Power Tool Brands

[Mark80]

What brands do you swear by?  I'm looking to start building a better tool collection and would prefer one go to brand for battery sharing purposes mostly.  So what do you use? 

 

Looking for the best value, not cheapest.  Willing to pay for quality but do not need professional level stuff.  Mostly to be used around the house, maybe some simple remodeling, but nothing too crazy.  Will be moving into a 100 year old house though so you never know what is going to come up.

 

So far, the leader seems to be Milwaukee from my research.

Edited September 3, 2019 by Mark80

[dhg]

I like the Ryobi products. 

[mead107]

Have an assortment. Bosh, ryobi, Milwaukee, Mikita, Dewalt, others. 

Went with sale of the week. 

 

[Kevbeau]

I have a mixed bag....

 

I buy Bosch when I can for cordless. Never had an issue. Had a Milwaukee 12v right angle impact driver quit on me, but sample size of one.

 

Also have had good experience with Makita saws (sawzall & circular) and a compressor. 

 

Have a DeWalt mitre saw that’s paid for itself a hundred times over. 

 

For nail guns I generally get Hitachi. 

 

 

Edited September 3, 2019 by Kevbeau

[DC Tom]

17 minutes ago, dhg said:

I like the Ryobi products. 

 

I have several Ryobi tools; they're definitely not high-end, but generally not all that bad, considering.  Mostly, I use them to spare better tools (e.g. a Ryobi circular saw for cutting PT lumber, rather than use my Festool cabinet saw).  I'd say they're fine for average home use, though.

 

Except the contractor's table saw.  That thing was downright dangerous.  Spent an hour once trying to set up a cut without cutting my hand off, and ended up just throwing out the saw.  

[Gugny]

I don't use tools very often.

 

A lot of my tools are black and decker (electric; not battery-powered).  I have a mitre saw that is the old Lowe's brand (Task Force) and that thing has been trusty (with limited use) for many, many years.

 

I have a battery-operated drill made by deWalt.  Love that thing.

 

[Rocket94]

Milwaukee and Dewalt seem to lead the way. The contractors that I have spoken with swear by one or the other. They even make those heavy duty industrial radios...kind of cool.

[Foxx]

cordless - DeWalt or Milwaukee are the only ones worth your money. i am very tough on my tools and these stand up to the tasks.

[Gray Beard]

I used to buy Craftsman, and still have a Craftsman drill, router, saber saw, and circular saw.  Unfortunately my Craftsman table saw motor died after about 25 years, and a replacement motor costs as much as a whole new saw.  

I have some DeWalt cordless drills, a DeWalt miter saw, and a DeWalt table saw.

I have started to collect Ryobi stuff with their universal battery system.  They are not heavy duty, but I shouldn’t need them to be.

Edited September 4, 2019 by Gray Beard

[US Egg]

For steady use 20 volt Dewalt tools with an extra battery or two and charger. The battery and chargers aren't cheap separately. They do come with many Dewalt tools.

 

Plus for me is I have 20 volt Dewalt blower and grass trimmer. I use them often.

 

The trimmer's OK, but I have an acre with lots of trimming and  20+ trees. Need 2 charged batteries.

 

Milwaukee seems popular with the steady power tool users.

Edited September 3, 2019 by I am the egg man

[GoBills808]

3 hours ago, Mark80 said:

What brands do you swear by?  I'm looking to start building a better tool collection and would prefer one go to brand for battery sharing purposes mostly.  So what do you use? 

 

Looking for the best value, not cheapest.  Willing to pay for quality but do not need professional level stuff.  Mostly to be used around the house, maybe some simple remodeling, but nothing too crazy.  Will be moving into a 100 year old house though so you never know what is going to come up.

 

So far, the leader seems to be Milwaukee from my research.

Extensively researched...good topic. I have my own kind of system, it's not set in stone or anything but generally my tiers are-

 

Cheap crap I wouldn't use unless it was given to me or free:

 

Ryobi

Craftsman

Skil

Black&Decker

Porter Cable

Forney

Baileigh

Everlast

 

Cheap crap that I occasionally use/buy and own:

 

DeWalt

Bosch

Makita

Milwaukee

Hitachi

Lincoln (made in USA stuff is good)

JET (to be fair never used their big heavy stuff)

 

 

Cheap crap I own and use that works pretty well w/surprisingly decent value:

 

Rigid

Hilti

Miller (made in USA stuff good)

Grizzly

Esab

 

Good tool brands

 

HTP

Metabo

Trajan

Hobart

Hypertherm

 

 

 

 

 

[Foxx]

1 hour ago, GoBills808 said:

... Cheap crap I own and use that works pretty well w/surprisingly decent value:

 

Rigid

Hilti

Miller (made in USA stuff good)

Grizzly

Esab

 

...

 

i don't know i would definitely stay away from Rigid (HD is my fav store).

 

years ago i bought their top of the line table saw (cast iron top) and that thing was a dog. i couldn't rip a 2x4 with it. i was in disbelief at how much it sucked. seems they are run by Emerson motors, which after some post frustration research, aren't very good. i sold it on Craigs List and bought a Bosch. that thing will rip a Poplar 2x4 with ease (not really with ease but it will rip Poplar).

[BringBackFergy]

Easy answer:

 

Grizzly for table saws, planers and jointers if you’re looking for large tools

 

 

Makita or Dewalt for battery operated tools

 

 

Doug Marrone for ultimate tool

 

 

[apuszczalowski]

I do work around the house and love building stuff, but I am not big on having to spend alot on tools. Because I am not a contractor where I need my tools daily to make a living and they get abused, I have no issue buying cheaper ones because I don't feel bad if/when they break or burn out. I have a bunch of black and decker tools which work good and don't cost a fortune to replace. 

[GoBills808]

31 minutes ago, Foxx said:

i don't know i would definitely stay away from Rigid (HD is my fav store).

 

years ago i bought their top of the line table saw (cast iron top) and that thing was a dog. i couldn't rip a 2x4 with it. i was in disbelief at how much it sucked. seems they are run by Emerson motors, which after some post frustration research, aren't very good. i sold it on Craigs List and bought a Bosch. that thing will rip a Poplar 2x4 with ease (not really with ease but it will rip Poplar).

 

Of that particular category Rigid is my least favorite as far as usage goes but they're the HD brand and we don't have a Lowe's (don't think there's that much difference between Rigid and Kobalt tbh, both non-OEM store owned brands I believe)...if I had to just buy a tool off the shelf no research or questions asked, I'd get either a Hilti or Makita because Hilti makes Hilti and Makita makes Makita and that's it. People like to brand shop but a lot of this stuff is made in the same factory in China with the same components, just painted a different color and called 'Ryobi' or 'Milwaukee' for example...they're both TTI brands built in the same Dongguan plant side by side. 

[bdutton]

I have a lot of Ryobi cordless tools and have been happy overall with them.  I don't use them a lot but when I do they work.

[Just Jack]

1 hour ago, GoBills808 said:

People like to brand shop but a lot of this stuff is made in the same factory in China with the same components, just painted a different color and called 'Ryobi' or 'Milwaukee' for example...they're both TTI brands built in the same Dongguan plant side by side. 

 

I was going to say something similar, but just click on the link below....

 

https://www.stanleyblackanddecker.com/our-businesses/tools-and-storage

 

Personally, I've stuck with Ryobi just because I don't use my tools as much as a contractor would, and they have a wide variety of tools that all take the same battery. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

6 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

 

Of that particular category Rigid is my least favorite as far as usage goes but they're the HD brand and we don't have a Lowe's (don't think there's that much difference between Rigid and Kobalt tbh, both non-OEM store owned brands I believe)...if I had to just buy a tool off the shelf no research or questions asked, I'd get either a Hilti or Makita because Hilti makes Hilti and Makita makes Makita and that's it. People like to brand shop but a lot of this stuff is made in the same factory in China with the same components, just painted a different color and called 'Ryobi' or 'Milwaukee' for example...they're both TTI brands built in the same Dongguan plant side by side. 

Rigid used to be VERY good.  Professional contractor (like tool and dies, pipe benders, etc...), but went south when it went consumer mass market.

 

Ryobi on other hand used to be lower quality.

 

Amazing how brands turn around, do about faces.

 

Much like car makers.  The big corps have their hands in all over the place.  Foreign and domestic.

Edited September 4, 2019 by ExiledInIllinois

[Nextmanup]

Don't lock into a "brand" mindset.  Different companies produce products of differing qualities for different applications and at different levels of cost/complexity.

 

I have a bunch of Dewalt tools, but that's b/c the ones I purchased were among the best I could find for what I was looking for.

 

I also have a Bosch jigsaw which is gorgeous.  

 

Like everything, as a general rule, you get what you pay for.

 

You should find the tool that is the most expensive you can afford, then go 1 level higher, and buy that.

 

 

Edited September 4, 2019 by Nextmanup

[Nextmanup]

11 hours ago, GoBills808 said:

Extensively researched...good topic. I have my own kind of system, it's not set in stone or anything but generally my tiers are-

 

Cheap crap I wouldn't use unless it was given to me or free:

 

Ryobi

Craftsman

Skil

Black&Decker

Porter Cable

Forney

Baileigh

Everlast

 

Cheap crap that I occasionally use/buy and own:

 

DeWalt

Bosch

Makita

Milwaukee

Hitachi

Lincoln (made in USA stuff is good)

JET (to be fair never used their big heavy stuff)

 

 

Cheap crap I own and use that works pretty well w/surprisingly decent value:

 

Rigid

Hilti

Miller (made in USA stuff good)

Grizzly

Esab

 

Good tool brands

 

HTP

Metabo

Trajan

Hobart

Hypertherm

 

 

 

 

 

You don't seem to be able to distinguish between entry level, consumer grade tools, high end consumer grade tools, and high end professional tools meant for people who use those tools all day every day to earn a living.

 

Do you think the OP is looking to buy professional grade tools? 
 

 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

DeWalt

[US Egg]

3 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

I also have a Bosch jigsaw which is gorgeous.  

Really ? ?

[CLTbills]

Honestly, all of the new Milwaukee stuff is amazing. I'm in the car business, and a lot of guys are going to Milwaukee because the quality is damn close to Snap-On at a fraction of the price.. and you can get it at Lowes/Home Depot.

[dpberr]

My Dewalt tools have held up really well.  I also agree that Ryobi products are pretty good.  The only cordless tool I buy is the drill and impact.  

 

My biggest beef with these companies is their planned obsoletion through changing the battery pack design for every new cordless line.  That's why I'll buy a corded jig, circular, etc.  

 

 

[apuszczalowski]

If it is bought at Home Depot or Lowe's, etc. It's not 'high end'

[eSJayDee]

For battery powered, I have several Milwaukee M18 tools.  Very happy w/ them.  I've used them side by side against Dewalt & think they're superior.  For corded, I have a mix.  I have a few Makita tools that are still going strong after over 30 yrs.

[GG]

I think that the Ryobi One line provides the best combination of build, value & versatility for the average homeowner.

 

Surprised no one mentioned Harbor Freight in this discussion ?   I find them passable in the disposable power tools discussion.  

[Gugny]

8 minutes ago, GG said:

I think that the Ryobi One line provides the best combination of build, value & versatility for the average homeowner.

 

Surprised no one mentioned Harbor Freight in this discussion ?   I find them passable in the disposable power tools discussion.  

 

I've never been to a Harbor Freight, but your description is how I understand what they are ... a place that sells crap tools.

[GG]

18 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

I've never been to a Harbor Freight, but your description is how I understand what they are ... a place that sells crap tools.

 

They have now evolved to offer 3 kinds of power tools - disposable, capable and decent versions.

[GoBills808]

7 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

You don't seem to be able to distinguish between entry level, consumer grade tools, high end consumer grade tools, and high end professional tools meant for people who use those tools all day every day to earn a living.

 

Do you think the OP is looking to buy professional grade tools? 
 

 

 

I think OP and everyone who works with their hands, however often, would appreciate VALUE in tools. That's where price meets quality at some happy personally defined medium. That's what I was expressing to OP in that chart. 

 

Are you upset that I called DeWalt crap? I own DeWalt tools and I've bought them before. They're generally cheap reliable crap and I'm using that term fondly...one of SBD's 'better' brands. Don't take it personally; imo most stuff is crap. My current best 'tools' are a 50 year old Wilton bench vice, a set of SK wrenches, a 2000 Ford 350 w/the 7.3l PowerStroke, a Hobart 230 MIG that's CLEARLY superior (for whatever reason) to a similarly sized Lincoln that crapped out on me...and right next to it an old Lincoln buzzbox. The point being is that there aren't really distinguishing levels as I was trying to humorously point out in my comment- there is VERY little difference in performance per price (value) between what brands you would call 'entry level' or 'consumer grade' or 'high end consumer grade' (DeWalt Makita Bosch Milwaukee Ryobi Rigid etc)...trust me. You can either spend the time and money to personally test, over many many hours, what's best (if that's worth it to you or what you do, if I'm buying something to work with most of the time I'm going to be using it a lot and I'll get top of the line stuff), or you do what most people do which is research what tools you need and try to make an informed buy; the tool companies have wisely set things up to where that's usually going to satisfy 99% of the population looking to purchase a tool of some sort.

[plenzmd1]

Only tool i know how to use without making something worse

 

http://www.bubbashandymanservice.net/

[WhoTom]

20 hours ago, BringBackFergy said:

Doug Marrone for ultimate tool

 

Tried one. It quit before the job was finished.

 

[BringBackFergy]

29 minutes ago, WhoTom said:

 

Tried one. It quit before the job was finished.

 

I bet you had to keep paying for that $#%!er too. 

[Gugny]

59 minutes ago, WhoTom said:

 

Tried one. It quit before the job was finished.

 

 

30 minutes ago, BringBackFergy said:

I bet you had to keep paying for that $#%!er too. 

 

I'm sure you learned your lesson and didn't replace him with an even BIGGER tool .... right????

[WhoTom]

6 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

 

I'm sure you learned your lesson and didn't replace him with an even BIGGER tool .... right????

 

Yeah, and that one just made a mess of the job site. Got dumped before the warranty expired.

 

 

Edited September 4, 2019 by WhoTom

[LabattBlue]

I got a set of battery powered Kobalt tools(Lowes) last winter.  It was a deal where you got a 4 piece set and got a tool free.  They are brushless...whatever the heck that means.  lol  Charged the batteries 6 months ago, and haven't used them once. (I think it's a regular drill, impact drill, circular saw, flashlight and something else).  lol

 

I'm sure for my needs, they will last me longer than the point in time where I won't need tools anymore.

[mead107]

I have a portable Mikita table saw that I got in 1982 

still runs strong 

[apuszczalowski]

15 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

 

I'm sure you learned your lesson and didn't replace him with an even BIGGER tool .... right????

I bet he still didn't learn and brought in another worker who left half way through the first job.......

[apuszczalowski]

22 hours ago, GG said:

 

They have now evolved to offer 3 kinds of power tools - disposable, capable and decent versions.

There are videos out there showing some test/comparisons of their power tools vs some of the more expensive name brands and they actually hold up well in most cases

 

We have a similar place up here called Princess Auto, I have a bunch of things from there that aren't bad as long as you go I to it knowing your not getting contractor grade stuff. Plus its great for things like tool boxes (They carry alot of military type surplus boxes), tool organizers, and tarps, etc.

If it wasn't for places like that I would own an electric jack hammer or drywall lift......

[GoBills808]

15 hours ago, LabattBlue said:

I got a set of battery powered Kobalt tools(Lowes) last winter.  It was a deal where you got a 4 piece set and got a tool free.  They are brushless...whatever the heck that means.  lol  Charged the batteries 6 months ago, and haven't used them once. (I think it's a regular drill, impact drill, circular saw, flashlight and something else).  lol

 

I'm sure for my needs, they will last me longer than the point in time where I won't need tools anymore.

The brushless motors are probably a waste of money if you don’t use them a ton...basically free torque and longer life of the motor but not worth the extra $ imo