I'd like to get the DYIers around here's opinion on the brands of power tools they use.
It has been my experience that certain brands have gone for a nose-dive over the last couple of years. I am talking about Bosch and Ryobi specifically.
My brother and I have built up a decent collection of tools over the years and the brands have of necessity moved up into the industrial bracket lately. Originally I thought Ryobi represented excellent value for money. I bought a Ryobi 12V cordless drill that is still working great and it has been put through its paces
but it is probably older than 3 years. I still have a Bosch angle grinder (small one) that I got more than 15 years ago and it still works great. Same goes for my Bosch hammer drill, more than 10 years old.
Then something happened ??? ???
Here's a couple of experiences we've had with some of our recent purchases.
I've decided not again...
I bought a Triton circular saw to replace the replacement Ryobi. The Ryobi drill was replaced with a 1200W AEG (what a stunning machine - ate the wall like pie!). The router was replaced with a Makita 3612C.
Now, all these tools were labeled as DIY and their prices reflected that (first clue...) but based on past experience Bosch and Ryobi were a little better than other so-called DIY tools. I can say with absolute conviction that none of the three tools mentioned here were pushed beyond what is reasonable. I am convinced that all three tools would have gone up in smoke if they were left running free for an hour - let alone under load! The Makita will probably never die!
I know one can't compare a Makita with a Ryobi. But hell, I am a DYIer. If the so called DIY tools can't handle DIY jobs, what are you supposed to do with them? We could have gone for cheaper brands but if you're going to spend > R2500 on a router (which is what it'll take to get out of the DIY sector and get the features you want) you might as well go balls-to-the-wall and get the best for R700 more. OK, Festool is probably better than Makita (maybe not) but > R5000 is pushing it!!
After speaking with several people "green" Bosch and "blue" Ryobi should be avoided. Blue Bosch and white? Ryobi - both the industrial versions - are better. But at their prices I'd rather add a little and get the Makita's or DeWalts of this world.
Sorry for the long rant, but I'd like to get your opinions on which brands are good buys.
Here's what I have heard and/or experienced:
Makita - fabulous! Don't know about service - would suspect good (I hope)
DeWalt - excellent quality but you pay for the name. Good service.
Metabo - good quality, poor service.
Triton - my experience with the circular saw is excellent. Heard their routers vibrate a lot. Local distributor apparently changed recently so service could go either way.
AEG - good quality, don't know about service.
Hitachi - very good quality, don't know about service.
Your thoughts?
It has been my experience that certain brands have gone for a nose-dive over the last couple of years. I am talking about Bosch and Ryobi specifically.
My brother and I have built up a decent collection of tools over the years and the brands have of necessity moved up into the industrial bracket lately. Originally I thought Ryobi represented excellent value for money. I bought a Ryobi 12V cordless drill that is still working great and it has been put through its paces
but it is probably older than 3 years. I still have a Bosch angle grinder (small one) that I got more than 15 years ago and it still works great. Same goes for my Bosch hammer drill, more than 10 years old.Then something happened ??? ???
Here's a couple of experiences we've had with some of our recent purchases.
- We got a Ryobi circular saw. Did a couple of cuts when a rubber stopper came off while I was doing a cut. The screw that held it in place fell out and chipped two or three of the blade's teeth!! It could have taken out someone's eye!!
- We got a 800W Ryobi drill and its first job was to drill a 50mm hole through a wall for a drain pipe. We got about 30mm into the wall when the motor or bearings packet up. Made a hell of noise when running free.
- Our brand new Bosch router had less than 5 hours under its belt when its bearings went. Had it repaired at half the original purchase price and guess what? It lasted almost 2 hours this time
I've decided not again...
I bought a Triton circular saw to replace the replacement Ryobi. The Ryobi drill was replaced with a 1200W AEG (what a stunning machine - ate the wall like pie!). The router was replaced with a Makita 3612C.
Now, all these tools were labeled as DIY and their prices reflected that (first clue...) but based on past experience Bosch and Ryobi were a little better than other so-called DIY tools. I can say with absolute conviction that none of the three tools mentioned here were pushed beyond what is reasonable. I am convinced that all three tools would have gone up in smoke if they were left running free for an hour - let alone under load! The Makita will probably never die!
I know one can't compare a Makita with a Ryobi. But hell, I am a DYIer. If the so called DIY tools can't handle DIY jobs, what are you supposed to do with them? We could have gone for cheaper brands but if you're going to spend > R2500 on a router (which is what it'll take to get out of the DIY sector and get the features you want) you might as well go balls-to-the-wall and get the best for R700 more. OK, Festool is probably better than Makita (maybe not) but > R5000 is pushing it!!
After speaking with several people "green" Bosch and "blue" Ryobi should be avoided. Blue Bosch and white? Ryobi - both the industrial versions - are better. But at their prices I'd rather add a little and get the Makita's or DeWalts of this world.
Sorry for the long rant, but I'd like to get your opinions on which brands are good buys.
Here's what I have heard and/or experienced:
Makita - fabulous! Don't know about service - would suspect good (I hope
)DeWalt - excellent quality but you pay for the name. Good service.
Metabo - good quality, poor service.
Triton - my experience with the circular saw is excellent. Heard their routers vibrate a lot. Local distributor apparently changed recently so service could go either way.
AEG - good quality, don't know about service.
Hitachi - very good quality, don't know about service.
Your thoughts?
