Can anyone recommend what brand of powertools I should buy?

You get a 1 year warranty on most tools. There are some rechargeable drills that have 2-3 year warranties.

I was looking at a Hitachi 12 or 18 volt drill and an impact driver. I thought that was good.

But an opportunity came up and I bought Dewalt 12 volt tools, a set. They really work well. I have the original batteries. 4 years old. No problems. I don't do extremely heavy work so 12 volt tools work fine for me.

I originally bought some Ryobi tools. The tools never let me down, but the batteries are garbage. They barely last a year. The Ryobi circular saw cuts very well, for less than 5 minutes. Again, the battery can't give the power that the saw wants.

I'd recommend Dewalt or Hitachi.

But no lifetime warranty. I have some corded drills that are 40 years old. They work fine.

Harbor Freight is no tier. Their stuff may have a one year warranty.

The only lifetime warranty I ever knew was Craftsman hand tools, and I've had them since 1972 with very few problems.

Oh god - NEVER buy Craftsman.

If you want a really good cordless, get the Bosch drill. It's really slick, but it's $100. If you want something really cheap, get one from Harbor Freight. It depends on what you'll use it for.

You'll find if you spend a little more, you get some nice tools. But if you buy a tool and never use it, doesn't much matter what you paid for it.

One of the most bought - and least used - is a router. Can't tell you how many of those I've run across in my life which maybe had been used once.

A good tool should last 30 years with daily use (not continuous use) - cordless tools won't last as long because the batteries will give up after a few years. But a regular old plug-in drill or saw or grinder or router or sander can last 30 or more years with a few minor repairs.

OR....... you can get cheap tools which will only get used a few times.

1. Dewalt

2. Makita

3.Bosch

4. Stihl

5.Rigid

6.Stanley Inc.

7.Irwin

8. Festool

9. Dremel

10.skil

11. Rolair

12. Malco

13. Duo-fast

14. Reed

15. Knaack llc

16.Unger

I've bought some good ones and some not so good ones. It was surprising what has lasted for so long. The most important thing I found about drills is that if you don't pull it around by the wire, it will last a very long time. I have a very old hammer drill and some workman was using it and lowered by the cord and it pulled out and he told me I needed a new tool anyway. I fixed the cord and fired him. When you borrow tools, I expect them to be well taken care of. . .I don't need big heavy tools because the tools have not been heavily used. I like the lighter tools because now I am an old lady and the lighter ones are easier to handle...for me...

As an ex engineer I have always believed that good quality tools give you a reliable service. Cheap tools are made to a price so something most certainly needs to be adjusted to cope with this. Cheap tools are like cheap shoes , you'll buy tree pairs of poor quality for one pair of high quality, that makes then expensive rather than cheap.

Ryobi, good quality never had a Ryobi brand fail me. Bosch, German engineering and usually, if its German, its good. Wolf, never been let down by this brand either. Not saying that price need not be considered , but as an apprentice Black and Decker was considered to be a suitable range . One quickly found that they had a nasty habit of fitting their tools with bushes instead of bearing. The result after a period of time was predictable.

DeWalt,, excellent, Milwalkee, has the reputation of being good, but have never personally used one. Expensive, but you only get what you have paid for.

Don't lend your tools. The guy who will borrow your tools is also the guy who is too lazy to buy his own and far too idle to look after them, particularly if they happen to be your. Don't be a bloody idiot.

Look after them. Keep them clean and in good condition. Keep them sharp where required. Don't leave them laid about to get kicked about and in the weather. Good tools tend to be expensive, but looked after they will last FOR EVER. That is not expensive.

**** what these folks talking. I work as an line maintenance for United Continental for 26 years I bought Makita when i first started 26 years ago and it's still good as new. You wont be using it nearly as much as i do but you don't want a cordless drill with a heavy battery, trust me on this. I've only had to replace one of my batteries in 26 years

Lifetime warranty? on a cordless?? Forget it. The best brand of tools is the one you can afford.

You seem to be a casual user. High dollar, "top of the line" brands are not necessary. IMHO, DeWalt is overrated and over priced.

I have a Black & Decker drill that's been through hell and back and it won't die. B&D is definitely one the cheaper brands, price wise, yet it has my vote. Same for my Skil circular saw. (By the way - Black & Decker owns DeWalt.)

Go to sears buy a craftsman. It will come with automatic lifetime warranty. without proof of purchase. You could litteraly walk into sears with a broken craftsman tool from12 years ago and have it replaced free. It will not break I guarantee. I have craftsman tools from the 80s that work flawless

Rigid or Milwaukee are my preference for strength and endurance, Bosch or Milwaukee for value. B&D are usable for a homeowner but marginal at best for heavy use. I wore out 3 B&D drills in 6 months on a construction job. DeWalt is noisy and the speed control is not the best. None will have a lifetime warranty.

When it comes to power tools u get what u pay for. If you don't use them alot like only once every 4-6 weeks then u can go with a cheaper brand. If it's gonna b daily u need to go with a top brand like dealt or Bosch