Which Brand of Power Tools

jeremesh · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:44 pm

Ok, I'm at the point where I need to start building up my tool collection. Which brands does everybody use... Im looking for something between highest price/best quality and Harbor Freight. Tools such as miter saw, drill, reciprocating saw, angle grinder, compressor, etc.

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:58 pm

For me it really depends on the power tool. Ones I know I am going to use a lot, like an angle grinder I have gone with Dewalt or Milwaukee, ones that I hardly ever use but needed for like a one time use I have gone with HF or Black and Decker (in other words something cheap). Compressors, spend money on them. Like I say you have to weigh out what your are going to use it for and how much you are going to use it before deciding on what brand, price etc.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:59 pm

I'd add Makita to your list - they're good too - actually most of your list isn't bad
(although I'm generally unimpressed with Black and Decker performance)

Don't get Harbor Freight/ Chicago Electric - unless you know you're only going to use the tool once maybe twice.

I tend to use Craftsman because people give me Sears gift cards - and they work very well - however
all cordless batteries tend to die after about 2-3 years of use - the nature of the beast -
after 2-3 years - Craftsman has changed the battery - you can still order a replacement - but it costs more than the tool.

dgeist · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:03 pm

You didn't include mine: What's best for the job.

For example, I love the Milwaukee Recip-saw. My Porter-Cable router and buzz-saw are nice. I can't kill my Rigid clean-up vac. I've head people swear by about 10 different brands, but ultimately, each tool and each company are different. It is nice to keep your cordless from one brand, though. I just don't use more than a cordless drill. Everything else is corded or pneumatic. Pick up a good magazine on the topic and do your research. Consumer reports is right-out for tools. They usually judge based on all the stupid factors that don't matter for a good tool.

Dan

jerbacher · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:10 pm

you should add bosch to the list. very good tools

jeremesh · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:20 pm

Look slike I cant edit the poll to add the other tools.

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:45 pm

Oh and spend money on a good bench top grinder. When I bought my first one I didn't think I would hardly ever use it but it gets the crap used out of it. Glad I spent money on it up front.

trailman · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:00 pm

Each brand has there place depending on what you are doing with your tools and how much you use them. I tend to lean towards Craftsman because it's readily available over here and they have lifetime warranty on hand tools. If I only need a tool for a one time use or seldom use,(35 mm hub nut socket) I'll buy an off brand because they are considerably cheaper.

David Jr · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:02 pm

whatever i find lying around at construction sites at 3 am. :roll:

kelticknight · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:13 pm

mostly use dewalt or bosch
specialy in cordless in sds

501 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:19 pm

I like Milwaukee first then it's a toss up between Makita & DeWalt.

Albert · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:23 pm

I don't use them professioally. I have to say that up front.

I bought 18v DeWalt and it is/was the greatest.....cut through - drilled through - anything and everything time after time after time when I was building a couple of decks and an extention on the house.......except when I stopped using it enough and it just sat around the batteries arn't so great any more now since I didn't use it often enough lately and charge it enough anymore I guess.

If I had to buy another now for my occasional use I would probably get Craftsman.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:25 pm

I use Makita's 1/4" impact driver,as a mechanic it is a life saver,I use Makita's drills also,only the Lithium-ION 18v stuff and it's worth every penny and then some.
http://www.tylertool.com/lctcombo.html

I also use Milwaukee's 28v cordless impact since it's easier then dragging out the air impact,again worth every cent and then some.
http://www.tylertool.com/milwaukee1.html

I use the above cordless tools many,many times during the day and they are worth the money,very good built stuff,I also take the 28v cordless impact on trail runs.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

...........

CrossBones · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:27 pm

You won't go wrong with many of the power tools mentioned. Your budget should be your guide.

You mentioned compressors but not what type - Garage or portable? Regardless of compressor type, the biggest misconception / mistake DIYer's make when buying a compressor is rating the power of an air compressor by PSI (pounds per square inch) or HP (horsepower). The problem these novices overlook is the acronym that truly measures an air compressor's strength - CFM (cubic feet per minute). CFM is the best / most important gauge in determining an air compressor's power. You should select an air compressor that exceeds the CFM of your most powerful air tool. This will ensure that you're never under-powered. Before you shop, you need to find out the exact air requirements for your most powerful tool first, and then pick your compressor.

I run a Maxus 15-HP 120 gallon two-stage compressor with 54CFM in my home garage, because I do major work on motorcycles, from restoration to custom builds. My industrial grade compressor is most likely overkill for most other people. With that said, once you decide on the CFM of the compressor you need, you can't go wrong with Maxus, Ingersol-Rand, Quincy or Chicago Pneumatic compressors. Stay away from Ironforce, Briggs&Stratton and Coleman brands - They're garbage.

As for air tools, the first two I will recommend are Maxus and or Campbell Hausfeld. There are other's, but none are better. I use both at work and in my own garage.

Fwiw, I make my living turning hand tools as well as utilizng air tools, but again, your budget should be your guide to shopping for any tool.

Inc · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 4:36 am

After owning Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee and Rigid, I prefer Rigid all the way, but would consider Dewalt as well. Makita blows, I have nothing but trouble with my cordless drill and the other tools that came in the 18v Lithium Ion package. The light is kinda cool though. I have sent the drill back 3 times in the first year. My 6 year old Dewalt is nicer than my Makita that is a little older than a year. Milwaukee have power but that is the only thing I like about them. The Rigids seems to be the best all around tools I have found. I love them. Black and Decker is a joke, and never had Bosch or Craftsman power tools. My 2 cents and I obviously voted Rigid.

jeremesh · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 4:38 pm

Well, here is another question that goes along with this thread then... and I understand that every situation is different but in general, for somebody that was considering doing fab on vehicles and was just starting to acquire tools... does it make more sense to go with electric tools or to invest in a good compressor and go with air tools? What makes one a better a choice over the other?

Also, can you get a decent portable compressor (something you could carry in the back of the KJ) that will handle air tools?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 5:24 pm

It's called a PowerTank
http://www.powertank.com/

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 5:30 pm

I prefer the DeWalt line of cordless power tools as I have had many and they are rugged...plus I get them at a discount through my neighbor who used to be a contractor that set up Black and Decker Stores...

Even without that discount, I'd still buy the DeWalt...they are made to be dropped...repeatedly...by contractors and still work. You take the exact same DeWalt and B&D drill and look inside all the metal parts in the DeWalt are plastic in the B&D.

I have not ever bought the Ridgid line of tools but as a deffinite "hater" of the Ryobi tools from way back I don't think I could get over the hate of Ryobi... :oops:

A lil FYI..... Ridgid tool line is made under license by TekTronics International (TTI) which is based in Hongkong. TTI is the parent company of Ryobi and One World Technologies (OWT). I'm not sure of the relationship between OWT and Ryobi other than they are both in the same locale and they are both owned by TTI. Ryobi also makes some (but not all) of the power tools sold under the "Craftsman" name...others are B&D or MAkita made.

CrossBones · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 7:53 pm

Air is superior to electric. Here's why...

1. Power to Weight
One advantage air tools have over electric-powered tools is that they do not require their own motors. Instead, a single air compressor motor converts electrical energy into kinetic energy. Air tools deliver more torgue and higher revolutions per minute than an electric-powered tool, enabling the user to accomplish their tasks more quickly and effectively. Also, the power-to-weight ratio is much higher, as a result, air tools are smaller, lighter, and easier to handle. You can store ten air tools in the same space as three to four electric-power tools.

2. Value
There is an initial air compressor investment, but the inexpensive air tools and accessories quickly offset the added expense. When you buy an air compressor, you're getting one powerful motor instead of a dozen small little motors that burn out. Air tools are considerably less expensive and last a lot longer then electric-powered tools.

3. Versatility
Whether you're inflating tires or building hot rods, air tools are an easy-to interchange alternative to electric-powered tools. Many DIYer's and Pro's use a variety of air tools for different tasks, including impact wrench, spray gun, finish nailer, and ratchet wrench. You will appreciate the simplicity of having one power source for all these tools, and more.

Which Brand of Power Tools

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