Power Tools & General Tools Recommendations & Advice

LuckyBenski · 29 Apr 2024 at 16:38

dlockers said:
Anyone have a bosted DeWalt trim router? The case is broken on mine

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The Funktopus · 29 Apr 2024 at 21:39

Going to have to face a patch of land behind my house that’s massively overgrown with brambles, which going forward is going to be a regular battle, so I was contemplating investing in a garden multitool, that I can use for brush cutting that mess, and then for trimming back trees, hedges etc, and to replace our POS 18v Spear & Jackson line trimmer that I got 2 years ago when it finally quits life.

I was all set to buy a petrol Titan job from Screwfix, but seeing as I’m already invested in Makita tools, and have enough batteries to run one (2 x 4ah, 2 x 5ah) I’m sort of leaning towards the 36v DUX60 multi tool. Has anyone used one of these? I’m just a bit dubious as to whether it would possess sufficient cojones to take on a rather large patch of brambles, being electric and all.

b0rn2sk8 · 29 Apr 2024 at 22:33

I don’t have one but my 18V dewalt string strimmer is an absolute beast compared to my old cheap 240v Ryobi and will go through pretty thick vegetation, including smaller brambles and it’s not even a brush cutter. I tend to only use it in speed setting 1 of 2.

I wouldn’t have any concerns getting the Dewalt brush cutter, pretty sure it runs on their 54v battery rather than 2X18V but I expect the Makita will be just as good.

oggiet · 7 May 2024 at 16:28

Any recommendations for mid range sliding mitre saw and plunge/track saw. It doesn't have to be battery as will be most of the work in the garage.

rangor gubbins · 7 May 2024 at 23:38

oggiet said:
Any recommendations for mid range sliding mitre saw and plunge/track saw. It doesn't have to be battery as will be most of the work in the garage.

I bought a dewalt dws 773, mitre saw last year. Works very well and seems accurate and well made.

rangor gubbins · 7 May 2024 at 23:39

P. S. If you buy the slightly more expensive dws 774 it comes with a shadow guide.

SquirrelMadness · 11 May 2024 at 14:41

Anyone else notice Makita power tool prices are through the roof now?

Haven't looked for new tools in a couple years and prices have skyrocketed since then...

I bought this for £90 back in 2017 it's now £319:

9" Grinder

A couple 6AH 18v batteries used to be £100 now they're selling 2x 5ah for £122

I still need a small grinder, the 40v chop saw and some garden tools (hedge cutter/lawn mower) to add to my collection but will have to wait for deals.

b0rn2sk8 · 11 May 2024 at 14:46

Those prices look normal. Even back in 2017 I can’t say I’d seen 2x 6ah batteries for £100, more like each and you’d be about right. They’ve always been very expensive.

Are you sure it’s like for like?

SquirrelMadness · 11 May 2024 at 15:19

b0rn2sk8 said:
Those prices look normal. Even back in 2017 I can’t say I’d seen 2x 6ah batteries for £100, more like each and you’d be about right. They’ve always been very expensive.

Are you sure it’s like for like?

OK forget the 6ah it was probably 2x 5ah for £100 but the DGA900Z I got for £90 just checked emails.

dlockers · 11 May 2024 at 21:42

£90 for a 9inch grinder is dirt cheap. I just paid £38 to rent one lol.

spile · 12 May 2024 at 06:14

The Funktopus said:
Going to have to face a patch of land behind my house that’s massively overgrown with brambles, which going forward is going to be a regular battle, so I was contemplating investing in a garden multitool, that I can use for brush cutting that mess, and then for trimming back trees, hedges etc, and to replace our POS 18v Spear & Jackson line trimmer that I got 2 years ago when it finally quits life.

I was all set to buy a petrol Titan job from Screwfix, but seeing as I’m already invested in Makita tools, and have enough batteries to run one (2 x 4ah, 2 x 5ah) I’m sort of leaning towards the 36v DUX60 multi tool. Has anyone used one of these? I’m just a bit dubious as to whether it would possess sufficient cojones to take on a rather large patch of brambles, being electric and all.

I clear footpaths with a Makita brushcutter. It is a Makita DUR369AZ 18Vx2 LXT Brushless Brush Cutter and I use it with the metal blade. Forget strimmers and the bike handles and spare 5ah or 6ah batteries are a must for bigger jobs. For the sides of hedges I use a DUN500WRTE pole trimmer that uses a single 18v battery.

dlockers · Friday at 13:32

dlockers said:
Cheers chaps. They have the FatMax Pro for the same price so think I'll pick up that with 50 blades. Part of my issue is I bought like miniature blades if that's even a thing so this'll definitely solve my issue

Ts doing 5% off every basket too.

Demon said:
Yeah, they are crap, I have the older version of one and any serious work and the blades come loose.. also the number of times mines sprung open is not funny.

I'm going to get one of those bosch ones linked above, it seems to address all the issues I have with the FatMax Pro..

Utter crap - ended up returning it last week. Will grab the Bosch one I think!

wsurfa · Friday at 14:21

aVdub said:
I use the below that is on a good price atm.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CQ5C6TT2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

GLF 55-6 Palm Router | Bosch Professional

GLF 55-6 Palm routers | Fast and clean trimming, Unobstructed view of the cutting area, Effortless one-handed operation

www.bosch-professional.com

1/4" collet.

I was going to suggest that or similar if you'd not used a router before

aVdub · Friday at 15:23

dlockers said:
Utter crap - ended up returning it last week. Will grab the Bosch one I think!

You wont regret it.

DXP55 · Friday at 16:38

Went to B&Q yesterday with the wife and while she went to garden centre I wondered down to tools - I was just looking when I saw a tool and thought I like that - It was nothing special or expensive but fancied buying it. It was a cheap multitool (like a Leatherman) but it also came with a knife like a stanley knife - picked it up -put it down -picked it up - Now does anyone else do this.
I have three multitools and three stanley knives so didn't buy it but I am still thinking about it.
Oh well two more bottles of wine instead.

Reuben klang · Friday at 16:43

Yes, I pick it up have a look, nod in my head and buy it. Every single time.

aVdub · Friday at 16:53

I used to do that a lot and still do now and then, but have accepted many can be gimmicks and if the big boys toys companies do not make it or similar, then it'll soon be either broken or in the bin.

dlockers · Friday at 21:19

DXP55 said:
Went to B&Q yesterday with the wife and while she went to garden centre I wondered down to tools - I was just looking when I saw a tool and thought I like that - It was nothing special or expensive but fancied buying it. It was a cheap multitool (like a Leatherman) but it also came with a knife like a stanley knife - picked it up -put it down -picked it up - Now does anyone else do this.
I have three multitools and three stanley knives so didn't buy it but I am still thinking about it.
Oh well two more bottles of wine instead.

The thing is they are usually junk. A leatherman will last forever.

danlightbulb · Saturday at 08:01

So far I have:
* DeWalt battery drill
* DeWalt battery impact driver
* DeWalt battery multi tool
* 2x 2Ah batteries & charger

* A wired cheap jigsaw
* A wired cheap palm router

I think the tool that I should buy next is probably a circular saw. I considered a mitre saw too but a circular saw is much more flexible and can rip sheet material.

Question is though should I stick with DeWalt or go for a cheaper solution (eg Ryobi) just for this one tool or perhaps all future tools?

If I stick with DeWalt the tool itself is twice as much, and I would ideally need a 5Ah battery too as the 2Ah I currently have show their limits already with heavy multitool use. A 5Ah would be better for the a circular saw as well as my current multitool.

But if I go Ryobi the tool is cheaper and I could then use that platform to build up some other tools eg some garden products like a small chainsaw, leaf blower or a reciprocating saw.

But then I'd have two systems in play.

In hindsight it may have been better to go with Ryobi from the start, but when I was looking at drills initially and impact drivers the price difference wasn't very big. It seems larger on other tools though.

sigma · Saturday at 08:13

Plenty of people use Ryobi on here @danlightbulb it depends how much heavy use you're going to need from the tools, and the cost difference, if Ryobi is half the price then it might be worth running two systems, either way you think you're going to need a new battery.

I don't think you can beat a mitre saw really, for easy of cutting. Ideally you need that and a circular saw, especially if you want to make quick, straight cuts and build frames etc. You can do it with a circular saw but it will take a lot of practice.

Essentially the tool journey never ends!