Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

No the 1.5ah batteries do not fit a lot of the lxt range, you would be much better spending the extra on a 3ah kit as these fit every tool in the range.
 
OK, thanks.

I'm not sure wether I should be looking at smaller, lower powered units?

I don't need any sort of hammer function, I have a Bosch 24v SDS for that.

This tool is to replace an ageing Bosch 14v NIMH drill driver. I use it for driving screws, drilling wood or thin metal.

I guess I should find out the spec of my current Bosch and work from there.

Also, I've never owned an impact driver, is it a worthwhile investment? Or would a drill driver be sufficient?
 
I use a Bosch PBS 18V: http://www.diy.com/departments/bosch-psb18li-18v-li-ion-cordless-combi-drill/258347_BQ.prd

I've used to for masses of screwing, drilling - wood/aluminium and hammer drilling masonry brick and block. It does nicely and has a great torque control. The only annoying thing is that the chuck can come loose with repeated breaking stops. Even after 3 years the two batteries are going great and the drill still does an accurate job.

Literally that drill has done everything decently.. and it's light enough to hold in one hand.

Tried the new Bosch 850W SDS on the brick core - chiseling breaks the mortar from the brick, then if you use it on the brick it'll break it.. The hammer drill action on the brick goes through it like butter - cleanly and far far faster than the hammer action with the little PBS 18V.

Fence lattice up at the weekend and building a ply drying rack for oil painting - the PBS all the way..
 
Last edited:
Anyone know a decent set of bevel edge chisels for around £60-£70?

Years ago Marples used to be the best bang for buck chisels, but that was when they were made in Sheffield. Now they are made in China by Irwin and are junk :(.

Have heard Narex chisels are supposed to be good, but the handles look a bit on the large side. Prefer the smaller handles on the Marples blue chip chisels.

Gah why have we stopped making tools and just import everything from China now. Same with Stanley planes, they used to be made in Sheffield and are now made in China and require hours of work to get them in a usable state. I keep my eye out for good examples of old British made ones on ebay, but a lot of the time they have not been looked after and are in a sorry state.

One strange thing i have noticed is that there are US sellers selling big sets of Sheffield made Blue chip chisels in pristine condition, yet in the UK I have never found a decent condition full set, just the odd rusty example.
 
Mark A said:
Anyone know a decent set of bevel edge chisels for around £60-£70?

Years ago Marples used to be the best bang for buck chisels, but that was when they were made in Sheffield. Now they are made in China by Irwin and are junk :(.

Have heard Narex chisels are supposed to be good, but the handles look a bit on the large side. Prefer the smaller handles on the Marples blue chip chisels.

Gah why have we stopped making tools and just import everything from China now. Same with Stanley planes, they used to be made in Sheffield and are now made in China and require hours of work to get them in a usable state. I keep my eye out for good examples of old British made ones on ebay, but a lot of the time they have not been looked after and are in a sorry state.

One strange thing i have noticed is that there are US sellers selling big sets of Sheffield made Blue chip chisels in pristine condition, yet in the UK I have never found a decent condition full set, just the odd rusty example.
Click to expand...

Kirschen? http://www.axminster.co.uk/kirschen-1101-bevel-edge-chisel-set

I have a set of 4 of these and a stanley for the dirty jobs. The kirschen really doe a good job - both with hand and with a wooden mallet. Nothing like planing better than a plane by hand.

edit: here's the 4: http://www.axminster.co.uk/kirschen-1181-bevel-edge-chisel-set
 
Last edited:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-xr-dcd785c2sf-gb-18v-1-5ah-li-ion-cordless-combi-drill/22732

This is the Dewalt drill you want if going brushed. I have no idea why they're the same price on Screwfix, but this one is a trade rated drill, while the one you posted isn't. You can usually tell the trade versions as they have a metal gearbox casing which doubles as a place to attach a front handle.

As for that brushless model, it looks to be based on the same drill platform, but uses a brushless motor instead of a brushed motor. I have a brushless impact driver and have been surprised how long the 3ah batteries last. They advertise that the brushless system gives 50% more runtime, so coupled with a 4ah battery i'd imagine you'll get a full day out of it depending what you are doing.
 
Mark A said:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-xr-dcd785c2sf-gb-18v-1-5ah-li-ion-cordless-combi-drill/22732

This is the Dewalt drill you want if going brushed. I have no idea why they're the same price on Screwfix, but this one is a trade rated drill, while the one you posted isn't. You can usually tell the trade versions as they have a metal gearbox casing which doubles as a place to attach a front handle.

As for that brushless model, it looks to be based on the same drill platform, but uses a brushless motor instead of a brushed motor. I have a brushless impact driver and have been surprised how long the 3ah batteries last. They advertise that the brushless system gives 50% more runtime, so coupled with a 4ah battery i'd imagine you'll get a full day out of it depending what you are doing.
Click to expand...

Agree with this post entirely.
 
I'd rather have 2x4ah, 2ah batteries are useless if you're using the drill all day, you're forever dashing off to put them on charge.

4ah batteries aren't that heavy, usually if you get a quality drill with full metal gearing and that the batteries are the least of your worries.

Brushless tools are great, you get more power and more efficiency (so longer run time) with a brushless drill.
 
I'm looking at getting some tools, and really struggling to decide between 10.8V for lightness and the ability to do almost everything, or sacrifice some weight and compactness to go 18V, as they are generally much more capable.

Also looking at the bosch professional stuff which has a whole load of tools in the 18V range.
 
So what's considered a good reliable make at the moment?
After a hand belt sander to start with. But need to slowly build up.
Sick and tiered of buying cheapo ads crape that brakes. The amount if cheapo angle grinders I've been through. I could have purchased several decent ones.

Also after a mitre saw, but might get a muscle powered one depending how much sander is to start with.

What are titan and evolution like, or are they avoid at all costs?
 
Last edited:
The main criticism for Titan is that people complain that they can't get parts for them. I have a Titan bench drill.. needless to say it needs some "optimising" to be usable. If I'd known I'd probably saved my pennies and gone for something a bit more up market for accuracy etc. Titan is obviously one of many no-name white label Chinese products.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom