Newbie tool question

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by ol trunt

going back to brokedown's comment "i can say i would much rather have a christmas present that wasn't a surprise than a christmas present that sucks...", my spouse and i decided that the best way to handle christmas presents was to give each other the thing we wanted for ourselves. This year i received a new clothes dryer--it arrived early.
Jack

....lol.....

[Scolleenkendrick]

Wow! Don’t know how I missed this. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience. I really appreciate It.

Originally Posted by kidharris

You just had to do it, start the old "whats the best tool" arguement. Since when is Milwaukee leading the industry. I worked alongside roughly 2500 workers in the convention industry for 17 years, who had to supply their own battery operated tools (they used them day in and day out) and Milwaukee is seldom seen and never even gets mentioned in the "who makes the best 18 volt tool' arguments. Before that I worked construction for about 40 years. The only tool that Milwaukee makes that I would buy is the corded Sawzall. Period. Had too many of them burn out on me. Course, the best tool is the one you have access to.



DeWalt is favored by the buy American crowd and are good tools. Ryobi is good value, most bang for the buck. Makita is my favorite (lighter, better balanced, easier to use all day, long lasting - never wore one out, they get stole first) and the one I am currently vested in. I have been vested in Black & Decker, Ryobi, and DeWalt before, and in that order. Chose brands carefully because the batteries are a huge cost and are not interchangeable between brands. 12 volt doesn't have the power, 18 volt is the standard and what I would recommend. 20 volt is new and I have no experience with. Brushless motors are better, but not mandatory for a good tool. The motors and batteries have improved so much that I would ignore older, used, stuff unless they are free. Absolutely no nicad or nmh batteries, lithium only. If you are buying a circular saw you need one that runs around 5000 rpm to achieve results similar to corded saws (unless you need a smaller/specialty saw).


To address the OP ....A 18 volt battery operated drill and .25 inch hex shaft impact driver combo plus a 4.5 inch, 110/125 volt, corded angle grinder (do not buy a 4 inch, the blades wear out too fast) is indispensable for metal work and because they all have so many attachments available they can be used with virtually any stiff material, no fabrics. Other than that I would just buy them as I needed them, he probably already has most of the hand tools. I wouldn't worry about it too much, just don't open the boxes and save the receipts.



A grinder can be especially dangerous because it operates around 11,000 rpm. and you must only use attachments that are rated for the speed of the tool or higher. Cut off wheels in particular can explode if you bind them (I've wore out hundreds of them. Had them chip, but not explode, but I am very careful and scared shitless of them). Wear a safety glass/shield. Do not wear long/loose sleeves/clothing/jewelry/ hair around any rotating tool, horrendous things can happen....very quickly.


A circular saw can cut sheetmetal, but is heavy and cumbrtsome. The easiest and cheapest way (used to be the only way) is to take an used/wornout/new old style regular cheap wood blade (Do not use a carbide tipped blade, the carbide comes loose and can ruin your day) and put it in the saw backwards, it burns thru the sheetmetal fast and easy but can leave a razor sharp bur that may need to be broke off or hit with a file/grinder. I have made thousands of feet of cuts this way and it is my preferred way to cut stuff like metal roofing/siding panels, gutters, downspouts, etc. Specialty blades and abrasive blades also work.

[Scolleenkendrick]

Originally Posted by rjheaton@aol.com

Clothes that can get SUPER dirty, cleaned as much as possible, and thrown away when they can’t be cleaned up any more! If you have A/C units that you plan on removing? A good pair of wire cutters for all the zip ties, a good flashlight, and a good ground cloth. That should be a good place to start.

Had never considered clothes! Off to goodwill I go

[Scolleenkendrick]

Originally Posted by ol trunt

Going back to Brokedown's comment "I can say I would much rather have a christmas present that wasn't a surprise than a christmas present that sucks...", my spouse and I decided that the best way to handle Christmas presents was to give each other the thing we wanted for ourselves. This year I received a new clothes dryer--it arrived early.
Jack

Oh my goodness, this is brilliant and may be implemented in our home next year 😂

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by kidharris

You just had to do it, start the old "whats the best tool" arguement. Since when is Milwaukee leading the industry. I worked alongside roughly 2500 workers in the convention industry for 17 years, who had to supply their own battery operated tools (they used them day in and day out) and Milwaukee is seldom seen and never even gets mentioned in the "who makes the best 18 volt tool' arguments. Before that I worked construction for about 40 years. The only tool that Milwaukee makes that I would buy is the corded Sawzall. Period. Had too many of them burn out on me. Course, the best tool is the one you have access to.



DeWalt is favored by the buy American crowd and are good tools. Ryobi is good value, most bang for the buck. Makita is my favorite (lighter, better balanced, easier to use all day, long lasting - never wore one out, they get stole first) and the one I am currently vested in. I have been vested in Black & Decker, Ryobi, and DeWalt before, and in that order. Chose brands carefully because the batteries are a huge cost and are not interchangeable between brands. 12 volt doesn't have the power, 18 volt is the standard and what I would recommend. 20 volt is new and I have no experience with. Brushless motors are better, but not mandatory for a good tool. The motors and batteries have improved so much that I would ignore older, used, stuff unless they are free. Absolutely no nicad or nmh batteries, lithium only. If you are buying a circular saw you need one that runs around 5000 rpm to achieve results similar to corded saws (unless you need a smaller/specialty saw).


To address the OP ....A 18 volt battery operated drill and .25 inch hex shaft impact driver combo plus a 4.5 inch, 110/125 volt, corded angle grinder (do not buy a 4 inch, the blades wear out too fast) is indispensable for metal work and because they all have so many attachments available they can be used with virtually any stiff material, no fabrics. Other than that I would just buy them as I needed them, he probably already has most of the hand tools. I wouldn't worry about it too much, just don't open the boxes and save the receipts.



A grinder can be especially dangerous because it operates around 11,000 rpm. and you must only use attachments that are rated for the speed of the tool or higher. Cut off wheels in particular can explode if you bind them (I've wore out hundreds of them. Had them chip, but not explode, but I am very careful and scared shitless of them). Wear a safety glass/shield. Do not wear long/loose sleeves/clothing/jewelry/ hair around any rotating tool, horrendous things can happen....very quickly.


A circular saw can cut sheetmetal, but is heavy and cumbrtsome. The easiest and cheapest way (used to be the only way) is to take an used/wornout/new old style regular cheap wood blade (Do not use a carbide tipped blade, the carbide comes loose and can ruin your day) and put it in the saw backwards, it burns thru the sheetmetal fast and easy but can leave a razor sharp bur that may need to be broke off or hit with a file/grinder. I have made thousands of feet of cuts this way and it is my preferred way to cut stuff like metal roofing/siding panels, gutters, downspouts, etc. Specialty blades and abrasive blades also work.

I said Milwaukee is leading the industry for battery tools. I’ve extensively used dewalt, Mikita and Milwaukee. I’ve also used ryobi and harbor freight battery tools. lI’ll stick by Milwaukee. Best build quality, best engineering.

Dewalt tools say they are assembled in USA which is that same billshit game like apple saying “designed in USA”. What did they do, put the “made in USA *with imported materials*” sticker on it after it came through customs? It’s deception.

I invite everyone to call the manufacturer of their favorite stuff and give them
An earful about making all their crap in China! If we all did it maybe things would be different.

As for the BEST TOOL, it’s the one that works.

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by Danjo

I said Milwaukee is leading the industry for battery tools. I’ve extensively used dewalt, Mikita and Milwaukee. I’ve also used ryobi and harbor freight battery tools. lI’ll stick by Milwaukee. Best build quality, best engineering.

I know what you said (twice) about "Milwaukee is leading the industry for battery tools." but it will take more than "I said" to convince me (not that it matters, I'm not interested in changing brands, I have a lot vested in my Makita stuff and I am very satisfied with them except for the price). I still stand by what I previously said about my experience/opinion with/of battery powered tools.



But, I have heard online and by a Home Depot salesman that the Milwaukee battery powered half inch sq drive impacts were "good" but like I said Iam vested in Makita (8 tools, 9 batteries, 4 chargers) and even if Milwaukee is better, when I buy an impact wrench it will be Makita so I can leverage the batteries and chargers

Originally Posted by Danjo

Dewalt tools say they are assembled in USA which is that same billshit game like apple saying “designed in USA”. What did they do, put the “made in USA *with imported materials*” sticker on it after it came through customs? It’s deception.

I invite everyone to call the manufacturer of their favorite stuff and give them
An earful about making all their crap in China! If we all did it maybe things would be different.

I believe that you are probably right. I didn't say that the buy American crowd was all that knowledgeable or correct.

Originally Posted by Danjo

As for the BEST TOOL, it’s the one that works.

I say it doesn't matter if it works or how well it works if you don't have access to it.

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by Scolleenkendrick

Wow! Don’t know how I missed this. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience. I really appreciate It.

So what did you buy him for xmas?

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by kidharris

I know what you said (twice) about "Milwaukee is leading the industry for battery tools." but it will take more than "I said" to convince me (not that it matters, I'm not interested in changing brands, I have a lot vested in my Makita stuff and I am very satisfied with them except for the price). I still stand by what I previously said about my experience/opinion with/of battery powered tools.



But, I have heard online and by a Home Depot salesman that the Milwaukee battery powered half inch sq drive impacts were "good" but like I said Iam vested in Makita (8 tools, 9 batteries, 4 chargers) and even if Milwaukee is better, when I buy an impact wrench it will be Makita so I can leverage the batteries and chargers







I believe that you are probably right. I didn't say that the buy American crowd was all that knowledgeable or correct.





I say it doesn't matter if it works or how well it works if you don't have access to it.

Please don’t think that I am encouraging anyone to switch their setups because I said something is better. I didn’t switch from dewalt until well after I was cussing and crying that they discontinued the 12 volt line and it was only after being disappointed with their sawzall offering that I finally changed up. That drill driver must have bored a thousand 1” spade bit holes and survived being dropped a couple hundred times.

And you’re right about the best tools being the ones you can afford. I remember my dad using this old plastic avocado colored black and decker circular saw to frame a house. It worked. I seem to recall some duct tape was involved.

[musigenesis]

FWIW Milwaukee is the only tool company whose extremely attractive sales model (I can't come up with any other term) has ever approached me at a Home Depot and tried to get me to buy a full suite of cordless tools.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

FWIW Milwaukee is the only tool company whose extremely attractive sales model (I can't come up with any other term) has ever approached me at a Home Depot and tried to get me to buy a full suite of cordless tools.

Haha yeah. I met one of them. I myself took the advice of a Wookiee.

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

FWIW Milwaukee is the only tool company whose extremely attractive sales model (I can't come up with any other term) has ever approached me at a Home Depot and tried to get me to buy a full suite of cordless tools.

Did you buy?

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by Danjo

Haha yeah. I met one of them. I myself took the advice of a Wookiee.

This starting to make more sense, but what is a Wookiee?

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by kidharris

This starting to make more sense, but what is a Wookiee?

You know, big hairy guy that drinks beer and looks like Sasquatch.

[Danjo]

And no, I didn’t buy any tools from the attractive model tool hustler. I almost bought a second Bluetooth speaker, but couldn’t swing a deal on another battery so I didn’t.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Danjo

You know, big hairy guy that drinks beer and looks like Sasquatch.

You know there's no such thing as a Sasquatch, right? It's just a Yeti in a gorilla suit.

[Ronnie]

I have had good luck with Milwaukee, and Dewalt.

Ryobi and Black and Decker have been junk for me. Although I do have a very old electric( not cordless) drill B&D model no 1 that still runs.

[EastCoastCB]

Avoid the box store bosch crap. I have the full line and it seemed great at first but its all garbage.
Go cheap or top of the line.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Avoid the box store bosch crap. I have the full line and it seemed great at first but its all garbage.
Go cheap or top of the line.

Oh wow. I would have thought Bosch would get it right.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Danjo

Oh wow. I would have thought Bosch would get it right.

The batteries suck. I've bought nine and only have 1 that works. And they're just as expensive as the good brands.
I pretty much get harbor freight or ryobi and treat them like throwaway tools. If spending $$ I'd go makita.

[brokedown]

I've got a Bosch set I bought when i started building my first bus and they're still working great. if i were buying today I'd go with Milwaukee mostly ebcause they have a huge number of tools on a single battery platform.