Replies

1. 
   rob_ss | Oct 10, 2022 06:03am | #1

   First, above all else choose a tool that is comfortable in your hand. I have huge hands and like Makita, but people with smaller hands may prefer other brands. Nothing matters more than a tool you can hold and use - if it's too heavy or too big or small you have bought a pup even if it got the best reviews on line.

   Second pick a tool you can afford. Not necessarily a cheap one, but there is no point beggaring yourself. Ryobi tools are fine and no-one can look at a hole and tell you which tool drilled it.

   I have a cheaper, low end Makita drill that did 5 years of sterling service. It smokes a bit though when drilling big holes in old fence posts. My higher end (3 times the price) version barely notices the work but is heavier so I still use mainly the old mostly worn out one most of the time. What you will use the tool for matters - if you are planning on doing a lot of gudgeon pin holes then you need a grunty drill. If finer woodworking, not so much.

   Ryobi tools are great for starters - good enough quality and meet the 'minimum for respectability' level of quality - not really going to take a beating but with care will give many years or excellent service.

   Milwaukee, deWalt and Makita are the choice for most, usually tradespeople and this is telling - these people make their living with these tools.

   Hikoki is worth a look - not a bad set for the price.

   Festool obviously high quality tools for those with the need for continuous use but you do need the cash.

   When you have the choice of two tools, both of which will do the job, but from different ranges and different prices, you should look at whether you want to buy in to that range - batteries are not compatible across most ranges so there is an advantage in being all Makita like me - one battery fits all my tools. This is not a deal-breaker but the major lines have so many tools and the prices are so similar that picking one over another is not an issue.
   Consider the marginal utility of the purchase too - if one drill costs double the other, might you be better off having two cheaper tools (say a drill and circ saw) rather than one expensive one. Even within the major ranges, this sort of price difference is common.

   Finally, remember that you don't get what you don't pay for. If it's cheap, it's built to a price (or fake) - buy from a reputable supplier and be very careful buying brands you have never heard of.

2. 
   stantheman | Oct 10, 2022 10:20am | #2

   I've used a lot of different brands. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either Milwaukee, DeWalt, Bosch or Makita. Depends on which one is on sale at the time I'm buying. But it does make a difference how much you're going to use it, and if its heavy construction or light woodworking. If not used a lot, many people could get by with one of the cheaper ones - Ryobi, Craftsman, Skil, Black & Decker, etc.