I thought this would be a great thread for everyone who needs a particular tool or would like to see an improvement to an existing tool.
I want a shop vac with the on-off switch on the nozzle like my home central vac. All you need is low voltage wiring through the hose to a relay.
I also want a random orbit sander / vac system all-in-one. the vac should come on when I trigger the sander and stay on with a ten second delay when I release the trigger. the power wires to the sander should run through the vac hose. the combination power supply-vac hose should come straight out of the top of the sander so I can hang it from the cieling over a work station.
I use a similar set up now except the hose comes out of the side of the sander and is always in the way. my power cord is taped to the side of the vac hose complicating the tangle.
Replies
Well, they don't have exactly what you want, but check out Festool....
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
and my Fein vac will do the same when it's all plugged in ....
so Festo or Fein ...
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Right! My Fein will too. I was thinking about the sander they make which gets great reviews for it's cleanliness....
http://www.festool-usa.com/portando/topprodukt/topview.cfm?topprodukt=3
...and plugs into their vac. I only own their plunge style circ saw, but if their other products are as innovative and as good.......Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Here's something simple. My Bosch table saw is portable, sold as such. I take it to jobs where I can set it up and leave it for a couple days. For daily work, I carry a smaller Rockwell saw that has space under the van storage shelves. Why didn't Bosch make up the bottom of the saw more friendly for sliding in and out of a pickup bed or van floor. That plastic base with it's thin edge seems too flimsy for the use we know it could get.
Even simpler, why are many/most/all of the cordless drill boxes so scant on storage space? My old Milwaukee 12v. at least had a top tray you could overload. You know these designers never used the tool professionally.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
magnetic nail holder that holds roofers..( I saw the drywall one) or buttoncaps.
sawzall blades that LAST..in the toughest extremes..using Lennox Fire and rescue now..2 for 11 bucks.
dado blades for a circular saw.
laser tools that actually cut..
a power scribe..dividers that have a zip bit...
a never empty coffee container
an auto matic ball launcher for my dog, so I can get some work done..'tater gun style..
a real life third hand..just slip on a glove and have an extra useable hand attached...preferably female..ooops.
that'll do for now.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
I have the whole cordless Dewalt set-up. 2 screw guns, recipro, circular, right angle, even the cordless vac. problem is there are batterys everywhere.
Why cant Dewalt make the handle on the Radio/charger to accept and organize the batterys. It could probably fit 6 across plus one in the charger. It also would help me rotate my batterys between service and charge.
Here is another one for Dewalt. Those little yellow drill bit organizers that fold in half. Build those suckers into the cordless drill case or at least make the case to accept them. If the darn thing fit into the larger combo kit case, I could arrive at many small jobs carrying only one thing.
This one is for the makers of the Track-Rack ladder system. Why dont they make rigid panels that slide onto the worthless inside track to create a security tonneau cover? My F-350 has a locking tailgate. With that I could actually Take care of other business with the bed full of tools.
Come on... are you realy gona get any work done with that third hand?
A roofing nailer that shoots up to 3" nails for concrete siding.
A combination air compressor ,hose with retractable hose,storage for three guns and bins for nails for each gun all setup on 2 wheel dolly.
For that matter a combo air compressor and roofing nailer would be nice.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
Don't know about Sphere, but that "real hand" would be a real Godsend to some of us lonely old farts without gf's, "figh ant says", or wives...
; )
If I survive, I have survived.
But if I have enriched someone else's life, I have succeeded.
quittintime
you'd have to name it tho'...but it never talks during sex, won't cheat on ya ( I hope),and won't drink yer last whatever..too good to be true.
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
There is a dado blade for portable circular saws. All you need is hammer to bend a couple of teeth. One day I hit a piece of metal in a 4x4 I was cutting. The next cut I made had a 1/2" kerf in it. After I stopped laughing I changed the blade.
mike
My advice to tool makers is not to do unnecessary re-designs, not to discontinue good models and replace them with new models that are different without being significantly better.
-- J.S.
I have a case against...
Milwaulkee: could design their sawzall case so it doesn't apply end pressure on the bend of that removable powercord, whatever that thing is.
Paslode: could design the case for the Impulses so the battery light on the handle could be seen when the gun is laying in the case.
Portercable: could design the case for their circular saw so it could more easily accept the powercord.
Bosch: could provide a molded case for their orbital sander with a place for supplies.
All the manufactures of the cordless combo kits should add a third battery to the sale.
How come a manufacturer decided to make a radio without a charger in it?
The follies which a man regrets the most in his life are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. [Helen Rowland]
Edited 3/12/2004 2:37 pm ET by rez
How come a manufacturer decided to make a radio without a charger in it?
The one with the charger in it is protected by patents...
Here fishy fishy....
Why don't they make a charger with a radio in it?
The follies which a man regrets the most in his life are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. [Helen Rowland]
HITHSIK....
Here fishy fishy....
You make a good case. Or maybe you should Make a case.
How about the cords on tools having a third prong that will fit in the grounding hole on the outlet? would make pluging in a tool easier . I seem to always have to turn my plug around 99% of the time I want to use a tool.
Handles on hand tools should be made larger so a hand can fit in/on them. I hate useing hand saws and planes with my fingers smushed in and cramped .
all of the tool cases should be built to accomidate the tool and cord after you unpack it the first time ,and all of the extras that will be used over the life of the tool.
<How about the cords on tools having a third prong that will fit in the grounding hole on the outlet? would make pluging in a tool easier . I seem to always have to turn my plug around 99% of the time I want to use a tool>
Heh heh That's why you make a double outlet box on an extension cord with one outlet turned around.
The follies which a man regrets the most in his life are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. [Helen Rowland]
Apparently Black and Decker did make a dado blade set for circular saws back in the '60s or '70s, unfortunately I can't find anyone who has it. I'd love to get one..right up until it kicks back and impales me.
I wish Milwaukee made metal tool boxes for the cordless tools with a top shelf for bits..sounds like someone was mentioning they used to.
-Ray
Just plug the cord in the other way all the time and you'd only have to reverse it 1% of the time!
just my 2 cents I'd like that radio charger to be a three or four way splitter. I always have unplug the radio when we need another plug.
Wait for the Bosch...4 plugs, GFCI'ed right on the back of it.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
I'm with you on the Bosch train. I'll be picking up that radio first time I see it. I'm also gonna grab one of their new sidewinders. Have you seen that one? It doesn't have a cord, your extension cord connects securely directly to the saw. Haven't seen one in person yet, but if it feels right I'll grab one.
I have a ton of faith in the newer or re-engineered Bosch tools these days. I think they are the cat's meow right now. If I had to choose all my tools from only one manufacturer these day I'd go with Bosch.
Yeah, sometimes when I'm working, I look around, and it's nothing but blue!
I saw all the new tools at the homebuilding show, and the new saws looked good. I didn't actually cut anything, so I can't give you a test drive review, but I'm sure that they will be right at the top of the pile.
The radio is bad news. I wrote to them, and it isn't due out until summer. I wonder if there is indeed a patent that will lapse at that point, and that's why we have to wait, or if thats just another myth!
Check out the new jigsaw, it should be the one to have...again.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
"I'm with you on the Bosch train...one of their new sidewinders...It doesn't have a cord, your extension cord connects securely directly to the saw."
When I saw this thread, my first thought was to post that I wanted very short cords on the tools.
I used to think that I wanted long cords. Then I finally owned a tool that has a truely long cord (the Fein Multmaster). What a friggen pain putting that tool away.
The Fein made me realize that what I really wanted was extremely short cords (or no cord!). With the exception of the Fein, I end up using an extension 95% of the time anyway. And sometimes I have wasted time because I thought I didn't need the extension, then I had to go back for it. Now I try to always assume I'll need it and take it the first time. So there really isn't any need for a cord on the tool.
And there is no question that the time it takes to put away tools is comprised largely of neatly folding the cords to fit into the case.
My other complaint is that no tool should be sold without a case. For some reason it doesn't bother me that my nail guns do not have cases, but the Milwaukee screwdriver and metal shear and the Porter Cable belt sander should have come with cases!
I wonder if someone could open a custom case store in a metropolitan area. Bring in whatever you want to have a case for and we fabricate a case, metal or plastic, for it right on site.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Yeah, and make all the cases the same perimeter size so they stack up on a hand cart neatly. Could also mke them snap together somehow to keep them organized better. Then make one the same size for your hand tools.
Bring all your cases to a job, snap them together and end up with some kind of work station or a couple of saw horses. I dont know how many times have I thrown a 2x10 over my circular saw case to do a quik cut off.
There is a story about Henry Ford. When he ordered transmitions for his model A he specified how the boxs they came in had to be built. The specs on the boxs were as precise as the gear box. the subcontractor thought he was nuts but did as Ford said. Fords crew carefully disassembled the crates and used all the precut pieces for the floor boards in the car. True story.
just sutch a case system is out there, it is produced by festool, all of their tools come in cases that can be stacked and locked together and they make a kind of file cabinet on wheels that you can put them in also.
james
I used to think that I wanted long cords. Then I finally owned a tool that has a truely long cord (the Fein Multmaster). What a friggen pain putting that tool away.
this idiot that used to work for us put a 50' extension on his new skill mag when he got it...
that was interesting
works even better when its -20 and filled with STP I bet..and plugged into another 150' of cord..
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Putting a 50'er on a wormdrive is old school West Coast style. I think I read in one of Larry Haun's books that he does that. Possibly Will Holladay as well.
Goes back to the days when all you needed to frame was a set of bags, that saw with a 50'er, and good size ball of string!
yeah ok... but... you got a saw with a cord attached already, nothing wrong with it..
so you go and buy a 50' extension cord, wack one end off and attach to the saw, so you always have 50' on the saw..
guess my problem with it was, why wreck a perfectly good extension cord to just put it on the saw, when the cord could be used by more than one tool when left alone.
I thought it was lame as hell..
to each their own though.
I'm with you bud.....won't find any 50'ers on my stuff either. Have you seen the new Bosch circ saw with NO cord? What an awesome idea. Your extension cord plugs directly to the saw and it has some sort of locking mechanism so that the cord doesn't fall off. No knotted plug junction to get caught on the corner of that stack of plywood. Can't wait to get a good look at it at JLC-Providence.
I'll confess. I put a 20' 14 ga. cord on my HD77. It's female end had a slice, so I donated it to the Skil.
I love it. I would agree that no cord would be okay, but for me a 6' cord is the worst compromise.
With a short cord, you always need an extension cord, but the end is close enough to get caught when ripping sheet goods, always be underfoot, etc. My 20' cord is long enough that I don't need an extension cord when making a quick cut, yet I don't have to make 40 loops around the saw when rolling up.
To each his own.
Jon Blakemore
> I wonder if someone could open a custom case store in a metropolitan area. Bring in whatever you want to have a case for and we fabricate a case, metal or plastic, for it right on site.
There are such places here in LA, Anvil Case, A&J, etc. They do stuff mostly for the motion picture industry and rock & roll roadies. Prices are probably a bit too steep for construction tools.
-- J.S.
There is a pic and some info on the new Bosch site radio on pg 13 of the April 2004 Pop Sci mag. Looks well thought out.
How a bout hop up kits. If I wanted to hop up my say a12V cordless to change the gear ratio or something why dont they offer that.
Darkworksite4:
Gancho agarrador izquierdo americano pasado que la bandera antes de usted sale
Run it on 18v....
Here fishy fishy....
Nah serious, you should be able to hop tools up. inter change the gearing ect. I think that would be cool. I mena they already hop up belt sanders and have races with them. Why not beable to hop up other tools, say custom grips on the worms or sidewinders,cordless saws and guns and be able to fine tune the triggers.
Darkworksite4:
Gancho agarrador izquierdo americano pasado que la bandera antes de usted sale
Rez,
"Milwaulkee: could design their sawzall case so it doesn't apply end pressure on the bend of that removable powercord, whatever that thing is."
I think you're supposed to remove the cord before it goes in the case. I do, and I appreciate this feature. Most cords seem to wear out right near the tool, because that's where the most extreme bend is. Milwaukee eliminated that stress point.
Jon Blakemore
Thanks for the reply.
Personally I like to have any powercord hardwired direct.
It seems to me the twist off feature in question is something else to wear out or grow loose over time.
Another inch or two on the case would have sufficed me.
Something else to break. But then again I like manual windows on the driver's side of a truck for security in the event and less problems of repair down the road.
The follies which a man regrets the most in his life are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. [Helen Rowland]
Yeah, I see your point.
Has anybody had their contacts on the Milwaukee cord system wear out?
I also agree about the manual windows. Just don't try to open the passenger side while driving! I almost ran off the road once. Never again...
Jon Blakemore
That has been a feature of the magnum line of tools since the early 80s . I haven't had any trouble with it ,nor heard of any . I thought it was stupid at first. But with that system you can get a cord of many lengths for your tool. I have however replaced the cords on non magnum tools several times.
How about exhaust ports on saws that actually clear the cut line before you lean over and have to..... well, you know.
Jon,
I have one of the original Sawsalls with the removable cord and I have replaced one cord because of bad contact at the twist lock. I just leave it attached all the time now. Great tool otherwise.
Harpo
Would 22 plus years of successful twist lock meet your criteria????
Here fishy fishy....
No, why should I have to get involved with another extra motion to be attentive to.
If it's that great a feature how come others haven't jumped on the band wagon?
If you say patents I'm gonna send that transient construction woman to your house.
The follies which a man regrets the most in his life are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. [Helen Rowland]
cost?Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
I hear you... all you guys. Those blow molded cases suck. My porter cable jigsaw is like a frickin' jack in the box. You pop one hinge and the case explodes releasing the cord I had to cram in there at 6:30 last friday "afternoon". My Bosch 18V drill isn't too bad.....except I've gone away on vacations with smaller pieces of luggage. Is there no "middle of the road" with these guys? My Makita impact driver is a pretty nice size though....fits everything it came with plus a case of driver bits.
I like metal tool cases....I'll pay extra for 'em. Just bring 'em back!
I'd like a circular saw with a base made out of something other than aluminum. (And I DO buy good saws). Only took me about 10 (literally) yellow sidewinders to realize that they blow! Now I've got one PC sidewinder for the accurate or over head stuff and 3 Bosch wormers for everything else. The Bosch wormers take a pretty good beating though.
How about a miter saw stand that really works. I've tried 3 different models (the Dewalt, the new Trac Rac, and a cheesy Trojan) and none of them seem to really work well. Had to go back to school nights for an engineering degree to get my Trac Rac together only to find that it's still not what I really want. Been thinking about going back to the saw horses and 2x12 again (seriously).
I could probably go on, but I won't.
"Those blow molded cases suck"
Don't you mean those cases blow???
My current Bosch cordless case has ample room. And it did include a little case for bits and the big case has a molded spot it clips into. Shows some thought, at least. My new Bosch router two base kit has a great case, with spots in it for lots of stuff, like collets I don't even own!
I always unplug my cord from my tool if it is made that way, and all those cords are still perfect. My lame Porter Cable (a rushed purchase, grrrrr) reciprocating saw cord does take a turn in its case, and it is failing. Grrr. Also, the silly method they have to remove the blade is lame. A small knurled ring that you can get your hands on in only the best conditions,....grrrr.
Bosch's new radio will charge their entire line of batteries, provides a quad GFCI outlet, can run off the battery if power isn't present, has a tuner, a CD, and an aux input port for you Sirius subscribers like me. The biggest problem is waiting for its introduction. It is missing a very important feature, though: on board refridgeration!
My gripe with the bosch portable table saw is it's ability to control debis. Too much open area below to get good suction. Gotta fix that...
And the first manufacturer that makes a truly quiet compressor, wil get my attention, and possibly my money.
In general, dust control is an area where all manufacterers (except Festool) can improve.
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Edited 3/12/2004 8:03 pm ET by LATEAPEX911
My first router many years ago was a crapman with a light inside the bit housing. That was a great Idea that I had hoped would catch on with other manufacturers.
The cord on my belt sander gave out so instead of replacing the cord with one of similar length I used a 25 foot extension cord. It gives me the freedom to move around the job without constantly moving cords.
i thought the trac rack stand was great, set up is real quick, saw locks on easy(its removable in seconds), study and well designed
so whats the problem
caulking is not a piece of trim
have to agree that tool cases suck in general
my worst?
makita drill cases with those dumb latches that fall off and little extra storage inside
pc cases again with dumb latches that break
so give us decent cases with extra storage and space to stuff the cord in easily
metal is much better plan plastic
and how about tools that dont even come with cases, bought a hitachi 3 hp router, came in a cardboard box!!
caulking is not a piece of trim
I doubt tool manufacturers really do much to gather feedback from the field. If they did there would not be as many problems as there are.
If I were a tool maker, I'd pay someone to surf all the forums and see what people were saying about my stuff. I know of one company, in another line of business, which does. If there are any tool makers reading this forum, how about speaking up?
I think they'd be afraid they'd git their ears boxed.
The follies which a man regrets the most in his life are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. [Helen Rowland]
Ya know my nose hair trimmer should be more versitile. I think it should be strong enough to trim the yard with and maybe have a attachment for making milk shakes...
Darkworksite4:
Gancho agarrador izquierdo americano pasado que la bandera antes de usted sale
Thanks for that one! I needed a good laugh.Something is what it does.
Several are as well as blade mfgrs....
Here fishy fishy....
I want a hole saw where the piece you cut out simply falls out after you make the cut. It often takes longer to get the piece out of the hole saw than it does to cut the hole! It even seems like it would be easy to do: just a couple of extra teeth on the inside to make the cut piece loose...
Some of these stupid tool outfits, I'd like to ream 'em a new.... OH, this is a family oriented site, right?
And, now about a computer that NEVER crashes, NEVER gets a worm, and is as simple to operate as a Toyota. ; )
Something is what it does.
You can do that yourself.
Get a pliers-type sawset.
Set equidistant teeth around the rim, to a larger inside offset than what they originally were.
Done.
Don't go too far. You'll figure it out after the first time or two.
The pliers type sawset keeps the teeth at exactly the same offset.
You can get pliers type sawsets at Hardwicks in Seattle. I don't know where else to look.
You want to get really fancy, buy some feather files from them as well, and re-touch the teeth to a better chisel face with knife edge. You'll not only have a loose plug, it will be smoother.
If I survive, I have survived.
But if I have enriched someone else's life, I have succeeded.
quittintime
Here's another thought. How about a tamper proof means to mark tools? A small indented area to write on with a sharpie and the tool comes with a small vial of acrylic resin to laminate the identification permanently on the tool. I'm sure someone here might improve on the idea but the idea is for quick, easy, permanent, and tamper proof.
I would like all the folks who make #2 phillips bits to get on board with the one guy who makes the good pattern. I know that this guy is out there cause I've had one for two of his bits. And they are awesome. But I'll be darned if I can't find them again or remember the brand name. So I just work with whatever falls my way.... which is always inferior and costs the same money. I'm sure that companies like Bosch, Dewalt, and VA don't actually make these themselves. So just go buy the one that works. Cause your patterns are simply terrible.
Rob Kress
My electrician told me about a hole saw that will eject the plug by running the tool in reverse and holding a knurled ring attached to the shank. I havent seen one but ask your elec. supply house.
The hand !!!
The hand ! Bring that hand back !
Forget all the rest of the whining about the weasely parts of all those other insignificant tools... That hand was dam important !!!!
I want one of them there hands !!!!!
: )
If I survive, I have survived.
But if I have enriched someone else's life, I have succeeded.
quittintime
Um, it doesn't nag about farts and taking the trash out, does it ?
And do they, well... do they make.. erm.. other parts ?
he he he
If I survive, I have survived.
But if I have enriched someone else's life, I have succeeded.
quittintime
Sure they do. Check out Sextoy.com Wonder if you can deduct those purchases as work related ;-0
Only if it relieves job related stress.