DIY'ers and handyman types....cordless kit tool question

[Wheezer]

I won't be using either of these for any type of heavy duty work, just things on the "honey-do"list around the house...I have discounts and gift certs to both Sears and Lowes and can get either combination for about the same amount give or take $20.00 including taxes...and I am unsure which set to get so what do you suggest?

Craftsman or Black & Decker?

Black & Decker
$182.00 total

Craftsman Drill set

Craftsman Sander

Craftsman hand vac

Total Price $202.00

 

[Gothgar]

I'd say Black and Decker, they make DeWalts, while not the greatest are a step up from the cheapies.

This is also cause I have never used craftsman power tools.

 

[Gothgar]

on the cheap I'd normally recommend Rigid, Home Depot's brand, they warranty everything in store right down to the batteries, and they are close to that price.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Gothgar
on the cheap I'd normally recommend Rigid, Home Depot's brand, they warranty everything in store right down to the batteries, and they are close to that price.

If you can get a ridgid kit for anywhere close to that price, do it now.

I don't want to come off sounding like a shill, but ridgid is a pretty serious tool (I'd say on par with DeWalt, though maybe not Makita/Milwaukee).

Don't touch Black and Decker, they may be the same company as DeWalt, but you'll regret it.

 

[GasX]

I got a Ryobi set from Home Depot at it was a humongous deal.

Drill/driver
sawzall
circular saw
vacuum
flashlight
2 batteries
charger

It is a step above Black and Decker and I got it for ~$200

The best part is that you don't get burned by the dirty little secret of cordless tools (batteries die and are EXPENSIVE to replace!) Ryobi batteries are a lot cheaper than most.

 

[Crucial]

I have the C3 set and I have never been disappointed by any of the tools. The batteries charge fast and last long enough for my use. I got a bigger set with 3 batteries and a jig saw for $169 on sale.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I got a Ryobi set from Home Depot at it was a humongous deal.

Drill/driver
sawzall
circular saw
vacuum
flashlight
2 batteries
charger

It is a step above Black and Decker and I got it for ~$200

The best part is that you don't get burned by the dirty little secret of cordless tools (batteries die and are EXPENSIVE to replace!) Ryobi batteries are a lot cheaper than most.

I have this kit, but with an impact driver too (for $149), and the batteries are actually cheap ($50-60 for two in Canada). They're definitely 'good enough' though not really 'good'.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: Gothgar
on the cheap I'd normally recommend Rigid, Home Depot's brand, they warranty everything in store right down to the batteries, and they are close to that price.

If you can get a ridgid kit for anywhere close to that price, do it now.

I don't want to come off sounding like a shill, but ridgid is a pretty serious tool (I'd say on par with DeWalt, though maybe not Makita/Milwaukee).

Don't touch Black and Decker, they may be the same company as DeWalt, but you'll regret it.

oh yeah, Rigid is at LEAST as good as DeWalts are, probably better in most cases.

This is due to the fact that the quality on DeWalts has gone through the floor. Plus the warranties on Rigid far outweighs the few dollar savings.

I don't use many cheap tool, if you want to buy in the 500+ range for a set I could be of a lot more help

 

[Yzzim]

I've got a similar B&D set (mine has flashlight, sander, weird looking recip. saw, and drill) and it's been great. Bought it right when I bought my house (about 3 years ago) and it's done everything I've asked. We remodeled our upstairs and entryway so it's been through some abuse but it keeps kicking. The batteries hold an excellent charge, though they're constantly being used and recharged. I would give the nod to the B&D just from my good experience with them.

Don't listen to the people that say you need a DeWalt or Milwaukee set. Just a waste of money for around-the-house use IMO.

 

[Vette73]

I would go with Craftsman out of those 2.

Also look for Skil as they are better then B&D but have a similar price point. Skil is bosch tools made in america (for the most part).

 

[tw1164]

OP, I'm pretty sure that Ryobi makes many/all the craftsman power tools in that set.

 

[GRIFFIN1]

If you aren't going to use these tools very often, then I would suggest getting tools that don't use batteries. Cordless drills seem to work great, but the cordless sanders, jig saws and circular saws I have used drained the battery way too fast.

When the battery will no longer take a charge, your tool set will be useless if they no longer sell the battery you need.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Gothgar
oh yeah, Rigid is at LEAST as good as DeWalts are, probably better in most cases.

This is due to the fact that the quality on DeWalts has gone through the floor. Plus the warranties on Rigid far outweighs the few dollar savings.

I don't use many cheap tool, if you want to buy in the 500+ range for a set I could be of a lot more help

I've bought plenty of cheap tools, including those ryobis.

The trouble is I expect to use them, which is why the word 'plenty' applies.

My new rule has been to replace each tool as it breaks with something worth owning. Ridgid currently fits a lot of this, and I LOVE the warranty (I've yet to need it, but user experiences with them give me some confidence).

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: Gothgar
oh yeah, Rigid is at LEAST as good as DeWalts are, probably better in most cases.

This is due to the fact that the quality on DeWalts has gone through the floor. Plus the warranties on Rigid far outweighs the few dollar savings.

I don't use many cheap tool, if you want to buy in the 500+ range for a set I could be of a lot more help

I've bought plenty of cheap tools, including those ryobis.

The trouble is I expect to use them, which is why the word 'plenty' applies.

My new rule has been to replace each tool as it breaks with something worth owning. Ridgid currently fits a lot of this, and I LOVE the warranty (I've yet to need it, but user experiences with them give me some confidence).

I used Rigid ricips, since I beat the hell out of 'em, I don't want to spend the extra on a Milwaukee or something, and they work awesome.

I have an old Rigid driver that still functions as a backup gun after I've gotten rid of at least 5 or so other guns. Currently, my main driver is the lithium ion Makita impact, this tool is a god among mere mortals.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: Gothgar

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: Gothgar
on the cheap I'd normally recommend Rigid, Home Depot's brand, they warranty everything in store right down to the batteries, and they are close to that price.

If you can get a ridgid kit for anywhere close to that price, do it now.

I don't want to come off sounding like a shill, but ridgid is a pretty serious tool (I'd say on par with DeWalt, though maybe not Makita/Milwaukee).

Don't touch Black and Decker, they may be the same company as DeWalt, but you'll regret it.

oh yeah, Rigid is at LEAST as good as DeWalts are, probably better in most cases.

This is due to the fact that the quality on DeWalts has gone through the floor. Plus the warranties on Rigid far outweighs the few dollar savings.

I don't use many cheap tool, if you want to buy in the 500+ range for a set I could be of a lot more help

Ridgid power tools are not on par with DeWalt. HD purchased the name and rebadged an off brand with the recognizable name. There is a reason pros use DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, etc and not the others. For homeowner use none of that really matters but it does to guys who make a living using their tools.

Of the 2 you pointed out I would go with the Craftsman. My dad has the set and they aren't bad tools at all. Decent battery life too.

 

[sdifox]

Try Ryobi brand. It's pretty good value.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz

Originally posted by: Gothgar

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: Gothgar
on the cheap I'd normally recommend Rigid, Home Depot's brand, they warranty everything in store right down to the batteries, and they are close to that price.

If you can get a ridgid kit for anywhere close to that price, do it now.

I don't want to come off sounding like a shill, but ridgid is a pretty serious tool (I'd say on par with DeWalt, though maybe not Makita/Milwaukee).

Don't touch Black and Decker, they may be the same company as DeWalt, but you'll regret it.

oh yeah, Rigid is at LEAST as good as DeWalts are, probably better in most cases.

This is due to the fact that the quality on DeWalts has gone through the floor. Plus the warranties on Rigid far outweighs the few dollar savings.

I don't use many cheap tool, if you want to buy in the 500+ range for a set I could be of a lot more help

Ridgid power tools are not on par with DeWalt. HD purchased the name and rebadged an off brand with the recognizable name. There is a reason pros use DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, etc and not the others. For homeowner use none of that really matters but it does to guys who make a living using their tools.

Of the 2 you pointed out I would go with the Craftsman. My dad has the set and they aren't bad tools at all. Decent battery life too.

That's funny, I thought I DID make a living off of these tools.

I've gone through about 6-7 guns in the last 5 years or so, and I have been very unimpressed with the overall quality and lasting of the DeWalts I've owned, not saying Rigid was much better, but I believe Hitachi was at least as good (and half the price) and Makita is light years better for the same price point.

I would agree that DeWalts were great guns if this was years ago.

(this is just about their cordless drill/drivers) All though their hammer drills leave something to be desired as well.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: Gothgar

That's funny, I thought I DID make a living off of these tools.

If so, you would be one of the first I've ever heard of doing it. Of course most of my experience is limited to mechanical contractors

 

[*kjm]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz

Originally posted by: Gothgar

That's funny, I thought I DID make a living off of these tools.

If so, you would be one of the first I've ever heard of doing it. Of course most of my experience is limited to mechanical contractors

I used to also use them for a living and agree with Gothgar all the way! The only tools I had a high turnover with have been Dewalt. They used to be good but have gone downhill from my findings. Having used the Ridgid tools also I will tell you they are great.

To the OP if you want good tools for your home I would just get a good name and stay with corded tools. If you are just doing a honey to do list you will always have to wait for the batt's to charge and for your money you will get much more tool going corded.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I got a Ryobi set from Home Depot at it was a humongous deal.

Drill/driver
sawzall
circular saw
vacuum
flashlight
2 batteries
charger

It is a step above Black and Decker and I got it for ~$200

The best part is that you don't get burned by the dirty little secret of cordless tools (batteries die and are EXPENSIVE to replace!) Ryobi batteries are a lot cheaper than most.

I have the same kit. Its been very good to me so far. Circ saw is pretty handy, but I mostly just use the drill and flashlight.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz
There is a reason pros use DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, etc and not the others. For homeowner use none of that really matters but it does to guys who make a living using their tools.

qft


i have milwaukee stuff for the most part, but mainly due to purchasing them thru work. the stuff i get from family as gifts is usually B&D or rigid, and for around the house on occasion both have been fine. i also still have my old makita drill from like 15 or 20 yrs ago, same batteries and all. both still hold a charge for more than 30 min, so i still use it. the dewalt my company bought for me is still in the shop waiting for mine to die.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I got a Ryobi set from Home Depot at it was a humongous deal.

Drill/driver
sawzall
circular saw
vacuum
flashlight
2 batteries
charger

It is a step above Black and Decker and I got it for ~$200

The best part is that you don't get burned by the dirty little secret of cordless tools (batteries die and are EXPENSIVE to replace!) Ryobi batteries are a lot cheaper than most.

I have this kit, but with an impact driver too (for $149), and the batteries are actually cheap ($50-60 for two in Canada). They're definitely 'good enough' though not really 'good'.

It might have been that much. Whatever it was - I don't remember - it was a huge deal.

 

[Barrak]

Out of the 2, craftsman. My craftsman drill has gone through alot of abuse and is still going strong after 10 years.

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I got a Ryobi set from Home Depot at it was a humongous deal.

Drill/driver
sawzall
circular saw
vacuum
flashlight
2 batteries
charger

It is a step above Black and Decker and I got it for ~$200

The best part is that you don't get burned by the dirty little secret of cordless tools (batteries die and are EXPENSIVE to replace!) Ryobi batteries are a lot cheaper than most.

I love my Ryobi...they just came out with lithium batteries and they are compatible with everything they put out before that.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Barrak
Out of the 2, craftsman. My craftsman drill has gone through alot of abuse and is still going strong after 10 years.

Agreed. That's because it's re-branded RYOBI, made here in the USA by Americans. (Anderson, SC)

When I was contracting, I used only RYOBI, as my sister in law works there and I got employee pricing.
Still , my cordless drill has bounced more times than any other off the ladder and still works great.
The cordless reciprocating saw is good enough to whack a limb off a tree, but it's gotten better with the lithium battery they now have.

Buy the Craftsman.