Power tool talk - construction / diy

[Jo83ben]

If you’re still looking Home Depot has the makita 36v rear handle circular saw on sale for 249. Comes with a double rapid charger, two 5ah batteries and the special guy is you get two more 5ah batteries. That’s 4 batteries and one of the best rear handle saws on the market. Add a drill/drive kit and you’ve got a great starter set to build off of.

I have the dewalt flexvolt rear handle saw and while I like it, I definitely prefer the makita. Picked one up for my dad and he loves it!


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[Foggy Mountain]

You did notice amongst all the construction guys, the ones that actually use and abuse them, it’s Dewalt. Milwaukee makes ok stuff as well just not as much torque.
The rest is mostly junk imo and that’s from using the stuff all day long with about 18 coworkers using the same.
I work commercial construction jobs as an electrician but every single trade on every single job seems predominantly Dewalt

 

[mtnobsessed]

You did notice amongst all the construction guys, the ones that actually use and abuse them, it’s Dewalt. Milwaukee makes ok stuff as well just not as much torque.
The rest is mostly junk imo and that’s from using the stuff all day long with about 18 coworkers using the same.
I work commercial construction jobs as an electrician but every single trade on every single job seems predominantly Dewalt

Lol

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[Cameron.25]

You did notice amongst all the construction guys, the ones that actually use and abuse them, it’s Dewalt. Milwaukee makes ok stuff as well just not as much torque.
The rest is mostly junk imo and that’s from using the stuff all day long with about 18 coworkers using the same.
I work commercial construction jobs as an electrician but every single trade on every single job seems predominantly Dewalt

I disagree, i think it depends on your trade and which batteries you've already invested in. The big 3 brands all have lemons as well as very impressive tools. Certain cordless dewalt tools ive used seem large and clunky and don't work nearly as well as my more expensive versions of makita, such as drills, small impacts, skilsaws and sawzalls. The cheap makita stuff is total crap id never use it. The plumbing tools from Milwaukee are awesome. The bigger cordless stuff from dewalt is impressive for sure and i really like their nicer corded chop saws and table saws. Im a custom home builder/remodeler and i like certain tools from all of them but i mostly have makita for cordless. Im almost done with my floating home..

 

[Coldtrail]

I think at this stage of the game a buyer needs to really keep an eye on what you are buying, even the famed DeWalt and Milwaukee are selling some Chinese junk out there. My experience with DeWalt lately is pretty poor, if you buy any factory replacement parts they are nowhere near the quality from 20yrs ago. Most of the DeWalt is interchangeable with Black and Decker, that tells me something.

If you have old DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Makita professional grade tools in good shape I would not be in a hurry to get the latest stuff. My older tools still work great and have had the sh$t kicked out of them.

 

[Cameron.25]

I think at this stage of the game a buyer needs to really keep an eye on what you are buying, even the famed DeWalt and Milwaukee are selling some Chinese junk out there. My experience with DeWalt lately is pretty poor, if you buy any factory replacement parts they are nowhere near the quality from 20yrs ago. Most of the DeWalt is interchangeable with Black and Decker, that tells me something.

If you have old DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Makita professional grade tools in good shape I would not be in a hurry to get the latest stuff. My older tools still work great and have had the sh$t kicked out of them.

Agreed. If people dont mind the buttons being in japanese like i dont, makita still makes tools in japan and can be found on ebay occasionally. The japanese impacts are WAY higher quality, more compact, stronger and always have more modes/features. They even have other colors too lol

 

[Foggy Mountain]

I disagree, i think it depends on your trade and which batteries you've already invested in. The big 3 brands all have lemons as well as very impressive tools. Certain cordless dewalt tools ive used seem large and clunky and don't work nearly as well as my more expensive versions of makita, such as drills, small impacts, skilsaws and sawzalls. The cheap makita stuff is total crap id never use it. The plumbing tools from Milwaukee are awesome. The bigger cordless stuff from dewalt is impressive for sure and i really like their nicer corded chop saws and table saws. Im a custom home builder/remodeler and i like certain tools from all of them but i mostly have makita for cordless. Im almost done with my floating home..

You could disagree but I’ll still not change what I know and see. I work large jobs, malls, car dealerships, schools. I’m mot saying other tools don’t exist but they don’t seem as powerful or to have similar quality. I also must add Dewalt brushless stuff is not even remotely clunky.
As I said I think Milwaukee is good, they’re just weak.
Day in day out Dewalt lasts when used and abused. Proof is in the pudding made up by many men.
You’ve got to add diversity as well. Idk all the other manufacturers stuff but I’ve def not seen the diversity Dewalt has. It is possible though I just don’t know. To each his own, I’m not arguing just telling you what I see among a giant population that uses them.
Guys that’s everything, we can’t know lots unless there’s lots of experience. If someone has it and sees different so be it but 1,2,10 guys in a shop is not the same as hundreds and thousands. Some of the jobs I’m on actually have hundreds of guys.
Im trying to convince no one just stating opinion the way I see it.

 

[Cameron.25]

Just because a lot of people around you in your specific area use dewalt doesn't mean its the best lol but thats fine its not a big deal and they all work. Thats similar to saying real tree is the best clothing because its the most popular tho, it does work fine but its not the best. Side by side my friends brand new dewalt drill is bigger, weaker and doesn't have as good of battery efficiency as that Japanese makita i have for example. My friend is in the union with hoffman and says that everyone there uses dewalt as well, but he also uses makita and prefers it still. We are mainly carpenters tho so totally different trade than you. Most of the plumbers and electricians i know use dewalt and Milwaukee, they make more tools that cater to those trades no doubt about it

 

[3forks]

I didn’t read every post, but did anyone mention Festool?

Asking which tool brand is best but not including German brands like Festool, Mafell, and Fein is like debating who makes the best optics but not including Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss.

You don’t see German tools (except for Fein) at box stores, but they really Influence what Japanese manufacturers replicate. Everything from the tools themselves, to vacuums, and the systainer type of lockable cases that are so popular now (they have been popular in Europe since the 90s), has been replicated and sometimes improved by more mainstream tool brands.

I think in general, most non-professionals wouldn’t consider the significant price difference between German brands and more mainstream brands worth it unless you’re using them extensively.

 

[Foggy Mountain]

Just because a lot of people around you in your specific area use dewalt doesn't mean its the best lol but thats fine its not a big deal and they all work. Thats similar to saying real tree is the best clothing because its the most popular tho, it does work fine but its not the best. Side by side my friends brand new dewalt drill is bigger, weaker and doesn't have as good of battery efficiency as that Japanese makita i have for example. My friend is in the union with hoffman and says that everyone there uses dewalt as well, but he also uses makita and prefers it still. We are mainly carpenters tho so totally different trade than you. Most of the plumbers and electricians i know use dewalt and Milwaukee, they make more tools that cater to those trades no doubt about it

You’re missing the point. It shows they can take abuse not that it’s popular. That’s ridiculous and would show stupidity in a sense. As I said, Milwaukee seems to also they just aren’t strong enough. Everyone at one time or another had makita. They just weren’t real great. Hilte actually has some jobs worked into the contract guys must be using their tools especially if it’s their building. The guns are there. Once done they sit. We’ve used em all.

 

[Foggy Mountain]

Just because a lot of people around you in your specific area use dewalt doesn't mean its the best lol but thats fine its not a big deal and they all work. Thats similar to saying real tree is the best clothing because its the most popular tho, it does work fine but its not the best. Side by side my friends brand new dewalt drill is bigger, weaker and doesn't have as good of battery efficiency as that Japanese makita i have for example. My friend is in the union with hoffman and says that everyone there uses dewalt as well, but he also uses makita and prefers it still. We are mainly carpenters tho so totally different trade than you. Most of the plumbers and electricians i know use dewalt and Milwaukee, they make more tools that cater to those trades no doubt about it

Brother I’m gonna say something else and just consider what I say. Sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know. Not referring to you in general but you’re making an assumption about popular clothing. I’m kinda thinking that’s the way you think, you can’t possibly know how I think right?
Years back I was in remote Alberta. Quads were all over. All of them Honda Foreman. They said being it’s so remote you can’t get parts. The Foreman rose as the most dependable. The foreman don’t break down as other manufactures do. Idk if that’s true but does that sound a popularity contest or a decision based on information?
Now to your clothing, for starters you don’t need camo, not even for turkey. Yea it helps but so does staying still. If for instance Everyone wore carhardt vests/jackets cause they seem to be some of the most rugged, warmest, wind repellent and somewhat rain resistant in a very light mist so many chose them do you call that a popularity contest or a descision based on need? Again no attempt at swaying anyone, I don’t care what ya all use. We just gotta realize we’re only basing opinions coming from our experiences. Your experience here said I must be going for popularity. You think now that’s correct?
It’s not. Maybe in your state they don’t make them as good. I do know some of the guns have differing qualities depending on where you get them. No different than Danner boots. Japanese ones are garbage. American made Kevlar thread, hard vibram sole, I’ve got a pair since early 2000 and use them riding all the time. Keep dragging your boots with cheaper ones and your toes will stick out. Imo it’d be more popular to buy timberlands around here. Good for nothing City boots as far as I’m concerned.
Same with power tools. Certain companies cater to certain niches. You think they’re all competing for the same exact niche? Milwaukee as I said aren’t as torquey. Not their niche. That small battery makes em pretty light though they just don’t last super long and not super powerful. In that case (and I’m only assuming here to show a point) would iron workers or scaffolding guys 40 stories up carry a fuel? Id guess probably not unless they advised differently something I wasn’t aware of. Anyhow boys it’s Sat, my day off no more talk about tools. Hope the op gets what works for him

 

[Coldtrail]

Reminder before a guy digs his heels in too much pushing a brand...DeWalt, Milwaukee etc have not been tool manufacturers or companies for over 20yrs. The name is the only thing those tools have in common with what they made in the 80's & 90's. Modern day junk from all of them is disposable.

That yellow saw is coming from the same place as a $40 black and Decker, Milwaukee from the same place as Ryobi & Ridgid.....we'd be putting our heads in the sand to think that there is not some part interchanging going on there.

 

[Cameron.25]

Brother I’m gonna say something else and just consider what I say. Sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know. Not referring to you in general but you’re making an assumption about popular clothing. I’m kinda thinking that’s the way you think, you can’t possibly know how I think right?
Years back I was in remote Alberta. Quads were all over. All of them Honda Foreman. They said being it’s so remote you can’t get parts. The Foreman rose as the most dependable. The foreman don’t break down as other manufactures do. Idk if that’s true but does that sound a popularity contest or a decision based on information?
Now to your clothing, for starters you don’t need camo, not even for turkey. Yea it helps but so does staying still. If for instance Everyone wore carhardt vests/jackets cause they seem to be some of the most rugged, warmest, wind repellent and somewhat rain resistant in a very light mist so many chose them do you call that a popularity contest or a descision based on need? Again no attempt at swaying anyone, I don’t care what ya all use. We just gotta realize we’re only basing opinions coming from our experiences. Your experience here said I must be going for popularity. You think now that’s correct?
It’s not. Maybe in your state they don’t make them as good. I do know some of the guns have differing qualities depending on where you get them. No different than Danner boots. Japanese ones are garbage. American made Kevlar thread, hard vibram sole, I’ve got a pair since early 2000 and use them riding all the time. Keep dragging your boots with cheaper ones and your toes will stick out. Imo it’d be more popular to buy timberlands around here. Good for nothing City boots as far as I’m concerned.
Same with power tools. Certain companies cater to certain niches. You think they’re all competing for the same exact niche? Milwaukee as I said aren’t as torquey. Not their niche. That small battery makes em pretty light though they just don’t last super long and not super powerful. In that case (and I’m only assuming here to show a point) would iron workers or scaffolding guys 40 stories up carry a fuel? Id guess probably not unless they advised differently something I wasn’t aware of. Anyhow boys it’s Sat, my day off no more talk about tools. Hope the op gets what works for him

In regards to realtree i was referring to the quality of their material not the camo, but its not a big deal anyway. They're just tools and clothes. Have a good one

 

[Beendare]

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[realunlucky]

Just about everyone I see in the trades is so invested in batteries they rarely change tool lines…thus what you start with …you stick with.

I changed my personal tools to Makita after many years of side by side comparisons….giving my Milwaukee tools to my company pile.

I have a few buddies that bought the Makita 36v skilsaw on sale after using mine though they run other tool lines. That thing is a workhorse.
I dont use my corded milwaukee worm drive saw for wood construction anymore, just the 36v Makita.

.

.

I did this everything the other day for work. Use a Milwaukee 1" impact gun so when we needed a drill and impact driver we got something the batteries would interchange with and only use a single charger.
Also all the stores in this small town seemed to all carry DeWalt but I had a very limited selection of Milwaukee tools. Might be why all my personal power tools are DeWalt brand, never really thought about it.

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[Rob960]

Reminder before a guy digs his heels in too much pushing a brand...DeWalt, Milwaukee etc have not been tool manufacturers or companies for over 20yrs. The name is the only thing those tools have in common with what they made in the 80's & 90's. Modern day junk from all of them is disposable.

That yellow saw is coming from the same place as a $40 black and Decker, Milwaukee from the same place as Ryobi & Ridgid.....we'd be putting our heads in the sand to think that there is not some part interchanging going on there.

So true. The difference between Dewalt and Porter cable is basically the tabs on the batteries. You can even buy adapters now.

 

[Kdavis44]

Most of the name brands will do anything you need them to. It’s all personal preference. I run Dewalt, my boss is infatuated with Milwaukee, and a coworker loves his ridged tools. Dewalts batteries last longer than the other 2 from my experience.

 

[Deadfall]

Also keep in mind where you buy them matters.
For instance the home depot sells Greco paint sprayers. However they are nowhere near the quality sprayer you would buy from like Sherwin Williams. Graco makes cheaper sprayers specifically for home depot.

I would imagine other tools are in same boat.

 

[Elkdreamer]

Also keep in mind where you buy them matters.
For instance the home depot sells Greco paint sprayers. However they are nowhere near the quality sprayer you would buy from like Sherwin Williams. Graco makes cheaper sprayers specifically for home depot.

I would imagine other tools are in same boat.

I have heard about this from a contractor, Rumor has it the appliances are the same, They make cheaper models for HD.

 

[grfox92]

I think at this stage of the game a buyer needs to really keep an eye on what you are buying, even the famed DeWalt and Milwaukee are selling some Chinese junk out there. My experience with DeWalt lately is pretty poor, if you buy any factory replacement parts they are nowhere near the quality from 20yrs ago. Most of the DeWalt is interchangeable with Black and Decker, that tells me something.

If you have old DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Makita professional grade tools in good shape I would not be in a hurry to get the latest stuff. My older tools still work great and have had the sh$t kicked out of them.

This is no longer true. Dewalt used to do this in Home Depot but as far as I know they longer make specific tools for cheaper to sell at big box stores.

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