Cordless power tools for basic carpentry

[TheIrishman]

I need a recommendation on a complete set of cordless power tools. I don't need commercial grade tools designed for everyday use, just minor jobs(O.K. one big job that I'll get to later) around the house and things like building target stands. I need a circular saw, driver/drill, jig saw and a small sander(something that fits into tight spaces, I have access to larger sanders). I don't need a flashlight or reciprocating saw(have a Sawzall and never really use it but if a kit came with a flashlight I wouldn't complain, I just have enough and a few battery powered automotive droplights already).

The big project which they will see the most use from stems from my growing hatred of tent camping. I'm just tired of waking up in a puddle on a deflated air mattress. So I decided to build a Teardrop camper. Nothing big or elaborate, just a warm dry place to sleep. My plans are along the lines of the galleyless So-Cal teardrops "buzz-off" though probably more of a Grasshopper shape so I don't have to do the whole "bending wood" thing.

So what's the verdict on a power tool "kit"? Black & Decker, Makita, Dewalt or another. I'd like to stay under $400.

[McClarkus]

B & D not so much. DeWalt has served me well.

[rightisright]

For minor use, you don't need to get Lithium batteries. Hell, half the cordless tools on my job sites are still NiCad. If you don't need a recip saw or flashlight, start with this kit: http://www.cpoworkshop.com/factory-reco ... combo-kits

Add one of these: http://www.cpoworkshop.com/porter-cable ... less-tools

And these*: http://www.cpoworkshop.com/porter-cable ... less-tools

If you want, get another charger and two more batteries.

You'll have a very good set of cordless stuff for well under $400.

* I've never tried the sander. But I have several of each of the other tools.

ETA: Yeah, stay away from B&D. It's garbage. DeWalt stuff is usually pretty good. So is Makita. If you want to be top dog and take a second mortgage on your house, Hilti is the way to go. I have a Lithium Hilti drill and impact driver that are 4 years old and still on the original batteries. But the Porter Cable batteries can be had for $25. The Hiltis are $100 last time I checked.

ETA2: Keep a watch on that website. Sometimes they have the refurb impact drivers for $39 - $49. If you are going to be driving a decent amount of screws, an impact driver is head and shoulders above a regular drill. Also, if you are thinking of buying another charger and batteries, it's sometimes cheaper to buy a new kit w. tools. Check back often because their stock changes a lot.

[Jered]

DeWalt or Makita.

Don't buy cheap tools or you'll be buying cheap tools.

[TheIrishman]

For minor use, you don't need to get Lithium batteries. Hell, half the cordless tools on my job sites are still NiCad. If you don't need a recip saw or flashlight, start with this kit: http://www.cpoworkshop.com/factory-reco ... combo-kits
Add one of these: http://www.cpoworkshop.com/porter-cable ... less-tools
And these*: http://www.cpoworkshop.com/porter-cable ... less-tools
If you want, get another charger and two more batteries.
You'll have a very good set of cordless stuff for well under $400.

It appears WELL under $400, Thanks.

Keep a watch on that website. Sometimes they have the refurb impact drivers for $39 - $49. If you are going to be driving a decent amount of screws, an impact driver is head and shoulders above a regular drill.

Probably not too much screwing but a good amount of drilling(I do have a 1/2 corded drill for the holes I'll need to run bolts through the floor into the steel frame). Also, a lot of it(the camper) will be pre-fabbed inside, but I don't want to drag extension cords all over the driveway when it comes time to assemble. Plus the cordless will come in handy if I accidentally shoot through a target stand and need to fix it on the spot.

DeWalt or Makita.
Don't buy cheap tools or you'll be buying cheap tools.

I wasn't looking for cheap, just not industrial grade. Carpentry ain't my thing. I'd rather fire up the old Tombstone and weld what I need, but sometimes woodwork needs to be done(and I'm not afraid to admit I usually half ass my way through it, but it gets done).

[blackeagle603]

DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita. Do NOT get any with NiCads. You WILL rue the day.

[NVGdude]

DeWalt or Porter-Cable. I'm partial to Porter Cable but DeWalt is somewhat more commonly available.

[tfbncc]

I would shy away from getting all battery operated tools. A drill/driver, yes. Everything else could easily be corded. It sucks when you run out of battery right in the middle of a long or crucial cut. And if you buy a kit that is intended to run off the same size battery, then you better invest in at least 2 more batteries than the kit comes with.

"Get thee to a pawnshop"

Some great deals can be found on older, corded tools at pawn shops. Especially since you have said that you don't do that much wood working.

Don't forget the router. Wonderfully useful tool for this kind of work.

[cu74]

Be careful with pawnshop finds - many are worn out. I think Black and Decker once made decent tools, but that was before most of the folks here were born.

I've had good use from DeWalt, Mikita and Bosch. No experience with Porter-Cable.

Amazon occasionally has good sales on power tools; I got a Bosch drill for half price recently. Overstock.com is another hit-and-miss source if you don't mind factory reconditioned tools.

[308Mike]

I love DeWalt, but recently had an experience where my 18V charger radically overheated a battery and got it so hot the battery plastic shell started melting to the charger and made it a bitch to separate the two, even after I unplugged it and tried cooling them off while pulling them apart. It took me a while, but I was able to FINALLY get them apart - with partially melted plastic shells on both, the battery and the charger unit.

I have since come across the following:

2000 - CPSC, DEWALT Industrial Tool Co. Announce Recall of Battery Chargers

Safety Announcement
CPSC, DEWALT Industrial Tool Co. Announce Recall of Battery Chargers


DEWALT Recall Hotline: (866) 543-3401
CPSC Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1184

CPSC, DEWALT® Industrial Tool Co. Announce Recall of Battery Chargers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), DEWALT Industrial Tool Co., of Baltimore, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 1.7 million battery chargers used with cordless power tools. The battery chargers include two models of DEWALT (DW9107, DW9108) and two models of Black & Decker Industry & Construction™ (97015, 97016) brands. The battery charger can fail to automatically shut off after the battery is fully charged, which can cause the battery to burst, and poses fire, burn and electrical shock hazards to consumers.

DEWALT has received two reports of batteries bursting and consumers suffering injuries, including minor lacerations and a minor burn.

The DEWALT battery chargers have model numbers DW9107 and DW9108, which is written on the front of the charger. The recalled DEWALT chargers have date codes from 9616 through 9752 located on the bottom of the charger. The DEWALT chargers are black with yellow lettering. "DEWALT" is written on the front of the chargers.

The Black & Decker Industry & Construction battery chargers have model numbers 97015 and 97016. The model number is written on the front of the chargers. They have date codes from 9616 through 9752, which is located on the bottom of the chargers. The Black & Decker Industry & Construction chargers are black. "Black & Decker Industry and Construction" is written on the front of these chargers.

Home center and hardware stores sold these battery chargers nationwide from May 1996 through August 2000 for between $50 and $ 60. During the same time, these chargers also were sold with some DEWALT® and Black & Decker Industry & Construction cordless tools.

Consumers should stop using these battery chargers immediately, and take them to a DEWALT or Black & Decker service center for a free replacement. To locate the nearest service center, or for more information, call DEWALT toll-free at (866) 543-3401 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to service center locator at DEWALT's web site.