I really like Wixey stuff, but....

same here, it seems the batteries KNOW when you need to use the tool, and die the very same day.

I have chosen not to use anything that requires batteries in the shop since I don’t have a regular schedule, and batteries will just not survive for me. I am still looking for a good replacement for my digital caliper. lee valley has some nice ones, just have to find the right time for the $$ expense.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I agree…Wixey makes some neat stuff, but like you said, the batteries are key :-)

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

Store the extra batteries in the freezer. It will prolong the shelf life.

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Thanks Topa, got a freezer in the basement, might give that a try.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

Quick tip.

Currently at Costco/Sam’s club (maybe available in other stores as well) there are a set of the flameless candles that come in 24 candles per pack plus 24 spare batteries. Want to guess what the battery is in the candles??

CR2032 Lithium Cells

Cost for candle pack ??? about $14 US. That makes them less than 30cents a piece.

The Wixey digital angle guage uses this battery. I now have 48 spare batteries for about $14.

I don’t see them listed online, but they were in the store when we went a day ago. I think they were a limited purchase item, so get them while they last.

It looks like Home Depot is listing something similar, but thier website doesn’t say what kind of batterys they use.

Rob

-- Rob-Yorktown "Shop's still not done, Tools are bought, Wood is bought, need to find time to start a project.."

there was an article around 2004, that discussed the storing of batteries in a refrigerated environment (freezer/fridge). they also interviewed someone at Energizer (or Duracell, or one of the mfg) and they stated that in the old days, keeping the batteries refrigerated actually helped prolong their performance, but as of late it has no effect, and batteries kept in a refrigerator or outside of one will both perform the same. something to do with the materials, and construction of todays batteries.

google it.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Yeah I found that out too after thinking about it, Google is my firend. :) How did we ever survive without it? ;) It looks like the disposable batteries now only self discharge 1-2% per year. Still I’m thinking I might drop them in the freezer. Freezer’s in the basement, toolbox is in the basement, horse apiece which one they’re stored in.

Hey Rob, what brand are the batteries? Unless I’m missing something it looks just under 60 cents apiece but still a way good deal. Ok I see, you’re counting the candles too, I’d just be focused on the batteries and put the candles on eBay. ;)

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

Curt—Just one more good reason to have a refrigerator in the shop (move over Miller … make room for Duracell)! I do keep batteries in the little fridge in the shop. I have had bad luck with some of the off-brands and private labels so I stick with the major brands.

At least it looks like Wixey is trying to standardize to a single battery for their tools. My original planer gauge used a battery that the local big box did not stock. I was pleasantly surprised when I bought the upgrade as it uses the same battery my other Wixey tools use.

-- The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. -- Vincent T. Lombardi

Yeah I only have a freezer in the basement, I have to run upstairs to enjoy the High Life. And I agree, I’m glad Wixey did that. It’s also nice on a lot of their stuff that they supply an extra second battery too. It’s a minor thing but a nice touch. When I bought the digital caliper from the Woodcraft store the battery in it was dead from sitting on the shelf and Woodcraft refused to replace it. They said that is why you get the extra battery, I thought that was hogwash.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

I never really cared much for Woodcraft customer service, and approach. they always seemed to be trying to push you their products and get you out the door. Rockler seems to be the complete opposite. at least that’s how it is in my area.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

PurpLev ya know I have to agree with you, I favor Rockler too although the Woodcraft here has gotten better. I started going to both about the same time, I found the people at Woodcraft at that time snobbish, so I didn’t go there as much probably 90/10, only if I had too or for a good sale. I’ve gotten to know the Woodcraft franchise owner and his wife and another couple that work there that I think might be part owners on a first name basis (same with the people at Rockler some that I really like and joke around with all the time) and know now that all of them at Woodcraft are pretty nice people and helpful. So now I’m maybe 75/25 but that has a lot to with the sales Rockler does. I think the franchise model is hurting the Woodcraft franchise owners in that case.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

Blankman, yes I was figuring canning the candles and just using the batteries. So 30 cent a piece. The LOML bought a set and I noticed the batteries and was going to commodere them for my use. Once I found out how much the cost, I just picked up a set for the shop. So now I have a bunch of spares and can even add a little ambience to the shop! : )

Rob

-- Rob-Yorktown "Shop's still not done, Tools are bought, Wood is bought, need to find time to start a project.."

Rob LOL – the ambience…

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

Curt & PurpLev—This is off-topic, but I think Curt said the magic words (‘franchise owners’). I do some business at the Woodcraft store in Madison, WI, and have always felt very good about the service and knowledgable staff there. Never been in another Woodcraft, but the service I have gotten at the Rockler stores in the Twin Cities is top drawer.

-- The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. -- Vincent T. Lombardi

Dane, not really off topic, natural progression I would say.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

Thanks for the tip on the candles Rob! I’m going to check my Costco tonight, I’ve noticed those candles there, and most of my Wixey stuff seems to be out of juice right now.

-- Dylan Vanderhoof - General hobbiest and reluctant penmaker. http://llarian.etsy.com

Thinking about this, I spent $12 and got 8 batteries, hmmm, spend $14 and get 24 batteries, hmmm. The only Costco I know of around her is pretty far but Sam’s Club is all over. I’m not a member but a friend of mine is, I’ll have to tag along as a guest and check this out.

Rob, I finally realized the error in my calculation, I didn’t pick up on the word “spare”. 48 batteries if I s can the candles? Whoa. I may never need to buy one again. ;)

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

I can just imagine it now. Overnight all the flameless candles sale out all across the country. The marketing folks at those stores flag it for next christmas season as a great seller, and set up the order for ten times the number to stock next year.

Because all the woodworkers across America have enough batteries for 10 years, nobody needs to buy them next year.

So with the huge overstocking of flameless candles, they put them on huge discount at the end of the Christmas season for $5. LOL.

Rob

-- Rob-Yorktown "Shop's still not done, Tools are bought, Wood is bought, need to find time to start a project.."

LMAO Rob. Still.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

So I tagged along with a friend of mine to Sam’s Club today. I now have 46 batteries in the freezer and, well, two flameless candles in the shop. Thought I’d try Rob’s idea and add a little ambience to the shop. ;)

Think I’ll take the three unopened 2-packs back to Menards and get my nine bucks back.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI

vonhagen, yeah the cheap stuff draws power all the time even when “off” to save on more expensive electronics to remember things.

TheDane – that’s why I stated “In My Area” ... I agree about different locations acting differently, but of the 2 that are in my ‘area’ both showed to act in similar manners.

other than that – it’s official. I have ordered a dial caliper from LV to replace the digital one I have… one less battery to worry about. feels good.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

PurpLev, ya I use my dial (not digital no batteries old fashioned) caliper way more then the battery operated one. And I’ve only used dial calipers of late, maybe last few years, my staple was my Starrett 123 Series Master Vernier Caliper, still use it too, or mics up to 3”. So simple is sometimes better, I’m sure you’re going to be happy with that one from LV.

-- -Curt, Milwaukee, WI