Let's talk power tools--

[corvetteguy78]

It's time for me to look for a set of good power tools. Now, i'm no Bob Vila..I've had limited time with tools mainly because i just haven't needed to do anything. I've built some custom speakers boxes, shelves, replaced bathroom countertops and stuff like in the past but it's not my career. These tools with be mainly for around the house jobs.

We will be remodeling both her bathrooms and eventually my kitchen in the condo that I own.

Currently I have a 5 peice 18v Ryobi set i got in 2006(flashlight, circ saw, recip saw, drill and sander, also have a dremel which i bought seperate and two batteries).

I actually used the circular saw for the first time a few days ago trying to cut 3/4 inch oak plywood. I had a full charged battery. The saw could barely get through the wood. I couldnt even finish cutting. Battery died after about 15 minutes of trying to cut. So i put in the other fully charged battery and same thing, needless to say i never got done what i needed too, this thing just wasn't going to do the job.

The batteries are fine, they last long in the drill and sander and the flashlight.

So with that said, i'm looking for a nice set of electric power tools and a very nice smaller sized cordless drill/driver.

HOLD ONTO YOUR BOXER SHORTS PEOPLE I"M GOING TO MENTION BRAND NAME TOOLS IN THIS THREAD!!. OOO NOOOOOOSSSSSSSS HE METIONED BRAND NAME STUFF LETS FLAME!!!HE SAID KIMBER!! O NOOOOS

My obvious choices for electric tools would be either a Makita or Milwaukee set and i was leaning more toward Milwaukee because they offer 5 year limited warranty and Maktia only offers a 1 year. I would get a recip saw and circ saw, and sander. I'll stick with a cordless drill.


As far as a cordless drill/driver, i have read some really good things about Panasonic's 14.4 drll/driver set

Panasonic EYC190LZ 14.4-Volt IP56 Li-ion Impact Driver Combo Kit: Amazon.com: Home Improvement

Definately would consider other brands I just don't really know anything about them.

Thoughts? Comments? Flames?

 

[UNDR8D]

Milwaukee

 

[Bob Vila]

Can't go wrong with the big 4; two you already mentioned and then DeWalt or Porter & Cable. Most of my tools are one of those brands and they've lasted me a long time. I have a P&C cordless impact and its one of my favorite tools. Not to mention quick change bits are your friend. Second to that is a corded Dewalt driver. Going on 10 years of abuse and still hums like it was bought yesterday.

Ryobi is good for what it is, a homeowners special who'll use it once a year (if that). Unless you're using a 5.25 cordless circular saw (for really small jobs), do yourself a favor and get a nice corded Makita...

 

[BigJ]

I'm a festool snob but only can afford makita.

Some brands are good at certain things while others fill different niches.

I have bosch table saws/chop saws. Makita small table saw for up in the air on scaffolding. Porter cable 6" saw. Makita 5-1/2, 7-1/4 saws. Milwaukee sawzall, router, etc. DeWalt corded hole hog. Etc.




For a corded saw, go get yourself a nice 7-1/4 side winder makita with the brake and light. You can order them off amazon for 125 and they are professional caliber.



You'll realize the professionals use certain brands for certain reasons and you get what you pay for. Kind of like how you like your guns. Spend more, get something that will last longer and have a better value.

 

[corvetteguy78]

Holy fugging christ....Festool is definately not an option lol....$550 for a circular saw....i was looking at the Makita Magnesium Circular saw Model 5007MG at Home Depot for $149, and the Milwaukee for $139 Model 6391-21.

Not familer with Bosch or Rigid(other then shop vacs) or Hilti

Also the saw has to be blade left side

 

[BigJ]

Holy fugging christ....Festool is definately not an option lol....$550 for a circular saw....i was looking at the Makita Magnesium Circular saw Model 5007MG at Home Depot for $149, and the Milwaukee for $139 Model 6391-21.

Not familer with Bosch or Rigid(other then shop vacs) or Hilti

Also the saw has to be blade left side

Bosch and Rigid are good. Hilti is very commercial.



Get that makita with a Brake. We have a few of them and they truly help make smart cuts when cutting large boards, etc. Don't have to worry as much about field and over head cuts either for future projects when you have to bind the blade guard up with a pencil.



Edit: Just saw you said blade left side. Why? Only saws that have left side are warm drives and weaker saws. Porter Cable makes this that we use for when we have to make cuts that way. Or ripping plywood. Nothing special though or super good finish quality. \


Blades - Are key. Get some Freud or Tenryu blades or Matsushita if you want to go professional level. We only use Matsushita for finish and Diablo for framing cuts.

 

[reckedracing]

he's probably a lefty
and the only cordless circ i ever saw rip 3/4 plywood was a dewalt

can't really recommend anything corded personally

 

[neonmike]

I am a huge fan of my rigid screw gun just for the sole fact there is a lifetime warranty on the batteries.

 

[UNDR8D]

I'm too lazy to do the research but many of these brands are now made by the same manufacturer...B&D, deWalt, Ridgid, maybe Makita and maybe others I think. I don't really remember. It would be worth looking into. Someone will swear that deWalt is the best and the others suck when in fact their circuitry and parts are identical.

 

[Jeef]

I have had good luck with Ridgid, Every Ryobi tool I have bought has been shit.

 

[TurboMirage]

love my dewalt cordless drill...

 

[Jeef]

I'm too lazy to do the research but many of these brands are now made by the same manufacturer...B&D, deWalt, Ridgid, maybe Makita and maybe others I think. I don't really remember. It would be worth looking into. Someone will swear that deWalt is the best and the others suck when in fact their circuitry and parts are identical.

I am pretty sure its Ridgid and Ryobi are made by Emerson and B&D and Dewalt are made by the same company. My old B&D drill does not even come close to my buddies Dewalts. My Ridgid miter saw is much more accurate than my old Ryobi. Just because they are made in the same factory doesn't mean they are equal.

 

[BigJ]

We have a ridgid hole hawg and a ridgid corded impact. They both are great for what they do.

We bought a ridgid compound slide miter saw and took it back because even with the thin curf, the cuts weren't as hard accurate as our hitachi or bosch saws. But we cut to the 1/32 so we're quite particular.

 

[Taco15]

I'm a big Makita fan. Their older circular saws are the shit.
There drills are also awesome especially with there new lithiom ion mini impacts drills. My audio installer friend has a smaller drill and compared to his partner with the larger 18V dewalt it runs circles around it.
Lighter and can get into more stuff. I wouldnt get into the larger 18v stuff unless you plan on screwing on decks, patios or heavy rough framing in the house.
After using the small impact I pretty much dont use a normal drill any more unless it's a delicate piece that can't hadle the "impact".

have fun!!!

 

[corvetteguy78]

Stanley owns B&D which bought Dewalt along time ago...I have a buddy who works in a high end position for Stanley who said he would not buy Dewalts anymore. He didn't go into details but said the quality just isn't there as it was 10 years ago.

 

[Taco15]

I was a big dewalt until the last 2 12v drills had battery issues.

 

[Jeef]

I love my cordless impact. I crack the lugnuts loose on my truck with the breaker bar, then use the impact for loosening and tightening the lugnuts. They only need about 1/2 a turn to be to be torque properly. It also drives screws with ease.

 

[UNDR8D]

For corded tools,the amperage is an important measure. The higher amperage-rated tool will be able to do the same jobs under less strain, contributing to the longevity of the tool.

 

[corvetteguy78]

i don't know....the more i read the more i am leaning toward Bosch now.which also makes Skil and Dremel brand tools. German companies usualy produce quality products.

Also found an interesting chart from 2009 which shows website traffic, which may or may not mean a thing but it's interesting.

 

[Taco15]

i don't know....the more i read the more i am leaning toward Bosch now.which also makes Skil and Dremel brand tools. German companies usualy produce quality products.

Also found an interesting chart from 2009 which shows website traffic, which may or may not mean a thing but it's interesting.

try them all at the store. Some may have great rating but when you use them it may not fit your hand properly or maybe too heavy for your taste. The makita for me was perfect, not too bulky with the fancy plastic over exaggerated guards and safety crap. Only thing I didn't like was the dust kick but I blamed it on me being a lefty.

As for drills you cant really go wrong with the brands you're looking at. For the right price anyone will do.