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Dear Makita, Please build me a job site

| Posted in Tools for Home Building on December 9, 2003 05:10am

Dear Makita, Please build me a job site radio.

 

It needs to be rugged.  It will be exposed to rain, snow, paint and physical abuse.  So a cage is needed.

It needs to charge my Makita batteries. 9.6volt, 14.4 and 18 volt.  Preferably 2 batteries at a

time.

It needs to run off the Makita batteries and A/C power.

It needs to fit behind the passenger seat of my van/pickup

It needs to get good reception.   The orange one that I use currently with the rubber antenna only gets limited stations, and I don’t have all day to adjust the tuner.   A 31†antenna is ok, or maybe a replaceable antenna, with 3 spares included.

Price it fairly, I don’t mind paying for quality.

 

Options that would be nice.

            Built in CD player.

A shoulder strap would be nice.

 

Did I mention that it needs to be rugged?

 

Any other requests?

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Replies

  1. steve | Dec 09, 2003 05:15am | #1

    ditto on all of that, especially the cd player forget tapes and could you allow two batteries to be charged at once?

    come on makita

    caulking is not a piece of trim

    1. FrankB89 | Dec 09, 2003 06:13am | #2

      And a 12V. charger....some of us are hooked on our impact drivers....although Makita now has a 14.5 V. I. driver 

  2. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Dec 09, 2003 06:43am | #3

    Blue. 

    I want mine blue. 

    And rugged, too.

    Shoo-shoo-be-do.

    I never met a tool I didn't like!
  3. DougU | Dec 09, 2003 06:55am | #4

    Unisaw

    I don't think that they can put the charger in it.

    Dewalt has the rights to it. I read that that's why Milwaukee didn't put a charger in theirs. Someone on here a while back said that the prototype for the Milwaukee had the charger, but had to be eliminated.

    Doug

    1. ravenwind | Dec 09, 2003 08:36am | #5

      ya its true Dewalt did get a patent on there radio being able to charge batterys thats why millwalkee just came out with a 2 or 3  battery charger and it looks the same as there radio,only smaller.and the reason I bought there Mill- radio was Dewalt co. is such a baby with low selfesteem and i wouldnt buy there radio. just so they cant control me .and while a cd player built in would nice but ive had cd players for job sites that only last 1 + years so I just plug a portable cd player into the input jack and when they die i go out and buy a cheep cd player 30.00 +or -   im too ruff on them.  I would love to see a co. come out with a radio with all the bells  just so DeWalt would see and learn they dont rule the world yet,   you too  Walmart

                                                                              Dogboy

      1. CAGIV | Dec 09, 2003 08:56am | #6

        Same problem as you, cd players don't last long on the job, be nice if they made one kind of like the old water "proof" sony models, I think you would need that kind of lock around the door to keep dust and other stuff out.

  4. RalphWicklund | Dec 09, 2003 09:03am | #7

    Dear any manufacturer,

    Build a charger that will accept any other manufacturers batteries.

    Build it to charge 3 or more at a time.

    Include as part of the charger package a rugged job site radio that can be plugged into the charging unit for only as long as needed to charge it up. Why would I want to leave a radio in the truck - yard - basement - 3rd floor, etc., while it's busy charging the extra batteries when I'm working someplace else and can't hear it. That'll get around the yellow radio monopoly.

    1. ravenwind | Dec 09, 2003 09:10am | #8

      and make it able to pass me stuff when im on a ladder and put a microwave oven and coffee maker in it too.

                               oh! and bury bones too.   dogboy   Woof!

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Dec 09, 2003 10:21am | #10

        Built in Taser if an unauthorized individual touches it.

        Say in the Giga volt range. 

        Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

        1. MisterT | Dec 09, 2003 01:00pm | #11

          And i want it to have satellite radio capabilities

          So I don't have to listen to moron DJs and stupid commercials.Mr T

          Do not try this at home!

          I am an Experienced Professional!

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Dec 09, 2003 07:57pm | #12

            The black helos can track you easier with a sat.  

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          2. Sancho | Dec 09, 2003 09:19pm | #13

            DVD and microwave would be nice 

            Darkworksite4:

            Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN

          3. User avater
            IMERC | Dec 09, 2003 09:23pm | #14

            How large is this animal going to be and can a meer mortal move it job to job?

            Could leave it behind as an entertainmement center for a price. 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          4. User avater
            CapnMac | Dec 11, 2003 07:54am | #21

            How large is this animal going to be and can a meer mortal move it job to job?

            Off-road Luggage wheels, or perhaps an intregral dolly . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

          5. User avater
            IMERC | Dec 11, 2003 09:22am | #23

            Hydraulic lift gate on the truck isn't an option. 

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          6. User avater
            CapnMac | Dec 12, 2003 12:26am | #26

            on the truck isn't an option

            Awwwww, why not?  The gang box is a pain enough to navigate.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

          7. CAGIV | Dec 11, 2003 09:19am | #22

            do you have xm in your car?

            thinking about putting it in my new truck eventually after I get it, the 10 bucks a month isn't a lot, but I'm problems justifying paying for radio.

          8. DanT | Dec 11, 2003 11:14am | #24

            CAG,

            I got XM for the work truck and got the boom box deal for the work site.  Great move!  Good music, talk radio for my brother.  Little BS.  Love it.  DanT

          9. MisterT | Dec 11, 2003 01:09pm | #25

            Don't have it at all.

            BIL does (surprise!!)

            I like the boom box thingy.

            Around here there are two decent classic rock stations.

            Both are right next to each other and from distant towns and are surrounded by country music so I always get cross-channel inteference.

            Must be a dozen country music stations.Mr T

            Do not try this at home!

            I am an Experienced Professional!

        2. DougU | Dec 10, 2003 04:19am | #16

          Say in the Giga volt range.

          Ya, ya wouldnt want to over do it would you!

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Dec 10, 2003 04:52am | #17

            ya wouldnt want to over do it would you!

            Nope...

            Put an end to sticky finger types and not much to clean up afterwards.

             

            Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

          2. brownbagg | Dec 10, 2003 04:57am | #18

            I would like one that last longer than a week

            The best employee you can have but you wouldn't want him as a neighbor " He the shifty type"

          3. DougU | Dec 10, 2003 05:09am | #19

            maybe its the music you chose?

          4. Sancho | Dec 11, 2003 06:45am | #20

            It would also need a wireless internet so if I had a question I could post it here and not bug the boss 

            Darkworksite4:

            Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN

  5. User avater
    CapnMac | Dec 09, 2003 10:14am | #9

    the rubber antenna only gets limited stations

    There is a simple cure for this.  A trip down to the auto parts store, and get an eye lug (3/16" is perfect), a hunk of wire, and either another eye or a big alligator clip.  Crimp the parts together.  Unscrew the rubber antenna, and screw the small eye down with the antenna.  With metal studs, the alligator clip is better; the larger eye will slip over a nail.  How long?  Long as you need (and can tolerate rolling up).   Mine is about 3.5' or enough to get better FM reception.

    View Image

    And, a cd player would be nice--but portables are cheap enough.

    But more than one battery, please!  Don't care whose, either (seems like a smart tool outfit might make an adapter between your charger and other folks' batteries--even at an additional expense, they'd get bought . . .

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
    1. jjhamer | Dec 10, 2003 03:18am | #15

      Thanks all for the info.  Didn't know Dewalt had the rights to the radio/charger, too bad.

      I did wrap a 14g wire to the antenna today, and it helps the reception alot.

      1. user-3146 | Dec 12, 2003 07:30am | #30

        I found left over peices of copper flashing works great.

        Jason

        Ohh and also if your working on a remodel old wire hooked up to the radio works great, also hooking the broken antennae to the not yet hooked up cable wire. Or even a not used extention cord.

        Edited 12/11/2003 11:37:31 PM ET by Jason

        1. CarpenterJC | Dec 12, 2003 08:06am | #31

          uuuhhmmm...shouldnt we be working instead of listening to the radio all day?...oh wait..nevermind ..sheesh what was I thinking??....carry on.

          1. jjhamer | Dec 13, 2003 03:09am | #32

            Brings up a good point.   Do you think you are more or less productive listening to the radio?

          2. CarpenterJC | Dec 13, 2003 07:01am | #33

            Hhhmmm...good question..I think for Me it all depends on the music and My mood....its nice to have background to concentrate on besides the "noise" from the job sup..which hardly ever makes any sense....lol...

          3. DocDM | Dec 13, 2003 10:24am | #34

            If i'm picking up the saw, grabbing the nail gun, or intermitantly using another loud tool, I am reminded to put the earplugs in if I can hear the radio too clearly. Productivity - no effect, hearing protection a plus.

            DocA shortcut is the longest distance between two points.

          4. User avater
            NickNukeEm | Dec 13, 2003 04:42pm | #35

            Gotta admit I find myself delaying using the saw until a song I like is over.  What I need is a wireless headset that doubles as hearing protection, one that can be used with my CD player.  (The radio headsets just don't cut it, IMHO.) 

            This might be a good topic for a separate thread.

            I never met a tool I didn't like!

          5. misfit | Dec 13, 2003 06:42pm | #36

            LOJACK is a must have...to track the 'five finger discount man"

  6. jayzog | Dec 12, 2003 02:13am | #27

    Did you email this request to Makita?

    About 1997 one of my carpenters who is an avid yellow junk tool fan , emailed Dewalt with the request for a jobsite radio/charger. 2 years later it was out- exactly as he requested, to bad he didn't tell them to make it receive well.

    I am sure Makita has looked into it, but the more requests couldn't hurt.

    Instead of a portable cd player , i use a cheap mp3 player, it holds about 7 cd's of music, and the Dewalt can make it loud!

    1. jjhamer | Dec 12, 2003 02:57am | #28

      No I haven't sent an e-mail to Makita, but I will.  Like you say, it can't hurt. 

      Adding a length of wire at the antenna helps the reception alot. 

      What MP3 player do you have, and do you use an adaptor to plug it in?

      1. jayzog | Dec 12, 2003 04:18am | #29

        I have a RCA lycra- $80 or so. connect with a cable to the aux input. All from radio shack.

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