Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
If you’re not using power tools professionally, it can be difficult to separate the difference between quality and garbage. If you’re buying new power tools and overwhelmed by the options, we have some tips just for you. When you’re done reading this, check out our buying guides to help you choose specific tools.
It’s perfectly understandable that you like the Florida Gators (it’s a little less understandable if you’re an FSU fan but to each their own…). Please don’t buy a power tool just because it’s blue and orange. That’s just dye in the tool plastic and it won’t do anything for the performance and durability.
Cordless tools are incredibly convenient and make many projects easier. You don’t need everything to be cordless, though. When you’re looking at miter saws, table saws, high-power grinders, and other tools, don’t be afraid to buy corded or pneumatic. While professional tradesmen often gain a great benefit from cutting the cord, most DIYers and occasional users are better off spending the money to get a more refined corded version.
If still need convincing, there are a ton of corded and pneumatic power tools on professional jobsites all over the country.
Consider what you need your tools to do. If you’re going to remodel and do your own plumbing rough-in, a 12V drill isn’t going to run a 2 9/16-inch self-feed bit through studs. Make sure you’re buying the right tool with high enough performance for the job.
On the other hand, that same 12V drill we just talked about is great for a wide range of projects around your home and for lighter professional work. Even our Pro team prefers to use lighter, more compact tools whenever they can. While you need to make sure you have enough performance, you don’t always need the biggest or strongest one available.
There are some outstanding warranty programs out there. Brands such as Flex and Milwaukee offer 5 years, Ridgid has a lifetime service agreement, and Metabo HPT has a lifetime warranty on their lithium-ion tools… but you need to register them to get the warranty service in most cases. Many registrations are online now. If you need to send in your reciept, be sure to take a photo of it first, just in case.
Many major power tool brands sell on Amazon and you can get some excellent deals on quality tools. Not all great brands sell through the online giant, though. Ryobi and Ridgid are Home Depot exclusives, Hart is a Walmart exclusive, and brands such as Stihl retail only through their dealer network.
Additionally, Amazon prices are constantly changing. Before you complete your purchase, check Acme Tools, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ohio Power Tool, or other reputable retailers to see if they have a better price.
It’s possible to buy Milwaukee products on Amazon. The problem is that there are NO authorized retailers on Amazon (including Prime) and the sellers are constantly being shut down. Even if you get a legitimate tool or battery instead of a knock-off, it’s ineligible for Milwaukee’s 5-year warranty. You’re better off buying from an authorized dealer.
Milwaukee isn’t the only brand that doesn’t have an authorized Amazon dealer, but it seems to be a bigger problem for them than others.
If you’re looking at buying into a cordless system, make sure it has all of the power tools you anticipate you’re going to need. Some lines cover a few core tools and that’s it. There’s nothing wrong with having multiple brands, but the more you can stay on one platform, the less you need to spend on additional batteries and the more convenient your tools are to work with.
We hear from people who swear they’ve never had an issue using knock-off batteries or battery adapters to save some money. We don’t recommend it, though. The cost of new original manufacturer batteries can hurt, but they are guaranteed and are designed with electronic communications that safeguard the tool, battery, and charger. While there might be a relatively low number of catastrophic failures each year, we’re not willing to risk burning down our shop or house with batteries that lack the proper design.
There’s nothing wrong with being loyal to a brand, especially if they do a great job of taking care of you. Some folks take it too far and try to convince you that only their brand is worth buying while trashing other ones. The truth is that it’s rare for a reputable brand to make a bad tool, but you can put a good tool in the wrong situation.
We group tools into 3 main categories: DIY, prosumer, and professional to help you understand where it fits. Try to use a Black and Decker impact driver on a commercial jobsite and it’s going to hinder your progress. It’s a DIY tool. If you put that same tool in the hands of a homeowner with a few repairs to make and it’s a fantastic fit.
What are some other mistakes tool buyers should avoid? Let us know in the comments below!
On the clock, Kenny dives deep to discover the practical limits and comparative differences for all kinds of tools. Off the clock, his faith and love for his family are his top priorities, and you'll typically find him in the kitchen, on his bike (he's an Ironman), or taking folks out for a day of fishing on Tampa Bay.
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Beware of ‘bargain’ packs of tools – particularly from the big brands. If you check the spec of the individual components, they have mostly reduced the spec to fit the price point. Often you can’t buy the specific part number drill (for example) included in a set on it’s own – but compare the spec to the one with a different part number which looks identical – and it will be different! They also tend to include things like an utterly useless torch for example – which you’re still paying for in the reduced spec of everything else. Best option… Read more »
I would say one thing to avoid is the trap of looking at tool reviews after a Google search and believing all the sites that say the exact same thing and have links to Amazon to “check prices.” Same can be said for many social media “infuencers,” many of whom are given the tools for free (Not to say there aren’t good ones out there!). If you’re just getting started, better off to visit reputable sites like this one and maybe toolboxbuzz.
I noticed you included what appears to be an OEM DeWalt battery and their own branded 20v adapter for using the modern lithium batteries on older 18v tools. That seems somewhat out of place compared to the rest of that paragraph when talking about 3rd party or knockoff batteries and adapters. Is it your recommendation to not even use those official DeWalt parts for the purposes they were sold/marketed/created? Just curious as I recently bought said adapter for an older DeWalt saw which is listed as being compatible with the adapter.
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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros