I need some advice on tools......

[Yeeny]

My husband has asked for a drill and a circular saw for Christmas. He gave me no details other than saying he wanted them. So I need some advice on what is a good brand, and what power I should get him. I see all kinds of volts and such listed by the tools, and I don't know what he would need. He wants something that will enable him to do carpentry on a house. If anybody could help, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[toph99]

how bout a good sturdy hand drill?

do you really want your husband doing carpentry work around the house? :Q

btw, look for Black & Decker or Dremel(i think they make drills too) those are my preferences. are you looking for cordless or corded?

 

[prodigy]

hhhhhhuhuhuhuhuh hey beeeeevis, she said toool. huhuhuhuh

 

[Napalm381]

For basic carpentry around the house and stuff, a 12 volt should be plenty. I know Home Depot has a 12 volt Porter Cable for 115 bucks. Porter Cable, Dewalt, Milwaukee would be your best bets for brands. They will cost more than a Ryobi or Black and Decker, but will last a LOT longer and in the long run are well worth the extra money. DON'T get a Black and Decker- they are basically crappy drills propped up by expensive TV commercials.

 

[Napalm381]

BTW, Dremel does not make traditional drills, just the rotary tools that they are well known for.

 

[Yeeny]

toph: Actually, yes I do. He took a year long course in carpentry, and he is really good at it. Now if I can only get him out from in front of the tv to actually do it, I will have accomplished something.

Napalm: Thanks, I was going to buy a Black and Decker, because you always hear about them. I am glad I asked first. Looks like its off to Home Depot for me.

Prodigy: Ah, shuddup Beavis.

 

[toph99]

ah, ok, i wasn't sure
my black and decker has been around for a good 25 years if not more and still works

 

[Viper GTS]

My dad has a Makita miter saw, they're expensive, but they kick ass. DeWalt makes a sweet cordless drill, but they're expensive as well.

Viper GTS

 

[Napalm381]

<< He took a year long course in carpentry, and he is really good at it. >>

Even more reason to spend a little more on qualty stuff. Is he going to be doing a ton of stuff (like every single weekend), or just kinda occasionally? Also, what kinda budget are you looking at for the saw and drill combined?

B/D is kinda like the e-Machines of tools (at least I think so ).

 

[toph99]

i second that DeWalt cordless just watch where you put your hand before you start drilling with one of those(don't ask )
GF: it's good to know that he knows(or at least thinks he does ) what he's doing



<< B/D is kinda like the e-Machines of tools >>



lol i think you're right on that one they're great for basic stuff and all around work, but if you're a performance freak you're going to stay as far away from them as possible for the price i think they're quite good, but it's not like i'm using it every day or anything

 

[Cable God]

I third the DeWalt. I've used them in HS Construction Tech and we beat them all day long with no problems. A good cordelss Dewalt starts at about $150 around here.

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

Napalm is 100% correct.

B/D, to sum it up, is not as high of quality as a Milwaukee or a DeWalt. They can last a long time if taken care of (My little B/D drill is still kicking. Made circa 1960's) but are not as durable as a higher brand. You get what you pay for. I use alot of tools on a daily basis where I work, and I have to say from experience, that if you kick the extra for a good Milwaukee will save him heartache later. Milwaukee is my personal fav, because their tools have more torque and grunt then the B/D, although any of the top brands are great.

Want proof? Look in any good contractor's tools. When you see someone getting work done on a house or something, look at the tools they have. Very seldom do you see a professional contractor using B/D tools. Milwaukee, DeWalt, Porter Cable, etc. all have expensive tools for a reason. This is why.

B/D is not bad at all, but for daily use, I'd steer away from them. B/D is good for occasional home use.

 

[yakko]

Buy him either DeWalt or Milwaukee. They make the best stuff out there.

 

[Farbio]

i agree with the reccomendation of dewalt or milwaukee. i have some b/d tools and they're pretty good, but not anything that i would want to use for lots of hard work, they accomplish my occassional carpentry work. if he is serious, definitely look at the dewalt and milwaukee, my dad has a circular dewalt and that thing will go through anything, be it steel, wood, masonry, it has so much more torque and power than the comparable b/w, so its definitely worth it

 

[PCAddict]

Didn't B&amp;D merge with DeWalt or something? I was at Home Depot the other night getting some keys made and I saw some B&amp;D power tools that also said DeWalt on the box.

 

[Napalm381]

Black and Decker owns Dewalt, in addition to Kwikset/Titan locksets and probably a host of other product lines.

 

[Dedpuhl]

Go to the Sears hardware center...they will hook you up...

 

[Imported]

A Lifetime Warranty is also helpful.

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

Lifetime warranty on Hand tools, not Power tools.

 

[mechBgon]

What Napalm and Monel said.

 

[Suicidal]

Yah, go to Sears, they can set you up with some kick ass tools... i like my craftsman rotary tool (like a dremel).

 

[Batti]

This circular saw is the last one he'll ever need. I bought one of these after 15 years with a Craftsman, and I sincerely regret not doing it in the first place. It's not really expensive, and it's an excellent saw.

I like Dewalt for cordless drills, or Milwaukee for corded. Buying &quot;real&quot; tools is actually safer - they'll do what they are intended to do and more. Both of those tools you're looking for are over-used regularly.

 

[Yeeny]

Wow, thanks alot peoples! You have all been really helpful. But I have one more question, it looks like in order to get him a good one, I am going to have to spend over $100 a piece, and I only have 150 budgeted for tools. He wants other stuff too, so am I better off buying one really good tool, and holding off on the other one, or going a little cheaper and getting both? I am thinking getting the one good one, so it does not burn out on him.

 

[Batti]

I would think he'd much prefer one good one than two cheaper ones. Quality tools make the job more fun, and that makes it more likely he'll get off the couch and fix the house! Isn't that your real goal?

 

[mechBgon]

And there's always birthdays to give him another.