Which Power Tools Should I Buy?

[ANC]

By the end of the month I'll be moving to our new house. It will need some minor updating here and there and I was going to buy one of those combo kits (Drill/Driver, Circular Saw, Sawzall) for projects around the house.

I am trying to decide between Porter Cable (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=36099-79992-PC418C-2&lpage=none), Ryobi (http://http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100593255&N=10000003+90401+501763), and Craftsman (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911404000P?vName=Tools&cName=Portable+Power+Tools&sName=Combo+Kits).

I know there are better manufacturers out there like Miluakee, but I'm not spending that much on tools I might use a few times a year.

Any contractors, carpenters, etc. out there that can lead me in the right direction?

[Hottub]

I've had good luck with Craftsman. And Sears has a liberal exchange policy.

[Freitag]

By the end of the month I'll be moving to our new house. It will need some minor updating here and there and I was going to buy one of those combo kits (Drill/Driver, Circular Saw, Sawzall) for projects around the house.


Wow, toolboxes come with tequila now? I gotta do more fixup projects.

[Freitag]

I've had good luck with Craftsman. And Sears has a liberal exchange policy.

Yes, Craftsman has a hardcore guarantee, just make sure that if there is any problems, when you take it back, you're dealing with a sears rep who knows what they are talking about.

Consumerist has some horror stories about Craftsman returns going bad because the associate and the manager were both idiots, but I think that's an aberration rather than the norm.

[Chip196]

By the end of the month I'll be moving to our new house. It will need some minor updating here and there and I was going to buy one of those combo kits (Drill/Driver, Circular Saw, Sawzall) for projects around the house.

I am trying to decide between Porter Cable (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=36099-79992-PC418C-2&lpage=none), Ryobi (http://http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100593255&N=10000003+90401+501763), and Craftsman (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911404000P?vName=Tools&cName=Portable+Power+Tools&sName=Combo+Kits).

I know there are better manufacturers out there like Miluakee, but I'm not spending that much on tools I might use a few times a year.

Any contractors, carpenters, etc. out there that can lead me in the right direction?


I have the Ryobi kit and I love it. I am not a pro, but it's handled all the needs of a homeowner who tries a lot of do-it-yourself stuff. My only complaint on on my kit is the power of the circular saw ... but a carpenter friend of mine said that any cordless one is going to be underpowered for anything other than real light work, and it's handy to have in a pinch but to just buy a corded one (tried it on a very thick cut of wood). The rest of the stuff rocks, especially the 18 Volt drill and the reciprocating saw ... I have beat the hell out of them and they keep plugging along.

[ANC]

I've had good luck with Craftsman. And Sears has a liberal exchange policy.

Good to know. The electrician here uses all Craftsman power tools everyday and highly recommends them. I think Sears' exchange policy doesn't apply to power tools.

Wow, toolboxes come with tequila now? I gotta do more fixup projects.

:laugh:

[Freitag]

:laugh:

It's how they pronounce it in Boston.

[Hottub]

Good to know. The electrician here uses all Craftsman power tools everyday and highly recommends them. I think Sears' exchange policy doesn't apply to power tools.



Well since I haven't had to return anything yet I wouldn't know about the power tools policy.
I'd call that another plus.

[HBox]

I've had good luck with Craftsman. And Sears has a liberal exchange policy.

Fucking libs.

[Hottub]

Fucking libs.

:lol:

[topless_mike]

go with the craftsman.

[KC2OSO]

Agree like the Crafstman. My Sears angle grinder is like 15 years old and just keeps grinding away. Maybe check out DeWalt stuff too. Haven't gotten a bad tool from them.

[Boogie in Va]

Milwaukee, Bosch or Matabo. All 3 good tool companies with great tools.

[biggirl]

I don't know much about brands...I think Rhino has a lot of craftsman stuff. My favorite things for around the house are power screwdriver, stud finder, and an assortment of nails and picture hangers.

I received a toolbox full of tools from Ryan for Christmas a couple of years ago. Guess who uses them the most? Gese, why don't I ever get jewelry?

Ryan likes his table saw, miter saw, and drill.

[ANC]

Milwaukee, Bosch or Matabo. All 3 good tool companies with great tools.

You're right and I would definitely go with them, but I'm not going to spend the $$ for tools I will only use once or twice a year...

It looks like I'll go with the Craftsman....seems most of you have/use them and have great thing to say about them...

Thanks buddies!

[boosterp]

All my pneumatic tools are Porter Cable because the quality can't be beat.

My saws, drills, etc. are mostly Craftsman but I also own some Ryobi. I highly recommend either of these brands. If getting cordless go with the highest voltage you can get, and if you have the dough get the lithium batteries.

[Fallon]

Wow, toolboxes come with tequila now? I gotta do more fixup projects.

I don't get it.

It's how they pronounce it in Boston.

Ohhhh.

[topless_mike]

you all are a bunch of tools.

[RhinoinMN]

Depends on the quality of crafstman power tool you get. The regular line of Craftsman power tools are made by Black and Decker. The Professional series, I think, are made by Porter Cable.

Makita is worth a look.

And of course DeWalt too.




Since you are newly married I would strongly suggest the drilldo.

[Dan 'Hampton]

Coming from a carpenter.
Out of those choices, save your pennies for another month and get yourself a basic DeWalt set. Craftsman battery life is not that good, and Sears is cracking down on you bringing other Craftsmen products, can't imagine that "power tools" won't be next. If not DeWalt go Porter Cable. At least you'll have respectable tools.

[AF Mike]

Depends on the quality of crafstman power tool you get. The regular line of Craftsman power tools are made by Black and Decker. The Professional series, I think, are made by Porter Cable.

Makita is worth a look.

And of course DeWalt too.


Exactly. Sears doesn't manufacture any power tools and their regular line is primarily
B&D. I own a ton of their hand tools but have always been a little leery of the quality
of their power tools.

Even if you're buying online I would recommend going to Home Depot/Lowes or Sears
and playing with the tools before you decide. A crap saw will feel bad in your hand fast,
and if the cordless drill is a rock you'll be bitching every time you use it.

[RhinoinMN]

I know there are better manufacturers out there like Miluakee, but I'm not spending that much on tools I might use a few times a year.



I wouldn't trust anything that Miluakee makes.

I bought a DeUalt once and it failed quickly. Fucking imposters.

[BlackSpider]

I wouldn't trust anything that Miluakee makes.

I bought a DeUalt once and it failed quickly. Fucking imposters.

You're a bad man...

[ryno1974]

I have the Ryobi 18v set and love it. I have kicked the shit out of it, and it lasts and lasts. I have built a fence, a dog house, and finished a basement with them not to mention all the odds and ends. I would HIGHLY recommend the ryobi, especially the new high performance 19v stuff (sorry, dont know the exact name but its the bright green stuff, not the older blue stuff like I have). Power is great, except like a previous poster said about the skill saw. Cordless skill saws are always gonna be a bit underpowered. I know the DeWalt stuff is better, but if your like me and are a closet handy man and not a contractor wanna be, I would save the money and go with the Ryobi.

I also have a craftsman table saw that is great, but my parents bought it for me as a gift cause I would never have shelled out the cash. Good stuff though.

Good luck!

[Farmer Dave]

My favorite things for around the house are power screwdriver, stud finder,


Nobodies going to jump on this? Bastards are lazy on a Monday.

[RhinoinMN]

Nobodies going to jump on this? Bastards are lazy on a Monday.

I'm gonna jump on that.....TONIGHT!!! AHHHH GOOOSHHHHHHH!

[Gvac]

Don't buy any.

Pay a professional to do the work.

Nothing worse than do-it-yourself butchers.

[BlackSpider]

Don't buy any.

Pay a professional to do the work.

Nothing worse than do-it-yourself butchers.

I agree...

Make sure you use a Union Carpenter like me or Stugots...

[biggestmexi]

my advice to you would be buy separate more expansive brands. Just save up until you need them. that way you can buy the tools that will last FOR sure.

sears return policy only works with hand tools nothing else.

the good thing with craftsman is that they are decent price. And yes the older stuff is higher quality but now not so much.

Also for the tools you want you should stick with corded tools. They are more powerful.

Also when you are a homeowner you will use them more than you think.

I had a tough time talking my GF into me buying a dremel a while back but i use it quite often. Like installing our new thermostat a while ago. (drywall cutting tool)(and the dremel does a lot of things)

I believe I have a orange and black Rigid corded drill. Due to the fact that i used cordless before on somethings and it just doesn't hold the torque, so to say.

Unless you go for expensive cordless. and the V isnt all you need to look at.

[cougarjake13]

By the end of the month I'll be moving to our new house. It will need some minor updating here and there and I was going to buy one of those combo kits (Drill/Driver, Circular Saw, Sawzall) for projects around the house.

I am trying to decide between Porter Cable (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=36099-79992-PC418C-2&lpage=none), Ryobi (http://http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100593255&N=10000003+90401+501763), and Craftsman (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911404000P?vName=Tools&cName=Portable+Power+Tools&sName=Combo+Kits).

I know there are better manufacturers out there like Miluakee, but I'm not spending that much on tools I might use a few times a year.

Any contractors, carpenters, etc. out there that can lead me in the right direction?



if you're just gonna have them around for little projects and whatnot i'd go with the ryobi

[Kris10]

I agree...

Make sure you use a Union Carpenter like me or Stugots...

I hire... and pay them well :devil2:

[ToiletCrusher]

porter cable.

[Tallman388]

Whatever you do, don't get them at Home Depot. I spoke with a contractor that told me Sears was the best place to go. He told me that 90% of the power tool companies dump their garbage bits & equipment on Home Depot because they rob the tool companies blind on price points. He had a Dewalt rep tell him to get all of his bits at Sears for a) the better quality and b) the exchange policy.

[Death Metal Moe]

Don't forget that no warranty in the world is worth a shit if your tools fail when you use them. I mean I own Craftsman shit because I know the kind of work I do and the price was there for the medium quality tools the offer, but I got some other parts of my tool set from other companies.

It's great that I can take a ratchet back if it breaks, but I can'd drive to the store if it breaks fixing my car that's broken.

Consider that before you purchase.

[biggestmexi]

Whatever you do, don't get them at Home Depot. I spoke with a contractor that told me Sears was the best place to go. He told me that 90% of the power tool companies dump their garbage bits & equipment on Home Depot because they rob the tool companies blind on price points. He had a Dewalt rep tell him to get all of his bits at Sears for a) the better quality and b) the exchange policy.

so DeWalt brand tools makes two identically looking tools at a different quality?

I doubt that.

and i dont believe i have even seen anything Milwaukee at sears.

[Death Metal Moe]

so DeWalt brand tools makes two identically looking tools at a different quality?

I doubt that.

and i dont believe i have even seen anything Milwaukee at sears.

It's true, DeWalt makes a cheaper brand with plastic gears and other money saving measures. The term "Home Depot Cheapo" came from this practice.

[Ton80]

Never had a problem with DeWalt or Craftsman.

The only other brand that I use on a regular basis is a Hilti hammer drill, but I doubt that's something you'll be needing.

[biggestmexi]

It's true, DeWalt makes a cheaper brand with plastic gears and other money saving measures. The term "Home Depot Cheapo" came from this practice.

it seems that, that would be even more of a waste to have to make two seperate assembly lines just to make a tiny profit margin. doesnt quite seem like worth it.

[biggestmexi]

http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.asp?m=4911370&p=1&tmode=1&smode=1


:clap:

[LordJezo]

Are any tools made in the USA anymore or is everything China?

I bought some pliers this weekend, spent $20 instead of $10 because I wanted the ones made in America. Costs more but does feel a little better when buying it.

[Tallman388]

so DeWalt brand tools makes two identically looking tools at a different quality?

I doubt that.

and i dont believe i have even seen anything Milwaukee at sears.

That's exactly what they do. The problem is that Home Depot told them what they would charge for parts and equipment and DeWalt would take a loss on every item. DeWalt was hung out to dry because Home Depot is large enough that not selling their products would hurt more than taking a loss on every item. As a result, Dewalt decided to make parts and equipment for Home Depot that they could make money on, which resulted in the cheaper bits.
They don't have to make 2 different assembly lines, they just use cheaper metals and plastics for a Home Depot production run.

[biggestmexi]

That's exactly what they do. The problem is that Home Depot told them what they would charge for parts and equipment and DeWalt would take a loss on every item. DeWalt was hung out to dry because Home Depot is large enough that not selling their products would hurt more than taking a loss on every item. As a result, Dewalt decided to make parts and equipment for Home Depot that they could make money on, which resulted in the cheaper bits.
They don't have to make 2 different assembly lines, they just use cheaper metals and plastics for a Home Depot production run.

now that seems just redonkulous

[topless_mike]

I hire... and pay them well :devil2:

do you need your plumbing checked?
i work for cheap...

[Mullenax]

Riyobi, Riyobi, Riyobi

I have very little money and needed a jigsaw, dril, and miter saw to do stuff and I love Riyobi. My Dad had bought me some Craftsman stuff, but I like the Riyobi better, seemed like the batteries wore down on Craftsman faster and... I drop tools a lot and I don't have much Craftsman stuff any more. The only thing I have left is a drill I use when the other one's not charged. No luck with the Craftsman warrantee but I probably didn't do the return right; they exchanged my "tapper(?)" for something that was completely different and seemed cheap.

However, I am a girl, and the only pro-Riyobi voice in this thread.

[smiler grogan]

Ryobi is fine for the occasional do it yourself . I have left DeWalt behind completely, as has just about everyone coming onto the jobsite I am on. A year ago I got the 18v makita drill impact driver combo and like little ducks the entire company followed, they are the best drills I have ever had.

[monkfish]

Ryobi is fine for the occasional do it yourself . I have left DeWalt behind completely, as has just about everyone coming onto the jobsite I am on. A year ago I got the 18v makita drill impact driver combo and like little ducks the entire company followed, they are the best drills I have ever had.

Yup and yup. Sadly, Porter-Cable quality is going the way of DeWalt (typical B&D shite.)
Nowadays Bosch and Milwaukee are my go-to brands for most handheld tools. Makita cordless have gotten a lot better recently, and some of their models (planers in particular) are still top notch.

[monkfish]

Are any tools made in the USA anymore or is everything China?

I bought some pliers this weekend, spent $20 instead of $10 because I wanted the ones made in America. Costs more but does feel a little better when buying it.

Channellocks? Good stuff.

The only recently purchased power tools I have that I think may be American made are a Sioux angle drill and Powermatic table saw. Everything else is Asian (even Bosch.)

[smiler grogan]

Channellocks? Good stuff.

The only recently purchased power tools I have that I think may be American made are a Sioux angle drill and Powermatic table saw. Everything else is Asian (even Bosch.)

Channellocks=the best

Hilti is made in China/Vietnam etc... as well?

[monkfish]

Hilti is made in China/Vietnam etc... as well?
Is it really? Great stuff (I've never been able to justify the $$$.)

For some reason I think that some Fein stuff is still made in Europe (Germany or one of those invasion rest-stop countries.) Triton used to make their routers in Australia I think...I don't even know if they are still around.

[smiler grogan]

i don't know about Hilti I was asking. The Fein tool that they sell on infomercial is terrific. I've been using a newer Hilti hammer drill that makes going into concrete a breeze well worth the bucks.

[monkfish]

i don't know about Hilti I was asking. The Fein tool that they sell on infomercial is terrific. I've been using a newer Hilti hammer drill that makes going into concrete a breeze well worth the bucks.

Don't know either. I still see a lot of their rotary/hammerdrill/fastener tools in use on commercial construction. I guess if the label doesn't say "made by people that look like you" chances are it was made in Asia.

[boosterp]

That's exactly what they do. The problem is that Home Depot told them what they would charge for parts and equipment and DeWalt would take a loss on every item. DeWalt was hung out to dry because Home Depot is large enough that not selling their products would hurt more than taking a loss on every item. As a result, Dewalt decided to make parts and equipment for Home Depot that they could make money on, which resulted in the cheaper bits.
They don't have to make 2 different assembly lines, they just use cheaper metals and plastics for a Home Depot production run.

Sounds like the Walmart of do it yourself.

I shop at Lowes for the basics and online for my Porter-Cable, etc. I have mostly Sears hand tools, but my parents who do light stuff around the house just bought a 19. something or 22,(don't recall) Sears drill with the lithium batteries and that thing felt solid and had some decent torque.