What are your most used garage power tools?

BAY BEAGLE · Post by **BAY BEAGLE** » 16 Jan 2022, 12:36

In regards to power tools, (battery) - I have used this company for supplying batteries for my Snap On Impacts, Drills, Lights, etc - www.batterybatterybattery.com

LDUBS · Post by **LDUBS** » 16 Jan 2022, 13:01

I had that what sounds like that same Craftsman drill and light. Same thing, I burned up the drill. I don't know what happened to the light. Wish I still had it. I replaced that with a pistol grip cordless but for the life of me I can't remember the brand. I eventually took advantage of a Rockler trade-in promotion and got the current20v Dewalt set.

I like the idea of the "system" tools.

BTW, California is banning sales of small outdoor gas powered equipment like lawn mowers, leaf blowers, etc in 2024. Because of that, I'm stocking up on maintenance parts for my Stihl leaf blower. Save your old gas powered stuff. The parts will become valuable out here on the west coast.

GTS225 · Post by **GTS225** » 17 Jan 2022, 07:59

Bay Eagle! Thanks for that link. Those aren't bad prices at all. Usually, my Porter Cable P18C's are about $50 per.

Roger

CedarRiverScooter · Post by **CedarRiverScooter** » 17 Jan 2022, 18:01

Maybe not most used, but has paid for itself many times over: Dremel!

Post by **Jim** » 19 Jan 2022, 05:28

Well, I purchased a skil saw. I’m a little scared to use it!

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GTS225 · Post by **GTS225** » 19 Jan 2022, 08:38

Does that say 16" blade?! That's a big saw!

Yes.....I see what you did, there.

Roger

Post by **Jim** » 19 Jan 2022, 09:44

GTS225 wrote: ↑19 Jan 2022, 08:38 Does that say 16" blade?! That's a big saw!
Yes.....I see what you did, there.

Roger

gogittum · Post by **gogittum** » 19 Jan 2022, 09:53

Jim wrote: ↑16 Jan 2022, 08:27 Do any of you buy into a “system”? One brand and battery level for multiple tools?

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When I took over as Director of Engineering at a major luxury hotel in Santa Fe, NM in 2006 there was a mish-mash of cordless tools of several brands and voltages in the shop....and a whole row of chargers on a shelf. What a PIA. What a mess.

I sold them to my employees for token prices, then bought several DeWalt 18 volt tools with extra batteries. It took a chunk of that month's budget, but after that the guys could come in, grab a tool and a battery and go. Come back and dump the battery in a charger and done. Boom. Much better.

I kept it simple and all the same voltage....BUT.... I have no personal experience, but a friend tells me his 40 volt (??) Ryobi chainsaw and trimmer are joys to use. Something to check out....might be worth expanding the range a bit.

It's very worth it to buy the higher amp/hr batteries at the beginning. Go ahead and pay the difference in price....and buy only premium brands. They're worth it. Use the 2400 ah batteries that come in the kits, then try a 4500 ah.....you'll never, not ever, look back. Very worth the extra dollars, and they Are spendy. Money well spent.

When I was still self-employed in the '80s & '90s, I tried a few Craftsman and Black & Decker cordless tools and threw them away while still almost new. Junk....frustrating for a busy man to try and use on a job.

P.S. I still haven't found a cordless circular saw (skil saw) of any brand that's worth spit.

bikerider · Post by **bikerider** » 20 Jan 2022, 11:23

Superfly Silverfox wrote: ↑14 Jan 2022, 07:39 My beer fridge!

bikerider · Post by **bikerider** » 20 Jan 2022, 11:25

gogittum wrote: ↑14 Jan 2022, 10:11 Yep, gotta agree....cordlesss drill and angle grinder with various wheels, followed by saber saw, sawzall and skil saw. A surprising tool that I find more and more uses for is the oscillating saw. In its' niche it does a very good job. When all else fails, the single jack gets 'er done.

I just got an oscillating saw for Christmas and am looking forward to using it.

bikerider · Post by **bikerider** » 20 Jan 2022, 11:27

onthewater102 wrote: ↑14 Jan 2022, 10:36 Black & Decker cordless impact wrench is #1 - I basically use that and a breaker bar for all mechanical fasteners unless clearances are an issue. I like that it's not super torquey - I know there are much more powerful options out there but I like that I still need to go back through with a hand-tool to cinch everything down. It saves tons of time along the way but doesn't over tighten anything or run much risk of stripping anything out.

Second behind that would probably be the benchtop drill press.

I bet that impact makes quick work of most stuff, especially things that are a bit rusted. The drill press is one I use more than I expected. Good thing to have around.

bikerider · Post by **bikerider** » 20 Jan 2022, 11:32

Jim wrote: ↑16 Jan 2022, 08:27 Do any of you buy into a “system”? One brand and battery level for multiple tools?

I’m still looking at getting a small light weight electric chainsaw for very light work in the woods and was wondering if it’s worth investing in one brand. It’s time to buy a new cordless drill so I’m thinking along those lines.

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They're not really tools but I use an electric Kobalt lawnmower, trimmer and blower that all use the same battery. They work really well and get the job done. The technology has come a long ways over the past several years.

bikerider · Post by **bikerider** » 20 Jan 2022, 11:35

CedarRiverScooter wrote: ↑17 Jan 2022, 18:01 Maybe not most used, but has paid for itself many times over: Dremel!

A versatile tool no doubt.

MN Fisher · Post by **MN Fisher** » 20 Jan 2022, 11:51

bikerider wrote: ↑20 Jan 2022, 11:35
CedarRiverScooter wrote: ↑17 Jan 2022, 18:01 Maybe not most used, but has paid for itself many times over: Dremel!
A versatile tool no doubt.

Ya, I've got an 'ancient' Dremel 245-5 that I still use quite often. With the foot-control for speed adjustments, the flexible shaft extension, the router base and the 'micro' drill press it's very versatile.

onthewater102 · Post by **onthewater102** » 20 Jan 2022, 19:55

Jim wrote: ↑16 Jan 2022, 08:27 Do any of you buy into a “system”? One brand and battery level for multiple tools?

I’m still looking at getting a small light weight electric chainsaw for very light work in the woods and was wondering if it’s worth investing in one brand. It’s time to buy a new cordless drill so I’m thinking along those lines.

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I use the Black & Decker 20V lithium system. Impact Driver, Matrix Drill/Jigsaw/4" Circular Saw, 10" chainsaw (wife uses for campfire wood & light trimming), 8" electric extendable pole saw, string trimmer, light-duty leaf blower (good for the kids to use clearing the deck is about all) and a work-light (technically the most-used power tool if you consider it to be one by virtue of being part of this family of tools)...I think that's all the accessories I've accumulated over the years that work with the 20V batteries. I couldn't tell you which are the newer and which are the older batteries, all still perform great and I've accumulated these tools over the last 10 years or so.

The electric string trimmer is MONEY. Not having to deal with a 2 stroke for basic weekly yard maintenance is awesome. With so many batteries it doesn't much matter if it takes 2 or 3 to get through the yards, I must have 5 or 6 batteries at this point.

None of the tools are contractor grade by any measure - but for a homeowner / weekend warrior project junkie like me they have served me well for a number of years now.

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