Bosch vs. Dewalt

[David55]

I am thinking of buying some tools for projects I want to do over the summer (not necessarily related to robotics). I just wanted to know, based on your previous experience with both companies, which products tend to be better and why (I am talking about tools like drills, drivers, grinders, nailers, jig saws, circular saws etc.)

I have read reviews for products from both companies, and it seems that these companies have very high quality products and are the best in the field.
I found that the price difference between both companies on the same product is very small, which is why I am asking for your opinion.

Thanks
David

[Stephen Kowski]

Dewalt all the way....normally im pretty cheap and tend to buy ryobi, but the stuff I have from dewalt works extremely well.

[Rohith Surampudi]

dewalt drills are extremely effective and can come in extremely high power models with relatively cheap pricing

[sanddrag]

I find both way overpriced. Never had a problem with any of my Ryobi tools.

[Gabe]

I love DeWalt! They have a lot of power and are very robust. Cordless is the way to go, if you're buying tools. However, except for the drills, the other cordless tools drain batteries really fast. Their angle grinders, reciprocationg saws and circular saws use up your battery power fast. Also, their cordless drills are all unusually heavy, which makes it hard to drill holes accurately. However, you can't beat the quality of DeWalt tools.


What came first: the student or the mentor?

[Cody Carey]

Yep, I love my DeWalt portable planer

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Gabe

Also, their cordless drills are all unusually heavy, which makes it hard to drill holes accurately.

Really? 1293 works with a couple of 18v XRP drills, and they don't feel heavy to me, even compared with my mother's corded (and thus batteryless) drill. Maybe I'm just odd.

Weight (and cost) aside, I've never had an issue with any of the DeWalt products we've used. It turns out that the XRP drills aren't just good FIRST transmissions--they also work pretty well as drills.

[Andy A.]

Either brand has top notch tools. They are probably more tool then you need, as they are meant more for putting a house together.

If I where to face the same choice, I would get a Black and Decker. DeWalt is just a daughter to Black and Decker. DeWalt tools are the luxury brand, but that doesn't take anything away from the bread and butter of the Firestorm lineup. I've been very pleased with mine, for what it's worth.

It's the difference between a Toyota and Lexus. The only thing you'd notice is price. Roll the money into consumabes like bits or material.

Thats my stance, anyways.

-Andy A.

[sanddrag]

Well, here I come again with the opposing viewpoint. I absolutely hate Black and Decker tools. I don't know, they just don't feel and look right to me. It almost seems like Black and Decker is trying to make tools for people who have no business using tools.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Well, here I come again with the opposing viewpoint. I absolutely hate Black and Decker tools. I don't know, they just don't feel and look right to me. It almost seems like Black and Decker is trying to make tools for people who have no business using tools.

Me either. We killed our Firestorm drill without even doing anything to it. Meanwhile, our cheapo Ryobi drill is running strong, even after 5 months of everyone shifting it on the fly a million times.

[lukevanoort]

Since the tone has changed to reliability of various drills, I'll throw in my 2 cents. If you're worried about reliability, get a hand cranked drill. They're so basic, all parts can be found on McMaster-Carr, although they may not be good for metal, they work nicely on wood. Could give team members a much needed workout to burn off all that delivery pizza too....... (I'm not joking, I was actually trying to find one in our shop this year)

[David55]

Thank you all for your advice!

The stuff you have said is really useful. A big problem is the lack of brands for power tools (and basically for everything) in Israel. From visiting stores and checking stores online, the main brands that exist in Israel for power tools are Bosch, DeWalt (not in many stores, but still popular), Hyundai and companies like skil, delta and lots of unknown Chinese companies that have tools in a store or two. Ryobi and B&D cannot be found in Israel.
Although I am not going to build a house or aircraft, I want the tools I buy to be reliable and good. I am looking at it as an investment for 2-3 years (or maybe more...how long do these tools usually live?).
Also, from what i understand, there is a difference between the green and blue Bosch. From the prices, I can tell that blue Bosch is supposed to be better, but what really are the differences from your experience working with them?

[sanddrag]

Well, FIRST used to give Bosch drill motors and gearboxes in the kit of robot parts. Perhaps it was just that particular model, but if you ask me, it was very poorly designed and quite prone to breakage (and not just because it was used in a robot application). Looking at the thing, I saw so many design issues that made me say "what were they thinking when they made it like this!?!"

[X-Istence]

I have a Bosch corded drill, and I have to say it was one of the best investments I have ever made. Thing has been going since I was 10, that was 8 years ago. It has been used by my dad and I for over a thousand projects doing everything from wood working to metal.

5 years ago we got a cordless 14.5 V drill, the batteries on that have died, an mysterious death. I'd say go for Bosch. Excellent power tools they make.