Reel Repair by Alan Tani

We only use Duracell.  AAA, AA, C, D, & 9V, 2016, 2032, etc.

Best, Fred

I used to only use Duracell but switched to Energizer because I had a half dozen or so Duracells that leaked and ruined the stuff they were in. Energizers don't seem to last as long or stay as bright in flashlights as long but I haven't had any leak yet.

Project Farm battery tests

I tend to be warry of lithium batteries due to loosing my shead and thousands of dollars in tools and other things to a lithium battery fire.

Cool video mark,,,,,

My wife informed me a couple weeks ago to avoid lithium batteries. We really don't want lose everything if and when our house burns down.    Lithium batteries don't have the greatest track record. 

It's getting harder these days to keep lithium batteries out of the home as they are used more and more in everyday consumables.

They are used in your phones, latest electronic reels and sonar fish finders, laptops, tablets, solar power backup and emergency generators, power tools, robotic devices like vacuums and drones, any type of device that can be recharged like flashlights and the list keeps growing.       

Lithium chemistry does tend to be more high maintenance than a pack of Duracell or Energizer primary cells.

Last decade have been using both; Lithium in flashlights, mostly. Try to stay with reputable Li-Ion brands like Panasonic, Keeppower, Sanyo, Shockli..etc For chargers I use Xtar.

Had an off-brand China Lithium leak on me once, but thankfully no fire. It did have a PCP protection circuit.

For those interested in learning more about Lithium chemistry and safeguards, I found Battery Junctions knowledge base a good resource:

 https://www.batteryjunction.com/pages/knowledge-center

Childhood friend of mine that is a "flashlight geek" set me up with a good charger and I have, over time, been slowly swapping out everything in my house with rechargeable Eneloops (AA and AAA) NiMh.  Anything requiring "big" batteries (C, D) gets Duracell.  I have a couple of high performance flashlights (and my son's RC Plane) that use Lithium. - john

Maybe just an Island-tropics thing, but I been able to avoid leaking battery damage for awhile now, by storing devices(mostly lights) in ziplock bags with all the air squeezed out. Started as a metal Corrosion prevention thing for me.

I took two five drawer boxes and made a ten drawer box. It has all the acessories. Looks great and it was dirt cheap.

Quote from: mikeysm on January 31, 2026, 07:33:38 PMI took two five drawer boxes and made a ten drawer box. It has all the acessories. Looks great and it was dirt cheap.

What a great idea!

If I didn't have a Snap-On Taco bottom chest, a big MAC bottom chest, and a cheap Stanley top & bottom chest already, and really no more room —- I would do that in a minute.

Just looking for something sturdy and usable for servicing  equipment and vehicles —- that is easy & quick to roll out and back into the shop.  These US Generals are excellent.

Best, Fred

Is anyone a member of inside track?  How's it been working out for you?  I believe HF targets all of these savings to in store purchases only.  Unfortunately, I'm not close enough to one to use it more regularly, but those coupons are tempting. 

I bought two generators from HF ( a 4375 and a 9500). I use the 4375 (and get 18 hours of run time off of one tank of gas) every evening/night for 30 days a year (deer hunting) and it has worked like a charm for 5 years. The 9500 is for power failures at home. Have not used it yet but tested it and run it occasionally. Both gen sets fire up easily (usually first pull). I run gas treated with Sta Bil only and do regular maintenance and neither unit has ever failed to start and run smoothly and make power. I have bought other items from HF from pickup truck ramps to electrical and hand tools and nothing has failed me yet. Many years ago HF was known for cheap junk but they have come a long way with their top end items. Just research the ratings on the product you want to buy.

I joined the HF membership.  It has worked out well for me and my son who recently got a mechanic job at a local amusement park.  The park was family owned but got swallowed up by a Corp. Hand tools were limited and pretty beat up.  He has been outfitting a rolling stock of tools and has saved a couple hundred dollars in just a couple months. 

I have 2 HF stores within a 45 minute drive.

They do have give-aways every once in a while which have ranged from furniture blankets to plastic ammo cans. 

I did have to buy an ossicilating multi tool (think of an angle grinder and jigsaw had a baby) to cut nails and drywall for a shower remodel.  The Bauer corded model was $47 and Hercules brand blades are working as they should.  I was using the bi-metal blades to cut nails and the Hercules blades seemed to out perform the more expensive Milwaukee brand blades. 

Like Fred stated, I don't mind buying a power tool from HF, that I might use every once in a while.  My son has been completely satisfied with the ratchets, sockets, and wrenches.  I will admit he IS a ratchet nerd, having at least 1 from every manufacturer.

Bill