Best Tool Deals Worth Knowing About: Belt Sanders, Planers, Nailers and Outdoor Power

Introduction

Every so often the tool aisles fill up with markdowns that are actually worth paying attention to, and right now is one of those times. Big sales are running across several major brands, a surprisingly affordable belt sander has appeared, a beloved benchtop planer is discounted, and battery-powered outdoor equipment keeps expanding. This roundup pulls together the standout products and deals we would genuinely consider buying, with honest notes on where each one fits and where it does not.

As always, it pays to cross-check pricing before you buy. Some shelf tags look like a deal until you scan them at checkout, so verifying prices in the store app is a habit worth building.

Craftsman Belt Sander: A Rare Budget Option

Belt sanders have mostly been a premium category lately, so seeing Craftsman offer one at a much lower price point is genuinely interesting. For comparison, a recent Milwaukee belt sander release sits near $300, which makes the Craftsman option appealing for anyone who wants the tool without the premium spend. The line is positioned closer to DeWalt motor hardware in spirit, aiming for a bit more power while keeping the accessible Craftsman pricing.

This is not a tool for fine furniture work, but for stock removal, door edges, and general shop duty it covers the fundamentals at a price that is hard to argue with.

DeWalt DW734 Planer: A Deal That Never Lasts

If you are into woodworking at all, the DeWalt DW734 is one of those tools that earns the phrase must-have. It has dropped from $550 to around $384.27, and that matters because these planers rarely go on sale. When they do, they tend to sell out quickly, so if you have been waiting for a price drop on a benchtop planer, this is the kind of window you act on rather than watch.

For anyone jointing rough lumber, dimensioning boards for furniture, or just flattening salvaged wood, a reliable benchtop planer transforms what you can build at home.

Metabo HPT 18V Grinder and Jigsaw: Strong Sale Pricing

Metabo HPT has a large sale running right now with a lot of their cordless lineup marked down. The new 18V grinder is down to $109, and the brand’s grinders have a solid reputation for working well in daily use. If you have been putting off adding a cordless grinder to your kit, this is a reasonable moment to pick one up.

The jigsaw is down to $88, which is especially compelling. It has been used successfully on real projects and holds up as a very capable jigsaw, particularly at that price. Other tools in the line, including an orbital sander around $100 and trim routers around $109, are also marked down. One practical tip: the same kits sometimes cost even less elsewhere, so it is worth comparing before committing.

DeWalt 12V Line: Unusually Good Bundles

The DeWalt 12V deals are still running, which is unusual because these promotions typically appear only around the holidays, and stock is currently plentiful. The current offer gives you a free starter battery pack, a 3Ah and a 5Ah, with the purchase of a tool. For someone who just needs a compact tool for occasional projects, an SDS hammer kit at $180 with two batteries is a practical, complete solution.

The line runs deeper than drills, too. The 12V impact wrenches are regarded as some of the best in their class, delivering performance that feels phenomenal for the size, and there is even a small portable band saw at around $180 that makes sense for light metalwork.

EGO Outdoor Power Tools: A Serious Battery Lineup

As the seasons turn, outdoor power equipment takes center stage, and EGO keeps expanding its battery platform in ways competitors have not matched in-store. The lineup now includes a battery pressure washer, an earth auger that most brands never even stock on shelves, a shop vac, and a large fan. On the saw side, there are three chainsaw options in store plus a pole saw, more than most major brands keep on hand at any given time.

Real-world experience with the platform tells a nuanced story. One lawn care operator ran EGO equipment commercially for two years and ultimately returned to gas, mostly because of expensive batteries. The tools themselves were great and durable, but battery power for heavy commercial duty is still maturing. For homeowners, though, the picture is much more favorable, and EGO would be a strong second-choice brand for anyone building an outdoor battery system.

Kobalt 40V and 80V Outdoor: The Value Alternative

If the goal is saving money on outdoor power equipment, Kobalt is a genuinely solid option. The 40V and 80V platforms perform well and have held up reliably in long-term family use, and the 5-year warranty adds real peace of mind. Current discounts are modest, around $50 off on some items, so it may be worth waiting for the deeper summer promotions that tend to follow.

Toolbox and Storage Thoughts

On the storage front, Klein Tools has taken over significant shelf space, and plenty of tradespeople swear by the brand, especially for electrical work. Kobalt’s modular toolbox system, however, is harder to recommend. It looks similar to competing modular systems but offers fewer features within a much smaller line, and full stock at every store visited suggests slower sales. For most buyers, a more mature modular ecosystem with a deep accessory catalog remains the safer long-term investment.

It is also worth noting the smaller finds: Kobalt jobsite markers priced close to a competing premium option, a 300-watt power inverter that runs on batteries and outputs 120 volts, bolt cargo bags around $40, and a 16-piece pink tool set for $25 that covers basic household needs nicely.

Buying Advice

The clearest urgent buys here are the DeWalt DW734 planer, given how rarely it goes on sale, and the Metabo HPT jigsaw at $88, which is excellent value for a proven performer. The Craftsman belt sander makes sense for budget-conscious shoppers, while the DeWalt 12V bundles suit anyone starting a compact cordless collection.

For outdoor equipment, EGO is the pick if you want the deepest battery platform, and Kobalt 40V/80V if you want reliability and warranty coverage at a lower entry cost. And whatever you choose, verify prices in the store app before checkout, because tag surprises happen more often than they should.

Conclusion

This round of deals covers a wide range of needs, from a first belt sander to a full outdoor battery system. The standout value plays are the DW734 planer discount, the Metabo HPT sale pricing, and the unusually timed DeWalt 12V bundles. Match the tool to the work you actually do, cross-check prices, and these are all purchases you are unlikely to regret.