Best cordless power tool combo for the money?

[stonecold3169]

I'm looking at dropping some dough on a set of powertools since currently I own none and there have been enough occassions over the past few years where I deifnitely wished I had.

I'm definitely looking for a drill/driver, recipicating saw, and trim saw. A jigsaw would be a huge bonus, but not really needed.

Right now I have a $50 HD gift card, and a 10% coupon, so that seems to be the best place for me to shop, but I'm open to suggestions.

Right now I'm eyeing the Ryobi "The Works" set (shop light, wet/dry vac, driver, trim saw, sawzall, jigsaw, stud finder, 2 batteries, charger, and 10" electrice chainsaw). As far as durability goes, it won't be a huge deal... I'll be using them, but deifnitely not daily or even weekly. Just a few things around the house to finish up right now, and then it will be nice to have them on hand should something come up or I have a whim.

The ryobi set is $229, so it definitely gets the best value award. What I want to avoid though is getting something that the specs look good on, but having it perform like crap.

I'm ALSO looking at a bosch set for $399 thats essentially the same minus the chainsaw but plus a planner.

I've seen that sears has some nice prices on 19.2V craftsman kits, but honestly, craftsman tools without a lifetime warrenty scare me a LOT.

Any other tools I should scope out, or any reason not to go with the Ryobi?

 

[Eli]

The Bosch would be the best bet..... but Ryobi should be good for light duty.

I'd go with Craftsman over Ryobi, to be honest.... but I'm not sure if that opinion actually holds any weight.

 

[funkymatt]

i got a ryobi drill. i do not like it.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

I bought that Ryobi 18v set with the vac, flashlight, sawzall, rip saw and drill and it's been plenty for run-o-the-mill homeowner use although battery life could be better.

The drill is a torque-monster! It was my father-in-law (licensed contractor) who recommended the set to me after I was eyeing the Dewalt setup for 2x the money.

Unless you're putting this stuff through the paces on a daily bases like he does then the Ryobi stuff should treat you good. I have no complaints.

I also have a Ryobi 4-stroke weedeater that I haven't changed the oil on in 4 summers of use. Plus it had gas in it over a year old and this year it started on the second pull and still runs strong. Let that be a testament to Ryobi stuff.

Cheap != junk. I've been favorably impressed so far.

 

[Boxxcar]

A few months ago I purchased a Craftsman kit that has a 19.2V cordless drill, skillsaw, reciprocating saw, portable light, with two batteries and charger. It runs for about $175. Great kit. Very pleased with it.

 

[stonecold3169]

Originally posted by: JoLLyRoGer
I bought that Ryobi 18v set with the vac, flashlight, sawzall, rip saw and drill and it's been plenty for run-o-the-mill homeowner use although battery life could be better.

The drill is a torque-monster! It was my father-in-law (licensed contractor) who recommended the set to me after I was eyeing the Dewalt setup for 2x the money.

Unless you're putting this stuff through the paces on a daily bases like he does then the Ryobi stuff should treat you good. I have no complaints.

I also have a Ryobi 4-stroke weedeater that I haven't changed the oil on in 4 summers of use. Plus it had gas in it over a year old and this year it started on the second pull and still runs strong. Let that be a testament to Ryobi stuff.

Cheap != junk. I've been favorably impressed so far.

Thank you everyone who has responded, although, let me say that now I'm pretty lost as I have a dead stop of good and bad testiments.

I'm specifically glad to hear you refer to the drill as a torque monster. of all the place to be lacking, I didn't want to be lacking on this.

For example, the other day at work I was putting a padlock hinge onto a maple box that had a laquered finish. They had an 18V Skil drill, and it could not touch it even on the low end setting. I couldn't believe it. I ended up snagging a dewalt drill and it zipped in no issues at all.

The Bosch set would be the best bet by far, I know... I would rank it above dewalt and milwalkie, and the price is a steal for what it is. I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth almost double, although I guess an extra $160 after the (using the after 10% coupon prices for both) over the course of that many tools isn't so severe...

Silly decisions! Grrr....

 

[Tylanner]

Originally posted by: Boxxcar
A few months ago I purchased a Craftsman kit that has a 19.2V cordless drill, skillsaw, reciprocating saw, portable light, with two batteries and charger. It runs for about $175. Great kit. Very pleased with it.

My bud has one the 19.2 version also.

The light is fvckin bright!

 

[dartworth]

I'm a dewalt fanboy myself. Just picked up the 18V drill/recip saw combo a few weeks ago. Very pleased with it. Nice addition to all my other DW tools

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

used to be MILWAUKEE was best, but no more. Why does the fact the craftsman doesn't have a lofetime warranty worry you...Ryobi doesn't either.

I'd go with the Craftsman myself. I find Dewalt cordlesses to be heavy and unbalanced.

 

[rudeguy]

All of us use Makita drills. Mine is over five years old and still works as good as the first day I had it. They are pretty reasonably priced too.

 

[stonecold3169]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
used to be MILWAUKEE was best, but no more. Why does the fact the craftsman doesn't have a lofetime warranty worry you...Ryobi doesn't either.

I'd go with the Craftsman myself. I find Dewalt cordlesses to be heavy and unbalanced.

The reason that Craftsman bothers me with no lifetime warrenty is that I have a lot of craftsman hand tools, an dI find they aren't super durable even fo rmy fairly light usage (I primarily use them for automotive purposes). Durability isn't a huge factor when I can just get it replaced for free, but when I'm talking a couple hundred bucks witha brand that hasn't proven durable first hand, I get worried. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, I realize hand and power tools are night and day

 

[Future Shock]

If you have other uses for that HD gift card, then take a look at the Hitachi boxed set (drill, circular saw, sawzall, light) at Lowes. Was heavily recommended to me by staff there who use it at home, and on-line googling gave it a heavy thumbs up. Nice touches abound - but the BEST is the battery charger - besides just charging the batteries, it also has a 20' CORDED dummy battery, that you can plug into the socket in the charger, and use the cordless tools non-stop as if they were corded. Perfect when you've stored them for a few weeks, and you don't want to have to charge the batteries before you do a little work, esp. indoors. Or if you have a lot of work to do and don't want to be bothered with charging/changing batteries. Very powerful - high-quality motors (not Chinese, but Japanese AFIAK), and lot of parts/options available through Lowes.

FS

 

[Ornery]

Milwaukee 0923-29 $429.00 with 5 year warranty. Features the unequaled Hatchet reciprocating saw, and 495 in.-lbs. of torque in their super rugged hammer drill.

Don't screw up this decision. Once you commit to a brand, you're stuck using the tools that match their batteries. The Sawzall is what sets Milwaukee apart from the rest, as well as the 5 year warranty.

 

[stonecold3169]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Milwaukee 0923-29 $429.00 with 5 year warranty. Features the unequaled Hatchet reciprocating saw, and 495 in.-lbs. of torque in their super rugged hammer drill.

Don't screw up this decision. Once you commit to a brand, you're stuck using the tools that match their batteries. The Sawzall is what sets Milwaukee apart from the rest, as well as the 5 year warranty.

The milwaukee was how I was originally going to go, but I am having a hard time justifying the price tag for the amount I'll be using them... but at the same time I don't want to regret it

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: stonecold3169

Originally posted by: Ornery
Milwaukee 0923-29 $429.00 with 5 year warranty. Features the unequaled Hatchet reciprocating saw, and 495 in.-lbs. of torque in their super rugged hammer drill.

Don't screw up this decision. Once you commit to a brand, you're stuck using the tools that match their batteries. The Sawzall is what sets Milwaukee apart from the rest, as well as the 5 year warranty.

The milwaukee was how I was originally going to go, but I am having a hard time justifying the price tag for the amount I'll be using them... but at the same time I don't want to regret it

thats why I didn't recommend the Milwaukee. They are overkill for the home user. We use Milwaukee almost exclusively at work, but I own Craftsmans...

 

[Ornery]

Another tease :

5 pack 18 volt combo kit $499.99 at Sears

• Reciprocating saw features:
  • 6-position, pivoting handle for use in tight spaces
  • 3/4 in. stroke length with orbital action or straight reciprocating action
  • Counter balanced mechanism for smooth operation
  • Variable speed switch, 0-2,700 spm
  
  Circular saw features:
  • Comfortable soft-grip handle
  • Easily cuts all 2x material at 45 deg. angle
  • 3200 rpm for fast, clean cuts
  
  Hammer drill features:
  • Powerful Milwaukee built motor develops 495 in.-lbs. of maximum torque
  • All-metal single sleeve Grip-Lok? ratcheting chuck with carbide jaws
  • Milwaukee exclusive reversible battery pack allows for easier access into tight areas
  • Ergonomic soft finger grip for enhanced comfort
  
  Radio features:
  • Clean, powerful Rockford Fosgate® sound system with digital tuning
  • Withstands 8 ft. drop to concrete
  • 5-1/4 in. weather resistant speakers
  
  Contractor bag features:
  • Easy accessibility, storage pockets inside and out
  • Padded pockets and reinforced bottom

Kit also includes two 2.4 amp-hr. batteries, work light, universal charger, 6-1/2 in. circular saw blade, Super Sawzall® two-blade pack, and rip fence

Seriously, that radio Rocks Hard!

 

[Zebo]

I just got this set
http://store.yahoo.com/tylertool/hikc18vocoki.html

Beware if you got big hands the drill handle is too small feel constricted.

Powerful though/ I drilled 1/2 dia holes in 1 inch steel plate with the thing!!!


I love the flashlight too. 18V bright and angles. Sawzaw I don't use since I have a corded bosch 15 amper. circular saw don't use either since I got a 13 amp skillsaw which I prefer. But both are very very powerful though.

Edit man this thread is old sorry

 

[dud]

Stonecold,

I bought the Craftsman 19.2V 3 piece set (with light) for about $170 last year around Thanksgiving. It worked OK BUT a few weeks later Lowes came out with a SPECIAL for a 3 piece (plus light) Dewalt set for only $250! I returned the Craftsman and have neverlooked back. These tools are made to last and for $250 u cant complain.

My advice would be to wait for the big sales between Thanskgiving and Christmas. Lowes seems to price most of their tools at 20% off then and you might be able to get this set again.

 

[grillmasterP]

http://heavydutytools.net/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=14
Milwaukee 0923-25 18 Volt 5 Piece Kit With Free Pathfinder Bits (0923-25)
FREE Milwaukee Pathfinder Bit Kit From HDT
Now Shipping With 3 Batteries !
$378 SHipped

 

[TStep]

The last time I looked, I thought either Ryobi or Bosch made Craftsman. Anywho, I picked up a Dewalt kit years ago when the 18v first came out. Pretty much used the set to build my house, so the tools got used hard and dropped a bunch of times. One battery died so far (just charged too many times), everything else works fine.

 

[grillmasterP]

Originally posted by: stonecold3169
The milwaukee was how I was originally going to go, but I am having a hard time justifying the price tag for the amount I'll be using them... but at the same time I don't want to regret it

Go with Milwaukee
THe 5 pc set at $378 shipped & free 3rd battery is a hot deal from Heavydutytools.net-
I have everything except the Radio-

When I bought my first Milwaukee 18 Cordless set( On Clearance) - My father told me that it was overkill and I didn't need a cordless sawzall since I already had the orig corded version. -Well, after one project , My father asked me to find him a set.

If you buy the set from the site- Let them know that you heard it from grillmasterP

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: TStep
The last time I looked, I thought either Ryobi or Bosch made Craftsman. Anywho, I picked up a Dewalt kit years ago when the 18v first came out. Pretty much used the set to build my house, so the tools got used hard and dropped a bunch of times. One battery died so far (just charged too many times), everything else works fine.

Those battries are a freken rip off. I was looking at some for my Hitachi 3 Amp/hr and they cost $90 each.. When you can get the drill, 2 batteries and a charger for about $200 makes you resent paying half that much for just one battery by itself.



Hey grillmasterP- that's an excellent deal.. U know milwalkee still made in USA?

 

[grillmasterP]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Hey grillmasterP- that's an excellent deal.. U know milwalkee still made in USA?

Not Sure on current production
I've had my tools for awhile

Batteries (japan)
I have 2 chargers( 1- USA, 1- China)
I think one of my drills was made in Germany but most of the other tools were US

 

[TStep]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: TStep
The last time I looked, I thought either Ryobi or Bosch made Craftsman. Anywho, I picked up a Dewalt kit years ago when the 18v first came out. Pretty much used the set to build my house, so the tools got used hard and dropped a bunch of times. One battery died so far (just charged too many times), everything else works fine.

Those battries are a freken rip off. I was looking at some for my Hitachi 3 Amp/hr and they cost $90 each.. When you can get the drill, 2 batteries and a charger for about $200 makes you resent paying half that much for just one battery by itself.

I know what you mean. I got lucky and bought 4 new spares on eBay, 2-18v & 2-12v for about $110 IIRC