(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best power tool combo kits

I went with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel combo kit. Here's a link to the amazon page.

I am quite happy with it. I have used it a number of times and it has performed as well or better than I expected. An issue that I thought I would have is with the chuck being relatively smooth and thus hard to crank it so that a bit is gripped tightly. It's true it isn't as heavily knurled as the Dewalt but it works fine. The only better part that the Dewalt has that the Milwaukee doesn't is the placement of its LED light. Dewalt places theirs at the base near the battery while Milwaukee has theirs near the chuck. This means that the chuck casts a shadow while the Dewalt it doesn't matter. It's not a huge difference but it's still nice not to have that casting a shadow towards the front. However, my old Dewalt didn't have any LED at all so the Milwaukee is a welcome improvement. Everyone talks about how the Milwaukee seems to be better machined and made than the Dewalt. I haven't tried the Dewalt in person but the Milwaukee definitely has the best feel of any drill I have ever used.

Best of luck in your choice!

I'm afraid I can't help you much with the sockets and wrenches. I have a cheapo Kobalt set from Lowes that I have been happy with. It gets used infrequently enough that I don't need something BIFL.

I would switch the tape out for a 25 ft. fat max, they last forever and you'll be able to measure most rooms in one go.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002PV66?keywords=fat%20max&qid=1450844841&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

I would also throw in a small magnetic level, network switch (for when you have to hard wire a new pc in on the fly), some large external hard drives for backups, a ton of cheap usb sticks to give away or sell if you keep them in the box, and I would highly recommend some power tools. When you're THE IT for a small office, you never know when you need to hang a tv, or run network cable, or install security cameras. I swear by the dewalt tools, and just keep it simple with this set:

http://smile.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCK413S2-12-Volt-4-Tool-Combo/dp/B007P0DE8I/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1450845297&sr=8-12&keywords=dewalt+12v


It's got one of the best, most versitile flashlights i've ever used, a saw for basic small cuts, that you'll use maybe once a year but love. An amazing drill that does everything from putting screws in, to drilling a new hole in the ceiling for wire and has become a major part of what I do. I think I carry that as much as my laptop. The final tool, and my favorite is the impact driver. This sucker will put a screw through brick. Perfect for outside wall mounts and more. It seems silly to recommend blue collar tools for a white collar job, but if you talk to the good guys out there, the ones that have been around for a long time, you'll learn very fast that solo IT work is basically being a digital mechanic. You get tasked with every thing that plugs in. The guys that are just a USB stick and software, that's great, how long have you been doing it, and how long do you plan to do it? Ideal, freelance IT shouldn't have to be there all the time for break-fix and smaller businesses don't have the cash for lots of new toys. So yea, get some more tools, expand out a bit and start thinking like a mechanic, not an engineer.

You're probably going to get a lot of opinions on this, but for what it's worth, here's my advice...

If you're only buying a cordless drill you are not going to go wrong with any of the big names you'll see in the store (except Ryobi...which is a whole 'nuther story).

Dewalt, Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee...all good. You'll need to decide whether you want lithium ion batteries or nickel cadmium. They are different. LiOns are lighter, and last longer, but are more expensive. The industry seems to be going away from NiCads, but I still use them everyday and they've been solid performers for me.

You should also consider getting a combo kit which has a drill/driver and an impact driver. If you are only going to buy one tool get the drill/driver since you can both drill and drive with it...no surprise there. While you can drill with an impact driver you will need hex shank bits and that can limit you.

Also you want to have at least one extra battery so you don't have any down time.

Your best bet is to ask your new boss what equipment he uses and get the same thing. There are a lot of advantages to this not the least of which is that you can borrow batteries in a pinch. He'll also likely have extra chargers and know all the tools features (and foibles) so he can help you get familiar with it. It looks professional too if everyone has the same equipment, and he'll respect that you bought pro grade stuff right off the bat. (Protip: PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR STUFF!)

It all comes down to what you want to spend, and what specifically you'll be doing with it, but if you want my specific advice I'd say go with this Dewalt combo although I'm sure you will get many other opinions, it's been good to me through the years. If that's too much to spend right off the bat just look for the single cheapest drill/driver model of any of the brands I mentioned earlier and they will be more than adequate to start out with.

Good luck with the new job!

I just upgraded from a 4-tool 19v NiCd Craftsman set (circular trim saw, recip, drill, florescent light) to a 5-tool DeWalt set. You can see that set normally runs $600 but I paid $329 at the Family and Friends event today. Now I think Milwaukee makes some fine tools but I already have and love a bunch of DeWalt stuff and the value for this set would be hard to beat. Play with them both in the store, read some reviews, and keep your eye out for a good deal. Good luck!

Totally worth the money:
A drill that will actually drill holes. I bought a POS drill (50 bucks) and it had no power to it. I finally dropped 250 on this and well worth every penny:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DG7SYYI
If you're doing any type of wood working and you want to join peices of wood securely and have it look nice look into the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J43A7W
I also purchased this guy to help clean up the massive extension cable that I have in my garage. Totally worth it as well:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005A1K1
Also invest in a good pair of safety glasses and dust mask.

I have the porter cable lithium kit. Mine was the combo that came with the drill, impact driver, and light. Man that impact driver is awesome. I can drive through a 2x4 if I want to with it. The drill is acceptable. The light is nice for what it is.

I guess I'm not ecstatic about the set, but I think it's pretty good for the money. I got a demo unit so I saved some cash. One thing that I do really like about the set is how affordable the extra items are. I picked up a sawzall for my kit for $40.

Were you looking at lowes? Amazon has the three tool combo on sale right now for $25 less with free shipping: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003UYV13I/

You were smart not to buy a replacement battery and just toss the tool. A Makita factory rep told me that the rest of the tool is probably shot by the time the battery wears out. The chuck, bearings, brushes and bushings aren't designed to last much longer.

I bought the Black & Decker Matrix last year and I love it.

Black & Decker ramped up it's design and quality a few years back but got no love so they bought and make DeWalt. The B&D brand is a fantastic value and highly reviewed. I have the jigsaw and the circular saw attachment too.

I purchased the Makita 18V Lithium Ion set linked earlier (http://amzn.com/B000V2DSE2). I love them, they work great and the batteries charge fast. One thing I wish I did was get the LXT version, which has a larger battery. I don't want this for longer run time, although that would also be nice, but it would run the rest of the cordless tools that Makita sells. Things like a circular saw, sawzall, shoot even a friggin leaf blower can all run on the same batteries. So I find my self now wishing I had originally bought the bigger battery set.

This one specifically: Makita LXT 18V

Reason being, it has the compact impact driver that everyone loves, and the hammer drill (which can switch between hammer function or normal drill function).

TL;DR: I wish I bought Makita LXT 18V over the Maktita 18V

I love my makitas. The LCT set is good for most people. The LXT 211 or 218 are slightly more powerful for people who use their tools every day. I own the 211 set and love it.

I bought the same brushless set last week from amazon for $195 They are awesome! I am enjoying them so far and they seem super well made.

If you don't want the bulk of a 9.0ah pack, you can get a 2 pack of 6.0ah batteries for $139

Or 2 X 3.0ah with charger for $93

I had this same dilemma recently. Went with this brushless Makita kit for a similar price on Amazon.

The only reason I decided to go with Makita is because I like that their larger tools use two 18v batteries rather than a separate 60v max or 36v battery system. Their subcompacts etc. also use the 18v system, so basically I liked their system the best that I looked at. It seems like you can get other advantages from Milwaukee or Dewalt depending on what you want to do.

I'll second the Ryobi. I, also, am not a contractor. However, the tools have been performing very well, so far.

Also, the one you linked is the hammer drill version. Here's the regular one. They're still quite a price hike up, though, aren't they? I wonder if they're really worth 3x the Ryobi ones. I mean, I understand that they might be better, but that much better? I doubt it.

If nothing else, Steve Ramsey uses the Ryobi set. :)

I have a newer version of the Makita set with Brushless motors for over a year now and have been happy. Though I must say my 15 year old ni-cad craftsman was still working fine. The newer stuff is smaller and more powerful.
The impact drivers are great for driving longer screws into tough material. It takes the fatigue of your wrist getting torqued out of the equation. Although they are sometimes annoyingly loud.

Edit: formatting link

I like my Bosch stuff. I didn't buy it as a kit, but I own the tools included in the CLPK224-181 kit.

I make my living as an Apprentice Electrician and I think this stuff is overkill for home use.

At work, the only time I use my drill is when I'm running unibits. Any other time, I use either my impact or my 12v drill.

Link to 18v: Bosch CLPK224-181 18-volt Lithium-Ion 2-Tool Combo Kit with 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill/Driver, Impact Driver, 2 Batteries, Charger and Contractor Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OKGAIUW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ODh6BbWEAA6B4

Most of the drilling I do at work is into sheetmetal. My 12V does just fine.

Here is a 12V kit that meets your specs: Bosch 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion 2-Tool Cordless Combo Kit CLPK241-120 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009K1HMBK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oRh6BbPY6GA4F

They also make a 12V tool with changeable heads: Bosch GSR12V-140FCB22 12V Max Flexiclick 5-In-1 Drill/Driver System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074GYX6XG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_B0h6BbA79AQ2A

That drill will fit in places the others won't.

I own and use a PS21 at work every day. With the 4.0ah battery, it goes a long time on a charge. I mostly use it to drive screws, with a good amount of up to 1/4" holes in sheetmetal electrical boxes.

So...I actually just bought and received yesterday this: https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCK296M2-Lithium-Brushless-Hammerdrill/dp/B00FWLC5XW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474578684&sr=8-1&keywords=dck296m2

Now, it is way over kill for general use. However I also just bought a house, and I know that I may have to drill into concrete, or my basement walls, and I wanted a drill that could handle that. I'm pretty happy knowing that I got a set that can handle pretty much anything I'll be throwing at it with ease.

My first real tool purchase was a very nice dewalt cordless drill. Its worth the investment for a good drill / driver combo as they are the tool you will use the most and having to run an extension cord to install a shelf for example gets old very fast.

I would highly recomend this below
http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCK280C2-20-Volt-Li-Ion-Compact/dp/B0052MIIX2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1453384990&sr=8-5&keywords=dewalt+20v+combo+kit

This thing is sort of neat, especially if her Dad is the type that would also enjoy a nice electric screwdriver:

https://www.amazon.com/2354-10-Power-Screwdriver-Opener-Attachment/dp/B00898DPD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481100199&sr=8-1&keywords=skil+corkscrew

I've been waiting for them to come out with a combo kit for the Bauer stuff. Not going to lie, I was hoping for a much better price.

You can buy a Porter Cable kit with the same stuff for the same price on Amazon. Link: https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-PCCK616L4-Power-Tool-Combo/dp/B0113M94RS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3TCTE13QQUHSV&keywords=porter+cable+20v+combo+tool+kit&qid=1575003599&sprefix=porter+cable+20v+combo%2Caps%2C255&sr=8-2

C rating is a convoluted mess, to be honest. Some batteries with 50C ratings are really 25C or less. Go based on reviews, and not the manufacturer's specs.

I converted over to the HV batteries and powerwhoop connector, and I'm using the 19000kv "insane" motors. The difference between a 4.2 and 4.35V battery is more than you may think, so at least consider it before you invest in more batteries.

These are what I bought (out of stock atm), but they do require soldering another connector, which is a bit more durable and has a higher amp rating. Seems worth it though, even just for the durability, if you're going to do a lot of whooping. There's HV batteries available with normal connectors, but I haven't tried any. You will need a charger that can do LiHV, too.

If you want to stick with normal batteries, here's some that I really like. I've run these all through about 40 charge cycles without issues. I'd previously tried some Crazepony 250mAh ones rated for 50C, which were definitely not, and I killed them in under 20 charges.

You can't go wrong with Dewalt. I owned a complete set of battery tools. One day I was in a hurry to get a compound miter saw so I grabbed a Dewalt at Home Depot. After using that saw I changed every tool for a Dewalt. Love them. I bought this... https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCK940D2-Lithium-9-Tool-Combo/dp/B018TM1Q80/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1537928811&sr=8-5&keywords=dewalt+set

Never regretted it

DeWalt HD $200 combo kit

1.5 Amp hr battery, old motor

vs. Amazon XR DeWalt for $280

2 Amp hour, brushless (uses less power/more durable), more metal on frame, worth the ordering hassle and extra $$

I worked at a place we had both and you could tell the difference. no one wanted to get stuck with the big box store version after you've used the good stuff. I like the Hammer drill version

For lug nuts you don't m even need that much, usually Costco or Home Depot has good deals on kits that include batteries and chargers. Brushless isn't really necessary. Impact driver is what they call it, I have this kit:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FWLC5XW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479231800&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=dewalt+20v+impact+and+hammer+drill&dpPl=1&dpID=511JMwwiJ9L&ref=plSrch

DeWalt. No question.I have this one. Seems to run forever on a charge.

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCK286D2-Lithium-Brushless-Hammerdrill/dp/B00DG7SYYI/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1410731751&sr=8-12&keywords=dewalt+drill

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCK286D2-Lithium-Brushless-Hammerdrill/dp/B00DG7SYYI/ref=pd_cp_hi_0

277$ for the saw thing I'm amazon. I'm a dewalt mad all the way and it's a 20 volt compared to and 18 volt.