Apr 15, 2009
Posted by admin in Tools and Hardware Chatter | 11 Comments
What brand of hardware tools do you prefer, and why?
Aerial_Tang asked:
I am going to soon be building up my own toolbox and am not too familiar with the different brands’ quality and dependability. Do you prefer Craftsman, Husky, Ryobi, Makita, Stanley, Workforce etc. or something else. A combination? Hand tools of one, power tools of another? I think you get the idea. Thank you for your consideration.
Housewares Shoppe
I am going to soon be building up my own toolbox and am not too familiar with the different brands’ quality and dependability. Do you prefer Craftsman, Husky, Ryobi, Makita, Stanley, Workforce etc. or something else. A combination? Hand tools of one, power tools of another? I think you get the idea. Thank you for your consideration.
Housewares Shoppe
Ryobi ? Never.
Home tools; Craftsman, Black and Decker, Stanley
Pro tools; Porter cable, Milwakie, Ridged.
craftsmen tools are guarenteed for LIFE.
get them at sears.
watch for sales.
they run sales just about every week on different tools.
I use allot of Craftsman tools. I like the warranty (lifetime on hand tools) I like the fact that there is usually a sears nearby as well. For sanders make sure you buy ones that take standard size discs and pads. Sears is a bit high on replacements, and you can get them cheaper somewhere else. Have fun, tools are great to own!!
There are a lot of tools to choose from.
I have a lot of Milwaukee and delta and I really like by Bosch jig saw.
I don’t think workforce tools are so hot. The sears tools are fairly good too. The point is most of the top brands are good tools. The trick is to find the tool that fits you best.
For example I have a 12 volt battery drill. They make more powerful ones but they do not feel good in my hand. The balance is all wrong with big bulky batteries and if I have extra duty holes to drill I reach for the 1/2 Milwaukee Hole Shooter or the hammer drill.
A good tool should be an extent ion of your body and a good tool will out preform and out last the cheap one.
Go to all the stores and check them out. Call the rental stores and see what they are using. You will see they use Bosch and Milwaukee quite a bit.
For stationary power tools I prefer Delta.
For mechanical tools I prefer Snap On, Craftsman and S&K in that order. Mac tools are good but we don’t have a local driver that I know of.
And don’t for get the tool boxes. Metal ones are best but make sure there is plenty of room for extra blades, bits and adjustment tools. Extra tool boxes for attachments are a good idea too. Keep your tools in good shape and don’t lend them out.
we prefer kobalt hand tools and Dewalt power tools. we like the 36volt ones, but have some 18v for quick jobs. if you are buying power tools, i suggest buying the sets most places offer because they give you the extra battery which can cost you another $100 to buy seperately.
we like these tools because they hold up well and the dewalt brand is the best powertool brand ever and has a lifetime garauntee
Wrenches- Craftsman
Power tools-DeWalt,Bosch,Mikita,Milwaukee
i will tell you like i tell my kids. if you making a living like do. then buy good tool. you use them every day. like i do. but if you a week end warror. then not so cost tool well work for you . but stay alway from back decker they won,t hold up for you. they two time use only. sear and home depet have good tool for your need
It depends on what you doing and whether it is a power or a hand tool.
For power tools, I like either Makita or Ryobi for battery units, Bosch for rotohammers and some other corded units. For screwdrivers, reamers, wrenches and so it’s Klein. For a heavy duty corded power tool, Rigid is on top. Craftsman was a good brand 20 years ago, workforce is a back up at best for hand wrenches, the rest of the hand wrenches are not worth my time. No matter how good the guarantee is, if it breaks when you need it and it’s replacement is an hour away, it’s better to buy the best quality you can.
For in home use, 2 sets of Craftsman wrenches, and a set of battery operated power tools from Ryobi will last for years. A higher quality battery unit is Makita, I would not use B&D, Firestorm or any of the lesser brands.
I’ve recently purchased 3 Hitachi tools and I’m very impressed with the quality, as well as the job they do. Don’t let the tacky black and green color scheme fool you. These are some serious tools. I also have several Craftsman tools but I’m not too happy with the quality. Until reading this question and the answers before me I had forgotten that they are guaranteed for life. I have a Delta 12″ Compound Miter saw. It rocks but I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t calibrated from the store/factory. The 45° cuts aren’t true. Stay away from Black and Decker.
Home Depot is the best place to get Contractor grade tools for a fair price. The Lowes store tool section is a mess. It’s like it was an afterthought. In fact, the way Lowes organizes their stores is very puzzling. The bulbs are nowhere near the lights and the sandpaper is nowhere near the sanders.
As far as a power tool, I prefer Ridgid brand. They have a lifetime service agreement. Many other manufacturers carry only a 2 year warranty on their tools, including DeWalt, which is a Black and Decker brand. Milwaukee does carry a 5 year warranty and is also a very good tool line, but too pricey for my budget.
start one at a time, some companies are better at some tools than others. look at sites that review specific models and brands of tools rather than trying to just pick brands. Your question is too general
Most are good, but Ryobi and black and decker are near bottom above no-names. cheap tools from otherwise good companies often are made poorly.
i have never had a bad porter cable or makita tool, but expect some exist.