Best Hand tool set for home and DIY needs

[harris522]

Pawn shop is often a good place to buy used hand tools cheep. I'd just stick to lifetime guarantee stuff in case you need to replace anything.

 

[davenmandy]

Ryobi is an excellent company with good quality items. They are a lot cheaper than brands like Dewalt etc. They have a power drill/impact drill combo with 2 batteries for like $100

Ryobi is definitely mid range, you can get stuff for cheap and it will work well for a while but is not as hearty as others in terms of beating it up. This is coming from my friend that works at home depot. I personally I own a few Rigid (home depot brand) power tools, close to same price point as Ryobi but the longevity is great, I tend to be hard on tools in terms of throwing them around and haven't had an issue yet.

 

[matthewr262]

I'm a auto body tech and have a lot of matco, Mac and snapon. But you can't overlook harbor freight stuff. If you have questions about anything from there, ask me. I won't sugar coat it.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I'm a contractor and have gone through a lot of tools.

Personally, I would go to the hardware/tool store that's nearest to you (sears, home depot, or Lowes), and just buy all their storebrand stuff (craftsman, husky, or kobalt). For home use its just fine, and you'll find combo kits on sale often. Harbor freight is good for some stuff, but I wouldn't use a set of their pliers or screwdrivers as my main set.

For cordless tools I would go with 18v either Craftsman or Ryobi. Both are inexpensive, and offer a whole slew of tools. Other brands will be more powerful and durable, but cost an arm and a leg to get replacement batteries and add-on tools.

 

[tlindsey]

I have a Ryobi battery operated circular saw it ok for using to cut like through your standard 2×4's .

 

[tlindsey]

The circular saw was a set with battery operated drill, couldn't remember what the set was lol.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

I worked at Home Depot for 4 years lol...I've seen just about every brand of tool come back after being beaten to death on a jobsite.
If I were to pick, and what I personally own, would be:
Rigid tools
Dewalt tools
Husky tools (the home depot brand...not the far worse harbor freight brand)
I own Makita drill bits, they are good but wouldn't trust the power tools
Ryobi is complete junk unless you are using your tools sparingly. They are made for that "hang a picture or fix a drawer handle every 6 months" person.
craftsman from sears is great stuff too.

the plus side of ALL those top 3 selections is 100% lifetime warranty. No questions asked. Ridgid and Dewalt you have to go through the companies themselves, but Husky you can just take right back to Home Depot and boom, brand new tools for free.

 

[tlindsey]

I worked at Home Depot for 4 years lol...I've seen just about every brand of tool come back after being beaten to death on a jobsite.
If I were to pick, and what I personally own, would be:
Rigid tools
Dewalt tools
Husky tools (the home depot brand...not the far worse harbor freight brand)
I own Makita drill bits, they are good but wouldn't trust the power tools
Ryobi is complete junk unless you are using your tools sparingly. They are made for that "hang a picture or fix a drawer handle every 6 months" person.
craftsman from sears is great stuff too.

the plus side of ALL those top 3 selections is 100% lifetime warranty. No questions asked. Ridgid and Dewalt you have to go through the companies themselves, but Husky you can just take right back to Home Depot and boom, brand new tools for free.

Yes your absolutely right about the Ryobi tools, home use only.

 

[boldtogether]

Craftsman, while still good, aren't as good as they used to be. I used to go around garage sales buying crappy Craftsman tools and then return them for new at Sears. Now I would be more likely to keep an old Craftsman tool than exchange for the inferior new equivalent.

Thanks China.

I agree. For the money, Husky brand from HomeD is just as good and they have the same exchange policy.
For fish keeping all I have every really needed was a good drill, both corded and battery, a Dremel, a skill saw, a miter saw and good quality professional plumber grade PVC pipe cutters....Rigid brand.
Also, to round out a basic home tool set, a good hammer, proper side cutters, adjustable pliers and a good tape measure.
Maybe a set of drill bits. Everything to make your tool box can be had at HomeD. Stay away from Kobalt...Lowe's brand...had very bad luck with those tools.

 

[raubiy]

Best DIY tool is defenetly 18v li-ion Battery...
-Makita
-Milwaukee
-Hitachi
Three very expensive brand but ultra power. 800€ Drilling rig from hell !
Capable drilling concrete without any cables around you....

For small project i recomend Makita HP330DX100 for just around 149€. Small but powerful.
Case come with everything you need. I bought this 1 day ago. It's worth every €....


Specifications
Capacity in Steel 10 mm
Capacity in Wood 21 mm
Chuck Capacity
10 mm
Capacity in Masonry 8 mm
Blows per Minute (Hi) - ipm 0 - 19500 ipm
Blows per Minute (Lo) - ipm
0 - 5300 ipm
No Load Speed (Hi) 0 - 1300 rpm
No Load Speed (Lo) 0 - 350 rpm
Voltage 10.8 v
Max Torque S/H 14 / 30 Nm
Torque Settings 18 + Drill Mode
Battery Type Lithium-ion
Charging Time 50 min
Battery Quantity (1.3Ah) 2
Vibration: Drilling 2.5 m/sec²
Vibration K factor
1.5 m/sec²
Net weight 1.1 kg