Author Topic: My Favorite Power Tool  (Read 2956 times)

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Offline itlnstln

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My Favorite Power Tool
« on: Wed, 13 May 2009, 13:30:15 »
Seconded.  I have never found a more useful power tool than a cordless drill.


Offline lowpoly

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 18 May 2009, 09:18:47 »
Next power tool I'll buy will be a Makita:


Miniguru thread at GH // The Apple M0110 Today

Offline lam47

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 18 May 2009, 09:53:22 »
Mine would be my Dewalt router. I have it mounted under the table :)
Keyboards. Happy Hacking pro 2 x2. One white one black. IBM model M US layout. SGI silicone Graphics with rubber dampened ALPS. IBM model F. ALPS apple board, I forget what it is. And some more I forget what I have.

Typewriters. Olivetti Valentine. Imperial Good Companion Model T. Olympia SM3

Offline dougy

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 18 May 2009, 20:53:56 »
The DeWalt is just a cheap imitation of the old Elu. Black & Decker absorbed that brand into DeWalt and made the tool "more affordable" by using lower quality materials in a looser machine. Sigh, it probably sells 100x what the Elu did.

A chainsaw is far more useful than a cordless drill. Put on a long bar with lots of power and you can DO things. Even more useful is half a stick and a 100lbs of nitrate, but those days are long past.

Offline lam47

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 19 May 2009, 04:10:37 »
Ooo I disagree there. I have been using DeWalt stuff for years and it has always been very reliable and of a high quality. I don't doubt Elu were better but don't dis my tools man. Its like telling me my penis is sub standard.
Keyboards. Happy Hacking pro 2 x2. One white one black. IBM model M US layout. SGI silicone Graphics with rubber dampened ALPS. IBM model F. ALPS apple board, I forget what it is. And some more I forget what I have.

Typewriters. Olivetti Valentine. Imperial Good Companion Model T. Olympia SM3

Offline vils

  • Posts: 247
My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 22 May 2009, 21:40:33 »
These would be my favourite "power tools", cordless and never gives up cutting.


Japanese steel on a US made butchers block.
It\'s the glass pipe fallacy. You can only believe that if you\'re on crack.

Offline vils

  • Posts: 247
My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 22 May 2009, 22:27:01 »
Quote from: ripster;92200
Stretching the power tools definition a bit though...


This IS a power tool.  I use this to sharpen the knives - more important than the RC rating is maintenance:
Show Image


Yeah, I know, not really a power tool, but damn powerful ;D

I should have posted a pic of cordless Bosch GSR...something screwdriver instead, but my knives are way cooler.

I hope you don't let your knives get warm on that thing, could easily ruin the tempering and render HRC to below 50.
I only uses water stones and a leather stop, but I'm most defintly a knife geek.

BTW that Kai Shun is rather good, perfect wedding gift. I have one of their 8" chefs knives but I left it at my fathers place since his knives were made out of garbage cans lids.

The knives on my pic are:
Suisin Gin Momiji 210mm
Hiromoto AS 270mm Wa Gyuto
It\'s the glass pipe fallacy. You can only believe that if you\'re on crack.

Offline vils

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« Last Edit: Fri, 22 May 2009, 22:57:56 by vils »
It\'s the glass pipe fallacy. You can only believe that if you\'re on crack.

Offline vils

  • Posts: 247
My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #8 on: Fri, 22 May 2009, 23:25:35 »
Lee's book is really a classic on the subject. I read Chad wards book.

And watched some sharpening DVDs, the best was Dave Martells.

The reason for getting a US made butcher block was that I could get it custom made (Mahogny 2"x16"x22", end-grain) cheaper and with better quality than I could over here. If you want a high-end board go here The Boardsmith.

And no, I'm not a cook, I just love to do it. The knife didn't cost much more than what most of us here are willing to pay for a keyboard. And not all of us write for a living.

It took some time to write this, but now I've managed to hide the URLs and give them more readable names.

Sorry for this thread hijacking.....
It\'s the glass pipe fallacy. You can only believe that if you\'re on crack.

Offline vils

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #9 on: Fri, 22 May 2009, 23:52:44 »
Knives can really give you bad cuts... especially when using them for some thing they are not intended to. I hate those clamshell packages, I really get an urge to bring out the biggest and sharpest tool available when trying to open them up.
My tolerance of blood is not the best either, I have to lie down when taking a blood sample, and stay horizontal for a while afterwards. I fully understand you fainting.
My experience is that the duller the knife, the higher risk of cutting yourself. The knifes behaviour gets less predictable, and you have to use more force and with that less control.
Thanks for the kind words on the photos.
Work finishs in 10 minutes, turn of computer walk home and sleep. If some of what I have written is un-understandable I defend myself with saying that it's 7 in the morning over here, my head has pretty much stopped to work.
It\'s the glass pipe fallacy. You can only believe that if you\'re on crack.

Offline vils

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #10 on: Fri, 22 May 2009, 23:54:44 »
Quote from: ripster;92215
LOL - as the original poster I enjoyed this discussion on knifes and the sharpening books.  I'll check out that knife forum too - I thought they only discussed those survival knifes, not cooking stuff.


The "in the kitchen" section is really good.
I hope you enjoy it.
It\'s the glass pipe fallacy. You can only believe that if you\'re on crack.

Offline didjamatic

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 29 December 2009, 13:13:00 »
I went with Makita because I wanted to standardize on something with well priced 18v Lith-Ion batteries and have never regretted my decision once.  Amazing tools and the shelf life of a charged battery is phenomenal.  I can buy quite a few Makita batteries for the price of 1 Dewalt lithium battery.  The mini-impact driver has enough torque to sheer a 1/2" bolt off and the drill is the best I've used.
Makita LXT
« Last Edit: Tue, 29 December 2009, 13:15:58 by didjamatic »
IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline TheSoulhunter

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 29 December 2009, 15:08:24 »
This trio gets 90% of all jobs done... ^^






Offline TheSoulhunter

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« Reply #13 on: Tue, 29 December 2009, 20:18:57 »
A screwdriver? Well, yes... at least it's cheaper than the Makita!

Offline ricercar

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 30 December 2009, 16:16:13 »
> what MacGyver would need

Always have a spoon nearby.
I trolled Geekhack and all I got was an eponymous SPOS.

Offline 1uckyNumb3r7

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 09 January 2012, 15:14:01 »
My favorite tool (also most necessary tool for work) is my Husqvarna 576xp chainsaw. **So clean looking because this is right after I bought it**


Offline alaricljs

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #16 on: Mon, 09 January 2012, 15:22:55 »
I've had the Makita 18v Hammer Drill for longer than I had my DeWalt and used it for more nasty things.  It's just as strong as day 1.  The DeWalt batteries died (yeah, NiCad... but they really should have lasted longer) and the chuck decided it would no longer stay tightened.

My fav. tool is probably my Makita 10" compound miter saw on my PortaMate PM-7000 portable work stand.  It's that or a blow torch.
Filco w/ Imsto thick PBT
Ducky 1087XM PCB+Plate, w/ Matias "Quiet Click" spring-swapped w/ XM Greens

Offline alaricljs

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« Reply #17 on: Mon, 09 January 2012, 15:27:47 »
Mmmm chainsaws are cool too.  I have a pre-EPA 268XP modded to a 272XP w/ 24" bar.  Having 5 acres of trees was never so much fun.
Filco w/ Imsto thick PBT
Ducky 1087XM PCB+Plate, w/ Matias "Quiet Click" spring-swapped w/ XM Greens

Offline theOwlol

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 17 January 2012, 11:56:49 »
I must say I enjoy using the grinder, both bosch and metabo makes good ones.
But  in my opinion, stay away from the cheaper ones, unless of course you wont use it a lot.

Offline AKIMbO

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 17 January 2012, 12:18:56 »
Does a leaf blower count?  I got one for xmas and have found a ton of uses for it.  It's an awesome "bachelor's broom" if you know what I mean.
Mkawa Beta SSK | IBM SSK | IBM Model AT F | IBM F 122 | IBM Unsaver | LZ-GH (62g ergo clears) | HHKB Pro2 Type-S | HHKB Pro2 | Realforce 87U-Silent (55g uniform) | Leopold FC660C | Omnikey 101 (blue alps) | Kingsaver (blue alps) | Zenith ZKB2 (green alps)
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Offline alaricljs

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« Reply #20 on: Tue, 17 January 2012, 12:37:32 »
God I hope you party on the lawn, because I'd never light up my leaf blower in the house.  No matter how 'clean' it runs it's still stank poison.


Not that you can do this in sunny Florida but once a decade:  I use my leaf blower to clear up to 4" of snow off my driveway.  Helps if it's pretty dry...
Filco w/ Imsto thick PBT
Ducky 1087XM PCB+Plate, w/ Matias "Quiet Click" spring-swapped w/ XM Greens

Offline isp

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #21 on: Tue, 17 January 2012, 12:49:28 »
the dx460

[video=youtube;DxBGzUhT-TM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?DxBGzUhT-TM[/video]
hhkb

Offline alaricljs

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« Reply #22 on: Tue, 17 January 2012, 13:23:21 »
Quote from: harrison;492614
they make both electric and battery operated ones now.  mind you, they're still pretty damn loud

Electric leaf blower... that's funny.  Electric dust broom perhaps.  My RedMax has a 75cc engine, I can move rocks with this thing and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I own a leaf blower because I have 5 acres of trees trying to bury my house.
Filco w/ Imsto thick PBT
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Offline AKIMbO

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #23 on: Wed, 18 January 2012, 14:35:37 »
Quote from: alaricljs;492609
God I hope you party on the lawn, because I'd never light up my leaf blower in the house.  No matter how 'clean' it runs it's still stank poison.


Not that you can do this in sunny Florida but once a decade:  I use my leaf blower to clear up to 4" of snow off my driveway.  Helps if it's pretty dry...

Lol it's electric.
Mkawa Beta SSK | IBM SSK | IBM Model AT F | IBM F 122 | IBM Unsaver | LZ-GH (62g ergo clears) | HHKB Pro2 Type-S | HHKB Pro2 | Realforce 87U-Silent (55g uniform) | Leopold FC660C | Omnikey 101 (blue alps) | Kingsaver (blue alps) | Zenith ZKB2 (green alps)
| KBD75 (box reds)

Offline alaricljs

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #24 on: Wed, 18 January 2012, 15:17:14 »
Quote from: AKIMbO;493502
Lol it's electric.

Yeah, someone else reminded me that they exist.  Mine is 4+ HP and I need to be able to use it at least 1000ft from an outlet, so electric wouldn't work out so well.

I have used the output on my shop vac to blow crap out of my house, so I get where you're going :)
Filco w/ Imsto thick PBT
Ducky 1087XM PCB+Plate, w/ Matias "Quiet Click" spring-swapped w/ XM Greens

Offline Malphas

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #25 on: Thu, 19 January 2012, 11:12:11 »
I like coil nailers, purely because you can pull the safety mechanism back and spray nails all over the place like some 1920's bootlegger.


Offline weenis

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #26 on: Thu, 19 January 2012, 11:32:52 »
Quote from: 1uckyNumb3r7;486786
My favorite tool (also most necessary tool for work) is my Husqvarna 576xp chainsaw. **So clean looking because this is right after I bought it**

Show Image
That's a really nice chainsaw.
Dell AT101W | Unicomp Spacesaver PC | IBM SpaceSaver Keyboard | IBM Black Label M | KBT Oni Brown | Leopold Otaku Brown | Noppoo Choc Mini Brown | IKBC F104 Brown

Offline Surly73

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #27 on: Wed, 25 January 2012, 09:40:50 »
Quote from: ripster;498565
****ing Li-ion batteries.  I started getting the dreaded green/red flashing on my battery charger for the OP driver unit and had to go order another for $40.

Expect a 2 year life on these.

When I last bought cordless tools, Li batteries were just coming into popularity but I avoided them on purpose to be battery-compatible with other tools already in the family so that we could share/pool when needed for projects.  I ended up getting a 5-piece Ridgid set when it went onsale at HD.  They have NiMH batteries, which cause me no grief at all, and everything (including the batteries) are covered by a lifetime service plan.  After 6 years one battery didn't hold a charge well and it was replaced with no grief.  The shop doing the replacement offered to replace both of mine since they were the same age even though the second one wasn't having any issues.

My favourite power tools probably all run on air, though...

Offline itlnstln

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #28 on: Wed, 25 January 2012, 12:21:16 »
Quote from: ripster;498617
I've got NIMH 9.6s on my Makita.

I guess they discovered the secret of NiMH...



Offline Wildcard

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My Favorite Power Tool
« Reply #29 on: Thu, 26 January 2012, 00:12:11 »
My favorite power drill for small projects.

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 38607[/ATTACH]

It's small and powerful, has low and high torque settings. And looks like a combination between an old NES system and Tron.

Sadly, Black and Decker discontinued the VPX line.

Here's another model below.
« Last Edit: Thu, 26 January 2012, 00:16:45 by RiffRaff »