Checking out Home Depot.com and saw that there are a few brands all offering the same tools. Ryobi, Maketa, Bosch, etc. Are they all pretty much the same or should I try to buy one particular brand of tools over another?

(Looking at 18v tools)

It all depends on how much work you do. If it is for a random job every few months then just get something decent. I am building something or fixing something every few days so I got a nice one. There are definatly better brands and some will just work alot better. It also depends on what tool you are getting..........If you want a tool set then I would suggest Skil. I have had good luck with it and it is reasonably priced.

If you are a pro and use the tools daily, yes and I wouldn't buy from Home Depot. If it is an occasional thing (like once a month or week), Harbor Tools all the way!

BTW, the bomb for working with bulkheads:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40198

Dawgdude is right, if it's just for the occasional job anything on sale will do. If you use it alot spend the money on quality equipment DeWalt, Porter Cable, Makita, etc.... seldom used around the house Skil, Delta, Craftsman.

Makita power tools are my favorite. I can wait to have a garage full of Makita tool that I don't know how to use.

I get a lot of mine by going to garage/yard sells that divorced women have. It's amazing how much they will sell the ex's stuff for!

I standardized on Dewalt a while back, but a lot of my seldom used tools all came from Harbor Freight. I also buy my bits, add-ons and disposable media from them as well. Had I to do it all over again, I would have saved a retarded amount of money buying Harbor tools rather than Dewalt. I haven't had any tool I bought from them break either. I know it likley isn't up to Dewalt, Makita, etc standards but I don't use my powertools every day and don't really need a drill that is going to out live me. I just need something I can pull out every few weeks and drill some holes.

Seriously... they have all kinds of cool stuff...

18V Chuckless Drill - 15 bucks!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93440

I know I can use this for something
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90833

water changes anyone
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46750

power outage any time soon
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=55362

fragging anything large
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3733

need a durable coating that will last even with saltwater hitting it
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94244

these things are great for cleaning your glass
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94833

water quality
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94759

good place to store that fish food
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95188

I could shop there all day.

Ryobi is a great everyday type tool,.. and the price point is nice.

Hrmm, the prices from Harbor are ridiculous. (in a good way)

I like there stuff, but I don't think I would bang the crap out of it. Best part is when the battery dies you are not out $50+ looking for another one.

I agree with Cameron - I've bought some of my tools from Harbor Freight with the notion that I'll replace it in a year or two... and never did. For their prices, you can almost justify throwing the tool away after a few uses (almost...).

Also be aware that most tools are like the standard/luxury car market. Just like Honda is to Acura, Toyota is to Lexus, Nissan is to Infiniti, etc, Black and Decker is to Dewalt, and some other ones.

In other words, the company is the same, but the price and usually (but not always) the quality is better.

Those prices are CRAZY. They have a "dremmel" $9.99 too

I bought a Ryobi set of power tools (circular saw, drill, orbital sander) for about $100. While it's clearly not top of the line, it definitely gets the job done for those once a month type jobs.

Don't forget, there's a lifetime warranty on ALL craftsman tools. My dad had a few tools that bit the dust after 20 or so years of use. He just took them back to Sears and got free replacements, no questions asked.

300 posts - woohoo

I can't speak for cordless stuff because I don't own any (I like that imminent danger of electrical shock -- keeps things interesting).

However I can say everything I have ever bought from Ryobi (I have fallen for the siren's song of cheap drill bits and those sets) has broken. Drill bits. Countersink set. Scroll Saw blades. You name it.

If it says "Made in China" and it's metal, steer clear.

I use a set like this from harbor

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32926

I have punched through tons of car firewalls, fiberglass, metal safety walls with them and they are still going stong.

Just like everything in this hobby and in life. You get what you pay for. Some times buying the same cheap tool twice cost more than a good tool once. Something to think about.
Jerry

I am definitely not the everyday tool user but do occasionally have a big project (hung up my plasma and next project is a wine cellar). Most of my stuff though is hanging shelves, picture frames, laying down attic boards etc....

I had a Ryobi drill and it lasted about 8 mos. I had a Ryobi jigsaw that I threw away.....that said the only thing I recommend ryobi for is a dremel....I had one in college that I used alot and it was great which is why I bought their tools....obviously their tools are not made to the same quality or I had really bad luck....

For a mid level price and a great quality tool I recommend Black and Decker. B&D owns DeWalt and the tools are very much the same. You pay a big premium for the DeWalt name (they are better but not worth the extra cash for the casual tool user). My BD jigsaw has seen some good use and has been great and I recently bought a BD 18v drill w/ 440lbs of torque that I used to help a friend mount his TV and it was awesome.....

Oh yeah, and their customer service is great if you need it but I doubt you will.....just my two cents....

gluck....

Makita power tools are my favorite. I can wait to have a garage full of Makita tool that I don't know how to use.

+1 on the Makita's! I have several Makita tools and have never once had a problem with them, I mean other than then not cutting straight drilling a hole crooked....oh wait that was me!

If you are going to get a cordless tool, Ryobi is a great buy, they have many options, car charger is my favorite. Replacement batteries are really cheap and can be repaired. I have 6 of their 18V drills, that my drivers use. Harbor Freight has great buys on sockets, wrenches, and corded tools, do not get cordless from Harbor Freight. I have many corded tools from them though, for intermitent uses. For everyday use get Craftsman, like screwdrivers and others. Heavy use tools, go for name brands Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Makita.
Air tools are my favorite!!! They will last forever, I have air circular saws, chainsaws, and routers. A good air compressor and you are ready to rock!!!
When pricing tools try Toolbarn.com and Tylertool.com also.