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SBD would have to rent a large warehouse to show off every company's products at the same time. I'd love to see such an event: DeWalt yellow taking a prominent place, with Porter Cable grey, Bostitch yellow, and Black and Decker orange tools displayed in separate areas designed to lure their respective markets over. The closest I've come to such an event is the Infantry Warfighter's Conference years ago. That was beyond neat, with a variety of tactical gear companies as well as government contractors set up. I walked out of there with an Otis cleaning kit, Camelbak bottle, a number of t-shirts, and other odds and ends. Some buddies skipped formation to walk through while they were tearing down, and the Wiley-X people gave them the display eyewear. I'd love to visit something like the NPS or the DeWalt event, just to get to handle some of the latest and greatest along with upcoming tools. Funny thing is, back when I used cordless tools for my job, I'd have laughed out loud if someone told me that in twenty years people would be on the internet anxiously awaiting word about new cordless tools coming out.

Okay, I'll admit I may have a problem... Picked up DeWalt's latest compact hammer drill (DCD796), along with another drywall screwgun, work light, and one each 4Ah and 2Ah batteries at a pawn shop yesterday. I really want the DCD996 and the DCF887 and was hoping to find the latter in the bag. Found these at a local pawn shop for $150, so I figured it wasn't a bad buy despite already having everything besides the new drill (I already had the previous generation compact brushless drill and hammer drill, though). Time off is about to be precious again, so I decided to spoil myself one last time. The light output on the DCD796 is outstanding, though! I was comparing it to the DCD790 last night and it matches the brightness of the older drill on the lowest setting. The 20 minute work light setting is great too, and there is a noticeable difference between the speed of the DCD790 and DCD796. I have yet to compare it to its predecessor (DCD795). I did make note that the Fuel Sawzall starter kit has been reduced to $225 at a local Home Depot. When I bought the circular saw kit I was planning to buy the Sawzall eventually, and it has been tempting to say the least. Then again, the 18v and 20v Max reciprocating saws have done everything I've needed them for, and I really don't want to starting splurging on Milwaukee tools like I have DeWalt. Anyway, this will be my last post for a while. I have a Statistics exam due Monday and in about an hour the latest class of trainees will be showing up to be "welcomed" to Infantry training. Anyway, for the next few weeks, my DCL043 will be the most used tool, spotlighting and confusing wayward trainees after lights out on those nights I have duty. Love it--the red light makes them think another trainee has an unusually bright angled-head flashlight (they all buy the basic Vietnam-era design light at Reception). The looks on their faces when they realize Drill Sergeant caught them out of their bunks is priceless!

I bought this nail gun yesterday at the $249 price. Didn't even think of checking it out on the HD website first. Even so, it is a great value. Ryobi sells their version as a bare tool for $150, so for $100 (or $80) more you get a 2Ah battery and a charger (DCB113, first tool I've bought that came with this model, other kits have come with the DCB101, DCB102, DCB107, DCB112, and DCB115), not to mention the DeWalt name. I like getting these kits (at the right price) for the spare batteries. While I don't usually find myself in need of them, there are occasions (such as the project house, which is still without power) where it comes in handy to have plenty of batteries. I still haven't pulled the trigger on Flexvolt or even the 6Ah 20v Max batteries, but with five 2Ah, four 4Ah and two 5Ah batteries, I can get an appreciable amount of work done while using the dozen-plus 12v max batteries to power the Tough System radio.

I have a number of multi-bit drivers, from the Double Drive (regular and stubby) to the Klein 11-in-1 and various Milwaukee and other versions. Also still have dozens of regular screwdrivers made by Craftsman, Snap-On, Matco, and other manufacturers. That said,I find myself using the DeWalt 12v or 8v screwdrivers more often than not.

Walked through the local Home Depot yesterday and noticed that the DCN660 kits are marked down to $249 from $399. With a fair amount of trim work in my future, I picked one up. Also finally invested in a Jawstand. I have two Jawhorses but have been wanting the Jawstand to as a work piece extension for my miter saw. Picked up a few more things as well on Friday--another DeWalt Bluetooth speaker for my brother and more drive bits.

I have those 20v Max tools minus the DCF887. All are outstanding, and the screwgun with attachment along with the cutout tool amazed the hired help when I was hanging drywall last month. As for new tools, I bought my first DeWalt 18v tool yesterday. The local Home Depot had a clearance section I hadn't noticed before right next to the Pro Desk. Found a like-new DC385 that had been the display tool for the 20v to 18v adapter. It was only marked at 25% off but still had the adapter in it, so I figured that $67.50 was a good price for a new saw and an adapter (especially since I do not have any 18v batteries). Also picked up a DeWalt organizer set on clearance and a husky technician's bag.

I haven't noticed these issues with mine.

I also have two. Great little drivers; I rarely turn screws by hand anymore.

Track suit

Compared to Milwaukee's lighting options, Dewalt may be lacking, but overall I'm not completely disappointed by the latter's lights. If anything, I'd say that DeWalt needs more (affordably priced) area lights--particularly something like the OP wants. Their little 12v Max pivoting head light is outstanding for close-up work and the 20v version is probably as good if not better. The DCL050 worked well when I was working in a house without power a few weeks ago, and the DCL043 is perfect for when we start each cycle's FTX, not to mention CQ duties. The red lens emulates the trainees' l-shaped flashlights (albeit about 100x brighter) while the white lens lets me scan for wild boar, snakes, and coyotes (and wake up sleepy Privates). A bit unconventional for a work light, but it suits me. Meanwhile, the standard DCL040 is at least as good as any other basic cordless light I've used. I will say that the DCL060 puts out a fair amount of light, but that it is very limited in flexibility. DeWalt seems to want to appease everyone while neglecting those tool users who want a broad variety in only one or two battery systems. As it stands, DeWalt currently manufactures 8v, 12v Max, 18v, 20v, 40v, and Flexvolt (60v/120v) tools (not to mention still showing 12v and 14.4v batteries and accessories on its website). For the most part, each has a different targeted use and I like how DeWalt has gone out of its way to make certain items cross-compatible (radios and chargers that can be used with 12v Max / 20v Max batteries; Flexvolt batteries being usable in 20v Max tools). Even so, some of us rightfully gripe about the 12v max platform being neglected compared to other manufacturers' 10.8v tool systems, or about how Flexvolt effectively forces 20v Max users to buy into another battery system for a full-sized circular saw. Anyway, I agree it is foolish to stick with only one platform. Besides 12v max and 20v Max, I have a few M18 Fuel tools, as well as other platforms such as DeWalt 8v, Hitachi 18v and 12v Peak, Kobalt 20v, and Porter Cable 18v. Whether DeWalt released more lights or not, I'm tempted to add the Milwaukee stand light to my collection. It would have been great a few weeks ago, despite the DCL050 being more than adequate.

I wouldn't be surprised if they are developing one. I own most of the lights DeWalt currently offers and a light with stand is definitely needed.

If Milwaukee is willing to make the repair with a free upgrade, then the light is a great buy! The vast majority of my tools are Yellow, but while I have most of DeWalt's cordless lights (DCL040, 043, 050, 060, and 510), they have yet to make a stand light like this.

I've found a few stores with this deal, but have hesitated to pull the trigger due to reviews on the light. A lot of people have had issues with the locking levers breaking, restricting the height adjustment options or rendering it completely useless. Still, the free battery is tempting...

I agree, a small tackle box would probably fit the OP's needs perfectly. I use one for my dress uniform kit: spare ribbons, buttons, safety pins, and more reside in the three tiered organizer, while furniture polish, tape, and a rag fit in the bottom. I also like the Keter cantilever organizers, though those may be too big for the OP's needs. Lowe's and Walmart both sell them, while Home Depot has a slightly different style with their Husky branding.

I wouldn't consider amassing a healthy assortment of tools a "problem" per se. Having served in the Army for over 15 years, I've met a lot of people who spend their hard-earned cash to collect much more trivial things like watches, shoes, and tacti-cool gear (which is usually paired with customizing AR-15s or other weapons). Quality tools are items that can always pay for themselves, should the need arise. Home project? Do it yourself and potentially save thousands. Need a job? Not saying that you'll make six figures, but many construction-type jobs are usually available and having your own tools isn't a bad thing. For example, I bought the 20v Max screwgun last year when it came with a free collated attachment. Around the same time I was buying buckets of Senco collated screws on clearance at Lowe's for $5 or so each. Didn't necessarily need the screwdriver or the screws right then, but it all panned out when I had a drywall project a few weeks ago. Okay, maybe I'm just trying to justify spending thousands on professional grade tools when my primary work tool is an M4A1.

The 2731 is one of the three Milwaukee cordless tools I own, so hopefully mine doesn't prove problematic. I got mine with the 9.0Ah starter kit, but it seems to be as sturdy as they come. Then again, I don't have another to compare it to,

Well, I received a shipping label to send my box back. Now I just need to find a cardboard box large enough to ship it in. Hopefully DeWalt warranties it, but regardless I'll post the outcome here.

Well, my DS450 is no longer IP65 rated... I've spent the past couple of weekends hanging drywall and used the holiday combo to transport my tools. Batteries amandd charger go in the DS130, hand tools in the DS300 and cordless tools in the DS450. Since buying it the handle pulls out further than it should on one side. A few days after getting it the spring on one of the side handles stopped working. Then I accidentally brushed one of the lid latches and broke it off, but managed to reattach it. Anyway, I had a teenager helping me out, and rather than carry the loaded box by its top handle, he used the side handles. Sure enough, it broke off, cracking the side a bit and putting a hole in the box. I tried contacting DeWalt last weekend to see if it can be warranted, but was unable to submit the question. I'll try again tomorrow and post the results here. I highly doubt the box was even close to its 88 pound rating. It held an assortment of 20v Max tools and a few smaller handtools in the tray.

In the past two weeks I've splurged on tools. Picked up a DeWalt DWX725B heavy duty work stand with miter saw brackets two weekends ago along with an 8v Max pivoting gyro screwdriver that had been a display. The kit I already had came with two batteries, and the driver is one of my go-to cordless tools so I figured it was worth $20. This past weekend I found three more Tough System radios, grabbed another DWX725B, and found a DCD985 hammer drill on clearance. Also, I picked up the DeWalt cordless drywall cutout tool and used it and the screwgun with collated screw adapter quite a bit. Picked up another t-square to speed things up as well as a second set of Crescent Code Red nail puller pliers: www.amazon.com/Crescent-NP11-11-Inch-Pulling-Pliers/dp/B008NM6VAA The manufactured home I'm hanging drywall in has thousands of staples in the studs. Those Code Red pullers work extremely well with minimal hand fatigue.

I lucked out. My two local HDs didn't have any, so I checked out a few others within 80 miles and finally found one for $150. I spent the weekend hanging drywall in the project house and hit up the local HD 20 miles away, where I found the other three. Also picked up a second work stand with miter saw brackets. The 7 1/4" saw will mount to one as needed, but I mainly wanted to complete a set of two heavy duty saw horses.

Okay, so I finally got the chance to run the small 12v batteries at a steady pace this past weekend. In a nine hour work day the radio burned through two 1.3 Ah batteries and took a 1.5 Ah battery down a bar or two. This was streaming SiriusXM through Bluetooth at about 80% volume, while charging a cell phone. I also ended up buying three more radios at $90 apiece for gifts. Home Depot just marked them at $100.04 on the first.

So, I put a fresh 1.3Ah battery in the radio three days ago. Used the radio to listen to the SXM app through Bluetooth at about 75% volume for an hour Monday, about 30 minutes Tuesday, and for roughly two hours yesterday. The display is showing that the battery is at 50% charge now. Before that I had another 1.3Ah battery running the radio; that one lasted all of last week with similar nightly usage (30-120 minutes) before the radio stopped playing and displayed a low battery message.

I'll give it a go when I get the chance; I have a few 1.3Ah 12v max batteries with 2011 date codes. They last a few hours in my DCR006 Bluetooth speaker.

Don't forget about the rapid charger too. That only sweetens the deal. I've got almost every type of tool DeWalt offers but needed a circular saw. Key word: needed; I've got the Fuel circular saw now thanks to this deal. The Sawzall deal isn't quite as good ($229 bare tool circular saw versus $199 bare tool Sawzall) but still well worth the price. It'll probably be the next tool I buy.

That's the same price mine was (before 10% discount), despite the sticker that showed it was $199. These are not normally stocked at Home Depot, so if anyone wants one and their local store has one left, it will likely be marked down. I passed on one in Columbia, SC around this time last year and was kicking myself since. The radio and functionality is worth $199, but a steal at $135.