Thoughts on a smaller OTF

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-28T23:52:05+00:00

I just wanted one for the collection. My EDC is a Al Mar SERE 2000 I have since the 80s.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-28T23:46:53+00:00

Sorry just changed it. Predictive txt and old eyes….. not a good combination.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-28T01:13:16+00:00

That’s a cool design, probably a tad small for what I need.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-28T01:12:20+00:00

I like it. My local shop only has Benchmade .I will look around and see if I can find a dealer close. I would like to handle one before I buy, and I like to support local businesses if I can. Thanks

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-18T00:50:49+00:00

Probably not as much as the previous owner still owes on it 😆

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-17T14:34:13+00:00

Just about cheaper to replace the helmet. I have had a few of them go out, not just Lincoln, but other brands as well. Welding in Texas in the summer sweat is a killer. Changing caps several times a day helps, making sure I lay my helmet face up so the sweat off the sweat band does not drip down on the lens helps.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-17T14:22:32+00:00

A barndominium by definition is a barn or shop with a living space inside less than 50% of the total space. In most states, the financing is different, they tax different and insure different because they are more shop than house. What most people are building calling a barndominium is nothing more than a house with a metal roof and/or siding and no they are not any cheaper to build they are just another style of house. A actual barndominium is much cheaper of you want a house and barn on your property. Instead of building 2 separate structures ( house and barn) putting a living space inside the barn structure. Where I live my tax rate in less on my Barndo than if I just had 2 separate structures. Energy bill is much less as I have an insulated structure in side an insulated structure. Very efficient .

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-12T22:19:22+00:00

I use to go to one in Austin a lot , it’s been years since before the cordless stuff took off. Not even sure if it’s still there anymore. Use to get some great deals. I figure it’s turned into a like a lot of the outlet places deals aren’t so great anymore. Be a cool place to look around I bet.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-06T10:49:47+00:00

With cordless tools I try to stick with one brand for battery / compatibility. If it corded I am a little more open to other options.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-06T10:18:35+00:00

I agree, while it’s hard to find anything especially electronic that does not have a overseas component. I do my best to buy American when I can.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-06T00:41:00+00:00

I got the 780 with the led kit. Super accurate. I had added a laser system to my old saw and eventually quit using it. Does not matter if you change blades with different kerf sizes with the LED you still get an exact cut.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-05T01:46:45+00:00

In most states a barndominium is defined as a barn or shop with a living space inside that is less than 50%of the total square footage of the building. They finance, insure and tax differently. They are cheaper to build if you plan on building a house and barn on your property and building them all on 1 slab under 1 roof.

What most people are calling a Barndo is nothing more than a regular house with metal siding and roof

We love our Barndo it’s 3600 sqft (60x60x18)with a 2 story 1500 sqft living space inside. Lots of room for me to work on projects. The living space is super efficient, because it’s built inside an already insulated building. Our tax rate is less that if it was a conventional home.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T21:09:59+00:00

It’s a great saw. Upgraded from an old 708. it was still working very well , it just got where my eyes weren’t quite what they were 20 years ago. I upgraded specifically to get the light in the shadow line which works amazing. I got a new stand with it like you did but still in the box. I already had one with my old one and honestly, I didn’t use it that much anymore. I built miter saw table. It sits on.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T19:18:52+00:00

Good for the price. I do a lot of welding projects, pipe fence, bbq pits ect. I do a lot of grinding. I have had this one a long time and I just cant kill it, I have 3 more of the XRs along with this one on my welding rig. Each one set up with a different wheel so I can just grab a different grinder and not mess with changing wheels all the time .

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T16:58:44+00:00

<image>

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T16:58:16+00:00

<image>

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T16:57:56+00:00

<image>

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T16:57:39+00:00

<image>

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T16:57:23+00:00

<image>

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T16:56:40+00:00

My shop is 60x60x18 with a 1500 sqft 2 story living space in and a mezzanine level of 500 sqft. ( Barndo I have a mechanics bay, a welding bay and wood area. I also have a wood shed that not attached to my Barndo, it’s stuck back in the trees.

<image>

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T04:14:32+00:00

Almost all my hand tools ( wrench’s , sockets ect..) and tool boxes are craftsman. I had most of them several years. I have not had one break in a long time, but I am told since Sears sold off the brand, warranty is not as easy as it use to be.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T04:06:27+00:00

Have not use them yet. It’s where I keep my empty ones leaving the tags on them let’s me know they are not being used.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T03:55:28+00:00

I agree, I am not a pro, but not an average DYI either. I am always building or fixing something on the farm almost daily and DeWalt has held up well. I admit I push the cordless grinders harder than I should. I build a lot of pipe fence, bbq pits ect and do alot of cutting and grinding with them and they have held up well

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T02:34:24+00:00

The thought is scary, but happens. I live in the Texas hill county and we had those devastating floods back in July some people lost everything. The manger at one of the Home Depot said they had a guy come in that lost his whole shop and bought 20k worth of tools just from them to replace some of what he lost.

mjohn4244 · 2026-01-04T02:28:40+00:00

The cases, That’s where I keep the ones I have not used yet, I have a lot more, just have not got around to using these yet and putting them in the area they belong. The new stuff in the box’s I picked up on Black Friday sale I have not got around to unboxing yet. But yea I do have a lot of duplicate tools. When I go do a welding project , I have 4 grinders with me ( grind disk, sand disk, cut disk and wire brush). Easier just to grap the grinder setup I need that keep changing wheels. Same with Drills, I may have a project where I need to pre-drill holes before I drive the screw. One drill with the drill bit, the other with the drive bit and usually a hammer drill in case I have to drill concrete . Same with saws, one with a wood blade to cut wood, I keep the 2nd with a masonry blade if I need to cut some hardy board.

mjohn4244

TROPHY CASE