posted
Some of you guys spend a lot more time buying tools than i do, so i thought i'd ask here first. I need to buy a new cordless drill, and a carpenter I met had a drill and (small) circular saw kit (two different devices, but both used the same battery). He was very happy with the pair -- i think they were Makita, but maybe it was a different brand (dewalt? i seem to recall they were yellow). ANYWAY, what's the best place to buy that stuff. is there an online shop that has the best prices, or should i go to Home Repo, or what?
(I was burgled, and I need to replace the drill and the router, but i'm pretty happy with the cheap Craftsman router I had so i'll probably get the same one again).
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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You can probably pick up the combo at a Costco or Sams club type store if there is one in your area. I'm sure I've seen them at our Costco. You also might try wally world, Lowes, or Home D like you mentioned.
Best of luck,
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
I've had fairly good luck with Dewalts ... they have service centers everywhere (10 in san-fran area) in case something goes. Once had a plunge router fixed (variable speed control blew years after warranty expired) for much less than a new one.
I have a Mikita cordless drill but it's kinda cheesy ... and a Porter-Cabel that kicks butt. Dewalt router. Bosch jigsaw. Craftsman is for things that don't plug in
edit------ Where? Any of the chain stores might have "something"... just check to make sure it's the tool you want and not just the best price for "comparable" tools. Do you have any builders supply stores by you? ... there would be the place I'd look.
[ May 22, 2003, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: Mark Matyjakowski ]
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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14 volt dewalt ... 99 bux for trim saw, cordless drill, and a flashlight I think. (haven't used that yet, so I can't remember) oh, and comes with two batteries.
I got them at that price at Home Depot right after Christmas.
Nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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14 v. is fine for a cordless drill, but that is the bare minimum for decent performance from a circular saw. Trimming a few boards or some 4x4 posts on occasion, it will serve you well. But if you will be doing some serious cutting, you might want to pop for the 18v pack.
-------------------- Curt Stenz Graphics 700 Squirrel Lane Marathon, WI 54448 Posts: 604 | From: Marathon, WI 54448 | Registered: Dec 1998
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A few years ago, I bought both DeWalt 18V cordless combo kits for about $300 each. One had 18V hammer drill and sawsall, the other was 18V drill (non hammer drill) and 5-1/4" circular saw. Each kit came with 2 batteries and a charger. Now, Home Depot has a kit with 18V hammer drill, sawsall, circular saw (6-1/2") and flashlight for about $500. I have since worn out the 4 batteries and they cost about $80 each.
At this time, in our area, Home Depot has Ryobi 18V combo kit with drill (non hammering), sawsall, light, and dust buster type vac for $199. It comes with charger and 2 batteries. I bought it and have been very pleased.
Home Depot also has a $399 Ryobi kit that includes circular saw, chop saw, flashlight, drill, roto zip, sawsall, charger and 3 batteries. They will throw in a free dust buster, which gives you another battery and charger. I bought that and gave the first kit to my foreman to have for his house.
We have given the Ryobis quite a workout the last 6 months with our office/shop remodeling project and they have been every bit as good as the DeWalts, in my opinion. I just wish the drill was a hammer drill.
There are some 24V rotary hammers out there. A rotary hammer will do a much better job of drilling through brick and concrete than a hammer drill, although an 18V hammer drill will get you a few holes OK. A hammer drill uses a cam that bounces the chuck in an out as you apply pressure. The more pressure you apply, the better they drill. Most rotary hammers have a pneumatic drive that drives the chuck much more powerfully and they require less operator pressure.
I have found that extra batteries and chargers are really nice when doing lots of work with cordless tools.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5107 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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thanks for all the advice -- i went for a 14.4 volt kit (instead of a 12 volt). i don't use these tools every day for hours at a time, so i don't really need (and can't afford) top of the line.
what i found was a drill/trim saw/vacuum/work light combo kit, with two batteries from Sears. i think they had a typo on their website -- it was $25.95, plus $9 UPS. don't go running over there to buy one though -- they fixed the typo and now the price is $119. I guess i got a one-time-only deal. (I checked and re-checked and read the fine print, because i thought "this is TOO good to be true.)
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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My husband got a set for Christmas with the 18v Black & Decker Firestorm drill, a couple differnt saws and a flashlight I think. It rocks! The whole set was the price of one Delta 18v drill.
He threw his Delta in the garbage. We now have two Firestorm drills. They are so powerful I almost can't control it. Flat out kicks the old Delta's butt! The battery life is really great as well. Saved a lot of cord slinging on job sites. I highly recommend these products.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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