Homestead mailing list

["Lynda" <lurine AT com-pair.net>]

Well, I'm going with Lithium batteries this time.  They don't have a 
"memory" and supposedly they last longer between charges than a NiCad.  We 
shall see.  I do know that with the whole memory thing that the old 
batteries would one day simply stop taking a charge that was worth bothering 
with.  They're so blooming heavy, I figure there might be a business in 
selling them to folks who do shot put and they could use them for practicing 
<g>

I have an old 14" Craftsman chainsaw that has out worked a dozen other 
chainsaws but it was from when Poulan wasn't building chainsaws for Sears. 
Also got a couple of other saw but they are both OLD.  I don't think any of 
the new generation is worth spit!

Lynda
--"I'm fascinated by the hard line you're drawing over religion -- It gets
used too much, as an excuse, a fall guy, a weapon, a con.  A lot of people,
maybe most, don't mean it except when it suits them."  Dallas
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gil White" <gil.white AT xplornet.com>


> I've had mixed luck with Craftsman tools.
>
> I purchased a set of wrenches and sockets years ago that have been abused 
> with barely a scratch. As a few people mentioned earlier, I use the 3/8 
> set for just about everything, though I generally prefer the 6 sided 
> sockets. Even with heat or rust penetrator, I find the 12 sided sockets 
> don't get the same kind of grip.
>
> The one thing I use the 1/2 for is torquing tires. By 1/2" I mean the 
> sockets, I couldn't tell you the last time I used the wrench itself.
>
> I'm less impressed with the Craftsman power tools. I have a 30 year old 
> radial arm saw that's been a real workhorse but both the corded and 
> cordless Craftsman drills have no torque at all. And even with a straight 
> edge I could never cut a straight line with their jigsaw. I also have a 
> Craftsman reciprocating saw that I've been meaning to replace just about 
> since I bought it. The only thing I use it for is pure destruction work.
>
> The other thing I like is when they have their screwdriver sets on sale. 
> They're not my favourite ( check out LeeValley.com if you want some 
> beautiful screwdrivers ) but they're good enough that I keep a set in the 
> car. I also gave my dad a set for Christmas one year, I got tired of him 
> asking me to do some little job and he never had the right size 
> screwdriver around.
>
> I used to subscribe to Fine Homebuilding and they have pretty good tool 
> comparisons. Their audience is more contractors then do it yourself people 
> but they usually include a few tools in their reviews that we might 
> actually purchase.
>
> As for cordless drills, I had purchased a Dewalt drill to augment the 
> Craftsmen. I had been happy with the drill but I've been revising my 
> opinion over the batteries. After about 18 months, one of the batteries is 
> completely shot and won't hold a charge at all. The second battery will 
> only hold a charge for a few hours (no use) and only a few screws worth if 
> you actually use it. And a new battery costs almost as much as I spent on 
> the tool. Now that was one of the 14.4 volt models but I think I'll try a 
> different brand the next time I start a real reno project.