Power Tools

[Lyons in the Sea of Red.]

Looking to revamp the collection of power tools, as is the most important, the cordless drill.

 

I am currently looking at getting a drill/impact driver combo, as I have found myself wishing I had an impact more often than not.

 

What manufacturers, models, etc, do y'all prefer? Have any positives/negatives to report? Trying to get as many opinions as I can before making a purchase.

 

 

[StPaulHusker]

My employees have DeWalt impact drivers. They like them. Full disclosure-I am a DeWalt distributor but my people could have whatever drill they are most comfortable with.

 

DeWalt makes good, affordable power tools. I don't think you can go wrong there. Especially if you use it a lot. If it's something you will use just once in a while, look at Bosch or Panasonic.

[BIGREDIOWAN]

I have Bosch products. My use varies, but I used their products to build a fairly large deck last summer and they worked well.

[Apathy]

I work at a power plant and our power tools are Dewalt and Milwaukee

[hskerholic]

I work at a power plant and our power tools are Dewalt and Milwaukee

Those are the two brands I would recommend as well.

[NUance]

I'm not loyal to any particular brand. I have a Bosch miter saw, a Milwakee sawsall, a Bostitch nail gun, Craftsman cordless drill, Craftsman drill press, and Craftsman circular saw. I usually buy the cheapest mini table saw I happen to find when I need one since they wear out or get broken pretty quickly. I have a Ryobi mini table saw right now, and another one that's some other cheap brand.

 

My favorite cordless drill was the old Makita below that they used to make with the long skinny battery in the handle. It didn't have much torque (9 volt battery), but it was real light and easy to handle. The trigger in mine is broken. But I didn't throw it away, thinking I'd fix it someday. They don't make them anymore. But I still have several batteries and a couple of battery chargers.

 

 

If you get a corded drill to use on tougher stuff than a cordless will handle, you might want to consider getting one that switches back and forth in regular mode and hammer drill mode. So you can drill into concrete and masonry.

[BigRedBuster]

I you are a contractor and going to use it a lot, buying a Dewalt or Milwaukee is well worth it. for a home owner that uses it just every once in a while, those are still very good options, but, you could probably find something less expensive that would do the job.

 

Our fabrication shop and maintenance almost always buy Dewalt.

[darkhorse85]

If you can afford it: Hilti or Festool. Top of the line stuff. Very expensive, however.

 

Dewalt and Milwaukee and good brands as others mentioned. Some Porter Cable stuff it good too.

 

I have a mixed bag with the bulk being Dewalt because I have the most batteries for the cordless stuff. I love having an impact driver. I don't know how I ever did anything without one.

 

Also, getting on Craigslist and finding some of the older Craftsman stuff can be a steal sometimes. I got a really nice surface planer that way for really cheap.