The Power Tools Thread

[jack_christie]

When it comes to impacts, I really like my DTW1002Z for special occasions. It's heavy but the power behind it (as a one handed tool) is amazing.

1000Nm is massive compared to my 400Nm from my R18IW3-0

 

[Matt2000]

1000Nm is massive compared to my 400Nm from my R18IW3-0

I don't know if I trust that number but the thing is basically a massive top-heavy motor and hammer/anvil combo on a stick so it can't be too far off! I think @loose_unit has one too, I find that it's great for stubbon Land Rover wheel nuts.

 

[Matt2000]

My stainless portaband table turned up today, now sitting in its home where the resin printer used to sit. I think it's a work of art.

I know, the blade is invisible. It uses lightsaber technology, you know.

I have my switch on order, I was struggling to find a switch that I liked and was rated for 24V/20A but then I remember the circuit breakers I used in the new dash on Bob and it's really easy to find 30V/20A versions with big toggles so I've ordered a couple. I'm now going to make a sled from 3D printed parts and ex. CNC machine 2020 extrusion so I can cut things completely square. The table top is laser cut so I know I'm working with straight and parallel sides.

 

[NecroJoe]

Ooh, that's nice. How easy is it to move it to cut longer stock? My mind's eye is bad at estimating metal weight...

 

[Matt2000]

Ooh, that's nice. How easy is it to move it to cut longer stock? My mind's eye is bad at estimating metal weight...

I just weighed the whole thing with a spring balance and it's 14kg (about 31 pounds) including the saw, so not difficult to move. It's a quick release system too but the counter top isn't quite deep enough to provide enough space for that.

The designer/builder explains it in this video:

The larger plate attached to the saw was another reason to buy it as it will help when cutting stuff handheld. I picked up a Trend digital level in the Amazon sale and will make a mount for it so I can roughly keep the saw level. I wanted the one the Bad Obsession guys use (make the noise!) but it's too big and too expensive for me...

 

[Blind_Io]

The old dremel died last night mid-project; today I picked up a replacement and went for the higher power unit. The half-amp model didn't last.

 

[Perc]

My latest Makita purchase.

 

[Matt2000]

How overpriced was it? Did it come with a free leafblower?

 

[Perc]

How overpriced was it? Did it come with a free leafblower?

Actually not too bad, far less than 30 euros. Feel much sturdier than the old ones I’ve been using. They’re difficult and fiddly to adjust which I guess means that they won’t need re-tensioning every ten minutes.

Sadly no leafblower, and weirdly it doesn’t say if they’re LXT compatible. Hopefully they’ll work with my kit anyway.

 

[Matt2000]

Modification of the Makita portaband begins! With a teardown.

Second part is already done. Hint - it only bloody well works. I'm very happy with how it's turning out. The bracket is 3D printed and I'll hopefully be mounting it later, if I can join the meet tonight it'll be behind me.

 

[Matt2000]

Second part of the Makita portaband modification:

 

[Perc]

I just bit the bullet and bought a pair of 6Ah Makita batteries. €190 for both after some haggling. Will be nice to get some more juice in the chainsaw and circular saw.

If I remember correctly, that's a whopping 9 euros less than the bundle Makita was offering around this time last year: a 18V mower, a pair of 5Ah batteries and a dual fast charger. The charger alone retails for €140 ish. I'm still kicking myself for not jumping on that even though I have no use for a mower.

 

[Matt2000]

I tried to convince my dad that he wanted a cordless mower to get the same deal. I was watching a test of their big mower a few weeks ago and the dude just had so many dual chargers he took it out and tossed it aside.

 

[Perc]

I would have bought the kit just for the charger and batteries, and I deeply regret that I didn't. My parents actually bought the kit and the mower is very nice for taking care of what the robot can't reach.

I know you can get chinesium batteries for cheap, but I have a bit of respect for these things. Tool batteries get dropped, used as hammers and abused to the point of thermal foldback. Then once you've depleted a battery, you put it on the fan cooled charger. I kinda want to stay genuine here to avoid fires and other unpleasant things. I also always make sure to never leave a battery in the €27 knockoff impact gun I got.

 

[jack_christie]

Half thinking about getting an 18v cordless mower , but from reviews a 56v is closer to petrol power, and costs too much.

 

[Matt2000]

When it comes to any power tools I don't see the point in paying for a big lithium battery that I can't then use with anything else. I'd much rather stack 2 or 3 18V batteries that I already have. 7.5Ah is pretty impressive but I didn't get as far as cost and I won't let her curves cloud my judgment.

I dunno about these big mowers anyway, the small and light ones are just so much easier to handle. Unless they're robotic or ride-on.

 

[jack_christie]

The one I linked too can take a second 18v.

If you have a big area to do, they make more sense.

The channel I linked above, have videos on a DeWalt and a Ryobi.