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wrote:
can be translated as 'opinions will vary.'
I don't think that adequately covers it when you look back at the number
of discussions that happen just as a result of a gulf in understanding.
For somone who only ever does minor jobs it may never occur to them that
DIYers take on jobs that to them are things "only builders should do".
because finding good trades people willing to actually quote or even
turn up for work on some jobs is getting increasingly difficult!
John this is a guide to buying tools, not choosing tupperware. Snip it
This is a good guide, but the waffle is my one gripe with it. When Im
buying tools I couldnt give a monkeys about the distribution of labour
in the building market.
I added this in response to coment on the first draft (needless to say I
am not going to please everyone here)
For many it would seem to be a key motivation - certainly one that will
push them in to more "serious" DIY (and hence choice of tool).
The prices of budget tools in recent years have fallen dramatically.
The
majority of tools are manufactured in the far east and then
"branded"
for the eventual retailer.
redundant, snip
Don't think it is, in the sense that recognising the two classes of tool
will immediatly tell you a fair bit about what you can expect.
getting any after
sales service and spares for these tools can be difficult or
impossible.
but also not important, since a new tool is generally cheaper than a
repair anyway. If I buy this type of tool I'm not expecting to get it
repaired any day.
I will reply to this here, as several folks have mentioned it.
The assumption seems to be that service and support will only ever be
required should the tool break and need fixing. I think this is a too
narrow view.
What if I want to get a replacement rip fence for my circular saw? If it
was a B&D or bosch it would be simple enough given a helpful retailer.
For a shed special probably impossible. The argument that the tool is
cheap enough does not seem to hold water in this case.
If you want the best and most knowledgeable advice
and after sales service you will need to seek out a dedicated tool
merchant.
seek out uk.d-i-y, much more knowledgeable and impartial. In most
cases.
True, but if they are reading the FAQ chances are they have found us, or
will do shortly ;-)
There are cases where a average quality tool purchased from an above
average retailer will offer some of the benefits and after sales care
that usually only comes with much higher price tools.
would you explain?
Axminster would be a good example... in that they will go the extra mile
for customers. I would anticipate more luck getting a replacement rip
fence for one of their "white" circular saws than from B&Q for example.
Assuming you have dismissed hiring a tool,
that might be worth a paragraph actually, since it is often an option
in peoples minds, though not one I'd often encourage.
What would you want to see it cover?
Yup, but could all be said in 2-3 lines.
Sure it could... then again we are not writing a text book here.
why else would they sell them? Even the stuff theyre hiring out can be
like that.
True, sometimes it is a case they will replace a bunch of similar tools
in one go - some will be better than others.
Bear in mind if tempted, and many are, that megapacks of drill bits
bundled with tools can be junk in some cases.
Yup - worth adding somewhere I think
other groups, and spares and after sales service should be readily
available.
if sometimes pricey
If I want to buy new battey for a Makita drill it will be much the same
cost as had I have bought it with the drill... If I want one for a
"challenge extreame" it will cost the same as a new drill and what is
more will come with one!
always, and much less. Its inevitable. Codless is a feature you will
pay for. To make codless tools affordable, heavy compromises are made.
They have to be. Codless tools are rated in volts instead of watts
precisely because they are not comparable, and they dont want to tell
you how big the difference is. This is getting into what I'm properly
qualified in.
Then you will know that it is quite easy to drain a well matched NiCd
pack at 2kW for example...
The trade of (on better tools) is between power and run time - you can
have all the power you want if you don't mind a 5 min battery life
Take a codless scerwdriver: expect a fraction of the power, far lower
Not compared to a decent 18V high end tool. There is also the point to
bear in mind that once it has enough torque to snap a 6" screw, more is
not going to be of much practical use.
top speed in order to reclaim some of the lost torque, often cheap
plastic gears to trim the price, low duty cycle motor to trim price,
and low duty cycle batteries.
Exactly what I would avoid budget cordless tools.
This isnt some personal pet issue, there is a big difference, and the
There is also a huge difference between the worst and best of bread...
mfrs try to disguise it as much as poss. You only need look at the
sizes of the motor in mains vs codless drill to realise just how much
difference exists. Electronics is my subject.
The main thing a mains drill (for example) will give you over a top end
cordless is endurance. If you want to run a wire brush for an hour and a
half then mains is the way to go.
i make it a rule to recharge after every job, no matter how little its
been used.
Poor quality NiCd packs have a frightening auto discharge rate. Fully
charge them and two weeks later they will be flat.
Whereas midrange mains kit usually lasts decades.
Dont know if its worth mentioning that one can repack the batteries
with sub-c cells oneself for way less money.
Depends on what you mean by less. For a budget tool the cells will
likely cost more than the whole tool.
'Skil' I think it is. Not sure tho.
Yup...
--
Cheers,
John.
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