Power Tools - Are they all the same?

rudeboy

I'm thinking about buying a cordless screwdriver/drill and maybe a router. I'm not new to DIY, I just take a bit of convincing before I'll part with my cash.

I've been told many times by builders and contractors, "Oh don't bother buying DeWalt/Bosch/Makita, you're just paying for the name - This 'nakabushi' or 'Gooboo' is made by the same company but much cheaper"

Trouble is, I can never remember the name of the alternative. Does anyone know which tool companies own one another, or have any recommendations?

Rex_Mundi

I work on building sites and I would say that about 90% of the power tools I see are all Dewalt. They are definately the make to buy if you want them to last.

I don't find a problem with cheaper tools for DIY if you are only going to use them every now and then. I still have an old cordless screwdriver at home that was a cheapy. This works fine for small jobs round the house, although I don't take it to work with me, it wouldn't last too long at work.

alanobrien

rudeboy wrote:

I'm thinking about buying a cordless screwdriver/drill and maybe a router. I'm not new to DIY, I just take a bit of convincing before I'll part with my cash.

I've been told many times by builders and contractors, "Oh don't bother buying DeWalt/Bosch/Makita, you're just paying for the name - This 'nakabushi' or 'Gooboo' is made by the same company but much cheaper"

Trouble is, I can never remember the name of the alternative. Does anyone know which tool companies own one another, or have any recommendations?

This is true, Dewalt or Makita are without doubt the best and of course the most costly.
These are every day tools for trades people and hence need to be durable and reliable.

The average DIYer such as myself can get by happily with
most of the cheap stuff from the DIY sheds or Argos.

In fact i bought a JCB SDS drill, grinder, Saw, etc etc from Argos some years ago and they still serve me well. Note the JCB stuff is nothing more than badged imported cheapy stuff from China......But it works for me.......

IJJoseph

I'd avoid the really cheap stuff especially B&Q's Performance range, I bought a circular saw which only cut straight for the first few weeks. Wickes isn't bad as I have had a few of their tools for about 10 years now and it all still works fine with exception to the drill which has recently burnt out its' clutch.

boogiemaster

Cheap tools won’t last! You’re buying twice for being tight! Always pay that little bit more and you won’t be disappointed.
You pay for what you get? And what you get is headaches, I buy dewalt and Makita and industrial Bosh, black and Decker are cheap crap that wont last, and I know I’ve bought tools from them and binned them.

coolagarry

There's a good selection here
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat.jsp?cId=100372&ts=51762