Just thought I would put in my two cents worth on battery operated drills:
1. My old faithful is a DeWalt 18v 1/2" Hammer drill. I purchased this about 10 years ago (maybe more). Aside from routine periodic replacement of batteries, it has served me very well. I use it mostly in my business and it has simplified my work. No dragging cords around or looking for an outlet, etc. It can do an incredible amount of drilling, including hammering (with power to spare) on one battery. I usually buy new batteries (it seems about every 3 years) at Lowes. They periodically have a sale where you get 2 for $99. I think Home Depot has the same sales. After all these years I finally had to take it in to a DeWalt service center for a complete overhaul/rebuild. This is done for $99 max. Considering a new equal drill runs $275+, it is worth it.
2. While at Home Depot one day (about 2 years ago) they were having a special on 14.4v Milwaukee drills. This included 2 batteries, an 14.4v flashlight, the drill, and the case all for $99 (about 1/2 price). I couldn't resist. This is a professional drill, and although it doesn't have the hammer option or the power that my 18v DeWalt does, it does a great job on routine drilling/driving. It is lighweight and easy to use. I use it alot on home projects (deck building, drywall hanging, etc).
3. Another time at Home Depot (about a year ago) they were having a special on Ridgid 18v 1/2" Hammer drill which also included a 18v reciprocating saw!!! It was only $139 (about 1/2 price). Although it came in a canvas bag rather than a hard case, I couldn't resist the price. This drill came in real handy when my DeWalt broke down last week (which is why it is in the service center right now). I am now in a quandary as to which drill is the best: the DeWalt or the Ridgid. I am leaning toward the Ridgid. I was really happy to get the 18v reciprocating saw. I have an electric Milwaukee, but there are alot of times when I could (now & in the past) use a battery op saw. Now I have it!!! I used it the other day to trim/level off the tops of the fence posts so I could cap them.
I might mention that I use these tools alot (including professionally) and am very pleased with all of them. They have served me very well.
I might also mention that I rarely ever have need to use an electric drill anymore. Like maybe 2 years ago.
Monday, May 26
Some more tasks completed...
Well, this week I have accomplished the following:
1. Got the old chain saw out and pruned some tree branches.
2. Re-tilled one garden and helped wife create raised beds for veggies. (This is hard work!!!)
3. Kids & I removed sod and some dirt from an area we are planning to put pavers on in the previously mentioned private hot tub/garden area. (This is also hard work!!!)
4. Got window screens out of basement, washed them and put them back in the appropriate windows (first floor). Still have 2nd floor to do.
Reason for posting this is for my own record. It is easy to forget how hard you have worked and how much you have accomplished. This provides a written record. Also provides documentation for the self-professed slave driver.
1. Got the old chain saw out and pruned some tree branches.
2. Re-tilled one garden and helped wife create raised beds for veggies. (This is hard work!!!)
3. Kids & I removed sod and some dirt from an area we are planning to put pavers on in the previously mentioned private hot tub/garden area. (This is also hard work!!!)
4. Got window screens out of basement, washed them and put them back in the appropriate windows (first floor). Still have 2nd floor to do.
Reason for posting this is for my own record. It is easy to forget how hard you have worked and how much you have accomplished. This provides a written record. Also provides documentation for the self-professed slave driver.
Tuesday, May 20
Another Gate completed
I just finished building the 2nd of the 3 gates for the private/secluded hot tub area. Since this gate opening was approximately 48" wide, I built a double in-swinging gate. I previously had built the south (more of a back entrance) gate. The double gate is on the north side and is one of two main entrances. I may design/build some type of arbor for this entrance. The east entrance is arbored and enters from the driveway.
Next comes leveling off the tops of the fence posts and capping them with decorative caps. Will get this done this week.
Next comes leveling off the tops of the fence posts and capping them with decorative caps. Will get this done this week.
Wednesday, May 14
More tasks checked off
Although I haven't posted since April 22nd, that doesn't mean I haven't accomplished anything or have run away. Although not knocking off "a task a day" I have done the following:
1. Installed a 36" louvered door to separate a living area from a laundry area.
2. Completed another 16 ft of fencing around the hot area. The hot tub is on a low cedar deck that I built for it. I will be adding to this deck (to make it larger). Surrounding this is a privacy fence (which is near complete). The other plans for this area are to install some atmospheric outdoor landscape lighting, landscape the area, perhaps install an outdoor fireplace, several seating areas, and generally make it a pleasant place to escape to. I was thinking of naming the area after my wife: "Ilona's Secret Garden of Delights". When complete we can post some pics. My wife has already been working on the gardens/landscaping in this area. Really looks nice...but the best is yet to come.
3. I also built one of the 3 gates for this area. This one was for a rear entrance. The other two will be for the front & side entrances and will be more architecturally/aesthetically designed and pleasing and inviting to the eye.
4. I started cleaning and straightening up the garage (which includes my work bench/tool area).
1. Installed a 36" louvered door to separate a living area from a laundry area.
2. Completed another 16 ft of fencing around the hot area. The hot tub is on a low cedar deck that I built for it. I will be adding to this deck (to make it larger). Surrounding this is a privacy fence (which is near complete). The other plans for this area are to install some atmospheric outdoor landscape lighting, landscape the area, perhaps install an outdoor fireplace, several seating areas, and generally make it a pleasant place to escape to. I was thinking of naming the area after my wife: "Ilona's Secret Garden of Delights". When complete we can post some pics. My wife has already been working on the gardens/landscaping in this area. Really looks nice...but the best is yet to come.
3. I also built one of the 3 gates for this area. This one was for a rear entrance. The other two will be for the front & side entrances and will be more architecturally/aesthetically designed and pleasing and inviting to the eye.
4. I started cleaning and straightening up the garage (which includes my work bench/tool area).
Tuesday, April 22
Another small job done.
Today I replaced 3 electrical receptacles in the living room. The old ones were no longer making proper contact with plug prongs. Plug would be loose, almost to falling out. Anyway, this took about 30 minutes to complete. Cost for the receptacles: $8 at Lowes (I got the heavy duty, quality ones - you get what you pay for in most cases). Now I can remove this post-it from the job board.
My goal is to knock off at least one small job per day. By whittling away at them daily, I should be able to gain some ground on the backlog which has accumulated due to various excuses. And getting something done gives you a sense of accomplishment and acts as a motivator.
Also, by keeping a log/journal, it is easier to look back and see what you have gotten done. Sometimes the tendency is to quickly forget about the accomplishments and go negative on yourself and others. A record shows the evidence.
By the way, my wife said they have needed replaced for 25 years. We have only lived here 23 years. I actually installed a couple of the outlets a mere 20 years ago. They have only needed replaced for maybe a short 10-12 years, not 25.
My goal is to knock off at least one small job per day. By whittling away at them daily, I should be able to gain some ground on the backlog which has accumulated due to various excuses. And getting something done gives you a sense of accomplishment and acts as a motivator.
Also, by keeping a log/journal, it is easier to look back and see what you have gotten done. Sometimes the tendency is to quickly forget about the accomplishments and go negative on yourself and others. A record shows the evidence.
By the way, my wife said they have needed replaced for 25 years. We have only lived here 23 years. I actually installed a couple of the outlets a mere 20 years ago. They have only needed replaced for maybe a short 10-12 years, not 25.