Power Tools

Power Tools buying guide

Veldkraft lists 847 power tools, priced from R8 to R149 613, from brands including RYOBI Power Equipment, Positec, Kaufmann X Outdoor, Mitco. Orders are delivered to all nine provinces and to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.

Which power tool does the job?

Start with the job, then the battery platform, then the accessories. This range covers cordless drill drivers and combo kits, impact wrenches, circular saws, angle grinders and cordless vacuums, plus batteries, chargers, drill bits, grinding wheels and cutting discs. Brands include RYOBI Power Equipment, WORX South Africa, Positec, Kyocera Power Tools, Stanley, Mitco, Pferd and Superflex. Fixings such as threaded rod also sit here.

Pick a battery platform first

Choose the battery system before the individual tool. Batteries and chargers generally fit only tools of the same brand and voltage platform, such as 14.4 V, 18 V or 20 V, so staying on one platform lets one set of batteries run every tool. Listings marked tool only come without a battery or charger. Battery capacity in amp-hours, such as 8Ah, mainly sets run time.

Brushless or brushed motor?

Brushless is worth the extra cost if you use a tool often or for heavy work. Brushless motors run cooler, waste less battery power and have no carbon brushes to wear out, so you get more work per charge and a longer motor life. Brushed tools cost less and are fine for occasional jobs around the house or farm. Brushless models are usually marked as such in the listing title.

Drill driver or impact wrench?

Use a drill driver for drilling holes and driving screws, and an impact wrench for nuts and bolts. Impact wrenches are rated by torque in newton-metres: around 300 Nm handles most car wheel nuts and general assembly, while 1700 Nm high-torque models with a 3/4 inch drive suit trucks, tractors and seized bolts. The square drive size, 1/2 or 3/4 inch, must match your sockets, and only impact-rated sockets should be used.

Angle grinder discs and wheels

Match every disc to the angle grinder's diameter and speed. A 115 mm grinder is light and suits small cutting and grinding jobs, while a 230 mm grinder cuts deeper and suits heavy steel. The disc's maximum speed must be at or above the grinder's rated speed. Use thin cutting discs only for cutting and grinding wheels for grinding, and never side-grind with a cutting disc. Keep the guard on and wear eye protection.

Drill bits and circular saw blades

Choose bits by material. Flat wood bits bore large holes in timber, HSS bits drill steel and other metals, and masonry bits drill brick and concrete; SDS-Plus bits need a drill with an SDS-Plus chuck. On a circular saw, the blade diameter, such as 185 mm, sets the maximum cutting depth, and the blade's bore must match the saw's arbor. Fewer teeth cut faster, while more teeth leave a cleaner edge.

Power Tools: common questions

Which cordless drill should I buy?

Pick the battery platform first, then the drill. An 18 V or 20 V drill driver handles most home, farm and workshop drilling and screwing. Choose brushless if you use it often, a kit with battery and charger if you are new to the platform, and tool only if you already own batteries. A combo kit, such as the Ryobi 18V nine-piece kit, adds a grinder, impact wrench and more on one battery system.

How much do power tools cost in South Africa?

Veldkraft lists 847 power tools and accessories priced from R8 to R149 613. Drill bits, discs and threaded rod sit at the low end, with cordless combo kits and larger machines at the top. Price rises with battery voltage and capacity, brushless motors, torque, whether a battery and charger are included, and the number of tools in a kit.

Can I use a different brand battery in my drill?

Not as a rule. Batteries and chargers are designed for one brand's platform, with matching terminals, voltage and electronics, so a battery from another brand will not fit or may damage the tool. Use the battery and charger made for your tool's platform.

What size angle grinder do I need?

A 115 mm angle grinder suits most light cutting, grinding and rust removal and is easier to control. A 230 mm grinder cuts deeper and removes more material, but it is heavier and needs both hands. Buy discs that match the grinder's size, with a rated speed at or above the grinder's speed, and replace any disc that is cracked or chipped.

What does tool only mean on a listing?

Tool only means the listing includes the tool itself without a battery or charger. It suits buyers who already own batteries on the same platform and voltage. If you are starting a new platform, choose a kit that includes a battery and charger, or add them separately, such as an 8Ah battery for longer run time.

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