Here we go again, tool review comments time.
We decided against router combo kits for a couple of reasons and are going to replace it on the schedule with cordless combo kits. But we’re restricting the testing to the trim saw and driver drill (rather than try to tackle the whole world of mega kits).
As always, What do you look for when laying down your cash for these tools?
What do you like and dislike about the models you’ve got?
For sidebar info:
What tools included in the kits are dumb? Is the flashlight a gimmic? What about the recip saws? What about the door planer?
Whoever gives me the niftiest use for a cordless circ saw gets a handfull of FHB pencils.
I’ve added a poll to this tool folder about peripheral tools in the kits. Please vote.
Thanks for your help,
Dan
Associate editor
Edited 7/21/2005 11:53 am ET by Dan Morrison
Edited 7/23/2005 10:14 am ET by Dan Morrison
Replies
cordless trim saws are great for cutting drywall. Used to do insurance work and when a basement flooded we would snap a chalkline at 24 1/2 inches from the floor, set the saw to 1/2 inch and cut out the damaged drywall. Often there was little damage to the vapour barrier. drywall screws are hard on the blade though so its best to check with a magnet and remove any near the line.
also love them for work on the roof.
flashlights are handy if you have to go in an attic or crawlspace- you never need to worry about batteries being dead.
also like the recip saw for small jobs. Planer?? waste of money and space. jigsaws are not necessary as recip will do most stuff or use corded (better quality)
I like good power and endurance. My Milwaukee and Bosch sets work well. I tried a buddies Ridgid and it seems to work well. I like being able to charge two batteries at once and it doesn't take long to charge them.
I have an old 15.6v crapsmen cordless saw that I tried to use for a boat anchor but it didn't work well.
I like cordless sawzalls for quick jobs I don't want to drag a cord out for. The flashlight is very handy when your batteries go dead in your Mag-lite.
Greg Werner- Werner Building & Remodeling
Huntingdon PA
I've got the Bosch 24 volt platinum series at work. Love it. Light bulb blew on the flashlight have never replaced it don't miss it. The Sawzall is good if your fast. The drill and saw are really good. Love that saw. Niftiest use for the saw is coping miters when you don't have a table saw handy.
We are all in this together.
http://www.hay98.com/
i dont understand why these sets dont include a jigsaw, or the ability to just buy the cordless tool without the case, the batteries, and the charger each time. ryobi has the most clever system in place along with inexpensive 18v batteries. you can just buy the tool or the batteries... and the prices are reasonable but they are chinese.
i do not purchase chinese tools... (i dont want an american made house built with foreign tools)...this is becoming more and more difficult. I would really like to see the large power tool manufacturers proudly put a MADE IN THE USA logo on all tools. if a makita drill has made in georgia here in the states and the other manufacturers dont display the country of origin or if its foreign ... i am sold on the makita for instance.
i use the makita 14.4 system to install kitchen cabinets, 4 drills(1 retired after 7 years), flashlight(ideal for plumbing), recip saw(hardly everused) circ saw(underpowered for cutting panels to size), jigsaw(brand new and unproven but cuts a sink hole in a laminate top easily
my "system" all use the same batteries and chargers which is a real plus, i've lost count of how many batteries i have and at last count 3 chargers are still operational and at least 8 batteries
the biggest improvement in batteries was the NiMH batteries, a battery in each of two drills will hang cabinets all day on one charge, one for predrilling, one for screwing to the wall, that means about 50 to 75 3 inch #8 wood screws plus the 1 1/4 to fasten cabinets together
only down fall of the makitas, transmissions and speedcontrol switches, i carry spares of both in the truck at all time, but i'm sure other manufacturers have similar problems
my oldest driver/drill is at least 7 years old and has driven hundreds or thousands of screws and was recently retired and has become a parts supply
i'm sure that any professional grade "system" would do the same job, i only choose the makita out of necessity some 7 years ago(only one available here at the time)
and 14.4 is more than adequete for me and i will stick with it
next purchase? a right angle driver for tight spaces and an impact driver
message to makita and other manufacturers, make sure that new systems are compatible with older ones
a big word of advice to all of us, learn to repair your tools onsite, carry spare parts
i'll start a new post on this subject
caulking is not a piece of trim
I thought the cordless flashlight was just a gimmick until my "regular" flashlight batteries died and I had forgotten my droplight. I popped the battery out of the circular saw and into the flashlight and scurried into the attic.
Wow, was that cool.....good light, no cord to drag around, the flashlight stayed where I put it and I could swivel the head to aim the light where I needed it. I'm still working on remembering to turn it off if I come out of the attic (or from under the house) - lol
Somehow this discussion was moved to the editor's corner folder where it collected dust.
Note to other people with gavels attached to their names: Please don't move this out of the tool folder. Thank you.
Associate editor
I picked up a 6 piece Makita 18V combo kit last year and can't say enough good things about it. 3 x 18V 2.6ah batteries were included in addition to:
1/2" Hammer Drill; JigSaw; Recip; Circ Saw; Flashlight; Blower/Vacuum; PLUS a 7 1/2" Cordless SCMS.
Off all the items, the blower/vacuum sees very limited use however the few occasions I have used it, it performs very well with plenty of suction unlike many cordless dirt busters, etc. The other items are used daily and I think the flashlight is practical.
The biggest surprise was the mitre saw - what a great tool! I don't do production work however I do a fair amount of trim work and flooring and it has yet to let me down. PERFECT for cutting laminate planks and cuts clean enough for paint grade trim work with a good blade.
I've done plenty of medium sized jobs on one battery alone and I'm not comparing it to my 12" SCMS as they are two different beasts. I can throw this 18V baby in the front seat of my truck, run in to do a small job - no cords, just my workmate and a support base I built for it. If I was setting up at a site for a week, then I'd bring out the big guns I guess.
The cutting capacity due to the sliding mechanism truly makes this the surprise of the year for me.
But that's just my 2 cents.....Mike
I'd like access to the editors corner please.
See what the little snitch bastads are saying about me.
We are all in this together.
http://www.hay98.com/
For the sidebar about dumb tools included in the kits, I have one for you, a battery operated stapler. I received a Craftsman cordless combo set as a gift about 2 years ago (that I could not return for many reasons) that included one of these staplers in it. I haven't really found a use for it yet. Maybe someone else could find a use for it, but I would rather have a flashlight for the cheap, throw-in item of the set.
I mean really, the stapler I already had was cordless.... <g>
I got the Bosch six pack last month. 18 volt, drill, reciprocating saw, jig saw, planer, circular saw, and flashlight.
The drill worked great drilling holes through landspace timbers, but is to big for me to work with daily. I find 12 volt drill and impact driver easier to use all day long.
The reciprocating saw I've used to trim small trees--easier than the chain saw.
The jig saw is great. I used it to install 1200 sq. ft. of laminate floor. It was easier to use than circular saw.
The circular saw--I could live without it. I don't like the switch--it's hard for me to use. The blades didn't cut well, and you know you have to buy special ones for the cordless saws. Anywhere there is a plug in I'll use my P-C saw boss.
I like the planer. It only has one blade, but seems to cut well. The guide fence from my corded planer will work on it so I can set a angle cut. I used the planer to trim slightly over sized plywood shelves for bookcase. Worked better and cleaner edge than c-saw.
The flashlight is okay. I really like the dewalt snake light--but not the kit.
The biggest problem I have is with small hands trying to change the battery with one hand.