Interesting votes

https://www.protoolreviews.com/who-makes-the-best-tools/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=our_audience_tells_us_the_best_tool_brands_plus_more_news_and_reviews&utm_term=2022-12-11

Interesting. Not surprising, though. I think the author allowed his prejudices to show in his comments about DeWalt and brand loyalty. Like most tool manufacturers,  DeWalt has some winners and some that just don't make the grade. Milwaukee came out as expected. Most of us woodworkers probably use a mixture of brands, chosen for specific strengths to match our own individual needs, pocketbooks and, styles of work. 

Edited December 13, 20223 yr by Gene Howe

It was interesting.  A bunch of brands I've never heard of!  I think the biggest surprise for me was the (high) ranking of Craftsman mechanics tools.  I still have and use mine regularly, but they are 50+ years old for the most part...

I was a little surprised to see Wiha rated as low as they were, they really make some quality stuff. Knipex is a brand that Menards carries and I have one of their side cutting pliers (the pliers line is all Menards has AFAIK). They also deserve all the praise they can get.

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

Interesting. Not surprising, though. I think the author allowed his prejudices to show in his comments about DeWalt and brand loyalty. Like most tool manufacturers,  DeWalt has some winners and some that just don't make the grade. Milwaukee came out as expected. Most of us woodworkers probably use a mixture of brands, chosen for specific strengths to match our own individual needs, pocketbooks and, styles of work. 

Many years ago, Popular Woodworking had some vendors come in for an evening program.  This was when PopWood was in town and they were still doing well.   One vendor, Bosch, I believe, had a few marketing people and a few technical people in.  One thing they said was that, "No manufacturer makes the best of everything."  They said they had some best lines and some that they were outperformed in.

Interesting summation. I might question the statistical validity especially without knowing the demographics of the survey respondents. The fashion in which the survey questions were written and presented may also contribute to result bias. Availability of brands within specific market regions can sway the results. When a contractor needs a tool he typically doesn't order on-line. He goes where he can buy it today for today's job at hand.

 

3 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Most of us woodworkers probably use a mixture of brands, chosen for specific strengths to match our own individual needs, pocketbooks and, styles of work. 

Fully agree. One step further, most DIYers fit this criteria.

I don’t think I have a tool color loyalty. I have found working at numerous shops years each shop had its preference. Many like me would rather buy a tool several years old that had a great track record , rather than buy  new and get a tool that is made from weak parts. 

Imagine that, a tool review just in time for Christmas.  Pretty clever marketing. 

 

The article reminded me of a politician.  It went on and on without saying much of anything.  A "real" review would have contained objective data based on comparison of the same operation in each category rather than solicited opinion.  

 

.40

I wasn't surprised at Festool. If I paid that much for a tool, I'd definitely brag it up, regardless of its faults. I do agree about Makita- the ones I have had really held up well.

When I installing in the late 90’s, you would see Milwaukee and Dewalt trucks in the subdivisions daily. They were really pushing the miter saws, etc. Since then the tools have declined. One trim carpenter told me his saw broke and it was going to cost him half the cost of a new saw to fix it , so he bought new later model. He later said his older saw was much better..

 

The shop in Richmond, MO used Festool sanders and vacuum. I hated it …

Edited December 13, 20223 yr by BillyJack

Tool reviews to me are just personal opinion. I’ve recently started watching some YouTube reviews on the TV at night. Way too many personal opinions…

There is very little scientific analysis done regarding tool reviews online which I find rather annoying.

No mention of tolerances, wear, run time, cycle time, maintenance, test criteria, material selection or pretty much anything that would provide a scientific contextual basis for comparing two things.

 

It’s mostly just some guy with an opinion and a couple of anecdotal points about whatever it is they are reviewing.
’Hi, I’m woodworker Bill and today I am going to tell you all about this great orbital sander from company xxx, this thing is rock solid and does a great job…blah blah… 10 minutes later… so to sum up, they gave me this to review so you should totally get one’.

Back in around 2004-5 Holbren use to send me router bits, raised panel bits from overseas, etc and try them out. He sent me several raised panel sets and router bits. I’ll have to show you pictures of the sets, but he didn’t want a here and there opinion , he wanted someone who demands performance. At this time I was running my shop cabinet shop  full time. The single purpose bits were great and around $5 each. Too cheap to even resharpen, but the raised panel bits didn’t match and had to be re sharpened…

 

I’ll give you an honest review. You just might not like it..

Edited December 13, 20223 yr by BillyJack

Heres a review….

 

I bought two DW625  routers. I have had the speed control go out twice in one and one on the other., I actually like the DW routers, but the router is great for heavy, but light use. If you depend on it , it could fail. 
 

I have the DW618 that I have trouble putting in the plunge base. jury is out on this one. Not sure if it’s all or just mine.

 

I bought a Freud raised panel set at the wood show and I bought a Amana  raised panel set back in early 2005ish. I get twice as many panels with the Amana for a few dollars more. When I brought this up to ”Charles from Freud” on Woodnet, he replied it mus5 be a bad bit. That was the last time I bought Freud…

Edited December 13, 20223 yr by BillyJack

I have a Freud 3hp router. I love it. But any of their blades or bits I've tried didn't/couldn't pass muster. 

8 hours ago, forty_caliber said:

The article reminded me of a politician.  It went on and on without saying much of anything.  

 

.40

I always say that politicians respond to a question but rarely answer it.

For battery powered tools I've become of fan of Milwaukee.  Drill, driver, hammer drill, trim router, circular saw, detail belt sander, multi-tool, and at least one other I'm forgetting.  The latest  with brushless motors are heaven to my senses compared to much lesser affection I've got for my Dewalt and Bosch routers, and assorted brands of other shop tools.  I had a B&D battery drill release the smoke trying to back and forth a tap into the end of an aluminum extrusion.  Bought my first Milwaukee drill/driver with charger and 2 batteries on a black Friday sell that year, and  have yet to be disappointed. 

4D  

14 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

I have a Freud 3hp router. I love it. But any of their blades or bits I've tried didn't/couldn't pass muster. 

I have as well. It works great..

On 12/13/2022 at 11:13 AM, BillyJack said:

Tool reviews to me are just personal opinion. I’ve recently started watching some YouTube reviews on the TV at night. Way too many personal opinions…

I sometimes think that if a person has a bunch of the same brand tools and they work for him/her then "Brand X is the best."  They have to justify (based on limited knowledge and experience) that they made the right decision.

 

Rationalize is sometimes two words.
 

Surprisingly, the guy at the top to bottom Milwaukee store told me he'd bought some Hart tools and they were really good.  Hart is Wal*Mart's new house brand and made by TTI, same company that makes Milwaukee, Ridgid, and Ryobi.

You are likely right kmealy.  The big tool manufacturers got smart and now encourage brand loyalty with the battery powered tools. The batteries and charger you got with your first purchase (charger, 2 batteries, Drill and a Driver for example) come in handy when adding tools as "tool only" purchases that you can use your current batteries with are far less expensive than buying a new brand with new charger and battery included with the tool.   I've got older battery powered tools with failed (NiCad) batteries that no replacements exist for.  The battery on what was my favorite B&D drill now refuse to recharge and no replacements exist for it either. Also, there were never (that I know of)  other B$D tools that could use that same battery. 

4D