need more info from you

how often will you be using it

no need to get certian models if you are an occasional fixer upper

Holy smokes, I agree, what an open ended question. How big is your wallet??

Dear Mustang,
Don't worry about my wallet. Do you have any ideas? Let's hear them! I like quality. If I have to wait and save a little longer, then so be it. But, let us not get carried away. Over the years I have acquired some top of the line tools and they are amazing! Not to mention how long they last, durable, etc.. You get the picture. I will give you an example. Have you heard of Occidental Leather tool belts? Well, the model that I am picking up is the 5080DB that sells for $149.95 from Home Lumber. Most guys would not go for it but I do. Well, that's that! I await your response.

a)Milwaukee
b)way wide open subject - portable or shop or contractors
Grizzly has been good values here. Jet, Delta also
c)I use the Paslode Trimpulse- seven or eight years now. The Senco trim guns are nice too.
Porter cable has some great power tools, but they've gotten a rep for messing up with the air powered line they brought out. I would lean away from them on this one.

Okay. I should be able to use the table saw at home in my workshop. That is, it should be heavy enough to be stationary but also portable where I can take it on the job. Sort of the best of both worlds? I hope this clarifys a little. When you provide the brand name please indicate what model you are referring to.

i would go bosch on the hammerdrill...or if you are looking for more power bosch also makes a 3/4" rotary hammer that makes fast work of drilling through concrete...

if you want a top of the line portable table saw that still has enough power to use it like a stationary model get the ridgid portable contractors saw through the home depot...it has an extendeable table which allows for a 25" rip capacity...and it comes on a collapsable stand/cart that works great when moving it around...i have had this saw for 2 years now and i love it because i can use my dado cutter w/ ease...

as for the trim gun i would recommend the paslode impulse angled finish nailer

Stay away from Crafts man for your power tools. I made the mistake of buying a TS and drill press from them and had to go through 3 of them before they finally refunded my money. None of them had a quill that was stable. when I lowered the quill I could physically move it around in circles. I wound up with a delta and have had nothing but good things with it. The table saw has a warped top, it is cast iron, the arbor wobbles, the motor is under powered and the fence was garbage, and it was their top of the line unit. I also purchased a band saw with electronic read out that failed twice on the second unit I had since the first one had needed to be returned because the motor locked the first time I used it. on the other hand I have a radial arm saw that my dad purchased around 78 or so and it is fantastic, acurate and strong. I dont know what happened to their tool line since that time, but the quality just isnt there anymore, unfortunately I found out too late and had spent over $2500 on the tools that I am now stuck with. I was able to modify the table saw to the point where I can utilize it for cabinet and furnture work, but would have prefered a better model.

For the nailer, I have tried bostitch, cambell hausfield and porter cable, so far the PC nailers have worked the best and the nails can be found anywhere you go, unlike the bostitch one I have, only a few centers carry them.

For the hammer dril I got a Bosch one that works awesome through the hardest concrete. I was able to dril a 1" hole through a concrete foundation for a brick home, I think it was at least 15" thick, and it took me about 10 minutes to do so. I cant say enough good things about that drill.

FOr the Table saw and any other stationary tool your considering check Wood magazine, they have comparisons, all unbiased as well, where they do a head to head comparison on each tool and post the results along with MSRP on each tool and where to buy them. For a good tablesaw, I cant give you my opinion since Im kinda stuck with the one I have, and havent had a chance to try out other brands. Best bet would be to shop around and play with each one and go over the SPECS on the motor before buying one. You might want to consider a shop smith if you can afford one, I have heard nothing but good things about it and it is one of the most versitel(sp?) tools I have ever seen. If you have a Lowe's near you,m they may have one they demo every so often.

ACD...

to answer your question of what happened to the good ol' craftsman quality tools...

craftsman's shop tools used to be made by emmerson tool corp. ...now they are built by the same company that makes ryobi tools for home depot...

however...if you want to get that old style quality give ridgid tools a shot...they are available exclusively at the home depot...made by emmerson tools and they have a lifetime warranty...i have one of their tablesaws, miter saw & oscillating spindle sander...i love 'em

man just re read my earlier post. I hate this keyboard on my lap top, way too many mistakes. heh.

For now, I dont see any tool purchases as far as stationary for quite sometime. That is as long as the motor holds up on the table saw, right now thats the only part I havent upgraded on the saw.