The Perfect Tool Choice

[Mad Manny]

Relax, this Thread about the perfect tool is NOT about Mike Nel.
He is just a Tool...

[Mad Manny]

This Thread is about Tools. Specifically, Power Tools & more specifically, Cordless Power Tools..
As Offroad Users/Overlanders/Outdoorsmen (& women) many (if not most) of us frequently engage in builds, repairs or modifications to our rigs or trailers etc.

When I started out (as a Contractor specifically, but later as a Outdoors person/4x4 enthusiast, I bought various brands of power tools;
Cheap brands when money was tight,
Quality brands when I could.
I bought Toshiba & Hitachi grinders (because I believed they were good).
I bought a De Walt 125mm grinder & Planer (great quality).
So there was no brand loyalty.

Later, as these machines needed repair I realised being a Brand Whore had it's disadvantages:
De Walt service was (back then) done by Vermont American, who were terrible & faraway.

Hitachi & Toshiba had to go to a workshop near Turfontein & so on.

I then decided that you need a GOOD tool with GREAT back up.

That's when I think I made a bit of a mistake.....




..

[Mad Manny]

I decided to standardise on Bosch.
Decent tools.
Fair price.
Easy to service.

However, over the years I became increasingly disappointed in the products of Robert Bosch GMBH.

They break & often are beyond repair.

In one particular year I took 6 power tools in.
4 were 'beyond economical repair'.
One could be fixed for 66% of its replacement value.
One was fixed at a reasonable cost.

I then decided to move to Hilti.
Hilti tools are OUTSTANDING.
The service back up is 'next level'.
The stuff almost never breaks...

BUT!...

My God they are expensive.

When I 1st started replacing the Bosch crap with Hilti the Hilti item cost 3 to 4 times more than the Bosch item.
A year ago I needed a few sanding machines, I had two, I bought 3 for less than R3000, then I had 5. But that ONE job burnt 2 of them out...
Strangely, one of the ones that DID NOT burn out was a RYOBI Handyline - Handyline being Ryobi's cheap discount DIY range.
Nowadays Hilti is generally 4 to 5 times more than the equivalent Bosch, sometimes even more...

During this time I remembered my 'Hilti First' rule & looked at the Hilti Sander. Similar to a R1 100 Ryobi/Bosch.
The Hilti was R11 000 (yes, Eleven Thousand Rand for an orbital sander).

BTW: Many manufacturers have multiple ranges for Contractors, DIY'ers & people with no money.
Ryobi has Blue. Green & Handyline
Bosch has Blue Power, Green & Skil.
Makita has Maktec as it's DIY range.
Etc.

Anyhoo, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to stick to Hilti due to the initial purchase cost.

..

[Mad Manny]

The next part of the problem is with cordless tools.

When I 1st started out the batteries were Ni Cad (Nickle Cadmium).
These were crap.
Later Li-On started becoming available.
These were MUCH better.
However, back then manufacturers would have a different battery (& often charger) to fit each machine.
Much like the Cell Phone Companies did.

But things have now changed, all manufacturers now have a standard battery that can be used across their range.

This will (finally) get us to the crux of this Thread...

..

[Mad Manny]

cordless tools.

So what manufacturers have done is to offer a Charger & Battery (or two) that fits all the power tools in their range.
Some tools require fitment of two batteries at the same time.

This is great for YOU as you buy a charger & two batteries & then slowly build up your cordless tool inventory.

This also great for THEM in that, once you've bought a charger & battery/batteries with your first cordless, you are stuck with that manufacturer.
You are unwise to buy, say, a Makita cordless tool with battery & charger & then buy, say, a Ryobi next time, as you'd then need a Ryobi charger & batteries.
Also, what THEY often do is to quote the price excluding batteries & charger, so the tool appears more affordable.

The big trick is, now that you are forced to be brand loyal, is to buy the RIGHT brand & stick with it.

I mention specifically Cordless because:
With Ek'sDom demise, buying corded tools is becoming an unwise decision.
As Outdoors people, cordless is all we can generally use.

My question is, what brand would you guys standardise on.

You can also discuss the advantages of Brushless over tools with Brushes, if you like.

Milwaukee is as good as Hilti, but as expensive.
Bosch - well, I've gone off Bosch.
De Walt is good, but now in bed with Stanley.
Ryobi is not tough enough in my view.
Black & Decker make Ryobi look great & pricey.
Makita is good.

Then the brand I'm leaning towards, Hitachi Koki has rebranded as Hi-Koki - I like their stuff.

Your views...?

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[Disco Nic]

How many tools do you really need to fix a wheelbarrow, though?

[Disco Nic]

That being said. I buy the BOSCH DIY range, because I use my tools infrequently. My 18V cordless comes camping with me for drilling holes for my tent pegs, otherwise I use them for odd jobs around the house (which are few and far between).

[KurtG]

Is this the most exciting thing you could come up with during your Christmas holidays? Jeez Manoel, you live a sad life.

For my very limited usage levels here on mud island I buy the cheapest option no matter what the brand. This is usually the type of tool you use once a year so if it lasts for 5 uses I’m good .

Then I have my two drills: a corded and cordless “blue” Bosch. They have both been 100% reliable over many many years, but then my usage is fairly low, as mentioned. I’ve been very happy with them.

[Flipside]

I am between Bosch Professional and Makita for cordless ranges.
Makita has great batteries, and you can buy the bigger Ah ones too.
Reviews of tools often rate Makita very high compared to their more expensive competitors.

[iandvl]

I'm sort of ambivalent about this. I've always tried to buy quality, but my divorce cost me mega bucks and so I'm fairly budget conscious these days. Also, considering the fact that I don't use my tools every day (I'm not a house doctor) the budget tools also work well for my use-case scenario.

Brands of power tools I have in the toolbox in the garage are: Mattweld, Makita, Ryobi, Bosch, Ingco and Stanley. Possibly more, but that is just what I remember right now.

They've all worked fine for me - but as I mentioned, I'm not a contractor and they're not in daily use.

[Martin de Jager]

Since I am more of a steel fabricators, come serious modifier of standard vehicles, I am incline to use my hands, being busy , can't sit still. I have bought my fair share of hands tools , even in my professional career. Metabo and Makita was always built to last.
I have a Black and Decker drill nearly 30 years old, nothing on this market beats it, it stems from good old days.I have a Metabo heavy duty Angle grinder, same professional quality also 25 years plus old.
My cordless drills, Stanley is the best, then between De Walt and Metabo.
I recently invested in a Total mini Impact driver awesome tool, Adendorff quality a h/duty impact driver for wheel nuts and cordless saw, still good value for money.

[grips]

Business
I always try to buy quality tools when it comes to the Business.

Tried Hilti but once they need to go in for repairs the cost is almost that of a new one.
Had very good service from Makita, Metabo, Hitachi and even Ryobi.
Have changed over to cordless tools a few years ago only buying Metabo. The local Metabo agent is just around the corner from my shop.
What I love is the cases they came in that you can stack and lock onto each other.

Home
Have a variety. Also slowly changing over to Cordless. You will find Makita, DeWalt, Maktec, Ryobi and Hitachi.

What is important when buy cordless tools is to make sure the batteries are the new CAS (Cordless Aliance System) standard. Which means batteries between different brands are interchangeable.

https://www.cordless-alliance-system.com/

[LesseW]

Since this thread is about tools in the garage…

Makita, Festo, Blue Bosch products and my Dad’s Pegeot drill which still lasts for 30 years. Also, blue Ryobi Drill, battery stuffed but I added a thick dual core dc wire and connect it to a car battery, does wonders…

[AndreasR]

A few years ago my Bosch cordless batteries packed up. Found myself in the shop looking at Ryobi and the variety of tools that all use the same platform. Decided to buy a few of them and have stuck with them adding more tools every now and then. I find their brushless tools quite good and powerful. Certainly enough for jobs that I do.

None have given me any trouble so I have not tested after sales service. But at the price it would probably be cheaper to throw the broken tool away and buy a new one. Certainly less hassle.

Just to add a little something. It is pointless buying the best tool for the job but then using the cheapest accessories like drill bits, cutting discs, sanding discs etc. Using the best accessories can make your task so much easier and more pleasant.

[Mad Manny]

What is important when buy cordless tools is to make sure the batteries are the new CAS (Cordless Aliance System) standard.
Which means batteries between different brands are interchangeable.

https://www.cordless-alliance-system.com/

I did not know about this...
But most of the brands in the Alliance are not available in SA...