Carpenters and carpentry apprentices opinions wanted...

[xlr8_87]

thought i might as well ask here, as there's no doubt a few chippy's around...

i'm getting my $800 tool allowance voucher tomorrow, but am not sure what I should buy with it.

Firstly i'll say what i've got, then what i'm thinking of getting. Any opinions would be great

I'm in top end domestic work (Toorak area if you know melb), if that changes what i should get.

Got:
Cordless Drill
Cordless Impact Driver
Circ. Saw
Level
Most hand tools

Thinking of getting:
Electric Plane
Framing Gun
Fixing Gun

Now with the guns, I might get a paslode framer, but won't get a fixer, they stuff up too many times, so any opinions against/for any particular item would be sweet

[Troy711]

depends on what you are doing. a paslode is an invaluable tool, ive had mine for about 7 years and it is still going. if you are looking at sticking with it i would go for a compressed air gun. you dont need to buy gas and they are quicker (in my opinion). and that way you can also use the compressor for fixing out and so forth.

[Troy711]

how much are framing guns going for these days? i paid about a grand for mine when i first got it

[slappa.]

like $600 now.. my opinion on the gas/air, i find getting the compressor out, running power/air leads, lugging the thing around with u from room to room, or up around trusses a pain.

the new design mould out gun seems to work alot better than the older design, if u keep them clean and use gas that isnt 6 months old, they shouldnt play up.

i'd go the electric plane first (nothing other than makita), then mould out cordless. but all depends on wat kind of work u do more often, frame truss, or interior work?? dont go dewalt for the guns, stay with paslode.

[VNexecutive]

yeah dewalt have gone downhill, was talking to a builder (im a joiner), and he's gotten rid of all his dewalt tools and gone with another brand (cant remember the brand sorry). the gas guns are good, we have a fixing one and it works well, but as said they are fairly slow. airguns are awesome if you can be bothered getting a compresser and running lines etc.

definitely get a makita electric plane. well worth the money spent on it. and can get them fairly cheapish when they're on sale. they come in handy and if well maintained they'll last for ages.

[xlr8_87]

cheers for the input guys

i've got dewalt cordless' and circ saw and they're all really good so far (6 months in), I was thinking of getting the dewalt cordless fixer, but after what you've said i probably won't

as for what i do more of, it's about equal (half framing/fixing), i think the framer would come in handy more often though.

and thanks for the tip on the makita plane, i've also been told this by work-mates