I need some serious tool help here. I found a combination tool kit for 99 dollars by Durabuilt. It comes with a jigsaw, a circular saw, a cordless drill, a flashlight, and a sander. 14.4 volts. Is it worth the money, and will it last? Is Durabuilt a good brand as far as those tools go? ************************************************ 11-17-04, 06:46 AM Walks On Water As a BIG user of tools, I find that the OFF brand tools just don't hold up for me. In the end, I will have spent more by try to save money with these.
That said, I did do a little research on "Durabuilt."
You will note that the warranty does not cover commercial use. On the other hand if you bought Sear's Craftsman, they don't care how you use it as long as it was used properly.
It looks like this is a "Target Stores" line of tools but I may be wrong.
I think for around the house repairs they may be alright, but for the more avid user or hobbyist it would be better to by quaility line on tools whether it be a hammer or a power tool set. Remember that old adage "You get what you pay for."
I have no personal opinion on Durabuilt as I only buy top of the line, name brand tools. I have to.
11-17-04, 01:14 PM carmen621 Well, what are some brands you recommend? My boyfriend told me that DeWalt and Hitachi are good, and then Craftsman, then Black and Decker, etc. Someone else told me that McKita is really good. I just don't know. Only reason I wanted to buy this kit is because I thought Durabuilt was a good brand, but I don't want to dump a hundred bucks into something myboyfriend will end up having break on him in a year. Difficult decision though, cos he really needs a new drill, he'd love a jigsaw and a sander, and an extra skilsaw can't be bad. The drill he has now was passed down to him from his dad, and it's a silver, huge gun-looking thing, and it weighs like a good 6 lbs. Recommendations would be good.... Big Grin
11-17-04, 01:49 PM Walks On Water The brands you mentioned are all good. I like my Makita tools. Heavy use over the last 15 years. I am not crazy about Craftsman Power tools even though they have very good hand tools.
If I am not mistaken, DeWalt and Black & Decker are the same company, just a different package.
You many not be able to afford a complete set right off the bat, but I'll bet your boy friend would love you to pieces for a new, power drill.
You did not state how he uses tools. Home repairs or does he use them to for work? Like I said, if he uses them just to putt around the house, then the Durabuilt just might be OK. for quick, small repairs.
11-17-04, 02:28 PM DvdGStwrt I am picky about my tools - very, very picky. I use Dewalt power tools exclusively: http://www.dewalt.com/us/core/ they are high end, powerful and durable, used mostly by people who work with their tools nearly every day.
I prefer Stanley hand tools with my Dewalt. And the reason is NOT because I think Stanley is better than craftsman. Look at the sites for Dewalt and Stanley - Extra Points to those who figure out why I go with those two together. Remember I am a man with a sense of style and believe that things should match Wink
Now my preference for Dewalt is because most of their tools are set to industrial standards, this means that they have a longer life, higher durability. I am a carpenter by trade, I work with my tools every day.
99 dollars for a set sounds cheap too me, but then I have never spent less than $100.00 on any power tool by itself, let alone purchased a whole set of tools. I have thousands of dollars in tools in my truck - and I still have lots of room to haul drywall, wood, etc. That's really not a lot of tools.
In considering what tools you are going to buy think of how much you plan on using them, how much power they do have and what kind of warranty comes with them.
If this set of tools is going to be used a few times a year, and you are planning on small projects this may very well work.
If you are a weekend warrior who plans on building that Tree house fort, cabinets in the garage and other projects, this set may not be worth it in the long run, say 1 -2 years down the road you will have repuchase the tool(s) to replace worn out ones.
If you are a wood worker who will be pretty much using the tools all the time, go for an industrial, heavy duty, high powered set of tools, preferably a set that comes with a good warranty.
Now we know that the Drill is cordless, and that something is 14.4 volts (the drill?) or is it more like amps there for the saws? What we don't have in your description is the size of the circular saw (in inches, refers to blade diameter) the No Load speed, For your jig saw we have no idea if it is key less clamp, if the 14.4 amps (or is it volts for all?) applies to that, or what its strokes per minute is. Since you said Volts I wonder if this is all a cordless set.
14.4 volts in cordless is pretty low, I prefer 18 volts (at least - Power is good) - and lots of batteries. On the job I will mostly use a cordless drill for screwing, my drill with a cord for drilling, for saws I go with the cord simply because I am very old fashioned and I still do not believe that cordless is here to stay. I have a few cordless tools, they sit in the storage shed basically unused because I personally got frustrated at their short life - again I cut lots of wood, I use my tools nearly every day.
Circular saw a 7.5 inch blade is best, anything smaller and you are left with very little you can do with it - Larger is better if you are in rough construction (framing) 7.5" can cut through a 2X4 but not a 4x4 in one pass - it would also be light enough for ply wood, paneling, etc. 10" is usually used exclusively for heavier pieces of wood, say 4x material. My table saw has a 10" blade. Some guys prefer to use the bigger saw all the time.
Now since this is for your boyfriend, Let me clue you in one how to shop for Tool Gifts for him at the tool store.
About a week before you are ready to purchase, take him with you to the tool store, then ask him point blank, which of these tools you prefer. You can do this all year long, pump him for information all year long.
Now his job, say for Christmas day, is to act all surprised when he opens up the box and sees the tool he picked out specifically - if he doesn't you have every right in the world to return the tool Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin
This is how we do it here, I get tools for Christmas every year, Danny tried to wing it on his own the first year - but after the nice lady at the store asked him if he really understood the difference between a hammer and a screwdriver, he quickly learned it is best to play the "do you like this tool?" game when ever we go to the Home store, or hardware store. He also discovered on that first year that tools and accessories are not cheap. He assumed he could get a free standing tool box, the kind that is 3 1/2 feet tall for $150.00 - he ended up getting me a small tool box for that price. Now he saves up all year long for a tool purchase for me.
Since you are planning on getting the tool(s) for your boy friend, it would be wisest to get what he likes and prefers. If he is like me he will accept anything you get graciously and won't complain, but will either use it until it breaks and get his own, or refrain from using it to keep it "nice and pretty" so as to not hurt your feelings if it should break.
Sidebar: Men do not understand the Hint. If you phrased the question along the lines of "What kind of tool do you think is best?" You got the answer that included many brands of tool. Now if you ask him point blank "Which brand of power tool do you prefer to use?" you will get one or two brands.
http://www.toolking.com/index.asp is a good look see site to have him point out what he likes. It also gives you a good idea of just how expensive tools are.
I hope that covers everything.
11-17-04, 11:12 PM carmen621 Thanks for all your great help, you two. Ok. He told me like a hierarchy of tools. DeWalt/Hitachi Craftsman/Black and Decker Durabuilt and something else. ****, I can't remember.
David--complicated situation here.
Now, he doesn't use his tools for everyday work, for a job. He works at an auto shop, but he uses their tools.
He has a Craftsman skilsaw, 25cc/amps I think.
This set comes with a flashlight, a cordless drill with 2 batteries and a 1 hour quick recharge, a precision sander, a jigsaw, and a circular saw. Both saws have lasers for precision. It looked appealing because of the jigsaw, the sander, and the drill especially. The drill he has is like ridiculously funny and old. I would love to get him a DeWalt cordless drill with two batteries and at least 18 amps, but, I don't know if I can afford it. Some guy at Walmart recommended a B&D cordless drill with 2 batteries for 60 bucks. As far as using his tools, he's used his saw for plenty of things, from cutting hurricane shutters to making a cat treehouse. He uses his tools to play with his Jeep and I think he would really like the jigsaw/sander combo because he loves working with wood and is a very good carpenter. He used to install cabinets and countertops, and is very into all that stuff. There's just so many conflicting issues. I want him to have the best of the best (DeWalt, I already knew that brand kicked some tool-butt) because he's my baby, but I have limited funds, and I also want to get him more than one tool. He really needs a new drill. It was just cool that I found a set that had a jigsaw and sander with it, as like a bonus, but the brand name put me off, as for the above said reasons. If I could, I'd buy him every DeWalt tool known to man. Argh. 150 is my absolute limit. I have a car to buy, insurance to pay for, and 2 brothers, 2 best friends, 2 parents, and a sister to buy for this Xmas. That's what you get when you love a lot of people. :S And what do you guys mean by "Hand tools"? I was thinking of taking him to some stores and seeing what he likes, but then it ruins the surprise, just as you said. Also, can you guys tell me what the best places are to buy from for lowest prices?
11-18-04, 12:09 AM DvdGStwrt Hand tools, Screw drivers, hammers, axes, hoe, these are "hand tools" - anything that is hand powered, hand saw, wrench, pliers, etc.
Power tool is anything that has a motor/engine attached.
"Some guy at Walmart said..." Stop! Halt! Cease! - Walmart sells lots of things, but I do not buy them from Walmart, tires, jewelry and Power tools. Nor Target, and Sears, well they do have craftsman, worth looking at.
Where I go for tools is home Depot and Lowe's and my local hardware store (actually there are three of them, one is not so localWink). I also hit the pawn shops - Yes Some people will pawn their tools and you can get some excellent deals on some name brand tools that are only slightly used. Down side to the pawn shop, no warranty. Yard tools, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, I go to my local Blade & Chain shop which deals exclusively in yard tools, chainsaws, etc.
Tell you what you should consider:
Get the tool kit yet plan on next year having a larger budget to draw from. During the course of the year go shopping at Home Depot and Lowe's (Well he has tools now he will want to spend more time there - that is how it works Big Grin) and spend time in the tool cages and see what they got.
Do not talk him in to throwing out that old drill (No matter how silly it looks) nor the old skilsaw. The old drill with a metal casing will be worth a lot of money in future, they no longer make them with metal casings and they are starting to become a 'collectors item'. The Drill will have to be used occasionally to keep the motor good - electric motors tend to fade if they are not used - I do not understand why but it has been my experience that electric motors that go long periods unused wear out faster than ones that are used often.
A Circular saw (skill saw) will last until the motor burns out. Both older ones are still valuable tools and both should be used. He can dedicate the older circular saw to "rough" carpentry and the new one to more precise cuts since its got that new fangled laser thingy Wink
The Package of tools is more than likely worth it in this case, and having a sander and a jigsaw and a flashlight well it equals out. Sanders are pretty simple machines, Jig Saws are rarely used, but when used are sweet to have. Those two will last quite a while.
11-18-04, 12:28 AM carmen621 Yeah, I asked him. He said he likes Delta for chopsaws; his boss used to have one when they worked together. DeWalt, Craftsman, Delta, Hitachi, then B&D and then Durabuilt he guesses, he's never used Durabuilt before. What a pain in my ass he is. Now, the way I see it, it can't be that bad of a tool kit. I still would like to get him one of those DeWalt mofos with like 20 amps. I'm going to run a search for how much they run. Something else I wanted to get him was a creeper. He's so spoiled. Thanks a bunch David. By the way, I've been dying to ask a stupid nosy question. Modesto. Isn't that where that ridiculous Petersen case started?
11-18-04, 12:29 AM carmen621 Actually. David, I need you to recommend a DeWalt drill. I can't wade my way through the results.
11-18-04, 12:38 AM carmen621 Daveeed...what's a hammerdrill??
11-18-04, 01:35 PM DvdGStwrt Modesto is across the river from me, Yes it is where the Petersens lived and where Conduit country (Chandra Levy) used to be as well. I believe that real fascination with the Petersen case is that the Conduit Case was near its end and the national news hounds were snooping around and the local murder turned international.
Hammer Drill: A regular drill just goes round and round, a drill with a hammer option also goes up and down while going round and round. It "hammers" the bit into material, used chiefly for harder materials like stone and brick and concrete, the regular drill action is best for wood and metal.
Both are "variable" speed that means the drill bit goes round and round at different speeds depending on how hard you depress the trigger, both are hammer drills - meaning at the flip of a switch they can hammer or be a regular drill. The 505 is close to your dollar limit there - a sweet piece of machinery, BTW.
1/2" means the chuck capacity, means the size of the drill bit that it can take. 1/2" is pretty much the most used size bit shank you need - that is the shaft that goes into the chuck. Using a cup bit or a paddle or similar you can get larger holes than 1/2 inch in diameter.
If you want to spend even more money, I would suggest a titanium bit set.
For 30 to 50 dollars you can get a decent set of titanium drill bits - you can even go with an off brand name. Titanium bits are difficult to sharpen, they do last a long time, however once they go dull it is far easier (and least expensive) to toss the bit and replace it. Cost co was selling a 300 pc set not too long ago for 39.99 a decent set which would work nice as a gift.
Titanium bits are usually gold tipped, regular steel or carbide bits are silver in color. Diamond bits can be either steel color or black tipped. Diamond tipped drill bits are used for glass exclusively so no need to worry about that one.
Lowe's Sells Dewalt tools.
I can't recommend a creeper. The one I have was built in the 1940's by my grandfather, is wood and steel wheels, dark from years and years of oil and grease with leather "padding" yeah, we can call it padded, more like leather covering pine - pine is soft right? Wink
David
11-20-04, 10:00 AM carmen621 I asked him again, and he said I could spend that 99 dollars on a remote control 4x4 truck..... I blatantly refused of course. He'll end up breaking it and sitting in the grass with that shocked mopey look on his face. I'm dating a 6-year old. Thanks for all the suggestions, by the way. I'm hitting the shops today to do blow my money. Wish me luck. Big Grin
11-20-04, 11:16 AM DvdGStwrt
quote:Originally posted by carmen621: I asked him again, and he said I could spend that 99 dollars on a remote control 4x4 truck..... I blatantly refused of course. He'll end up breaking it and sitting in the grass with that shocked mopey look on his face. I'm dating a 6-year old. Big Grin
! LOL Big Grin
Good luck in your shopping.
11-20-04, 08:51 PM CincyOnTheRoad If you're going for a nice battery-actuated set, I STRONGLY suggest you get the DeWalt 18V drill/hammer drill/sawzall combo. Durable, strong, nice heavy torque. They have a high amp-hour rating, too, so you're not constantly having to swap batteries.
As for "not-to-buy" makes, try to avoid Porter Cable, Firestorm (cheap B&D), Durabuilt, Westward, or WorkForce. None of these makes are worth the money, IMO.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
Posts: 202 | Location: We have great OJ | Registered: 06-12-02
Edit or Delete MessageReport This Post Previous Topic | Next Topic powered by eve community Please Wait. Your request is being processed... [x] Site AnswerPool.com Servlet eve2da014 Version 1.2.21 build 9029 Module Forums 4.0.3 Stylesheet "cleanstyle" Wordlet Set "Default Wordlet Set" Logout: AnswerPool.com Update Groupee Account
