Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

Looking for a decent drill bit set as the cheap set I had has died whilst doing up the kitchen, now we are moving on the lounge I need more bits!!!!!

I don't need any screwdriver bits so just drills please. any recommendations?

P.S.

I got a new shed I need to fill so please don't make them too expensive ;)
 
Mark A said:
I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts on it, I've been wanting to get one for a while.
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Okay, I've been using this today to cut up loads of MDF.

It's smaller and much lighter than my old corded circular - this is great because it means it's easy to handle and you don't get tired using it, but the drawback is that you really do need a guide or fence to get a straight cut - it's light weight and small blade mean it's easier to veer off track than with a larger tool.

The 1.5ah batteries get munched through in pretty short order compared to something like a drill or impact driver, I'd get some 3 or 4ah ones if I was using it for trade.

All the blade adjustments etc are very easily done, and overall I'm very happy with it.

I bought a DeWalt bag for it which it fits into nicely with loads of room for other stuff, rather than going for the similarly priced hard case:

http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/tool-storage-workbenches/tool-bags/tool_bags/Dewalt-Open-Mouth-Tool-Bag-13088615?ecamp=SEAPLA13579320&ef_id=U4MMtgAAAdB4Cy4w:20140803162330:s&noCookies=false
The bag is normally about £60, it's on offer at B&Q for £32.
 
Thanks, sounds good. Will it cut through 2" softwood easily?

I did think battery times might not be great, I cant wait till all battery tools are brushless, my brushless impact driver can go all day on a 3ah battery. I think DeWalt are even bringing out a 5ah battery now as well.


I actually have one of them bags that I got free with some dewalt boots I bought a while back. The boots were only £50 so seems I got a bit of a bargain there.
 
Brushless tech is really good, means you get twice as much runtime and as such you should also get twice as much life out of the battery before it needs replacing. With the new 5ah batteries that have just been released it'll mean getting a full days work out of the tool without the need to charge, which will be great for me. I hope more tools in the range will go brushless at some point.

I haven't used the circular saw, but I have the DC330 jigsaw (which I believe is very similar saw to the DCS331, but uses the old battery system), for what must be around 8 -10 years now. Still going strong, with just a brush change needed over the years. Really great bit of kit. It is maybe a little on the heavy side and the design of the jigsaw is quite tall, but this is not an issue for me. It is just as powerful as any mains powered jiggly saw I have ever used.

Used my jigsaw to cut out this height adjustable cheek piece on a pistol, stock I made a while back. As you can see it is nice and accurate with a sharp blade and a steady hand. I'd struggle to do any better on a band saw.
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I just dismembered a small garden shed entirely with my DCS391, other than it eating through 1.5ah batteries every few minutes it was absolutely fine. I've used it for loads of jobs since I bought it, really pleased. Get a big battery for it!
 
Just bought this badboy from Screwfix as I killed the father-in-laws grinder the other day cutting some concrete blocks.

Grinder.jpg

Titan TTB283GRD 9" Angle Grinder 230V

It has very good reviews from the Screwfix site and for £60 I'm not going to complain any time soon. Will report back after I have made the next 60 cuts! :( I have a dusty weekend ahead!!
 
Looking for a drill capable of coring masonry with a 80-100mm diamond coring bit. This means it needs a safety clutch and a mains horsepower. Budget is 100-200ukp.. after it'll be used for drilling larger stuff my Bosch Li-ion 24v can't cope with..

Thinking of something along the lines of http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-2kg-sds-drill-gbh2000-110v/26459 but possibly the larger version http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gbh-2-28dv-2kg-sds-plus-drill-110v/40518

The larger one on Bosch's site indicates
Max. drilling diameter in masonry with core cutters 68 mm
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I know you can get coring drills.. but that's overkill for the one or two times I'll use the coring ability. So I'm wondering if I can use this for the 80-100mm extractor fan hole.. assuming the arbor bit size will fit..
 
Looking for some suggestions on a mains powered circular saw and also a small hand-held powered screwdriver (I have a cordless drill for the bigger jobs).

I currently own one of the B&Q Performance Power branded circular saws but it just isn't fit for purpose after struggling with it on my last project, plus the blade needs replacing so I'd rather replace it.

I have to replace the subflooring in two bedrooms and a hallway (ply).

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
 
Yes, had though of Rage but was toying with a Makita for around £30 more. Decisions decisions!

Edited - Evolution RAGE-B 185mm is less than £1 new (ex VAT) than the B-grade. Not too bad for £55 :)
 
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NickK said:
Looking for a drill capable of coring masonry with a 80-100mm diamond coring bit. This means it needs a safety clutch and a mains horsepower. Budget is 100-200ukp.. after it'll be used for drilling larger stuff my Bosch Li-ion 24v can't cope with..

Thinking of something along the lines of http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-2kg-sds-drill-gbh2000-110v/26459 but possibly the larger version http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gbh-2-28dv-2kg-sds-plus-drill-110v/40518

The larger one on Bosch's site indicates


I know you can get coring drills.. but that's overkill for the one or two times I'll use the coring ability. So I'm wondering if I can use this for the 80-100mm extractor fan hole.. assuming the arbor bit size will fit..
Click to expand...

As it's my birthday in october.. I plumbed for the 2Kg, 850W bosch.. will keep you updated..

My thinking here is that it will do both replacement of brick motor, channeling, tile removal etc by chiselling, breaking fence post concrete and drilling 107mm holes through masonry... along with normal wood drilling etc..

I saw the Titan 6Kg 1300W SDS Max.. but given the reviews say "not subtle" and it's strong point isn't accuracy.. I kept to my preference of accuracy over braun..
 
NickK said:
As it's my birthday in october.. I plumbed for the 2Kg, 850W bosch.. will keep you updated..

My thinking here is that it will do both replacement of brick motor, channeling, tile removal etc by chiselling, breaking fence post concrete and drilling 107mm holes through masonry... along with normal wood drilling etc..

I saw the Titan 6Kg 1300W SDS Max.. but given the reviews say "not subtle" and it's strong point isn't accuracy.. I kept to my preference of accuracy over braun..
Click to expand...

So.. update after drilling a 107mm hole through the interior then exterior brickwork. I used a "Erbauer Diamond Core Drill Bit 107mm x 150mm" with an extension arbour and guide bit.

850W of usable power - the drill happily cut through the block work and the brick to the outside. The manual safety clutch kicked in a few times when I moved and the bit locked in the hole.

So for a 2Kg drill, this did a really nice job - smooth as silk, no slow down on the coring but light enough to keep steady without tired arms. So the hole ended up at the desired slope for the ventilation.
 
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