Combo Kits – Good idea?

If you’re just beginning a power tool collection, one of the best methods for stretching your  budget can be purchasing a tool combo kit. Most of the well known manufacturers such as Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita offer combination packages featuring several of their tools that are popular with home improvement enthusiasts. In most cases the purchase cost of these package deals is well below what the tools might cost when bought separately.

While these combo kits can consist of many types of tools, the most frequently seen combinations usually consist of tools that utilize the same battery for operation – it is rare, but not unheard of to find electric powered tool offered in a combo kit. Many DIYers and professional craftsmen have discovered the convenience of battery powered tools can be a real timesaver around the home or jobsite and combo kits can be a way to purchase the most needed models at a good price.

Types of Combo Kits

Combo kits can range from a small group of two or three tools up to large arrangements of 15 tools or more that may be everything needed for your home workshop. You can also choose from smaller 12 volt tools that are handy for little projects that pop up around the home or go with combo kits featuring larger 18 and 20 volt power tools that would be welcome on any professional construction site. A few examples of the combo kits available:

DeWalt DCK655X 18 Volt

This kit from a manufacturer well known for their high quality tools consists of:

  • Hammer drill
  • Circular saw
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Impact driver
  • Cutoff tool
  • Floodlight

The package comes with two 18 volt batteries and a charger.

Milwaukee 2694-24

Milwaukee is a name that is often mentioned when professional craftsmen discuss their favorite tool manufacturers.  The company’s tools are durable, reliable, and manufactured to very high standards – this small 18 volt combo kit is no exception and consists of:

  • Circular saw
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Hammer drill
  • Worklight

The kit comes with two 18 volt batteries and a charger.

Makita 18V Lithium Ion 15 Piece Group

If you’re just starting out your battery powered tool collection, this combo kit may provide all the tools you’ll ever need to purchase. Makita is a well respected name in the power tool industry and their products are found on construction sites around the world. This versatile kit consists of:

  • Metal cutting saw
  • Large impact wrench
  • Small impact wrench
  • Hammer drill
  • Impact driver
  • Circular saw
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Angle grinder
  • Rotary hammer
  • Angle drill
  • Drywall screwdriver
  • Blower

The kit also has two flashlights, a jobsite FM-AM radio, four 18 volt Lithium Ion batteries and two chargers.

Combo Kit Considerations

If you purchase a combo kit that features more than two or three tools, it can be a good idea to make sure it comes with at least two batteries – having a large variety of tools is great, but they can only be used as long as you have charged batteries. If you plan on using the tools on a frequent basis, you may find it worth your while to purchase a few additional batteries and perhaps even an extra charger.

While large combo kits can be very tempting, they’re only a good deal if you’ll be using all of the tools. If you think you’ll only find uses for a drill and reciprocating saw, buying them separately or in a small combo kit might be a better option than purchasing them in a group of ten other tools that may never see use.