Power tool advice

[booger]

18 v drill is about shot and am looking into replacements. Any thoughts on 18v or the ni cad or lithium ion batteries/ advantages, etc?

I look at the combo kits as a circular saw/trim saw would come in handy.

Also a specific ? about craftsman tools and thoughts about them in general as sears has this combo pack on special.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...000P?adCell=W3

Otherwise i am leaning twards this milwaukee drill http://www.toolbarn.com/product/milwaukee/2601-22/

and renting a saw and purchasing at a later time.

Thoughts on these and any other brands appreciated.

[JOhn]

Only thing I know about power tools, is I shouldn't use them

[Bugeater]

Craftsman has taken a big dive in quality as of late, and cordless tools suck.

[booger]

Originally Posted by JOhn

Only thing I know about power tools, is I shouldn't use them

[booger]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Craftsman has taken a big dive in quality as of late, and cordless tools suck.

which brand do you have the best luck with?

I think you'd be very happy with that Milwaukee drill. I've not owned any Craftsman battery operated tools. I have never seen a tool review mag take Craftsman seriously enough to include it in any of their studies.

But, I do have an uncle who swears by them. As evidenced by my continued reluctance to buy Craftsman, one might wonder how much weight I put into my uncle's opinion on the matter.

[Skip Towne]

In a word, DeWalt for cordless tools.

Originally Posted by booger

which brand do you have the best luck with?

I've owned Ridgid, Hitachi, and DeWalt cordless products. I've been pretty disappointed with DeWalt cordless products until their foray into the Lithium Ion market. I think that Lithium Ion is an absolute must no matter which brand you buy.

[booger]

Originally Posted by Phobia

I think you'd be very happy with that Milwaukee drill. I've not owned any Craftsman battery operated tools. I have never seen a tool review mag take Craftsman seriously enough to include it in any of their studies.

But, I do have an uncle who swears by them. As evidenced by my continued reluctance to buy Craftsman, one might wonder how much weight I put into my uncle's opinion on the matter.

i have a feeling the 19.2v kit i linked is probably on sale with the new line of lithium ion battery power units. I've looked into some reviews online and i agree that Craftsman doesn't seem to be looked upon too highly.

Makita makes a similar drill to that Milwaukee one but i read up on them about people having battery issues.

[cdcox]

I have a DeWalt cordless drill/sawzall combo that has worked well.

I have a Rigid contractor saw that I love and a heavy duty drill that works well.

I'd consider either of those brands again.

I dropped my DeWalt trim saw 25 feet onto a concrete pad below a few months back. Spent 30 minutes re-adjusting the battery contacts and it still works today. Still, I don't recommend cordless circular saws. For my money, I'd buy a Porter Cable corded model in the $140 range and use it forever. I have a lot of miles on my PC circular saw.

[booger]

Originally Posted by Phobia

I've owned Ridgid, Hitachi, and DeWalt cordless products. I've been pretty disappointed with DeWalt cordless products until their foray into the Lithium Ion market. I think that Lithium Ion is an absolute must no matter which brand you buy.

That's what i'm thinking that i'll be happy with the new battery style. I'm thinking of going a tool for tool route instead of trying to find the right combo pack. That milwaukee comes with 2 batteries, which was one advantage of the combo packs in general that the batterie fits each tool but with a longer batt life it kind of changes things.

What is you're opinion on trim saws? Have you used any cordless products for saws or just drills?

I borrowed a Bosch a couple years ago, 18v that worked well.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by booger

which brand do you have the best luck with?

I should elaborate, everything I've bought with the Craftsman name on it in the last ten years has been junk, but none of those things have been power tools. Just hand tools and yard equipment, but none of them have held up. For the most part when it comes to power tools you get what you pay for.

Unless you will be using these tools on a regular basis I would recommend avoiding the cordless tools, the batteries go bad in a couple years regardless of how often you use them, and replacements cost just about as much as the tool itself. So unless you want to throw them away every 2 years, buy corded tools.

[booger]

Originally Posted by cdcox

I have a DeWalt cordless drill/sawzall combo that has worked well.

I have a Rigid contractor saw that I love and a heavy duty drill that works well.

I'd consider either of those brands again.

thanks, rigid is another brand i wanted peoples opinions on.

[booger]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I should elaborate, everything I've bought with the Craftsman name on it in the last ten years has been junk, but none of those things have been power tools. Just hand tools and yard equipment, but none of them have held up. For the most part when it comes to power tools you get what you pay for.

Unless you will be using these tools on a regular basis I would recommend avoiding the cordless tools, the batteries go bad in a couple years regardless of how often you use them, and replacements cost just about as much as the tool itself. So unless you want to throw them away every 2 years, buy corded tools.

I've been thinking that with all tools execpt maybe the drill. To go corded with all others. I wondered about craftsman as the only product i have of thiers is a 6.5 push mower/mulcher that works great but that has alot to do with the briggs and stratton motor i think.