Which Brand?

[John Harrison]

So many tools. So little time.

 

Craftsman, Makita, Skil, Bosch, DeWalt, Hitachi, Porter Cable, Dremel, Delta, Metabo, Black & Decker, General, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Kobalt.......

 

With all of the options out there, what's your preference?  Why do you like the particular brand?  And, which brands would you stay away from and why?

Personally, I have my own favorites in a variety of areas.  For hand tools, I lean toward Craftsman.  Power tools, DeWalt corded, and 36volt.  For the bigger stuff, Delta, Powermatic, and Jet.

I have two large table saws.  The Powermatic handles the bulk of the load, while the delta handles all of my Dado cuts.

Jet takes care of my dust collecting and air filtering needs.

Planer and jointer are Powermatic models (though I first got started with a Grizzly planer and jointer many years ago).

I have an old Delta drill press, scroll and band saw.

DeWalt 36volt is the power of a corded tool made cordless.  A little heavy, but never a problem.

Before I buy any tool, I research.  Knowing in advance that I take good care of my tools (as I hope you all do), I determine where to spend the extra money to have "the best", and where I don't need to spend as much for what it is going to be used for.

Over the years, tools wear out, or even break.  Some times we feel "that just shouldn't have happened".  I have never had a problem with any of the companies listed above replacing of fixing a tool... And that includes Kreg.

When it has been my fault for a break or time to replace a part, I've been quite pleased with the cost involved (though not happy I have to do it at all).

Most of my blades and bits are Freud & CMT. No complaints.

 

But enough about my stuff.  Time to see where we all differ.  What do you like? Why?

[Zee]

I have a Bosch 4100 series table saw. It is a "contractor" saw on a gravity cart but is very well though out and has so far been an excellent purchase.  Now that you mention this, I guess I have to say blue since most of my stuff is Bosch or Makita.  I'm of the same mind as Steve Kidd.  Get the best you can afford. 

[jon thomas]

stay away from ryobi battery drills ..they are junk ,the batteries dont last no time..

i have craftsman ,dewalt ,ridgid,delta,milwakee,and a couple ryobi benchtop tools that work ok..i lean more toward craftsman,im rough on tools and they hold up...

 

[Mike]

ridgid cant beat there lifetime warranty........... and customer service is amazing..

[patrick in memphis(collierville)]

as a "professional mechanic" craftsman is fine for hand tools.snap or mac for the oddballs that craftsman doesnt make . power tools i like the yellow ones lol. but my tablesaw and drill press are delta ,jointer and bandsaw rockwell.i figure if i take care of my stuff my kids will get a good inheritence lol. my theory is buy a tool ONCE.the lesser qualitys just dont hold up to my level of usage..

[Jens Jensen]

Craftsman tools for stationary and power hand held I go YELLOW

[John Harrison]

I said Jet, takes care of all my dust collecting needs.... It's actually Shop Fox.  The bearings went out on the motor.  I called Woodwerks, who in-turn gave me the number to talk to the folks whom made the Shop Fox brand.  They sent me a whole new motor... No charge!. However, it is still under warranty :)

I'll put up with the squel until it goes Ka-put, then I'll swap it out.

 

Thanks everyone for all the feedback.  It's good to share the knowlege. It may make one of us try something we thought we might not.

[Kerry Werry]

Hmm, a good selection of Ryobi One+ cordless tools, they actually are pretty good and I like that they have kept the batteries standard. I know they have kind of a bad rep but they have done well for me. the "bigger" stuff is Dewalt or Ridgid. Hand tools are all over the map, whatever feels right at the time...

 

KLW

[Adam Adolph]

Currently I have all DeWalt cordless power tools both 12 and 18 volt lithium.  I also have some Milwaukee cordless tools and also a Ryobi Compound Power Miter box (Chop saw as some call it).  Most of my hand tools are Craftsman but I have many from various manufacturers both name brand, store brand and "generic".  I have very little complaints about any of the tools I have except for some power tools I got as gifts that came from Menards, and I do not think that I will own ANY of their store brand again because of the lack of quality.  Most all my blades are DeWalt, Milwaukee, or what i can afford or buy locally (have to drive 45min to 1 hour to get DeWalt or other quality say blades).  Most to all my drill bits and power bits are DeWalt or Milwaukee.  There are a few store brands in there cause it was what was available at the time.

[steve kidd]

well john, i have a lot of ridgid tools, good quality, never had any problems and they have a lifetime warranty on woodworking tool, including batteries. i also have dewalt, porter cable, hatchi, senco, shopfox and jet. like you i research and buy the best i can afford, you get what you pay for. my hand tools are from here and there all name brands from my time working construction, i have got cheap in the past, and paid for it shortly after, my theory is buy the best you can afford, dont skimp on tools.