Power Tool Brands

Ed Gordon

Ed Gordon

Joined
Feb 19, 2000
Messages
1,044
I have accumulated a hodge-podge of different power tools made by different manufacturers over the last 15 years. Some are cordless and some 110VAC. Usually I have just one of each tool so I really never know if what I have is decent or great or junk. The only power tool I have a few of is cordless drills. I have a 9V Makita (old), 14V Makita and 12V Dewalt. I am fond of the old 9V but the 12 and 14V drills are better. I am just wondering how popular brands stack up against each other like:
Bosch, Porter Cable, Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Craftsman, Hitachi, Black and Decker, Skill or Delta etc.

Some brands are known for a type of tool they make like the Sawzall by Milwaukee. I think most people refer to recipricating saws as Sawzalls like people call tissues kleenex. The first good cordless drills I remember hitting the market were Makita's. We always call our Hammer drill at work a "Hilti" even though the one we use now is made by Bosch.

I never really thought that highly of Dewalt prior to owning anything of theirs, but I have accumulated a few tools by them and am very satisfied with all of them (12V drill, sander and jigsaw).
I have 2 Milwaukee tools a 1/2" hammer drill which is tough as nails and a Sawzall and it is awesome. Makita has never disappointed and everything Bosch I have used (don't happen to own any yet) have been stellar. I have a Black and Decker router and seems good but I have never used any other brand. I am guessing Craftsman stuff is made by other manufacturers and the circular saw I have is O.K. but haven't used any others brands and it has seen only lite use.

Who makes the best power tools? Any awesome ones or favorites to recommend? I am in the market for a Miter Saw and could use some suggestions (under $250)? Anyone know who makes Craftsman power tools? I have heard of people buying reconditioned tools at great prices with warranty's and wonder if anyone knows a place on the internet to order. Tnx...Ed.
 
About a month ago I bought a DeWalt 10" miter saw for $220. So far I have used it on three stage sets and a couple of honey-do's. I'm very pleased with it.
 
I don't have ton of money so I choose my tools carefully and try to get the best bang for my buck where I can't simply get the best tool out there. I've recently bought a bunch of Porter-Cable tools. For the price, they really seem to make a good tool. They're not the cheapest but definitely not the most expensive and they seem to be made really well (the tools I have from them are an RO sander, belt sander, finish nailer, and biscuit joiner). I haven't researched all of the tools they make but these were all good tools for decent prices and they all have gotten some pretty good use.

Rob
 
I'm like you, and have a number of different brands - Makita, Bosch, Skil, Craftsman, Black and Decker - picked for the price and best quality I could get when I needed the particular tool.

I can't say that any of them are really bad. To be fair, some brands offer more robust, 'professional' strength tools than others. That said, my picks for the best out of the ones that I own are Makita and Bosch.

I think Craftsman tools are made by various major brands of power-tool makers, which ones depending on Sears' contracts.
 
I have a lot of tools of various make as well and have used many others. I have found I tend to like a grouping of tools from each maker. Such as.

Bosch: drills, jig saws.

Makita: chop and miter saws.

Dewalt: Cordless tools in general

Milwaukie: sawz all, Circ saws

Porter Cable: routers and sanders

Skill: Worm drive circ saws

Delta: Bench tools

Just my 2 cents
 
For saws in general, Bosch have been some of the best I've used. For a miter saw I'd recommend the Bosch 10" sliding compound miter saw. Although more than you want to spend, it's well built, accurate and dependable. I use this saw just about all day every day and haven't had a single problem with it.
 
I'm also in the market for a table saw and a compound miter saw. The other day I was in Home Depot and was told by the fellow in the tools department that Rigid was acquired by Ryobi and that any Rigid power tools purchased through December 31st would carry a lifetime warranty.
:D :D
 
What are you in the market for? There are several brands that make some great tools, but I don't know if I would recommend one brand over another.

From my 25 years of a professional carpenter, here's a brief list:

Cordless drill: Panasonic, hands down best performer out there.

Contractor grade, portable table saw: Toss up betwwen the Bosch 10" or the Dewalt 10" (I bought the Bosch--love it).

Sliding compound miter box: I have the "original" one made, Hitachi 8 1/2". Slides out to 12". I've owned it for years and can't kill it. I've used Makitas and Dewalts on commercial jobs, the fences tend to warp over time. Avoid the fences that have the semi circle design- they can and do warp.

Circular "skill" saw: lots of good choices. I own a Porter Cable, but would buy a Makita or Bosch, too. PC's are cheap.

recipracating saw: Milwaukee, make sure to buy one with at least 10 amps.

3x21 or 24 belt sander: Porter Cable or Bosch.

Jig saw: Hands down, Bosch.

Stay away from Ryobi and Rigid. Marketed at the homeowner, cheap but they break and malfunctuion often. (You're gonna need that life time warranty!)

Commercial contracters all over America tend to buy alot of Dewalt stuff for their carpenters. It's cheap and reasonably good quality. But if you are looking for yourself and can afford to be choosy, there are definately better tools out there.

Best of luck,

Barry H
 
This is the first I have ever really heard of Panasonic tools. We have a great tool store near work and I am going to have to head over there after work and see if they have any Panasonic tools, just to see what they are like. I am going to be getting a miter saw in the near future. (for a deck project and general home projects not commercial work) Thanks for the info...Ed.
 
Ed,
Panasonic basically specializes in cordless drills. If you can't find them at your favorite hardware store, they are available on-line.
I shop at Seven Corners Hardware in St. Paul, MN. E-mail me with your address and I can ship you their 1" thick catalog (it's really fun to look at if you like tools.)

By the way, the adage, "buy the best you can afford" goes a long way when you are shopping for tools;) regardless if you use them professionaly, or around the home.

Regards,

Barry H
 
The Ryobi and Ridgid "power" (not any plumbing or manual hand tools) tools sold at Home Depot are produced by One World Technologies, a divison of TTI (Hong Kong). The names are used under a liscensing agreement by both Ryobi LTD (Japan) and Ridgid (Emerson). The Depot workers have been misinformed about who makes what. In other words, Ryobi did not acquire Ridgid.

TTI is also the producer of all Sears Craftsman brand cordless,corded,stationary and bench power tools.


IMHO, the best power tools on the market are....

Cordless and Corded portable power.....Milwaukee. They are the most powerful,durable and repairable tool on the market. Milwaukee's can be fixed when they fail - if they fail- and the repairs hold. Makita and Porter Cable are next in line.

Stationary and Bench...The Ridgid tools that weren't outsourced were very good. I'm not sure how the new ones are as they are only 2 months on the market. Time will tell.

Delta,JET, and Laguna make great stationary tools. Makita makes good Miter saws as does Milwaukee. This segment of the tool industry is little topsy turvy with some players exiting certain lines and others just entering them.

I have never been a big fan of Dewalt. Dewalt is the high end division of Black and Decker. Notice how Milwaukee,Makita and Porter don't have a lesser brand. They are the high end. Dewalt is heavily advertised and more money goes into their promotions than their tools. They are very good at this. That is why so many "professionals" have their tools. Some people have good luck with them, but many more don't.
 
I saw a contractor yesterday with a Panasonic Drill/Mini-Circular saw combo. He spoke really highly of it. I tried the drill and it seemed solid and had alot of power. He had a metal blade in the saw and it cut through some large conduit in seconds. I picked up a DeWalt 7 1/4" circular saw and like it. It is just under 10lbs. and is great compared to my old 10amp Craftsman that I have had for ever. I think I will just leave a plywood blade in old Crafty and a crosscut blade in the DeWalt. I also got a Makita hand power planer. All I can say is "where have you been all my life". I fixed a sticky door at home in about 2 minutes and planed one of my Wife's cutting boards in no time. I just bought the planer on impulse and figured if it wasn't worth it I could bring it back. I am going to keep this one...Ed.
 
Bosch impact as well as cordless drills work fine for me. Their drill bits are also above average.

Since I am not into any heavy duty stuff, the drills I have are sufficient for most woodwork.
 
Just get a various array of hammers ranging from a couple ounces to 20-30 lbs... bet it'll go faster too...

Then again I'm the guy that paints everything under a car that might rust with black rustoleum... :D

Cant go wrong with most anybody on the list ya gave us, but the real sawzall is one exception... gotta have the real one!

:cool:
 
Home Depot closed out the Makita LS1013's for $374. A lot of saw for the money for a novice home user :eek:
 
With almost 30 years experience as a carpenter, superintendent, and contractor, I have used most brands. I've never had a green Makita let me down, and never had a Craftsman, Ryobi, or DeWalt stand up to commercial use. I've had many of each, dozens of Makitas. I don't know how much Makita's miter saws are now, but mine is 15+ years old and all I've done is change the brushes. It also comes with an outstanding carbide blade. Milwaukee makes good tools. Bosch and Hilti too. Several companies make a particular tool better than Makita does, but, in general, my vote on best bang for the buck goes to Makita.
 
I used the DeWalt circular saw to frame out a wall and was really disappointed in it. The base was not squared to the blade and was difficult to adjust it accurately with a little hex set screw. The set screw adjustment would probably not hold up long term as the base is aluminum and when I adjusted the screw to zero angle little burrs of aluminum formed. I took it back and got a Milwaukee circular saw. I am going to bring it in the garage and see how it does. I picked up a Panasonic 15.6V drill last Friday and it is nice. Losts of power and it is very smooth to use on slower speeds for driving screws. Thanks again for the recommendations and info. ..Ed.
 
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