I’m sorry if you’re bored of this photo, but it’s what I use when I can’t think of any other way to kick off a random topic post.
Earlier today I sent 3 ball bearing tool storage combos to new homes. A Dewalt 40″ combo, a Milwaukee 46″ combo, and a Husky 52″ combo.
Advertisement
Of the 3, I think the Dewalt is the best, and the Milwaukee and Husky are tied for best bang for the buck. The Milwaukee and Husky both have great features, but if I had to pick one over the other I’d say that the Milwaukee has better polish (but not as much as the Dewalt).
I spent a good part of the day doing some workshop setup and storage area cleanup. I have a lot more organizing to do, and then it’ll be time for a major purge. That’ll be fun, but a lot of work.
I realized that I’ve posted quite a few things to the ToolGuyd Instagram feed that would be of interest here, but not as full posts. So, here they are, embedded.
Subscribe to our Instagram, @ToolGuyd, if you like this kind of stuff.
I was wondering where my Rockler glue tray and brush had went! I wanted to see how quick it would be to clean, and it turns out the answer is “rather quickly.”
I’m waiting on some more details before posting about the new Milwaukee dust extractor. It seems okay, but not very special. Might be made by a separate OEM, they haven’t answered that question yet.
I posted about MicroJig safety push blocks a few months ago, and the “honeymoon period” hasn’t ended yet.
I used this Freud dado blade to cut grooves in drawer slides a few days ago. It’s decent. I noticed a new version on the market, and reached out to Freud to see what the differences might be, but haven’t heard back yet.
The Kershaw Link is a great knife, the new blue version is nicer. Also made in the USA. Now available for ~$45-55 via Amazon.
Do you think I’ve got enough knobs?
Still have a bunch of PB Swiss tools I need to review. I went a little overboard in placing a Black Friday/Cyber Monday order last winter.
Honestly, these are the types of things I had wanted to use our Tool Talk forum for, but that’s better for public discussions, and Instagram seems better for quick image or update sharing.
Austin
I always enjoy your instagram post. Keep it up
Tim
Looking forward to info on the red dust extractor.
It looks familiar like a metabo unit or something I’ve seen before but hopefully it’s priced well as I’m in the market for one.
fred
In my travels around Europe – I’ve spotted numerous folks at work on drilling and grinding brick and masonry. I noted that the work seemed to be way ahead of US practice when it comes to dust containment – and maybe (I wasn’t up close to really judge) even noise reduction. Its about time we catch up.
Pete
Yep gotta get those workers complaint with the new silica rules.
Glad they just have to be complaint and not compliant!
Stuart
=) Nice catch!
*Fixed!*
Brian
It’s a Nilfisk Attic 33 rebrand.
Chad Brink
See if you can use your power with dewalt to find out the status of their 20v 18ga brad nailer and narrow crown stapler. I’ve been waiting two years
firefly
The Dewalt that you mentioned, is that the premium one that was mentioned here https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-ball-bearing-tool-storage-2016/%3C/a%3E ?
Stuart
Yes, the one on the left.
It’s a 40″ model that seems to be better made than a lot of the $400 to $800 consumer models on the market. But it’s smaller and lacks a lot of the features that have become popular, such as soft-close drawers and built-in power strips.
donk
Looking forward to the PBSwiss reviews when you have the time. Since your original post I’ve kept my eyes open on eBay and picked up a bit of used PBSwiss and Wiha tools. The next Black Friday sale I’ll have to take advantage of the ToolLady sale.
Regards.
Stuart
I’ve had my first PB Swiss Tools disappointments with this order. First, the smallest pin punch has too much flex; I’d rather it was shorter and more rigid. The awl is just okay.
But everything else… the hex keys are the best of the best. The screwdrivers are awesome. The metric one-piece hex sockets are superb.
donk
Damn that’s sad to hear, I was on the lookout for punches might have to reconsider which I get. I have a Wiha square reaming awl and it’s proven sturdy and long lived.
Agreed, the balled hex keys I have and ratcheting screwdriver really is solid – best of the best.
Stuart
Here’s the context: I like to use pin punches and transfer punches for knotting paracord, and so they are exerted to forces punches are not normally designed to handle.
I’ve used PB Swiss punches without issue for a long time, but the new one I bought seems especially ill-suited for knotting.
It’s this one: http://www.shop.pbtools.us/SwissGrip-Parallel-Pin-Punch-size-2-7582.htm
I also plan on using it for punching out rivets.
Its a LOT longer than my other PB Swiss punches, which explains the flex at the tip.
My disappointment doesn’t mean it’s not a good product.
But the brad awl… it’s still meh.
Matt
$445+ for the kitted Fein? Removable chuck, 360 in lbs torque, 4 speeds….. brushless motor….Cordless multi master…
Hefty investment
Stuart
$349 for the kit at Rockler. Correction: This is the kit with lesser drill.
This kit doesn’t come with any Starlock accessories either.
$449 via Amazon.
Matt
I went right to Fein USA and saw the mentioned price.
I suppose I look forward to any insight you may have. I have heard of its size(in comparison to other 12v gear) and read about its ability to surpass even the m12 fuel in terms of torque, boring capability etc and with the 4 speed gearbox it’s control seems too notch…2.6ah batts paired with a German engineered brushless motor…. In short, I have been eyeing it since it came out.
The con that sticks out to me is the lack of in store ecosystem…. Everything must be shipped and although that is the going rate today I would be hesitant to purchase this at such a price only to unbox it and not dig the balance, size, weight……
Hence the ability to return ship I suppose.
Matt
And I was under the impression that the one you pictured had the removable chuck and 4 speeds….
The one at Rocker for $350 is the brushed motor 2 speed….
Stuart
You are correct, thank you!
Yes, the kit I’ve started testing has the 4-speed brushless drill. Sorry, I didn’t look closely enough at the Rockler kit, I was more focused on ensuring that the Multimaster was the same one.
Stuart
Yes, looks to be $445.
AFMT 12 QSL + ASCM 12 C
https://fein.com/en_us/drilling/cordless-drill-drivers/combo-afmt-12-qsl-ascm-12-c-0349376/
Stuart
Ah. Amazon pricing is similar, but I was sure I saw a lower price somewhere, leading me to find/refind the Rockler price.
Fein tools tend to sit on shelves. Of the people who go to the store looking to buy an oscillating tool or cordless drill, how many are looking for a cheap tool to get a job done, and how many are looking for a more premium model?
Online returns can be a nuisance, but there’s often no easier way to buy certain brands.
Matt
Agreed! I look forward to your findings
Monte
The Milwaukee vacuum looks like it´s made by Nilfisk. (new Attix)
Stuart
It does, thank you!
I’m not familiar with the Nilfisk brand, though. Good reputation?
fred
We had one that was specifically designed for metalworking coolant recovery, oily waste etc. Not exactly in the price range for home use – you could probably buy 5 top-of-the line Festool CT’s for its cost – but worth every penny when needed.
I also think that Nilfisk is popular with some floor refinishers.
taras
Great reputation for Nilfilsk extractors. This one is spec’d out at 148 CFM, so it will cover all of your bases when it comes to silica extraction. It is even rated for use with 5″ grinders which need 125 CFM to be compliant. It will have a self cleaning HEPA filter as well.
Diplomatic Immunity
The red Milwaukee vac looks like a Starmix which is what that Metabo vac is. I guess it could also be a Nilfisk as well. Either way if it’s a rebadge from either company then it should be a really good vac with a pretty hefty price tag.
Here’s another Milwaukee they sell already in Europe.
https://www.powertoolsgb.co.uk/cgi-bin/ecom.cgi?Command=ShowProduct&db_pid=142
Diplomatic Immunity
Yeah hard to tell. These newer Nilfisk look very similar. https://www.nilfisk.com/en/news/Pages/ATTIX-33-44.aspx