Tips For Buying Woodworking Tools
Even experienced woodworkers can go into 'contractions' when it comes to trying to buy a new tool. Can you imagine how a novice must feel?
When buying anything where you don't know much about the product, most people either select the cheapest or near cheapest price, or they pick the most powerful version, thinking that if a certain power level is good, then more power must be better.
We all do this from time to time, but doing this with power tools can be hazardous to your health. One example of how buying too much power can be dangeropus is the experience that the daughter of a friend of mine had. His daughter got her first apartment and decided to fix it up a bit. She needed to fasten a bookshelf to the wall and went to a local home improvement big-box store store to purchase a portable drill. There were dozens of them to choose from . In her mind she wanted 'a good one' and promptly purchased, at the sales person's suggestion, an 18volt drill. Honestly, if this young gal is 100 pounds soaking wet, I would be amazed! She is a petite blond, and you guessed it, the first time she used the drill, the bit caught something in the wall and twisted out of her control to the point that she had to seek medical attention. She ended up being off work for a few days while she recuperated with her arm in a sling. The drill was simply much too powerful for her.
Purchasing power tools goes beyond looking at power. Just ask the woodworker who purchased a portable drill and the third time using it the battery actually blew out the bottom of it's case, barely missing his leg and this was an 'experienced' woodworker!
Like purchasing anything else, a bit of research can go a long way towards avoiding problems. As a rule, I have found most tool salespeople to be well informed, but remember, they will be trying to sell you the tools THEY sell, and not necessarily what might be best for you, so keep this in mind when you are shopping.
Without going into depth on many different tools, here are some points that I have found useful in purchasing tools:
Warranty
When buying new tools, look for tools that have a long or even a lifetime warranty. These tools will be among the better performers because their manufacturers do NOT want to see these tools coming back to them for repair or replacement, so they build them well and design them for long life.
Price
I always find that purchasing tools that are priced in the middle of the pack gives me about the best value. I can often find a very decent tool with a good warranty that is competitively priced.
Power
As noted above, bigger is not always better. I am an average sized woodworker and I have no use for drill over 14 volts, they are too heavy and too powerful. Even for me, they can sometimes twist my arm. Look for what will do the job for you.
Corded or Cordless
You will generally pay much less for corded tools, BUT they are less convenient. If think you will be using your tools a lot on outside jobs, battery power is good. On the other hand, if you are only going to use your tool outside away from your workbench occasionally, then a corded tool is probably fine for you, and will save you some money.
Brands to Buy
As always, sticking with the major brands will usually result in your greatest satisfaction in the long run. A reputable brand is reputable because the manufacturer stands behind it's products, whereas the knockoff and cheap, no-name clones are here today, gone tomorrow, and their quality usually reflects that fact.
New or Used?
I've bought both over the years, and oftentimes a good used tool is preferable over a new one. The good used one can save you money while providing excellent service, as long as you are careful to get a lightly used item, and not something that has been beat to death. Often the used 10 year old tool is of much higher quality than the brand new version of the same tool, simply because manufactures have had to cheapen up their products recently to stay price competitive with offshore manufacturers. New offers a warranty, while good used may actually have better quality. You'll have to decide which is right for you, based on each category of tool you are looking at and on your personal tastes and desires.
If you use these guidelines in purchasing tools, you will reduce your risk of purchasing poor quality tools or tools that don't suit the work you need them for.
Makita is a good reputable brand favored by many professional woodworkers. Here's a sampling of cordless Makita tools that are available online right now:
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 Makita 18V LXT Cordless Flashlight BML185 NEW $29.99 |  Makita BTD140 18V Cordless Impact Drill/Driver NEW $69.99 |  USED ~ Makita 6095D Cordless Drill Set $26.00 |
 9.6 volt makita cordless dtrill $9.99 |  7.2-9.6-12-14.4-18-V MAKITA Battery Fix Guide+ Video CD $1.99 |  18 Volt Cordless Makita Impact Driver/Drill Li-ion $87.00 |
 CORDLESS DRILL Battery Fix For CRAFTSMAN 12-19.2 volt v $.99 |  makita cordless industrial tough drill w/ new battery $11.50 |  Makita 12V Cordless Drill w/case $25.00 |
 MAKITA 6011D 12V 3/8 INCH CORDLESS DRILL KIT $19.99 |  MAKITA 18 VOLT CORDLESS INPACT & 1/2 DRILL LIT-ION $197.50 |  Makita Cordless impact wrench $9.50 |
 NEW Makita BHP454 Cordless Hammer Drill combo $170.00 |  Makita BHP451 Cordless Hammer Drill $150.00 |  Makita Lith-ion Cordless Skill Saw $100.00 |
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