomics, performance, ease-of-use, safety? There's no comparison--my modern tools are much better in those categories than the mostly metal tools my dad worked with. DeWalt proudly puts the "Made in USA" label on the products they make here, but the disclaimer "With Global Materials" shows that these tools are no better than the sum of their parts, many of which are likely the cheapest available for import. I know it would be difficult if not impossible for a company to source all US made (or even North American made) parts, but if DeWalt or Milwaukee released a line of truly domestically produced tools, they'd be on my short list of "must buy" tools.

So, a few years ago I left a box of N95 masks in the "project house" that an acquaintance was moving into to work on, without thought about the $20 or so I was leaving behind. I found a deal on some 4-packs of N95 masks at Tractor Supply around the same time, and even found a box marked down at Lowe's. Needless to say, I had plenty for my personal use, or so I thought. Last year, when all this pandemic nonsense got started, I brought my remaining box to work and gave the masks away to coworkers who were unable to procure anything besides basic face coverings. I wore my shemagh while I could get away with it, and eventually settled for a cloth mask after the N95s I kept were worn out. For the past few months I've used surgical masks and recently bought the Milwaukee gaiter to use when in civilian clothing. Anyway, I've seen the KN95 masks start showing up in local stores and was curious about the difference between them and N95 masks. According to this article KN95 are basically a Chinese equivalent to the N95, albeit not approved by NIOSH. I guess the N95 masks are being reserved for health care workers. I find it humorous--in a dark sort of way--that the N95 has gone from the go-to disposable mask for tradesmen to being virtually unavailable to anyone who isn't considered a health care worker. Meanwhile, the surgical mask long acquainted with medical professionals is widely available and commonly seen in public (I keep a box handy, but reuse mine for weeks on end, because, why not?). I got a lot of the symptoms last February/March (minus the fever), and received my second shot of Moderna this past week. Let's just say that the past couple of days reminded me of this time last year. I have to adhere to executive orders, regulations, and policies while I continue to serve, but I don't think I'll be wearing a mask after I retire unless I'm working in a dusty environment or go into a job that requires it. With that said, I'll stop here before I go into territory that doesn't belong on these forums.

If it's still covered under warranty, I'd contact Ryobi. I have a smaller Ryobi power washer I grabbed on clearance a couple of years ago and need to see if it's held up to my abuse. It's been sitting outside covered by a trash bag for the past few months, including a few deep freezes and a lot of bad weather...

Welcome to the forums!

What's the date code on this? DeWalt has honored its three year warranty for all of my claims, and I've gotten a new DCL040 light, DCB204 battery, DCB102 charger, and DS450 ToughSystem box from warranty claims. If your drill is not covered under warranty, the easy--albeit less than optimal--solution is to simply remove the battery between uses. If the light comes on whenever a battery is attached, though, the issue may be mechanical. The trigger may simply be failing to fully reset turning on the light but not the drill itself. Maybe try manually pulling the trigger forward to check--a simple burr on the housing could be the cause of this issue. If the light only comes on when the trigger is pressed and stays on afterward, it's most likely an electrical issue (stuck internal switch, etc.) and would require more in-depth analysis.

It really boils down to luck and having a good eye for clearance stickers. The one I picked up for under $12 was at the first store I visited. I stopped by three other stores and didn't even see a sticker.

That's good that you didn't get a defective one. Also, one thing that we Americans forget is the international makeup of these forums; I see that your husband's drill is a European model, which has different model numbers than what we get over here. Best of luck with future tool purchases, and please feel free to ask any other questions you might have on these forums!

I'm not familiar with that model number...a search pulls up a charger. If it's the 3/8" model 2407, then it's brushed. If it says "FUEL" on it (or "Brushless", though I don't think any M12 tools use this designation), then Wingless is 100% correct. If this is the case, a loose wire or faulty trigger could be causing the issue. Most of my tools are brushless, so the sparks emitted by my brushed tools (including the 2407) are noticeable. They should not be a concern, though. In the days of yore, people kept their corded brushed tools going for decades by maintaining them and replacing the brushes every so often. When I was a forklift technician, replacing the motor brushes was one of the routine repairs for electric fork trucks. Edit: Here is a picture of the data plate for my brushed M12 drill.

If it is brushed, then yes.

Found another tote for $12.03 this morning.

I'm not sure about tires, but for belts you may want to find a local belt/hose supplier. When I worked as a forklift mechanic, I would have to visit one regularly to match up v-belts and/or hoses for equipment I was working on. The ones I visited seemed to have every size of v-belt and serpentine belt available at the time.

I picked up the roofing nailer/circular saw combo I posted about in the Hitachi/Metabo forum. The saw has some neat features and seems powerful enough after using it for the first time. One day I'll get around to comparing it to the other cordless saws I have, but it didn't bog down in wet lumber like my Ridgid has in the past. Also, I used the cheap blade that came with the saw, while my other saws have Diablo 24 or 40 tooth blades.

Well, I used the saw last night to cut some wet 2x4s for the fire pit and it cut with ease. The first thing that surprised me was how compact and light the saw seems. I'll have to stack it up against the Ridgid, which i probably the closest in weight...the Fuel may be close but the DeWalt worm drive is nowhere close. Two other things that are nice, and which aren't on other saws that I know of are the ability to turn off the light and a "Quiet Mode" that can be used for lightweight materials.

Well, I went back yesterday and it was marked down to $251. After thinking about it for over 24 hours I went back and pulled the trigger. Out the door price was $270.91 for the kit, a box of 1-1/4" nails, and a bottle of air tool oil. I figure I'll compare the saw against my FlexVolt worm drive style, Gen 1 M18 Fuel, and Ridgid brushless (decent, but it bogs down much easier than the other two). For better or worse, this also opens the door for if and when I find more MetaboHPT deals (I passed on a Triple Hammer kit last year, but if I find such a deal again I may have some more Green tools. They had a flooring/decking collated screwgun marked down to $63 from $279, but the display was all that was left. I debated asking about it, but I have three DeWalt 20v Max screwguns (two with collated attachments), a corded DeWalt, and a corded Senco collated screwgun. The extended reach of the MetaboHPT was tempting, but a good pair of kneepads should suffice for future flooring projects.

I haven't had much of an issue with the M12 batteries, but I do think that some of my batteries are harder to remove from some tools than others. The ones I have difficulty with seem to be ones I can't get a good grip on. This might be an odd idea, and it probably won't hold up to heavy use, but have you considered using something to create a more positive grip on the tabs (self-adhesive felt pads, for example)?

Jronman, Thanks for elaborating on this. I guess I was trying to clarify between pure residential and entry-level commercial mowers when comparing the EGO to the Big Boy ZTR. I don't have a lot of land (just shy of an acre), the terrain is flat (it is South Louisiana, after all), and overall the EGO seems more than adequate, but I'm the sort that doesn't want anything close to adequate when I can get a more robust machine for the same price, even if it means more maintenance or upkeep. As a lawn care guy, I can imagine that you are interested in what EGO does. I checked out their site yesterday and was disappointed to find that their commercial line is suffering from the same fate that others seem to (DeWalt 40v Max, anyone?), namely a lot of initial hype and then product line stagnation.

I recently saw EGO's new ZTR mower listed on their site, and my first thought was "I've gotta get one!" The mower looks promising, with "Tech Specs" including the following: Holds up to 6 batteries for maximum runtime (4 included) Power of gas with 22 HP equivalent engine Cuts up to 2-Acres on a single charge with the included 4 56V 10.0Ah ARC Lithium™ batteries and up to 3-Acres on a single charge with 6 x 10Ah batteries. World’s First Platform Compatible Rider – powered by all EGO 56V Arc Lithium™ batteries 3-7 MPH Speed, up to 8 MPH in travel mode 3 driving modes: Control, Standard, Sport Stay connected – Bluetooth, USB charging port, and phone holder 32 LED lights front, side, and rear Industry’s fastest charger! 2-hour charge time with included Z6 charger and 4 x 10.0 Ah ARC Lithium™ batteries 5 year tool, battery, and charger warranty with registration Another website shows an estimated price of around $5000, which a summary search of Lowe's shows is about $2000 more than a big box ZTR, and on par with some mowers from the likes of Bad Boy, which brings me to a thought I'll bring up later. So, is the technology there yet? I think it is; EGO has proven time and again that their OPE is more than capable of replacing gas-powered equipment for most residential uses. I've owned and used the heck out of their push mower and string trimmer, and am more than satisfied with their performance. Every time I listen to a neighbor struggle to pull-start their mower, I'm reminded of how much better it is to simply pop a battery in, unfold the EGO mower, and start cutting. On the flip side, every time I watch another neighbor on their riding mower, I'm reminded of how nice it was when I still had mine. This EGO mower looks outstanding on paper, and with a five-year warranty, there is not much risk for those who are unsure of the technology's staying power. With that said, though, as I looked at the pictures and visited Big Boy's website to check their prices and features, I started rethinking that initial "gotta get one!" for the following reasons. I looked at Big Boy because my neighbor did extensive research years ago before buying his ZTR. He had been running an old Murray riding mower for about 15 years, so when he decided to finally replace it he wanted something that he'd buy once and not worry about having to replace it in the foreseeable future. He was excited about Big Boy's specs, and when he found a used one for the right price he drove 2-3 hours to pick it up. It's a nice mower, with a welded deck that I recall was primary feature he looked for as he explored brands and models. The EGO mower has a stamped deck, not unlike most big box ZTRs, and for such a large investment I'd wonder how long it would last under regular--not to mention heavy--use. Also, it looks like the EGO uses a significant amount of plastic trim. Mowers can take a beating depending on the property they are used on, so this tells me that the EGO is probably best reserved for well-maintained lawns, not yards such as mine where there may be stones, tree branches, and other things that can damage a deck or fly up and dent/crack the mower itself. My final note (for now) is that there seems to be zero grease fittings. The EGO manual mentions checking the blade flange grease every fifty hours, while the Bad Boy ZT Elite (starting MSRP $4499) has grease fittings at the pump belt, drive belt, and both control arms. Call me old-fashioned, but I like to see grease fittings on certain types of equipment. To me, "sealed" bearings and "permanent" lube are akin to the sealed transmission on my wife's Mountaineer. Nice in concept, but it requires a trip to the dealer and almost certain parts replacement--diminishing the owner's ability to repair their own property. This is not meant to be a criticism of EGO's first foray into the world of ZTR mowers, nor is it designed to promote Bad Boy or any other traditional ZTR manufacturer. I think that the EGO looks great, and if I had the money to spend on it and spare batteries, I'd probably buy one despite my criticisms. If and when I invest in a ZTR, though, I want to buy something that will last, even if "lasting" means that my ZTR looks like Frankenstein's monster in twenty years. I want something that I can rebuild or repair if needed...something that might see a quick weld, a retrofitted seat, or an engine rebuild. The technology for this EGO looks "there" but I don't think the mower itself is rugged enough for my wants when compared to the possible budget I'll be on. Anyway, I could ramble on all day, but what are your thoughts? If I had to summarize, I'd say that this is like most other technologically advanced things. Take the Tesla truck, for example, I like it for some strange reason and its specs are much better than my 2006 Sierra with over 300k miles. Would I buy a Tesla over a new gas or diesel truck? Probably not, as it just doesn't seem like something you'd want to abuse.

I bought into EGO almost three years ago and currently have the 20" push mower, backpack blower, hedge trimmer, and string trimmer, along with two 5.0Ah and a few 2.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries. One of my 5.0Ah batteries is a bit questionable but I always chalk it up to user error/miscalculation (it seems to die quicker than my other batteries, but it could due to me not charging it fully or using it in the mower after it's been used in other tools). The site now shows a 46" ZTR mower that's being released soon! With my pending retirement to a nice warm locale that prompted me to buy a riding mower only weeks after investing in a push mower when I first moved there, the EGO ZTR is now on my watch list... In terms of quality, I think that they are on par with power tool brands like DeWalt and Milwaukee. This may seem like an apples to oranges comparison, but the fitment of the batteries, quality of materials, ergonomics, and innovations are not dissimilar from what we'd expect from a top-tier tool manufacturer nowadays. The mower takes some getting used to, as it will bog down and shut off if cutting tall and/or wet grass if used in mulch mode. My workaround is to simply listen to it, if the motor sounds like it's straining, I'll pop a wheelie and give it a chance to build up blade speed and jettison some clippings. I don't use the chute because it gets clogged too easily, the bag fills up quickly and you have to have a place to empty it, and the plastic deck requires washing after use, or waiting until the clipping dry and scraping them off. The blower is outstanding and one of my favorite OPE tools to use. I usually cheat, though, and use it in conjunction with my big DeWalt blower. The strong trimmer is easily the best EGO product I own. It will eat up almost anything, and the automatic string loading feature makes adding string almost fun. I haven't used the hedge trimmer much, but it is definitely more powerful and a better design than the DeWalt 20v Max trimmer I own. A good friend almost lost a finger to the DeWalt a few years ago as it allows single-handed operation. The EGO requires two hands or a Darwinian workaround.

ToolBane offers some very good advice that's not tarnished with brand bias. You'll find a lot of people who will tell you that [insert brand here] is the greatest out there, but the truth is that all of the established brands-and even some of the less-mentioned ones like Harbor Freight's Bauer and Hercules-will likely perform better and last longer than what 90% of homeowners need or even expect. I wish I could steal his claim of "running" certain brands, but I'll admit that I'm more of a tool owner who occasionally does a project or decides to torture a tool as opposed to regular usage. I currently have DeWalt 8v, 12v, 20v, and FlexVolt; Milwaukee M12 and M18; Ryobi 18v (and a single Tek4 scope); Ridgid 18v; and a single Hitachi 12v rotary tool. Previously, I've owned Porter Cable 18v; Hitachi 18v; Kobalt 20v; Black and Decker (14.4v, IIRC); and I used the old Black and Decker/DeWalt UniVolt tools professionally back in the '90s. Since you're in Kentucky, I'm going to assume that you have both Lowe's and Home Depot stores within a reasonable distance. I'm a big fan of instant gratification, so the bulk of my tool purchases have been from these two stores. Only one brand is sold at both (DeWalt), and in my opinion, the Lowe's exclusive brands are a bit less established than the Home Depot exclusive brands, which brings me to my suggestions: Ryobi - offers both inexpensive and borderline pricey options in an extremely large line with a lot of things that other "budget" brands don't offer, such as larger capacity (6Ah and 9Ah) batteries and hybrid tools. If I only wanted one brand and was on a budget, I'd go with this. Ridgid - much smaller line than Ryobi but with a lot of innovative tools that more than cover the basics. The Lifetime Service Agreement registration is not as much of a pain as the internet claims...I've registered my tools with only a couple of them requiring me to upload the receipt. The fact that batteries included in kits are covered under the LSA makes Ridgid a prime candidate for someone who wants to buy once, take care of their tools, and have a backup in case of an eventual failure. DeWalt - you mentioned the Atomic line, the advantage to it is that it is part of the overall 20v Max system. Basically, you can use any 20v Max battery with any 20v Max tool (and can also use 60v Max FlexVolt batteries in the 20v tools). Further, some radios and most chargers can be used with the 12v/20v/60v Max family of batteries. So, your concern about battery compatibility is offset by the fact that DeWalt Between the two most visibly popular brands on these forums and elsewhere (Milwaukee and DeWalt), I'd go with DeWalt due to both their greater big box availability and their popularity with those who end up pawning them (I've gotten a number of deals at pawn shops where Milwaukee just seems to be nonexistent). Also, as previously alluded to, 20v Max is the basis for DeWalt's battery format: both the 12v and 60v batteries are similar in shape and design (though those are separate systems with limited compatibility with some accessories). At the end of the day, it's your choice as to brand. Makita, Bosch, Kobalt, Craftsman, MetaboHPT, and other brands I haven't mentioned much all offer quality tools with their own advantages and disadvantages. Any of those brands will offer the basics of what you need. Oh, and once you get an impact driver, you'll wonder how you drove screws without one; they make short work of even the longest decking screws and can even be used in a limited capacity to drive other fasters (lag bolts, etc.).

I had trigger issues with my 2763 impact wrench a few years ago. Sent it in and it was fixed with no issues. It is concerning that they are denying warranty service, especially since it's your word against theirs, and they can likely provide evidence of the alleged water damage (but not proof of who caused it-it could have been exposed to moisture during shipping, or even by a careless warranty center worker). I had a good experience with my single Milwaukee warranty claim, but if it would have gone poorly I'd be in the same boat you are, questioning whether or not I should invest more heavily in the brand. Companies have to balance out warranty claims with customer satisfaction. In my opinion, DeWalt has done an excellent job. I've submitted three warranty claims through them: DCB102 dual charger - one side stopped charging. They had me ship it to a service center and I got a new one less than a week later. DS450 ToughSystem box - a side handle broke, they sent me a new box and requested that I send the old one back (I like to think it was for them to investigate the failure/weak point). DCB204 battery - it stopped working and was close to its 3-year warranty expiration. DeWalt sent a new battery and I still have the old inoperable one to either cannibalize or recycle eventually.