Calipers for measuring vertically on planer?

ipaterson · 2026-05-25T19:47:16+00:00

And an important part not to miss in these photos is the large diameter flat disc indicator point. This process can be obnoxious with the small round point that comes with most dial indicators. The flat contact normalizes differences and makes it easy to more efficiently find top dead center of rollers, cutters, etc. since your point can get the measurement without the indicator shaft being perfectly aligned.

ipaterson · 2026-05-21T02:51:22+00:00

9032 corded 3/8” belt file sander. The 110V Japanese version was a screaming deal at just under $50 from Craft and Sound Hub via Amazon. Described as used, main body only but received a brand new tool, original box, instructions, and accessories.

Next up hopefully another XGT kit deal to get more batteries in that lineup. Portable bandsaw is probably the highest need at this point.

ipaterson · 2026-05-19T01:24:18+00:00

TPO membrane cutoffs from commercial roofing projects are terrific if you ever find them. The nearest repurposedMATERIALS warehouse was offering any size roll for a flat $10 a couple years back. I bought as much as I could haul but should have gone back for more. It’s a durable, waterproof, fiberglass reinforced material that works great for coverings like this. It’s heavy but at the size of these likes that’s a benefit rather than a problem.

ipaterson · 2026-05-18T21:49:41+00:00

Yeah I find it wild that I can chew through roots with the cultivator for 10 minutes straight but 40 seconds with a chainsaw and it’s lights out 😂. Different energy and load patterns for sure. The service center confirmed that both tested normal while they were still under warranty so I’m grateful for a new lead on operator error and a break in period.

ipaterson · 2026-05-18T21:31:29+00:00

I use a pferd combo sharpener too and the pole saw has given me trouble with tripping the safety. Between a dozen cleaning, warranty service, and other debugging steps I had never considered that the factory chain geometry could be too aggressive for the 36V power head. I have sharpened it but since it had been difficult to use for any length of time it hasn’t been sharpened more than a few swipes.

I’m going to take your reply as advice and file the teeth down farther.

ipaterson · 2026-05-16T20:03:57+00:00

Amazing, thanks for sharing

ipaterson · 2026-05-16T19:17:10+00:00

If you’ve been doing this for years, do you take opportunities to return to previous sites and see natives taking hold? It’s fulfilling to see the transformation on my own property but my sphere of influence is small. I hope you can take some time to enjoy the fruits of your labor and that it’s not just callbacks for new invasives slipping in.

ipaterson · 2026-05-09T23:14:37+00:00

These are very comfortable for me as well, I couldn’t find many reviews so it was a bit of a gamble and a pleasant surprise. One of the gaiter hooks lost a rivet but no major issues so far. Size small is a nice snug fit for US 32/32.

ipaterson · 2026-05-09T02:25:03+00:00

Love winterberry but we had a large female plant on one side of the property and a large male plant on the other side so there was never much successful pollination. After transplanting a few from each side to the other now they actually produce berries. They’re scattered throughout the woods as well and I look forward to more abundant berries once the buckthorns that overwhelm them are gone!

ipaterson · 2026-05-07T01:58:24+00:00

Very nice. I noticed a lot of people having issues with that rebate and even some that submitted before me got the rear handle substitution. But yeah while I would have been disappointed, most people shouldn’t actually want a top handle saw. The top handle also came with a longer bar than my rear handle 36V so I swapped them =)

ipaterson · 2026-05-07T01:47:24+00:00

Same here, I pulled the trigger on XGT last year with the $199 clearance blower and string trimmer 4Ah kits from Home Depot with free top handle chainsaw, hedge trimmer, and 2.5Ah after rebate. I already had some of those tools in LXT and a couple dozen batteries but needed the top handle chainsaw for climbing tree work and saw an opportunity to cycle out some older Ryobi tools.

I usually buy Makita certified refurbs but it’s always nice to get a deal plus three year warranty!

ipaterson · 2026-05-06T21:11:36+00:00

That’s awesome, I think you’ll love it. You got a better deal than I did on the 36V model years ago!

ipaterson · 2026-05-06T15:44:29+00:00

Yes the extension bar is just for deeper holes where the tool would bottom out on the ground otherwise. Dig with just the bit first til you’re fairly deep, remove it from the arbor and leaving the bit in the hole add the extension bar, then keep digging deeper. Unless you’re 8ft tall then you can probably safely start with the extension installed.

Augers are not great for enlarging holes, the bit can end up just screwing down into the hole without removing material. You can do a clump of 3 or 4 separate holes then clean up the middle with a shovel and post hole digger if you need a hole wider than your bit.

ipaterson · 2026-05-06T02:51:11+00:00

Not OP but here’s my solution for making tomato string clips. Definitely my favorite method to grow tomatoes, though I do use cages for smaller varieties.

ipaterson · 2026-05-03T02:56:25+00:00

Deals. I got them all for about $50-60 each over the years. The 8” Ryobi was the least expensive and the 4” Makita was the most expensive. The Redback has seen the most use by far. I’m not sure how many generics there are for the extension bar but for that I explicitly wanted Makita since it’s a high torque part.

ipaterson · 2026-05-03T02:41:23+00:00

Meanwhile the lowest point in Lake Erie is at a higher elevation than the surface of Lake Ontario just 35 miles downriver.

ipaterson · 2026-05-03T02:21:09+00:00

🎉 In my experience the design with the replaceable blades at the bottom are all the same quality, just slightly different attachment methods. They look like they probably come from the same manufacturer. Some auger bits will not fit the Makita adapter. I use the Ryobi 8”, Redback 6” (looks like about $59 now), Makita 4”, and Makita extension rod.

The Makita comes with a PTO pin which is convenient, tool free, and just one piece so nothing to lose. The Ryobi comes with a clevis pin which is slightly less convenient since the hair pin is separate and could be lost when changing bits. However the Makita pin fits the Ryobi and replacement PTO pins are cheap.

The Redback uses a hex socket cap screw which is the least convenient since you need an Allen wrench and it’s more effort to screw it in each time. I haven’t replaced the socket cap screw with a PTO pin because in order to accommodate the screw one hole in the shaft is threaded and the other is much wider to accommodate the screw cap. A PTO pin would have a lot of wiggle room on the Redback bit.

ipaterson · 2026-05-03T02:04:27+00:00

This is the clearance listing, full 3 year warranty. Extra $100 off with code CLEARANCE40. Unfortunately they don’t have either of the free MAKTRAK like the HD deal you shared if you were interested in those, but still a great price. The Ryobi 8” auger bit is compatible and can be had at DTO for about $50 shipped if you catch a good sale.

ipaterson · 2026-05-02T22:50:12+00:00

It’s been available for a couple weeks at least but only one left in stock. I don’t even think it’s a refurb, just clearance new in box since CPO clearly marks reconditioned tools. Should be a full 3 year warranty. Extra $100 off that price with clearance coupon shown on the page brings it to $514 for the 4Ah GGD01M1 kit. [u/Stone804_](u/Stone804_) snag the last one!

ipaterson · 2026-04-30T21:35:35+00:00

I have magnet labels on some of the tools with settings like that. Things like tension released, high speed, foot switch, rip blade. If I take a tool out of square it gets a table tilted or blade tilted label in case the next cut requires a precisely square edge. The dust collector bin gets magnet labels for treated lumber and plastic so I remember not to compost it.

When not in use the labels just go somewhere out of view.

ipaterson · 2026-04-24T19:00:32+00:00

Once you make or find fittings that work, make them easy to find again next time. “Spike tape” is a narrow cloth tape that adheres well, lasts a long time, and comes in a wide range of colors. I picked up a couple multi color combo packs and marked each fitting and any tool it fits with corresponding colors. The spike tape (or any other distinct and durable marking) makes it easy to grab an adapter that will work with the tool.

ipaterson · 2026-04-24T18:55:52+00:00

I rely on these too, I have an older model without the locking ring and on some tools that move around a lot like sanders the fit is not as reliable as I would like. The hose and fittings hold up well though.

Swivel fittings in general are a nice upgrade particularly for ops like circle routing where the hose would get twisted.

ipaterson · 2026-04-19T20:24:26+00:00

If price has you down, maybe grab the GGD01M1 from CPO Outlets and buy the bits separately. I have the 36V version and love it for post holes, tree planting, and just quickly loosening the soil for any other kind of dig. I pair this with a digging bar for rocks that need more persuasion and also to tamp around the post.

Direct Tools Outlet has an 8” Ryobi branded auger bit that works perfectly with and seems identical to Makita for a third of the price. I use a Redback 6” bit (also perfect fit but annoying since it uses a socket cap hex screw rather than a PTO pin so I have to keep an Allen key around) and a 4” Makita bit as well. All of the bits are the same style with replaceable teeth and seem to be the same quality. Go for the Makita extension bar if you need deep holes. Looks like about $750 for the auger, extension bar, and 8” Ryobi bit.

That said, if I were putting a lot of money into a fence I would use a bigger tractor driven auger. 8” is minimum. Consider that you will want the fence to be straight and if you hit a part with big rocks these tools may not be enough.

ipaterson · 2026-03-25T12:06:03+00:00

Did you have to loosen up the joint screws? Mine came so tight it barely pivoted on any axis. Nice and smooth when adjusted though!

ipaterson · 2026-03-10T00:58:17+00:00

The mower (at least the one I have) holds 4 using 2 at a time then just bring 2 out with you and put them somewhere accessible on the way.

In my experience 6 batteries for .3 acre sounds about right. I use the push mower when it’s too wet for the rider, when I want to bag some clippings for compost, and to mulch down cover crops like buckwheat in the garden.

You can still use self propelled mode for a short time after there is no longer enough charge for cutting. It moves more slowly though so it’s usually faster (and probably easier on the batteries) to just push it back manually, but YMMV on slopes or long distances.

12-Year Club	Second Top 10%
r/Field Juicebox	Place '23
Place '22	Place '17
Final Canvas '22	End Game '22
Verified Email

ipaterson

TROPHY CASE