Tool recommendations

[daveleau]

Hi everybody!

My wife's asking for a b-day wish list and I want a few tools. Here are a few of the things I am looking at:

drill
jigsaw
circular saw
sander

I see a bunch of bundles by different companies (Stanley, B&D etc) and don't know what to look at when trying to decide what I want. I can't go over $100 and I won't use the 2 saws much. I will only use them for very light work maybe once a year or so. anything major, I can go to the wood-working shop on base. But, they'd be nice to have.
Is there a distinct disadvantage power-wise to going cordless?

Thanks
Dave

[Ed_S]

Dave, both corded & cordless tools have their place. In saws, corded is generally better for most uses. They eat power!
But for the use you describe, cordless would probably be OK.
In a drill/driver I'd go cordless for sure, it's a big advantage in convenience. I've got three corded drills and a drill press, but it's the cordless ones that get the most mileage.
Combo kits that include a circular saw and a drill are common, and usually include two batteries. But get an extra - one for each tool and one in the charger. Running out of juice mid-job is a real PITA!

YOU go do the shopping, let her do the buying later if desired. Point is that you should handle the tool yourself first. Weight, location of switch for easy use, etc., should be checked out by the person that'll actually use the thing. For instance, I've got a circular saw, bought in a hurry, that I absolutely HATE using - the safety switch is in a bad spot for me, and it's too heavy after a few minutes.
If it feels natural, like an extension of the hand, it's the right tool for you!

<added>Just notice you also listed a sander - I've never used a cordless one of any style, but I'd think this would be a tool to stick with cords. To work effectively, a sander needs to run at consistant speed & all cordless tools I've used tend to "wind down" as the battery discharges.

[jmebonner]

I have a set of 18v craftsman tools, came w/ the flashlight, driver, and some rinky dink screwdriver. I wish I'd spent the extra $$ and gotten the set w/ the saw.
I have used them to install siding, windows, sheetrock an entire house and more. They've been well worth the price. I have a friend who bought a set of B&Ds and he's always borrowing mine still

Happy Birthday, BTW!!!

[Prexaspes]

I got a cheapie 18 volt Ryobi set. 18 volt cordless rules! The drill will rip through floor joists with a sharp bit, no problem. The circular saw has no trouble cutting up 2x4s. And an 18 volt cordless sawzall is an incredible tool all by itself.

But yeah, I still need my corded DeWalt circ saw. I could definitely do without a corded drill or corded sawzall. And do you have an Estwing yet?

[OuTpaTienT]

Certainly can't recommend B&D. And if you gotta stay under $100 then DeWalt, Porter Cable, or Milwaukee might be outta your range. But there's other good middle-of-the-road stuff. Craftsman is ok.

Cordless saws are about worthless, except for really small, lightweight jobs. Nothing wrong with cordless drills though. 18v is the way to go.

[RedFury]

I'd get the best cordless ( 18v ) drill you can afford. I got a 6v ryobi for xmas a few years ago, and I sure wish it had a removeable battery, and had more oomph! It works nice for small jobs around the house, but runs down quickly under constant use ie. sheetrocking.

[Warthog]

Here's my take.

My dad got cheap tools when he was younger...sure, worked fine for the occasional job...then in recent years as he started remodeling the house, each and every one of those tools have started to fail or completely failed.

Every year for several years for Christmas or B-day my mom and I would split the cost of a Milwaukee 9.5 amp Sawzall ($135), Milwaukee drill ($130) and most recently, a Milwaukee circular saw ($130-140). Unless house remodeling will always be far out of your league, I would suggest spending the extra $$$ now instead of in the future.

If not, Home Depot always has Ryobi package deals...dunno how great that is...probably on the same level as Black and Decker.

Warthog

[Knothead]

Hi, Dave! Well, to me, this one's easy. A couple of folks here have mentioned an 18 volt cordless drill...

The BEST! These are the most insanely useful power tools ever invented! I inherited a 9-volt Makita cordless drill from my father, it's still the most-used tool I have... I now have another one (plus the original).

Use one with a Phillips head driver. Just keep it that way. Use the other one as a drill. Man, you're ready for anything!

Brands: As the guys have already said, get the best quality possible, avoid Black & Decker (they're just bad.) as well as those cheapie "too good to be believed" horrors (they are overpriced at $49!).

I've had great luck with Makitas, and I hear DeWalt is a fine tool. I know Milwaukee is excellent, especially for saws. Enjoy, buddy!

And...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[draboo]

circular saw: milwaukee w?tiltlock handle

cordless drill: panasonic(its weird,but those drills are like the caddilac of c-drills.

jigsaw:are you talking about handheld? if so,you will find all kinds of inexpensive ones at your local Lowes or Home Depot. avoid them. i purchased one and it didnt even last thru one cut.

personally,i would plan on 130 for a circular saw,around 200 for a good cordless(the panasonic) and around 110 for a jigsaw. sanders i dont know much about. i like to mutilate wood,not make it look good


i realize these prices are probably in the top 30% bracket . i have found (expecially after the jig saw fiasco) that its worth your while to spend the money only once,instead of haveing to pay for a lesson or two.but i use these tools for my livelyhood,and a trip to town to replace a broken tool costs me money and precious serenity too.

checkout amazon.com/toolcrib for a smorgasboard of tools.

one more thing. the larger the voltage and power on a cordless tool,the more bulky and heavy it is. i d stick with around a 14-15.5 volt. they usually come with two batteries that recharge quickly.

your gonna be a regular TIM THE TOOLMAN

have fun dave.

[lynchmob]

I've used the Makita 5007 7 1/4" circular saw for years-very nice and durable.Can be gotten for less than $100.Stay away from Dewalt-theyre filled with Black and Decker guts.Yuk
Cordless drills? 18 volt Milwaukee.
lynch