Apartment tools
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
Apartment tools
OK, so we went from 14 acres to a 1000 square feet of apartment. I sold/tossed/abandoned a lot of stuff. I did keep more hand tools than I should have -- they're nestled in my van right now awaiting a storage unit.
But I kept no power tools -- they were all old. I'm thinking of a couple new ones for occasional use once I can figure out where to put things. I'm thinking a battery powered drill -- and maybe a screwdriver, a small battery saw and maybe a small battery jigsaw.
I can't make a lot of noise here, but I'll figure something out.
I have no clear idea of brands or capabilities. I'm sure that I won't use them much, but I don't want junk. Not sure what projects I might try, but I don't feel right without tools
Appreciate any thoughts on what might work -- including tool types ( do I really want saw etc).
Thanks,
hj
But I kept no power tools -- they were all old. I'm thinking of a couple new ones for occasional use once I can figure out where to put things. I'm thinking a battery powered drill -- and maybe a screwdriver, a small battery saw and maybe a small battery jigsaw.
I can't make a lot of noise here, but I'll figure something out.
I have no clear idea of brands or capabilities. I'm sure that I won't use them much, but I don't want junk. Not sure what projects I might try, but I don't feel right without tools
Appreciate any thoughts on what might work -- including tool types ( do I really want saw etc).
Thanks,
hj
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
It is hard to say what "you" should get not knowing what you have and what you will be doing.
Also when you have a garage full of tools, air, electric, hand and now some battery power it makes it even harder.
I would say a battery power drill / driver is a must as a first tool to have along with some drill bits and screw driver bits.
Right now I have the HF brand drill / driver and is holding up well for the amount I use it.
If you get the bits that let you add a sockets to them, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and fit the drill / driver you can use it to work on nuts & bolts.
I did buy an extra battery so if I am using it and 1 goes low I can pop in a fully charged one and keep working.
With the above drill / driver I was able to put a fence dog pen together using the bit / socket to join the panels.
I then used the screw driver bits to put 2x4's across the top and with a tarp for shade.
Few years later used the same tools to take it all apart for another foster to use.
I did buy another HF tool that uses the same battery but cant remember what it is now and have not used it yet, why I cant remember what it is
I take it you have normal hand tools like screw drivers and socket set?
Dave ----
Also when you have a garage full of tools, air, electric, hand and now some battery power it makes it even harder.
I would say a battery power drill / driver is a must as a first tool to have along with some drill bits and screw driver bits.
Right now I have the HF brand drill / driver and is holding up well for the amount I use it.
If you get the bits that let you add a sockets to them, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and fit the drill / driver you can use it to work on nuts & bolts.
I did buy an extra battery so if I am using it and 1 goes low I can pop in a fully charged one and keep working.
With the above drill / driver I was able to put a fence dog pen together using the bit / socket to join the panels.
I then used the screw driver bits to put 2x4's across the top and with a tarp for shade.
Few years later used the same tools to take it all apart for another foster to use.
I did buy another HF tool that uses the same battery but cant remember what it is now and have not used it yet, why I cant remember what it is
I take it you have normal hand tools like screw drivers and socket set?
Dave ----
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 29
Not sure what your budget is or frequency of use, but Makita are the best from my experience. Fastest charge time, and long lasting. Pricy? Yes, but well worth it as the quality is super and always gets the job done. Warranty is already 3 years from the box. Lithium batteries come in different amperage and price also. What I like is that Makita has a DC car charger so you can charge on the go and they have the USB charger which can charge your phone or whatever with one of their batteries.
If Makita isn't for you, a good home owner brand is DeWalt. I've dealt with them and they've malfunctioned(I've never had a Makita malfunction), but if they aren't being used frequently they'll do alright. I can't say I know them well, but I and my circle has always had issues with them. If they are taken care of, they are good cheaper tools. I rather put my money towards Makita and get good quality that'll last, but that's my .02.
If Makita isn't for you, a good home owner brand is DeWalt. I've dealt with them and they've malfunctioned(I've never had a Makita malfunction), but if they aren't being used frequently they'll do alright. I can't say I know them well, but I and my circle has always had issues with them. If they are taken care of, they are good cheaper tools. I rather put my money towards Makita and get good quality that'll last, but that's my .02.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,170
Likes: 1,375
From: Chaz
Grab one of those Milwaukee bag sets at lowes or home depot. Dewalt is ok too.
I have a drill, small impact, and sawszall in one bag. One charger and 2 batteries.
Wait till like Black Friday if you are trying to get a bargain.
Also get a vibratory cutting tool. Same brand, same charger so you can run 2 chargers during projects.
All that will set you back around $350?
I have a drill, small impact, and sawszall in one bag. One charger and 2 batteries.
Wait till like Black Friday if you are trying to get a bargain.
Also get a vibratory cutting tool. Same brand, same charger so you can run 2 chargers during projects.
All that will set you back around $350?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,830
Likes: 2,611
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I've bought a couple of the bagged DeWalt 20v sets at Lowe's on sales, so now have a few batteries and chargers. I've only had one chuck of a 1/2" drill mess up, but I might have done that myself. I saw my roofing contractor let a DeWalt drill driver slide off the roof, drop about 18 feet, bounce up off hard yard earth, ... I then pick it up, it worked fine still.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
If Makita isn't for you, a good home owner brand is DeWalt. I've dealt with them and they've malfunctioned(I've never had a Makita malfunction), but if they aren't being used frequently they'll do alright. I can't say I know them well, but I and my circle has always had issues with them. If they are taken care of, they are good cheaper tools. I rather put my money towards Makita and get good quality that'll last, but that's my .02.
As we all know cordless tools have a significant up front cost if you're brand switching due the batteries, chargers etc etc required to have a more complete range of power tools. Not counting my "extra" batteries, chargers etc I have probably upwards of 40 Milwaukee cordless tools/batteries, another 7-8 of their older corded stuff too.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,878
Likes: 2,485
From: Louisiana
DeWalt are built for the low-budget "home owner", if they're found on a construction site its due they're cheap, easily replaced and tend to work acceptably for a while. I prefer and buy nothing but Milwaukee for the past 30 years and have so far not been disappointed with them at all.
As we all know cordless tools have a significant up front cost if you're brand switching due the batteries, chargers etc etc required to have a more complete range of power tools. Not counting my "extra" batteries, chargers etc I have probably upwards of 40 Milwaukee cordless tools/batteries, another 7-8 of their older corded stuff too.
As we all know cordless tools have a significant up front cost if you're brand switching due the batteries, chargers etc etc required to have a more complete range of power tools. Not counting my "extra" batteries, chargers etc I have probably upwards of 40 Milwaukee cordless tools/batteries, another 7-8 of their older corded stuff too.
I agree. I have Milwaukee power tools and have been very pleased with them. My toolbox is a large Milwaukee rolling chest. Everything they make is top quality.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Sadly the $200 bare tool 1/2" high torque impact ends up costing a buyer well over $600 when its all paid off.
In theory Milwaukee's warranty of 5 years will outlast the payment schedule!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,878
Likes: 2,485
From: Louisiana
Not sure how often you deal with the Snap On tool truck independent dealers but I see more than a few offering bonafide Milwaukee tools through their finance plans.
Sadly the $200 bare tool 1/2" high torque impact ends up costing a buyer well over $600 when its all paid off. In theory Milwaukee's warranty of 5 years will outlast the payment schedule!
Sadly the $200 bare tool 1/2" high torque impact ends up costing a buyer well over $600 when its all paid off.
In theory Milwaukee's warranty of 5 years will outlast the payment schedule! 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 107
From: Staten Island, NY
I've been at this for a while but I'm by no means an expert. I started with Craftsman when they were good, American made tools but then they turned to crap. Went thru Milwaukee and then De Walt. They were OK but not great. I have a couple of Porter Cable power tools that are quite good but my current favorite is Bosch. I have a number of their cordless tools and couldn't be happier with them,
.
Just my 2 cents.....
.
Just my 2 cents.....
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
On every job I do I'm looking for even the thinnest of "reasons" to buy one of those.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,878
Likes: 2,485
From: Louisiana
Oh yeah---along with the newest M18 brad nailer they're offering I've been trying to justify buying one of each of those. Even though I don't mind spending money on tools there's just absolutely no way I I could justify owning either of those as they'd sit around gather dust and go unused.
On every job I do I'm looking for even the thinnest of "reasons" to buy one of those.
On every job I do I'm looking for even the thinnest of "reasons" to buy one of those.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 1,945
From: Sportsman's Paradise
If you can get Milwaukee cheaper, do it otherwise for home use Dewalt is good.
I have Dewalt at home and we use to use them and Snap-on at work but they don't last. We switched to Milwaukee and we can't kill them especially the M18 Fuel series 1/2" impact, that thing is a beast.
I have Dewalt at home and we use to use them and Snap-on at work but they don't last. We switched to Milwaukee and we can't kill them especially the M18 Fuel series 1/2" impact, that thing is a beast.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
If you can get Milwaukee cheaper, do it otherwise for home use Dewalt is good.
I have Dewalt at home and we use to use them and Snap-on at work but they don't last. We switched to Milwaukee and we can't kill them especially the M18 Fuel series 1/2" impact, that thing is a beast.
I have Dewalt at home and we use to use them and Snap-on at work but they don't last. We switched to Milwaukee and we can't kill them especially the M18 Fuel series 1/2" impact, that thing is a beast.
And that makes my point perfectly about DeWalt---"good for the price.......but not long!"
Typically I don't buy with home use in mind, mostly I'm lucky in that budget is almost never a concern, much prefer longevity. One of my most trusted Milwaukee cordless tools---the 6560-20 NiCd 12 volt caulking gun---took a crap. Not a huge deal since I always carry back ups but I'll have tear it down to see if its repairable. I fear the the output gear assembly might have failed---a cost of $170 to replace it. If that's the case I'll dump the money because that era tool is nearly bomb proof---this caulking gun is at least 15 years old or more.The upside to that replacement part is its still available and that someone is still supporting a tool no longer still in production. Nothing short of amazing IMHO.
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