I’m rebuilding my workshop. All my power tools are in a terrible state, so I’m basically going to buy new everything - cordless drills, angle grinder, jigsaw, belt sander… the lot.
So it makes sense to invest in one quality power-tool “ecosystem” to share batteries and chargers. But this time I will abstain from buying American for obvious reasons (so absolutely no Milwaukee or DeWalt) and I’d rather spend my money on European brands (so preferably no Makita or Ryobi).
I think I can’t go wrong if I buy Bosch tools, but maybe other brands are better? I’ll get tools mostly for metalworking, and I’ll get some woodworking tools also, but the main focus will be metalworking, if that’s a factor.
What’s your preference?
I don’t have experience with them more recent than 10 years but up to that time, Bosch was always a superior product to any of the Chinese/US brands.
Hilti, Metabo, Festool and Flex are all great non-US brands.
Festool is good if you can eat the cost and in my opinion they are not that much better than alternatives. Hilti is absolutely beast, but their pricing is pretty much “if you need to ask you can’t afford it”. Metabo owns also Hikoki tools and they are pretty good based on a limited personal experience.
But I’m spending my own money on Makita. Good tools and since I already have a bunch of their batteries it’s pretty easy to choose brand. With wall power or air I don’t have any brand loyalty, depends on the tool and how much I need it for.
The good thing is that 2nd hand hilti tools are around and easily kicking and working well.
My father in law found me a near perfect condition hilti TE 2M older model (turn lock) for under the cost of a new Makita (our other tools) and that thing can go all day through brick.