Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.
hi,
im on the market for the below tools. i am open to any of your suggestions on why or why not to go with certain brands! thanks in advance jack.
Circular saw- Milwaukee stands out brushless 7 1/4 blade. makita also good but smaller blade
jigsaw- dewalt or bosch seem to be best but neither brushless and thats about there only strong tool.
hammer drill- Milwaukee gen 2 seems best
impact driver- Milwaukee gen 2 also best
sds plus- Milwaukee also best but im not too fussy with this as only light work.
three 5amp/hr batteries- Milwaukee best quality battery
charger- not fussy
probably basic light- not fussy
in the furure i may consider nail gun (second fix) Another possible reason to go with Dewalt?
so im obviously im thinking Milwaukee … a few salesmen have told me dewalt or makita? i dnt see why though? above is only what i have gathered from online the more opinions posted the better. Thanks lads.
Hilti hands down! In all seriousness, Makita or Dewalt. Milwaukee is all sizzle, very little steak.
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Milwaukee is a fine brand to buy into. Dewalt has the nailers which are more carpenter friendly. COP tool just revied a bunch of Hilti tools and they were not light years better than the other brands. http://www.coptool.com/hilti-18v-cordless-vs-milwaukee-dewalt-makita-bosch-metabo/
dewalt are more aimed at the carpenter BUT drill/impact spend alot of time in my hand and although i havnt used either Milwaukee by far seem to have the best. And a 71/4 saw blade is huge cost saving in long run!! father has the dewalt 20v range circular saw jigsaw 3 speed hammer drill. downside is both saws are brushed units and circular saw blade is 6 1/2 and they are costly and you havnt got as much choice. keep it coming thanks jack.
won’t disagree with hilti, but I will say overall you’ll get more bang for your buck with Milwaukee stileto hammers seem to be not as popular compared to ordox nails and auto nailers
I should hope not, the hilti stuff is already 3 years old. My brushed drill has 1060 inch pounds of torque, the newest Milwaukee and makita “BRUSHLESS” stuff is only 1090.Jasonc wrote:
COP tool just revied a bunch of Hilti tools and they were not light years better than the other brands. http://www.coptool.com/hilti-18v-cordless-vs-milwaukee-dewalt-makita-bosch-metabo/
Hilti makes great stuff that lasts.
That said, I know from experience having owned a full set of Milwaukee m18 fuel tools, that they are quite decent, but a little shy of the marketing hype.
It just seems that makita and Dewalt are more carpenter friendly!
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Makita’s 36V system uses the same 18V batteries (2x18V). So if not weight is very crucial, but power and battery-life is important. Makita wins hands down on:
– Circular 7,1/2 inch blade (it may be 7-1/4″ in the states if i remember correctly)
– SDS plus
For the other normal 18V equipment:
– FUEL 2 Hammer drill is very similar in performance with the makita XPH07. THey each got its pros and cons.
– The best 1/4 impact is probably milwaukee, but then again, Makita’s compact impact wrench (1/2″) easily beats it again, and milwaukees counter parts. Not only that it got a lot more torque, but love that 1/2″ square torx/PH/Pz is more compact than 1/4″ adapters / bits (and I can easily use 1/2″ sockets without adapters with the same tool). 🙂
– I’d like an explanation why milwaukee got better 5ah batteries than any other. Just wondering, since that is a very new claim to me.
– Charger is easily makita. For 18V, their charger is the quickest and as good as any other.
I got no idea on the jigsaw though. Mafell and festool seems just so awesome that it overshadowes the others. 😛 I think the correct name for it, would be love. ANd the reason I dont look elsewhere. XD
I have no comparison on price between milwaukee and Makita. But from where I live, the latter is more popular, and therefore got more competition and better prices. Might be team red is cheaper in the states, and got better offers.
Also, Makita at least got the reputation for the largest 18V and 18Vx2 equipment.
Loaded question beckoning a BUNCH of loaded answers. 😉
Hope your wearing boots 😉
Seriously. It’s up to you. What do you want your tools to do? What do you do? Do you work in the trades? If so are you in mechanical or carpentry? Are you a woodworker?
I have a ton of different brands but Dewalt, Bosch and Makita are my favorites. They all fall behind my Festool tools.
Jason mentioned Coptools article. I just read it and it was really informative..
Also welcome to the forum.
One more thing. A lot of guys here are hardcore fans of their respective brands. But you need to be honest with yourself and ask what it is it that you want. Brand specific guys will go on an on about one brand or another. But what do you need? My shop is diverse. If your a metal fabricator or a commercial installer, a plumber or an electrician. Your needs are different from mine.
I just bought a 12v Hilti set that is pretty cool. I actually like it. But I’d take my Festool CXS and Bosch PS22-A2 over those cool little guns. I don’t particularly like the Milwaukees, great tools, super powerful. Just a little big for me,and the Makita 12vs are obsolete….or they were until they just popped out some awesome tools. Dewalts 12v line is awesome but limited. I’m hopeful in my Hilti set and am thoroughly impressed with the tools but they don’t have any other 12v offerings….yet. Just remember, what do you need. I’ve got a Dewalt framer, Ryobi Brad and a Makita pin nailer, all cordless. A Makita brushless grinder and a Bosch multi tool. The list goes on.
But I won’t tout any one brand (except Festool….I mean……really?) because I’m a woodworker and everyone knows that in the cordless line currently Bosch and Makita own that realm. Dewalt is catching up quick and Milwaukee will some day see the merit in increasing their lineup….heck they just introduced a cordless planer for Pete sake!
I like the Dewalt line the best but you can’t go wrong with Bosch Dewalt or Milwaukee I would go to the store and try them out see what grip you like the best they should all do what you want them to do
thanks for all the info lads!! im a carpenter/cabinet maker 1 big thing for me is staying on thye 1 battery platform or atleast no more then 2 platforms. i cant understand how you have all those brands ? does all the different platforms not drive u mad? it also seems impractical as in cost you alot more?
im living in Ireland so there is no such thing as getting a feel for the tools!! i always buy all my tools from USA although it does mean high import and shipping charges its still cheaper than over here!! i do have experience with the dewalt 20v line as stated above!! and i must say i do like them but the circular saw blade is only 6.5 inches and there burshed units! thanks jack!
If your a cabinet maker I’d really look at Bosch, Makita and Dewalt. They have more cordless options for woodworking. I have the Makita 18v brushless barrel grip jigsaw, 18v sander and they are great cordless options. My Bosch MXH brushless multi tool is phenomenal and my corded ROS65VCL sander from Bosch is pretty darn close to my two Festool sanders. As far as the different lines of tools, I get what I need. If they aren’t offered from one brand or another, I get another. But my shop is in my base,net and I don’t have to haul a ton of tools around. Can you imagine taking my Powermatic jointer out of the shop or my 14″ Rikon bandsaw to a work area?????
jackfinzo wrote:
thanks for all the info lads!! im a carpenter/cabinet maker 1 big thing for me is staying on thye 1 battery platform or atleast no more then 2 platforms. i cant understand how you have all those brands ? does all the different platforms not drive u mad? it also seems impractical as in cost you alot more?
It’s just tough staying with one brand. They all seem to offer a tool you want but don’t have on that battery platform your currently using.
The new Dewalt nailers look awesome, I havent used much of the newer Dewalt stuff other than what we got in the shop(Brushless drill and impact),The balance is nice and they get the job done. Im a fan of bosch,I think their jigsaws and sanders are the best but thats just my opinion. I also have a Bosch SDS and its a total beast. Like ChrisK I go with who has whatever seems to fit my needs Im just an avid DIY’er/tool junkie 😉 My profession is machining/fabricating/maintenance. I dont have any Milwaukee fuel stuff yet but im highly interested in the recip.
Around the house I have the Porter Cable 20v line and the Bosch 12v line. Ive even used the PC stuff at work in the shop doing maintenace and such and it did just fine.
ya the more i look around and think about it any of the higher end hammer drill and impacts shoiuld be plenty for what i require.. although i used them alot i really dont need all the torque they offer! i can totaly understand having every and any brand when it comes to plug in tools! its just the cordless i really want to keep platforms to a minimum!! i must say im a big fan of how the new 20v finish nailer looks!!! hope its added to my tool bag soon!! also can i ask what do ye carpenters think of barrel grip jigsaws?? iv never used or seen one in real in action. thanks lads
I think barrel grips are the most comfortable,I have large hands. Dewalt,makita,milwaukee seem to have the larger lineups. In the end I would look and see who offers more of what you need and go that route. Honestly its gonna depend how much stuff you wanna haul around and what not. TIA youtube review of bosch 12v barrel grip is up,can check it to get an idea.
yes i seen that video nice little saw!! barrel grip seems to look nicer to use in the ideal conditions if you could say that! (cutting out worktop for sink or somthing) but but what about those awkward sittuations do you find it hard to hold/grip (cutting over head, verticaly, tight corner of cabinet)
dewalt have the most appropiate range of tools but have only 1 stand out tool and thats the new nailer! (which i dont even need just want!!) i will probaly go with dewalt in the end. just wanted a 7 1/4 circulart saw though.
Makita also offers a 7-1/4 saw. The thing is a beast.
yes im considering that! 36v 2 batteries a bit heavier! does look nice tho!! can i just say thanks a million for all the info im getting ye really are a sound bunch of lads!! and i do appreciate it!!
I think the Makita and the Milwaukee fuel circ saws for cordless are the best options if its something you are gonna use often.
This place is more than just a forum,its a community of like minded folks who love tools and doing things with their hands. Thats how i think of it anyway.
Your wrong Fazzman. It’s a community of sick bastards who crave a constant fix for the tool addictions with no support network resulting in a continuous downwards circle into complete and utter tool destruction. How the heck am I supposed to eat cereal with an impact gun???????
lol,thank you for the correction.
Fazzman wrote:
lol,thank you for the correction.
I’m on the path to recovery dude. Admission of the problem is the path to healing 😉
Hehe,I dont thtink there is a way to recover man. Once I finally get my garage setup with proper power and lighting Its game on for things I really want like a bandsaw and such.
chrisk wrote:
Loaded question beckoning a BUNCH of loaded answers. 😉
Hope your wearing boots 😉
Seriously. It’s up to you. What do you want your tools to do? What do you do? Do you work in the trades? If so are you in mechanical or carpentry? Are you a woodworker?
I have a ton of different brands but Dewalt, Bosch and Makita are my favorites. They all fall behind my Festool tools.
Jason mentioned Coptools article. I just read it and it was really informative..
Also welcome to the forum.
I agree with Chris, (loaded question) it’s just like what do Plumbers prefer? Ridgid or Rothenberger? Electricians for Klein or Greenlee? What do you need your Brand to do? All are great tools, I believe it comes down to preference. I love Hilti, love Makita, love Bosch, used to love Porter Cable, always loved Milwaukee, loved Dewalt for a short time. And I still love my Paslode nailers..
And a lot of time it depends on your budget.
There are a lot of great cordless tools coming down the Pike and I like many others here are keeping my eyes and ears open for the new releases… Good luck in your choices Jack
No Chris, you are on a path to having the baddest basement workshop around…recovery, not so much!chrisk wrote:
I’m on the path to recovery dude. Admission of the problem is the path to healing 😉
I’m in the Makita, Bosch and Ryobi cordless platforms. I used to be pretty evenly distributed by brand until Dan and Eric were kind enough to increase my Bosch lineup! I have to say I am really impressed with Bosch. They have a lot of solid tools. I am not in the trades, just an avid DIYer but my needs tend to gravitate toward woodworking. Between the Bosch and Makita cordless tools I have or have access to everything I need. Honestly there isn’t a wrong choice out of everything mentioned so far. It blows my mind how many great brands are out there for us that we can argue minutia as to which brand is better. We are some lucky junkies!
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See what you started? Just kidding lol
In all seriousness whether you go Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee your not going to go wrong. I have no experience with Hilti but I’ve never heard anything bad about them. Myself I have Dewalt 20v and Milwaukee m12. Just recently I bought into the m18 line for saws.
Chrisk mentioned it, look at your needs and what can you get out of a battery platform, don’t get caught up trying to have the biggest bad ass drill on the market because you’ll go broke every year when each companies have their torque pissing contest. All brands are great and just one 18v platform may not do it, don’t be afraid to dip into another line, so what you have two different chargers.
I know kruton has a few different 18v brands and he enjoys them.
So go to the store, pick up some tools and see what you like, who cares if the Dewalt impact has 25 more torques than the Milwaukee. So don’t stress and go have fun buying some power tools!!
Jimbo
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. Chrisk! BAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! It’s sooooo true!!!!chrisk wrote:
Your wrong Fazzman. It’s a community of sick bastards who crave a constant fix for the tool addictions with no support network resulting in a continuous downwards circle into complete and utter tool destruction. How the heck am I supposed to eat cereal with an impact gun???????
Bigmikez wrote:
. Chrisk! BAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! It’s sooooo true!!!![emoji48][emoji12][emoji12][emoji15][emoji15]. I’m a hardcore DIY guy in the beginning stages of wood working and I also do a lot of mechanic work here at the house and at the shop I work at and milwaukee covers me in the impact wrench and right angel impact category but I’m mostly invested into the Dewalt 20v line which has been great to me I need to catch up with there cordless nailer line plus there’s been sightings of there new brushless planer that shouldn’t be to far behind, I’m like chrisk and many others on here who own multiple brands and enjoy it, it’s like owning the best of all worlds. Good luck in making a tough decision and Welcome to this super crazy group of tool junkies that we call the TIA crew!!
Couldn’t be said better, don’t feel like you need to be tied to one brand.
Jimbo
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HiltiWpg wrote:
I should hope not, the hilti stuff is already 3 years old. My brushed drill has 1060 inch pounds of torque, the newest Milwaukee and makita “BRUSHLESS” stuff is only 1090.
Hilti makes great stuff that lasts.
That said, I know from experience having owned a full set of Milwaukee m18 fuel tools, that they are quite decent, but a little shy of the marketing hype.
It just seems that makita and Dewalt are more carpenter friendly!
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The Milwaukee fuel 2 hammer drill has 1200 in lbs but yeah it’s not that huge a difference. That all being said, even though it’s too nice for the job, I was mixing mortar this afternoon with a big eggbeater type mixer with my new fuel 2 hammer to see how it would handle it and it almost ripped the 5 gallon pail out from my ankles 😉
Honesty these days so many tools are well made and if you stick with a name brand it’s getting tough to find real stinkers. Find the tools you need in the price you want and see if you like how they feel because it’s going in your hand in the end. I don’t think you can really go wrong with Hilti, Milwaukee, Makita, Dewalt, Bosch, Rigid or even Ryobi has tools that can’t be beat for the price in some cases. If there are a couple of must needed tools you need go by those and pick your platform from there….
chrisk wrote:
How the heck am I supposed to eat cereal with an impact gun???????
This is how I use my Fuel2 to eat my Choculas but I can’t recommend using the mode 4 for self tapping screws though. It’s tough to deal with the changing rpm when eating cereal..
I’m in ireland also, is it not better to buy from Europe on ebay and not pay import charges. I buy all my makita stuff from a german seller.jackfinzo wrote:
im living in Ireland so there is no such thing as getting a feel for the tools!! i always buy all my tools from USA although it does mean high import and shipping charges its still cheaper than over here!! i do have experience with the dewalt 20v line as stated above!! and i must say i do like them but the circular saw blade is only 6.5 inches and there burshed units! thanks jack!
At least the first set with charger and batteries should be with the same voltage/frequency as you power grid. 🙂
This is the exact reason I created a comparison spreadsheet, so you could pick what tools are most important to you and then let the maths do the rest.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/143rz-J-plq2kG9uCfXfkpTkd-zHgFpwc6KfcM1FbPwg/edit
To me, all the hammer drills produced by the main brands are excellent and will do a carpenter fine. Impact drivers are probably Makita then Milwaukee then Dewalt, but again, all great.
The jigsaws are probably all decent, with my vote going to bosch and makita.
I think you should focus on circular saw performance, and if you might be going to buy cordless nailers.
I pick Makita or Milwaukee as equal best overall for your overall needs. The drill, impact, jigsaw, circular saw are all excellent. with their saws you can get the 7.25″ AND/OR the 6.5″. You also have the option of getting a planer with these brands too.
If you are OK with having two brands, I would then add Dewalt for their nailers.
If other skins will sway you:
Multi-tool – Makita
SDS – Milwaukee / Dewalt
Compact Drill – Milwaukee / Dewalt
Grinder – Makita / Milwaukee
Recip – Milwaukee (maybe Makita when BL arrives)
Stapler – Makita
Holehawg – Milwaukee
I might have mentioned it earlier, but if you order the makita circular saw from europe, you even get it with 7,5″ blade (190mm). 🙂
Turner85 wrote:
I’m in ireland also, is it not better to buy from Europe on ebay and not pay import charges. I buy all my makita stuff from a german seller.
any chance you can give me that German sellers contact email or address?? I do buy Europe but when its a big purchase USA seems to win hands down!! Also for anyone in USA if ye have a go to seller who is very good on price that ye think will ship Nationwide please let me know!! once again thanks a mill and i really couldn’t of gotten a better welcome to the site!! 😀
Also another reason i think i should buy USA tools is that your arbour size is different to European! that may sound like a negative but really its a positive as your blades are so much cheaper! and also a better selection!! must say if i am big fan of the makita brushless 6.5 inch circular saw. just seems that it would be a bit too bulky at times!
Wow… thats alot of questions in 1 post m8 =)
Short answer:
For carpenting / woodworking/ etc… ? Makita
Long Answer:
Disclaimer: All of the big brands : Makita, Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Hilti make great tools
Circular saw – Either Milwaukee or Makita. Both have a brushless saw out. Milwaukee’s is somewhat bigger and heaver but with a 7/14 blade. Makita has a compact lightweight model with a smaller blade. If you want the absolute top in power and speed then makita’s 18X2 model has you covered. It’s a beast.
Jigsaw – No doubt: Makita Brushless. Get the barrel grip one. Easily the best Cordless Jigsaw imo. ChrisK keeps raving about it 😉
Hammer drill– Milwaukee Gen 2 Fuel or Makita XPH07. Both extremely powerfull Brushless drills. Makita’s is heavier and bigger. Milwaukee’s tend to have a bigger chance of chuck wobble ( which will be fixed under warranty ) and the handle design isn’t up to par for the torque that this thing puts out. Reviews have mentioned the handle slipping of the tool when it binds up and rounding out the metal edges of the tool.
Impact driver – Milwaukee Gen 2 is close but nothing beats Makita’s DTD148 3 speed Brushless model. Smaller, lighter, and ALOT more rpm’s.
sds plus – Milwaukee m18 fuel –> Check out coptool website for a comparison reviews between the models.
three 5amp/hr batteries – Unfortunately there’s no way to ‘test’ which batteries are the best. Nowadays all brands produce good batteries with the warranty to back them up. All brands had their share of bad lion designs. Makita’s 3.0 amps. Milwaukee V18 platform. Bosch’s older 2.6 amp batteries. All brands heave learned and nowadays they all feature an electronic package that keeps your tool and your batteries safe.
charger – Makita. More important then you think, because it’s the speed of charging that will keep you working all day long on heavy Amp operations like SDS drilling / Grinding / etc… Less time on the charger means more time working. Also kudos to both Makita and Milwaukee for Multiport chargers.
probably basic light – I guess you mean a compact drill? 10.8V or a compact 18V to go with your Beast drill mentioned above?
Some specials:
Dewalt has the cordless second fix nailer. Something like this is not offered yet by the other brands
Makita has a few cordless carpenter specific tools: Cordless Sander, Pin Nailer, Biscuit Joiner and in januari / February there is a kick ass compact Cordless Mitre saw coming out. A cordless Mitre saw with LONG runtime and the same power as a corded model.
My 2 cents !
dwain wrote:
Recip – Milwaukee (maybe Makita when BL arrives)
What do you mean Dwain .. Maybe?
It’s going to spank the Fuel’s ass 😀
hahaha 😀
wow tool junkie thanks for such a detailed post! yes i have seen most of what you mentioned i do do strongly agree with it too! below is what i think ill be getting. still undecided between the 18v or 36v makita. sorry as for light i actually mean torch rather than an extra drill! may consider another drill too tho 😉 thanks lads!!
Makita XSH03 6-1/2″ Circular Saw OR Makita 36v XSH01Z Circular Saw
MAKITA 18V BRUSHLESS IMPACT DRIVER 18V LXT Quick-Shift Mode XDT09Z
Makita XPH07 / DHP481 Brushless 18V LXT Hammer Drill/Driver
Makita LXT Jigsaws – 18v Cordless Brushless D grip handle OR barrel grip
Makita 18V 15/16” XRH01Z OR Makita 36V 1” XRH05Z probably the lighter 18v one!
Makita basic 18v torch not fussy just something cheap
DEWALT DCN660 20V Max Brushless 16 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer – DCN660B / DCN660D1 with 2 batteries
also want 3-4 4amp/hr makita batteries and a rapid charger.
I think the above will have me sorted/covered for now!? 😛
Think of warranty when u buy outside of Europe. European repair centres probably won’t touch U.S models so what your saving buying from there is only giving you unwarranted tools really unless your happy posting back to the U.S for repairsjackfinzo wrote:
wow tool junkie thanks for such a detailed post! yes i have seen most of what you mentioned i do do strongly agree with it too! below is what i think ill be getting. still undecided between the 18v or 36v makita. sorry as for light i actually mean torch rather than an extra drill! may consider another drill too tho 😉 thanks lads!!
Makita XSH03 6-1/2″ Circular Saw OR Makita 36v XSH01Z Circular Saw
MAKITA 18V BRUSHLESS IMPACT DRIVER 18V LXT Quick-Shift Mode XDT09Z
Makita XPH07 / DHP481 Brushless 18V LXT Hammer Drill/Driver
Makita LXT Jigsaws – 18v Cordless Brushless D grip handle OR barrel grip
Makita 18V 15/16” XRH01Z OR Makita 36V 1” XRH05Z probably the lighter 18v one!
Makita basic 18v torch not fussy just something cheap
DEWALT DCN660 20V Max Brushless 16 Gauge Angled Finish Nailer – DCN660B / DCN660D1 with 2 batteries
also want 3-4 4amp/hr makita batteries and a rapid charger.
I think the above will have me sorted/covered for now!? 😛
Well rapid chargers are standard in each kit with Makita. Not something you have to buy ‘extra ‘
And i musunderstood the ‘light’ part yes ^^
In all honesty: Do you need 65mm depth of cut? then go for the dual 18v battery saw. Can you get around with 52mm depth of cut? Then go for the brushless single battery saw because it’s such a powerfull but small compact piece of work.
depth of cut isn’t an issue its more about blades!! not sure what its like over there but here blades are not only very expensive but iv limited choice!! as i previously mentioned the fact im most likely buying from USA it will be different arbour size anyway so ill get a load of blades while im at it! wouldn’t i be right in saying 7 1/4 are both cheaper and more available? thanks jack.
Ah no problem here in belgium but i’ve heard this problem alot that in use some blade sizes are hard to get 🙂
tool junkie I didn’t realise that U were based in Belgium! You don’t by any chance have a contact for a well priced European seller that could compete with American prices? Thanks Jack
I dont think any european seller can compete with american prices. The power tool market in the USA is alot cheaper then in europe.
exactly what i believe but on the second page of this discussion an Irish guy said he buys off a German salesman and reckons its well priced!! Unfortunately he hasn’t commented since!! hopefully he gets back. also i have realised a lot of ebay sellers are not as willing to mess around with the cost and shipping rated to try dodge import taxes!!!! last time i made a big purchase they were all willing and i managed to get a great bargain!!
Well i think you should support your local dealers if you have any but thats the tool mentality in belgium 🙂
i do believe in supporting local salesmen BUT tell me if im wrong??? i believe im about to spend around 1200 on tools from America. if i was to purchase in Ireland it would be over 3000 maybe even 4000 im scared to look!! now do you still believe i should go ahead and support the locals?? haha 😛