Hammer drill and tablesaw recommendations

[Todd.Brock]

Hey all,



We just bought a new house and I need some advice on buying tools. The house is 27 years old and is a time capsule of 1987. Anyway, I am going to be doing all the trim, flooring, tiling, kitchen renovations, etc. I need a recommendation on a good 1/2 “ drill for mixing thinset. I have smoked 3/8 “ drills in the past mixing thinset. I will be doing 500 ish square feet of tile. I would really like a hammer drill that could handle the job. I need to core drill a 4inch hole through brick veneer for a dryer vent. I found a Milwaukee CPO for 80 bucks. http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...waukee-reconditioned-drills-and-hammer-drills.

Also, I need a table saw. It will be used for general trim/carpentry. I would love a 220 cabinet saw, but don’t really need it. I will be using this in the basement. Something more than a tabletop model. My pet peeve is crappy fence that don't hold square. I don’t forsee a lot of full sheets of plywood. I do woodwork as the need arises. I'm not a hobbyist.


Any thoughts?a

 

[alinc100]

Todd,
You don't say if you are in a hurry or not to pick up a tablesaw.
With some patience and shopping you can find a Delta Unisaw(or similar Grizzly,JET, Powermatic) on CL for right around $500 or less. There are a couple in my area (metro Detroit) that are at $500 , single phase motors and my Unisaw which is a 1947 model runs on 110 or 220 volts.
I have a Biesmeyer fence on it and it's cut anything I've asked.

You may find a nice contractor's saw cheaper but they take up more space than a cabinet saw as the motor/pulley/belts are outside the cabinet on the backside of the saw.

 

[zkling]

Go get that Jet out in Franklin for $100

 

[tarbellb]

Buy a cheap corded drill for the mixing, you can grab one for $35. Then invest in some Milwaukee M18 or even M12 stuff for everything else.

Table saws require a huge footprint, not just the saw but in-feed/out-feed. I would highly consider:
A) a good miter saw and 48" + 96" fence (I use a extruded chunk of aluminum channel)

B) more money but the Festool plunge cut saw and track system. Very high quality and super versatile.

C) or just check Craigslist for a decent older cabinet saw. If you end up going that new route and want a "portable" table saw the Dewalt gets good reviews.

Oh, and if you dont have a miter saw I would get one of those way before a TS. A 10" slider will cut 95% of what you want.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Thanks for all the feedback. I have a makita 18 v setup for cordless. A 10 non compound miter saw and stand. I smoke cheap 35 dollar drills. Thought I would go hi dolla. I will check CL for a saw. I really don't need a monster saw

 

[cashishift]

Why not get a drill designed for mixing?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1-2-in-Spade-Handle-Mud-Mixer-R7122/100523157

http://www.lowes.com/pd_77028-70-DW130V_0__?productId=1100717

 

[r22yu]

Why not get a drill designed for mixing?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1-2-in-Spade-Handle-Mud-Mixer-R7122/100523157

http://www.lowes.com/pd_77028-70-DW130V_0__?productId=1100717

Sounds like the Rigid and their lifetime warranty would be a good match for someone who regularly smokes saws...

 

[Todd.Brock]

I looked at the mixer at Home Depot. The reason I smoked two dewalt 3/8 drills is because I was asking too much of it. Hence the reason for a 1/2 ". Maybe I will give it a go. Thanks !

 

[tarbellb]

I would go with a corded 1/2" drill. Mixing requires long, torque heavy loads that battery powered drills just really are well matched for.

Or....... look at this beast for half the price of that Ridgid (lifetime warranty because of how its made

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-THO...092?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item540d5155f4

 

[cgv69]

Todd,
You don't say if you are in a hurry or not to pick up a tablesaw.
With some patience and shopping you can find a Delta Unisaw(or similar Grizzly,JET, Powermatic) on CL for right around $500 or less. There are a couple in my area (metro Detroit) that are at $500 , single phase motors and my Unisaw which is a 1947 model runs on 110 or 220 volts.
I have a Biesmeyer fence on it and it's cut anything I've asked.

You may find a nice contractor's saw cheaper but they take up more space than a cabinet saw as the motor/pulley/belts are outside the cabinet on the backside of the saw.

I would agree that being patient and watching Craiglist is the way to go. I would also agree that a used Delta Unisaw or Contractor saw (or Jet or Powermatic equivalent) is the way to go. I would advice that you make sure the saw comes with the better fence (Beismeyer or Unifence) because adding one later is expensive. I'm also a big fan of solid cast iron extensions as opposed to stamped sheet metal or grid like ext. that Craftsman saws generally came with

As far as cabinet vs contractor saw... Yes, the cabinet saw is more powerful, has a smaller foot print, better dust control and is an all around better tool. That said, unless you have a walkout, a cabinet saw would be a real PITA to move into a basement and then you have to worry about feeding it 220v.

I have been using a Delta contractor saw with a 30" Unifence for over 10 years now and it's been great. The only time power has been an issue is when ripping hardwood over 2" thick. Even then it still worked just fine but you had to feed the wood slowly. The flip side to that is, the added power of a 3HP cabinet saw means it's easier to get yourself hurt if you don't know what you are doing or are not careful.

I think the contractor saw is actually the better all around option for a hobbyist basement shop. The only real downside IMO is dust control is pretty much non-existent on a contractor saw. It can be improved but will never be great.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Drills . Most DIYers just don't get it ! You really need 2 drills.

First, a 3/8" battery operated drill. You can stay with a 12v-14V drill unless you want one that is compatible with future battery operated tool purchases which would like be 18V+. You want portability here, not power.

Your second drill should be a CORDED 1/2", but it MUST have triple gear reduction. This will give you a top speed of 500-800 rpm. The big win is with triple gear reduction, the motor can be a lot smaller, about the size of a good 3/8" drill. Trust me, with triple gear reduction it will have plenty of torque. (Mine has come close to breaking my wrist more than once !)

Milwaukee 1001

Dewalt DW245


As for a saw, watch CL. You can get a used Craftsman cheap. Get one with a cast iron table, cast iron left and right extensions and belt drive. You should be able to score one of these for under $200. Buy a Biesemeyer fence. which will cost you more than the saw !

 

[cagullett1]

I scored a brand new Ridgid R4512 on ebay for $250 and love it. There are room for upgrades (it has steel extensions, and the fence isn't top of the line), but it is a great bang for your buck. Home Depot carries them, and it is a great saw for what you mentioned.