Best power tools? - Page 4

SchockT · #31 09-09-2012

I dropped an old Dewalt drill from the top of a 14' ladder onto concrete, and it survived, except the gears were a bit noisier afterward. Dewalt repaired it overnight for about $30.

I wouldn't want to put a Ryobi to that kind of a test! With the thin plastic body they have, it would likely have exploded!

hellosailor · #32 09-10-2012

Yes, but with a Ryobi you could have bought a new one within the hour, instead of waiting three days for the replacement. (VBG)

tommays · #33 09-10-2012

If there UL approved tools then they have been drop tested

asdf38 · #34 09-10-2012

The cheap tools are getting some bashing here. I'll comment that it's a hell of a lot better to have a cheap version of the right tool than a high-end version of the wrong one - or none at all.

Ryobi, Black and Decker and the like (which wouldn't include harbor freight in my mind - that's another whole level below) definitely have their place.

Also, I wouldn't necessarily put cordless tools, with ever changing battery technology and the constant threat of being dropped from ladders or into the ocean in the same category of long term investments like I would plug-in shop tools and hand tools.

sealover · #35 09-10-2012

Shop teacher here, if that adds any credibility. In my experience Porter Cable, Milwaukee, and Bosch hold up to 5 hours a day every day abuse by teenagers. Tried Grizzly stuff one year ($10 drills? Why not!) most didn't make it to Christmas break. At home I have a DeWalt corded when I need a drill quick, or for a Christmas present production run. And a $18 Harbor Fright cordless when I'm working in the boat and don't want to deal with cords, but have 45 minutes to wait for the perpetually dead battery to charge. For drilling 3 holes in a 70's MacGregor it does just fine. It's even slid off the deck onto the garage floor and doesn't show it. I bought it knowing full well I was getting garbage, but I am surprised its lasted this long.

Call your local tool rental place. See what brand they send out to be abused.

SchockT · #36 09-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Yes, but with a Ryobi you could have bought a new one within the hour, instead of waiting three days for the replacement. (VBG)

It is sad that we live in such a disposable society! If there is something wrong with it, just throw it in the garbage and buy a new one! When will it end??

When i was in Africa I found that they fix or repurpose everything! Have you ever seen an umbrella repair shop? I have! (well actually it was more like a cart!)

Seriously, I know it is easy to buy junk and buy often, and I am sure the manufacturers love that, but it just goes against my grain! I buy quality, and take care of it so it will last!

tommays · #37 09-10-2012

I own tools at all price levels like my FIEN 250Q which I consider a BARGIN

I also consider my roybi tools just as good for the jobs they do*

Just what would you do on Saturday when your faithful 10 year old USA MADE milwaukee sawzall takes a dump and the speed control is 75 dollars vs 130 for a new tool ?

I do believe the units 2005 and newer are only a bit USA

Even my favorite porter cable 3 HP router has had to come apart and it would NOT have been worh paying the labor charge If I could not DIY it

travlineasy · #38 09-10-2012

Buy a big-ass inverter, eliminate the batteries, and go with the El-Cheapo stuff. I have an old Black and Decker drill, probably nearly 40 years old by now, it still runs fine, even after 7 years on the boat. I also have a B&D orbital sander, a real old B&D jig saw, all of which have been on the boat for at least 6 years, and they all run just fine. I keep them clean, spray them with some WD-40 a couple times a year, then wrap them in an old T-shirt and place them in an open, plastic box. They've never let me down and I use every tool on a regular basis. I even take them home once in a while to fix things around the house. Why anyone would want a battery powered tool onboard a boat is beyond me. Let's be realistic - you need to charge those batteries and in order to do so you need an inverter. Just get a bigger inverter and forget about those expensive, battery-powered tools. You don't need them.

Good luck with whatever you decide upon,

Gary

jrd22 · #39 09-10-2012

Both of my sons are residential housing contractors and they both have a wide variety of tools that they like (like Mainesail). They both buy an average of two to three power tools each month and they change which brands based on reviews and what they see other contractors using on the job. They both like the Bosch contractor table saw, although only one has one (so do I), for cordless they really like the Makita 18V (that's what I carry on the boat). For corded hand held saws they like the Milwaukee titanium model, although the younger son just bought 5 Bosch so we'll see how they do. Like others have said, for cordless take a look at the whole line before deciding on one company, the batteries and chargers are an investment and you don't want to be changing them all out very often. I LOVE my lithium Makita tools (drill, driver) on the boat, small and light and the LED lights are great in all the convenient spots I need to crawl into:-)) I also love my Dewalt 18v vacuum for clean ups (permanent boat tool).

Cruisingdad · #40 09-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by travlineasy

Buy a big-ass inverter, eliminate the batteries, and go with the El-Cheapo stuff. I have an old Black and Decker drill, probably nearly 40 years old by now, it still runs fine, even after 7 years on the boat. I also have a B&D orbital sander, a real old B&D jig saw, all of which have been on the boat for at least 6 years, and they all run just fine. I keep them clean, spray them with some WD-40 a couple times a year, then wrap them in an old T-shirt and place them in an open, plastic box. They've never let me down and I use every tool on a regular basis. I even take them home once in a while to fix things around the house. Why anyone would want a battery powered tool onboard a boat is beyond me. Let's be realistic - you need to charge those batteries and in order to do so you need an inverter. Just get a bigger inverter and forget about those expensive, battery-powered tools. You don't need them.

Good luck with whatever you decide upon,

Gary

I'm with ya there Gary.

For the record, I have no problem with good tools. I have so many tools, no exhageration, it is incredible. My pops was a custom cabinet maker (owned his own shop) and I have long been a believer of doing my own work and we have a large line of very good tools. Also, there is no one good maker of everything. Each manufacturer has there positives.

THat being said, you can buy a 110 drill or 110 jig saw(IMHO, the two best tools to have aboard not including a shopvac) for almost nothing. Drops in the water, so what? Curse and buy another one for almost nothing. Drop your $300 Dewalt XRT in the water and it will ruin your week... PLUS you gotta go buy another one. THen you have the weight and hassle of all the batteries and charging stations and when do you plug it in and, oh, by the way, you gotta have a inverter to plug them in to charge them to make your battery operated work!

My experience is just get a inverter and buy the 110 stuff. Plus, the torque on the 110 is typically if not always higher. Less space. Less weight. Less hassle. Less cost. More powerful. I would NOT, and did not reccomend this for remodeling or construction where battery operated are worth their weight in gold. But for a boat (exception gong up the mast), I don't see it worth it. Just so you know, I got a long enough cord to reach the top of my mast... but if it came to it, I'd go around begging to borrow a cordless.

Brian