How did we ever survive when power tools didn't come in HDPE clamshell
cases? I remember when power tools mostly came in just a cardboard
box, if that. It must have been incredibly dangerous. I deduce this,
at any rate, from the fact that most power tools arrive on our shores
encased in HDPE which apparently has no other function.

As one example, I bought a grinding tool (Dremel knockoff) at HF. The
manufacturer managed to stuff it into an HDPE clamshell. I don't
really understand how, since I've never been able to get it back in.
There are some slots which looked like they might have been there to
hold the bits, but they didn't hold the bits, so that must have been a
safety slot inside the safety case.

A couple of weeks ago I bought a new corded drill. It was kind of
haphazardly tossed into its HDPE safety case. I suppose the fact that
the HDPE case was about six times the size of the drill and that the
indentations and spacers inside the case bore no resemblance to the
shape of the drill just didn't matter, since the purpose of the case
was to prevent the drill from leaping out and attacking me when I had
my back turned. At least that's where my powers of reasoning lead me
by process of elimination, since I haven't determined any other use
for the case.

Well, that drill was a piece of junk even though the case was mostly
OK, so I returned it and bought a different one. I could tell this one
was better made, because the HDPE safety case was only about four
times the size of the drill and had indentations that actually fit the
drill. Looks like a keeper.

At the same time, I bought a power planer. Sorry, a power planer
*kit*. That's a larger tool than a drill, so I wasn't surprised that
the case was over twice the size of the drill's case. And the edge
guide, extra bits, and Allen wrench actually fit in the case. They
would have fit in a small nylon bag, but I guess that wouldn't have
been as safe as surrounding them with a couple of pounds of HDPE.

Oh, I have to admit, there's the esthetics too. I have my new tools
lined up on the shelf in their HDPE cases. Who wants to see power
tools when you can look at a beautiful row of plastic boxes? I'm
realizing that I will have to start replacing the rest of my tools
just because they look out of place without any cases.

So don't take my HDPE safety cases away from me. Heck, I'd sooner buy
fruit with no stickers on it, and that ain't happening any time soon.

Edward