Reviews by yardNgard

yardNgard says "No pink bunny needed, but this keeps going and going" about Craftsman 20 Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Battery Pack

yardNgard — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:53:33 GMT

I picked up a combo kit quite a while back when these were relatively new. My kit came with 2 batteries, charger, drill/driver, hammer drill, light, and carrying bag. I've had this now for several years and there have been times where everything sat idle for weeks/months and other times where I was using the equipment every day during a project. I've not experienced a single issue with any of this stuff yet, including the batteries.

Having the smart tech in the battery/charger to monitor the temp and charging has been a tremendous help. I live where it has been extremely hot outside which only adds to the draw on the tool and battery. Never has there been an issue whether I charged the batteries with only 1 or 2 lights off or if I ran the battery down to only 1 light. (meaning the battery is almost exhausted). They charge quickly and are ready to go for quite a while.

Not that I put these things to use every day all day like a contractor might do, but I've had some long projects....

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yardNgard says "Fine filter functionality" about Craftsman Fine Dust Filter

yardNgard — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:19:56 GMT

The Craftsman wet/dry vac filters really hold a lot of debris. In fact, they hold so much debris, it is easy for them to get clogged. I was surprised at how much of the bigger chunks get stuck in the filter folds instead of falling into the vacuum tub itself. I've tried the blue and white filters in the vac when sucking up dust and wood chips from my miter and table saws. This debris was a mixture of chunks as well as fine particles.

Finer dust gets trapped as well, although I didn't notice a difference between the blue and white filters (no way to measure it actually). Drywall dust or something that fine of a particulate really does build up in the filters quickly so clearing them often is advised for maximum performance from the vac.

If you are careful, the filters can be cleaned and reused several times. Clear as much of the loose debris and dust from the filters over a trash can or using a trash bag to cover. Get out as much dust as possible and then rinse the filters...

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yardNgard says "Quiet N clean dish washing machine" about Kenmore 13863 Stainless Steel Built-in Dishwasher

yardNgard — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:14:14 GMT

I bought my Kenmore Elite Dishwasher with TurboZone (model 13863 - stainless steel inside and out, Quietguard Premium) almost 3 year ago and have been fairly pleased with my purchase. I don't think any dishwasher out there is perfect, but this one certainly gives it a run!

One of the features that influenced me was the TurboZone. I didn't want a gizmo or gimmick when it came time to cleaning. This unit has an extra set of sprayers down in the back so that you face your really grimy pans and pots in this direction for attack. It really does make a difference, but it is not perfect. I found I don't have to soak pans nearly as much or do the cleaning myself as long as the nozzles can get at the areas that need cleaning. Only in some of the more stubborn, totally-baked-on messes did I find that the turbo needed a turbo boost. This wash area of the lower tray also features an adjustable set of tines so you can angle whatever you're cleaning towards the back or stand it up straight depending...

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yardNgard says "Little package, BIG helper" about Craftsman 31pc Impact Drill and Drive Set

yardNgard — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:42:40 GMT

I purchased the Craftsman 31-pc. Impact Drill and Drive set back when I picked up a 20V Lithium Driver/Drill and Lithium Impact Driver set. I noticed the operative words "Impact quality nutsetters & adapters" are now missing from the title of this product on the website, however. I think that is the most important feature - impact quality. As I learned, my impact drive really puts out some torque (see my other review) and I was tired of the sub-grade cheap bits that wear almost instantly. It is sooo frustrating. I needed something that was convenient and would last with me thru the projects at home. I don't need industrial grade, but I certainly want durable.

I found the set contained the basic bits (fastening, drilling, adapters) that I would use for many things. What I didn't expect were the conveniences of a couple of the "little" things that can be so easily overlooked.

The first "plus" is the Speed-Lok quick feature included in the set. It is so nice to drill out a...

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yardNgard says "Clean sweep, even with the acorns" about Craftsman 42&#34 High Speed Sweeper

yardNgard — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:55:37 GMT

This unit does mostly what it is supposed to do. The trick is getting the brush height just right so that you can sweep up the leaves that are down low or stuck to the ground without setting the brushes too low so that you get wheel skip or skid. I didn't have to worry about leveling the hitch as this unit was level with my Craftsman DYS4500 without any issues.

I have a LOT of oak trees in my yard so I wanted to be able to pick up those small leaves that are a bit waxy as well as the sticks and acorns that fall out every year. I have a mixed yard with St. Augustine and Bermuda grass and it works on both, except where some of the leaves are stuck to the dirt. If the leaves are on the grass and not the mud or soil, they come up a lot easier. I do have to adjust to different heights between the front and back yards, so it takes a few passes. If I use the sweeper when it's totally dry, I get a lot of grass clippings, too, but then the dust content goes up and I'm covered. :-)

The...

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yardNgard says "Loud, but it does the job" about Craftsman 4 Gal. Air Compressor with 3 pc. Nail Gun Set

yardNgard — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:55:36 GMT

I bought the Craftsman Compressor Kit (3 guns, hose, compressor) a couple years ago. I have used it for my smaller projects (car tire inflation duty) as well as some larger projects (re-fencing the back yard). The compressor itself seems like it is holding up and will continue to do so. I'm always surprised at how much water comes out of the drain valve when I perform this task on shutdown (as you should every time to avoid rusting out the tank prematurely).

I've expanded my capability by adding a second outlet point so I can run two small air tools at once. I like to keep my air nozzle on the 2nd outlet so it's always available to clear dust and debris as needed. Of course, this model does not have a lot of capacity and it works to keep up when I'm using my framing nailer with repeat hits. Eventually it catches back up, but it definitely gets more of a workout than with the stapler or brad nailer.

This unit does make noise, for those not familiar with oil-less models. If you'll...

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yardNgard says "Will that be paper or plastic?" about Craftsman 2-1/2 in. Full Head Galvanized Framing Nails

yardNgard — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:55:34 GMT

I purchased a Craftsman Framing Nailer to work on my fencing project. Unfortunately, keeping this nailer supplied with nails became a challenge at the time I was starting my project. None of the local stores had any in stock of the right type (correct angle, length, nail head, coating, etc.). I ended up finally finding these nails online at Sears but couldn't get them at a store. Apparently, there is a bit of a "nail war" shortage going on out there because of import issues, but I won't digress. It came down to using these nails with the plastic retaining strap. I've actually purchased a few boxes of nails all of different lengths.

I found my Craftsman Nailer isn't always so fond of these little gems. Sometimes, but not always, the plastic would jam up in the nailer shoot / guide. The hammer would jam or end up sliding past the nail and just impacting the wood. I would make sure the nail gun had a few drops of lubricant every time I would start up so I'm pretty sure...

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yardNgard says "That's one tall nail" about Craftsman 3-1/2 in. Framing Nails, Full Head, Box of 1000

yardNgard — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:55:34 GMT

I really had to crank up the pressure and striking strength on the nailer to get these nails to be fully seated. I was applying these to either 2x4s or 4x4s (Pressure Treated) and couldn't always get them in but that was more a problem with the wood and the nailer and not the nails, I assume.

Many times a bit of the plastic strap would end up...

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yardNgard says "Sometimes, sometimes not. " about Craftsman Full Head Framing Nailer

yardNgard — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:55:34 GMT

I purchased a Craftsman Framing Nailer to work on my fencing project over a year ago. The magnesum material for the housing helps keep the weight down, especially for over-head work or lugging this around. The body is durable even if bumped or banged around a little bit. My model is the "aluminum" color and not the black finish, but it is the same construction and features.

I found my Craftsman Nailer isn't always so fond of the nails with plastic straps. I've used sizes from 2 1/2 up to 3 1/2 inches in this gun. Sometimes, but not always, the plastic would jam up in the nailer shoot / guide. The hammer would jam or end up sliding past the nail and just impacting the wood. I would make sure the nail gun had a few drops of lubricant every time I would start up so I'm pretty sure that wasn't the issue. This occurs on the hot weather days, so maybe cooler times would make things easier. I would simply clear out the plastic pieces or nail stuck in the guide. I would get...

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yardNgard says "Keep those Craftsman tools in this sturdy keeper" about Craftsman Professional 36&#34 Wide Floor Cabinet - Platinum

yardNgard — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:50:48 GMT

Before I purchased the Craftsman Professional Floor Cabinet, I shopped around online as well as at the local big box stores to see what was available on the market. I was interested in a full height cabinet that had a sturdy exterior and could also be moved around on casters (I don't always have a lot of workspace in the garage and need to move things around). Well, that criteria was next to impossible to match. Most of the cabinets out there are built with "price" in mind and sacrifice "quality". The price was high on a lot of the products, but they were not made to last at all. The more sturdy cabinets with wheels were all too small (half height, under counter, work bench, etc.) The Craftsman Pro Cabinet was as close to my choice as possible. This cabinet has leveling feet but no casters or wheels.

I didn't want something with flimsy shelves or made out of particle wood as those have a tendency to just fall apart on their own without any help of using it to store my...

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yardNgard says "hefty hefty hefty" about Craftsman Tractor Lift

yardNgard — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:07:58 GMT

The Craftsman tractor lift does just that ... it lifts. :-) I bought the previous model year (Sears had a close out on things) for working on my DYS4500 Craftsman yard tractor. The only difference between models was the paint color of the main body. The package came with the lift, a basic front bumper bar (tube stock, nothing fancy), and attaching hardware. The are plenty of holes in the arms for different heights and for the spacing of the arms on the main base. Heavy angle iron and thick square stock is used so no worries about flimsy junk on this unit.

I had a harder time getting the bumper assembly onto the tractor than I did putting the lift together. Sharp sheet metal edges and tight clearance under the tractor frame/ engine made this a little more difficult so it requires patience. I didn't want the bumper brackets protruding out too far as they then interfere with my tight turns in corners, around obstacles in my yard. I had to play with it a few times to...

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yardNgard says "This one keeps going and going and going" about Craftsman Professional 26302 20-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver with LED Work Light - Tools Only

yardNgard — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:24:53 GMT

I bought this Craftsman Pro 20V lithium drill combo (drill, drill handle, light, charger, batteries, carrying case) over a year and a half ago and am glad I did. It replaced a smaller voltage Craftsman Ni-Cad model as the batteries just wouldn't last.

I have ongoing projects of replacing some decking and the fencing in my large backyard. The projects stretched out over time and it is nice to be able to pick up the drill and be ready to go regardless of how long the drill has been sitting idle. The lights on the front of the battery indicating the charge level are great for determining how much juice is left in the battery. Charging is so rapid that even if I were to run out both batteries, I'm back in business in no time. (Good excuse for a break, hehehe.)

The included bit that comes with the drill (flat head on one end, phillips on the other) is OK, but the phillips end doesn't last too long. It's easy enough to buy a replacement. The drill chuck is convenient and easy when...

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yardNgard says "Hammer time does it up fine!" about Craftsman Professional 28128 20-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/4" Impact Driver with Quick-Release Collet & LED Light

yardNgard — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:24:53 GMT

The Craftsman Pro 20V Lithium 1/4" Impact Driver is in one word ... amazing. I've never used a true impact driver before and often wondered how a little "tapping" inside the drill could really make a difference. WOW, I'm so glad I bought this driver. It made my yard projects (fencing, decking) soooo much easier when putting in the longer screws or attaching or removing lag screws. It's a huge advantage over a standard drill. I found myself using the hammer more than my standard drill for this reason. I picked up the 31 piece Impact Drill and Drive Set (with Speed-Lok) and glad I did as this hammer drill really puts out some torque.

I wish the quick release collet allowed for more flexibility (adapted to bigger/different size bits) as I would probably use the hammer for even more projects.

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yardNgard says "Clip the wings, this pin doesn't fly" about King Pin Quick -Connect Hitch Pin

yardNgard — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:06:55 GMT

The design of the two "wings" needs improvement. The wings extend out at the bottom of the pin and do not retract evenly on both sides when squeezing the retraction handle. One of the wings protrudes out further and can get stuck on the edge of the hole as the pin is being pulled up for removal. A little "convincing" is necessary sometimes and finally the pin/wings can be pulled thru the hole.

When looking into an exchange, I checked another unit at the store and found it to be made the same. I found the pin was a tight fit on my Craftsman tractor so not a lot of wiggle room for pulling this out. I could see how any other contamination in the spring or joints where the wings are attached would keep the wings from functioning at all (as mentioned by at least one customer previously). If noting else, keep the wing area cleaned but with minimal lube so as to not attract excess dirt.

I'll keep the other hitch pins around in case this fails or I give in from frustration. This...

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yardNgard says "Size does matter in this case" about Ohio Steel 3-way Multipurpose Hitch

yardNgard — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:06:54 GMT

The website specifications don't include the 2 important things - the diameter of the hole for the ball shank and the diameter of the hole for attaching the hitch.

The hitch came with an attaching bolt that has a diameter too large to fit the tractor I wanted to used this on (Craftsman DYS4500). The bolt is described as 3/4"-10x2. Unfortunately, my tractor has a smaller diameter hole (as most yard and garden tractors do) than provided on the hitch. I'll have to hunt down a smaller diameter bolt at the hardware store.

The shank diameter on a standard trailer ball is 1". The hole on the hitch for mounting the ball is 3/4". You will need to find a trailer ball with a smaller shank if have a "standard" size trailer ball already.

Durability has been untested yet as I haven't been able to hook it up. It seems sturdy enough to last, but time will tell. For this reason I give the product at least a rating of 2.

I can't recommend the hitch at this time because of these reasons.

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yardNgard says "The little cart that can't." about Agri-Fab Poly Cart 8 Cu Ft

yardNgard — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:01:32 GMT

This cart is NOT for heavy or dense loads at all. I wouldn't load it beyond 100 lbs (forget 500#s as listed in the specs) as it just can't handle it. I was attracted to the cart because it had a dual purpose of being a hand cart or converting it for behind my tractor. It hauls grass clippings or very light loads of dirt without too much fuss or flex. I tried hauling brick pavers in it and that's where the cart met it's match. The plastic tub is just not up to the task for heavy things at all, especially in warmer or hot weather as the plastic really flexes at that point. I lined the bottom of the tub with strips of wood to try to reinforce things, but it didn't help much. I've strapped fencing and lumber across the top to use the cart sort of like a flatbed. Again, only the lightest of loads could be applied before the plastic started flexing too much.

I've also had problems with one wheel that came off and also doesn't remain inflated. I've drilled a hole in the axle and...

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