Power tools from sheds

[haptism]

Hi, would like to know your opinions of the quality of branded power tool (Dewalt, Makita, ect) from the big sheds. The reason I ask is because years ago it was often mentioned that the various tools sold from sheds are fitted with cheaper parts that have a limited life span. I bought a refurbished dewalt drill 20 years ago from a "independent" shop and its still up to the mark (although the batteries are not so good now). Have things changed since, do power tools from Screwfix for example last more than a year or two before something gives out ? Thanks

 

[amlu]

branded tools will have their own versions, some will be full featured for heavy duty trade use and more expensive, cheaper stuff lands in big sheds.
look up the models on manufacturers website and see the differences.

 

[UKMeterman]

A domestic hammer drill only had to last about 1/2 hour of use over it's entire life, and is engineered accordingly.

 

[haptism]

Hi, when i mean branded, I dont mean own brand, i meant Dewalt, Makita, bosch ect (Im not so good at writing , or replying to posts so apologies). In a nutshell how do you sparks, who use power tools day in day out, rate the ones from sheds, in comparison to ones bought from, I dont know, CEF ??

 

[LankyWill]

Christ!!! i struggle to afford a pack of penny washers from CEF who can afford a power tool from them!!! All the sell is milwaukee and i bet they want ££££ for a battery!

 

[katysparks]

Bought a hitachi hammer drill (after finding it less overbearing than the bosch and broke fewer bits than the makita 'hides')from screwfix 4 years ago, it's blinding. had to get the switch fixed about a year ago but apart from that no complaints. Don't really know what you mean by 'sheds' tho.

 

[haptism]

By sheds I mean stack em high and sell em cheap places such as B&Q, Screwfix, Toolstation ect. For comparison sake lets take Mountfield lawnmowers; if you bought one from B&Q it would be a safe bet that it would not last as long as similar Mountfield from a specialist mower shop, because the internal parts are manufactured at the cheap end. Is this the same for big name power tools, is the point im getting at. Im not sure, things might have changed nowdays; 20 years ago I wouldn't be so happy buying any kit from B&Q for example for these reasons. I dont want to make anyone paranoid, just wanted to see how your finding the longevity of power tools from "bumper screwfix (or the like) deals"; cause theres a rather nice Dewalt combi drill at Screwfix for under £100 and im tempted.

 

[Rpa07]

Sheds = B+Q, Home base etc I assume is meant. I don't think Screwfix is included.

 

[Andy78]

My Milwaukee combi drill from toolstation is doing well after nearly 5 years. Well one repair due to a blown pcb component, but the repairer said that was probably bad luck as he had never seen it before. Milwaukee don't have tiered products though, just the one range that gets improved year on year.

Bosch have tiered quality products, but they code them green for DIY, blue for the pro range.

I know for certain that DeWalt have tiered products when you look at the stats for them. They frequently appear in screwfix and B&Q. They colour all their tools black and yellow so the DIY stuff is not easily apparent.

Yes Screwfix is a shed, it's the same company as B&Q. Garbage for cheap, and some quality products for way over the odds.

 

[rolyberkin]

I don't subscribe that a manufacturer makes a model specifically for a mass retailer, if you check the model numbers they normally match whether you buy them from B&Q or an independent. What does change is that the mass retailers will sell a lower specification 'DIY' model rather than a professional model with say a metal gearbox and brush less motor. With battery tools the DIY market has no real need for 5ah batteries so you find a lower ah battery which are cheaper. The current Dewalt in Screwfix is £99 but it is a lower end drill and has 1.5ah batteries. The positive side of buying tools from Screwfix is that when it goes wrong they just replace them! Saying that I have now started shopping around for my power tools on the net and buying from whoever is cheapest from the likes of FFX and Toolstop.

 

[haptism]

I need/want a drill with a professional spec and all metal gearbox ect, I like to be sure that if I drop it its not gonna break. Any good well known stores you can recommend ? If i asked in screwfix ect what the model it was, i.e DIY or professional, they likely wouldn't have a clue what I was asking. There seems to be less independent tool shops around now unfortunately; and the sheds dont really know what they are selling, and theres longer queues !

 

[Andy78]

I need/want a drill with a professional spec and all metal gearbox ect, I like to be sure that if I drop it its not gonna break. Any good well known stores you can recommend ? If i asked in screwfix ect what the model it was, i.e DIY or professional, they likely wouldn't have a clue what I was asking. There seems to be less independent tool shops around now unfortunately; and the sheds dont really know what they are selling, and theres longer queues !

Do your research would be my advice. Are you tied to any brand through preference or wanting to use already owned batteries ?

 

[haptism]

I would lean towards DeWalt I expect cause my old XRP is still hammering away after 20 years, also have an older makita angle driver, and a bosch 24 volt, so no not really devoted to any brand; but would narrow it down to those 3. Im gonna take a look at Toolstop and FFX and make an executive decision, cheers all

 

[123]

Quite a few products are different in the sheds - I recall issues with Karcher Pressure Washers as B&Q pushed for a cheaper price. And the Dulux paint etc is not of the same quality there as a local Paint Shop.

With Power Tools, the likes of Makita have many many offerings in Combi Drills...it's best to find the tool you want and to look around - using that part number. It won't be any different (other than price) no matter where you buy it.

I've never found the sheds very competitive when it came to Power Tools though, the likes of FFX, Anglia Tool Centre, UK Tool Mart and many others are much better imho.

 

[Jurassic Sparks]

Sheds = B+Q, Home base etc I assume is meant. I don't think Screwfix is included.

screwfix are B and Q owned by kingfisher holdings

 

[Jurassic Sparks]

with Bosch Power tools the Green ones are DIY with nylon gears
the blue one are pro with steel gears
the problem with the big sheds is they buy in bulk and you often get an old model
in the case of one make of drills they sell, the batteries fitted have a red case signifying cheaper construction and a lower amperage the trade places sell them with black batteries heavy duty L ion
I prefer to buy from a trade suppliers as if it goes worng its easier ot get a repair, adn they often work out cheaper or supply some extras such as spare batteries or bits

 

[Jurassic Sparks]

My Milwaukee combi drill from toolstation is doing well after nearly 5 years. Well one repair due to a blown pcb component, but the repairer said that was probably bad luck as he had never seen it before. Milwaukee don't have tiered products though, just the one range that gets improved year on year.

Bosch have tiered quality products, but they code them green for DIY, blue for the pro range.

I know for certain that DeWalt have tiered products when you look at the stats for them. They frequently appear in screwfix and B&Q. They colour all their tools black and yellow so the DIY stuff is not easily apparent.

Yes Screwfix is a shed, it's the same company as B&Q. Garbage for cheap, and some quality products for way over the odds.

Toolstation is owned by Travis perkins !
they often have decent power tools in stock as most builders are clumsy sods and break things
I recently purchased some good quality Makita stuff in my local builders merchants ( Bence and Co )
pro quality and cheaper than B and Q and spare batteries were cheaper as well

 

[Robert Turnbull]

ITS is good and its clear all the different spec levels

i.e the makita 18v drill has 6 versions - LIGHT/GENERAL/HEAVY in both brushed and brushless version
same with impact drivers.

check the spec and model on the of the manufacturers web site then search for the best price for that tool

 

[PEG]

Hilti has NO spec levels...they are all pro

Cheap tools,are just that,and should not be expected to either do the work or last the course.

Now,there appears to be exceptions a Ferm 14" cut-off saw i bought from screwfix,the month they opened,and an eight year old Ryobi chainsaw from B&Q,given to me by a neighbour who could never start it...they have both proved absolutely impossible to kill - and i have tried,very hard!

 

[unconditional]

My last dewalt combi drill had 4 batteries die in 2 years and I was left using the 7 year old ni-cads in it, and I'm pretty sure that was the supposed "proper" not "DIY" spec.

Bought all panasonic stuff after that. Now have a pile of fine dewalt 18v tools but unusable due to no batts in the attic.