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Pro-Quality tools worth the price premium?

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captainpotato:

I've gone with cheaper tools on the whole - my AUD 39 (around USD 30 at present) GMC router is fantastic. The issue would be more with the operator, not the router ;) Having said this, having better quality bits makes it nicer to use, so I'd recommend the extra money go on bits.

It depends on what tools you want to use, IMO. A decent hand saw is worth the money, but I wouldn't go too crazy on a steel ruler or a hammer.

Sasquatch!:

My experience has been that Ryobi makes pretty pretty good "good quality at a low price" tools.  You can definitely get better, but for the price range that they're in, they're usually right on.

sodapopinski:

The best router hands down are porter bable. I've used many other ones and they are worth the price, I use them every day at work.

I wouldent reccomend buying a cheapo jigsaw, the blade dends to bend and your cuts look like crap. Buy a mikata, very good saw.

for drills, as long as its electric you can go cheap. If its a portable one, do not buy crap. The battery wil last like three days and stop charging properly. de-walt, makita, milwauke. all good.

sander, you can probaby go cheap. although, if you have a compressor, go with a pneumatic one. these kick any other sanders ass. 

just  try to consider amount of use compared to price. there is a direct correlation.

shmokes:

That Black & Decker $50 set at Wal-mart is pretty awful.  The Drill is SO INCREDIBLY WEAK as to be nearly useless for drilling through anything but drywall.  You need a screwdriver to change blades in the jigsaw and you will strip the threads out of the piece that holds the blades within the first few uses making it essentially useless unless you know how to rethread.  The sander is fine, though.  Spend a little more and avoid those particular tools.

Matt Berry:

Please do not buy a cheap jigsaw, you will pull your hair out using it. In curved cuts and some straight cuts the blade will bend and bow. It makes for an overall bad cut.
Routers are usually used pretty heavly so it pays to get a good model. The key is research - Some of the magazines that were pointed out earlier are good especially Fine Woodworking (best). Research each tool, on the internet Tool crib of the North now a part of Amazon.com has a lot of tools, and most of them have reviews too.
The other key is to buy quality tooling, wether it's blades, drills, or router bits. More expensive ones are manufactured better, use higher quality metal, and usually don't have as much runout.


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