Are power tool combo kits worth it? Tradies tool review

Checking your inventory as you head into the new year is something Geelong-based carpenters Gary Bluschke and his son Dale recommend, as does construction all-rounder Tracey Melville. The three chippies put two combo kits – one for AEG and another for Makita, and the Paslode FrameMaster NightWolf, through their paces and gave us their verdict on why they should be in your toolkit this year.

Tip:  Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and a mask, for example) when required on the job. Always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Are power tool combo kits worth it?

Yes, say Gary, Dale and Tracey, who put the following combo kits to task and give their opinion on why these power tools should be in a carpenter’s kit:

Makita 18V Brushless 6-Piece Combo Kit: What are the main perks?

● All tools are compatible with the Makita 18V and 2X18V range
● The batteries supplied are 5.0Ah and compatible with all star-compliant Makita tools 
● The brushless motors allow for longer running times with cooler temperatures 
● Tool bag allows for easy transportation of the tools.

AEG 18V Brushless 3-Piece 5.0Ah Force Kit. What are the main perks?

● Hammer drill has 90Nm of torque, 2100rpm and 31,500ipm
● 2900rpm and 4200ipm in impact driver
● Removable mesh filtration cap on angle grinder

Paslode FrameMaster NightWolf Nail Gun Kit. What are the main perks?

● Light, better balanced and designed to move with you
● With 1500 shots per fuel cell, you’ll get more done between refuels
● Lower cost nails and fuel, due to firing efficiency, saves you money
● Extended service life, so you spend less time at the repair shop
● Comes with a three-year warranty 

What's the verdict on the Makita 6-piece combo kit? Carpenter’s take

Product: Makita 18V Brushless 6-Piece Combo Kit

What’s in the combo kit?

● DHP486Z hammer driver drill
● DTD154Z impact driver
● DGA504Z 125mm angle grinder
● DHS680Z 165mm circular saw
● DJR187Z recipro saw
● DML802 LED torch
● 2 x 5.0Ah batteries
● Rapid charger
● Tool bag

What is the tradies’ verdict?

Hammer driver drill (DHP486Z)

What Gary says: “This one feels familiar to me because I’ve had Makita drills for years; they’re powerful and reliable. These are a great tool to have on hand because you can use it
as a normal drill, perfect for timber or steel with the right bits. Then, if you need to put a plug into masonry, you can flick it to hammer and with a masonry bit it’ll do the job nicely. It’s a handy
tool, this one.”

Impact driver (DTD154Z)

What Dale says: “I liked this driver from the start. I’ve used plenty of impact drivers through
the years and use one a lot on the job still, and this one definitely felt like it had a bit more power in it to me – even though it also feels lighter in weight. It’s great in the hand and feels pretty balanced with the battery locked in. You can feel it’s powerful straight away and that it has
a lot of torque, which is important.”

165mm circular saw (DHS680Z)

What Dale says: “Circular saws are one of the most used tools a chippy will have, and we’ve got
a pretty new Makita, so this felt very familiar. It’s got a lot of torque to cut through whatever you need. If my other Makitas are any guide, they’re a long-lasting tool, so I was very happy with this one. My only other thought was I’d prefer the model with the blade on the opposite side. That would just feel more natural to me.”

Recipro saw (DJR187Z)

What Gary says: “We have a Makita recipro already, which we use a lot, but it’s the larger model, so the first thing I noticed was that this is a lot lighter and easier in the hand. But it still has a lot of power, so there wasn’t a feeling like it was any less of a tool at all. The size and weight would make this easier to use in tighter spaces, and if you have to hold it for a long time.”

125mm angle grinder (DGA504Z)

What Tracey says: “Makita grinders have been a favourite of mine for a long time. With the right blade they’ve got the power to accurately cut through steel, concrete, cement sheets, tiles ... whatever you need. What I love about this new one is it has all that, plus there’s the safety features my old grinder didn’t have. With the safety switch on this one, if I take my finger off the button it stops almost instantly. None of that winding down for ages. That’s a huge improvement!” 

Is the AEG 3-piece combo kit any good? Tracey’s take

The product: AEG 18V Brushless 3-Piece 5.0Ah Force Kit

What’s in the kit?

● 18V hammer drill
● 18V 3-speed impact driver
● 18V 125mm angle grinder
● 18V Force 5.0Ah battery pack
● 18V 3.2A charger
● Tool bag

What’s the overall review?

“I’ve got to be honest, I’ve been using the AEG kit a lot since I first tested them and they’ve become some of my favourite tools. They’re lighter in weight, which is perfect if you’re using them all day, but that doesn’t mean they don’t also pack a punch.”

18V brushless hammer drill

What Tracey says: “This is a very good drill. With variable speeds (2100rpm for standard drilling and 31,500ipm in hammer mode), it’s up for anything. It feels good to hold and to use, and it has a lot of torque for its weight. This was surprising for me because when I first picked it up I was taken aback by the fact it didn’t feel like a deadweight, like a lot of hammer drills can do.”

18V 3-speed impact driver

What Tracey says: “I was a bit unsure about this when I first picked it up because it is light, but when I tested it, the torque is definitely there and it does the job well. From the moment I used it,
I could feel the power and torque right through the speed range (from 2900rpm and 4200ipm for heavy-duty screwdriving). I like this one a lot!”

18V 125mm angle grinder

What Tracey says: “Angle grinders are a bit of a standard tool for cutting metal, concrete, cement board, tiles – all sorts of things – so I was very interested to try this out. And it certainly performs.
It feels really good in your hand, is well-balanced and with the right cutting blade. I’ve found this a really great addition to the toolbox. It’s just a nice-feeling tool that gets the job done, and that’s what you want.”

Is the Paslode nail gun worth it? Carpenter’s take

The product: Paslode FrameMaster NightWolf Nail Gun Kit

What’s in the Paslode FrameMaster NightWolf kit?

● Two batteries and a charger
● Safety glasses
● Allen key
● Carry case

The tradies’ verdicts

Q: How does it feel in your hands?

Tracey: “This feels very good, well-balanced and has enough weight behind it so you know
it’s up to the job.”
Dale: “It wouldn’t want to be any heavier though, especially if you had to hold it over your head
for doing trusses for a long time.”
Gary: “The weight is there, definitely, and that might take some getting used to, but the power is impressive and a big change to what we’ve had before! I’ve just put four nails into an LVL and the stud behind it, just to test, and they’ve all gone straight in with no problems.”

Q: What power rating would you give it?

Gary: “It’s got a lot of power. Just from testing it on some 60mm LVL, the nail went all the way in. Usually, you have to shoot the nail in then get a hammer out to get the last quarter of an inch in, this goes right in every time!”
Tracey: “It does. That’s a big improvement on other framers. I can see this being useful for when you’ve got harder timber, for sure. There’s also a better indicator, so you know how much gas is left and the ventilation seems to be improved – you can’t smell the gas after each shot like you could sometimes.”

Keep in mind …

When using power tools, always use the recommended safety gear.

After more tradie tool reviews?

Two carpentry experts share their top nine must-have back to work tools and products.

Frequently asked questions

Are power tool combo kits good value for tradies?
Yes. Combo kits offer better value than buying tools individually, especially if you’re starting out or expanding your kit. You get multiple tools, compatible batteries and chargers in one purchase, which saves money and reduces downtime on site.

Can I use the batteries across other tools in the same brand?
Both Makita and AEG combo kits use battery platforms designed to work across their broader cordless ranges. This means you can add tools later without needing new batteries or chargers, as long as they’re compatible with the same voltage system.

Are brushless tools worth it for everyday carpentry work?
Brushless tools generally run cooler, last longer and deliver more efficient power than brushed models. For tradies using tools all day, this can mean longer run times, less maintenance and more consistent performance on site.

How do I choose between a combo kit and buying individual tools?
If you need multiple tools straight away, a combo kit is usually the smarter option. Buying individual tools can make sense if you’re upgrading one specific tool or already invested in a battery platform, but kits are often the most cost-effective starting point.

Is a framing nail gun like the Paslode NightWolf suitable for hard timber?
Yes. The Paslode FrameMaster NightWolf is designed to handle harder timbers such as LVLs, with strong driving power and improved efficiency. Features like better gas indication and balance make it more practical for extended framing work.