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My pick for modeler's tool of the year

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My pick for modeler's tool of the year
Posted by joe-daddy on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 10:47 AM

 

My newest tool in my tool box, actually on my belt is my new Bosch PS20-2 10.8 volt Litheon compact Pocket Driver drill.  Mine cam with a clip on holster that I wear Wild Bill style (cross draw for you younger dudes). 

I've used it for a day now and gotta tell you my trusty Dewalt 14.4 is now releated to the shelf next to my old Makita 9.6 volt.

And the holster actally works and seems to just disappear.  I've tried some of the others and they felt like I had a toilet seat strapped to my waist!

HD & Lowes 129.95

Best new tool I've found in years.  Try one out on their money back plan, I'll doubt you will take it back.

I nominate this one for tool of the year for Model Railroaders. 

 

 Web site


Just my 2 cents worth nothing more!

Joe 

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Posted by secondhandmodeler on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 11:15 AM
What are you building that you need a driver often enough to wear a holster?
Corey
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Posted by joe-daddy on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 11:26 AM

 secondhandmodeler wrote:
What are you building that you need a driver often enough to wear a holster?

Er,

  • Benchwork 
  • Mounting stuff to the layout.
  • Installing feeders
Are a few times that come to mind.

How many time is the time I have had to get my big rear off the ground and go get the drill which I had left in North Wichita!

 

Joe 

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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 11:54 AM

Joe,

Did you consider the Bosch I-Driver?   I have been considering a light weight drill for those times I don't need my 6.7 pound hammer drill.  The I-Driver looks a little more versatile and looks like it will get into tighter spaces, but I don't have any experience with that type of drill. 

Enjoy

Paul 

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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Posted by secondhandmodeler on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:02 PM

That would defenantly come in handy for benchwork.  After that, I just couldn't think of any other reason for it.  I'd have to vote for my tiny screwdriver.  It comes in handy for many reasons.  Recently I've been using it for cleaning up my ballasting efforts.  It works for gently prying off loco shells, tightening trucks, tightening my glasses.  I couldn't live without it.

Corey
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Posted by joe-daddy on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:11 PM

Good morning Paul,

Yes, I did look at the I-Driver and agree that it would be valuable in some situations however for these reasons, I chose the Pocket Driver

  • Costs $20 more
  • Weighs .4 lbs more (Feels like it is actually heavier than that)
  • Is larger than thePocket driver.
  • I driver has higher top RPM than the Pocket driver.
  • Felt awkward to me (purely subjective opinion)
  • Was not confident that it would be as durable as the pocket driver (again my subjective opinion)

In the past two days, I have needed a right angle drill for two different screws.  Of all the angle drivers I've seen, the Bosch I-Driver would be my pick.  Actually I think I will have both of them before it is overwith.

Just my 2 cents worth nothing more!

 Joe 

 

 

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Posted by joe-daddy on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:15 PM
 secondhandmodeler wrote:

That would defenantly come in handy for benchwork.  After that, I just couldn't think of any other reason for it.  I'd have to vote for my tiny screwdriver.  It comes in handy for many reasons.  Recently I've been using it for cleaning up my ballasting efforts.  It works for gently prying off loco shells, tightening trucks, tightening my glasses.  I couldn't live without it.

I hear ya, plastic or rubber handled?  Phillips or standard. . .  Smile [:)]

Joe 

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Posted by secondhandmodeler on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:19 PM
 joe-daddy wrote:
 secondhandmodeler wrote:

That would defenantly come in handy for benchwork.  After that, I just couldn't think of any other reason for it.  I'd have to vote for my tiny screwdriver.  It comes in handy for many reasons.  Recently I've been using it for cleaning up my ballasting efforts.  It works for gently prying off loco shells, tightening trucks, tightening my glasses.  I couldn't live without it.

I hear ya, plastic or rubber handled?  Phillips or standard. . .  Smile [:)]

Joe 

Plastic handled flat head.  It's one of those tools that never gets put away.  Of course, if my ballasting methods were a little more refined, I may not need it as much!  The phillips head is not too far away either.

Corey
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Posted by joe-daddy on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:36 PM
 secondhandmodeler wrote:
 joe-daddy wrote:
 secondhandmodeler wrote:

That would defenantly come in handy for benchwork.  After that, I just couldn't think of any other reason for it.  I'd have to vote for my tiny screwdriver.  It comes in handy for many reasons.  Recently I've been using it for cleaning up my ballasting efforts.  It works for gently prying off loco shells, tightening trucks, tightening my glasses.  I couldn't live without it.

I hear ya, plastic or rubber handled?  Phillips or standard. . .  Smile [:)]

Joe 

Plastic handled flat head.  It's one of those tools that never gets put away.  Of course, if my ballasting methods were a little more refined, I may not need it as much!  The phillips head is not too far away either.

Corey 

Yup!  I remember back in the 60's when I got my first new tool bag as an IBM CE, my manager asked me what I thought about it and I said it was really nice but where are the phillips screw drivers?  

"Don't need them" he said, "IBM policy was to only use standard slot screws, kept the costs of tools, spare parts etc. way down."  I kinda doubt they still adhere to that practice, but it was different.

Have a great and prosperous day

Joe 

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:49 PM
 joe-daddy wrote:
 secondhandmodeler wrote:
 joe-daddy wrote:
 secondhandmodeler wrote:

That would defenantly come in handy for benchwork.  After that, I just couldn't think of any other reason for it.  I'd have to vote for my tiny screwdriver.  It comes in handy for many reasons.  Recently I've been using it for cleaning up my ballasting efforts.  It works for gently prying off loco shells, tightening trucks, tightening my glasses.  I couldn't live without it.

I hear ya, plastic or rubber handled?  Phillips or standard. . .  Smile [:)]

Joe 

Plastic handled flat head.  It's one of those tools that never gets put away.  Of course, if my ballasting methods were a little more refined, I may not need it as much!  The phillips head is not too far away either.

Corey 

Yup!  I remember back in the 60's when I got my first new tool bag as an IBM CE, my manager asked me what I thought about it and I said it was really nice but where are the phillips screw drivers?  

"Don't need them" he said, "IBM policy was to only use standard slot screws, kept the costs of tools, spare parts etc. way down."  I kinda doubt they still adhere to that practice, but it was different.

Have a great and prosperous day

Joe 

Any tool that reduces repeated action with your limbs is a great tool.

My best tool over the years was a air driven nail gun that took a drum of 100 3 inch nails and slammed each into the deck just about perfectly every time. Saved needless hammering.

If the air supply was not availible at the shipper, used the truck's own air for that work.

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Posted by selector on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:58 PM

Here is a list of tools that are never away from the layout.....ever:

a. bar-b-que bamboo skewers- poking holes, prying and lifting things, moving throwbars;

b. fine long needle-nosed pliers- all of the above, and gripping things;

c. NMRA gauge- obvious;

d. set of watch-maker's screw drivers, flat-tipped and Phillips;

e. glue- Gorilla and Weld Bond (white); and

f. paper towel.

Oh, heck, g. fasteners such as screws and track nails.

Finally, the contiguous nature of my tracks relies heavily on a functional de-humidifier since it resides in my basement.  If I leave the thing off for two to three days, I will have alignment problems.  It doesn't really count as a tool, but I couldn't run trains without it.

I hope this post is in keeping with your intentions, Joe,...?  If not, I'll try to do better.

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Posted by joe-daddy on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 2:16 PM

Crandall,

I'm not sure I had any purpose past sharing the discovery of a neat new tool!

And thanks to Iron Rooster, Smile [:)] there is an I-Driver sitting here on my bench. I thought I'd try it out and see which one of the two I use the most or prefer!

Have a great one!

Tools is cool!

 

Joe 

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Posted by reklein on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 3:37 PM
Dang it, I used to work in hardware at HD, now I gotta go try out the Bosch. I got too many drills now. Might have to donate a couple to Habitat.
In Lewiston Idaho,where they filmed Breakheart pass.
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Posted by ARTHILL on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 7:18 PM

Could not agree more when I was at that stage.

For a while, the Cordless Dremel was the tool. Laying track and putting in lighting, making trees.

Now, WS low temp hot glue gun. I am back at the canyon building.

 

 

 

 

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Posted by jwar on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 9:24 PM
Joe....Ya leaving the Makita 9.6 v die the of old age on the shelf....., Mine died a few months ago and I too visited the tools galore isle. Could not make up my mind, went home ordered another reverser triger assy $20 and it has another life. I think I would vote for the compound miter saw, Key tool for me to get the layout up and going......Just my 1/2 cent.LOL....john
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Posted by reklein on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 9:34 PM
jwar,hard to beat the makita 9.6. I've had three. First one got stole,second one I've had for 15 years, third one I bought at a sale HD had, got the drill and 2 of them fancy batteries for around $75. The old Ni-cads seem to last longer than the new fancy ones.
In Lewiston Idaho,where they filmed Breakheart pass.
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Posted by joe-daddy on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 9:45 PM
 ARTHILL wrote:

Could not agree more when I was at that stage.

For a while, the Cordless Dremel was the tool. Laying track and putting in lighting, making trees.

Now, WS low temp hot glue gun. I am back at the canyon building.

Right on about the cordless Dremel which is also a good friend.  During my hot rodding days, I used a Makita 0600 die grinder which is a Dremel Moto tool on massive steroids. 

I keep it in the bottom drawer of my metal roll around as it comes in handy every once in a while when I need to cut big stuff.

 

Tools is cool! 

 

 

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Posted by joe-daddy on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 9:58 PM
 IRONROOSTER wrote:

Joe,

Did you consider the Bosch I-Driver?   I have been considering a light weight drill for those times I don't need my 6.7 pound hammer drill.  The I-Driver looks a little more versatile and looks like it will get into tighter spaces, but I don't have any experience with that type of drill. 

Enjoy

Paul 

 

Paul,

I went and picked up the I-Driver and used it for awhile today.  I'll be taking it back for the following reasons:

  1. The holster it comes with is the same as the one for the Pocket Driver and the I-Driver wedges into the holser and is hard to remove.
  2. I find it difficult to drive screws correctly (can't seem to get the angle of the bit correct) with the I-Driver and driving big screws like 3" drywall is very difficult.  I also have a Milwaukee angle drill which has a short snout on it but is not cordless and it drives big screws like crazy.  The ergonomics of the I-Driver just did not work for me.
  3. And the weight and size do make it very noticeable on my hip, while the pocket driver just 'disappears'.
I might have kept it, if I had not remembered that the Milwaukee is in the drawer next to my Makita die grinder, so I do have a tight corner drill if and when I need one.

Just my findings and opinions, worth 2 cents, nothing more.

Joe 

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 10:04 AM

Be careful cutting heavy steel on dremels. I attempted a cut some time ago and realized the tool was unable to dissapate the heat and had to stop. I dont think I will be cutting that material ever again.

EDIT, Short cuts in light steel common in Computer Cases is not a problem especially when all the "Guts" are out and the power supply removed.

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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 10:16 AM
 joe-daddy wrote:
 IRONROOSTER wrote:

Joe,

Did you consider the Bosch I-Driver?   I have been considering a light weight drill for those times I don't need my 6.7 pound hammer drill.  The I-Driver looks a little more versatile and looks like it will get into tighter spaces, but I don't have any experience with that type of drill. 

Enjoy

Paul 

 

Paul,

I went and picked up the I-Driver and used it for awhile today.  I'll be taking it back for the following reasons:

  1. The holster it comes with is the same as the one for the Pocket Driver and the I-Driver wedges into the holser and is hard to remove.
  2. I find it difficult to drive screws correctly (can't seem to get the angle of the bit correct) with the I-Driver and driving big screws like 3" drywall is very difficult.  I also have a Milwaukee angle drill which has a short snout on it but is not cordless and it drives big screws like crazy.  The ergonomics of the I-Driver just did not work for me.
  3. And the weight and size do make it very noticeable on my hip, while the pocket driver just 'disappears'.
I might have kept it, if I had not remembered that the Milwaukee is in the drawer next to my Makita die grinder, so I do have a tight corner drill if and when I need one.

Just my findings and opinions, worth 2 cents, nothing more.

Joe 

 

Joe,

Thanks for the update.

Paul 

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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Posted by loathar on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 3:43 PM
Just curious. At $129 and 10.8 volts, how much torque and battery life does it have? Can you drive 2" sheetrock screws with it? Does it have a removable battery so you can have a backup on the charger?
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Posted by joe-daddy on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 4:17 PM

 loathar wrote:
Just curious. At $129 and 10.8 volts, how much torque and battery life does it have? Can you drive 2" sheetrock screws with it? Does it have a removable battery so you can have a backup on the charger?

Here you go, more info: 

  1. It comes with 2 batteries that take about 30-45 minutes to recharge.
  2. Bosch claims 100 3" drywall screws on one battery.  PLENTY of power from my observation and use.
  3. Slip joint attachment of bits, no chuck.
  4. Takes regularly available bits.
  5. Used it as a nut driver and works great on 7/16 nuts (1/2")
Joe

 

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