One of the worst parts of graduating from ID school was no longer having access to the shop; it takes us grads years to build up a power tool supply that will sadly never live up to the copious tool room at the good ol' alma mater.
This post is for those of you in the tool-acquiring process. When buying a power tool, we highly recommend these two pieces of advice:
1) Always read the online reviews. Angry contractors who bought bum tools are prolific writers, and you may sometimes learn you don't even need the tool--one reviewer, for example, had this to say about the T-Jak (a device for the lone worker that holds cabinets into place so you can screw them into the wall): "It's no wonder they only sell this thing online and not in stores--if you saw one up close, you'd realize you could build it yourself with standard threaded pipe and a $3 coupler."
2) Go to your local big-box hardware store, look for the empty spaces on the shelves, and find out what was on them. Whatever a big-box retailer cannot keep in stock is usually a best-selling tool, and the big-boxes see traffic from pro contractors and DIY-ers alike. Also, the big-boxes will often have discounts that can't even be had online.
With these tips we recently came across a great bargain and superlative set of tools, Makita's LCT200W kit, which contains an 18-volt impact driver and drill (both cordless), two batteries and a rapid charger--all for a measly US $269. (Note that the same Makita impact driver alone can go for up to $280.) Happy hunting, folks, and if you've got some tool-buying tips of your own, or recommendations for tools you particularly love, please share!
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Comments
18 volt impact 29.99 battery and charger
18 volt drill 14.99 battery and charger
unless you use it like a pro (4 to 5 hours a day 5 days a week) save your self some money. I use mine a couple of times a week. Had them for 3 years.