Best Powertools brands around!!

[kung]

for me its got to be bosch ! i own sds and 24v cordless great drills at a good price never let me down dewalt and makita are good but overpriced bosch just as good and bit cheaper.

 

[j_mccl]

Got to be makita especialy if cordless, got four makita drills plus the impact driver excellent tools although bosch take some beating for quality i dont find as good value.

 

[Smoddo]

im glad to have been the vote that evened bosch back up with dewalt. I cant comment on makita, ive not used it a whole lot. But seeing dewalt even with bosch is a total joke. The only thing i can admire about Dewalt is its brilliant marketing team to be considered in this race. Its overpriced, low preformance, only aspect being its reliability, which u get with any similar priced product, only you get more preformance outta your boschs.

 

[johnnyb]

Bosch are good, but did you know some of the bigger Companies like Hayden Young for eg, only use Hilti, due to there tools are not supposed to give you white finger etc, but then again you don,t halve get slapped in the pocket for the privilige.

 

[Modernelectric]

I have a hitachi 14.4v drill driver and it has been nothing but trouble. The Batteries have died after only a year and various bits and peices have fallen off the drill itself!

I have a bosch 110v hammer drill and its about 3 years old, has taken a lot of abuse (chasing walls out, drilling through 3 foot wide walls) and it is still going strong! it was cheap and cheerful and i dont regret buying it!

 

[kung]

Also just got the bosch 12v drill/driver with the light for £29.99 in focus diy only used it a few times but light and compfy to use also have to confess from cosco did get the dewalt 3.6v screwdriver 2 batts etc etc was £35 only got it to replace challenge 3.6v got as part of christmas box from stepdaulter yep thought the same must hate me but didnt have the heart to tell her refuse to use it ! comes in handy as after apprentice anoys me he gotta use it all week ! lol anyway the dewalt does seem a good buy for that price !

 

[Johnny Bravo]

I own a Bosch 230v combi drill, power saw and a 10.8v impact & drill set for home use, which are great, but the Hilti's at work are different gravy!

 

[Stedger]

36V Bosch drill and circular saw are flawless. Quite expensive, but the batteries last for ages, and the performance is top notch.

 

[jbec-john]

I've had all sorts over the years. Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, and most recently the latest Hitachi 18v LiIon.

This Hitachi gear is the best I've ever had for the money. I have the combi drill, the Impact driver, and the SDS drill (Which is quite happy with a 20mm through concrete).

I'm sure all the 36v varieties have more features and poke, but they're also, bigger, heavier, and far more expensive. When you consider that 95% of the time I use my drills for either drilling wood, tightening 45mm woodscrews, or drilling a 5.5mm sds into brick, I really don't need the extra grunt. And for the 5% where I do, I have a Metabo 1010w 110v.

After the Hitachi, I preffered the Makita, then DeWalt (Although they really are overpriced), and last is Bosch. Although lets face it, none of them are particularly bad.

 

[matt456]

Hilti wins hands down!
no if's, buts or maybe's!!!!!!!!!

 

[rust1009]

Used all 5 loads. The order is Hilti, Hilti , Hilti then Makita, Dewalt, Bosch, my daughters toy tools, Ryobi.

Hilti cost loads but worth every penny.

 

[ryanryan]

DeWalt for me.
18v xrp... 20/25 in trunking and stuff
24v sds for the fixings
no complaints.

 

[welsh spark]

I just had a good deal at my local screwfix today a bosch 240v sds plus chisel drill and a 12v cordles bosch drill/driver with spare battery for £99.99 inclusive of vat reduced from £199.99 a good deal i thought i have just used the sds and its a good bit of kit so bosch gets my vote

 

[daniel hill]

has anyone hear used milwaukee

you can forget you dewalt and your bosch and hilti and toys are us tools these are the dogs under neeth

 

[High Tower]

Hi Guys,
Newbie here, Been around in the building trade a long time and managed to accumilate a shocking amount of tools.

I tend to find that Dewalt arent all that, quite expensive and not as good as other brands.

I had a top of the range Ryobi For a short length of time and the quality was shocking.

I have never really got into Bosch for no reason just i have never bought one.

My current collection is makita for my smaller power tools, i find them to be good quality, good to use and good value for money.

The bigger stuff i tend to use is all Hilti, now this stuff is brilliant no two ways about it

 

[Mac]

Hi High Tower and welcome to the forumUse Bosch and Dewalt myself

 

[High Tower]

Thanks for the warm welcome Mac, Mate of mine swears by dewalt and looks at me like i have wiped my arse with his cat when i critisise them, i think thats the fantastic part, theres something for everyone

 

[banny07]

dewalt is the best.....

 

[BigD62]

Makita latest cortless are lighter,longer lasting and great value.Im new to being a trainee spark but at $& yea5rs old Ive used a few products in the past. Still love my bosch though. Few Dewalt I had were poor quility.Im sure I just had bad luck .
Any way, score me for Makita.

 

[crabapple]

dewalt dc223 24v

bosch GBH sds (choppa)240
bosch GBH sds(choppa outa) + bosch 12.2v @screwfix for a ton

makita bhp lithium combi18v

hitachi grinder pair 4.5" and 9" from screwfix


playing the field realise everything is good depending on the colur of your money
my first bosch sds ive had 5 yrs ( my first eva powertool) and has taken a beating - i once let a polish ucnt use it till it was burning hot, grease coming out the end. i had a few sharp wordds with him, but the bocsh wasnt the least bit affected.

so i gotta say its the bosch thats the hardest,
makita the most innovative design and technology
dewalt is the flashiest, so much so that itll get nicked

 

[johnstantine]

Anybody heard of milwaukee? They are the dogs, surprised they haven't been mentioned.

Anybody heard of milwaukee? They are the dogs, surprised they haven't been mentioned.

Sorry just realised somebody has heard of milwaukee in earlier reply who also thought they're the dogs..

 

[Notsosmart]

Hmm There's a few tool snobs out there.

Dewalt ~ Elu's bought out by Black & decker I believe. Not really a fan (too much yellow) but the popularity must count for something. I have a Dewalt chopsaw & its ok but it has alignment problems & a mates hitachi just knocks mine into a cocked hat.

Ryobi's ~ cheap, but this makes them throw away so by the time they break it doesn't matter. (If they break under warrenty who cares; a little inconveinient maybe) (yes I have a set of battery drills but they have been ok)

Hitachi 240v sds Strong & capable mines lasted years & Hitachi angle grinder ~ powerful (now where's that armoured van )
Hilti 110v sds ~ My favourite ~ the mutts knees & bees -------s ~ I had mine for about 20 years & has even survived the brickie brother-in-laws (neanderthal) abuse.

Makita battery drills ~ I've had the 9.6 & 12v varieties ~ They're ok batteries die a bit quick (nicad memory seems to be particularly bad)

I used to own Bosch until my van was broken into, I still mourn their passing (tool thieves; lowest of the low they are stealing your livelihood also)

I have other cheaper makes of tools that are occassional use so why pay silly prices.

P.s. I am a toolaholic (as confirmed in another post) so any tool is a great tool.

 

[snowiespark]

gota say that my dewalt and hitachi 18v drill/driver/ "hammer" drills are poor for drilling 5.5holes into anything other than breese or light block.... wont drill red brick or any other brick/concreet in a hurry, hammer got no poke.....

good as a driver/ 1st fix in new house tool... ,
hitachi nice n light use for drilling holes for downlights in plasterboard as its easy to lift / dont mind filling it with plaster dust.

hitachi batteries die to fast, dont seem 2hold charge. dewalt is better for tourque and battery life

the bosses hilti 36V lithimu cordless SDS+ is mint. think its a TE36A or something. drills 25mm holes in concreet....

 

[Romans99]

I think Drill Bits are an important factor also.

Ive used my Dewalt 18v with cheapo bits and its been crap, but put in the Dewalt brand drill bits and it makes a massive difference.

I agree with the "too much yellow" and the Dewalt gear does look similar to the plastic stuff i buy my
2 year old lad!

I had a Ryobi 24v SDS drill which was cheap and actually pretty good.
It also meant i could sling it about and not worry about getting it full of crap.

Everything ive bought from Bosch has fallen apart.

Best thing ive ever bought is my Dewalt Impact driver.
When its cold and icy on a january evening, i still get off my a*se to bring it in from the van.

 

[High Tower]

I think Drill Bits are an important factor also.

Ive used my Dewalt 18v with cheapo bits and its been crap, but put in the Dewalt brand drill bits and it makes a massive difference.

I agree with the "too much yellow" and the Dewalt gear does look similar to the plastic stuff i buy my
2 year old lad!

I had a Ryobi 24v SDS drill which was cheap and actually pretty good.
It also meant i could sling it about and not worry about getting it full of crap.

Everything ive bought from Bosch has fallen apart.

Best thing ive ever bought is my Dewalt Impact driver.
When its cold and icy on a january evening, i still get off my a*se to bring it in from the van.

Agree about the comment on drill bits, i got sick of burning sds fixings and eventually let the Hilti rep talk me into having some hilti bits, they are nothing short of brilliant, 4 tips on a bit and double screw, three times the life and twice as fast

 

[sparky1502]

the new blue range from makita is great and the 18v impact driver is amazing..would recomened to anyone

 

[Romans99]

You've gotta be earning some serious money to buy the Hilti gear though.

Isn't it mainly for heavy construction work or am I missing a range of "everyday" Hilti power tools that I can justify splashing out on?

 

[sparky1502]

well i dont think any of us would be splashing out on hilti gear, makita is my standard 18v baby its my pride and joy the missus dont get it but they provide my living and i dont mind shelling out for good gear that lasts...my moto in life ....you buy cheap you pay twice...

 

[Notsosmart]

You've gotta be earning some serious money to buy the Hilti gear though.

Isn't it mainly for heavy construction work or am I missing a range of "everyday" Hilti power tools that I can justify splashing out on?

My 110v Hilti is the same shape, size & weight as any other pistol drill, it is just made so much better, even down to the quality of the lead and it has not let me down in 20 years.

well i dont think any of us would be splashing out on hilti gear, makita is my standard 18v baby its my pride and joy the missus dont get it but they provide my living and i dont mind shelling out for good gear that lasts...my moto in life ....you buy cheap you pay twice...

Not arguing with that, just that if you are only going to use the tool occasionally (such as my biscuit jointer) why buy the best &/or most expensive.

 

[Jelj360]

Makita do it for me ..

Had a makita 110v angle drill once - probably the best tool I ever had - till it got nicked - someone had a right result - still lose sleep over it - therapys not helping - should never ave left it on site - if only i thought to put it in the boot- maybe it'll turn up again one day - doubt it tho - has anyone seen it? blue it was - maybe not - sholdnt beat meself up over it - it was my fault - no it wasnt - help...

 

[conor]

Being using bosch for a while now, never fails

 

[jack1307]

I'm looking to buy power tools as been working for while as mate with just hand tools. What would you recommend if money was no object?? Probably looking for sds and maybe small ish combi for other tasks!! Would Hilti be a good investment, or Bosch

 

[Amp David]

For a mains powered SDS this is good and you get a 3 year warranty, plenty of impact force for chasing walls

GBH2-26DRE Bosch Hammer Drill SDS-Plus Bosch GBH2-26DRE Hammer Drill 2kg with 800w motor & SDS-Plus Chuck 26mm £110.12


As for a combi, i've gone for this one


BHP451RFE Makita Lithium 18v Hammer Drill Makita BHP451RFE Lithium Combi Hammer Drill & Drill Driver with 2 x 3Ah Lithium Batteries & Charger 3 Speed Gearbox 13mm Keyless Chuck c/w 5mtr PTUK Tape £215.66

 

[PJK]

Definitely Makita especially the 18volt lithium ion cordless kit, excellent power and battery life.

 

[spannerman]

I think you are all missing the best power tool brand around, have none of nyou ever used Milwaukee gear. This stuff is fantastic, a real professionals tool. Metal gearboxes not plastic like dewalt, expensive yes but the best always is.

Dewalt = Overrated tommy walsh toys
Hilti = Great demolition gear
Makita = Middle of the road
Ryobi = great DIY stuff not day in day out professional
Bosch = Just say no

 

[pennywise]

Just sounds like a bag of bolts when it's on

 

[mc22x]

Used Makita's,Dewalts,Metabo's for years and personally found that Dewalt are the topdog,Metabo's 2nd and Makitas 3rd.Not used any of the others so wouldnt like to coment.

 

[yaro]

Hello
I m looking for multitester for sale
Thx

 

[Eggster71]

I'd say Dewalt for most stuff, however I've got Bosch SDS 110v and Makita 24vSDS.

 

[Peter R]

Hey everyone!! Pete here from Dublin im a 29 year old sparks and a self confessed tool junky! Realy jealous of all the new li ion drills and impact drivers etc every1 keeps turning up on site with, realy impressed with the makita 18v 3.0ah range also with the 14.4v pansonic 3.0ah gear particarully the impact driver its a beast! in light of my jealousy ive been abusing my old Dewalt combi drill and 24v sds but they just wont break or die! grrr! Kinda fancy a change from dewalt, tho reading how loyal you all are to your brands of choice and thr fact that despite my best efforts my dewalt gear just wont die may have to go for the yellow and black brand again! tho tempted by AEG's life time guarantee, there as heavy as the gear i have now tho there the cheepest 3.0ah li ion range! hmmmmmmm what to do?

-Dewalt 9/10 overall good tools try for the german made stuff
-Makita 8/10 18v range is very good, great batts look after them and they wont let you down
-Panasonic 9.5/10 sparks need all metal chucks trunking wrecks plastic sleeve chucks!
-Metabo 7.5/10 hit and miss there newist li ion stuff is good
-Hilti 10/10 for corded tools every1 knows there stuff is great tho there cordless tools got left behind when every1 else moved from nicd and nimh to li ion tho the have recently done a deal with panasonic to do there batts so watch this space! very expensive tho!!!!! even on there stupid lease thingy!
-Ryobi 6/10 used to be a decent cheeper option till every relised that and now they cost the same as the pro gear! get it together ryobi
-Hitachi 7/10 The power of the gods!!! until they break and they will!
-Millwaulkee 8/10 Good stuff made by tti parent Co to AEG, Ryobi, Metabo, Rigid, Atlas. its there prem brand
-AEG 8/10 for value for money!
-Festool 9/10 (chippys tools to expensive to bring on or let out of ur site)
-Protool 10/10 festools big mean bro if your in germany or can find this stuff on line its the best in the bizz
-

 

[adam.h]

recently bought a makita 18v combi dill, re conditioned of ebay with 2 batts and a load of bits. less then £100 and cant fault it. batts charge up in about an hour and last long enough for the other to charge when doing lots of heavy drilling lol

A while back I bought a cheap sds drill for £40. only wanted it to do some quick house work but it's lasted a lot longer than expected. Even lent it to builders who where surprised when I said it was from argos!!!!! Still going strong and used it almost every day. Only fault is you cant lock the chiesel so chasing walls is not as neat as I would like as the chiesel tends to move slightly. But for £40.... can't really complain.

 

[Michaelp]

Hey everyone!! Pete here from Dublin im a 29 year old sparks and a self confessed tool junky! Realy jealous of all the new li ion drills and impact drivers etc every1 keeps turning up on site with, realy impressed with the makita 18v 3.0ah range also with the 14.4v pansonic 3.0ah gear particarully the impact driver its a beast! in light of my jealousy ive been abusing my old Dewalt combi drill and 24v sds but they just wont break or die! grrr! Kinda fancy a change from dewalt, tho reading how loyal you all are to your brands of choice and thr fact that despite my best efforts my dewalt gear just wont die may have to go for the yellow and black brand again! tho tempted by AEG's life time guarantee, there as heavy as the gear i have now tho there the cheepest 3.0ah li ion range! hmmmmmmm what to do?

-Dewalt 9/10 overall good tools try for the german made stuff
-Makita 8/10 18v range is very good, great batts look after them and they wont let you down
-Panasonic 9.5/10 sparks need all metal chucks trunking wrecks plastic sleeve chucks!
-Metabo 7.5/10 hit and miss there newist li ion stuff is good
-Hilti 10/10 for corded tools every1 knows there stuff is great tho there cordless tools got left behind when every1 else moved from nicd and nimh to li ion tho the have recently done a deal with panasonic to do there batts so watch this space! very expensive tho!!!!! even on there stupid lease thingy!
-Ryobi 6/10 used to be a decent cheeper option till every relised that and now they cost the same as the pro gear! get it together ryobi
-Hitachi 7/10 The power of the gods!!! until they break and they will!
-Millwaulkee 8/10 Good stuff made by tti parent Co to AEG, Ryobi, Metabo, Rigid, Atlas. its there prem brand
-AEG 8/10 for value for money!
-Festool 9/10 (chippys tools to expensive to bring on or let out of ur site)
-Protool 10/10 festools big mean bro if your in germany or can find this stuff on line its the best in the bizz
-

Sorry for the naive question but iam in the move to buy a hilti compo SFH 144-A+SID with 3 CPC 2.6 batteries.The batteries is Lithium.So why you mention here that the hilti is not yet moved to Li ion? Can you tel me what do you mean and with what other batteries you compare them?
Tnx

 

[pennywise]

The Hilti range is now almost completely lith-ion, they are just getting rid of the last lots of Ni-cad hence all the deals on with their existing cordless stuff at the moment on their website.
As for the Protool stuff Peter it's amazing i've got the small lith 10v quaddrive drill driver makes HSS drilling a breeze with the fourth gear 3800rpm! turns metal molten if you leave it on too long , the other bonus is that all Festool batteries and accessories are interchangeable. Cheers

Akku-Bohrschrauber QuaDrive

 

[jpmiff]

Dewalt for me,had it 2years, really abused it, no problems so far

 

[Peter R]

Sorry hadnt realised Hilti had moved so much of there range over to li ion, typical palming off there old stock on the Irish, certanly hilti build quality with li ion would place them back to the top of the pile!........tho, and this is just my opinion got agree with pennywise the Protool gear is out of this world!

 

[benji]

I agree hilti,
the only problem is the torque setting which is preset ,the larger drills seem to cut out too easy with say 25mm
sds or 75mm hole saw

yours benji

 

[SELspark]

The New Panasonic 14.4v Li range are top draw & their 28.8v SDS is superb

 

[Peter R]

Hey selspark, yeah gota agree one of the lads i work with got a load of panasonic gear, the 28v sds is so so good! and the white and black looks cool too! the 14.4v impact driver has to be the best impact driver going! also the 14.4v metal cutting saw is deadly for cutting unistrut and treaded bar and even plunge cuts in trunking for making up headers! just keep some profile handy for the jagged egdes! I seen on anglia tool centres website they do a 21v hammer screwgun (which id be intested in as a sparks cause just dont think anything less than 18v cuts the mustard for our trade what with large diameter holesaws and doing loads of holes with auger bits!) only gripe would be they have plastic sleeve chuck which is to keep the weight and balance of the tool tho gets wrecked when drlling into metal trunking! tho until i get my hands on one and try it for myself id recomend the 18v protool hammer action drill it realy is miles ahead of anything else out there and that inclueds Hilti!!!!!!!!!!

 

[weefach]

panasonic for drills makita for the rest and who could live with out the fein multi master

 

[pmac10]

would have to say bosch, but used loads of ryobi gear whilst working for that company(not the power tools division), and some of the stuff was really good.i think in the end you get what you pay for