Power tools from sheds

[Jurassic Sparks]

with Bosch Power tools the Green ones are DIY with nylon gears
the blue one are pro with steel gears
the problem with the big sheds is they buy in bulk and you often get an old model
in the case of one make of drills they sell, the batteries fitted have a red case signifying cheaper construction and a lower amperage the trade places sell them with black batteries heavy duty L ion
I prefer to buy from a trade suppliers as if it goes worng its easier ot get a repair, adn they often work out cheaper or supply some extras such as spare batteries or bits

 

[Jurassic Sparks]

My Milwaukee combi drill from toolstation is doing well after nearly 5 years. Well one repair due to a blown pcb component, but the repairer said that was probably bad luck as he had never seen it before. Milwaukee don't have tiered products though, just the one range that gets improved year on year.

Bosch have tiered quality products, but they code them green for DIY, blue for the pro range.

I know for certain that DeWalt have tiered products when you look at the stats for them. They frequently appear in screwfix and B&Q. They colour all their tools black and yellow so the DIY stuff is not easily apparent.

Yes Screwfix is a shed, it's the same company as B&Q. Garbage for cheap, and some quality products for way over the odds.

Toolstation is owned by Travis perkins !
they often have decent power tools in stock as most builders are clumsy sods and break things
I recently purchased some good quality Makita stuff in my local builders merchants ( Bence and Co )
pro quality and cheaper than B and Q and spare batteries were cheaper as well

 

[Robert Turnbull]

ITS is good and its clear all the different spec levels

i.e the makita 18v drill has 6 versions - LIGHT/GENERAL/HEAVY in both brushed and brushless version
same with impact drivers.

check the spec and model on the of the manufacturers web site then search for the best price for that tool

 

[PEG]

Hilti has NO spec levels...they are all pro

Cheap tools,are just that,and should not be expected to either do the work or last the course.

Now,there appears to be exceptions a Ferm 14" cut-off saw i bought from screwfix,the month they opened,and an eight year old Ryobi chainsaw from B&Q,given to me by a neighbour who could never start it...they have both proved absolutely impossible to kill - and i have tried,very hard!

 

[unconditional]

My last dewalt combi drill had 4 batteries die in 2 years and I was left using the 7 year old ni-cads in it, and I'm pretty sure that was the supposed "proper" not "DIY" spec.

Bought all panasonic stuff after that. Now have a pile of fine dewalt 18v tools but unusable due to no batts in the attic.

 

[LeeH]

I have a Dewalt XR batteries 3Ah that are years old. Still working fine.

The 4's and 5's are newer, still no issues.

 

[Pete999]

I was in Idles the other day and they were flogging power tool of every description, saw a couple of lads buying up as much as they could, not 2 of each but about 15 of each so look out for cheap crap

 

[Rpa07]

Builders buy up the Aldi and Lidl tools as they can run them into the ground and buy a new one or use the 2 year warranty if needed. Good for the heavy stuff like Breakers and mud stirrers but you probably wouldn't turn up to site with a Workzone 14.4v battery drill - I'm such a tool snob!

 

[Pete999]

Builders buy up the Aldi and Lidl tools as they can run them into the ground and buy a new one or use the 2 year warranty if needed. Good for the heavy stuff like Breakers and mud stirrers but you probably wouldn't turn up to site with a Workzone 14.4v battery drill - I'm such a tool snob!

I think the tools will be on ebay shortly,

 

[Rpa07]

I think the tools will be on ebay shortly,

That is true Pete but anyone with their eye on the pulse will know not to overpay on eBay - if they do pay over the top they've only themselves to blame for no research! Some good tools come out of Aldi and Lidl. I'm wearing the workwear T shirts everyday but I can't use the trousers as they start at 32" waist and I'm a slender 30"! Their loss!