I need suggestions with buying some power tools

[BradT]

I am getting fed up with my antiquated tool chest. I am buying a good amount of power tools soon. I need a new rotary saw, miter saw, drill press, jigsaw and possibly a recip. saw.

I need suggestions on Brands for each of the tools, and specifications I should look for.

They will not be used heavily. I am not a regular carpenter or contractor, it would just be for occasional home improvement projects. I wouldn't like the spend a bundle, so I do not require the VERY best and most expensive. Just the minimum to get the job done and tools that will last some time.

Thanks!

 

[Unheard]

I buy Craftsman. No so much because of quality (although I've never had many problems out of them), but more so for the fact that if a tool breaks, I can take it back to sears and get a new one (on most items) no questions asked.

 

[amdskip]

Craftsman power tools are often just rebranded items from other manufacturers and the warranty is not lifetime.

Personally I head to Amazon when buying tools and search out the reviews there. I upgraded recently:

drill
circular saw
miter saw
cordless drill

I bought a house that needed some TLC and now I have the tools to do it.

 

[BradT]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Craftsman power tools are often just rebranded items from other manufacturers and the warranty is not lifetime.

Personally I head to Amazon when buying tools and search out the reviews there. I upgraded recently:

drill
circular saw
miter saw
cordless drill

I bought a house that needed some TLC and now I have the tools to do it.

That miter saw looks awesome. Too bad the price tag is so high. Do I really need to spend that much money on a miter saw? HomeDepot has a $99 deal on one, but it probably sucks.

Also, I only need a drill PRESS, but thanks for the suggestions anyways.

 

[Drakkon]

checkout your local pawn shop - can find a lot of construction grade tools at great prices

I like skil, dewalt, and craftsman

 

[zoiks]

I just bought a jigsaw and did a lot of research on it before buying one. The reviews on the orbital action jigsaw at sears.com has quite a few negative reviews. I then found this 5.5amp orbital/scrolling action jigsaw by Firestorm (B&D) at Lowes. After pondering a bit, I bought it and and used it on 1/2" MDF at home. I didn't like the way the saw kept jumping to the side so I ended up returning it. I instead got the Hitachi CJ110 and that thing cuts like butter. A tad bit more expensive but you get a quality product.

 

[amdskip]

That miter saw is a slider which is better than just your normal saw. I would buy the $200 Dewalt 10" miter saw from Amazon if you just need something simple. I originally purchased it and decided to ship it back and get the bigger saw.

 

[fh99]

18V Rigid cordless drill @ HD for $99

info

 

[Greenman]

A little of topic, but why the heck do they always mount the blade on the wrong side of direct drive circular saws, yet it's right on every worm drive saw?

To the OP, I can't really help you because I only use professional quality tools, though I've heard others say Ryobi is one of the better inexpensive lines.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: BradT
I need suggestions on Brands for each of the tools, and specifications I should look for.

This short instructional video should give you enough information regarding power tools and their proper usages to make the proper purchasing decisions.

 

[D1gger]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
checkout your local pawn shop - can find a lot of construction grade tools at great prices

I like skil, dewalt, and craftsman

Just be sure to check it over to see if serial numbers have been ground off, or there is a company name etched into it someplace. We have found a number of companies stolen power tools in local pawn shops.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Rotary saw meaning circular saw?

If so, then the best out right now is the Porter-Cable 325MAG. It has a brake and a dust collector port both of which I'd call requirements after using them for a while. I have the 424MAG, the left blade version though. Also pretty cheap around $125. Pick up a thin kerf blade and it'll go through anything like butter.

If you need a smaller drill press, Harbor Freight sells a nice one that's dirt cheap and works splendidly....I use mine frequently. Otheriwse it should be a Delta.

Jigsaw.....Bosch is the defacto.....just get that.

The concensus as far as miter saws goes seems to be to get a 12" non-slider. Less space and greater reliability and accuracy. Factor in the cost of a nice aftermarket blade....you'll want 80-100 carbide teeth......should be $40 or so.

Recipricating saws are not precision so skimp all you want there.

 

[BradT]

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[FoBoT]

go to LargeMart