I went to Harbor Freight yesterday for some little things that were on sale. I picked up the mini cutoff saw just for the heck of it. It was cheap $22.99 on sale so I figured I'd use it a few times and probably throw it away. No way. It's super solid and very well built. The miter guage and vise are surprisingly accurate. It won't cut any larger than about 3/4" but it's perfect for cutting parts for built up stabs. It'll also cut metals. Chek it out:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42307 [/URL]

They also sell a mini table saw. They were out or I would have gotten it too. I could order it online but I have several stores local. I'll just wait until they are back in stock.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46379[/URL]

Sounds like some pretty nice tools there.

My favorite tool, when building, is an ice cold bottle of Fat Tire.

HF had the mini table saw on sale for IIRC $29.95 a few months ago. I was tempted to buy it but back then they didn't carry replacement blades - how odd. Now that blades are available, I wish I had bought it cheap.

They're always having sales so I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for it. Sure wish someone made a mini radial arm saw. Wouldn't that be sweet?

After using the Hobbico Power Plane I would never go back to planing by hand. NIce tool

Fat tire???.....new one on me.........

The Harbor Freight mini table saw looks good for the price, but it seems to lack a rip fence. I have the MicroMark hobby size table saw, use it just about every day, and use the rip fence as much as I do the crosscut. It would be nice to get the carbide blades that Harbor Freight has with the rip fence. That would make me pounce. Especially for fifty bucks.

Here's another one. One third the price of MicroMark.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=43749[/URL]

I've got to say the MicroMark table saws are a work of art. There is just NO WAY of convincing my wife I need one that expensive. I'm talking the $329.00 model.

I'm still looking for that miniature radial arm saw.

badmeat,

I noticed you're in Fallbrook. I'm in Rancho Bernardo. You fly out of the Palomar RC Flyers field?? (Johnson field off the I-15 and 76)?

Mike

Mike,

Yes, that's where I intend to fly. I went out there saturday and watched a little of the combat competition. Very nice field. I did some *****ing about the membership price a while back but now that I've seen it up close I think it's a bargain. It will be a few weeks before I can think about flying. First I have to wait for my A.M.A. membership to get here and second my thumb needs to finish healing from surgery. Then watch out. I intend to wear out a few props out there. I haven't flown in 17 years so I'm making good use of Real Flight G2 for right now.

Another real nice tool is Harbor Freight's 12v cut-off tool (Dremel type). It's listed as a 120v tool with a 12v adapter, so it's really 12 volts. Just hook it up to your flight box and cut, drill and grind anything. Seems like it would be perfect for music wire. It comes with many accessories. The stock # is 37486-OVGA. It's now listed for $14.99 on the net but if you can find one of their sale catalogs, you can buy it for as low as $9.99. I have two of them and of course, I always forget to take one to the field.
Update!! If you are are lucky, you can now get the newer 12v version w/case (#41695-2VGA) for $9.95 according to my e-mail as of 4/11/02. On the net it's listed as #41695-OVGA for $19.99.

Badmeat,

Yes, it's a really great field. The group of guys are very helpful, etc. See you out there. Just look for my Magic.

Hey, if you were out there for the combat, that was Sunday. Did you happen to see the real life Texan fly over??

Mike

You guys are forgetting the most important MUST HAVE tool of all:

The ol'.....

"ATTUTUDE ADJUSTER"

I'm sure that Harbor Freight sells 'em too....a 3 lb. sledge hammer with a short handle....great for stubborn servos....receivers that won't....chewed up props....glow plugs that worn't....and quite a few other great uses...

exacto knife and a dremel!

we have these in the computer industry too.. we call them LARTs

Luser (yes with a u)
Attitude
Realignment
Tool

great for those people that call you up because there computer wont work during the power outage.

we also have several diffrent styles... 220V 3phase, cattleprods, CA glue in unusual places' etc etc

its amazing how much stuff overlaps from my hobby doing RC aircraft to my job as a BOFH.

Hattend, maybe you could give us a review on the planer. I have been thinking about getting one but I was not sure how well they work. Thanks Dave.