Interestingly, Makita, like Festool, and to a lesser extent Mafell got its start by _repairing_ stuff, only expanding into tool manufacture long after the company was established --- some folks argue that this experience of repairing other tools/motors/transformers allowed them to learn how _not_ to build a tool. These three are pretty much the only independent power tool companies left, and the tools I've bought of them have been excellent quality.

- Makita 9.6V drill which I've had 4 of (first I stupidly sold in an estate sale, second my son claimed, third I gifted to my daughter, current is an NOS from eBay which I'm planning on keeping/using for forever) --- my son later bought into the newer Makita 18V line and uses them extensively for his backstage theater work, as well as a stick vacuum w/ a cyclone which he uses to clean his apartment. (Finally broke down and bought some Dremel battery powered tools (apparently they use the same 12V batteries as Bosch tools) --- debating on expanding on that....)

- Festool CT Midi vacuum --- purchased in a noise-induced migraine-fueled rage, this is quiet and works perfectly as dust collection for my CNC machines

- Mafell FM 1000 WS --- a quick change spindle/milling motor, the engineering on this brings a smile to my face whenever I use it

Buy once, cry once --- the quality will remain long after the sting of the initial high price is forgotten.

For hand tools, consider Bridge City Tool Works and Blue Spruce Tools, or Mitutoyo, or Starrett, or buying vintage.

In his workshop, my father only use Festool (plus whatever he use for metalwork), but everytime he have to work outside, crawl somewhere or drill a concrete slab on a rooftop, it's Makita everytime. His makita tools have been dinked, have fallen 10+ meters, have weathered both storm and heatwaves, and some of them still run fine after 20 years.

Strong agreement with this! I managed somehow to jam a drill bit in my Makita cordless drill a few years back. It was just enough of a pain that I didn't feel comfortable trying to fix it myself, so I requested a repair through Makita. I remember calling them and getting it all set up via a real customer service person who seemed pretty obviously based in the U.S. (ironically). His name was Mark and he was great and made it all super smooth for me.

I got the drill back a little while later entirely repaired, the bent drill bit included in the return package, and I was charged absolutely nothing for any of it because I guess I was still under warranty and I didn't realize it. It was a fantastic customer service interaction and absolutely increased my loyalty to the company.

...and that's leaving aside the quality of their tools. In my experience they are incredibly rugged--among other things, for a week-long landscaping project I used that same drill with a gigantic bit to dig holes in frozen dirt, and it powered through it without issues. Great tools and a solid company.

I second this, and buy into the 40V line if you need to power garden tools.