Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

[b0rn2sk8]

1. Just get both, make sure they are impact rated.

2. They are different tools for different jobs. I have both.

A circular saw is great for quick but fairly rough cuts. You need to be extremely skilled with a circular saw to get close to the accuracy of a track saw held by a complete novice.

A track saw is great at finished cuts where accuracy and straightness is paramount (e.g. cabinet making). It comes at the expense of speed and price.

Just one point to consider on the Dewalt track saw, its branded track is proprietary. I don’t know if it will run on the generic ‘festool style’ track, check reviews.

You’ll probably be fine with a corded tracksaw as you’ll probably want to use it with dust extraction anyway for that kind of work

Do you have a link please?


In all honesty I won't need fine tolerances, it will be OSB boards for flooring my loft and eventually sheeting the big shed Im going to build in the garden. I understand that a circular saw can still be run along a guide rail clamped to the workpiece to enable a reasonably straight line?

circular saw will be fine IMO.

 

[danlightbulb]

@dlockers only £19 (inc delivery fee) for that Milwaukee right angle adapter.

 

[dlockers]

@dlockers only £15 for that Milwaukee right angle adapter.

Great value. Well worth it

 

[b0rn2sk8]

I’ve got one of those as well, I’ve not used it yet but it’s one of those things that will get you out of a huge hole at the right time.

I’ve come a cropper before when I didn’t have one.

 

[dlockers]

I’ve got one of those as well, I’ve not used it yet but it’s one of those things that will get you out of a huge hole at the right time.

I’ve come a cropper before when I didn’t have one.

Must have saved me 100 hours total - no joke. When I did the PIR in the dining room I had to use my dads draper stubby from 1970 to get under the joists and attach the battens. Almost killed me so I quickly learnt and ordered that for the living/hall/kitchen job!

 

[Reuben klang]

Still worth having a spare and an extra charge, IMO. While I'm sure brand fans on both sides would claim otherwise, I doubt there's enough difference between DeWalt and Milwaukee to make much difference to you, so go with the one you have some stuff for. Unless you think your existing DeWalt sucks that is

Theres basically no difference between the ‘big’ three brands (Dewalt, Milwaukee and Makita) for the overall system and depth of stuff I think Makita is the only one who does a microwave or coffee machine. They all do gardening stuff and they’re all starting to bring out some specialist stuff like nibblers, tyre pumps, vacuum pumps, copper expanders, rod cutters etc

You could always just buy a battery adaptor.

I’m starting to move toward makita due to them being made in japan, spare parts available. Competitive prices as well and far cheaper than hilti and festool who for me now just aren’t worth the extra even for their stuff which is **** hot. Have a look at the festool table saw for example looks amazing.

 

[Reuben klang]

Do you have a link please?


In all honesty I won't need fine tolerances, it will be OSB boards for flooring my loft and eventually sheeting the big shed Im going to build in the garden. I understand that a circular saw can still be run along a guide rail clamped to the workpiece to enable a reasonably straight line?

A Dewalt DCS391 circular saw is £110 bare, I only have 2AH batteries though would i need bigger?

Honestly in your situation, I’d get an evo table saw and buy a better blade for it.

 

[wsurfa]

Feeding full sheets though a table saw can be a bit daunting as you have very little to manager them with ahead of the blade. I've got evo circ on a track, makita track and have used festool track. For basic breakdown of large sheets the evo is ok at best. The makita is good, the festool is great but mainly because they a have big system to. buy/build into.

I've got a dewalt table saw, which is great but you need to plan cuts on a big sheet.

 

[dlockers]

Honestly in your situation, I’d get an evo table saw and buy a better blade for it.

Really? For 1.2x2.4 boards?

Shirley it goes skill saw -> track saw -> table saw in maslows hierarchy of saw needs

 

[jellybeard999]

Dewalt DCS391 circular saw is £110 bare, I only have 2AH batteries though would i need bigger?

I have this saw and find it great for my light use. Cordless makes it massively more convenient IMO. But it does eat batteries. I have 4ah batteries and they don't last that long. If you're using it all day you want a spare battery on charge at all times really.

 

[Reuben klang]

Really? For 1.2x2.4 boards?

Shirley it goes skill saw -> track saw -> table saw in maslows hierarchy of saw needs

Track saws for portability but if youre just going to be using it in the house. Set it up in the garden and get lovely clean cuts on those long 2.4m lengths. You’re also able to make thinner cuts if required that you can’t easily do on a track. Set it up and if you’ve got loads of cuts of the same size just fire them all through as well, no need to set up the rail every time.

You could use it as a mitre saw as well.

 

[danlightbulb]

Has anyone shadowfoamed their power tool cases?

 

[dlockers]

Looking to replace my old Dewalt 18v combi drill (basic model with 2AH battery) and thought it would be a good idea to also get an impact driver as well.

Looking at the following twin packs at Screwfix as they have got 10% off app purchases this month.

Error 410 | Screwfix

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www.screwfix.com

Milwaukee M18 BPP2Q-402C 18V 2 x 4.0Ah Li-Ion RedLithium Cordless Twin Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Features a compact but powerful percussion drill and impact driver with a high performance 4-pole motor to deliver maximum power whilst maximising the power to weight ratio. RedLink overload protection electronics and battery pack deliver system durability as well...

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Which would you go for?

MILWAUKEE M18 BPP2Q-402C 18V 2 X 4.0AH LI-ION REDLITHIUM CORDLESS TWIN PACK W/code & App | hotukdeals

www.hotukdeals.com

 

[danlightbulb]

I think Lidl have some parkside stuff coming into stores tomorrow.

Thinking of getting their circular saw. £45 bare would also need their battery and charger (another £38). Worth it or should I stick to DeWalt as I already have their batteries? DeWalt is 3x the price though.

Or should I just get a cheaper corded one?

 

[b0rn2sk8]

The dewalt will be a much better tool, particularly in brushless form.

Parkside is fine for what they are, cheap throw away tools. Whether the dewalt is worth the extra is entirely up to you.

I’ve got a few bits and bobs from Aldi/Lidl but none of it is mission critical. I’ve got an electric blade sharpener and a few clamps. They are not great quality compared to stuff from ‘proper’ tool brands but they serve a purpose and useful when needed.

If I was serious about building up a proper tool collection, I’d not buy into any of their power tools.

The stuff like the drill bits and blades etc. are really not great compared to the likes of Bosch professional but they are a fraction of the price. I try do avoid cheap bits and blades that wear and snap easily these days.

 

[dlockers]

I think Lidl have some parkside stuff coming into stores tomorrow.

Thinking of getting their circular saw. £45 bare would also need their battery and charger (another £38). Worth it or should I stick to DeWalt as I already have their batteries? DeWalt is 3x the price though.

Or should I just get a cheaper corded one?

I wouldn't trust the parkside battery range for a circ. You need high quality gear for it to get sufficient torque otherwise it'll keep locking up. If you want to save the cash and it's unlikely to be used again just go corded.

 

[danlightbulb]

I wouldn't trust the parkside battery range for a circ. You need high quality gear for it to get sufficient torque otherwise it'll keep locking up. If you want to save the cash and it's unlikely to be used again just go corded.

Yeah I think I'm settling on corded. 40 quid for a basic circular saw to use for my loft boarding and shed build and it wouldn't get used often.

 

[dlockers]

Yeah I think I'm settling on corded. 40 quid for a basic circular saw to use for my loft boarding and shed build and it wouldn't get used often.

Makes a lot more sense. The cordless* circ is one of my 'probs wouldn't bother again' category. Tho, the Milwaukee one was only 100 iirc and I had the batteries already.

Brushles means it can weigh less if that bothers you.

 

[Reuben klang]

Yeah I think I'm settling on corded. 40 quid for a basic circular saw to use for my loft boarding and shed build and it wouldn't get used often.

I’d get the corded one as well. See how it is and if you find yourself using it more than you originally though you would, invest in the dewalt. The blades that come with the saws aimed at DIY are usually garbage so when you do settle on the one you want best to get a new blade - you don’t need to spend the earn on them either.

 

[ristac]

cordless chainsaw any recommendations or any avoids