Thanks for all the recommendations guys. I thought the Milwaukee stuff just looked solidly engineered and built (hey, they even still use a metal gear casing!).
I wouldn't want this one for a lot of masonry work, but it's handy to have the hammer facility just in case. I know Milwaukee does do 240V versions as I've seen them listed in the Jensen Tools catalog. I'll just go with American 120V though, as xfmrs are no problem.
DeWalt tools do seem to be quite popular here these days. I have only one DeWalt - a DW62 circular saw that I bought a few years ago (made in Slovenia, would you believe?).
By the way, a lot of the non-DIY-type tools are available in 240 and 110V versions here (the latter for commercial building sites). The British/European versions are fitted with different cord sets, but also some of them have different switches, suppressors, etc. to satisfy the various European approvals bodies instead of UL/CSA.
I still have a couple of older B&D drills at home, one about 15 to 20 and the other at least 30 years old. I'm not too keen on their modern range though.
Bosch and Makita are also quite popular.
Re spares, I know the problem. Trying to get any here generally means a 40-mile+ round-trip into the city, and that's if they have any in stock. No Milwaukee stuff here at all, but I'm sure I could get any spares sent from the States in less time and with less expense than it takes to chase parts down here. Crazy or what?!
[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 08-23-2002).]
