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PIP

1997-98 Armco Heating & Cooling Hornet
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I’m starting to get into the DIY home thing and feel it is time to start a tool collection....

I’d prefer to stick with one brand so I don’t have to have 50 batteries laying around associated with this and that company— so having one brand where the batteries are interchangeable is ideal.

There’s several companies
Milwaukee
DeWalt
Makita
Ryobi
Rigid

For those that are handy what are some of the companies you recommend and what are some of the tools you have and feel are must haves ?
 
Not sure if you have a Harbor Freight around you but their tools are cheaper than anywhere else, and come with a 90 day no questions warranty. I've had awesome lucky with their products. Drills, Chain saw, hedge trimmer, etc all electric.
 
Not sure if you have a Harbor Freight around you but their tools are cheaper than anywhere else, and come with a 90 day no questions warranty. I've had awesome lucky with their products. Drills, Chain saw, hedge trimmer, etc all electric.
If you just do work around your home and need this tool maybe under 20 times for the life of you, or don't mind if it breaks, go Harbor Freight.

I just find them cheap for a reason. I've never compared the home power tools, but the wife and I like our DeWalt stuff.
 
I started out with cordless tools and made the switch to corded tools. They have more power and you don't have to worry about charging up the batteries or replacing the battery. For a normal person, corded tools make more sense because you use the tools so rarely that it's easier to go into the closest and pull out the tool with maybe an extension cord and be ready to go.
 
If you just do work around your home and need this tool maybe under 20 times for the life of you, or don't mind if it breaks, go Harbor Freight.

I just find them cheap for a reason. I've never compared the home power tools, but the wife and I like our DeWalt stuff.
Exactly right. Make no mistake they are cheap. If you are doing a lot of heavy work I wouldn't use them. But for the type of shit I have to commonly do around the house (hang pictures, fix faucets, trim shrubs, etc,) it works fine for like a third of the cost.

For the brands though my dad always swears by Dewalt and Milwaukee. For hand tools like wrenches I'd check out craigslist. Seems like its always flooded with people selling tools. I got a really nice standing tool chest for $25 in great condition because a guy was moving and just wanted it gone.
 
I’m starting to get into the DIY home thing and feel it is time to start a tool collection....

I’d prefer to stick with one brand so I don’t have to have 50 batteries laying around associated with this and that company— so having one brand where the batteries are interchangeable is ideal.

There’s several companies
Milwaukee
DeWalt
Makita
Ryobi
Rigid

For those that are handy what are some of the companies you recommend and what are some of the tools you have and feel are must haves ?

The brands you've picked there are basically the best for DIY/homeowners. I'd definitely go with something that is at least 18V because that's going to open up a wider variety of tools. Those brands are all sufficiently good that it might come down to which one is on sale, so maybe price out the tools you want, read some reviews, and make your move at the 4th of July sale.

As far as which tools to get, here's the order I'd go in if I didn't have anything:

1) Cordless drill. That's pretty much staple everyone should have, and you probably didn't need to be told that.

2) Good socket set.

3) Oscillating tool. I just recently got my first one, and I'm kicking myself that I didn't get one years before. They give you the ability to make all sorts of cuts in tight spaces like a pro, and really simplify some jobs. They have interchangeable heads for cutting wood, metal, sanding, etc.. They're the tool you never knew you needed until you have one and realize everything they can do.

I'm not a big fan of Harbor Freight power tools because of durability -- I'd definitely go with one of the brands you have listed above for a new system -- but they do have a really cheap oscillating tool that will give you the basics. Most oscillating tools run $100+ --some substantially more -- but Harbor Freight's is like $30. Even if you burn it out, you're still going to get some use from it. But it's corded, so that's a bit of a limitation.

4) Bench vise. If you're doing DIY crap around the house, the vise is that extra pair of hands you will sometimes kick yourself for not having. You only have that extra pair of hands at the bench...but it is still better than not having it at all. That's something you can get at a great price at Harbor Freight.

5) Circular saw. I use a corded one, but if I had a higher-powered cordless system, I might try one of those.

Depending on what you're doing, the two bench-type tools I'd go for first are 1) radial saw, and 2) table saw. I use my radial saw (it was maybe $70 or so) a lot more. Table saw is really more necessary for longer cuts that most of us home hackers don't use as much. But if you're installing your own flooring, etc., it's essential.

ETA: I've done flooring with just a circular saw rather than a table saw, but I wouldn't recommend it. Massive pain in the ass.
 
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I started out with cordless tools and made the switch to corded tools. They have more power and you don't have to worry about charging up the batteries or replacing the battery. For a normal person, corded tools make more sense because you use the tools so rarely that it's easier to go into the closest and pull out the tool with maybe an extension cord and be ready to go.

I agree for some tools that are power hogs. I prefer a corded oscillating tool although I have heard good things about some of the cordless ones.

But for things like a drill, where you will be using it all over the place to drill, and for working with screws/nuts/bolts, etc., cordless is a huge convenience. Also, if you have a decent cordless collection, you'll probably have more than one battery anyway. My little 12V Ridgid cordless lithium is probably the best gift I ever got on Father's Day awhile back.

The other thing about cordless cutting tools in particular is that you don't have to worry about accidentally cutting the cord with the tool, which does happen and isn't a lot of fun. I've come really close to doing that when using my corded circular saw outside, and I'm tempted to just go with an 18V or 24V cordless system that has one of those.
 
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I swear by Makita drills, brushless if you don't mind the extra cost. Like all the othert brands, they have also branched out into outdoor tools that use the same battery, or even dual batteries.



I have that set, and love it. Drills are not too big or heavy. The batteries last pretty long, but you can get the higher amp hour ones if your going to be doing big projects.
 
I swear by Makita drills, brushless if you don't mind the extra cost. Like all the othert brands, they have also branched out into outdoor tools that use the same battery, or even dual batteries.



I have that set, and love it. Drills are not too big or heavy. The batteries last pretty long, but you can get the higher amp hour ones if your going to be doing big projects.

I'd second the recommendation on ponying up a bit more cash for brushless. Those things should last much longer in terms of both tool and battery life. Not absolutely necessary, though.

Btw, this is a great time to be buying tools -- 4th of July sales are usually awesome, and you can probably get a multi-tool set for a good price.
 
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I agree for some tools that are power hogs. I prefer a corded oscillating tool although I have heard good things about some of the cordless ones.

But for things like a drill, where you will be using it all over the place to drill, and for working with screws/nuts/bolts, etc., cordless is a huge convenience. Also, if you have a decent cordless collection, you'll probably have more than one battery anyway. My little 12V Ridgid cordless lithium is probably the best gift I ever got on Father's Day awhile back.

The other thing about cordless cutting tools in particular is that you don't have to worry about accidentally cutting the cord with the tool, which does happen and isn't a lot of fun. I've come really close to doing that when using my corded circular saw outside, and I'm tempted to just go with an 18V or 24V cordless system that has one of those.

I guess I'm real use to corded tools because I also use alot of air tools so I'm always mindful of the cord.

The funny thing is I've had two cordless drills and only bought the corded one for more power but the corded drill became my go to drill. I haven't used the cordless drills in years now.

For me, I tend to buy tools when they are on sale or I find them cheap on eBay or Craigslist. I don't have to worry about brand loyalty for the batteries or have to question how much life the battery has left when they are corded. There are so many people who buy tools to use it once and they sit on the shelf for years. It easier to verify if a used tool is in working condition if it's corded. Alot of the used cordless stuff has a battery missing or doesn't have a charger.

On the topic of harbor freight tools, they are cheap tools that you don't mind when they break. If it's a tool you expect to use a decent amount, just do they extra leg work and buy a good condition used tool from a more expensive brand. I had a 90 degree compact drill from harbor freight and it worked fine but after using it hard a couple times it gave out. They aren't tools that will take a beating.
 
About time we have a thread honoring @Deezus and @Huber.

Anyway, Harbor Freight is good for little stuff like tarps, plastic totes for organizing stuff, etc. For tools, you get what you pay for. I go with Ryobi but that's bc that's what I started with a few years ago. Honestly each seems like they are good quality. If anyone can recommend a US made company, iight make the switch.
 
Harbor Freight is my jam. Buy tools you intend on abusing the crap out of (eg a reciprocating saw for landscaping/cutting tree roots in dirt), only intend to use it for lighter duty work (corded chainsaw for some small trees), or are just curious if you find it handy (aforementioned oscillating tool).

I bought all three of those for under a hundred bucks. Reciprocating saw finally gave out after like four years of abuse.

If it's tools you know you will use a while and/or precision matters, definitely step up to the big names. DeWalt is DeFault but the name does come with a price and some of their tools are less featured than others.
 
Whatever brand you go with, make sure to get a drill and driver combo. If you ever need to pre-drill, having both tools in front of you is a godsend. You will hate yourself for having ever gone without.

Also make sure you always buy the tools with a battery rather than the tool alone. It's cheaper in the long run, and you will never regret having too many batteries.
 
My company just went standard on Milwaukee. We had trials from Milwaukee and DeWalt because we were looking to buy around $100,000 in cordless tools for a manufacturing operation. From what I’ve see you cannot beat the Milwaukee Fuel 18v cordless tools. Battery life, durability, and the enormous amount of options that are available was great. Tools have been awesome far.

Before my company was standard my personal favorite was Makita which I have had for about 8 years. Completely renovated my house, I do all my own work on my vehicles and do a lot of handy work for the family. They have seemed to hold up pretty damn well too.
 

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