Poll of the Day > To any DIY folks, how/when do you decide to upgrade your power tools?

(+) Yeah! (+)

The most common thing I do at home is drill/screw stuff to the walls, ceiling, etc. A simple 12v drill driver is capable without spending that much for the tool, battery, and charger.

Then my mind wanders to what if I need something more powerful down the road. I spoke with friends and was suggested to upgrade when I need it. Of course the more powerful, the more expensive and when there is a sale I do not need an upgrade but when I might need an upgrade there is no sale.

To any DIY folks, how/when do you decide to upgrade your power tools? Do you try to get "one-size-fits-all" power tools that will cover a wider range of usages or do you upgrade as you need them?

Comments and opinions are appreciated,

Thank you

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I generally follow the same rules for tools as I do for computer upgrades. If what you currently have adequately covers the majority of your most common tasks, you probably don't need an upgrade.

I bought a set of Dewalt 18v tools at a yard sale when I was around 20 and I used those until I was probably 26 or so and was doing a lot of my own construction/building projects. If all you're doing is hanging pictures and shit, you really don't need much.

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After it catastrophically fails, including black smoke coming from parts of it. Sometimes things get replaced if they cant be found for a week,

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Thank you for the input. I still have my dad's ol Craftsman corded power drill but prefer cordless nowadays for the convenience.

While reading up bout drill drivers and impact drivers, was surprised to find out impact drivers are supposedly not ideal for drilling holes and are meant more for driver screws/bolts. I thought most power tools have the option to turn-off the hammer/impact action so they can act as regular drill drivers.

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Usually when the batteries begin to fail and it ends up costing as much to replace the batteries as to buy a new tool with a battery.

I tossed my old 20V string trimmer because a replacement battery was $100 and a new, more powerful 40V string trimmer was $120.

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captpackrat posted...

Usually when the batteries begin to fail and it ends up costing as much to replace the batteries as to buy a new tool with a battery.

I tossed my old 20V string trimmer because a replacement battery was $100 and a new, more powerful 40V string trimmer was $120.

The price of battery packs can be ridiculous. I was looking at a reciprocating saw where a second battery pack was $179.

captpackrat posted...

Usually when the batteries begin to fail and it ends up costing as much to replace the batteries as to buy a new tool with a battery.

Hah. That is one reason I want to replace my dad's 15+ years old Dewalt 12v power drill. Both batteries will not take the charge and the newer 18v power tools have higher torque and still weigh less than the older power tools.

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