It's Christmas time, which means...New tools! - Page 2

I call dibs on the stop sign full of bullet holes. Saves me the hassle.



An thanks for posting that Sledge. I will have to visit my local Lowes, Home Depot an Ace an see what they have.

Thank ya also Pnut. I'ma be passing along the community gift to the family when I see them this weekend, they like to last minute shop, an I like to oblige them. lol.

Sirscrapalot - The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use. - Washington Irving

Originally Posted by Sirscrapalot

Alright, so the holidays are fast approaching an I'm being bugged for things I want. I'm not really one to ask for stuff, but I do need to add some tools to my current assortment.

So therefore...I come to the experts.

First up...

A work bench. I have one currently, which is in dire need of replacement, well not really but I'd like a better one. I could build one, but I don't have the time of late to do so, so I'm looking to just buy one of the ones you just throw together. I've seen this one from HF..have any of you used one such as this? Wood Workbench - 60" Wood Workbench w/ 4 Drawers It would be doing double duty, as a scrap breakdown table, an for my woodworking that I do on the side.

Second..I need a good power saw, again I'm looking at HF as it would be a gift from the family, an I don't want to break their pocket books. Thoughts on this one.. Reciprocating Saw w/ Rotating Handle

They've got another for a little more, but not as good of customer reviews (3 1/2 stars vs the first one at 4 stars).

Third...a new drill, for when my old one goes. Again this is all from HF. First one Cordless Drill/Driver with Keyless Chuck, 3/8", 18 Volt

2nd one Cordless Drill/Driver and Flashlight Kit, 3/8", 18 Volt

First is only 19.99, 2nd is 22.99 but I get a flashlight& charger! lol. Any of you used either of these? An if so thoughts? They have another for 19.99 that comes with a charger, bout the only difference I see tween the 2.

Your thoughts an opinions on the above would be quite helpful. I know a lot of you buy from HF hence my coming here to get opinions. Yes I could buy big fancy brand names, but its not my wallet that will be paying for them.

Now I need to go browse some more, as I'm still in need of a angle grinder, a new BFH ( Mine gets used a lot), an some other items I won't pester you all over.

Thanks ahead of time!

Sirscrapalot - Tool time on the Sandbar.

i have both the saw and the drill and they both do not disappoint ... just make sure you get the plug in and not the battery powered sawzall ... not sure how they are even allowed to sale the battery powered sawzall .... 4-5 cuts and the battery gets weak ...

Originally Posted by mrbillbus

I have the rotating handle recip saw. Got it for $19.99. Runs fine but the HF blades are crappy. Buy good blades and the saw will work fine.

good power but the HF blades dull very fast .....

I was at HF a few weeks ago and was able to compare the wood bench with this one
Multipurpose Workbench with Cabinet Light

The wood one had greater work surface but was a bit wobbly (left and right) compared to what I already have. I opted for the smaller metal one - it was actually more sturdy (comparing demos in the store). When I do get it assembled I may not add the pegboard on the back and will reinforce the top to bolt a small vice on it.

I saw that one also Erewen! I like light attached an it has some decent reviews on it. The wood one is more something I've always wanted to build, but don't have the time to do it from scratch. I think I may just find the time, an go with the one you linked, or like Sledge posted. Untill i get the time to build the wood one of my dreams. lol.

As always thanks all for your opinions an experiences on this. It helps hereing from folks who do what I do an not just reviews on a site.

Sirscrapalot - Keep'm coming.

Harbor freight tools are just as good if not better in my opinion .

Sledge, you're right on on the Pitt impact sockets. I've had a small set for a few years. They're not used daily, but prob weekly. Have held up like Snap-on so far.

Work benches...... Mine is an exterior door with a piece of osb on top, and 2x4 legs. All made of materials in my shop. It has taken massive abuse with no problems.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

I have to say, I love my Milwaukee Sawzall,,, nuff said. 30 years old and still going strong

Last August I bought a 18 volt battery Milwaukee set. Drill the high speed went out already. Sawzall I can't put much force behind it to cut anything, just have to basically set the saw blade on the item and let the weight of the saw be the only pressure. The light was jacked by my old boss. I use the impact everyday though. Only thing I have not had a problem with. I loved Milwaukee tools until now. My old boss had almost the same set I do (he had the smaller sawzall not the full length one) and his worked great. That's why I went out and bought my own set. First day I used the drill it wouldn't work at all, they exchanged right at the store. Central State Supply, contractors shop here in my town. Had to send in the sawzall once already under warranty because that had stopped altogether and since I got it back its not been able to be used hardly. They told me I would have to pay to get it fixed this time.

Told my parents that I wanted a tool box for the Dremel that I found in a clean-out. Something that I could keep all the accessories in as well as the tool....Got this instead. Now has my MIlwaukee set and the dremel plus some other tools.

I guess i can say i was lucky with my workbench/desk. A friend was cleaning out his garage and wanted it gone so it was a freebie, made out of 2x4's and 3/4 osb, i havent broken it yet, but i mostly use it for disassembling small stuff and computers. Parents got me a craftsman 19.2 cordless grinder for christmas, havent had chance to try it out yet but i think it's a great addition to the tool arsenal.