Power tool talk - construction / diy

[mcfd45]

I have the kobalt 24v set. The 1/2 inch impact will break the studs on a stuck lug nut.

 

[EastHumboldt]

All my portable stuff is Dewalt 20 volt. I don’t mix brands because I want one battery to fit everything. I was a building trades pro for 30 years, now I do a lot of handyman side jobs and consider these pro grade tools. Makita is also good stuff. Ryobii and other homeowner grade tools are cheaper for a reason. That being said I have a Ryobi chop saw which is adequate because I just use it here and there. If I needed one to use all day every day it would be Dewalt.

 

[Fadetoblack188]

Interesting reviews

 

[Whiskey_Fish]

Makita has such varied issues because they released so many lines in different quality tiers and it’s not always clear which is which. DeWalt has Porter Cable, Milwaukee/Rigid, etc. the top of the line Makita is right up there. I’m a DeWalt guy mostly because I got a good deal on a kit of batteries which is where the cost comes from. I’ve been slowly building around it for a while. The 20v mini miter saw is awesome.


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[hunterjmj]

Been running makita for 20 plus years now and probably wouldn't change. I was in commercial refrigeration for the past 10 years or so and makita served me well. I have noticed most people are running Milwaukee on most job sites.
I bought a makita cordless weed wackier last year and love that thing. It's quiet, it starts every time and I don't have to buy fuel.
I'm guessing a lot of folks stick with what they start buying because of cost. If I was to start over I'd probably still buy makita.

 

[kpk]

I used Bosch until my batteries died and then started buying Milwaukee as that's what I use at work and have been very happy with them. I see a lot of construction crews across all the trades - I'd say everyone here is using Milwaukee 10:1.

 

[grfox92]

Makita has such varied issues because they released so many lines in different quality tiers and it’s not always clear which is which. DeWalt has Porter Cable, Milwaukee/Rigid, etc. the top of the line Makita is right up there. I’m a DeWalt guy mostly because I got a good deal on a kit of batteries which is where the cost comes from. I’ve been slowly building around it for a while. The 20v mini miter saw is awesome.


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This is what I was referring too also. I was in upper management for Home Depot years ago and Makita put out a couple of really junk kits. They were white and black, not Blue (turquoise? I'm color blind).

I don't even know if they still make those white and black tools, but they were worse then Ryobi in my mind. Some stores were shipping pallets of them back to Makita at a time. That's what put the bad taste in my mouth.



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[Coldtrail]

I'd vote Makita as the all around best quality, but for cordless if you dig deep in my boxes you'll find lots of Ridgid, not great stuff, but okay stuff with a lifetime warranty that includes batteries and chargers. I've gotten prob 20 free batteries and a charger over the years.

 

[CJohnson]

Big dewalt guy here. I have batteries that 8+ years old. Plus if something breaks you can send it back to get “refurbished” for like $80-90 and they send you back a brand new tool. I’ve done it twice on stuff I’ve dropped. That said, a lot of guys I work with use Milwaukee and I would consider their quality to be just as good as the dewalt. For me personally, I would buy the best tool I could afford, even if I was a DIY-er, because I hate usually poor quality tools. Typically they let you down when you need them the most.

 

[Jo83ben]

Haha. Good luck with that question! I’ve been doing the same thing for years and basically it depends on the specific type of tool and model etc. Dewalt for some things, Milwaukee for others, matabo has some really good things, as does Bosch and makita.

I’ve ended up slowly accumulating several battery platforms and now have a decent collection of dewalt Milwaukee and makita. Love them all and I have some of the best tools in the categories....but it would be easier if they were all one platform. For me doesn’t matter much as I only use my tools at home, but if I were going to do it over again I’d go with makita first, and Milwaukee as second choice.

Makita batteries charge really fast, and you can get good deals on them (best deal around is their rear handle 36v circular saw, sells for 249 at Home Depot about once or twice a year and comes with 2 5amp hr batteries and two free 5 amp hr batteries and a dual rapid charger. You can’t buy 4 batteries for 250 bucks, and this comes with an excellent circular saw.

A note on that, I have the dewalt flexvolt rear handle saw and love it....it’s a beast. But I’ve used the makita along with it and I really prefer the makita. Not as powerful but it’s super super smooth and easy to make accurate cuts. Also, the makita dual charger charges both batteries at once, rather than one at a time.

I love Milwaukee stuff too but their high output batteries are insanely priced. They last a long time in use, but with how fast the makita batteries charge, if you have an extra set you’ll never be without charged batteries.

But having all of the big three platforms, if I were doing it over again as a homeowner I would get the makita platform and stick with it. I’d actually also get their battery powered lawnmower and yard tools rather than gas powered. I love my Honda mower and all but for a small residential yard the battery platform would just be easier and quicker.


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[Jo83ben]

I’ve talked to a lot of guys in various trades and it seems like if you’re an electrician or plumber or something to that extent then Milwaukee probably has the most trade focused tool line up (though the specialty tools run at specialty prices.


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[Beendare]

it doesn’t surprise me that answers are all over the map as it really depends on your usage.

it also depends on what line as all of the manufacturers make quality versions and cheaper homeowner versions.

When deciding on a tool line use is key. If it’s very light duty homeowner use then you might be able to get away with one of the cheap Ryobi type lines, but just be aware those all have plastic Gears and will not take much abuse.

Where these tool lines get you is the batteries house once you have a bunch of batteries this gets very costly to switch.

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[def90]

I work construction and use Hilti hammer drills, Bosch would be a close second to hilti for hammer drills and I use DeWalt for everything else. DeWalt mostly because at the time I started buying them tbey had the best selection and I'm invested in tools and batteries now. One thing to be aware of is tbat there are two different lines that are sold by DeWalt. If you go to any big box atore they will for instance have a 20v drill with a plastic chuck and a 20v drill with a metal chuck. The tools with the plastic parts are not suitable for every day work use, they will be fine for your occasional use home owner. Get the ones with the metal chucks, these are the models they will be selling at the DeWalt factory pro stores if they have one in your town.

If I was starting from scratch I would probably go with Milwaukee based on the options and variety of tools they have, but you need to be aware that they also have different lines like DeWalt does. Make sure you are buying the contractor grade models.

Mikita was always good stuff back in the day but I haven't kept up with them.

 

[Drenalin]

For cordless, I'd just stick to one of the main brands and try to get the lithium ion batteries. But rarely is the best tool in a category going to be battery powered (IMO), unless convenience is your biggest priority.

Dewalt has been good to me, corded and cordless, for drills and impact drivers. Bosch makes a fine hammer drill.

For circular saws, I like Makita.

Milwaukee for sawzalls and porta bands.

Had a Bosch jig saw that was fantastic.

Don't think it matters with grinders, if you use them heavily they're pretty much disposable. Sanders too.

Have mostly used Dewalt miter saws, table saws, and planers. My grandfather's been using the same Craftsman table saw my whole life, but my days of buying anything Craftsman branded are long gone.

Haven't used a router enough to know; Dewalt has been fine for the few times I've needed one.

Mostly use Paslode nail guns, but Bostitch does pretty well for light use and small nails.

I couldn't vote for one brand - each one seems to do a few things well. I think it's even less important for your tools to match than it is for your camo to match.

 

[Marbles]

Depends on the tool. I own a lot of Dewalt (The American made, brushless stuff) but if not already invested in Dewalt batteries would probably buy Milwaukee. I also own some Bosch corded tools as they had the better tool in that category (sander, router, jigsaw).

Craftsman power tools were not great years ago when Craftsman was still a good brand. My assumption is that they are junk now.

 

[woods89]

I've done residential construction for 15 years, currently a self employed remodeler.

I have 20v Dewalt, and they are great. They have taken a lot of hard use. I also have a few 60v tools and batteries and they are impressive.

That said, if someone wrote me a big check today and said " replace your cordless tools", my new collection would be Milwaukee. Might just be Grass is Greener Syndrome, though.

 

[come2elmo]

I have a question. I have a couple of older dewalt drills that run the 12v nicad. Is it worth going up the new lithium stuff or just buy new batteries when they go south. Drills work fine. I am mostly diy homeowner level with some deer blind/ backyard tool shed level construction projects here and there.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Milwaukee in my opinion. However, I’d put Bosch ahead of DEWALT. That’s as is now.

Old 20volt brushed motors was a different story. DEWALT was the undisputed king. However, Milwaukee and Bosch’s commercial line offer a stronger tool nowadays.

I had some of all three and have went mikwsukee. They are truly the strongest. I bought the 7 1/4” circular saw, plugged in my 15 amp Milwaukee saw, and tested to see if the you tube reviews were correct. They were. It out cuts 15 amp corded saws All while offering a 100% braking at the release of the trigger.

 

[woods89]

I have a question. I have a couple of older dewalt drills that run the 12v nicad. Is it worth going up the new lithium stuff or just buy new batteries when they go south. Drills work fine. I am mostly diy homeowner level with some deer blind/ backyard tool shed level construction projects here and there.

If you use them much Li-ion is a major step up.

 

[Fadetoblack188]

Milwaukee seems to be the winner for sure in this thread