EdKeating

I too added a dust deputy to my shop vacuum(s) but kept it separate to be able moved between them as needed. I mounted it on a small dolly and it was extremely useful to capture dust and tile chips when pulling up floor tile which had been attached with thinset. Thinset dust will do a number on the vacuum and will clog the filter in short order. With the dust deputy, I cut the cleaning of the vacuum filter down to once per day rather than once every hour. As to shop vacuum noise, I built a muffler for it. PVC connection to a expander to 3" with a 90 degree adapter lined with old carpet. Cuts the noise from an earsplitting 93dB at 3ft to a more comfortable 80dB. One small screw holds it in place on the vacuum. This particular Sears vacuum doubles as a leaf blower so I didn't want a permanent setup.

I've regularly purchase reconditioned tools (Delta drill press, jointer, planer) which operate the same, but may have a cosmetic defect. The answer is "it depends". When I needed new batteries for a Bosch cordless/hammer drill, I found a pair of Bluecore 14v 2ah batteries for $50 at a woodworking show. I've rebuilt battery packs myself, but again, it depends on the price of the replacement cells. I do obtain service prints for almost all of my tools and am confident in being able to replace/repair most problems. I've also upgraded older tools, such as Bosch 1613evs to the 1613Aevs in order to handle larger router bits (greater than 1 5/8" diameter)

Steel is Steel. If you look up what the hardness is on a typical claw hammer, you'll find it to be Rockwell 50-60. A ball peen hammer may be hardened to 57R. Brick chisels are hardened to 60-61R. What do you hit a brick chisel with? A driving or mash hammer (also hardened to 57R). So what is the difference? I saw the Mythbusters program and they went far beyond the typical tapping. (typical, but that's what Mythbusters does.) You should always wear safety goggles when hitting steel, but unless the hammer is defective, I don't see any difference in using the hammer instead of a drift, but my preference would be to use the correct tool. (the drift)