Powertools: I have no idea what to buy

[SparkyJJO]

you'll probably want more than 12 volts, 14.4 minimum or better is 18. I have a craftsman professional 18v drill and circular saw kit but that was more than $100 since it was the tougher pro series - its nice tho and was well worth the $$$

 

[xgsound]

Online you won't get current info. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and look at thier current sales. You tend to get the best value for a 4 or 5 piece (14.4v to 18v)set (drill, circular saw, sawzall, flashlight, vacumn, sander, 2 batteries, charger, case) for $200 to $250. Riobe, dewalt, or milwaukee brands are commonly on sale. Often the 2 piece sets aren't much less.

Home Depot 7piece $229 http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN...addgllkimllcgelceffdfgidgkj.0&MID=9876
Home depot 2piece $119 http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN...addgllkimllcgelceffdfgidgkj.0&MID=9876


One more vote against Black and Decker at any cost.


Jim

 

[OdiN]

Cordless Drill: Makita

Circular Saw (corded): Skillsaw

/thread

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Stick to🙁in no articualr order)

good stuff:

porter cable
dewalt
milwakkee


pretty good:
ryobi
craftsman (not the best but their warranty is fantastic and htey are cheap)
(their hand tools kick ass though)

decent:

rigid (seems to be pretty dent actually.


don't get hitachi or black and decker.....junk

Hitachi junk? I have a dual compound miter saw and 3/4hp router from them. I'd rate them above dewalt for build quality.

I say dewalt has dropped off in quality over the years.

I would have to agree that the Hitachi miter saws are great. I don't know about anything else they make but the miter saws :thumbsup:

 

[jlee]

Dewalt is junk? That's odd - it's what almost all contractors up here seem to use..along with Makita, Milwaukee & Ridgid.

 

[loic2003]

Dewalt are prettydecent. The above poster is just repeating what his dad told him when he accidentally fused the house and blamed the tools.

My tool collection originally started with basic tools: Hacksaw, socket set, mole grips, hammer, etc, but has expanded as I've required gear. It's a 5 minutre ride to the hardware store so there's no point buying gear just in case. Think of the job you need to do, go through the stages in your mind before hand, check you have the gear and if not, pick it up.

Battery powered gear is ok for many jobs and has the advatages you speak of, but bear in mind you'll likely have more torque with a mains powered device (unless you pay for professional gear, like the £3000 ultrasonic drill I used which would go through granite as though it were butter). Also pick up at least one spare battery pack. There's nothing worse than having to stop working because your tools have failed you. If you need to drill heavy stuff like rock/concrete/metal, or just need to do lots of drilling, I'd say go for mains.

Finally, just be careful when drilling/cutting: measure twice, cut once.

 

[Kelemvor]

I was actually just at sears yesterday and they have a really cool setup. They have a 19.2v drill that comes with 2 batteries, the charger, and a case and such for $99. Then they have all kinds of other tools that use the exact same batteries. circ saw, recip saw, work light, staple/nail gun, jig saw, right angle drill, and other stuff. It's a really neat set.

And they have some prepackaged sets that come with the drill and other certain tools built in.

My Craftsman drill that I've had for 5 years or so just had the batteries or charger go bad in the ast couple weeks ao I need a new one as well.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: drnickriviera

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Stick to🙁in no articualr order)

good stuff:

porter cable
dewalt
milwakkee


pretty good:
ryobi
craftsman (not the best but their warranty is fantastic and htey are cheap)
(their hand tools kick ass though)

decent:

rigid (seems to be pretty dent actually.


don't get hitachi or black and decker.....junk

Hitachi junk? I have a dual compound miter saw and 3/4hp router from them. I'd rate them above dewalt for build quality.

I say dewalt has dropped off in quality over the years.

I would have to agree that the Hitachi miter saws are great. I don't know about anything else they make but the miter saws :thumbsup:

Interesting....a rep at one of our suppliers really hated them. Basaically hitachi is the only brand I've never tried.


Yeah, one I had a black and decker...😱

Originally posted by: loic2003
Dewalt are prettydecent. The above poster is just repeating what his dad told him when he accidentally fused the house and blamed the tools.

My tool collection originally started with basic tools: Hacksaw, socket set, mole grips, hammer, etc, but has expanded as I've required gear. It's a 5 minutre ride to the hardware store so there's no point buying gear just in case. Think of the job you need to do, go through the stages in your mind before hand, check you have the gear and if not, pick it up.

Battery powered gear is ok for many jobs and has the advatages you speak of, but bear in mind you'll likely have more torque with a mains powered device (unless you pay for professional gear, like the £3000 ultrasonic drill I used which would go through granite as though it were butter). Also pick up at least one spare battery pack. There's nothing worse than having to stop working because your tools have failed you. If you need to drill heavy stuff like rock/concrete/metal, or just need to do lots of drilling, I'd say go for mains.

Finally, just be careful when drilling/cutting: measure twice, cut once.

I agree.

As far as drills go battery powered should be fine sohrt of needing a hammer.

As for anything else, eyah cords are a pain, but every cut is perfect all the time.

 

[ijester]

Ok, Anyone that says DeWalt is junk has no clue at all. There is a good reason almost every contractor I have ever seen (1000's) carries at least one or two of their tools.

I love my 12" Compound Miter Saw. Cuts are perfect, it breezes through everything, and is lighter than the otheres to boot.
My 12v DeWalt cordless Drill is still going after 10 years of everyday abuse building houses, Installing cabinets, etc. I have the DeWalt 18V cordless Laser Level and it is excellent. I would choose the Bosch 10" portable table saw over the DeWalt, but the rack and pinion fence on the DeWalt is slick.

 

[ECE]

skm.com

 

[StarTech]

I have done a lot of stuff and gone through quit a few tools. From my experience, home projects tools, the ones that last are the corded ones. I find that the cordless ones end up with dead bateries and the new batteries are almost as expensive that a new tool. That on top that when you really get down to some intensive use the batteries run out and have to wait for them to recharge.

 

[Ornery]

Batteries are a huge, expensive issue. That's why it's important to make the right decision when choosing a cordless tool brand. You're stuck with the tools they offer, or you'll own two or three different brands of batteries and chargers. Cordless is a luxury, no two ways about it.