What brands and features of power tools should I buy for my boyfriend for Christmas?

Question

So far I've been looking at Sears and Home Depot for circular saws, table saws and sanders. We build our own custom furniture sporadically, but we've always borrowed tools so I think it's time we get our own. What features should I look for and is there one brand that is much better quality?

Answer 1

You can debate brand names for days and not get anywhere. There have been several brands mentioned repeatedly here, so take your pick. As far as features go: With a circular saw, it may be nice to have something that is light in weight with a higher amp motor for easy cutting. I personally use a Porter Cable Titanium saw . It's light, powerful and reasonably priced. With a sander: you want to think about what you will be sanding with it. Dust collection is something to look at when deciding on a sander. I also build custom furniture, but for a living, I have several sanders for several different jobs. A palm sander (the small round ones), a belt sander, for larger areas, and a bench mounted disc and belt combo (which is good for sanding the pieces before they are put together). I, (again my personal preference) is Bosch for sanders. Now with a table saw: there are alot more options to consider. A powerful motor, wide table area, ease of adjustments, quality fence locking system and outfeed supports are what I look at when buying a table saw. I do alot of my work in the customers home, so alot of my tools need to be somewhat portable. I recently purchased an HItachi 10" table saw from Lowes. It has a folding stand with wheels on it. It is capable of a 27" wide rip with a outfeed support in the rear. Also has a dust collector bag underneath it. Now you can spend alot of money on tools, but they are only as good as the person using them. You folks build furniture, so you've at least been around them for a while and have a clue. I worked for years with just hand power tools and built some intricate items. A good tool is supposed to make your job smoother and easier. I hope anything I've submitted has been of assistance. Good Luck with your purchases and with your 'partnership'. Have a great holiday.

Answer 2

Easiest way would be go with him walking around the tool departments in the stores and watch which ones he drools over, then buy those - everyone's taste may be different, but that way you will know which ones he likes.
Ultimately though, most guys I know (including myself) are happy with anything that is reliable (dont look for the cheapest, but you dont have to buy the most expensive stuff either).
Hope this helps.

PS - I think a lot of the Home Depots have a special right now on packs of tools (some are 10 tool packs, some may be more or less) that are under $200 to $300 and they all use the same rechargable battery so you dont have to have 100 different chargers and batteries. I think the brands are Firestorm by Black & Decker (have used these and they hold up well) and Ryobi. All the Home Depots around here have the tool packs, so I wouldnt think it would be just a local deal. Worth checkin out though. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

Well I have dealt with most major power tool companies working in a hardware store for the past thirty five years and my favorite is Makita Power Tools. I have owned one and used them for as many years too. I personally don't care for Black and Decker. They are also Dewalt. They kind of loss their quality throughout the years. Craftsman is still pretty good. Riyobi are good tools but I still like the Makita brand. I must say they have raised their prices a little though. If you do not want to spend that much or just plain don't have the funds, Skill Power tools still make a very good tool at an affordable price. With as much as your boyfriend does around the house, I am thinking he would want to have a cordless drill instead of a corded one. Think about getting an extra battery for what ever tool you do choose. Keeps you from getting a headache waiting for the battery to re-charge! One more thing... Sorry this is not an answer from a guy like you requested.

Answer 4

I agree with Ipsydoodl Quality tools are high priced but they can last a lot long so the high cost pays for itself in the end because you dont have to keep buying new tools. On circular saws I would recomend the 7 1/4 makita. I know a mason that bought one used from a carpenter the carpenter owned it 2 yrs and the mason used it for 8 and its still good he cut a lot of brick and that brickdust can be hard on a saw. For this reason I bought one the havent changed there saws in years Why? because they are good. All porter Cable makes a really good saw. millwaukee has been a leader in drills and they are the originall recipricating saw I never really cared for bosh stuff It high dollar but not well designed I have had problems with there stuff like bearings tools splitting open when dropped and adjustments failling over time.

Answer 5

I have a Powermatic table saw that I just love. Powermatic is kind of Jet's up-scale line of machines. I have some Jet equipment (18" band saw, 6" joiner, & M&T fixture) that have been really good. I would recommend Jet anytime. I have Porter-Cable tools and a few Delta. If I were you, I'd stay away from Delta - they're not the tools they used to be. Porter-Cable is part of Delta and I have had really good luck with my pneumatic nailer and my sanders but my circular saw isn't all that good. Stay away from Black & Decker - they won't last for long. Craftsman machines have always been pretty good. I was looking at a really nice cabinet saw with a Beisemeyer fence the other night that I would love to have. I have some Jet equipment that has been really good. If i were you, I would take my manufacturer recommendations and then look at their websites to find local dealers. Definitely check out Jet and Powermatic if you can find them in your area.

Answer 6

The guy that said buy the gift card has a valid point but if you don't want to then I recommend for the semi professional or to have that level of quality that lasts --

DeWalt is my preference for most items, a bit more money but well worth it. Avoid Black & Decker. Skill is a very good jig saw.
Prter Cable & Bosch also has a quality line. Milwaukee is very good also. You may want to get what he has been using or get the gift card. Tools are like a personal preference. He may want to choose.

Answer 7

Although the time is getting close to catalog shop, check out Harbor Frieght Tools & Northern Tools, they have online catalogs and Harbor also has brick & mortar stores in various parts of the country. Grizzly also does online and catalog sales, also do a check search engines for woodworking tools and see what you like. Sometimes you can get better things via specialty catalogs than in the local stores.

Answer 8

For light to average use electric tools Sears brand is good and they maintain repair centers. Contractors and other heavy users go with Milwaukee power tools, they'll cost you 2 to 3 times as much, but they last forever.

Answer 9

DeWalt is a very good brand; don't buy Craftsman - it used to be a good reliable brand but has gone steadily downhill. My choices would be Grizzly or Dewalt for long lasting, quality tools.

Answer 10

If you are looking for close to professional grade tools, that will perform well and last a long time:

#1) Boshe
#2) Porter Cable
#3) Milwalkee

I regard Dewalt as consumer grade and thus will not stand up to abuse/heavy use like the above, but their prices are attractive and their are comparable to Sears.

Avoid Black and Decker - junk