If you could create it, what would it be? As a framer, I spend an awful lot of time thinking about circular saws. I believe I’ve owned or used just about all of them at one time or another. Skil 77’s, Bosch 77’s, Bosch sidewinders, Milw sidewinders, Makita sidewinder, dewalt sidewinders, dewalt framing saws, PC sidewinders, Hitachi sidewinders…… you get the idea. I even wasted a ton of money last winter buying really old circular saws off of Ebay to try to find the “Holy Grail” of saws. I ended up with a shiny collection of cutting machines too heavy to be boat anchors. But I will polish them up and make a display of them for my new office. 😉
For me, the perfect circular saw would be the size, shape and weight of that Dewalt hybrid framing saw. But it would have a magnesium base (like Bosch worms and PC sidewinders) and it would have the durability of either a Bosch or Skil worm gear saw. The ergonomics of that damm Dewalt just fit me so comfortably, but they are such cheap POS…. the tables bend and motors fry.
Maybe that’s why I like Hitachi framing guns so much. I “pimp” ’em out and make them into the perfect framing gun. The first thing I do is strip off that lousy magazine and replace it with a Supco brand magazine. Those things are super durable and the action stays smooth. They also just about never jam no matter what brand of nails you’re using. They’re a perfect mate too… no drilling to swap the magazines. The other thing I do is add a rafter hook to the gun. The ones I buy I believe are made by “Tool Hangers Unlimited” IIRC. My tool supplier stocks them and they too fit right in the existing holes. When I’m done adding on to the Hitachi NR-83’s there literally isn’t anything I’d change about them. The perfect framing gun IMO.
I do keep one of those Dewalt saws that I like around, but I try to baby it along and it doesn’t see daily use. I really only use it when working on horses cutting rafters or stair stringers. They just can’t take the daily grind though. As a compromise, my daily and crew saws are Bosch wormdrives with a Big Foot Universal Handle added on. This greatly improves the ergonomics of the saw and makes it safe to thumb the guard back and plunge cut. Keeps the guys from being tempted to pin the guards too.
Your thoughts?
Replies
The perfect tool
But it's amazing how we've reached the point where we will go to war over anything that bothers us. I think we all have the right to walk away from things that bother us. If it happens in our homes, then we have the right to send the offending person away. Anywhere else, we take a walk. But when did it become okay to think that we have the right to fight with people who annoy us? And when did a little consideration of others become so unfashionable that we can't do it? A little bit of cooperation and consideration would make all of this a whole lot easier. Rules at the job are always appropriate. But we have become so used to imposing rules on how others chose to live their lives that we are ready to beat them for failing to adhere to them. -SHG
I don't think I want to know what its used for
It's used for holding every other tool ever made.
What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's all about?
Yep, pretty perfect. But...YOU didn't create it, did you?George Lucas' lightsaber seems pretty perfect for cutting stuff. Just mate it with an EZ Smart, and you are golden. Cordless, too!Bill
You created the light sabre and the ezsmart ?
;o)
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Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to ?
Where would you stick that, in yer back or front pocket? Ye...ha!
Unfortunately, it's usually stuck in whatever pocket the wallet is in.
Crime doesn't pay... does that mean my job is a crime ?
Make sure you don't get the proctologist model, that can be a real pain in the arse!
ROFLOL !!
Looking for enlightenment is like looking for a flashlight, when all you need the flashlight for is to find the flashlight.
"Where would you stick that, in yer back or front pocket?"
I'd put it in my back pocket.
If it was in your front pocket and went off accidentally, you'd be running around half-cocked.
Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. [Bill Watterson]
A sonic screw driver al la Doc Who,would be handy.
Look at them sausages! I've already got two of those.... but could always use a few more it seems. The problem is that when I hire them... those things are always sticking out looking for me to slap some more bucks in 'em. They sure ain't cheap.
Yer telling me !These things are expensive even if you happen to OWN them !
Buy one for the price of two and get another one free!
I'd like a cordless impact driver with a stud finder built into it.
A cordless, hoseless, batteryless laser. Will cut granite or .002mm veneer, with a kerf less than dental floss wide..and fit in your sunglasses, alighned with your pupulary and retinal occular coordinates..
look at it hard enough, it is cut.
Lemme get my flux capacitor outta the shed, I think I have a plan..........
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Its MINE, I'll wash it as fast as I want"
Lemme get my flux capacitor outta the shed, I think I have a plan..........
Too late.....I`ve patented that as well.
Lemme get this straight....
YOU BANNED REZ?!?!
Holy bagels and lox Batman!
Ain't you gonna be flummoxed and sore, when I tell ya . I am in reeciept of all patents applied before the catholic girl's shoes got attention? Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Its MINE, I'll wash it as fast as I want"
Hey, I gotta agree with you on the Dewalt. They have been deteriorating in quality for a long time. Good thing I bought mine a few years back and it's held up well. I won't buy Dewalt anymore, especially from the Depot. They cheapen them up there and the only thing going for them is the Home Depot warranty. I'm glad I took my dewalt with me when we moved to norway, they have dewalt but not that hybrid model.
There's an interesting concept here that needs some work. Imagine if you will a miter saw on a stand. Nothing special right. Bring the arm/blade down all the way and lock into place. Now pull the pin and rotate the whole enchilada 180. There's an axle behind the fence. You now have a table saw. The fence, pretty crappy on the model I've seen, stores in the frame of the table. The saw itself had plenty of power, I ripped a 2x8-16 (full 2x here) without a hiccup. Like I said good concept but the tool quality needs improving, just not up to snuff.
that's a radial arm saw- does everything you just said and more
I've ripped a fair amount of lumber on my radial, but it can be dangerous
since I got a table saw, my radial is used just for cutting material to length
And as another place to pile stuff
How about a flipover saw like this one...http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=1626&Referrer=Dealtime
That would be it exactly, but the one I've used is from Best Tool, some Chinese knock off. I was told it was a lower grade of Dewalt and didn't believe it but after seeing that flipover, maybe it is. It needs some improvement before it becomes worthwhile. It's better than a radial arm because it's portable and it's safer to rip with.
The cabinet shop I worked for years ago had a saw like that we used for installs. It was made by Elu, which is the European arm of B&D, & now Dewalt, IIRC. The saw was dead accurate & pretty portable. Wonder why they aren't available in the U.S.? (And I'm wondering where the one at my old bosses came from?)
i have one of those elu in the garage i'll see if i can get apicture of it . i bought it around 20 years ago and used right up until the hitachi sliding compound miter showed up . i loved and the portablity was a real bi g plus ... lets see if i can find it......" Feed the good wolf....."
i've held onto this thing in hoping to find parts, i bought a second one a year after purchasing this one . i gave to my brother who walked around three- four times and said sheepishly "thanks". he's a computer something or other. any how i loved this thing if nothing else a conversation piece." Feed the good wolf....."
Hey Alias, if you ever want to sell it, let me know. Those things are hard to come by. Is yours 110v or 220v? Do you remember where you bought it? I thought they were only available overseas.
i'm gonna see if can snake the one i gave to my brother back from him. between the two i know i'll be able to put tgether a good functioning unit. there 110 volt, they came with two motor sizes . the one i have is the 1 h.p., and the one my brother has is 3/4 h.p.. there a definitely kinda weird at first ,but the learning curve is no at all steep. there designed and made in germany , assembled in france and sold out of england. believe it or not. they came with extensions for ripping sheet stock. two threaded rods came out 36" that sat on a stationary bi-pod . and the entry level fence sucked the one purchased separately was much better. the body was made out of magnesium w/ aluminum table top. the only plastic on it was the knobs , about 12 all around. was great for book shelves, cabinet work, mantels , etc. if memory srerves around 700 bucks circa 1984/85. as far as selling it i cant help thinking in 20 more years i might have my self i nice little workable tool, from "in the day". i'd have to think about it........ oh yeah i prchased at a place called sunrise tool in babylon ,new york.." Feed the good wolf....."
Edited 10/22/2005 8:10 pm ET by alias
Thanks for the info, Alias. I'll keep searching ebay for a decent one.
Sunrise Tool.....what a playground!! Nothing better than having trouble maneuvering around a store because of all the cool tools in the way!!
Good simple additions to tools have been the screw bit holder from McFeeley's Square Drive. It's a cheap little stick-on (2 sided tape) foam thingy that holds screw bit tips. It has been so handy since the rage of new fastners - phillips square drive, square drive (#1, #2), phillips (#3,#2), flats, torx, etc....I am constantly switching the bits in & out of it. They are great for the Chop saw handle as well. Nothing like getting back to the chop saw with the stock & forgetting your pencil inside in the kitchen on the 2nd floor!!! Stick a few golf pencils in the bit holder there & on the table saw.....or that flip over saw thingy posted above!!
where on the island you from?? i stopped going there it's never opened on saturday, i wander around dynamite tool in bohemia with a crystal meth look on my face. it's pretty scary. i stay out of there. unless i really need something, i'm an addict. .." Feed the good wolf....."
Western Suffolk
We had a big development in Seaford & there is a store ACE Tool Rental on Wantaugh Ave. right around the corner - Probably the best selections of tools around here. Job was a few years so you can imagine the frequency of the visits there. Need a router bit, walk out with 12' Stabilia Plate Level. Need a chalk line, walk out with PC 4 1/2" Trim saw....etc, etc...Dynamite just set up the 2nd story (OUCH!!) you need to check you AmEx at the stair case before you see the selections up there!!
Hey Perfect tool.....How about a router with a dust bag of sorts...not sure on the approach, but that's one heck of a mess to be able to confine.
DeWalts Battery Shop Vac is up there on a great "perfect tool" It keeps the job clean....Very important to some & very simple w/no chord. Shoulda had a charger in it though (smart marketers at DeWalt). I use it often
Erik
i l ive in huntington , i've just got to stop buying stuff it's out of control. i got rid of some pretty bad habits as years gone by . but this tool thing has got me beat......... they love me at dynamite they all smile and hover around like satalittes. aaahhh fork it , it's half the fun of it..... right??.." Feed the good wolf....."
Here it is, the ultimate tool.
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If you can't fix it with that, just burn it down and start over....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
It lacks a bottle opener. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"I don't think it's funny no more" Nick Lowe.
You don't need a bottle opener; Ryan will open it for ya just as soon as they let him come home....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
...it also doesn't have a laser ......!!!!! teehee"
Now it does....
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Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
man o man ..I gotta get one o dose........
"
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32016&cat=1,43456,43407&ap=1
But you'll have to add the laser yourself. Just get one of those $10 laser levels and duct-tape it in place....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
NO.....it has to be factory installed or I don't want it...it must also have a AFCI on the end of the cord, for the electric version
Edited 10/30/2005 8:59 am by maddog3
Think of it as a prototype....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
Well as long as its the prototype, we might as well throw in a maser, give the thingy a dual purpose...heat up your coffee, or disable a vehicle, even stop Godzilla in his tracks"
Uh, in that case I'd better show you my Hallowe'en costume so you don't zap the wrong monster....
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Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
OK, you're safe ....for the time being, since I don't know how to build a maser...but I had another brainstorm...
"
lol
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ROAR!!
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
hey do you guys think I could sell my " kit " ???...I am gong to try it later when its easier to see the beam .....
should be interesting huh?"
I dunno, but with the price of firewood these days, it might come in handy for night-time 'tree-jacking' excursions....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
Hmmm,yeah,
" I got busted for shinin trees "
or, "honey... where's our hickory? ""
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/the-ez-brain-opener
Is this a good name for a tool? brain opener?
What about this picture. If you can tell me what itez before you go to the above link...
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ycf dino
Dino, it's a ceiling with something in the foreground.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Looks like the bottom of a wind chest on a moller pipe organ, or a tracker unit of an 1885 circa Lowen. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Its MINE, I'll wash it as fast as I want"
Brian, Here's what I would buy in a minute. A laser like drill attachment (or built in) that would guide you to a perfect perpendicular placement from the work. I know there are mechanical carriages that the drill clamps to that keep you straight, much like a drill press would. But I've had to drill "straight" many times and struggled with a level, a made up wood angle, and attempted keen eyeballing.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Carpenters have made their own tools, just like warriors have made their own weapons, since the beginning of time. It's human nature. There are very few tools that I own that I haven't customized in some way.
I find it comical that people buy tools, and are afraid to alter them. I owned my $530 Bosch 4410 for about 10 minutes before I started hacking pieces off, and drilling holes in it for templates. I figure most warranty's are more trouble than they are worth, so I'd rather have a tool that is practical. It seems like people forget that THEY own the tool, and are afraid to change it.