Hi All
Just thought some others might be interested in this I picked up a 7.2V cordless screwdriver/drill at bunnings today for $19.95 they have other stuff also between $19.95 - $29.95 drills, jigsaws and some other stuff all the XU1 branded electric tools.
this.
The XU1/Ozito drill/hammer drill unit is a nasty piece of crap. I tried drilling a 1/4 inch hole in brick and went through 2 new (brand name) masonry drill bits. The grease that lubricates the hammer gearbox liquified and leaked out the front seal onto my hand, burning it. I'll give it one thing though - the case is tough, because I threw it to the ground in anger with all the strength of my 105 kg body, and it didn't break.
I'd been using crap drills and cordless' for years (should know better, I'm a tradie). I'd had enough, and went straight to The Tool Centre and bought a Metabo drill/hammer drill and a 21V cordless.
I never regretted it - the Metabo hammer drill punched through the brick in seconds. The reason the XU1/Ozito hammer is no good is because the drill is too light - it bounces instead of the bit. In regards to the Metabo cordless, I built my front fence and drilled and screwed in over 100 2" screws with the cordless on one charge.
Never buy crap tools. They will die on you when you need them most. Factor in your time travelling to and from the purchase destination - probably an hour and a half all up. Do that twice when the crap tool dies and theres 3 hours lost. Say $50 per hour x 3 = $150 LOST on travel time buying crap tools. Use this money to buy good tools. They'll last you a lifetime.
</end rant>
I'm with TonyP. Life's too short to buy low-quality tools.
Good advice
Great advice TonyP. Wish I had read this before buying the DIY $38 Ozito drill yesterday; gone through two Bosch bits already trying to drill without achieving anything worthwhile. Hope I had bought something more expensive; against the advice of the Bunnings guy. Wonder if it can be changed now for something better.
i don't think you'll have any problem returning it for something better…
Have to agree the XU1 stuff is pure rubbish. We never pushed our drill to hard, because we simply couldn't - the batteries were useless. And since it only works on batteries and not off mains it was basically useless. You couldn't not expect them to hold any type of charge and when you actually need the drill it was never usable.
Bought a cheap Ryobi which I'm sure is at the lowest end of the scale but it does a much better job.
Real cordless tools use 18v.
12v maybe, but 7v?
Spend money on what you use again and again, cheap out for the one off tool.
Mind you I have a 20 yr old corded drill just for hanging picture frames.
I think the 7v cordless he is referring to is one of those small units that are more of a cordless screwdriver than your regular drill. The odd bit of drilling in plasterboard or similar soft material would be ok but probably better for assembling flat pack furniture.
isn't this just the regular price for these tools?
Do Bunnings even have sales ? Isn't everything the same price all the time ??
I've been reading through your comments - you are a very angry person. You've never posted a bargain, yet you seem to be very quick to post negative comments!
Sorry I don't go in there much just went in a for browse today and saw these thought they were specials as they were in there catalouge also.
The drill I got is a mini one just basic for unscrewing things apart and putting things back together better then using a hand tool for me anyway I don't use these kind of tools much so not worth the investment for me to spend much on them I buy these no name cheapies and when there dead I just buy another I have had a XU1 14.4V drill that has lasted me 3 years and still going strong so no complaints here :)
If you want a cheap easy cordless screwdriver keep your eyes open for a GMC Cordless screwdriver. It doesn't use batteries but capacitors. Charges in about 1.5 mins. Doesn't last a real long time on a charge, but you'll never have issues with non charging batteries.
If you want really cheap tools, try places like Big-W and Kmart.
I needed an angle grinder for a one-off job, and
Kmart was way cheaper than bunnings.
Will agree not to waste money on cheap hammer drills though. Those things have a tough life :-)
Cheap tools are only good for one-off jobs, i.e. with my pergola done I will never need that belt sander again.
To get top quality power tools at a great price just order them from USA. Sellers on Ebay often include a step down transformer for the charger. If you already have a charger you can get additional skins from www.toolking.com.
I never regretted going Makita LXT for all the tools I use on a regular basis. But I am very glad I found them on Ebay compared to the rip off prices at local hardware stores.
G'day team teri. Just wondering where I can find the quality power tools you are talking about at great prices from the US. Any links to sites on eBay would also be most helpful. What have your experiences been like, i.e delivery time, taxes, warranties, etc.
Any info would be handy as I'm after a few decent tools at the moment
I have to agree.. many years ago i thought ohh this is a cheap drill i will buy it.. only to wish i didnt the first gime i use it.. since i learnt my lesson, i looked at makita.. purchased the cordless kit about 6 years ago.. and it was still going strong, besides the battery (14v nicad).. i sold the kit on ebay, and bought the makitga lxt kit.. when makitga say 18v 3ah (lipo).. you can be sure thats what you get from the batery, and it will last many years.. the cheap bunnings/kmart/bigw etc tools.. say 18v 3ah, and die within 5 mins.. (not sure how they rate them) and only last a handfull of recharges.. not just that but for example the drill, dont hold the drill bits properly, so they end up damaging your drill bits as well..
It's just cheap Ozito stuff, branded XU1 for Bunnings… They are always around that price…