New Tools unfortunately

[anonymous-user]

So looks like my van was broken into last night and all of my tools were stolen. I’m just looking to see what brand to replace them with and whether a cheaper brand would be a more viable option.

[reggie747]

Sorry to hear that.
Try Erbauer as a brand, they're non too shabby and well priced.

[anonymous-user]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 01 February 2026 at 13:02

[FlyingPanda]

Some more info would help.
Are you trade or DIY?
What work/jobs are they for?
What tools do you need? (Hand or power)
How hard do they get used/abused?
What’s your budget?
Etc etc.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Keep an eye on marketplace and visit the car boot sales. If you find your own tools there the only tool you need at the moment is a claw hammer.

[GasEngineer]

Ryobi are good value too.

[anonymous-user]

FlyingPanda said:

Some more info would help.
Are you trade or DIY?
What work/jobs are they for?
What tools do you need? (Hand or power)
How hard do they get used/abused?
What s your budget?
Etc etc.

I’m in the trade. I work as a Fire and Security Engineer. Luckily I’ve spare hand tools but it’s the power tools that have gone. Budget is £500.

[OldGermanHeaps]

A big sds will be your biggest expense.
For the rest milwaukee m12 is enough for the job and cheap. Either get a mains sds, or the big m18chpx come up cheap as there is a beaeing that fails but milwaukee wont supply as a spare part, but by measuring the dimensions you can buy the bearing on ebay.
I have had genuine milwaukee batteries off aliexpress for dirt cheap and the serial numbers verify when registering for warranty.
On the fire and security groups on facebook i have picked up bargain solo poles and testifire units, db testers etc from retiring engineers.

[anonymous-user]

OldGermanHeaps said:

A big sds will be your biggest expense.
For the rest milwaukee m12 is enough for the job and cheap. Either get a mains sds, or the big m18chpx come up cheap as there is a beaeing that fails but milwaukee wont supply as a spare part, but by measuring the dimensions you can buy the bearing on ebay.
I have had genuine milwaukee batteries off aliexpress for dirt cheap and the serial numbers verify when registering for warranty.
On the fire and security groups on facebook i have picked up bargain solo poles and testifire units, db testers etc from retiring engineers.

I’ll have a look Milwaukee M12 is probably the most expensive brand out of them all. It’s what I had. Hence why looking at other brands.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Its about 90 quid for an impact and 100 for a combi drill.
Using them professionally i have found cheaper stuff will fail sooner and jobs take longer so skimping on quality is a false economy.
Plus when doing 10+ hours working overhead the extra weight of cheaper tools will slow you down.
Found lumsden stewart will discount milwaukee if you haggle, plenty of the trade counters will, especially if you are buying a few things at the same time.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Sunday 1st February 14:06

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

I install Telecoms, got one of these, had it for about 4 years with no issues.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gbh-18v-21-2-4kg-...

[anonymous-user]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Its about 90 quid for an impact and 100 for a combi drill.
Using them professionally i have found cheaper stuff will fail sooner and jobs take longer so skimping on quality is a false economy.
Plus when doing 10+ hours working overhead the extra weight of cheaper tools will slow you down.
Found lumsden stewart will discount milwaukee if you haggle, plenty of the trade counters will, especially if you are buying a few things at the same time.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Sunday 1st February 14:06

I’ll have a look as I can’t see any Fuel tools for that price.

[anonymous-user]

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

I install Telecoms, got one of these, had it for about 4 years with no issues.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gbh-18v-21-2-4kg-...

That looks okay. I’ve seen good reviews on Bosch Professional.

[OldGermanHeaps]

https://www.powertoolmate.co.uk/power-tools/milwau...
Guessing you are vat registered, ithard not to be now
74 quid
15 quid for a genuine 3 amp off aliexpress, mine took 5 days delivery
24 quid for the m12/m18 fast charger
https://www.powertoolmate.co.uk/power-tools/milwau...
103 for the top notch fuel combi, more than powerful enough for drilling 6mm holes into masonry all day, or big holesaws in gear 1. Paired with a 6ah battery it is as powerful as my old m18 combi.

Or if you want a cheap starter kit
https://www.powertoolmate.co.uk/power-tools/milwau...

But i have found you can beat those prices haggling at thevarious small independent trade counters.

Cef will haggle too if you have a good account manager.

[DavePanda]

Would Ryobi be any good?

Their sales are great, at the minute many tools are on sale and you get a free tool with 4Ah battery plus a free powerbank

I've filled my shed with them this year.

[OldGermanHeaps]

DavePanda said:

Would Ryobi be any good?

Their sales are great, at the minute many tools are on sale and you get a free tool with 4Ah battery plus a free powerbank

I've filled my shed with them this year.

Ryobi are decent for durability, but heavier and less powerful than pro grade kit.

[98elise]

OldGermanHeaps said:

DavePanda said:

Would Ryobi be any good?

Their sales are great, at the minute many tools are on sale and you get a free tool with 4Ah battery plus a free powerbank

I've filled my shed with them this year.

Ryobi are decent for durability, but heavier and less powerful than pro grade kit.

Agreed they are excellent (price and range) for home/DIY but not really pro quality

[anonymous-user]

I think I’ll go for this SDS. It’s not the smallest but it’s in one kit:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gbh-18v-21-2-4kg-...

You can’t fault the specs on this

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-eri1078sds-3-4k...

[Promised Land]

OldGermanHeaps said:

DavePanda said:

Would Ryobi be any good?

Their sales are great, at the minute many tools are on sale and you get a free tool with 4Ah battery plus a free powerbank

I've filled my shed with them this year.

Ryobi are decent for durability, but heavier and less powerful than pro grade kit.

Having been on site since the 80's nobody and I mean nobody uses Ryobi kit, fine for you lot that do occasional weekend DIY but the OP is trade so he wants decent reliable kit, usual suspects Makita, Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaulkee etc for SDS , impacts or cordless drills all dependant on which brand you're linked into with other stuff if cordless.

If on site I would say minimum 5amp batteries now as well, and take your kit out of your van at night. Takes seconds to do.

[FlyingPanda]

We have a network of 120+ fitters and get sent tools and equipment to test all the time. Having been around the houses with all of the different price points, we’ve ended up at about 60% Makita and 40% Dewalt. Everything else has proven to be a false economy.