Tool Brands

[Truktek2]

Which tools do you guys prefer? Dewalt or Makita? Why? I've heard varying opinions on both.

[L-A]

Makita for me. Dewalt makes excellent tools too. I think my preference is in term of what I use my tools for. I tend to work in tight corners or move around stuff a lot, so the general lightness of their tools fit me well.

[mike_v_s]

This is probably not of much consequence today, but I used to sell tools at a box store in college. At the time the Porter Cable cordless drills consistently out performed (in terms of "rated" power vs real world effectiveness) the other brands. We sold more Makita brand drills, though.

Mike

[Tama]

We use Dewalt at work. They are priced pretty good & hold up well.
Dave

[L-A]

You should have put Milwaukee there.

[Truktek2]

You're right. In hindsight I guess there are many good brands out there. I just figured those were the two most popular? Maybe I shoul've just asked what tool brand you guys you think are the best. I would change the poll, but now the results would be skewed

[tplyons]

Either makes a good tool, I prefer the Makita's as they have better batteries IME. But I wouldn't turn down a good tool from either brand.

[emor]

Different tools, different brands.

Corded drills: Milwaukee
12V cordless drill: Panasonic
(I have an old 9.6V Makita that still works great)
Jigsaw: Bosch
Routers: Porter Cable
Sanders: Porter Cable
Biscuit Joiner: Lamello

I have a couple of friends who own Festool--very nice stuff but pricey.

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by emor

Different tools, different brands.

Corded drills: Milwaukee
12V cordless drill: Panasonic
(I have an old 9.6V Makita that still works great)
Jigsaw: Bosch
Routers: Porter Cable
Sanders: Porter Cable
Biscuit Joiner: Lamello

I have a couple of friends who own Festool--very nice stuff but pricey.

Very true... Porter Cable Routers are excellent, and so is a Bosch Jigsaw, but between the two I'll take Makita blue anytime. Nothing against Dewalt.

[Stu L.]

Used some brand new Dewalt 12v drills recently. The forward/reverse switch died on the first really fast. Nothing against Dewalt. Everyone has a bad one get out the door sometimes. And around here it's Deee-walt.

I prefer Bosch though. Only Fastenal stocks them around here. I like Craftsman too. Our table saw, one of the miters, and planer are all Craftsman.

[xgator4u]

It depends on the type of tool

circular saws = always have used Makita
saws all= Dewalt
cordless drills= Portercable
Compound miter saw= Bosh
hammer drill =Milwaukee
sanders=Portercable
scroll saw= Skill

[JimB52]

My brother in laws' a contractor, and he prefers Makita for weight and battery life, and Bosch for general quality.
I buy whatever feels best for me at a reasonable price, usually Dewalt, although I like the looks of Porter Cable, just not the price.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by xgator4u

circular saws = always have used Makita

Can't say enough good about their saws. I myself witnessed a seasoned construction worker going across a commercial concrete slab (500 sq. ft. and up I guess), cutting all his joints with a consumer-level Makita saw. The thing never even seemed to give up.

[Solarmist]

^ I've used Makita saws for residential construction because they're a bit lighter, and you can't get shocked in pouring rain being they're double-insulated.

[Simo98]

From my experience Makita drills will outlast anything.

Back before chinese furniture imports we used to manufacture the little feet that go on the bottoms of sofa's. did them in batches of 2-5 thousand, each of them needs a lag screw in the top which we used to have to put in, and no other drill would last a day of constant work except a Makita one, even they would be worn out after a few days.

We ended up just using the cheap drill and chucking them away at the end of the day instead

[southernrocker]

Originally Posted by L-A

You should have put Milwaukee there.

They are the best.

[Sartori]

Neither, ha ha!

[gold_member_321]

I have both a plug in and battery powered drill by Dewalt both are great. Never had any problems with either.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Truktek2

Which tools do you guys prefer? Dewalt or Makita? Why? I've heard varying opinions on both.

if you gotta work with them all day dewalt,hands down...where i am they are so common so you can at least find a battery in a pinch

[Mike N]

My cordless stuff is Craftsman.
My corded stuff is Milwaukee.
My air powered stuff is Snap on and Ingersoll-Rand.
My hand tools are Snap On, Mac and Matco.