You know the tools you need, thanks to our guides (The First 5 Power Tools to Add to Your Toolbox & The Next 5 Power Tools to Add to Your Toolbox), but do you know when to buy them? Do you know the best places to buy your tools? Do you know why you should never buy store brand tools? Well read on for the answers.
If you're an amateur DIY'er who's trying to renovate her way through a new fixer-upper, we've got some tips to guide your first foray into power tool purchasing:
- Don't buy store brand. The store brand tools that are loyal to one retailer are usually great quality purchases. So why would we steer you away? Well if you ever move away from that retailer's area, you might be hard-pressed to find the compatible replacement parts, repairs or accessories that you need. Go with a nation-wide brand or retailer instead.
- Buy tools that use the same battery. Since you're just starting your power tool collection, you have the advantage of carefully curating your stock. Pay attention to the type of battery your cordless tolls use. Buying several tools that use the same battery means that you can buy a back-up that's compatible with your whole set. Plus, you won't have to lug around 10 different battery chargers.
- Buy refurbished. Ethan from One Project Closer, in a blog post on Dover Projects, suggests that refurbished tools are a great buy for amateur DIY'ers. Refurbs, tools previously returned to the manufacturer before they're repaired and re-sold, are offered at up to 60 percent discount off retail prices, usually with a factory warranty.
- Get the best prices by waiting it out. Ethan also mentioned that prices on tools fluctuate quickly. "The new Paslode roofing nailer was introduced about 6 months ago with a suggested price of $529.00," he writes, "Already, the price has dropped about $40." If you're itching to buy the next big thing, wait out your shopping bug for a few months, if you can.
- Shop around holidays. Big tool sale holidays? Presidents Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Keep an eye out for store circulars in February, May and September.
(Images: Flickr member rintakumpu licensed for use under Creative Commons, Flickr member cogdogblog licensed for use under Creative Commons)
Ellen's Thirties Style Small Space
Juan's Garage Turned Modern Guest House
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Commercial Flour Sa...
10 Picnic-Ready Salads to Eat Outside
Recipe: Thai Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
the "don't buy store brand" is a bit misleading
it would be pretty hard to move somewhere and not be close to a home depot or a sears. Craftsman has great quality tools.
I would add to the list: Not everything has to be cordless
Yes, a cordless drill is a necessity, but a cordless circular saw it really only good for a few cuts. Helpful in places where power is hard to come by, but have a corded one for the long haul. Same with a reciprocating saw, or probably most saws.
Steer away from Craftsman power tools. They batteries die quite quickly. I tried giving them a second chance by buying another set of power tools but the batteries just died equally quick.
However any hand/mechanic tools I give them the thumbs up. A bit of a tip: check out yard sales swapmeets and or your father's old old rusty tools. If you find a rusty socket snatch it and get it replaced for free for a nice a shinny one at any Sears no questions asked.
Craftsman hand tools are fine. Craftsman power tools (anything with a motor in it) are pretty lousy.
Good luck out there.
Vintage craftsman is good, todays craftsman not so much. But moofie is right, for hand tools and the casual DIYer, craftsman is good enough, and dirt cheap. If money is not an issue you should buy festool.
My personal rule is to hold out and use the tools I have for as much as I can, and only buy new tools when the result I need requires it. This keeps me from buying too many tools.