Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

[pitchfork]

I have a titan SDS which I abuse the absolute crap out of, I've used it for core drilling and breaking and all sorts of uses it wasn't made for and it's great, I've got a makita SDS which is better as a unit though, more powerful, more efficient. And that is the SDS I use as an SDS.

Overall though I'm a Makita whore, I have a makita belt sander and it's a good bit of kit - would recommend if you're after a good belt sander. I've used it for carving out guitar bodies and necks and it's been a solid performer, the cheap ones usually don't last after that kind of abuse.

I've got some Milwaukee 12v stuff, a little 1/4" drill driver and a "hackzall" both of which are cracking bits of kit. Lighter than most of the 10.8v tools I looked at before and very cheap for what they are.

I've tried the evolution rage saws and they're amazing value for money, they're not as accurate cutting as a metabo or a makita but they're damn near and ideal for DIY projects. The blades are reportedly incredibly for metal cutting as well.

 

[Glaucus]

Which makita model do you have, or are they all pretty similar?

Oh and titan isn't anywhere near the cheapest. there's plenty of companies that are far cheaper.

Just picked up one of these from the local B&Q, http://www.diy.com/departments/mac-allister-1500w-mro1500a-plunge-router/189207_BQ.prd

Selling them off for £23 so can't complain.

Where in store as that's a great price.

 

[pitchfork]

I don't know what model specifically I bought it from a tool merchants about a year ago, cost me just over £80 iirc, base spec model I'm guessing. I've never bought expensive belt sanders though because my primary use of them is carving wood.

Not sure how a higher model would fare.

 

[NickK]

I've never bought expensive belt sanders though because my primary use of them is carving wood.

Including hogging out?

 

[Lopéz]

Rage Evolutions sliding mitre saws are great. I don't, as a rule, buy cheap power tools but I saw one on their ebay B grade sale and thought it was worth a shot for £50. It's great, no complaints at all and cuts through anything.

 

[GSXRMovistar]

Where in store as that's a great price.

Lakeside Thurrock. Had several other bits at bargin prices but I was running out of boot space.

 

[Samueltastic]

No one use Hilti? Best drills you can buy personaly although they are expensive.

 

[pitchfork]

Including hogging out?

Mostly shaping but yeah to an extent.

No one use Hilti? Best drills you can buy personaly although they are expensive.

I don't know anywhere who stocks hilti these days or anyone who uses them really.

Best SDS/ demolition tools but for stuff like combi drills I think there's better out there.

 

[Mark A]

Same, only ever see them in hire places.

 

[Samueltastic]

Can't buy them in the hi street only direct from hilti them selves I believe

 

[godinman]

Rage Evolutions sliding mitre saws are great. I don't, as a rule, buy cheap power tools but I saw one on their ebay B grade sale and thought it was worth a shot for £50. It's great, no complaints at all and cuts through anything.

+1, got mine B grade for £60 in perfect condition. Checked the cuts with an electronic angle and they're dead on.

 

[boxman2000]

After getting some quotes to build some fitted wardrobes I thought I'd give one a go to see how I get on (it's for the utility room so nobody will see it particularly). Will all be out of MDF.

Looking at various build logs it seems a biscuit joiner would be a good idea. I've seen a Silverline one on Amazon but does anyone have any recommendations please?

Budget under £70 (ex VAT) otherwise it would be a bit too much expense for a general attempt.

 

[Mark A]

If you plan to get the wardrobe done in a couple of days you could hire a decent biscuit jointer. Cheap ones tend to have a bit of play when you plunge, resulting in misaligned slots.

The Erbauer one from Screwfix looks like it might be a better bet than the Silverline one. Plus if it is rubbish you could take it back to the store for a refund. If the job doesn't need to be spot on then this will probably be fine. One of the reviews says it's 1mm out, so doesn't seem too bad really.

 

[boxman2000]

Cheers Mark, given the fact I'm an amateur (at best) when it comes to woodwork I thought this would be the better option rather than going down the dowel route (more accuracy needed, although I'm led to believe stronger results).

Nice tip about the Erbauer, sadly there is no screwfix when I live and they don't post to Channel Islands so may look for alternatives.

Thanks again

 

[Glaucus]

Rage Evolutions sliding mitre saws are great. I don't, as a rule, buy cheap power tools but I saw one on their ebay B grade sale and thought it was worth a shot for £50. It's great, no complaints at all and cuts through anything.

+1, got mine B grade for £60 in perfect condition. Checked the cuts with an electronic angle and they're dead on.

Sold.

And following what looks to be an ex builder selling all his tools. His auctions end Sunday.

 

[shadow_boxer]

What's everyone's thoughts on the Stanley Fatmax 18V Li-Ion drill/driver? Homebase has 33% off plus I have a further 15% voucher and double nectar points when you redeem them so for me would be abou £25. Used for very light and occasional home DIY? Ta

 

[Mark A]

It'll be fine for diy use and for £25 you cant go wrong really. At full price i'd pay a bit more and go Dewalt, makita or Bosch, but at £25 you wont find anything better than that. 3 year warranty as well!

 

[NickK]

Spotted a SDS keyed chuck at Wickes whilst getting the loft insulation Fits nicely and now means I can use all my standard bits on the SDS drill - although you don't use it for hammer (because that's the whole reason for SDS!).

 

[shadow_boxer]

It'll be fine for diy use and for £25 you cant go wrong really. At full price i'd pay a bit more and go Dewalt, makita or Bosch, but at £25 you wont find anything better than that. 3 year warranty as well!

Cheers. Pretty much thought the same. Worth a punt. Looks pretty good and feels well built. Heard a few stories about them not drilling straight with long drill pieces so will have to give it a thorough test,

 

[Russinating]

What tool should I be looking at for cutting laminate/skirtings/covings and the like? Router or mitre?

The Evolution Mitre Saw that people are mentioning above looks good but there's no B/C grades on eBay fitted with a 3-pin (240v). Does this have to be the case or can the 110v's be converted?