Recommend a good set of power tools (18+ volt)

[DarkManX]

I want to get my dad a set of power tools for his b-day im tired of wachin him rid up some old batteries to his power tools, so I want a nice 18 or 19.2 volt drill/driver, maybe a jigsaw (he already has a descent devalt 12v one) and a recepricating saw. I want to spend somewhere around 300$. I was lookin at this sears combo. I know sears hand tools are the best, but how are their power tools?

 

[Specop 007]

Milwaukee.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: DarkManX
I want to get my dad a set of power tools for his b-day im tired of wachin him rid up some old batteries to his power tools, so I want a nice 18 or 19.2 volt drill/driver, maybe a jigsaw (he already has a descent devalt 12v one) and a recepricating saw. I want to spend somewhere around 300$. I was lookin at this sears combo. I know sears hand tools are the best, but how are their power tools?

Just an FYI, the lifetime craftsman warranty only applies to hand tools. It's something like 1yr on electrical.

<---used to be a clerk at sears.

 

[DarkManX]

Originally posted by: Specop 007
Milwaukee.

where do u get that? amazon and lowes.com only have 1 each of their tools.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Milwaukee aren't the best anymore IMO. We stopped buying them at work. They were bought out and haven't been the same since. We now use DeWalt. They are also quite expensive for what the average homeowner needs.

 

[amish]

skils are rebranded bosch tools. this is the set that i own. i'm very happy with it.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Does he really need 18 volt? Those get really heavy, and they're overkill for most people.

DeWalt are certainly fine. Personally I prefer Bosch drills and jigsaws. They are available at Menards, and some HD stores have Bosch stuff as well.

 

[BoomerD]

Most of these are made by only a couple of companies in China nowdays, to the specs of the company they make them for.
IMO,
Dewalt
Milwaukee
Rigid
Ryobi









Craftsman

I have some of the Ryobi cordless stuff from Home Depot. Not bad, suitable for homeowner use, but not contractor quality...
but then again, I did get a steal on them...Someone had mismarked a pallet of them, and even though it was an obvious error, they honored the price...so I bought 2 sets!..regularly $299...SUPPOSED to be on sale for $229...got them for $135.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Milwaukee aren't the best anymore IMO. We stopped buying them at work. They were bought out and haven't been the same since. We now use DeWalt. They are also quite expensive for what the average homeowner needs.

If you're going to buy Dewalt, might as well just buy Black & Decker.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Milwaukee aren't the best anymore IMO. We stopped buying them at work. They were bought out and haven't been the same since. We now use DeWalt. They are also quite expensive for what the average homeowner needs.

If you're going to buy Dewalt, might as well just buy Black & Decker.

please, just because the companies are related doesn't mean they are the same. Do you tell someone buying a Benz to buy a Dodge instead? :roll:

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Milwaukee aren't the best anymore IMO. We stopped buying them at work. They were bought out and haven't been the same since. We now use DeWalt. They are also quite expensive for what the average homeowner needs.

If you're going to buy Dewalt, might as well just buy Black & Decker.

please, just because the companies are related doesn't mean they are the same. Do you tell someone buying a Benz to buy a Dodge instead? :roll:

A Dodge is not a rebadged Benz. I never said there was anything wrong with Black & Decker though. Don't get so defensive.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Milwaukee aren't the best anymore IMO. We stopped buying them at work. They were bought out and haven't been the same since. We now use DeWalt. They are also quite expensive for what the average homeowner needs.

If you're going to buy Dewalt, might as well just buy Black & Decker.

please, just because the companies are related doesn't mean they are the same. Do you tell someone buying a Benz to buy a Dodge instead? :roll:

A Dodge is not a rebadged Benz. I never said there was anything wrong with Black & Decker though. Don't get so defensive.

Dewalts are not rebadged B&D

 

[d33pt]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Milwaukee aren't the best anymore IMO. We stopped buying them at work. They were bought out and haven't been the same since. We now use DeWalt. They are also quite expensive for what the average homeowner needs.

If you're going to buy Dewalt, might as well just buy Black & Decker.

please, just because the companies are related doesn't mean they are the same. Do you tell someone buying a Benz to buy a Dodge instead? :roll:

A Dodge is not a rebadged Benz. I never said there was anything wrong with Black & Decker though. Don't get so defensive.

where do you get your information from? you're telling me the b&d sets that target sells for $50 is the same as a dewalt set professional set for $500? get a clue.

 

[d33pt]

Originally posted by: DarkManX
I want to get my dad a set of power tools for his b-day im tired of wachin him rid up some old batteries to his power tools, so I want a nice 18 or 19.2 volt drill/driver, maybe a jigsaw (he already has a descent devalt 12v one) and a recepricating saw. I want to spend somewhere around 300$. I was lookin at this sears combo. I know sears hand tools are the best, but how are their power tools?

i would get a ryobi set on sale from home depot. you can't beat ryobi for value and quality. make sure to spend a little extra and get the impact driver. that's my favorite tool by far.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: d33pt

Originally posted by: DarkManX
I want to get my dad a set of power tools for his b-day im tired of wachin him rid up some old batteries to his power tools, so I want a nice 18 or 19.2 volt drill/driver, maybe a jigsaw (he already has a descent devalt 12v one) and a recepricating saw. I want to spend somewhere around 300$. I was lookin at this sears combo. I know sears hand tools are the best, but how are their power tools?

i would get a ryobi set on sale from home depot. you can't beat ryobi for value and quality. make sure to spend a little extra and get the impact driver. that's my favorite tool by far.

agreed...the new compact impact drivers have become the favorites among our crews

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: DarkManX
I want to get my dad a set of power tools for his b-day im tired of wachin him rid up some old batteries to his power tools, so I want a nice 18 or 19.2 volt drill/driver, maybe a jigsaw (he already has a descent devalt 12v one) and a recepricating saw. I want to spend somewhere around 300$. I was lookin at this sears combo. I know sears hand tools are the best, but how are their power tools?

Craftsman power tools are decent, but not top of the line.

Will your dad use all of the tools in that set? In my experience the tool that benefits the most from being cordless is the drill/driver. Jigsaw, reciprocating saw... I can easily deal with corded for those. And the trim saw just can't compare to the power of a corded 7 1/4" circular saw. The light... not terribly useful and a waste of a battery.

Call me crazy, but I like the power of corded tools. I even use my corded drill most of the time when I'm drilling, and use my cordless drill almost exclusively for driving screws (when I'm working on a big project)

 

[Insane3D]

Black and Decker MAKES DeWalt tools. They are not rebadged, but they are MADE by B&D...

IMO...you can't beat Makita. Their 14.4v drills outperform most other 18v drills, and their balance is incredible.

If you want to talk super high end, you would look at HILTI or Matabo (sp?)...

Edit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeWalt

DeWALT is a world-wide brand of power tools for the construction and woodworking industries. The original company was started in 1924 by Raymond E. DeWalt, the inventor of the radial arm saw. The company grew quickly and was reorganized in 1947, manufacturing radial arm saws and other stationary woodworking machines. After buying the company in 1949, American Machine & Foundry Co. Inc. sold it to Black & Decker in 1960. Black & Decker divested itself of the radial arm saw manufacturing branch in 1989, selling it to two executives. Radial arm saws that use the original DeWalt design can still be obtained from the Original Saw Co..

In 1992, Black & Decker started a major effort to rebrand its professional quality and high-end power tools to DeWalt. Currently, DeWALT manufactures and sells more than 200 different power hand-tools and 800 accessories.

 

[Specop 007]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Milwaukee aren't the best anymore IMO. We stopped buying them at work. They were bought out and haven't been the same since. We now use DeWalt. They are also quite expensive for what the average homeowner needs.

If you're going to buy Dewalt, might as well just buy Black & Decker.

please, just because the companies are related doesn't mean they are the same. Do you tell someone buying a Benz to buy a Dodge instead? :roll:

DeWalt. Ick.
Its like the Bose of tools. Those who dont know buy Dewalt. Those who work and want good tools....Dont.

 

[davew0670]

i think the best value for your money is ridgid.

compare the specs on the dewalt and ridgid 18 volt drills and then compare the price.

 

[Specop 007]

The honest answer to your question is, unless you dad is more then a weekend do it yourselfer, any well known brand will suit him just fine.

Milwaukee
B&D
Ridgid
Hitachi
DeWalt

And many others.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: Specop 007

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Milwaukee aren't the best anymore IMO. We stopped buying them at work. They were bought out and haven't been the same since. We now use DeWalt. They are also quite expensive for what the average homeowner needs.

If you're going to buy Dewalt, might as well just buy Black & Decker.

please, just because the companies are related doesn't mean they are the same. Do you tell someone buying a Benz to buy a Dodge instead? :roll:

DeWalt. Ick.
Its like the Bose of tools. Those who dont know buy Dewalt. Those who work and want good tools....Dont.

Mind telling us poor schleps why DeWalt sucks? Or do you want to keep us guessing?

 

[iamwiz82]

My Ryobi cordless kit has done a great job. I've rebuilt my kitchen using them. I'm shocked that the batteries hold charge still, to be honest.

 

[Specop 007]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan

Originally posted by: Specop 007

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
Milwaukee aren't the best anymore IMO. We stopped buying them at work. They were bought out and haven't been the same since. We now use DeWalt. They are also quite expensive for what the average homeowner needs.

If you're going to buy Dewalt, might as well just buy Black & Decker.

please, just because the companies are related doesn't mean they are the same. Do you tell someone buying a Benz to buy a Dodge instead? :roll:

DeWalt. Ick.
Its like the Bose of tools. Those who dont know buy Dewalt. Those who work and want good tools....Dont.

Mind telling us poor schleps why DeWalt sucks? Or do you want to keep us guessing?

Some of there tools have less then ideals bearings and bushings, which in addition to not holding up under alot of stress for long periods of time are also a pain in the ass to change out.
So much so my FIL, whos been a welder since before I was walking and is one of the best in the area, stopped using DeWalt.

 

[brandonbull]

I bought a Craftsman 19.2v combo and it is perfect for doing jobs around the house. If you don't use it a lot everyday, the more expensive brands are overkill.

 

[Specop 007]

Originally posted by: brandonbull
I bought a Craftsman 19.2v combo and it is perfect for doing jobs around the house. If you don't use it a lot everyday, the more expensive brands are overkill.

/end thread.

Things change a whole bunch when you get into lawn and garden tools, but for simple power tools you really dont need to drop the money needed for the "high end" gear.