Our power is out and we have no idea when it will be restored. Hopefully that’s the worst that will happen. Our thoughts go out to others on the east coast and everyone else affected by the storm, good luck to you all!
I was able to finish and schedule one review for Tuesday and one more for Wednesday. Beyond that, we’ll see what happens.
The point of this thread is to spark unrestricted tool-related discussion, not necessarily hurricane-related.
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Ask questions, share recent tool purchases, chat about your favorite tools, or speculate about what new tools will hit the market in 2013.
You could also complain about the lack of fresh content this week, but that probably won’t help anything.
Fred
I choose to complain about the lack of fresh content this week! Hope everyone is safe.
I saw a sign on the front of Northern Tool that generators & other power equipment would be ‘all sales final’ due to the weather, and this area barely got rain so far. Do you have a backup generator and/or do you have plans to get one after this? Hopefully there’s not too much damage but at least when nature tosses you interesting weather you can get out with the blower & chainsaw and have a manly time with your tools.
I’m glad I didn’t go blow the parent’s yard on Friday like I originally planned.
bryan hill
It’s a funny thing, every hyped up storm makes us think about buying a generator , and every time we decide not to spend the cash. If I’m going to buy one, I want it to run our well and furnace and that gets quite costly. Maybe someday we will have the extra cash to pull the trigger on one.
Everyone stay safe….
Jerry
We had the same dilemma, and got one of those vent-free propane heaters, so that unless it is really cold, all the generator needs to run, is the lights, and well. Most wells really don’t take that many amps. I have a generator with an 8 HP engine, and it will run the lights, freezer, refrigerator, and well with no problems, as long as I remember to unplug the frig or freezer, when I first start the generator up, so it doesn’t have to start up all 3 at the same time. It will ‘run’ all 3 at once, but only ‘start’ 2 of the 3, without bogging for a few seconds, at start up.
jeff_williams
I think a propane generator would be perfect for this application. No need to worry about the gas going bad. Do you already have a transfer switch installed for some of those critical circuits?
Jerry
Yes. It is a bad idea to ever use a generator without a proper transfer switch, and for safeties sake, I hope anyone using a generator has one.
fred
Small propane tanks are OK for mild weather barbeque’s – but if you need to run your generator during a cold winter storm – you may not be able to get the propane to vaporize. This may be why – most opt for gasoline powered units.
We’ve installed many fixed mount units over the years – hooked to natural gas and installed with appropriate transfer trip switches (either manual or automatic). Inverter-based units are sometimes chosen because they provide much cleaner power – probably better for sensitive electronics. Some selections offer better sound attenuation than many of the noisy construction site generators that folks sometimes but for backup power. A premanently installed natural gas unit can also be much safer all around as they are placed outside the home, vented properly (as to avoid CO issues) – need no gasoline fill-up, and will not backfeed the power grid if you forget to disconnect your house. In the automatic configuartion – they will also switch off and transfer back to the grid when voltage is sensed from the drop. They are not entirely foolproof and should be tested and maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The big downside is of course the cost – which has to be weighed against the number and duration of outages that you might expect. I have seldom seen a case (except where life sustaining equipment is in regular use) where pure economics could justify the cost – but the same can be said for other purcahsing decisions (like cars) we make all of the time – and I’m expecting that there will be many purchased in the aftermath of Sandy. BTW – many of the generators purchased have admonitions against using them to power house circuits – and are really meant to have their loads (e.g. refrigerator, lamps, TV etc.) plugged into them via properly sized extension cords. The worst abuse I’ve seen is folks who hook up the generator with a double-ended (male at both ends) extension cord from the generator into a wall outlet (either 110 or 208) to backfeed house circuits
jeff_williams
“…speculate about what new tools will hit the market in 2013.”
I’m hoping some sort of new game-changing tool hits the market this next year. I remember when Fein first released the MultiMaster. That thing blew my mind the first time I used it.
Fred
and your fingertips are still numb I imagine.
Stuart
I currently reside in a 3rd floor rental unit, so generators are out of the question. I have enough food and water and a Milwaukee 18V power unit with 6 batteries to keep my smartphone and tablet charged.
In my opinion, 2013 will see a surge of brushless tools. Manufacturers will have to come out with brushless drills and drivers regardless of their prior product road maps, just to remain competitive.
I don’t know of any game-changers coming to market, but there are some interesting developments I’m keeping track of.
Scottthetec
Instead of generator, maybe install a large inverter in your vehicle.
A couple of years ago we where at a friends house for a Superbowl party. Just as the game started the power went out. I asked the host if he had an inverter in his truck, he did. We backed the truck out of the garage, ran an extension cord into the house (locked the vehicle and blocked the wheels) and continued the game ( yes, the cable was out also, but there was a discovery made that a hotdog makes a remarkably good antenna) . A lot quieter then a generator too.
rob
Not really commenting on “new tools” but I have found storms tend to be the time you use that tool you purchased and were never really sure you needed it. Be it that chainsaw that was on sale that you really didn’t need but at the price you went for it. Or the snowblower maybe not really needed but hey, if I need it once to get out I will appreciate it. I justify some of my tool purcahses based on this: I might need it in a storm but stores could be closed and/or sold out. I remember quite a few years back my uncle called me to see if I could locate a generator for him, he lived in WA and everything in WA was sold out so he wanted to purcahse one and try to get it shipped in. We couldn’t work out all the logistics but it made me think I want to be prepared.
David
Being from Houston, we know all about the storms and being without power. One of the biggest mistakes generator owners make is not keeping up with the periodic maintenance of them. I know of many neighbors that went out and bought generators before Hurricane Rita, used them for a couple of days and them put them up. When Hurricane Ike came to town, many found out the hard way that there prized generator would not start. They either had bad gas, gummed up carbs or rust in the fuel bowl. To be sure your investment will be of benefit when you most need it, you must start it up at least every other month, keep fresh gas with stabalizer in it and don’t forget to plug a fan or something electrical into it while you run it to keep the generator head magnatized (this is a step most forget).
To all those in the North East, our thoughts and prayers are with you. I understand that a few Oncor and Centerpoint trucks are already in route and I know they will help you as much as all the trucks that came to Houston after Ike helped us. Stay safe!!!
Javier
New dewalt 20v 2.0ah dcb203 spotted on ebay, looks like the real thing. Missing the fuel gauge like the new packs offer but the bottom of the battery has a see through grill showing what looks to be stainless steel underneath, pretty neat.