Power Tools

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

I've been wanting to get an impact driver lately and while in Lowes, I saw a Craftsman 20v combo kit that included a drill and an impact driver for $99 with 2 batteries and a carrying case. I was thinking about putting that on the Father's Day wishlist. I've never owned an impact driver so I don't know if Craftsman is a good brand for power tools like with their hand tools.

I'd like to keep it $100 or under and there are a lot of options for that price. You have them with brushed or brushless motors (brushless seems to be better but at a cost). I've seen them in 12v, 18v, and 20v configurations. Some also come with 2 batteries and that is a big plus.

Anyone have any recommendations on the brand, voltage, or motor type or is that combo kit (20v with brushed motor and 2 batteries) pretty good for your average homeowner who likes building projects?

 

[Michael Steffen]

It all really depends what you are using it for. I have had multiple sets of 20v dewalt, Milwaukee and bosch drills. Honestly I hardly ever use my 20v stuff unless I'm putting in anchors or drilling big holes. I have a 12v Milwaukee fuel brushless that I love. It does 90% of my workload. The batteries last awhile and they are lightweight and powerful. I paid $225 for the set 2 years ago. Great value.
If you want a big set I liked my Milwaukee fuel stuff over the Bosch and dewalt. It just is made better and I've had less issues from the Milwaukee. I've also would recommend makita drills as well. Very nice. All in all I would buy a major brand. You get what you pay for with drill imo.

 

[buckethead1978]

I like Dewalt 20V stuff. Lots of bare tools that can be added down the road.

I think the extra $50 is worth it over Craftsman (rebranded Chinese stuff I believe)

 

[420grover]

Craftsman is ok if your just using it occasionally, which sounds like it would be fine for you. If it's something that's going to be used a lot then spend the money and get Dewalt or Milwaukee.

 

[jedwar]

I like Dewalt 20V stuff. Lots of bare tools that can be added down the road.

I think the extra $50 is worth it over Craftsman (rebranded Chinese stuff I believe)

Agree with Dewalt. I use the impact all the time. Strong and battery last a long time.

 

[UKGrad93]

I have an 18V Hitachi drill. It seems to be powerful enough for any homeowner use. I kinda wish I had gone with a different brand though, just to be able to run more tools off of the same battery.

 

[CB3UK]

My dad actually got me that very set for Xmas OP. It works just fine. Done all manner of upgrades to my house these past 3 months and given them plenty of test driving.

I will say I have an older (maybe 10 yrs?) Craftsman 19.2V that seems to have a lot morw torque than the drill in that set does.

I worked for Home Depot for 7+ yrs, got to use all sorts of power tools there. I agree with the above....DeWalt and Milwaukee are the way to go as far as the overall best brands. Definitely think about what your future tool needs are, as it generally makes more sense to stick with one of their systems to cut down on needing different batteries. Those suckers can add up $ real fast.

Of course a contractors needs are gonna be a lot different than a DIY guy which is what it sounds like you are. As a homeowner and weekend warrior, that Craftsman drill set just got me through 3 months of remodeling so yeah, it does the job.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

Appreciate all the input. I mostly just do some small projects. I helped my mom turn her tool shed into a craft shop. Also helped replace some railing, steps, and a few deck boards on her deck. I just recently built a small section of fence with a gate where she had an opening between her garage and house.

For me I want to build a shed from scratch. We have an old steel shed that's seen better days (floor is falling apart really bad) and I don't want to spend $2,000+ on those pre-built kind you see at home improvement places. I also might build a floating deck in the backyard one of these days.

A couple of new tools probably would be helpful for those projects. I already have a miter saw, jigsaw, and one of those smaller circular saws with the 4 1/2" blades. I also have an old plug in drill that I've about worn out from driving screws with it.

That's why that Craftsman set looked intriguing. Replace the old drill and then I can stop predrilling and screwing with the same tool (sucks changing out drill bits to screwdriver bits over and over).

 

[Hank Camacho]

If you don't use it that much and you aren't doing tapcons or drilling holes in steel girders, get an 18v or 12v.

18v is probably the Toyota Camry of the situation and what I would stick with. You'll use it more because it is more handy. Also, you can get generic replacement batteries on Amazon for almost any brand so there isn't a reason to not have a drawer full.

A tool used is generally better than a tool discussed, imo.

 

[HymanKaplan_rivals48997]

I recently bought the Kobalt 24V MAX brushless kit they had. I'm building a floating deck in the backyard, and it makes driving those 3 1/2 inch screws into the framing a breeze.

 

[buckethead1978]

If you are going to build a shed, do yourself a favor and get the 20V drill plus driver and you might as well toss in the circular saw. You don’t want to build a shed with a 4.5 inch saw

 

[sefleming]

I found this chart which shows who makes the various power tools. Found this interesting.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

Thanks again for all of the replies. For what I will use it for I just went with the Craftsman setup. I needed another drill to anyways and there was only like 2 brands that had both tools for that price point. The other was Skil and was a 12v but had a brushless motor. So I was kinda torn but decided to just get the 20v setup. I could have gotten just an impact driver by a different brand for that price but like I said I wanted a drill as well.

It isn't a huge investment if I have issues down the road to get something else. By the way the old guy that worked in that department said Craftsman is made by Dewalt (goes along with that picture up above with both made by the same company) and that it would be good for home use. I think he would have recommended something better for daily usage at a job.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

By the way it says that these tools are made in South Carolina using global materials. So basically parts probably come from places like China but they are built by Americans. So build quality shouldn't be that much of an issue. Just have to rely on the parts lasting. I didn't realize they made some Craftsman tools (reciprocating saw blades) down the road in Shelbyville , KY.

 

[Chuckinden]

I have Kobalt, Dewalt, Craftsmen, and Milwaukee tools. The battery charge in the Dewalt and Milwaukee tools last so much longer.

 

[Bill Cosby]

The 18v Ryobi line from Home Depot is great for a home owner. The only thing I’ve been sort of disappointed with is the leaf blower, but I fully expected it to suck at 18v.

 

[Bigtyrone]

Someone stole the Makita circular saw and nice Bosch router in my garage. I was soooo pissed.

 

[Drcats2025]

I have a Hart drill that I recently bought from Walmart to run some Ethernet cables for me and my wife while working from home and it has been excellent. Was like $80, along with $30 spent on all the bits/accessories. I’ve had it 3 months and used it like 10 times already lol. I always borrowed my dads drill and other tools but figured it’s time to start collecting my own

 

[UKWildcatT]

This is corny, but I’ve been teaching our 17 year old son how to use tools, etc and I love these conversations

 

[sefleming]

We use both the Porter Cable and Ryobi brand. They work fine for our needs. The Ryobi 18 volt one+ system has over 100 tools that the interchangeable battery will work on.
Porter Cable from Lowes which I think they are doing away with this brand.
Ryobi is from Home Depot.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

Finally got to break in my impact driver and drill with a simple woodworking project. I still don't have a lot of experience building many things yet or a huge set of tools so I made a simple bench that only uses 2x4's.

Turned out pretty good I think. I still need to put wood putty in the screw holes and give it a good sanding. I used untreated wood to save on the lumber cost. I just need to figure out the best way to protect it.

Any recommendations between painting or staining? Staining will probably look better but using some cans of spray paint will be much simpler. The main thing is I want it to last at least a few years or more out in the weather.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I do a lot of home projects.....then help out others. Rebuilding front porches, decks, etc. I have something equivalent to this......

https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-XR-...-Included-and-2-Batteries-Included/1002278258

However, a bunch of the guys I have done work with use Milwaukee, Ryobi, Hitachi, B&D. Really, I haven't seen any issues with the actual tool itself. The issues are always with the batteries. The better brands hold power longer.....and the batteries show a longer life. That being said......price the batteries......because you might buy one before too long. Shoot, go ahead and buy an extra from the get go.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

I have an 18V Hitachi drill. It seems to be powerful enough for any homeowner use. I kinda wish I had gone with a different brand though, just to be able to run more tools off of the same battery.

You can get battery adapters for about $20 on eBay. Say you have dewalt tools but Hitachi batteries, you get the adapter and the battery works on the dewalt.

 

[Anon1711055878]

I don't know jack-**** about power tools, but I'm so glad to see "random discussion" on this board that doesn't involve politics or Corona.

Carry on...

 

[Rebelfreedomeagle]

I used Hitachi, now being branded as Metabo, and had trouble finding a replacement battery. DO NOT get the off brand ebay cheapos. I used it twice and it died, and when it went it smelled bad and got so hot I took it outside. I was afraid it was going to go up like a Note7 or hoverboard battery.

I just replaced the whole set with Ryobi and I'm really happy so far. That driver is the damn ticket for screws.

 

[blubo]

I bought a 18v hitachi impact driver and recip saw last year which are ok for what i do these days. i got it to replace my old 12v dewalt impact, which is still working except the two batteries and charger have had it. it was cheaper than buying batteries/charger for the dewalt. the hitachi doesn’t seem to have near the *** as the smaller dewalt, even though the hitachi was listed as having more torque than my old dewalt. hitachi batteries are much smaller and don’t last near as long as the dewalts. dewalt is a workhorse. i bought it used twelve years ago off ebay.

 

[H. Lecter]

Nice bench. I think if you stain it since it’s not treated you’d also have to use a clear coat to protect from weather. So probably exterior paint may be your easier option.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

Nice bench. I think if you stain it since it’s not treated you’d also have to use a clear coat to protect from weather. So probably exterior paint may be your easier option.

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[bluelifer]

Pick Milwaukee or Dewalt and stick with one of them. You may think it doesn’t matter if all you need is a drill, but as soon as you start thinking of other tools you need, you’ll wish you’d gone yellow or red. They have the largest selection of well-made tools that work on the same battery systems.

 

[Pickle_Rick]

If you are a pro, and wondering what you should buy, go to your rental places and see what they rent. They have to get the most bang for their buck. If you are a serious DIY'er, and name brand from a big box store is more than you'll need. If you are just a guy that likes to the newest gadget, Harbor Freight. Get the second cheapest one. Again, more than you'll ever need.

FYI as a carpenter, I used cordless drills almost every day. I used every brand. Makita, Dewalt, etc... best buy for me was the Ryobi. Mine has lasted 25 years, heavy use, and only needed to buy new batteries. And if I drop it off a roof, or bust it some way, I can get a new one for 1/3 of the price of the Dewalt.