Power Tools

[cookiemonster]

What would you guys say is the best value for your money (meaning cheapest cost best quality) when it comes to corded electrical power tools? Thanks

 

[volvo92906]

Grinders and drills.

 

[cookiemonster]

Grinders and drills.

Yes along that lines

 

[shoturtle]

Craftsman if cost and quality is your main thing and not looking for industrial grade.

 

[cookiemonster]

Craftsman if cost and quality is your main thing and not looking for industrial grade.

I'm not a fan of their power tools. Yes it would be for home use. But I use my stuff pretty hard.

 

[shoturtle]

Ridgid or ryobi for the home owner for corded tools I lean toward Ridgid.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I've never really thought basic corded tools from decent brands were very cost prohibitive anyway.

I mean, a drill or grinder from Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee or Makita isn't usually a bank-breaker. I've got a Bosch grinder that my dad got in a 2-pack for about $80. I don't really think they're that much more than a "cheap" brand like Craftsman or Ryobi until you're talking specialty tools... a sliding compound miter saw, planer, worm drive saw, stuff like that.

But, I usually prefer to spend a bit more and buy the right tool once, rather than the wrong tool over and over.

 

[shoturtle]

well if you get the german made bosch they are quite a bit more then 80 dollars. On a corded drill you save about 30 dollars from a ryobi or ridgid vs a german or swiss made bosch or japanese made mikita.

 

[firebox40dash5]

well if you get the german made bosch they are quite a bit more then 80 dollars. On a corded drill you save about 30 dollars from a ryobi or ridgid vs a german or swiss made bosch or japanese made mikita.

Yeah, I know you're not going to get some super-nice German precision tool for $40. I still trust a cheaper Bosch to hold a higher standard than a brand with no reputation to uphold, like Craftsman, Ryobi, etc.

As for saving $30 going with a cheap Chinese drill over a nice one... I'll spend the extra $30, thanks. I shop for value, not just price, the cheapest is rarely the best value.

 

[shoturtle]

That is pretty much you are getting with the different low price drills and grinder, nicer asian made vs the lower end asian made.

 

[crewchief888]

i never settled on one brand of tools, hand, corded power, or cordless.

saws
B&D, skil, CM
hand grinders
HF, dewalt, hitachi, CM pro, wen (replaced a single SO grinder that flew out the door)
drills
B&D (replaced a couple ancient CM drills that gave it their all)
sanders
ridgid, skil, B&D, toolshop (menards house brand)
abrasive chop saw
ridgid (replaced a HF orange chop saw that finally let all it's smoke out)
biscuit joiner
festool

i do a lot of price comparison shopping, depending on where i am, what i'm in the market for, and what purpose,
ie: one time, or occasional use, or something i'll be using a lot.
i try finding the best "value" at the time.

 

[firebox40dash5]

That is pretty much you are getting with the different low price drills and grinder, nicer asian made vs the lower end asian made.

No doubt. But 2 years later, I won't miss the extra few bucks, or probably even remember I spent it. But the pain of owning shoddy tools lasts... well, as long as the tools last, plus as long as it takes to get tired of it sucking, and buy a good one.

I've owned Ryobi tools before. Thankfully they were gifts, and they were wonderful gifts. They let me know I should never buy Ryobi tools, without having to actually waste my own money on them! The gift of knowledge.

 

[woody 73]

Strage but in all my years of using power tools I have never had much luck with craftsman power tools; although I am sure other members might have very good luck with using them, that has not been the case with me.

I sent one of our GJ members a pm about doing a special post on old B&D grinders,maybe one day he can shed some light on finding the better grinders out there.

 

[liliysdad]

I have pretty much settled on Hitachi for just about everything. Its hard for me to find a better quality vs price ratio, especially in the stuff from BigSkyTool. I have had Ryobi and Craftsman, and neither have impressed me in any way.

So far, I have purchased a 14" Abrasive Saw, an 18v Li Ion cordless drill and impact, a 10.8v Li Ion cordless drill and impact, a RO Sander, a jigsaw, and a 1 1/4" circular saw. I have yet to get anything from them that did not at least meet my expectations, and in most cases, impress me.

I have absolutely no doubt that there are better tools, such as certain Milwaukee, Makita, and Bosch. I would classify my use as "Heavy Homeowner," so for my uses, the Hitachi stuff works great.

 

[KnurledNut]

So far, I have purchased a 14" Abrasive Saw, an 18v Li Ion cordless drill and impact, a 10.8v Li Ion cordless drill and impact, a RO Sander, a jigsaw, and a 1 1/4" circular saw. I have yet to get anything from them that did not at least meet my expectations, and in most cases, impress me.

I have got to GET ONE OF THOSE!

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Can't really go wrong sticking with Bosch, Hitachi, Makita, or Milwaukee for most corded power tools. I'd rather pay a little more up front for a tool that's going to last. It's less expensive in the long run than buying the cheaper tool several times over.

 

[cookiemonster]

Do you guys like DeWalt corded power tools?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Do you guys like DeWalt corded power tools?

If you have already decided on a particular item, check out Lowe's, Home Depot, and Amazon review on it. You are getting a much bigger pool as far as ownership goes.

If you use them hard, make sure the warranty is something you like as well, because if it breaks, you want to be able to get it replaced.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

There's really little point for the middle ground like craftsman or ryobi or other store brands...either buy the cheapy $20 disposable tools from harbor freight, princess auto, etc or go straight to the big names dewalt, milwaukee, makita, etc.

 

[cookiemonster]

There's really little point for the middle ground like craftsman or ryobi or other store brands...either buy the cheapy $20 disposable tools from harbor freight, princess auto, etc or go straight to the big names dewalt, milwaukee, makita, etc.

Out of the big names how do you rate them in terms of quality?

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Out of the big names how do you rate them in terms of quality?

Flip a coin? They're all the same. If anything, each company does certain tools better than others, that is, get the Dewalt table saw but get the Milwaukee sawzall and so on and so forth.

 

[cookiemonster]

if I wanted a corded impact wrench, angle grinder, and drill what brand would work best?

 

[liliysdad]

I have got to GET ONE OF THOSE!

Yeah, its handy for cutting coupons and such.

 

[gsmornot]

Brand is a good reference when you want to look for reviews and locate a similar product but don't get hung up on a brand here. I have for example a Skill brand miter that was one of the cheaper on the shelf. I only needed it for a few jobs when I bought it but have used it a ton more than planned. It works as well now as it always has and to tell you the truth I was hoping it would die so I could justify something nicer. Turns out the less expensive tool has been enough even though it's not at the top of everyone's list. Point is, keep in perspective your use and be realistic on your purchase. I personally spend more than I have to on average but continue to run into examples of why I didn't need to.

 

[shoturtle]

Out of the big names how do you rate them in terms of quality?

Bosch, panasonic, hilti, metabo, festool, mikita, and milwaukee are the upper end of the big names. Follow by dewalt and hitachi. They all make excellent power tools.

Your question about the dewalt power tools, they are good tools. And it would be a very nice upgrade over the consumer end tools like ryobi and rockwell and craftsman.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

im a big fan of RIDGID and DEWALT with a few milwaukee in the mix........i picked up most of my dewalt used on CL and they have been great for years...would buy them all over again if they ever die......the RIDGID i bought all new at HD, the lifetime warranty sold them for me being a DIY homeowner guy

 

[CWP1616L]

Bosch grinder on sale at Amazon for $56.69 with free shipping.

Regular list price $121.

LINK

 

[jackfork]

None of the tool makers make the best tool in every category. I have DeWalt, Bosch, and Hilti for the most part, both corded and battery. All three make some great tools depending on the use. But not all of their tools are that good. Take Hilti for example. Their corded circular saw, because of the base plate is awful. It's hard to get a good guided cross cut with it. But their impact tools and drills can't be beat, even if they are made in China.

 

[richard0403]

hi! I recently bought new tools for dad. I bought him a Cooper Lighting LED Might D Worklight and a Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool. I think these are really great tools and he was really happy having them.

 

[cburnscrx]

hi! I recently bought new tools for dad. I bought him a Cooper Lighting LED Might D Worklight and a Genesis GMT15A Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool. I think these are really great tools and he was really happy having them.

I've had Genesis basically since they came out and have been quite impressed. It even feels good in your hand. I don't usually go cheap on power tools (almost all DeWalt) but this was an exception. It great, and if it stopped working I'd go buy another Genesis tomorrow.

 

[cburnscrx]

if I wanted a corded impact wrench, angle grinder, and drill what brand would work best?

First, let me recommend pawn shops if you have any near you. Easy way to get quality tools very cheaply. As for the grinder...the B&D 7750. There are recommendations of it on GJ. I got mine for $19.99 from Menards on sale. Amazon has them for $30.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000077CPU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

As for the corded drill, I'd stick with Dewalt, Ridgid, Milwaukee, or Bosch.

 

[Davefr]

What would you guys say is the best value for your money (meaning cheapest cost best quality) when it comes to corded electrical power tools? Thanks

Buy corded tools used at G-sales/E-sales. They tend to go real cheap because everyone wants cordless. Besides that you can find the jems like made in the USA Milwaukie, B&D Industrial, etc.

 

[rmsg0040]

How often do you plan to use the tool.

For me if I am using something every 6 months I buy used or cheap.

More frequent use I buy good stuff.

 

[crewchief888]

if I wanted a corded impact wrench, angle grinder, and drill what brand would work best?

if i was buying

corded impact,
dewalt or milwaukee, whatever i could find on sale at the time

angle grinder

just 1 grinder? dewalt or hitachi,
the hitachi's can be picked up on sale at lowes for around $40 with 5 wheels, and a blow molded case

drill
ridgid, or B&D
i've been having good luck with ridgid stuff the past couple years.

all depends on price..

 

[Monte]

if I wanted a corded impact wrench, angle grinder, and drill what brand would work best?

Fein

 

[noggs]

if I wanted a corded impact wrench, angle grinder, and drill what brand would work best?

To answer this question directly.

Impact, Dewalt

Grinder, Bosch

Drill, Dewalt

Just my .02 of using them over the years.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have had good luck with refurb Craftsman Professional corded tools. I have a 1/2" drill that is only a bit larger than a 3/8" that I bought about 20 years ago. It is a beast ! Also 4½ angle grinder and just recently a multitool.

All refurb, all on eBay, all more than 50% off list price.

 

[nathan2013]

I think my dad have a complete set of power tools. But my mom stills ask to buy for the best new tools for dad. I know that he will be happy. This site gave me the best information: www.squidoo.com/best-new-tools-dad