New hand tools

[RalphVa]

My Porter Cable circular saw's brushes apparently got too short. Then the recip saw blade would not eject. Time for a new set. Lowes didn't have the PC circular saw in stock.

So, I went through Lowes' listings and liked a Kobalt set with near the same stuff as what I have but in 24v brushless. Got a ram drill and regular drill in the set. Already have a ram drill but not battery powered.

Cheapest was Craftsman.

Got the remaining stuff for sale on Nextdoor at $50. Think they'll go quickly, maybe even before my Kobalt stuff is delivered.

Ralph

 

[Jstpssng]

I'm looking at the small DeWalt circular saws. I already have the 6aU batteries so it doesn't make sense to switch. I haven't even taken my corded circular out of it's case in 3 years and my handsaw is getting worn out. It's cheaper to buy a cordless tool than a 1000 foot extension cord.

 

[4570Man]

I'm looking at the small DeWalt circular saws. I already have the 6aU batteries so it doesn't make sense to switch. I haven't even taken my corded circular out of it's case in 3 years and my handsaw is getting worn out. It's cheaper to buy a cordless tool than a 1000 foot extension cord.

That’s what I have and they’re pretty good. I have the brushed version because it’s a left blade saw and that’s the only way I’ll buy one. My dad has the brushless one and it’s an all around better saw but it’s only offered in a right blade model.

 

[Opti-Mist]

I'm looking at the small DeWalt circular saws. I already have the 6aU batteries so it doesn't make sense to switch. I haven't even taken my corded circular out of it's case in 3 years and my handsaw is getting worn out. It's cheaper to buy a cordless tool than a 1000 foot extension cord.

Heh, my extension cord is a Ryobi 1800 W generator. Just toss it in the back of the Mule and away we go.

 

[RalphVa]

The wife helped me to cut up some old raised bed boards I had removed today by running 2 extension cords out to where they were so I could use the old 120v circular saw.

Never heard of left handed circular saws. Didn't even know they made them.

 

[Jstpssng]

Heh, my extension cord is a Ryobi 1800 W generator. Just toss it in the back of the Mule and away we go.

Mine's an old Lincoln welder generator which belonged to my father. The only way that I can through that in the back of the truck is if I go up and get my Kubota.

 

[Moxie 15]

I hate buying new tools it usually means I broke an old tool

A couple of years ago I had a rash of broken tools and I was complaining to my step daughter about it...
ME: ..complain' gripe, complain, damn tool broke, gripe, moan
Daughter: ...and how old was it? what did it cost?
ME: had it about 30 years, bought it used...
Daughter: and you used the hell out of it and for things it was never intended
Me: I did not! well...yay, but it still shouldn't break
Daughter: so, stop complaining and get another one

 

[Larry Caldwell]

The wife helped me to cut up some old raised bed boards I had removed today by running 2 extension cords out to where they were so I could use the old 120v circular saw.

Never heard of left handed circular saws. Didn't even know they made them.

The Skil 77 is a left handed saw.

 

[Jstpssng]

Does anybody run a chainsaw left handed? It's one of the scariest things I've seen, right up there with cutting in shorts and crocs. (Which I saw somebody doing a few days ago.)

 

[4570Man]

Never heard of left handed circular saws. Didn't even know they made them.

They’re nearly all left handed IMO. The blade should be to the center of your body and most saws are right side blade. There’s a few left side bladed ones. At least that’s what I think.

 

[sea2summit]

Does anybody run a chainsaw left handed? It's one of the scariest things I've seen, right up there with cutting in shorts and crocs. (Which I saw somebody doing a few days ago.)

Yep, felling trees I've done it. Full wrap FTW.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Does anybody run a chainsaw left handed? It's one of the scariest things I've seen, right up there with cutting in shorts and crocs. (Which I saw somebody doing a few days ago.)

Either hand when on a ladder. I keep shopping for a really light weight arborist's saw. Holding a chainsaw at arm's length one handed is hard.

 

[bigtiller]

Either hand when on a ladder. I keep shopping for a really light weight arborist's saw. Holding a chainsaw at arm's length one handed is hard.

Have you tried electric? My 10" Makita top-handle saw weighs 7 pounds with the battery.

 

[Jchonline]

Does anybody run a chainsaw left handed? It's one of the scariest things I've seen, right up there with cutting in shorts and crocs. (Which I saw somebody doing a few days ago.)

I have made thousands of cuts with a chainsaw left hand on trigger, right on handle. Tight spaces, on rocky cliffs....trees aren't on flat ground and spaced 15 feet apart in the mountains. I do wear normal PPE always (kevlar pants, boots, helmet, goggles, ears).

 

[RalphVa]

Got the tools today during lunch hour: 2 drills, light, circular & reciprocating saws, 2 batteries and 1 charger. Charged the bigger battery already.

These tools have some bells and whistles that the PC tools didn't, e.g. vacuum port for the circular saw to attach a vaccuum to it, extra hand for the ram drill, clips for both drills to attach to your belt. Circular saw blade is 7 1/4 vs. 6 1/2 for the PC. These should be very powerful with the 24v and being brushless.

Came in a box on wheels with a retractable handle. Circular saw just went into the old PC zip bag. Drills and light just sit where we had PC drill and light, just outside door from garage to house.

Got a piece plywood that I need to cut in half with the circular saw tomorrow. Absolutely too drippy this afternoon to do it.

Am moving my raised beds to a more sunny, convenient location and reducing size: to east end of pool deck at the top of a slope there. Will just reuse some raised bed boards and make a 24 foot long bed 24 inches deep.

 

[civilian]

Have you tried electric? My 10" Makita top-handle saw weighs 7 pounds with the battery.

I just purchased a 14" Makita 36V battery chainsaw. It is a top handle, meaning you can handle it with one hand. It is a very well balanced saw to use with one hand. There is a front handle that your left hand can use. It also has a chain break, just like my Stihl chain saws have. Jon

 

[RalphVa]

I just purchased a 14" Makita 36V battery chainsaw. It is a top handle, meaning you can handle it with one hand. It is a very well balanced saw to use with one hand. There is a front handle that your left hand can use. It also has a chain break, just like my Stihl chain saws have. Jon

Guess you haven't used enough yet to know oil comsumption. The 36v Stihl that my wife has now gobbles oil. The previous 2 Kobalt 40v ones weren't too bad on oil, and you could very easily see the level via the indicator, not so with the Stihl.

 

[RalphVa]

Used the circular saw and one drill of the new set today. The saw is sweet. Cuts through plywood like a hot knife through butter.

The stubby drill with the auto install of screw tips is a bit too fast, and you cannot seem to slow it down. Supposed to be able to do this with the trigger, of course. It will require a light touch on the trigger. The other drill is more complex with a standard tip to insert drills, etc. and has 3 settings for screw, drill or hammer. Has 2 speed settings.

 

[bigtiller]

Guess you haven't used enough yet to know oil comsumption. The 36v Stihl that my wife has now gobbles oil. The previous 2 Kobalt 40v ones weren't too bad on oil, and you could very easily see the level via the indicator, not so with the Stihl.

Isn't oil consumption adjustable on your 36v Stihl? It is on my 10" 18v Makita.

 

[civilian]

Guess you haven't used enough yet to know oil comsumption. The 36v Stihl that my wife has now gobbles oil. The previous 2 Kobalt 40v ones weren't too bad on oil, and you could very easily see the level via the indicator, not so with the Stihl.

No I haven't used it enough to know the consumption. But I know there is an adjustment screw. Also from the factory it seems to spray oil off the tip at a board. I have never adjusted my gas powered Stihl chain saws. Jon