Makita v. Milwaukee v. DeWalt

[Ken]

Is there any real difference in the quality of these brands' grinders, drills, reciprocating saws, etc.

(Mr. Moderator, if this is too off topic for the welding forum, I apologize and please remove).

[hankj]

Ken,

Everyone has a favorite, for on reason or another. Any of the three you mention get good reviews, with the occasional bad rap for DeWalt from guys who got French toast in the past. They seem to have a good act now, I guess, but I'm partial to Makita, Milwaukee, and Porter-Cable.



Hank

[tackit]

I have had most them over the years and they all worked pretty well for me.

[Alex]

Makita/Milwaukee/DeWalt

For me, it depends on which tool you're talking about. For saws I don't think you can beat Milwaukee.

Weld on,
Alex

[cope]

For drills, grinders and reciprocating saws I like Milwaukee better than anyone else. Chop saws I give the nod to Makita. Makita makes a 7" angle grinder that would be my second chocie behind Milwaukee.

[fun4now]

milwaukee,dewalt, porter cable

all are verry good tools that will last you well. i believe porter cable is a litle less $$$ than the rest but still a verry durable tool. i hve sawsall's in milwaukee,dewalt,and porter cable and have to say the porter cable is my faverate. why ?? not realy shoure why just like it best?? . i have found the maketa saws to be a litle too light for the motro size causing the saw to kick left to right when starting and stoping do to tork without enough waite to help keep it stable. due to my dislike to the saw and its affects i dont have any maketa tools now. that dosent mean they are bad its just a preferance. some will sweare by them. my shop is miller,dewalt,milwaukee,and porter cable for the most part. i have a black and decer 4" grinder i got as a starte and have been verry impressed with it. i run sanding disks and a 5" knoted wire cup with it and it is still runing strong.

as for being to far off the topic (in my opinion) you are right on topic this site helps with all welding problems and a few others that arnt we will help if we can. and picking the tools for your shop is an expensive endever that deserves reserch as much as picking a welder. done right it will give you years of truble free work, done rong and you will be frustrated for years to come.

[boilerman79]

i buy milwaukee tools most of the time.i get good service out of them and they get abused.i have a 6 inch metabo that i use cutoff wheels on that is great.[pricey too].most name brand tools do a good job.i am just partial to milwaukee .

[Bulldog]

Milwaukee!

[trackdog90]

Ken,
My choice for reciprocating saw is the Milwaukee Sawzall, mine is close to 40 years old and runs like a top. Newer ones are variable speed and remain well made. Milwaukee Hole Shooters are a good choice for portable drills, my favorite is the 1/2" Magnum.
I like the Makita 4" grinder, although, I too have a 6" Metabo that I bought at a flea market that is a gem of a tool. As for DeWalt, they make very good cordless products, I use them hard everyday and have never had a problem. My Dad always said to buy the best tools you can afford, it only costs a little more to go first class.

Gary

[Manny]

I'm partial to Milwaukee, like the fact at least some of the stuff is still built in the USA and is rebuildable, not throw away. I look for the Milwaukee red on any new purchase, would really like to get the new cold cut chop saw they have out.
Manny

[Bulldog]

Hey Gary,
I picked up a new Milwukee magnum 1/2" today for $140.00 from the local Fastenal store in town. It works great.
Randy

[sparky123]

as a electrian i use a lot of drills, grinders, saws, ect. the potercable sawzaw in my truck is 20 years old and still runs like new. for drills i like dewalt. or milwalkie angle drill seems to need a new trigger every year the dewalt i have is so old you can only tell it is a dewlt by the color. for grinders though i like milwalkie. ours mostly grinds concrete and brick and it still runs like new after four years of use and abuse. i dont care for makita at all they seem to always burn out after about a year or two. just some thoughts from a new welder and a 4 year electrian.

[trackdog90]

Hey Gary,
I picked up a new Milwukee magnum 1/2" today for $140.00 from the local Fastenal store in town. It works great.
Randy

Randy,
Congratulations, you'll have that baby a lifetime. I really like Milwaukee's removable cord set. We don't have a Fastenal store in this area. I get most of my tools on-line, although, I priced out a MM 210 outfit (tanks, spool-gun, new big window Elite etc.) at the local welding supply house and they beat the best on-line price I could find, go figure.
It pays to buy the best.
Gary

[Ken]

What are some good online sites (price wise) for these power tools?

[Bulldog]

Hi again guys,
I was out in the shop this morning grinding on a ball mill that I'm building. I got thinking about this thread. I have a Makita 16529E and man this thing is one great grinder. It hasn't ever givin me any trouble and I have used it alot! I guess there are alot of good tool companies out there. Great news for us.
Randy