Anyone with DeWalt connections??

[Whyzman]

PC Guide Family,

We will be heading back to Guadalupe (Chihuahua) MX on the 8th of January to continue work on the orphanage roof we worked on in October. www.tapestriesoflilfe.com

If you go through the .pdf images of the roof you'll see many members of my wonderful family...me, I'm the dude with his back to the camera and the white T-shirt tied around his head! You have to be quick to catch a glimpse of me! LOL

This go-round we will begin installing the concrete tiles...a lot of them! (50,000 sqft building) :) We were asked to bring our cordless drills...

Well, I've convinced our family members of the wisdom of all having the same DeWalt drill/drivers (DEWALT DC759KA 1/2" 18V Drill Kit) so we'll be able to interchange battery packs.

We have two of these already, but are in need of at least 3 more. Does anyone have any contacts with DeWalt or someone who might be able to cut us a deal?? These could even be refurbs...

Thanks in advance,

Whyzman

[Whyzman]

Sorry for the jumbled link: www.tapestriesoflife.com

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I got my dual battery pack and a flashlight through Amazon.com. The prices were HALF what I would have had to bid on eBay for. Mine's the 1/2 inch hammer drill but I seldom use that feature unless,, I'm dealing with concrete... ;)

Seems you could find drills through them as well because I found the flashlight through them for about $28. A brand new 2 battery pack was $104 compared to $125 on eBay for a SINGLE USED battery with 4 hours left to the bidding!!! :eek:

[Donn]

Dewalt 2-bats + charger around here is about $120 (Home Depot). The thing about 18volters is you have to be real good with them if you use them on dry wall because they have so much torque that they'll go right through the sheetrock if you aren't careful. But I understand the need for smiplicity and interchangeable recharging.

It'd be nice if you could get someone who is retired from Black and Decker (owns DeWalt now) or DeWalt--you could get a good discount, but you might do just as well to have a friend check the registered pawn shops. There is an awful lot of good deals to be had there, and in most states pawn shops have to do and NCIC check on a tool before they can display it in their store, so the chance of it being stolen is almost nil--that's not just legal but a moral advantage also.

One thing about buying used bats is that you have to run them all the way out to see if they are any good. Someone who doesn't know to use a bat until it is creeping to dead stop will ruin it by charging it too early. If you charge it too early that all the charge it will take. So you have to tape the trigger down and see how far it goes. If it only runs for five minutes, then that's all it will ever run for or re-charge from. So if you or a friend is buying used ones be sure to ask the seller if they run them all the way out or stick them back in the recharger whenever they aren't using them--the latter is the best way to have a five-minute battery.

If I had an extra one I'd just give it to you, but mine are 12.5 and 14 volts for dry wall. If I need an 18v to throw a screw into wood real fast, I borrow somone else's.

FTT: Hammer drills are good also for remixing old paint and old dry wall mud; you really cannot do it with a screw gun.

Whyz, if you are going to be laying cement tile you are going to need to take several large bottles of lanolin-based hand lotion with you, that cement will tear up your skin like you won't believe. Gloves don't always work, and rubber gloves, in the tropics--good way to get a skin fungus.

Good luck, via con Dios. . .

[Whyzman]

Thanks for the heads-up guys...

The DEWALT DC759KA retails locally (HomeDepot) for $199.00 and on Amazon they're $159.20. I picked one up, brand new, on eBay for $120.00 plus 14.00 shipping.

I figured the gent I purchased that one through (buy it now) probably made some money at that price. So, if someone had connections and wanted to contribute to what we're doing by wholesaling them to us, we could probably pick them up for around the $120.00 price...

Thanks also for the heads-up on the "hands!" My buddy who was a roofing contractor in Denver is going down with us this go-round to help. Hehe...we've been warned! :)

[Donn]

Actually Whyz, if someone is claiming to wholesale DeWalt to you, you should be getting them for about $95 for a two pack of 18v + charger.

Home Depot's markup is sledom more than 15% or so. For instance, if you buy Duron paint at contractor's discount, it is still going to be about 5% MORE than off-the-shelf Behr paint (high end) at HDepot. I happen to like Behr better m'self. You also might want to take a look at HDepot prices in Mx, garunteed to be cheaper then here.

Have you thought of contacting DeWalt or Home Depot and asking of they will sell you at cost considering your situation is a non-profit organization doing charity work, and rmember HDepot goes all the way down to Costa Rica now. One of the guys I work with said he thought HDepot soes a thing like that with paint in particular. Give it a try. . . . :)

[Donn]

One of the framers I occasionaly work with said go to a DeWalt retail store, you can get used bats for $25 and they replacement-garuntee them for a year.

[Whyzman]

Actually, Donn, I did contact both Ridgid and Dewalt. At the time though, I was asking if they would be willing to "donate" us some drills. Ridgid pretty much brushed me off, however, Dewalt has criteria they use to determine if they will get involved.

Remember, I was first asking for them to assist us by "donating" to the cause. I did not approach either Ridgid or DeWalt with a "Would you be willing to sell us wholesale?" Hmmmm...although, at this point, knowing corporate red tape, I doubt they could act swiftly enough.

After being turned down (we didn't meet Dewalt's criteria), I thought perhaps it was better to personalize the request rather than asking a "faceless" corporation for assistance anyway. Whoever cuts us some slack in the pricing, even if it's just for one gun, will know they are contribuing to a worthwhile cause...

Your used bats idea might have some real merit! I've been watching eBay and I have seen just the drills (DC759)...no case, no battery, or charger for slightly over $70.00 + shipping. Perhaps we could get a few of those and then pick up the bats as you mentioned. That would bring them in around $100.00@ and we could use the couple chargers we have to keep them all running...

[Donn]

With those lessons learned ---go for Home Depot with the same goal in mind. If it were me I'd start out by asking for wholesale...charitable cause...etc., and if they are going to donate they will bring it to you of their own will....

[Fruss Tray Ted]

You didn't mention power availability so I'll mention that DeWalt makes a cigarette lighter socket charger for those batteries. I normally drive an hour to work and back every day so when the batteries go dead (yes I drain them fully) I can charge one on the way home or on the way in in the morning.

Also both the plug in and car chargers say to do a maintenance charge once in awhile by leaving the battery in the charger overnight. It is supposed to balance out the individual cells inside the battery pack.

Bring good fitting, light leather gloves (not the regular work gloves) for the concrete work ;) Your hands will thank you.

[Donn]

Whyzman, whatever happened with getting in touch with Home Depot etc., did you get a deal or what?

[Whyzman]

Thanks for checking Donn! Well, Home Depot is apparently tapped out due to their assisting with the devastation following the hurricanes in Florida.

I was informed that the individual stores are capable of handling requests as they deem fit. However, it appears that they've over extended themselves until February 2005...

The gentleman I talked with locally said I'd probably be able to get a few at HD cost, but that they only work on a 8-10% markup...

I was able to secure another of the kits on eBay for $125 + shipping...so I have 2 of the kits now. I'm working on a third... For now, I've set my goal on trying to get 5 of the DC759KA kits which will be enough for our immediate family...

So, I'm still shopping around...

[Donn]

When you say 'kits' do you mean screw-gun and batteries and chargers? Or just batteries and charger? You mean gun and batts and charger, right, because that would be a pertty good deal . . .

[PrntRhd]

That is the 18V model, retails for $199 at Home Depot
:D

[Whyzman]

Yep, right guys, it's the DC759KA which is the kit (2 batts, gun, charger, and case) and retails for $199 at HD.

Pretty much a "fair trade" item, where unless there's some factory authorized sale going on, you wind up paying the retail anywhere you go.

So, yes, if I can pick them up for around $140-145 with shipping, I'm doing pretty well...

Every little bit helps right now, because the cost to spend the week helping out is $550 per person. That cost includes your room and board, transportation, and what materials we'll be working with during our stint there.

[gracious]

Whyzman~I don't have any tips on getting DeWalt drills inexpensively but I just have to tell you how wonderful it is that you are helping those children. My friends daughter spent 3 months in Guatemala helping to design a childrens church during her last year at Auburn where she has now graduated with a degree in architecture. I have been watching those who are dealing with the aftermath of the tsunamis and am so greatful that there are those like you willing to help those in need. What a blessing you are indeed!

[Whyzman]

gracious~thanks for the encouragement! The trip in October actually turned out to be an unexpected 2fer...Your expectation is that you're going there to minister and your exposure to the "S"pirit of the folks who've also come to be of service winds up ministering to you!

There were folks there from a number of church affiliations and private individuals who laid their differences aside in pursuit of the higher ground. It's so exciting to tell folks of the progress that is being made, every day brings us closer to seeing the children be able to come home... Solamente por la gloria de Dios

Oops, I picked up the 3rd kit...a little bit more, but getting desperate...LOL $160 which included shipping...

[Donn]

Sorry if this sounds a bit obvious, but you are considering the power source, right? :eek: Or are you running off a generator and converter? :D

[Whyzman]

Hehe...power is there Donn! If you haven't taken a look at the orphanage web site you might want to have a gander. The ariel shot, taken long before the trusses and roof deck, is pretty cool... www.tapestriesoflife.com

As I mentioned somewhere earlier, if you load the 40 shots of the October roof install you'll see a number of my in-laws, and me with my better side to ya...with the white t-shirt wrapped around my head...

And, the power is 110...whew, that could make things difficult if it wasn't...

There's a 900'+ operating well, power, and septic...although we pretty much use an outdoor facility while working... There's a complete kitchen where the Mexican staff prepares food for us...

We stay on the US side in Fabens, TX and cross each day. Although, some elect to stay on the Mexican side on the orphanage grounds in the bunk houses...They apparently enjoyed listening to the wolves howl and roughin' it a little bit! LOL

If anyone's interested...there's plenty of room for more help...can't get enough! ;)

[Donn]

Hmmm, need help, huh? Hmmmm, tempting, but I gotta work, last job I had the guy is trying to stiff me for $600 or so. . .praying for him to do the right thing, but. . .it's gonna wind up in Small Claims Court. . .

[Whyzman]

It takes a bit of planning unless one is a bit flush. As I mentioned, it's $550 plus getting to El Paso...and, one has to factor in that you're giving up a week of work also.

There were a number of folks who actually use their paid vacation time to assist just for that reason...

Sorry to hear about the turkey who's giving you a rough time. The worst of the small claims situation, besides your time lost making court appearances, is that the courts are not a collection agency...you get the judgment and then good luck! What's really irritating is that usually the folks trying to stiff us have the money, it wouldn't hurt them to pay for the work...

[PrntRhd]

Whyzman,
How was the trip?

[Whyzman]

I haven't forgotten the question...I've been uploading some photo links from the trip to "photobucket" and I'll bring you up to speed with a narrative soon....:)

Quickly, good thing we brought the 5 DeWalts...they got continuous use! ;)

[Whyzman]

Okay, trip update!

To put it mildly, it was fantastic! It is amazing what a great time we have working there and by the end of the week you feel as though you're all family! (I'd better lay off the exclamation marks, I figure you get the idea!). LOL

Week 1 Jan 8-15:

We usually head out to the orphanage on Sunday afternoon to appraise the situation and get some idea of what we'll be tackling come Monday morning. I climbed up onto the roof and saw that the weather was already taking its toll on the OSB (oriented strand board) as it was beginning to flake. As I walked you could feel the flaking paper thin wood strands occasionally release beneath my feet...it could be a little slick. It was a good thing donations came in to be able to order the tile


Our crew ranged a full spectrum of ages and talents, from: “Is this what you call a hammer?” To, “Those staples don't fit my Bostitch!” Some of the folks also remained at the “Outpost” (our accommodations) in Fabens to do additional work needed there. Some were sewing additional canvas bags and quilts while others separated the rice and beans into individual portions. Donated clothing and toys needed to be marked “age specific.” There were jobs for all.

As I mentioned earlier, my long time friend and business associate who came with us this time was a roofing contractor and was familiar with tile. His being there was truly by Divine appointment as we were quickly in a position to get the tiling process underway. It was interesing how the ferver and excitement from our October trip spilled over and lit such a fire under him that there was no way he was not going to go in January.

If you visit the Tapestries of Life web site: www.tapestriesoflife.com (http://www.tapestriesoflife.com/) you can download the 40 .pdf photos of the truss and roof deck installation. As of my writing this, no update to the site has yet come through of the tiling. So, I've uploaded to Photobucket (thanks Shanmuga for the lead) some of the digital photos taken and shared by our group.

Everybody lends hand: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/Whyzman/trees006.jpg

Me again, LOL: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/Whyzman/trees077.jpg

The fun begins: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/Whyzman/MorePics075.jpg

Thank God for the Pettibone: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/Whyzman/100_2380.jpg

The tile goes which way? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/Whyzman/TREES061DavidGeorgeRoof.jpg


More to come....