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Slowtwitch Forums: Lavender Room:
Need New Power Tools advice

Ti T'war

Dec 1, 08 7:47

Post #1 of 8 (165 views)

Need New Power Tools advice	Can't Post

Fro Xmas this year I intend to buy myself a new set of power tools. Something like an 18v combo set since I have no real powertools to speak of now that my corless drill has finally died.

I thinking of taking advantage of the 30% cashback program through ebay and live.com so I am a little limited in options, but was still wondering if anybody coudl reccommend what brand is good for cordless tools. my last drill was a DeWalt and it served me pretty well for a number of years, but now the batteres are both dead and it is time to step up. Any reason not to go with a Dewalt set?
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jtang

Dec 1, 08 7:58

Post #2 of 8 (162 views)

Re: Need New Power Tools advice [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

This is just my opionion, but unless your a contractor or very very busy do-it-yourselfer. Any Craftsman combo-set will-do more than fine. I've pretty much remodeling my entire house using one their combo sets, from drill to sawzall. Everything still works great, that was three years ago.

Hate to tell you but HomeDepot just ran a three day only, 59 bucks for a four peice 19v combo kit, Ryobi but hut 59 bucks!

P.S. One peice of advice get a impact drill, one word AWESOME!

EDIT: IT was this one for 59
http://www.homedepot.com/...-_-4Pack_A-_-ShopNow

(This post was edited by jtang on Dec 1, 08 8:03)

baxnelly

Dec 1, 08 8:02

Post #3 of 8 (158 views)

Re: Need New Power Tools advice [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Home depot has a special right now where you buy a Ryobi Kit (18v) and you get another 18v tool free. For stuff around the house that will be fine.

If you are a contractor (like me) or plan on using it a lot you might want to upgrade to a lithium ion battery kit. They are more $$ but the batteries hold charge better and work longer before dying.

Almost every tool we use in the field is lithium ion. However I have a DeWalt 14v drill/driver at home that for occasional around the house stuff has been fine for many years. But really the Ryobi, DeWalt, Makita and so on are all fine tools.
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damn lucky

Dec 1, 08 8:19

Post #4 of 8 (149 views)

Re: Need New Power Tools advice [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have Rigid and like that I have a life time warranty on the tool and the battery. You may want to look into warranties when you choose the tools. I also have an old drill with dean batteries, hence the Rigid purchase.

Desoto Triple T - done
Roth - done
Silverman - and DONE!

stewartj76

Dec 1, 08 9:20

Post #5 of 8 (129 views)

Re: Need New Power Tools advice [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

If the batteries are just dead, go to Batteries Plus and they'll put new batteries into the old pack. Works great. I had to rebuild my cordless drill after it wouldn't run for more than a few minutes on a charge.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us"

xraycharlie

Dec 1, 08 10:16

Post #6 of 8 (108 views)

Re: Need New Power Tools advice [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I like the Dewalt stuff, and have gotten lots of mileage out of a 12V drill/circular saw combo. (Saw takes a 5 3/8" blade, so is mostly for panels, but works for 2-by if you've got a good blade. Anyway, I think the 12V model was discontinued a while back.)

I use that drill much less these days, ever since I got an 18V Milwaukee Sawzall/hammer drill combo a few years ago. Once you've got a cordless Sawzall, you wonder how you ever lived without it. I use mine for house remodeling, primarily. Drill is great, too. Never had occasion to use it as a hammer drill, but it works well even for driving 3" drywall screws into lumber.

The Milwaukee stuff is well-designed and durable. Only complaint I have is that the batteries are a little tough to remove, sometimes. Seems to be designed for guys with huge hands and lots of forearm strength. (And just in case you're wondering, I DON'T have to get my wife to open jars for me.)
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David in FL

Dec 1, 08 10:30

Post #7 of 8 (99 views)

Re: Need New Power Tools advice [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I like Milwaukee, but Makita, Bosch, and Dewalt all make good stuff too.

Unless you're doing contractor level stuff, I'd recommend that you try the 14.4v rather than 18v......much lighter and easier to use and you'll likely never notice any power difference. I built a swingset for my daughter and drove 3 1/2 inch deck screws all day long into pressure treated lumber. Be sure to get 2 batteries and a quick charger and you'll never stop.

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt

chainpin

Dec 1, 08 11:03

Post #8 of 8 (89 views)

Re: Need New Power Tools advice [Ti T'war] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Get the Makita Lithium Ion stuff, it's awesome. Check out this thread for a pic of what I'm talking about:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...&t=search_engine

"I really wish you would post more often. You always have some good stuff to say. I copied it below just in case someone missed it." BarryP to Chainpin on 10/21/06