First Power tool recommendation for woman

[kctyphoon]

The m12 system is very impressive. Any of the "fuel" (brushless) tools are unmatched in that category as far as size vs power. The great thing is they offer no added weight for the gain in power.
The m12 fuel circular is a must IMO for the work you described. Some other tools may not require the added cost of the brushless internals. IN MY OPINION - most people dont need the fuel m12 drill and impact driver. The brushed models are both plenty strong for their size, but the fuel models ARE stronger and better. An M12 fuel drill will embarass that 9.6 volt nicad drill and leave you wondering how that was possible.. there isnt THAT much of a difference in cost when things go on sale. Unfortunately you just missed all the holiday sales. In many ways the m12 fuel stuff can replace 18v tools too. So if you want the best, and want the most out of what you buy - then by all means get the fuel drill and impact driver too..

Another area Milwaukee excels is battery selections. They are the only platform offering so many different sized batteries for their 12v system. When you read about a battery being a 1.5 , 2.0, 3.0 ect.. think of that as a fuel tank. The larger the amp hour rating, the longer they last before needing a recharge. Most people will opt for both sizes, the compact (physically smaller versions) or the larger flat bottom versions. A 4.0 will last twice as long as. 2.0, but to put things into perspective, old nicad tool like what you have now (m12 is all lithium powered) hardly ever had anything more than a 1.5 or 2.0 battery. So the smaller, lighter lithium cells allows for much bigger packs now without adding alot of unnecessary weight.

Those old nicad powered tools and brushed motors are a 20+ year old technology. It's time to upgrade. It'll be like getting your first smart phone all over again..

 

[kctyphoon]

Using a speed square as a guide. This will cut just as accurate as a miter saw for 2x material.

 

[Roberts210]

If I were advising any of my female friends I would say DO NOT get a hand-held circular saw. They are just too dangerous. A moment of distraction, or a kickback event, and even experienced carpenters have been know to slice open their leg.

I would suggest a used chop saw. It is much safer than a hand-held circular saw and since you said you won't be doing any ripping, it should work just fine. Check your local CL but also ask any carpenters you might meet. Go to your local lumber company and ask if any of the guys working there know anyone who might have a used chop saw for sale.

 

[sberry]

Hence the battery saw,,, sooooo much safer than one with a huge motor and cord.

 

[Easyjet98]

Ok, thanks to everyone for all the wonderful suggestions and help. So I took the advice and went to Home Depot to "test drive" the suggestions. I went in thinking I would love the Milwaukee and Ryobi might be my second choice for budget. Here's what I found:
Almost all of the Milwaukee tools had handles that were just too big and fat to be comfortable for my hands. As far as the grip, here's what I decided in order of preference: The Makita had the grips that fit the best and were most comfortable, then the smaller 12V DeWalt tools (although there didn't seem to be many 12V to choose from), then the Ridgid.

So based on those, which would be your first choice for starting a cordless tool system? I Haven't seen the NIcd batteries for my existing Dewalt, so that isn't a factor. Thanks!

 

[Mandres]

I suggest a corded 7.5" circular saw (even a cheap skil model) and a hand plane for trimming. Then, a work bench with a vise to hold the work. That's really all you need.
People will say that hand planes are old fashioned but I still think that cutting close to the line and trimming exactly to fit is the best way to work wood without investing thousand$ into precision machinery.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Using a speed square as a guide. This will cut just as accurate as a miter saw for 2x material.

I think you have the wrong link https://youtu.be/gNhWpuWvtEA

 

[theoldwizard1]

Another area Milwaukee excels is battery selections. They are the only platform offering so many different sized batteries for their 12v system. When you read about a battery being a 1.5 , 2.0, 3.0 ect.. think of that as a fuel tank. The larger the amp hour rating, the longer they last before needing a recharge.

CONCUR ! I was delightfully surprised when Milwaukee came out with a 3.0Ah M12 battery in the same size as their original 1.5Ah and follow on 2.0Ah batteries. 3.0 is pretty close to "state of the art" these days (3.4Ah).

 

[theoldwizard1]

Hence the battery saw,,, sooooo much safer than one with a huge motor and cord.

Yep ! If you stall one, you know you are doing something wrong or the battery is dying.

 

[kctyphoon]

Ok, thanks to everyone for all the wonderful suggestions and help. So I took the advice and went to Home Depot to "test drive" the suggestions. I went in thinking I would love the Milwaukee and Ryobi might be my second choice for budget. Here's what I found:
Almost all of the Milwaukee tools had handles that were just too big and fat to be comfortable for my hands. As far as the grip, here's what I decided in order of preference: The Makita had the grips that fit the best and were most comfortable, then the smaller 12V DeWalt tools (although there didn't seem to be many 12V to choose from), then the Ridgid.

So based on those, which would be your first choice for starting a cordless tool system? I Haven't seen the NIcd batteries for my existing Dewalt, so that isn't a factor. Thanks!

Are you referring to the Makita 12v line or the 18v?

If your hands fit well enough on the 18v Makita then you can try the Dewalt 20v (also 18v) and the Milwaukee m18 line.. Makita also recently released a sub compact 18v drill and impact driver. They would be the only all black Makita tools you'll see. maybe going with a full sized 18v platform and sticking with compact batteries will work well for you. Alot more choices if u can step up to the 18v sizes comfortably. The drills and impact drivers should be easy enough to manage. It's when you get to the saws when size may become an issue.

 

[Easyjet98]

Yes I believe they were the sub compact ones I tried. It had a smaller battery. The tools with the larger batteries get quite a bit heavier. So I'm not clear...do the compact batteries work in all the 18V tools? I assume they just don't last as long?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Here's what I found:
Almost all of the Milwaukee tools had handles that were just too big and fat to be comfortable for my hands. As far as the grip, here's what I decided in order of preference: The Makita had the grips that fit the best and were most comfortable, then the smaller 12V DeWalt tools (although there didn't seem to be many 12V to choose from), then the Ridgid.

I hope you were trying the M12 tools and not the M18 !

You will find that the Ryobi tools and batteries weight more than Milwaukee. Ryobi is definitely "homeowner" grade where the M12 is close to the true industrial grade.

Sometime Home Depot has "demo rays" where the vendors come in and let you test drive the tools.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

table saw

 

[Easyjet98]

Well I did try the Milwaukee compact M18 drill and it was comfortable. I just didn't see many of their other tools that had that small of a grip. They also have a combo kit with a circular saw for 299
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...2-in-Circular-Saw-2799-22CX-2630-20/300508068

 

[theoldwizard1]

They also have a combo kit with a circular saw for 299
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...2-in-Circular-Saw-2799-22CX-2630-20/300508068

I said it before, you don't NEED M18 tools, but that is a very good price for that set !

I personally went with the M12 series (HD has very few in stock) because I wanted lighter weight.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Depending on what you will be building, but you will eventually want a couple of small finish nailers. A pin/brad (18-24 gauge) nailer and a finish (16 nailer) nailer. Much easier for attaching trim than by hand.

Buy brand name (Bostich, Senco, etc).

 

[SnapOnToolsGreen]

I would suggest a 1/4 hex impact for a little heft with nuts and bolts and a jig saw from Makita easier to use than a circular saw and you can make curved or straight cuts and quieter as well. Even a sawzall would work and cut tree limbs as well or metal. I like Makita for being compact and light and so does my wife I bought my drill and impact used for $40 with case,2 batteries, charger, and light she has taken it over since I moved to Hilti and love the brand but heavy and top top in price range and a pro only brand but Makita is pro as well but affordable and good warranty. I would also suggest you look at the cordless 12v line in Makita even smaller or 18v like mine which is still which mine is normal sized but small but they have the black compact models at home depot and they also make many other tools that use the same batteries with neither plat form. My wife also likes my snap on 7.2v cordless screwdrivers/screwguns for the very small size but yet power for putting together things or for the car they are about the size of a small hand gun and can be bought cheap on eBay or could get a different brand. Bought all 3 of mine and 6 batteries, 2 chargers for $100 craigslist also a fine place to buy power tools.

 

[kctyphoon]

If you can comfortably yield the m18 drill, then you should be good with an impact driver as well. Maybe just stick with the smaller 2.0 batteries.. Milwaukee also has a great m18 fuel 6.5" circular saw. Bigger than the m12, but smaller than the full sized 7.25" m18 fuel. The 6.5" m18 saw also has a left handed blade, like the m12 does.

Milwaukee is the most popular cordless tool brand on here, for good reason..
If you're in the market for a drill, then just decide if you need it to haver a hammer drill option for concrete or not.. once you step up to the m18 you won't NEED the fuel options for drill and impact driver. The brushed versions are plenty strong. But it your money so buy what you like.. Milwaukee will still be the best option for a circular saw in the 18v platform, on account of that 6.5" fuel version they have.. they do offer a similar model in a brushed version as well..

M18 circular saws = bigger saw, smaller grips compared to the m12, go figure.

Good comparison of cordless saws

 

[theoldwizard1]

M18 circular saws = bigger saw, smaller grips compared to the m12, go figure.

Like the Ryobi 18V tools, the M18 batteries are actually mounted 90° from the connection point, which is typically through the handle of the tool. 18V tools have 5 or 10 Li-Ion (18650) cells while 12V tools have either 3 or 6 (18650) cells. With only 3 cells they cram them inside the handle.

The big trade off is power and weight.

 

[pablo94sc]

M12 for hand held power tools - I have a few for tight spots as my Ryobi are huge/heavy by comparison- and a good compound miter saw. I have a sliding 12" simply because I like being able to cut wider boards, something you'll find handy building benches. Mine is setup nicely in an old workmate folding bench.

 

[Easyjet98]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I ended up going with the Milwaukee M12 drill and driver, and bought a jigsaw and the Fuel circular saw since they were both marked $20 off (Home Depot). Although the handles are a little big, I think they'll work. The drill is almost a pound lighter than my old Dewalt and much more powerful. Used the driver to assemble my Gladiator workbench and it made quick work of it. Interesting note, the drill and driver were $20 cheaper online than in the store. They gave me the online price in the store. So it pays to shop both before buying. Thanks again to all, I appreciate the feedback and all the video links!

 

[-Hey_Now-]

Nice choice of tools.
For clean cuts with your circular saw try a Freud or Diablo blade.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Good choice. I am certain they will give you good service for a long time.

Pictures ! Especially of your next project !!

 

[Easyjet98]

First project...assemble the gladiator workbench and install the 4 panels of Gearwall...I had to cut out outlet and extend). I love the impact driver...didn't strip a single screw....so glad I spend the extra money to get that!

 

[kctyphoon]

I'm happy I helped to create another Milwaukee convert.. lol

Let me be the first to officially welcome you to the Milwaukee Addiction thread. I hope to see you introduce yourself in there.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244666&page=354

You can direct any questions and pick up on all the sales and new tools posted in there.. since you went m12, I'd have to first recommend the m12 stick light to you, or the m12 lantern. They are both GREAT work lights, and both recently marked down to good reasonable prices in Home Depot. You're also able to benefit from a bare tool purchase on a heated hoodie that no doubt will go on clearance in some places soon.. congrats on your purchase, I think you made the right choice going m12..

New thread with Milwaukee sales posted here.. don't feel overwhelmed.. lol

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=350434

EDIT - This is a great driver kit to go along with that impact driver.. I have 3 of these.. only $20

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-Driver-Bit-Set-40-Piece-48-32-4008/206145272

 

[Easyjet98]

Yes, you are an enabler kctyphoon!

This is actually the one I bought: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-and-Driver-Set-45-Piece-48-32-4009/206145273.

I may get a light, my lighting is very poor out there. I'm actually thinking for my next purchase maybe the hackzall. I have a cottonwood that sheds limbs a lot and in the huge ice storm last year I had a stack of limbs probably 2-3 feet high by 50-60 feet long. I used my mom's little electrical chainsaw but her grandson borrowed it after me and broke it. Would a hackzall be good enough at that?

 

[FigureItOut]

You don't mention what size limbs but the M12 hackzall will handle 4" limbs or so, sometimes with difficulty. Get a blade made for limbs. The teeth will be designed to work on thicker limbs where the stroke length of the saw doesn't allow for complete chip ejection.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I used my mom's little electrical chainsaw but her grandson borrowed it after me and broke it. Would a hackzall be good enough at that?

Yes, but you have to be smart about trimming large branches.

First, it is obvious the branch is going to fall toward the most weight. Make a "V" notch across the face of that side, but no more than 1/4-1/3 of the way through. Cut through from the opposite side, from above the notch, at a downward angle.

The key is THINK ! You don't want the weight of what you are cutting to pinch the blade. Work with gravity, not against it. For finish cuts, you want both sides supported. You can always put a couple of sacrificial 2x4 between 2 sawhorse. Always let the tool "do the work" (don't force it).

You will "collect" a lot of bit for your impact driver. I have #1, #2 and #3 Phillips in a couple of different lengths. I also have Robertson (square drive, used with Kreg pocket screws) in a couple of different lengths. I even have a couple of Torx bits.

When you decide to buy a full drill bit set, consider the Drill Hog USA 21 pc 3/8" set. Lifetime warranty ! If you need larger size, buy 3/8" shank Silver and Demmings bits, Forstner bits or bi-metal hole saws. Shop eBay for the best prices.

You can never have enough clamps ! Harbor freight clamps are adequate. Their squeeze/ratchet clamps are decent and so are their C clamps. Always buy clamps in pair or sets of 4. You may need bar/pipe clamps for larger projects.

And don't forget, you will need a bench vice !

 

[Ign]

Very cool! Now you need a Hobart Handler 140