What home improvement tools make sense to buy online?

[desura]

Like, drills? Levels? Clamps? Stud finder? etc. What stuff does it make sense to buy online vs buying at Lowes or Home Depot?

 

[gorcorps]

Any tools that have a warranty that the store honors. Usually doesn't include power tools, but some brands of hammers, tape measures, etc will be exchanged in store if you bring them in broken.

Other than that, buy where it's cheaper.

 

[desura]

I guess a big one to save money is in drills.

I'm thinking of just getting a corded drill. The batteries are heavy anyways, and overpriced.

Recommend any? How complicated can a drill be? Just an electric motor with some adjustments.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I typically only buy stuff online because I can't get it locally, otherwise I prefer to buy locally as it's just nice to be able to physically look at the item, and get it that same day. I probably would not buy power tools online, at least not big ones, shipping is going to get you and if there is a problem it would be a pain to RMA.

Drills and such I could see though.

 

[gorcorps]

I guess a big one to save money is in drills.

I'm thinking of just getting a corded drill. The batteries are heavy anyways, and overpriced.

Recommend any? How complicated can a drill be? Just an electric motor with some adjustments.

If there's one cordless tool you should have, it's a drill. We had a thread on this recently. If you buy a corded drill now, you're just going to buy a cordless later once you realized your mistake, so just get one now.

Here's the thread:
https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...oob-pick-a-drill.2476231/page-4#post-38302743

Even though I'm not a fan of buying tools that tie you to a single store, the Ryobi tool kit from Home Depot is awesome. Especially if you can find it on sale:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Ultimate-Combo-Kit-6-Tool-P884/203466936

I got it for $200 and it's a great set.

 

[RearAdmiral]

If there's one cordless tool you should have, it's a drill. We had a thread on this recently. If you buy a corded drill now, you're just going to buy a cordless later once you realized your mistake, so just get one now.

Here's the thread:
https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...oob-pick-a-drill.2476231/page-4#post-38302743

Even though I'm not a fan of buying tools that tie you to a single store, the Ryobi tool kit from Home Depot is awesome. Especially if you can find it on sale:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Ultimate-Combo-Kit-6-Tool-P884/203466936

I got it for $200 and it's a great set.

I bought one of each, they have their uses. I need my corded drill for sustained high rpm uses and for serious hole drilling. I just used my corded drill yesterday to cut a 1" hole up through my crawl space through 2 3/4" of wood.

I'd still buy a cordless first then a nice corded one later. In fact my corded drill cost $30 shipped used(pretty much brand new). It was a >$100 drill at the time I believe. I love it.

 

[renz20003]

If you want to save money buy at the pawn shop.

I've purchased drills, air nailers and such for $80 or less. Almost brand new most of the time.

 

[herm0016]

craigslist is where i have gotten most of my larger tools. I like the ridgid stuff so i just buy that at depot for cordless. pawn shops are great too.

 

[Muse]

Refurb Porter Cable on ebay

 

[Imp]

I don't see why not... I'd stick to a place with good return policy.