Mechaniker…Second, I used to talk to many tradesman when I was working. For portable drills, Panasonic was considered the best buy. For routers, Porter-Cable was considered best. These recommendations are about 10 years old. I own both tools. I would be interested in hearing your opinions…
I don’t know anybody that owns a Panasonic drill. Not only do I use tools often but I also used to sell tools. Milwaukee was the drill of choice for professionals that were widely available (Panasonic is not found everywhere). The same can be said for Porter Cable routers, top quality. The 690 with a D handle base is an awesome fixed base router. I own the PC biscuit jointer, wonderful tool!
Panasonic was the choice portable drill in the Chicago area about ten years ago.
Re: Craftsman power tools.
Honestly, they’re very much hit-or-miss. They’re all outsourced to different manufacturers, and that’s one of the reasons they change accessories and designs often. This years low bid might not be next year’s. I have a Craftsman router that was actually made by Porter-Cable. Even had the exact same specs as the PC that many places were charging 2x for. My biscuit joiner is a Craftsman (don’t know the actual maker) and it works, but clogs way too easily, so its a pain. My only other Craftsman power tool is my lathe - its so old that GM’s tooling division actually made it. It’s primitive, but works well 60+ years later. Its main fault is that the bearings don’t last that long (just 2-3 years each), but they only cost me $2-3 a piece and I can still easily buy them and swap them out.
If you get stuck, the Milwakee 18V impact driver, with the appropriate adapter, can easily remove the lug nuts on your car, and then torque them back to just over 100 FtLb. Takes up less space, and is a tad more versatile, I think.
I didn’t really believe it, so I used it to remove the (properly torqued) lug nuts on the 4Runner. That little tool has some pretty good power packed in it.
Panasonic is STILL the portable drill of choice. They make an EXCELLENT portable drill.
Electric Impact driver…Been thinking of getting one…Anyone own one?? How good are they?? They have a couple of 18 and 24 volt ones at various auto parts stores and tool stores around here. Not sure which one to buy.
Craftsman power tools are NOT what they use to be. I have one Craftsman drill my Dad owned that’s now 60+ years old…It’s a 1/2" drill 1200rpm (max). Still runs great…Back then there were made by Milwakee…Now who knows…For a while some were even made by the old Singer Sewing Machine company.
Craftsman hand tools (the ones with the lifetime warrant) are GREAT for the average back yard mechanic.
Craftsman seems to win in the cost/quality category. I still have the Craftsman 1/2" drive ratchet and sockets and combination wrenches that were a gift 50 years ago. If my memory serves me I believe the set was $42. including a tool box and many miscellaneous screw drivers, etc., that have been broken and lost over the years. Of course $42 was a great deal of money then.
Mike, re:Ipmact…read my post right above yours. 18v lithium. Got them as a drill/driver & impact set at home depot for under $200 (tax included). This little tool rocks.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100650378/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
chaissos…Thanks…I’ll ad to my Christmas list…
I’ve been designing and building custom fine furniture for decades. My most recent project was a Queen Anne Highboy with Cabriole legs.
The quality of woodworking tools varies tremendously. Craftsman is fine for pine and rough projects, like perhaps a Shaker table, but if you plan to work with hard woods or lareg projects you need the power, stability, and precision of a make like Delta. Cutting tools in particular require the finest you can afford. Stamped steel sawblades without carbide tips, budget carving tools, anything with a blade, find the finest your budget will permit…than go one higher. I shop at a Rockler store. Find a prefessional woodworker’s outlet near you. Craftsman just doesn’t cut it for fine woodworking.
I LOVE my 1965 Delta 10" Contractor saw…Same basic design used today.
Are Delta tools made in the USA? The Delta Rockwell factory in northeast Mississippi was shut down several years ago and Chinese equipment is branded Delta.
Last I knew they were being made in Pennsylvania…But that was before Black and Decker bought them out. If they are still being made in the US…I suspect they are using a lot of foreign parts.
MikeInNH — "Last I knew they [DELTA] were being made in Pennsylvania...But that was before Black and Decker bought them out. If they are still being made in the US...I suspect they are using a lot of foreign parts."
You are confusing Delta with DeWalt.
In January 2011, the Delta brand was sold to a Taiwanese power tool manufacturer, Chang Type Industrial Co., Ltd., that was already manufacturing benchtop tools for Delta. The new company is called the Delta Power Equipment Corp. The CEO has said that Delta products currently manufactured in the United States will continue to be made there.
You are confusing Delta with DeWalt.
In January 2011, the Delta brand was sold to a Taiwanese power tool manufacturer, Chang Type Industrial Co., Ltd., that was already manufacturing benchtop tools for Delta.
No I WAS right…but after doing some research…I found out that Chang Ltd bought Delta from Black & Decker…
This is what I heard about a few years ago…
http://www.portercable.com/aboutus/delta_history.aspx
Just found this one today…
Delta was never made in Pennsylvania, but DeWalt was. Both Delta and DeWalt were owned by B&D at one time.
At one time Dewalt was the industrial line of B&D. Don’t know what the relationship is now.
Delta is made both overseas and in the USA depending on the tool. I own the Delta contractors saw with the angled dust chute and a 32" Unifence. This saw is fantastic!
SMB makes a good point. Buy the best you can afford. First, if you don’t then you will buy the tool twice, the one bought and the one you should have bought. Second, if you don’t then you will spend more time and money trying the correct what the cheap tool only did sub par.
Don’t like sanding? Then buy good tools and blades and you will spend less time doing so. I like Freud blades and bits. There are better but these are good blades for a fair price.
At one time DeWalt was an independent company.
@ Mechaniker…At one time DeWalt was an independent company…
Back in the day Dewalt was the Cadillac of radial arm saws.
Delta was never made in Pennsylvania, but DeWalt was. Both Delta and DeWalt were owned by B&D at one time.
I guess they were just headquartered in PA then…
http://www.portercable.com/aboutus/delta_history.aspx
"Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., DELTA Machinery began expanding its consumer market by launching a complete line of bench-top tools such as the 8-inch drill press; 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch grinders; and a 10-inch band saw. This launch made DELTA Machinery a household name by offering more affordable, lighter-duty power tools to homeowners and do-it-yourselfers. "
