Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

b0rn2sk8 · 31 May 2022 at 14:34

Isn’t the 796 their top of the range model? That’s a bit overkill for DIY and a cheaper model will be more than sufficient.

I have that dewalt twin pack above and it is more than enough drill and impact driver for DIY. I’ve used it for all sorts including refitting kitchens and bathrooms etc.

Short of something that you’ll need an SDS for anyway, I don’t think you’ll come across anything that you need the highest end model they do for DIY.

danlightbulb · 31 May 2022 at 15:21

b0rn2sk8 said:
Isn’t the 796 their top of the range model? That’s a bit overkill for DIY and a cheaper model will be more than sufficient.

I have that dewalt twin pack above and it is more than enough drill and impact driver for DIY. I’ve used it for all sorts including refitting kitchens and bathrooms etc.

Short of something that you’ll need an SDS for anyway, I don’t think you’ll come across anything that you need the highest end model they do for DIY.

Its all about the price isn't it really. If a higher end model is only a tenner more than a more basic model in a sale, then I'll pay the extra tenner even though the cheaper model would otherwise have been fine.

But I cant find the Dewalt 796 for £135 that the poster was referring to earlier, and I'm unclear if that was just for the drill or the combo set with the impact driver as well. If it was just for the drill, then personally think the £200 set with the 4Ah batteries and impact driver would be better value as those 4Ah batteries will work better in other tools than 2Ah batteries would, plus I'd get the impact driver as well.

Simon · 31 May 2022 at 16:55

The 796 means you won’t need an impact driver. I got a mate to buy one when I did his loft and it’s a really nice drill and drove in 80x5 screws no problem. Nice balance and light with 2Ah which will last ages. Its a short drill too. Again all suited to DIY use.

DeWalt DCD796D2 18v XR Brushless Combi Drill Inc 2x 2.0Ah Batts

DeWalt DCD796D2 18v XR Brushless Combi Drill Inc 2x 2.0Ah Batteries, Multi Voltage Charger & TSTAK Carry Case The new DeWalt DCD796 compact combi hammer drill featuring brushless technology is up to 30% more powerful than the DCD795 with 460 Units Watts Out (UWO). Supplied in a TSTAK carry case...

www.powertoolworld.co.uk

The 996 is the top one which I have that’s a beast but deffo overkill for DIY. And bloody heavy with a 5Ah battery (as i found up a ladder drilling 10mm into masonary - but it almost replaces an SDS its that good). I got that in a kit with the DCF887 impact. Then that struggled on some car stuff anyway so just got the 889HN

Thekwango · 31 May 2022 at 17:04

danlightbulb said:
These two kits seem best value I can find right now?

Milwaukee

Error 410 | Screwfix

Thousands of products at low trade prices | FREE next day delivery available | 30 day money back guarantee on all orders.

www.screwfix.com

Dewalt

DeWalt DCK2060M2T-SFGB 18V 2 x 4.0Ah Li-Ion XR Brushless Cordless Twin Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Versatile twin pack comprised of a brushless combi drill and brushless impact driver. Both tools feature all-metal gearboxes and bright white LED work lights. The combi drill features 15-position adjustable torque settings with screwdriving, drill driving and hammer...

www.screwfix.com

Both have 2x 4Ah batteries for £200-£220.

Either of these better or something else? Is the price good based on previous sales that youve seen from time to time, I could wait longer.

Seems to be a big price jump going up to the 5Ah battery size.

buy the dewalt. 199 is the typical 'on sale' price. grabbed the twin pack myself a few months back and more recently bought by dad (retired joiner so knows his tools) a set too. he's more than happy with it so can't be bad.

b0rn2sk8 · 31 May 2022 at 17:11

Simon said:
The 796 means you won’t need an impact driver. I got a mate to buy one when I did his loft and it’s a really nice drill and drove in 80x5 screws no problem. Nice balance and light with 2Ah which will last ages. Its a short drill too. Again all suited to DIY use.

DeWalt DCD796D2 18v XR Brushless Combi Drill Inc 2x 2.0Ah Batts

DeWalt DCD796D2 18v XR Brushless Combi Drill Inc 2x 2.0Ah Batteries, Multi Voltage Charger & TSTAK Carry Case The new DeWalt DCD796 compact combi hammer drill featuring brushless technology is up to 30% more powerful than the DCD795 with 460 Units Watts Out (UWO). Supplied in a TSTAK carry case...

www.powertoolworld.co.uk

The 996 is the top one which I have that’s a beast but deffo overkill for DIY. And bloody heavy with a 5Ah battery (as i found up a ladder drilling 10mm into masonary - but it almost replaces an SDS its that good). I got that in a kit with the DCF887 impact. Then that struggled on some car stuff anyway so just got the 889HN

Ah yeh it’s the 996 that’s the top dog!

The drill in the twin pack is only a slightly lower spec compared to the 796 but comes with larger batteries and an impact driver for £65. Worth it IMO.

It’s handy having the two tools so you can drill and screw without changing bits.

danlightbulb · 31 May 2022 at 17:25

yeah I probably won't use the impact driver often but i am planning to build a garden building in a new house at some point hence why it could come in handy along with a circular saw and multitool. In this case the 4Ah batteries will be more useful to me you think?

200sols · 31 May 2022 at 17:49

You definitely want an impact driver.

danlightbulb · 31 May 2022 at 19:08

It has been a few years since I needed to buy tools because I've been renting for a long time, but the best thing I ever bought was an sds drill. I only bought a corded cheap one from Argos, but that thing went through brick like butter. I bought it when trying to fit kitchen cupboards and the standard drill I had at the time was too weak.

How do the modern combi drills compare to an sds? Am I better off with a cheaper end cordless drill so I can buy a separate sds drill?

casper_uk · 1 Jun 2022 at 01:09

There is an sds dril at Lidl this week that i have my eye on. Worth having a look if you do decide you need one.

robj20 · 1 Jun 2022 at 05:44

danlightbulb said:
It has been a few years since I needed to buy tools because I've been renting for a long time, but the best thing I ever bought was an sds drill. I only bought a corded cheap one from Argos, but that thing went through brick like butter. I bought it when trying to fit kitchen cupboards and the standard drill I had at the time was too weak.

How do the modern combi drills compare to an sds? Am I better off with a cheaper end cordless drill so I can buy a separate sds drill?

SDS still vastly better than a combi drill, my combi drill still struggles with engineering brick for instance. Get the SDS out and it's like drilling through butter.
A decent combi is still a very useful tool.

danlightbulb · 1 Jun 2022 at 11:28

casper_uk said:
There is an sds dril at Lidl this week that i have my eye on. Worth having a look if you do decide you need one.

Yeah just took a look at it. £45 looks good. I think that's a similar price in most places though for a budget brand corded one.

An SDS is great but I don't think i'll need to buy an expensive cordless one really. Its going to be easy to get carried away with these tools I think.

Still haven't decided what combi drill to buy and whether to bother with an impact driver or not. I feel that whilst £200 for the Dewalt kit is good value, I'd rather pay £100 for just the drill and 2 batteries. Simon above said the 2Ah batteries would be fine but if 4AH are available, again its knowing whether its worth it or not.

DXP55 · 1 Jun 2022 at 12:23

I have a cheap Lidl mains SDS drill and for the £25 I paid for it it is worth it. My old work drill was 24v Bosch GBH but batteries were £89 a piece so drill got dumped.
If anyone needs a battery SDS the Bosch 36v is a stunner ( expensive)- so light and no recoil. Hot knife through butter all day long.

robj20 · 1 Jun 2022 at 12:28

Couple of things with looking for on an SDS is make sure it has a clutch and rotation stop is useful. Used mine loads for chasing walls and used it do drill a 150mm core through a cavity wall so the clutch was much needed, wouldn't bother with a battery SDS personally if you have a battery combi, keep the SDS for tough jobs.

a1ex2001 · 11 Jun 2022 at 10:50

a1ex2001 said:
Thanks just seen this and will pull the trigger I think as the Ferrex stuff seems to review pretty well and have expanded into a decent range.

Thanks to all those who suggested going cordless for a multi tool I’ve been using it a lot this week in some tight places (chopping out old lead pipes ready to weigh them in) and the convenience of being cordless is invaluable!

The Aldi tool is performing well, the battery life is decent and it chips really well. The supplied blades were a bit rubbish but I’m sure that pretty common. My only complaint is it doesn’t come with a case and I’m a big fan of having Cases for storage and easy pickup and go.

DXP55 · 11 Jun 2022 at 11:23

Don't throw lead pipe away - it makes a usefull home defence tool

casper_uk · 11 Jun 2022 at 11:45

a1ex2001 said:
Thanks to all those who suggested going cordless for a multi tool I’ve been using it a lot this week in some tight places (chopping out old lead pipes ready to weigh them in) and the convenience of being cordless is invaluable!

The Aldi tool is performing well, the battery life is decent and it chips really well. The supplied blades were a bit rubbish but I’m sure that pretty common. My only complaint is it doesn’t come with a case and I’m a big fan of having Cases for storage and easy pickup and go.

Yes the lack of a case is a bit of a downer. I also found the blades that came with it useless! I picked up this set which has worked very well so far:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01DTKF7TG

Harnser · 20 Jun 2022 at 21:54

Our new house has terrible painting inside (paint runs, orange peel, stippling, brush marks + more on all the emulsion and woodwork) so I'm going to have to do a lot of filling and sanding. I've started hand sanding the hallway prior to using an orbital sander and it's clear the household vacuum cleaner isn't up to the job of collecting plaster/paint dust, as it shoots loads back into the room. The missus has stipulated that I don't make a mess in her new home so I got an excuse to buy something new

For plaster dust it looks like I need a class M vacuum cleaner. There's a couple of cheap ones (V-Tuf/Trend), then Mirka, Nilfisk or Festool are £500+. Any recommendations? I'm planning to use Mirka Abranet Ace on the sander so need something that can keep up with the speed at which that produces dust when sanding.

casper_uk · 21 Jun 2022 at 00:17

I am currently using a cheap titan from Screwfix, it's handled the dust and rubbish from plastering well so far. It's plastic tubes tho, so can get clogged if picking up to much rubble.

LuckyBenski · 21 Jun 2022 at 00:35

casper_uk said:
I am currently using a cheap titan from Screwfix, it's handled the dust and rubbish from plastering well so far. It's plastic tubes tho, so can get clogged if picking up to much rubble.

Hate to admit it but the Titan vacs are a great deal for something that will take abuse. I wanted to buy something repairable to last forever, but my father in law pitched it as "They're so cheap you can just buy another one!"

Harnser said:
household vacuum cleaner isn't up to the job of collecting plaster/paint dust, as it shoots loads back into the room

You, sir, need a new vacuum. That's not right!

b0rn2sk8 · 21 Jun 2022 at 15:57

I’ve got a nilfisk wet and dry vac, filter bags and it’s inbuilt HEPA filter mean fine particles don’t get though. It’s even got a plug on the front so it auto starts with corded tools.

A decent HEPA filter is what you want. You only require proper ‘X’ class rated extraction in a commercial environment for health and safety etc.