This is not an easy question. Tradesmen are probably the only people
with experience with more than one brand of any given tool, and they use
the high end tools that most DIYs would not want to sink all their money
in, especially for tools that we use, frankly, rarely. A lot of
opinions are based on outdated information. Companies that once made
quality tools may now be making an inferior grade, so a DIY who swears
by his 25 year old B&D is telling the truth, but that opinion may not be
relevant to today's B&D. Few of us have had the opportunity to use
competing current versions of tools; where can you get that type of
information? I really don't know. I don't think you can tell by going
into HD and looking. Maybe try renting, but they seem to have only one
brand of any tool that they will rent.

I don't have many pneumatic tools; using them is just more hassle than
picking up a batteried tool; maybe if I were in more of a production
environment, pneumatic would be worth the cost and inconvenience, but I
don't think most DIYs are in that situation. I find myself spending
often on new hoses, and I don't think I get my money's worth out of that
type of tool.

Having said that, I have a Bosch belt sander that is a superb tool, and
a Makita palm sander that has worked well for many many years, but I
also have a Ryobi corded reciprocating saw (very light use) and
batteried drill (relatively heavy use), and both of these have lasted
well and do good work, yet Ryobi is often considered one of the low end
brands.

One suggestion I would make is that, if you are going to get some
batteried tools, get the highest voltage you can afford (18 is far far
better than 14), and try to find a brand that is good across the board,
so you can interchange batteries.

Harry wrote:

I don't know if this is the right newsgroup (if not, can someone point
me to the appropriate one?), but I'm thinkong of relacing all my old
(B&D) power tolls, and with all the choices nowadays, I was hoping for
some suggestions (Ver speed drill, cordless driver, reciprocating saw,
skill saw, jig saw,...) the works.

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