I also posted this on Kots ut am interested in what you have to say.
I am interested in getting some better tools then what I currently have. Particularly, I am looking at some cordless tools (including a drill). I see that the new Ridgid deal is that they offer a lifetime warranty with the tools. Its pretty hard to pass up.
Anyone had any luck or problems with a particular brand of tools? How about Ridgid tools?
Thanks in advance,
Chuck
Edited 5/15/2006 10:48 pm ET by Charles Wilson
Replies
Do a little digging and you'll hear of batteries that don't last, triggers that go bad and service parts taking months to come in.
Stick with Bosch, Milwaukee, Makita or Dewalt and you'll be better off IMO.
JT
I own Bosch, DeWalt, Ridgid, Makita, etc.
Owned DeWalt stuff for years. The trigger on my 14v drill is getting iffy after ten years. Not too bad. I would buy any of them. Depends on the tool and $.
If you've got the hots for Rig., go for it. Their new framing nailer has a better feature set than the Max, for less $$. We have used their 10" table saw, hard, for years. We have not had any issues with them. Some of those intro offers are really good.
The shame is that I have all that stuff and can't justify buying what I have - and still works. (Let me work on this a bit. Saving up for the JLC Expo on Thur.)
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
My cordless is a 5 y.o. DeWalt that works like a champ; most all my other tools are Bosch.
But I feel that DeWalt is losing it's edge--the newer tools don't impress me as much. I have their laminate trimmer and it could be much, much better. Saw some really bad reviews for their rotary hammer, too. I got the Bosch SCMS instead of the DeWalt and I'm really glad I did.
As a woodworker, 20 years ago Ryobi was good stuff. Now their tools are junk (I got their 5" ROS, it's falling apart after a month). I no longer buy it. Avoid it.
To replace said ROS, I picked up the Rigid (with great fear it was a boneheaded move). I'm very pleasantly surprised--well thought out design with some nice features (I like the light in the plug--it helps when the site you are working on doesn't have all the outlets wired on yet). I am inclined to give Rigid more of my future business. If they have a lifetime guarantee that applies when using the tool commercially, I'll be sure to buy more.
The last point is key: I replaced my ShopVac (dies in less than a year) with a new ShopVac, mostly because of the "2 year warranty" printed on the box. Reading the stuff inside, the warranty is 30 days if you use the vac in a commercial setting. Last ShopVac I'll buy (yep, the next try will be a Rigid vac).
This may be a really stupid question - If something has a short commercial warranty but a long homeowner warranty how does the manufacturer know how it was used? If I as a homeowner gut and rebuild my house is that still homeowner use? I could use the vacuum every day and beat the heck out of it, but since I did not charge myself for its use I am not using it in a commercial setting.
I feel that a 30day warranty on any item is bogus and would have no problem "fudging" how it was used. Since we are all "homeowners" is it just up to our honesty to eat the cost of a unit that failed prematurely in a "commercial" setting?
I guess it's a question of ethics. I prefer not to commit fraud; I'll just not buy again from a company that makes a lousy product.Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
>>"If something has a short commercial warranty but a long homeowner warranty how does the manufacturer know how it was used?
Good question. Answer is they don't for the most part.
After a quick and dirty survey of warranties, if the warranty makes a distinction between homeowner and commercial use, it's not a pro tool (check Ridgid, Dewalt, Bosch -- all are warranty, no distinction about type of use).
So if you want a commercial grade tool, don't buy it if the manufacturer is afraid to warranty for commercial use same as any other use.
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
I've been a Milwaukee & DeWalt user for years. In fact I have a Milwaukee 9.6v cordless drill & 7 1/4" circular saw that are 26 years old and work just like the day I bought them (just a few batteries later on the drill). No I am not a contractor, so it's not 8 hours/day, just the homeowner who has built a bunch of stuff - wooden swing sets, deck & gazebo, room additions, garden framing, etc. over the years. My latest tools are DeWalt & more Milwaukee.
I have to admit that having the Dewalt radio really comes in handy. I switched a few things over and it sure is handy to have a fresh battery at all times and listen to the tunes as well. I absolutely could not function without my Dewalt impact driver!
Have a great day
Cliffy
If its in your budget, the Milwaukee 18v combo pack for around $475-500 would be my suggestion. 1/2" hammer drill, folding recrip.saw, circ. saw, charger and 2 batteries. Cloth carrying case built extremely well also. Had very long life w early 9.6v model Porter Cable drill also.
One of our site plumbers swears by-and at- his HD Ryobi combo kit. He feels if he gets 1-2 yrs. from it for only a couple hundred $ he's ok w/that deal.
You don't say whether you will be using the tools occasionally or all day. If you use them all day, consider the weight of the tool (Ridgid tools seem to be heavier than Milwaukee in most cases) and battery longevity.
Also, look at the whole family of tools and check their handle comfort and convenience features, like safety buttons on both sides of the circ saw handle so you can use it left-handed or folding handle on the recip saw to enable working in cramped spaces.
Milwaukee now has 28V lithium ion batteries the same size as their old 18V NiCads and the new ones have an LED "fuel gage" to tell you how much charge they have left. 28V tools run at higher speeds - more like corded tools - and go about twice as long as their 18V brethren.
This summer there will be 18V lithium batteries available that will work with the older tools.
BruceT
Where did you hear this? That info goes against everything I've heard so far.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
heard the rumor that Bosch was going to do that also...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I read it on Milwaukee's websiteBruceThttp://www.milwaukeetool.com/us/en/news.nsf/vwPressReleases/059B31AAB51AFF74862570ED005C1404?OpenDocument"Now Milwaukee is taking its exclusive Li-Ion technology even further with introduction of V™ technology, a trademark for the proprietary technology encompassing a complete range of Li-Ion voltage platforms providing the Milwaukee Li-Ion Advantage, and the unveiling of its V18™ system, a new line of 18 volt Li-Ion cordless tools. The V18 battery system gives tradesmen all the features and advantages of Li-Ion technology like up to 40% longer runtime, allowing more work to be done per charge at 25% less battery weight when compared to an 18 volt NiCd. The new V18 Li-ion batteries also retrofit onto existing Milwaukee 18 volt NiCd tools allowing users to upgrade to Li-Ion power without the need to invest in new tools."http://www.milwaukeetool.com/us/en/news.nsf/vwPressReleases/C467C2658E9A992D862570ED005C92AB?OpenDocumentTools included in the new V18 Li-Ion System include: ½” Hammer-Drill, ½” Driver-Drill, 6-1/2” Circular Saw, 6-7/8” Metal Cutting Circular Saw, ½” Impact Wrench, Impact Driver, Sawzall¯ Reciprocating Saw, Rotary Hammer, Job Site Radio and Work Light. The V18 Li-Ion tools will be available mid-summer 2006
Edited 5/20/2006 11:04 pm ET by BruceT999
thats very cool , i just read link to mill site . good news for my tired batteries.
and better for me instead of buying new tool as mine are still strong for now.
dogboy woof woof Carpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
http://www.ravengrove.com
Thanks all! I just broke down and bought a load of Bosch tools from CPO Bosch:18 v Cordless Drill, barrel grip jig saw (1591), the 3 1/4 plunge router (refurb), and the new jobsite radio (didn't need it but . . . ).Going to pick up my Ridgid TS 3650 this week - on sale for $499, got a 10% off coupon, and some gift card money. :)Thanks again,
Chuck
CPO bosch is a good place. I bought a router there, and it was FUBARed though. I called them up, they shipped out a new one that day, and included a return shipping label for free. Give your refurb tools a good look when you get them.zak
"so it goes"
Make sure you got the new radio with the remote control. Search for previous threads, but I've had the 3 versions of this radio, and the new one (they call it Powerbox advanced) is the only one that gets decent reception - it finallly has a standard rubber whip antenna.It also sounds better, has an LCD you can read from above, and has a handy remote.If you bought yours from CPO - they may have dumped off the older version on you at a great price - you'll end up being unhappy with it - it's a pc. of crap.JT
Got the new one and paid full price. Looked at the specs and saw that the older model radio did not charge the batteries on the drill that I bought. Thanks,
Chuck
As far as I know - the charging specs haven't changed. They all will charge from 7.2 volts to 24 volt batteries.JT
Glad this southern Californian could be of service to a Maine-iac. I got to visit your beautiful state last summer - saw 5 of the last 10 remaining covered bridges and spent two days in quaint Lubec, easternmost place in the US. I even tried drinking Moxie - now THAT has to be an acquired taste!BruceT
wow you went all the way to lubec, and drank moxie and saw 8 covered bridges. you did a lot while you were here. Ive only seen 3 covered bridges here in my whole life and im 49 ys old. and ive only tried moxie once and thought it had to be made out of tree sap and old motor oil with a little vicks cough syurpto sweetin it Ayah. blah tast.
my frind Robert across the river from me drinks it but i think he forces himself to like it. and the covered bridge we had here in Bangor while i was growing up (right) was set on fire years ago (sucks) .
I'm glad you got a chance to do a few of the things here in Maine were famous for..................did you go to the national parks along the coast Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park......eat lobster? see any moose . did you see Steven Kings house/ no big deal.
have a good one. Vic Dogboy woof woof Carpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
http://www.ravengrove.com
sorry i mean 5 covered bridges .just reread your post
woof woof Carpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
http://www.ravengrove.com
...eat lobster? see any moose .Now ya tell me! I think I got that backward - saw a lobster and...That's an apt description for Moxie's taste. Anything that awful should at least be able to cure cancer, don't you think? :)My friends were skeptical when I told them I had driven from Denmark to Norway and then to Mexico, all in the space of a couple of hours.BruceT
what you didnt go to Paris............MECarpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
http://www.ravengrove.com
My two cents, for cordless drills I love my Porter Cable drills. Heavy as all get out, but over 7 years later I'm on my second set of batteries and they are still going strong, and they do not get babbied.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
Each manufacture has their premium tool/s that defines an application. Milwaukee has the sawzall and industrial drills..., Skill/Bosch the worm drive saws and variants, Dewalt has a lock on the cordless tools marcket, Hilti has rotary/hammer drill etc...etc.
Homeowner/professional, buy the best tools you can afford given your expected use.
As a hobbist WW, most of my portable tools are Bosch, with P-C circular saw & biscuit joiner, and Fein 3.5 HP router and vacuum. I've been pleased with all these. Just that my Makita SCMS isn't dead true when pushing thru a cut and raising blade, but good enuff for most trim cuts.
I am really looking hard at the Makita cordless drill (get a impact free with purchase) and the Makita industrial routers. Anyone have any positive/negative comments? I have been all over looking for feedback and there are very few (if any) who have knoked Makita products. For example, on Amazon the 18V drill that I am looking at has 4.5 stars and the routers are at 5 stars.Chuck
Well, I've seemed to have the best luck with Makita and Hitachi. My father owns a Makita circular saw, a Hitachi circular saw, a Makita chop saw, a Makita recip saw, a Makita belt sander, and a Makita cordless drill. The only thing that has gave him a problem so far is the cordless drill...but that was about 8 years old when it died...he certainly got his use in it (considering how many times it's been dropped and beaten).
I also have a Hitachi grinder and I find that it works great. Good luck with the tool search.
-Ben
hey man , i have millwaukee and DeWalt tools and a few ridgid . got ridgid at great clearence price so couldnt pass up home tools. but if you want a good deal go to makita site and do a little searching you can get the circ drill with impact drill inc. for around 650.00 at home depot and it comes with a 100.00 gift card and makita will give you a free recipro saw in mail if you send tag off box after you get it. these are the lithium ion batt. sets lot of power and nice. for the total price. check it out for actual deal. but its a good set electrican fried just got it and loves it.
woof woof dogboy
Carpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
http://www.ravengrove.com
I haven't been in the business all that long, but have come to rely and respect DeWalt above all other tools. They're durable, precise and typically well thought out in their designs. I have/had a number of Porter-Cable tools, as well, and every one has had to go into the shop on at least one occasions -- often when I need it most.