Thread: Yet another Brand Question

I'm afraid this request in its current form might be too general. No one brand - except Festool perhaps - can lay claim to producing all their own tools. For this reason, even the companies with good reputations sometimes market tools that aren't up to scratch when compared to the machines that earned them their reps.

Black & Decker for example, used to make tools for reasonable prices that were pretty well indestructable. Now they just make cheap tools that are often crap quality. But - and here's the kicker - Black & Decker owns DeWalt and Porter Cable, two brands with quite good reps. On top of that, they build Trend's T10 and T11 routers which also enjoy good reps.

It all seems to boil down to core competencies. I would suggest you state what tools you want to buy, and ask for some suggestions on which make and model. Unless you're going to buy everything from Festool (nice if you've got the dough) I think you'll see a pattern that will confirm my claims.

For example:
Jigsaw: IMHO Blue Bosch. GST 85 PE or PBEs. TIP: Upgrade the base plate to an aluminium one.
Router: IMHO Makita. 3612C

Many will disagree with my opinion but if you're lucky and people respond, you should be able to collate the information necessary to form an informed opinion.

Good luck!
Damien

Hi Bloubull,

Originally Posted by Bloubull

Hi All

On Saturday I found a shop here in Durban that sold Triton products, the firts time I have seen them. Now I am about to spend some hard earned cash on new equipment as secondhand electrical is not the way to go here in RSA. Please could you rate the following Brands out of 10?

1. Triton
2.Bosh Blue
3. Bosh Green
4. Makita
5. Black and Decker
6. Dewalt<o></o>

These are the only brands I have seen here in RSA.

Thanks all

Bloubull

agree with Damien that it's a pretty broad question. But I own a Bosch GST 100 CE jigsaw (blue), Bosch GEX 125 AC Random Oribital Sander (blue) and a Makita 3612 (it's blue too but that means nothing ) and can recommend them all. I think the Bosch blue stuff's worth consideration. It's pretty good. Well built, not a lot of plastic, feels a quality tool. 8/10. I'd score it higher but haven't used any of the others so can't really compare them. I'm sure Makita/DeWalt would be good?.

My Makita router's an 8/10 for the same reasons. Built to last, big, solid. So I'd think some of the other high end Makita stuff would be good.

Heard good things about the Triton Routers but haven't used one.

Own Bosch green corded and cordless drills (presents), and they get the job done. Definitely a step down from the quality of the blues though. 6-7/10. Do what they're intended to do.


Almost forgot! I also have a Makita Circular saw that's upside down in the Triton work centre at the moment. I'd have to give this a 9/10 as I can't imaging what could be improved on it? Maybe the lack of fine adjustment (the triton circular saw has this). Would make life easier when trying to set it in the work centre. Apart from that it's great.

PS - the Bosch blue and Makita stuff I own are 8-10? years old so I'm not sure how much of this still holds true for new models?


cheers,

--
Mark

Originally Posted by Bloubull

Hi All

On Saturday I found a shop here in Durban that sold Triton products, the firts time I have seen them. Now I am about to spend some hard earned cash on new equipment as secondhand electrical is not the way to go here in RSA. Please could you rate the following Brands out of 10?

1. Triton
2.Bosh Blue
3. Bosh Green
4. Makita
5. Black and Decker
6. Dewalt<o></o>

These are the only brands I have seen here in RSA.

Thanks all

Bloubull

Hi Bloubull

I have a fair range of Triton gear and it is all well made. If you search this forum you will find a diverse range of opinions on Triton although remember that Triton has been taken over by GMC who have had a chequered path on the quality of the tools.

Bosch Blue is basically the tradesman's range of tools that they make and all a very well made. The Bosch Green is their handyman range of tools and on the whole ok but not quite the quality of the the blue range.

With Makita I would not be afraid to buy any Makita tool as all are very well made and I have quite few of their tools.

With Black & Decker I agree with what Damien says and most of their range today is in the throwaway category but will do the job if you are prepared to dispose of it when it carks it.

Although I only have one DeWalt tool an 18 volt battery drill I believe they are on a par with Makita and would be happy to own any of their tools.

Because all the prices on the various tools varies you will have to decide on the importance of each tool item and how much you are prepared to spend and how long you want it to last. On the items you are going to use more often I would look to the better quality tool and the ones that wont get a lot of use the lower quality lower priced one may do the job.

I have a question, what is the best cordless drill to get for using around the house?

Hi All

Thanks for all the replies. Dont you think its crap that all these brands buy out the other brands and then still keep the name. They should just rebrand them to their own make.

I wish Festool where here in RSA. I will go and have a browse at some tools and then post some questions..

Regards

Bloubull

Originally Posted by Bloubull

Dont you think its crap that all these brands buy out the other brands and then still keep the name. They should just rebrand them to their own make.

You can understand it though when someone like GMC take over Triton. I wonder if the Triton router would enjoy the same success if they changed the name to GMC. I guess they feel if the product has a good reputation, why rock the boat and change the name.

Originally Posted by DvdHntr

I have a question, what is the best cordless drill to get for using around the house?

I've had my share of cordless drills in my day (years) and have finally settled on the Triton plunge drill. Absolute workhorse. I built myself a steel framed carport 15m x 3.5m. Did all the roofing with the drill. Am now in the throes of doing a 10m x 3.5m extension family room (steel frame et al) and I am putting the whole thing together with the Triton. It has the Jacobs chuck, high and low range, hammer capacity, plunger, and even a jig for drilling into rounds. Comes with 2 batteries. Good heavy work weight. Even has a white LED so you can work in dark places. I know Triton has been bought out by GMC, only because GMC wanted some top-end products - just like B&D bought out DeWalt for the same reason.

Can only quote on Triton, Bosch Blue and Makita as these are the only brands i have experience with.

Have a Triton router in my table that i am more than happy with. Worked it pretty hard for three years now and still going strong. Didn't really like thier router table though (too much variation in the top surfaces) so made my own.

My Bosch Blue drill (corded) has been the best. Used it to drill those self drilling screws on a picket fence (to a steel frame) and it just kept going. Screwed in hundreds of those screws and it was just about too hot to hold (didn't smell too good either) but it didn't die. That was two years ago and it's still going great.

Makita is my favourite though. Have a Makita router, sander and jigsaw (and cordless drill soon) and find them excellent. My father bought a package of Makita tools (drill, jigsaw and sander) about 20 years ago and all are still going today with no issues at all. If i am in the market for a tool i will go to Makita first then compare all others before making a purchase.

Thats not to say i wont buy any other brands, but for me (at the moment) Makita is the benchmark. Although would love to get hold of some Festool and Dewalt gear!!

Sooo, from my experience i would put Makita on top followed closely by Bosch Blue then Triton.

Good luck with your tool hunting Bloubull and best of luck.

Steven.

I have all of the brands, except for Bosch.....

I must say I disagree with the comments regarding B&D.

I've got an 18v cordless, 700W hammer drill, their baby router, a belt sander, ROS, a mouse (of course) - and they have all provided very good service - no problems at all....They may lack some features but all more than meeting the purpose in which they were intended,

I have a some Triton tool - jigsaw, TROS all very good.

I have a number of GMC tools - pretty much all crap - had numerous problems with all but the planer - but had to put decent blades in it....
I'll never buy GMC again - particularly after their warranty change....


Makita and dewalt - can't fault them - but they are expensive....

IMHO - I think that (so far) the B&D has been quite good value for money.....

We could talk about power tools forever in this forum, and we often do. But I'm sure that most members will agree with me when I say that if you simplify things by exclusively buying Makita tools, you should gain good value for money. Especially if you only choose Makita tools that have "Made in Japan" on them.


I've used Makita tools for years and can never remember being let down by one. I've occasionally wandered away and now have Bosch, Hilti, Hitachi, Metabo, and a few other brands, but I've always gravitated back towards Makita.

The best from what Ive used.

Jigsaw: Blue Bosch GST 135 (made in Switzerland). Best Jigsaw Ive ever used. Very smooth, great engineering, built to last.

Miter Saw: Makita (Made in Japan, but might be China nowdays..)
Tough as old boots, holds it settings very well, no play in the sliding colum, reliable.

Router: Makita 3612c (made in Japan) what makes these beasts good is you Cant kill them. Simple router, no flash stuff. Speed control, lots of power, and they just keep on working.

Circular saw: Festool...but expensive and you cant get in RSA?
Makita, again, tough as old boots.

Battery drill: Panasonic (made in Japan) Good batteries, very well made.
I havent seen a Makita or Hitachi drill here thats made in Japan lately.mostly china.