[new DCCS620B 20V max chainsaw]

Interesting.  I have little need for this right now but let's be honest, it will probably be in my apartment by the end of the year.

[what does everyone do for a living]

I'm an Infantry Drill Sergeant.  Used to turn wrenches for a living, and will be starting an as-yet undetermined new career in as little as five years, but for now I simply work 16+ hour days turning little kids into Soldiers.

[Picked up some acid green today]

23 hours ago, Eric - TIA said:

Ryobi has changed since for the better since the old blue and yellow. I love Ego, but a huge fan of the Ryobi. Nice stuff and wont break the bank


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I've been more and more tempted to jump on the Ryobi bandwagon.  My father-in-law has a blue drill and flashlight combo that he's had for close to fifteen years.  Those look absolutely archaic compared to modern Ryobi offerings.  Had I bought into Green last year instead of Yellow, I'd probably have everything Ryobi currently offers after spending much less than what I've spent on DeWalt goodies.  Oh well, it's not like my tools sit around the bulk of the time...(okay, they do). 

[Tool Tracker (Excel)]

Does anyone use one?  I'm not talking about a locator such as the Tick, but rather a spreadsheet or other method of tracking tool inventories, serial numbers, and status.  I started one today out of sheer boredom, and currently have an Excel workbook with worksheets for each of my cordless tool systems by manufacturer (DeWalt, Milwaukee, Porter Cable, Hitachi, and Kobalt).  On it I've listed Model, Description, Voltage, Quantity, Serial Number, Date/Place Purchased, and Comments (any suggestions for other info?).  This allows me to filter by any of those parameters and should allow me to keep a tally of what I have in case of loss or theft.  After having my house burglarized a few years ago, I don't think it will hurt to keep this information handy, and building it provided a nice break from statistics earlier in the day. 

 

While I am currently a hobbyist/DIY'er at best for now--unless you count various projects that pop up at work--I could see where such a tracker would come in handy for a business that has multiple cordless platforms or a large number of tools.  Anyway, I've attached a screenshot.  Any suggestions?

 

 

[Memorial Day (USA)]

Trace Adkins' song "Arlington" always hit home for me.  It was released when I served in DC conducting funerals in Arlington National Cemetery.  Since I left in 2008 a few friends have been laid to rest there; they will be the first ones I visit when I report back to The Old Guard next year. 

 

Memorial Day should honor those who gave their lives for our nation.  A time of enjoyment--cooking out and spending time with family and friends while we can--but also a time of remembrance.  The poem at the end of the movie Hamburger Hill is a favorite of mine:

 

If you are able,
save for them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.

Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam

 

Major O'Donnell was shot down while extracting a Special Forces team only a couple of months after writing the above poem.  His crew of four, three Special Forces personnel and five indigenous troops were aboard and all were declared Missing in Action.  Their remains were finally repatriated on April 12th, 1995.

[What did you do today? A thread dedicated to the general use of tools in your projects.]

Had an Army cop tell me that my company's deuce was deadlined due to the left side head and tail lights being out.  I picked up a couple bulbs after dropping a graduate off at the airport and used the trusty Gerber to remove the tail light cover.  Other than that, the only tool I've used so far today has been Statcrunch for my Statistics exam.

[Silly drywaller...]

Years ago I worked for a gutter company, but I was always much more comfortable doing the prep work on the ground.  My coworkers did some outright insane stuff though!  I recall a job on a three story house that was built into a hill.  On the backside, one of the guys had the 32' ladder going to a balcony, and a 28' ladder on the balcony, standing on the top rung to hang a piece of gutter.

[Nps 17 where do I watch for live updates ?]

31 minutes ago, Jronman said:

sure id like a yearly DeWALT event like Milwaukee and now Makita but a Stanley Black and Decker event wouldnt be half bad either. Just have SB&D bring all its companies together to show off new products.

 

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.

[Who else has a tool problem?]

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!

[Dewalt DCN660D1 nailer kit]

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. 

[Multi-bit screwdrivers vs. individual]

20 hours ago, sparky603 said:

I use my M12 Fuel screwdriver or impact for a lot of it, but including a few nut drivers, I probably carry 15 screwdrivers in my main bag with me, which is never far from my side. I own plenty of them, but I just have never found the benefits of a multi-bit to outweigh the detriments, personally. I do like my Megapro as a house junk-drawer screwdriver, but that's about it.

 

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. 

[What tools did you buy today?]

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.

[What tools did you buy today?]

On ‎5‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 9:39 PM, DPSElias said:

Whelp, I've been slacking on my show and tell, but I picked up some Dewalt tools like the 20V cordless miter, drywall screw gun w/feeder, drywall rotary tool, and DCF889, oh and a 27 Ton Log Splitter.



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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.

[Favorite cordless power tool?]

12 hours ago, pancing said:

Do yours turn off when you twist really quick? Or get stuck in one direction when you wanna go the other way?

One of mine does that and the other is sporadic

 

I haven't noticed these issues with mine.  

[Favorite cordless power tool?]

1 hour ago, pancing said:

DCF 680, I have 2 lol

 

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

[The DOUBLE NOUN game.]

Track suit

[Work light]

56 minutes ago, Bremon said:

Dewalt's lighting is really pathetic. Big part of why I'm still keeping a decent arsenal of red; nobody can touch them. Foolish to stick with one platform though. I'm liking the small trend of hybrid tools that can be ran off battery or extension cords. It's the first step in manufacturers opening up their walled-in ecosystems the tiniest bit. 

 

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.

 

 

[Work light]

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.  

[Home Depot]

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.  

[Home Depot]

6 hours ago, BMack37 said:

Saw this today, I need more money

 

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...

[Hardware Storage]

On ‎4‎/‎17‎/‎2017 at 11:10 AM, BMack37 said:

 

My Dad used a fishing box for storing electrical connections, clips, fuses, wire, tools, etc You can store a LOT in a rather small tackle box, plus they're normally lightweight so they're easy to carry when they're loaded up.

 

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.

[Who else has a tool problem?]

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. 

[7 1/4 Circular saw issues]

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,

[broken tough system boxes]

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. 

[broken tough system boxes]

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.