Not too pricey, not too crappy is basically what I'm after. I've got a decent set of battery tools already(Milwaukee for important/frequently used ones, Parkside cheapies for anything I only use occasionally), but when I finally get the chance to start work on my reno project I'm going to need stuff for bigger jobs that won't require me to faff with batteries; plunge-tracksaw for sheet goods, mitre saw for framing, mains SDS for taking out the old fireplace and various bits of outdoor work to rid myself of crappy concrete things, a punchy shop vac(ideally with power passthrough and tool-start) etc. There's loads of decent reviews out there for battery brands but all the stuff I find searching for mains tools is AIslop listicles. EDIT: Oh and none of this "jobsite power" guff please - mains 230vAC, I don't want to have to faff with transformers.

Edited December 7, 2025Dec 7 by YodhrinForge

I've bought DeWalt and Matika, 230V stuff, all good no issues. A Titan SDS from Screwfix, used it plenty further build, no issues.

 

 

Much the same as John with a mix of Makita and DeWalt. I've been a bit underwhelmed with the Titan SDS drills torque considering it's weight but for the money its great. 

We find the dewalt corded stuff awkward - battery versions are bullet proof but the corded stuff is like it’s missing the battery to make it balance.

track saw, I have an erbauwer one and it’s been great, not Festool smoothness or finesse but at 1/4 of the price it’s a good saw. If I was using it finish cutting cabinets etc. on a daily basis then I would have the festool, but for hobby stuff, trimming bottom of doors and breaking sheets down before table saw cutting I will stick with the erbauwer.

corded drills, hand circular saws and grinders - I will only buy Makita. FYI, plunge track saw is a great machine, but heavy and cumbersome for a lot of jobs so a small light circular saw is great

Edited December 8, 2025Dec 8 by markc

Also gone the DeWalt route, very happy so far.  Didn't buy everything with batteries,so share out the batteries of the ones supplied with batteries.  That way was a bit cheaper.  The only downside to that at the mo is lack of case for some of the tools.  

I'm a long time woodworker and my basic rule is - the more detailed/better/bespoke the finish needs to be, the more expensive tool I go for.

 

You could also say the closer the tool's job is to the final product, the better the quality needed.

 

So, I have a couple of Festool tools (Domino, sander and track saw) but, at the other end of the scale I've got belt sanders that I've got free off Facebook marketplace. 

 

I suppose my middle of the road sweet spot is Bosch.  They seem to have the right balance of quality, price, capability and - importantly for corded tools - long power leads.

13 hours ago, YodhrinForge said:

plunge-tracksaw for sheet goods

Makita SP6000

 

13 hours ago, YodhrinForge said:

mains SDS

Dewalt D2513 as a good compromise between power and weight

 

13 hours ago, YodhrinForge said:

a punchy shop vac

You may want to go up the range, but I've got the small Festool CTL SYS + DIY dust separator

Henry hoovers are just bombproof. 

2 hours ago, Bancroft said:

importantly for corded tools - long power leads

It's so frustrating when a power lead can't even reach floor to ceiling - I've a staple gun from Screwfix and it's only usable with an extension cord fixed to your waist.

 

When it comes to a mitre saw, I'd rather have a cheap sliding and double bevel saw over a mid range brand without those features

1 hour ago, torre said:

When it comes to a mitre saw, I'd rather have a cheap sliding and double bevel saw over a mid range brand without those features

Have to disagree, I have an Einhell double bevel slider, it is horrible! No soft start, noisy, slide not smooth and more importantly inaccurate. Still use it for rough work, mainly chopping kindling. Got a single bevel Dewalt and it’s so much better.

I no longer buy Aldi or Lidl electric tools. They are low end diy and won't last.

For a big, heavy job use only big names and not the entry ranges either.

for diy and odd jobs, then the middle, established brands will suffice. I like all my Einhells but would be no good for a professional joiner, painter, gardener, whatever.

If you don't mind coarseness then SF/TS/ B&Q/Wickes will be  coarse and noisy but do it and keep doing it.

My Worx circular saw has been a disappointment too.

And I only buy branded accessories now, eg fixings and drill bits.

 

17 hours ago, Bonner said:

more importantly inaccurate

This is obviously no good, but can at least be checked/adjusted out of the box and returned if necessary. In my (limited) experience though the quality of say a bevel cut is more about a sharp blade and securing material so it doesn't pull the blade. 

Certainly no argument about noise levels though!