Choosing the right tools can be a hard task considering all the options available. The Saw Guy is dedicated to making the task of picking the best tool for your job or project as easy possible. We take into account the latest online reviews, videos and hands on tests of all the tool types we offer and bring you the best information to allow you to make a decision.
Some brands are obviously higher priced than others but they can all be compared and priced with online websites such as Lowe’s, Home Depot and Amazon. Be careful not to get fooled with tool prices that don’t include key parts or accessories that you may need. For example if you’re looking for the best job site table saw and you compare prices but one brand or website is lower than the other be sure to check that they both include a table saw stand. Compare the same packages and then compare shipping to get the best price on power tools you can.
Best Price vs Best Quality: Be very careful to shop only on price. Quality and durability can be very expensive if you sacrifice them. How much will your customers or your projects suffer if you use an inferior tool for the job that results in an ugly cut or holes that do not line up. Choose the best tool you can afford for each job and be sure you are getting the model and package that you need to achieve the quality you want.
Tool Brands:
The top power tool brands in the world are all the best at something and sometimes they lack in other areas. Some brands are the best in job site table saws where others may have the best cordless drills. There are a couple things to consider first before jumping into the pricing game or find the best of that tool type.
Which brand are you familiar with? If you already have a brand that suits your needs and you know how to operate that tool then start your search there. If you need another tool related to the tool you know and use then again, start with that brand. It can be tempting to think that the grass is always greener and that latest and greatest new feature that you see on a new tool is going to be better, that’s not always the case. More times than not, the tool brand you choose and like performs very well in the main areas that matter to you. For example, our shop uses DeWALT circular saws, cordless drills and even tape measures. The reason we like DeWALT for these types of tools is the fact that all our batteries can interchange and we enjoy the power and torque offered. This isn’t to say that any other brand wouldn’t offer these features as well but once we found a solution for our shop we now tend to go straight to this same brand for replacement tools or additions to our shop lineup. The other key benefit of using the same brand once you are satisfied (assuming you stay satisfied) is the learning curve is dramatically lower when you buy a new tool. You will know the features, how they adjust, how to maintain them and what the tool’s tendencies are and that can be very important when working with a tool. If you know that a Craftsman table saw will begin to bind under a certain amount of pressure then you can avoid problems and make a better cut because you know the tool very well.
Do you need an upgrade or do you want the best performance in a particular area such as a smooth cut, high speed or comfort? Sometimes the tool brand you have is simply not doing the job in the way you prefer. This can lead to poor results, dangerous conditions or simply wear you out. In these cases you should list the top areas of the job or task you need to have go right, these are your must haves. Using your must have list search our site using the key things you need, for example; best portable table saw, best router bit for hardwoods. Check out the specs for each type and brand you find and check the reviews both good and bad looking for the points you have listed in your must haves.
Milwaukee
DeWALT
Makita
Bosch
Stihl
Rigid
Craftsman
Dremel
Let’s face it even the best tools can have problems or need replacement parts. Some brands and models of tools may be made with high quality components in their main body or core parts of the tool but the saw blades, drill bits or other parts may not be as good as you need. Here are some of the key categories we cover that should help you locate the best replacement parts for your tools:
Cords: Power cords, extension cords, charging cords all seem to eventually get damaged or simply begin to fail and need replacing.
Batteries: More and more tools are now cordless and if your battery fails your tool is now helpless. Some of the best batteries still need a backup or need replacing and we have you covered with all the major tool brand batteries.
Belts: Any tool with a major belt system will eventually need replacement and picking the right one can be challenging.
Bits: Drill bits, router bits, masonary bits all need replacing and sometimes a different brand or type is better for your project. In each of our categories covering tool bits you can find the latest technology and get the best bit for your project.
Switches: Not all tools have switches and some don’t have switches you can replace but those that do can be hard to find or even difficult to tell whether a new tool is needed or not.
Wheels: Some tools such as cabinet saws, large table saws, wood planers, duct collectors and others include wheels to allow the customer to maneuver the machine around the shop or even transport the machine. The issue here is some brands may have high quality wheels that rarely fail and others may not put much quality into their wheel systems and failure is common. Learn which systems have a good wheel or replacement wheels and which are to be avoided due to wheel issues.
There are a few different types of tool comparisons you can find at The Saw Guy. We compare different types of tools to give you an idea of which tool you need for a particular project or task. For example if you you need to know which type of saw you need to cut with such as miter saw vs chop saw, table saw vs circular saw or jigsaw vs reciprocating saw we have got you covered. We also offer the best power tool brands compared head to head such as Makita vs Dewalt or Porter Cable vs Dewalt and many more. These comparisons may be based on certain types of tools each brand offers or they may simply be a comparison of the brands quality, price and durability. The other type of tool comparisons you can find are tool model comparisons such as Dremel 3000 vs 4000 and the Dewalt Miter Saw comparison DWS709 vs DWS 779. All of these tool comparisons can help helpful if you know what type, brand or model you are mainly looking for. If you can’t find what you need please use our search feature to locate other comparisons or ideas that can help.
When it comes to handyman tools, few things flirt with the definition of both specialty and everyday convenience like the torpedo level. While most folks just pick out the cheapest brand they can find, the reality is that if you’re not using a good, high-quality torpedo level, then you are selling yourself pretty short and … Read more
Having the luxury of the best rain shower head available is as satisfying and comforting as every hotel room or spa has led you to believe. If you’ve ever enjoyed a luxury shower in a swanky hotel or spa resort and wished you could replicate that same blissful feeling in your own bathroom, then we have … Read more
Your hardwood floor is already the pride and joy of your household. Using the best mop for hardwood floors will perpetuate that sentiment and help to keep your hardwood floors in tip-top shape. Hardwood floors are extremely attractive despite their expensive costs compared to other flooring materials. Wooden floors can add a cozy feel to your … Read more
A door is only as good as your lock. Without it, what’s the use? Our guide to finding the best deadbolt will help you keep your belongings guarded and secure. With a sturdy door and a proper deadbolt, it is almost impossible for anyone to break into your house. We can’t stress enough the importance of … Read more
Walnut is one of the most beautiful and popular choices when it comes to home decor. It’s deep, rich color lends warmth to your home that few other kinds of wood can, and it’s characteristics make it ideal for use anywhere in the home, including your floors. Today, we’ll cover everything you need to know … Read more
If you’re looking for an easy way to have power whenever and wherever you want it then an inverter generator is a great way to go about it. These generators actually provide clean power and they work great for more sensitive electronics, which is definitely a benefit for those who like to travel. You definitely … Read more
For anyone who works in an environment where there’s a lot of heavy duty work to be done, the right work boots can be an important aspect. You want something that will keep your feet protected no matter what happens and that can be difficult, depending on what you do. The best work boots, like … Read more
Is your home prone to flooding during bad rain or snowstorms? You might not know that one handy device known as a sump pump could be the answer to your need for a dry home. The best sump pump sits in your basement or crawlspace, usually within a below-floor pit, to catch excess water that … Read more
When you need torque as powerful as Thor’s hammer, an impact wrench is your best friend. Their insane levels of power can tackle the toughest jobs, while their ability to reel back their might makes smaller projects a breeze. How can you find the best impact wrench on the market, though? The answer, like most, … Read more
If you are looking to get involved with woodworking, you probably have a lot of questions about what types of tools you will need to get started. A skilled woodworker uses a lot of different tools. It is easy to feel overwhelmed at first, but you can find tool categories where tools are broken down … Read more
Flashlights maybe don’t get the recognition that they should, but one thing’s for certain: when you need one, you need one. There’s a ton of different options out there for rechargeable beams, but a good majority of them have really sub-par charging capabilities and poor runtimes. These being the most important features of the best rechargeable … Read more
If you live in an area with frequent snow, or just enough to keep your sidewalk and driveway covered from time to time, you undoubtedly need a snow shovel. However, the tool that you use to clear the snow can have a huge effect on not only the time it takes to clear your path … Read more