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POWER TOOLS
Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Delta.
The regular list price is $1,239.00.
Sells new for $649.95.
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5 comments about DELTA 36-980 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-1/2 Horsepower Contractor Saw with 30-Inch T2 Fence and 2 Cast-Iron Extension Wings, 115/230-Volt 1 Phase.
- I needed a saw desperatly when my previous Delta (20+ years old), finaly gave in. Amazon couldn't (read: wouldn't) try to beat another online deal, so I went with CPO Delta. Saved $37 & had it delivered for free right to my shop within two days!
Now, about the saw. What is the difference between this and a cabinet saw? The cabinet! It is a large heavy and heavy duty saw that is so accurate it is amazing. Let's face it, we want the saw to look nice and have some nice features, and it does, but the real critical factor is accuracy and this saw delivers.
One of the other very noticable features about this saw is how quiet it is. I actually have music playing in my shop and still hear it with the saw running. I will admit that I am a total Delta fan and have several pieces from them, but I guess that is a product of being a happy and satisfied customer. [...]
- For context, I'm a beginner in woodworking and my last table saw was a Delta model that they now call "Shop Master". This table saw is outstanding in comparison. Easy to assemble, easy to zero alignment and measurements. It took me several hours to assemble as I did so carefully. Some manual directions seemed off from the assembly hardware but not enough to effect assembly, or it missed something. This saw easily gives me clean cuts to 1/32" with the rip blade provided. Very quite operation compared to the cheaper models out there as well as MUCH less dust when hooked to a shop vac. Note, you will need a dedicated 15A 110V outlet, do not use any other items on the circuit while using the saw's 1.5HP motor. There are many good saws but you will not be disappointed with this purchase.
- I must say this is the best table saw I've ever used!
I bought this saw to replace my old jobsite saw that I had outgrown--what an improvement!
From the beginning, I decided on this model with the T-square (T2) fence primarily due to price. I looked at the Unifence option, which is amazingly versatile, but I just couldn't justify the extra expense for it. You can also get this saw with a Biesemeyer fence, but it's a pretty expensive option and not very much different from Delta's T-square fence.
When you get this saw home, I hope you have a strong friend to help unload/move this behemoth. I had help getting the saw and fence box in the back of my SUV, but getting it out was all me! The saw is packed in one HEAVY, huge box and the fence in a second. I wrestled the box out of the car, onto a dolly and into the garage, hoping I could get it inside and nearer to the basement stairs, where my workshop is located. I didn't make it past the garage as the box was just too heavy for me to pull up the two steps that separate the garage from the house. I unpacked the box in the garage and carried the pieces down to my shop piece by piece. Let me tell you, after getting everything downstairs, I felt like I had been a fight!
The assembly was fairly straight-forward, although lengthy.
One word of advice, have a 13mm ratcheting box-end wrench when you go to assemble the stand. When you put the wheel mounts on the bottom of the legs, you'll be required to get a nut way down inside where it's nearly impossible to reach and hold the nut. This is an irritation and I think Delta could have simplified this step.
A second word of advice, be prepared to do some cleaning on the cast-iron pieces. They are heavily coated in cosmoline, or a similar product and are a mess to deal with. The flip side of that is the cast iron parts were all in perfect condition without even the smallest speck of rust.
After most of the day spent assembling, I finally got it put together and went to check the settings. Everything, blade, fence and miter gauge was nearly perfect right out of the box. The fence required only the smallest tweak on the adjusters to get it perfectly square.
The T-square rip-fence is heavy and solid as a rock. I couldn't get it to deflect without a very forceful push on the tail end--such a force would never be present when cutting. The fence slides on three nylon pads that in turn ride on the heavy steel rails bolted to the front and rear of the saw. It slides like it's on ice! Amazingly smooth, accurate and nearly effortless to move.
I had no need for any blade adjustments, so after a fresh coat of wax on the table I was on to the test run!
I found this saw does pull a good bit of power when starting up. It uses a soft-start system that brings the blade up to speed incrementally over a period of a few seconds. Even with the soft-start it was too much for my 15A breaker--it tripped on the first start up! Fortunately my home's wiring was able to support a new 20A breaker. So no more problems with power although the saw does brown-out the lights a tad when starting! I would think one would be better off having this saw run on 220v, although I realize that's not an easy option for most of us, myself included.
I am amazed at how quiet this saw is! When running there is little more than a high-pitched hum from the blade. I made several cuts in various material and never felt I was even close to needing hearing protection. This is an amazing improvement over my last saw that shrieked like a banshee!
The motor seems plenty powerful. In cutting some test material, I never noticed it lug down or lose speed even when ripping with a 50 tooth combo blade. Granted the hardest material I had on hand was some 3/4" oak, so take that for what it's worth.
I initially installed the blade guard/splitter assembly, but then removed it. I've never been a big fan of them and I get annoyed quickly when I can't latch the guard up when measuring from fence to blade. This one is no different. The guard does not lift very high and does not latch, meaning you'll have to hold it up with one hand while measuring. The lack of clearance is also a pain when removing the table insert. The insert is held in place with a single screw that is partially blocked by the guard. You either need a short screwdriver or have to push the guard sideways to clear the screw. The guard is designed to latch up when the table insert is removed to allow easier blade changes but even here, it sits too low and gets in the way of the blade wrenches. If I had to point out a flaw with this saw, this would be it. The guard just plain sucks.
The saw's roller system is fantastic! Moving this 300lb tool around takes little effort and it sits solidly when in place. What a great design!
I really feel you'd be hard-pressed to find a better built, more solid saw with a fence anywhere near as strong in this price range. Delta has made a near perfect saw that will be a pleasure to use for years to come!
- The Delta 36-980 table saw was purchased as a gift for my boyfriend to help up us build our new garage. He has never used one before, but I used to have one and knew what they could do. He was taken back when he used it for the first time on 4'x8' paneling. It is quieter than the older model I used to have. Cuts are easy to do and rides smoothly across the saw. Making angle cuts on long boards are a breeze. It came with the stand which made life easier. The 30" fence stayed in place and the cutting guide is true in measuring distances from the blade. My boyfriend threw away his old hand saw! It's the best little unit for anyone that works with wood, novice to expert. As far as I am concerned, Delta tools are the best.
- If you are thinking about buying this saw, I strongly urge you to read B. Robson's review here very carefully. The saw is a high quality product but not easy to assemble if you have to do it alone. In addition to the weight, some of the bolts are nearly impossible to install because of obstacles. And while I am absolutely loathe to run a table saw without a blade guard/splitter, the one on this saw is so awful I'm afraid that I will have to remove it permanently. I bought this to replace a very old Craftsman which had a great blade guard and was very easy to assemble. The new Craftsman costs 50% more than the Delta, and strikes me as being inferior in many respects, but, all things considered, I would probably buy the Sears if I had to do it over. Nonetheless, 4 stars because, except for the problems mentioned, this is an awesome saw
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Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Eureka.
Sells new for $0.99.
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No comments about 70082 Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Replacement Filter.
Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Bynford.
The regular list price is $0.00.
Sells new for $74.95.
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5 comments about Bynford Hardwood Flooring Stapler.
- The stapler worked better than some of the other name brands I use to rent, and it never jammed liked the others.
- I have 1 of these and 2 bostitch, this was so inexpensive and I needed one in a hurry so I ordered it, awsome, it preforms just as good as the brand name models and I will only buy this kind again because the quality of this runner for a fraction of the cost of a bostitch runner, good job.
- When I first opened the package and unwrapped the flooring stapler, I knew instantly that I was holding a quality product. It was sturdy, but not heavy, and just felt solid. After practicing on a piece of scrap flooring for a few minutes, I was ready to attack my new dining room floor. The Bynford tool performed flawlessly. The quality-of-performance to price ratio simply can't be beat. This is an incredible product at a fantastic price.
- Was sceptical about purchasing this gun, Not being a name brand but am very happy with purchase. Have shot 7500 staples so far and it jammed twice. Pretty good average I guess. I recomend this for the DIYer but wouldn't suggest for comercial work.
- All of the reviews said this product was great so I bought one. Boy was I disappointed! This tool has no depth adjustments. It absolutely will not seat the staples deep enough even at 100 psi. causing me much grief so I postponed my project. 200+ dollar units look awfully good now! This unit was used on engineered wood, hardly a problem one would think.
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Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Powermatic.
The regular list price is $1,478.00.
Sells new for $1,199.00.
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5 comments about Powermatic 1791216K Model PWBS-14CS Deluxe 14-Inch 1-3/4-Inch Woodworking Bandsaw with Bearing Guides, Lamp, and Chip Blower, 115/230-Volt 1 Phase.
- So I don't rewrite everything that has been said I'll be brief. Purchased this saw during Woodcraft sale Feb 2008 which included the mobile base and riser block.
1. Current saw/riser blocks do not have an alignment problem. This is fixed.
2. It's priced a little higher than some 14" bandsaws but I believe you should buy a good tool if you plan to use it a lot. This is a good saw for the money. Period.
3. If you are cutting anything over 1/2" the stock blade is useless. There are a lot of opinions on which blade is best so do your research. I'm using the Timberwolf blades from PS Wood because they run at a lower tension. I'm getting great results and I think the lower tension means my saw will last much longer. Just get a good blade that is designed for what you are cutting and you will be much happier.
Update November 2008 - I'm still very happy with the Powermatic bandsaw. I have built a log sled and turned 3-4 foot long 11-12" logs into lumber. I used a 1/2" Timberwolf blade. It cut ok but I'm going to try the 3/8 woodturners blade from Highland Woodworking on the next batch. I cut black cherry and some white oak. I have some recently acquired hickory and bradford pear. It will be cut within a couple of weeks.
As for resawing I recently purchased a woodslicer blade and it is awesome. There is no comparison to any blade I have used before. If you are having trouble with your saw try a quality blade.
This saw is a workhorse with a great motor. Use a dedicated circuit or better yet rewire it for 220. Happy woodworking...
- You know there are a few tools every wood worker needs. Every wood worker needs those tools to work and work well and this saw does just that. This band saw is the perfect addition to your shop and will be the last band saw you will buy. From the carter quick release to the exceptional roller bearings this saw is a work of art and function.
When I got mine I had a hard time swallowing the price, but after using it I have never regretted the cost. I cut fine veneers, 3/32 thick and large thick stock to make corbels from hard wood and never and I mean never have to struggle to get something right!! Change blades no problem, tilt the bed no problem, and cut dovetails? No problem... And that is what you get NO PROBLEMS!!
I have owned delta, craftsman etc..... This saw is a dream!!! I hardly ever used my other band saws. Now I can hardly stop using this one. I even rip rough stock with it.
Just buy it; it will be the last one you'll ever need to buy.
- The instructions to assemble the saw were among the worst I have ever seen. Steps were missing so that once a certain point in the assembly was reached you had to take it apart again to complete the missing step. This happened 4 different times. The photography showing most steps was poor at best. I wound of with extra parts that I still have been unable to determine what they were used for. I assume the extra parts are from another missing step in the instructions.
- I have had this saw for 8 months and it has had problems from the begining - the latest the quick release - does not work - I am sick of calling the manufacturer and will dump this thousand dollar piece of garbage with pleasure myself - fair warning :)
- I have one complaint ... the base and motor bracket came damaged. None of the manufacturers package heavy tools in a way to stand up to the abuse that seems common among carriers. Complaint over ...
One email to Powermatic got a new base shipped the same day. When it arrived my neighbors all seemed to be out. With the saw body still in the box, I laid the base on its side, slid the saw to the base, bolted it up and pivoted the saw into the upright position. Following the instruction step by step (had to think about a few of the steps) the saw was up and running.
After cutting a few scraps I cut the feet for a trestle table. The wood was 8/4 cherry and I must say that the cuts in both the straight and curved sections were very clean with no burning. A few minutes at the spindle sander and I was good to go.
While I'm still waiting for a selection of TimberWolf blades to arrive I just couldn't wait to try a little resawing. I cut several 1/4" thick pieces from an 8/4 x 5 1/2" x 20" piece of cherry. I had to go slow and back off occasionally to allow the gullets to clear (this is not a resaw blade) the results were usable after a bit of sanding. The small, plastic, resaw post while cheap looking, did the job.
Fit and finish are at least as good as the other major manufacturers. The optional mobile base makes it easy to push this out of the way in my garage/workshop when I'm not using it.
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Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Kawasaki.
The regular list price is $49.99.
Sells new for $43.95.
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5 comments about Kawasaki 840051 Black 19.2v 20pc Cordless Drill Set.
- I got 2 drills at Costco. First lasted about 5 months. Second one maybe 6 or seven. I had a pretty big remodelling job but it was not used all the time every day or even close to it. It came with two year warranty so I simply returned them back to the store for the full refund. The thing I like best about it is how light weight it is. It can really get hard on your wrist with a lot of drilling or putting screws in. It recharges fast and has a lot of torque. Probably a good choice for a casual user or with a good warranty.
- Hate the poor battery life! Whenever I need it, it's drained! Even if fully charged a day or two ago! Also, it carries a Kawasaki logo (the reason a lot of people buy it) but its made by AllTrade which, to me, is a misrepresentation and sort of deceitful (unless you are into reading fine prints!). Overall it gets the work done but is not reliable when you need it, for above reason.
Will not buy again!
- I am very pleased with this product so far. It is well worth the money.
- The only reason I rated the Kawasaki 19.2 drill 4 stars instead of 5 is because you are not able to leave the spare battery in the charger for a trickle charge. The instructions tell you to remove the battery from the charger after an hour or two.
Performance-wise, I would rate it 5 stars as it is every bit as good as the Dewalt 18 volt it replaced at 1/3 to 1/2 the cost.
- I bought this for my husband who had asked especially for this brand. It was for his birthday and he loves it.
Lisa Sims
Alabama
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Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Milwaukee.
The regular list price is $570.00.
Sells new for $193.99.
There are some available for $199.95.
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5 comments about Milwaukee 7120-21 3/4- to 1-3/4-Inch Coil Roofing Nailer.
- I bought this based on Amazon reviews. I was looking for a nailer for putting down cement board in my kitchen and soon putting down new roof. With its first thousand nails put in through 1/2" hardibacker board, I have to say this thing is surprisingly light and powerful. I compared it to my friend's $300 Hitachi, and he even had to admit that the Milwaukee had the Hitachi beat in every way that matters. The adjustable and removable shingle stop is a nice feature as well. I just can't find anything bad to say about this nailer, and it even comes with some cool sunglasses for working up on the roof.
- Bought this to help reroof my garage which is now complete. At first I had a terrible time with jamming - basically every other shot or two would not feed and I would have to dry fire to get the gun to cycle. Tried oil which helped but not for long. The shots that did go in were fine. After a while I turned up the pressure (to something around 100 psi - don't remember exactly) and the feed problems went away and the gun worked flawlessly. I had set the pressure on the low end at first because I did not want to overdrive the nails. The depth setting didn't seem to affect the depth as much as the way the gun was held - may be obvious to some but I learned that if I pressed the gun into the shingle throughout the shot, I tended to overdrive more nails. Holding the gun a little looser and going quickly from shot to shot resulted in flush nails. I have used other roofing nailers in the past and this one worked just as well or better and was less expensive.
- I was looking for a Bostitch nailer when I found this one. I didn't know Milwaukee made air tools, but I knew their reputation with power tools. I expected the quality to be excellent, and was not disappointed. I really like the easy switch between single and multiple shots.
- I used this nailer to install my roof last year. It worked flawlessly for all 18 square of shingles installed. It only jammed once and that was my own fault because I loaded the nails wrong.
I even dropped it off my two story house on to concrete twice and it still performed great.
Pros: Easy to load, doesn't jam, extremely durable.
Cons: Can't think of any.
- Another winner from Milwaukee. Seven squares went down with one miss, which was not the nailers fault. Hit a spike and bent the nail. Removed it from the gun and went right back to work. Light and with a good balance. It will match our green and orange nailers. Highly recommend it.
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Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Milwaukee.
The regular list price is $808.00.
Sells new for $408.99.
There are some available for $349.95.
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5 comments about Milwaukee 6190-20 15 Amp 14-Inch Metal Cutoff Machine.
- Have had mine for three weeks and just installed my third blade today (at a hundred dollars a pop. If you are buying them with expectations of saving money over the abrasive cut off blades , you will surely be disappointed. I have not cut a lot of metal and the metal i have cut has all been mild steel 1/4" hot roll flatstock
Am waiting to hear from a milwaukee but i think i am just going to find out they are what they are.
Will most likley be selling this one on ebay if i cannot get Milwaukee to take it back.
The first two blades were the Milwaukee blades. The one i put on today was a Morse I bought from Amazon last week for 138.00
- Unlike many of the other reviewers, I have no compliant about the blade life. I purchased my saw in December of 2005 and use it for my business. I am on the original blade and have made over 2,000 cuts with it. Mostly I cut mild steel tubing, or aluminum structural. But lately I've been cutting 4x1" aluminum jig plate and 1.5" stainless. Perhaps other reviewers are having blade life problems because they use it like an abrasive chop saw. This dry cut saw needs to be run differently! The teeth on the blade are C6 carbide. If you use too much feed pressure the teeth will get knocked off or shatter.
Overall I love the saw and it has saved me at least a $1000 in deburring.
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Metallurgy 101
LUBRICATION
There is not a common metal out there that does not require some sort of lubrication while it is being cut. Furthermore, there is not a material from which cutting blades are made which do not require the same. Having machined the most common metals in the industry - Steel (hot or cold rolled), Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, and Stainless Steel - I can say unequivocally that lubrication is a must for a great cut and long cutter life.
The harder the cutter material the longer it will last - that is why carbide lasts longer than high speed steel cutters. Regardless, all metals need lubrication to cut them.
HEAT
HEAT is the #1 killer of a cutting edge, HEAT is a product of FRICTION, and FRICTION is greatly reduced by two things: 1( LUBRICATION and 2) CUTTING SPEED for the material being cut. Aluminum can be cut much faster than Stainless Steel, Therefore, aluminum has a higher cutting speed than Stainless Steel.
HEAT is a double-edged sword. It will ruin the cutting edge of even the toughest materials and it can work-harden steels. Cutting the material too fast will produce too much heat and will effectively harden the material on the spot. This will,in turn, make it more difficult to cut the material requiring more pressure and produce more heat which will ruin the cutting edge on even the toughest cutting material - even carbide. If you need to do a bunch of cuts then do a few and let the blade cool down and resume when the blade has cooled.
MY SUGGESTIONS
When using Carbide to cut metals use a small amount of LUBRICATION on your cuts and SLOW DOWN! Use a cutting oil. (any oil - even WD-40 in a pinch),and don't force the blade through the material - let it find it's own pace through the material. If you do this I guarantee you that your blades will last much longer and your cuts will be truer.
The term "Dry-Cut" really means "Dull Blades" - use lubricant.
Milwaukee 6190-20 15 Amp 14-Inch Metal Cutoff Machine
DEWALT DW872 14-Inch Multi-Cutter Saw
- I was using an abrasive saw for a few years as a hobbiest. I started looking at this saw and read reviews from every source I could find before deciding to purchase it.
It is a great saw. I have not experienced any issues with the blade. As the instructions state and other reviewers state, you HAVE to be aware of the cutting rate and force you place on the blade. Just like a drill bit, too much heat will kill this blade. I have run about a dozen cuts of small stuff.
Very clean cuts. No heat to speak of. Adjusting the fence for angle cuts is a breeze.
I would not have any reservations recommending this saw to a friend.
- I purchased this after comparing the Dewalt & Porter Cable versions in person. The saw works great, the angle fence is easy to adjust. The stock stays put while cutting. Very easy to release tension on the vise. When the upper motor is in the locked down position it is well balanced for carrying. Like others have mentioned, this saw requires a lighter touch than an abrasive style chop saw. I've cut 3x3x1/4 steel tube with not much more than a light downward pressure. It is much faster to clean up the chips from this saw vs the dust from an abrasive style chop saw.
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Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Makita.
The regular list price is $487.20.
Sells new for $189.95.
There are some available for $129.95.
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2 comments about Makita 8444DWDE 1/2-Inch 18-Volt NiMH Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver Kit.
- The makita 18 volt hammer drill is the best drill you can buy. I am an electrical contractor and have bought many of the yellow ones and the red ones but after using them every working day for 8 years we have our opinions. The battrey life is twice as long. It has more power. It is constucted better than the others and when its operating it doesn't feel like its going to fall apart. Makita started the cordless craze and their batteries used to last 7 years and cost only $30 Now some batteries last 2 years and cost $80 to replace! One test is worth a thousand expert opinions so go for it. Sid Sutherland, Sutherland Electric,Brush Prairie, WA
- After using a Dewalt 18 xrp for the last 2 years, I bought this drill after the dewalt "walked" off on a job. I have really been surprised with this drills performance, it is stronger than my dewalt and the batteries last quiet a bit longer. The makita has performed flawlessly for me the first 6 months now and has exceeded my expectations which was to be at least as good as my old trusty dewalt. This is a professional grade tool!
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Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Bostitch.
Sells new for $26.99.
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2 comments about Bostitch PT-MC13115GAL-1M 1 1/2-Inch x .131 Paper Tape Collated Galvanized Metal Connector Nails, 1000-Qty..
- In the short time we have used it, it has been a lot quicker and easier than nailing plates/connectors by hand. It has worked as advertised. We cluldn't be happier.
- love it but check your local store as they may have a better price...amazon has raised them over $30 recently
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Posted in Power (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By Hitachi.
The regular list price is $690.00.
Sells new for $365.50.
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No comments about Hitachi C8FSHE 8-1/2-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker.
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DELTA 36-980 10-Inch Left Tilt 1-1/2 Horsepower Contractor Saw with 30-Inch T2 Fence and 2 Cast-Iron Extension Wings, 115/230-Volt 1 Phase
70082 Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Replacement Filter
Bynford Hardwood Flooring Stapler
Powermatic 1791216K Model PWBS-14CS Deluxe 14-Inch 1-3/4-Inch Woodworking Bandsaw with Bearing Guides, Lamp, and Chip Blower, 115/230-Volt 1 Phase
Kawasaki 840051 Black 19.2v 20pc Cordless Drill Set
Milwaukee 7120-21 3/4- to 1-3/4-Inch Coil Roofing Nailer
Milwaukee 6190-20 15 Amp 14-Inch Metal Cutoff Machine
Makita 8444DWDE 1/2-Inch 18-Volt NiMH Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver Kit
Bostitch PT-MC13115GAL-1M 1 1/2-Inch x .131 Paper Tape Collated Galvanized Metal Connector Nails, 1000-Qty.
Hitachi C8FSHE 8-1/2-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker
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