Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

Marvt74 said:
So DCH273 is the Brushless SDS drill. In the US it's marketed as 20V but over here it's 18V

As for the 54V stuff, i think that's only ever going to be for trade use given the cost and it'll be a long long time before it hits consumer level.
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Fair enough. Just looked some stuff up:

You can use 54v batteries on 18v tools.

You CAN'T use 18v batteries on 54v tools.

BUT you can use the charger on either.

So if I buy that Dewalt for the batteries/charger and get a 54v angle grinder (for example) I need to purchase a 54v battery but can use the existing charger.

Looking at the Dewalt 18v range and there doesn't seem to be anything worth getting over Makita. I've used Dewalt on site and their tools are very hit-n-miss - from feeling solid to feeling like they're going to fall apart.

Still debating.
 
If you don't actually want the drill i'd just get the 54V Angle grinder as you wouldn't be using the batteries either.

I think Makita have a wider range of cordless tools so i'd stick with them if you already have some.
 
SquirrelMadness said:
Is there any point in buying something like this when they're moving on 20v and 54v?

I mean do they allow you to use the 18v batteries on their 20v/54v tools or are you stuck with their 18v range?

Was thinking about buying it and selling as a bare unit just to get the batteries/charger so I can be invited to the Dewalt range as all my tools now are Makita.
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The 20v is basically US marketing, its exactly the same as the 18v range. There is just the 18v and the new 54v. The 54v is aimed specifically at professional users that need the extra power. On site you need to use 110v, which is a massive PITA, so a lot try to go fully cordless, but sometimes 18v just isnt enough compared to a corded tool. I think this new 54v gear is trying to make it so you can go fully cordless. Plus it makes new cordless tool possible, like a cordless tablesaw. There is no way 18v would cut it on a tool like that. I can't wait to see what else they bring out and if the prices drop once all the other manufacturers copy them. Bit too expensive for me at the moment :(.

Looking at the Dewalt 18v range and there doesn't seem to be anything worth getting over Makita
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They have an 18v 90mm framing nailer and a new finishing nailer that are supposed to be the best on the market at the moment according to my workmates. They are on my wishlist along with like 10 other tools...
 
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How much/What work are you planning to do yourself and how much do you want to spend? Also do you want to stick with Bosch? If not I'd recommend something like the Ryobi ONE+ system so you can interchange batteries and the base tools are fairly priced when you want to add extra kit.

I'd say the following would be a good start (You probably have some of the things anyway)

Decent set of screwdrivers. (Halfords do a good set which are usually on offer)
Panel saw
Work bench
Tape measure
Decent spirit level
Pry bars
Decent hammer

Then i'd start adding the other stuff to make life easier like an Impact driver and Jigsaw
 
Mark A said:
They have an 18v 90mm framing nailer and a new finishing nailer that are supposed to be the best on the market at the moment according to my workmates. They are on my wishlist along with like 10 other tools...
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lol those are like 400 quid as bare units!

Does anyone here know when Makita are releasing their cordless 1/4" router here in the UK? Aus already has them.
 
More like £300, but still pretty expensive. It would be worth it for me though.

Cordless router sounds interesting, although the battery pack might make it a bit unwieldy.
 
Any advice for adjusting jigsaws?

My Dewalt will cut on a bevel up to 45 degrees. It's currently set to a straight cut however recently it's not cutting straight which is really annoying.

I've never really messed with it so wondered if anyone had any thoughts before I start messing and making things worse.
 
The notches for 0 degrees are not 100% accurate. I have a small engineers square that I use to line up the base with the blade. Also make sure the blade is sharp and ample length for the material you're cutting. If the cut is still wandering then it could be that the roller bearing is worn out.
 
Beerbaron said:
Just sold my new build flat and bought a Victorian house. Think its time for some power tools. Currently just have a Bosch cordless drill.
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Was in same boat and depends what you're doing I guess.

For a full renovation I've bought:

- Reciprocating saw (I'd have died without this)
- multi tool (pmf350)
- circular saw
- chop saw
- few spirit levels
- orbital sander
- hammers
- chistle
- makita combi drill
- decorator knives
- combi square
- combi ladder
- plasterboard lift
- few sets of screwdrivers
- decent diamond screw bit set

Whole host of small things also, but with what I have I can do nearly any job I'm coming up against currently.
 
Well I've given up talking about it and finally bought the Dewalt circular saw.

Looks like plenty deals out on the DCS391 because of the new brushless model but I can't justify double the price given my usage.

What I was thinking earlier is whether it would be beneficial to replace the blade on my mitre saw from the evolution "one blade cuts all" to a specific fine toothed wood blade.

Any point with that or should I just stick to some splintering and sanding?
 
How old is the Evolution blade? I have 2 fairly new Evo Rage saws and don't get much splintering with them. Plus I like the ability to cut wood that I might not have got all the nails out of! I have found taping round cuts I need to be really neat using masking tape works quite well too.

I have no idea if it matters, but the Evo stuff is lower rpm than all the other brands circular/mitre saws, presumably to help with the multi-purpose nature of their blades? I have no idea if this matters with fitting non evo blades to an evo saw?

Dave
 
Ah ok I'll look.

Not sure about you guys but when I bought the DCH273 on Amazon it took £1 from my card.

I've just had that refunded this morning according to curve so don't know if that means they've cancelled the order. Haven't had any emails about it.
 
Marvt74 said:
Well I've given up talking about it and finally bought the Dewalt circular saw.
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Awesome, i'd be interested to hear your thoughts on it after you have used it. The 54v version is a little too dear for me just yet so might even end up getting the 18v version.

As for the Mitresaw blade causing splintering, you want a negative rake alternate top bevel toothed blade, plus the more teeth the finer the cut as well. The blades that come with saws are usually the cheaper rough cutting blades with too few teeth. Even my expensive blue Bosch mitresaw came with a rubbish 24t blade, so I bought a 48t the next day. The 24t is good for cutting through rough timber fast, for decking etc.
 
Well i paid £118 for the saw and the deep t-stak case as i could do with another for this and the jigsaw and they're £30 from Screwfix. Otherwise the saw itself is down to £104 at Powertoolsmate.

Don't have much to compare it to, although i do have a £40 Parkside one if you want it :p

Ok, i'll have a look around at blades but seems the advise above is not to change them. The existing blade was handy for cutting the threaded steel bar, i just wish i'd been more sensible than wearing shorts and t-shirt :(

On top topic of my jigsaw, i used my square to set the blade and it's straight but seems to bend/move when cutting and press up against wood. From your previous comment it sounds like the bearing may be knackered. I bought it used for £60 and maybe this is why! Although from doing a bit of reading it seems a lot of people have issues with Bosch blades. Might try and get another brand and see what they're like.
 
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Hmmm, after trying my luck with a few different brands of cheap compatible batteries with no success i've decided to just order some genuine ones (unless the drill from Amazon does actually get delivered)

The question now is do i buy 2x 5ah batteries for ~£120 or do i spend a little extra and get a 9ah flexvolt battery. Weighing up between the lack of flexibility of only having one battery and the future proofing of being able to add Flexvolt tools in the future.
 
How much is a new tool with batteries?
I have found in the past, that getting a new drill(same make/volts)with batteries to be a better deal than getting just new batteries :)
 
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