Hey everyone! I run a small Millwork shop and as an owner/builder, I'm trying to find some reliable tools. We currently use Milwaukee for all our hand tools like drills and impacts, but I really think the chucks on those drills are pretty terrible. I'm toying with the idea of switching to Festool, but the price tag is quite high. If there's an obvious fix or good reason to stick with Milwaukee, I'd love to hear it! Also, I've had awful luck with square tip drives. Is Kreg the best option or do you have better suggestions? Thanks for any insights!
3 Answers
I’ve had great experiences with the Wiha blue square drive bits. They hold up well and give a solid grip. Definitely worth trying out!
Makitas have been my go-to for years, and I haven't had any hiccups with them. Though I do own a Festool track saw, I love my Makita drills, impact drivers, rotary hammers, and even their jig saw. The only thing I could do without is the Makita battery nailers; I still haul around a compressor unless I'm just using a few nails. Definitely check them out!
You might want to consider aftermarket chucks like Röhm or Jacobs for your drills instead of switching brands completely. It'll save you some cash, although I understand the downtime might be tricky in a busy shop. Honestly, Festool isn’t really necessary unless you're specifically after their Domino joiners or vacs. For bits, PB Swiss and Felo are excellent but pricey; Makita Gold or Wera might be a smarter choice for durability vs. cost. Less hassle in the long run!
Thanks for the advice! I’m less worried about costs and more about keeping battery continuity across my tools. I have a variety of Festool tools already, which complicates things a bit. I'm definitely looking into those bit suggestions too!
Totally agree with you! Milwaukee does come with decent Röhm chucks on their flagship models. Sometimes it’s about how the tools are handled; they can get rough in the field.
I get what you're saying about the nailers! It's just easier to use a compressor sometimes.