Toolfreaks Anonymous

[bantam5s]

I have a giant sized Wheeler Engineering gunsmith screwdriver set which I use regularly.   I'm not sure if I'll be using the Chapman set at all.   Maybe I'll use it as a range set.  It does seem really nicely made.

The quality on the Chapman bits is miles ahead of the cheap Chinese wheeler.

One thing you may also find you like if you shar using the Chapman is the built in finger turn, it's great for finesse on a small screw.
Being able to run a screw in with your fingers then throw a handle on it and really dnug the screw down is great.
I know you can do this with a regular hex bit, but the grip on the Chapman bits is so much better.
Also the fact that you can use the handle without an extension for a stubby driver that offers more control that a fixed long shank is great too.

[bantam5s]

Picked up a table top 10" table saw at a second hand joint a couple days ago for $50. It's complete and runs great.
I have it clamped to a set of saw horses right now and the first project will be to rip down some 2x6 boards I have and built a stand for it.

That is something I have needed for a long time but never got around to buying.
It seems most of the affordable options don't really have good fences for accurate cuts so I haven't really settled on a make / model yet.
I will eventually,  but it's not that high of a priority though.

[Lt. Dan]

Picked up a table top 10" table saw at a second hand joint a couple days ago for $50. It's complete and runs great.
I have it clamped to a set of saw horses right now and the first project will be to rip down some 2x6 boards I have and built a stand for it.

I love table saws, I have a large 10" Craftsman belt driven cast iron table saw and a smaller lightweight job site Hitachi 10" direct table saw.  What brand asnd type did you find? Pictures would be great.....

[avator]

Picked up a table top 10" table saw at a second hand joint a couple days ago for $50. It's complete and runs great.
I have it clamped to a set of saw horses right now and the first project will be to rip down some 2x6 boards I have and built a stand for it.

I love table saws, I have a large 10" Craftsman belt driven cast iron table saw and a smaller lightweight job site Hitachi 10" direct table saw.  What brand asnd type did you find? Pictures would be great.....

It's one of those brands that Harbor Freight sells. I think they sell for like $159. Master Mechanic.

[buellm2]

Picked up a table top 10" table saw at a second hand joint a couple days ago for $50. It's complete and runs great.
I have it clamped to a set of saw horses right now and the first project will be to rip down some 2x6 boards I have and built a stand for it.

I love table saws, I have a large 10" Craftsman belt driven cast iron table saw and a smaller lightweight job site Hitachi 10" direct table saw.  What brand asnd type did you find? Pictures would be great.....

I also have one of those old Craftsman cast iron, belt drive, 10" table saws.   Got it used over 40 years ago.  I've used it a lot and it still makes precise cuts.  It's an excellent tool and I'll have it as long as I am able to use it although sometimes I think it would be nice to have a modern lightweight portable table saw.  Sears had a lot of great stuff back in the olden days.

[Novagun]

I have a cast-iron tablesaw. Have had it for coming up 50 years. I can remember where I bought it new for 663 dollars. It is NZ made and I have replaced the spindle bearings once. A very handy saw. I have looked at the light weight Makita and other tables saws. Compared to caste iron they are pretty shoddy for the price and will not last.

[avator]

Dad had a Craftsman radial arm saw when I was growing up. He built our barn, remodeled and put a bar in our basement and built a cabin in Penn. with that thing. I'd like to have one but I don't build enough to warrant the cost of one. Between this table saw and the 10" DeWalt chop saw and stand I can do all I do. Like I said above, I also picked up a router table that I need to get a router for. I'll scour the pawn shops for a deal on one.

[Novagun]

Tools. Another addiction. I still comb the flea markets for stuff that I don't need and a trip the Mitre10 reminds me of my excitment as a child in a toy shop. All those colourful new tools Never did grow up: never will
A show your workshop thread still in  my mind . Photos, that's the hurdle

[bantam5s]

Picked up a table top 10" table saw at a second hand joint a couple days ago for $50. It's complete and runs great.
I have it clamped to a set of saw horses right now and the first project will be to rip down some 2x6 boards I have and built a stand for it.

I love table saws, I have a large 10" Craftsman belt driven cast iron table saw and a smaller lightweight job site Hitachi 10" direct table saw.  What brand asnd type did you find? Pictures would be great.....

It's one of those brands that Harbor Freight sells. I think they sell for like $159. Master Mechanic.

Master Mechanic is the house brand for True Value hardware stores.
Most M-M tools you'll find will be wrenches and screwdrivers and socket sets...etc so the name makes sense,  but it's just funny to see table saws routers and circ saws and various other woodworking tools labeled " MASTER MECHANIC ".
Their tools were mostly American made, but like Sears/ Craftsman most of the power tools went over seas in the 90's.

[Sqrl Klr]

I needed the useless short shelves off the back patio work table that took up half the space and I could not unscrew them how they were mounted to the table likely due to rust from being old so I got the sawzall and made quick work of removing the shelves then tossed them onto the burn pile in the woods. Now I have a nice sized table for whatever I need to place there at the time so nothing else falls off when I try to set it there as happened the other day. Love those saws!

[avator]

I guess I lied about the brand of the table saw. It's actually a Central Machinery.

[Lt. Dan]

I guess I lied about the brand of the table saw. It's actually a Central Machinery.

Central Machinery is a brand of Harbor Freight Tools that offers a variety of industrial and workshop equipment.
I have some various tools from HF that are good and some that are not so good.

[Madd Hatter]

Tools. Another addiction. I still comb the flea markets for stuff that I don't need and a trip the Mitre10 reminds me of my excitment as a child in a toy shop. All those colourful new tools Never did grow up: never will
A show your workshop thread still in  my mind . Photos, that's the hurdle

Only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys! 😁

[avator]

I guess I lied about the brand of the table saw. It's actually a Central Machinery.

Central Machinery is a brand of Harbor Freight Tools that offers a variety of industrial and workshop equipment.
I have some various tools from HF that are good and some that are not so good.

I checked out the tightness of the bearings and all the position adjustments at the store before I bought it. They all seemed good. I also smelled the motor to see if it smelled burnt. Then when I got it home I ripped a 2' scrap 2x4 with it. It worked great without any weird sounds. As little as I'll be using it, it should last me a good while.
And the price was right. 

[Sqrl Klr]

I guess I lied about the brand of the table saw. It's actually a Central Machinery.

Reminds me like my uncle used to say, "There you went fibbin' again". Why yes he did wear overalls how could you tell? hehe

Unlike most people you made it right where your word counts. Glad you got a good deal and that it works good.

[avator]

If I were going to depend on the saw to earn a living I would have gone for a better brand at a much higher price... and new for the warranty.

[Novagun]

Yes a tool that does the job is a good tool . Sometimes a second tier tool is all that is needed and often they last a long time . I have never bought an expensive battery drill because an expensive one is just as broken as a cheaper one if dropped from scaffolding.
So far I have been lucky . The only tool I have wrecked in short order was a cheap skill saw that I bought to cut concrete and tar seal. It did the job and was cheaper than hiring a concrete saw  . Even that lasted a bit.

[45WLA]

Agree, a tool that does the job is a good tool. Some years ago, I needed a rotary hammer [SDS] drill to do a couple of holes in a foundation. A rental was going to cost about $40 and the neighborhood Harbor Freight had a H---i knock-off for $50. Bought the HF, 20+ years and lots of holes later, still running good. A note on the HF cordless tools, they tend to change battery styles too often, there is a work around though if the tool works ok and you have battery issues. Amazon has battery 'adapters' for 10 or 12 bucks that adapt a Rigid or Dewalt battery to whatever that needs 18~20v. So far, I've adapted a HF right angle drill and a cut-out tool to Rigid batteries. Works better than the original.
 

[bantam5s]

Yes a tool that does the job is a good tool . Sometimes a second tier tool is all that is needed and often they last a long time . I have never bought an expensive battery drill because an expensive one is just as broken as a cheaper one if dropped from scaffolding.
So far I have been lucky . The only tool I have wrecked in short order was a cheap skill saw that I bought to cut concrete and tar seal. It did the job and was cheaper than hiring a concrete saw  . Even that lasted a bit.

You can go too cheap with stuff like the Harbor freight warrior brand or those off brand Homeowner starter tool kits where the tools are made of weak toy grade plastic and the batteries don't last, but sticking to the better HF tool lines and any name brands from the big box stores and you'll be fine.

I went with Ryobi for the battery platform that doesn't change, but there's 2 companies who own / make most of the brands ( TTI and S-B&D ) and they all meet a base level of build quality...etc

[45WLA]

What happened to my HF cordless was the charger croaked and charging became a hassle. My main cordless are Dewalt [made in Mexico] and Rigid so I only need 2 chargers and replacements are readily available. The Rigid tools also offer a 'lifetime warranty' with conditions, they have treated me pretty good over the past 25 or so years. I got into Dewalt because, years ago, the tool availability was somewhat different from Rigid. From what I understand, the orange Rigid tools are made by the same Chicom company that does Ryobi and Milwaukee. Techtronic Industries out of Hong Kong, but it is a confusing web of licensing and marketing agreements. HF tools are made by a variety of companies.