How many battery platforms are you using for power tools?

[johnre]

Two - Dewalt 20 V and Porter-Cable 18 V. The latter will be phased out when the battery packs go again; they have already have been replaced once with generic Chinese-built replacement packs.

 

[Whitworth]

Four

Milwaukee M12 and M18
DeWalt 20 volt
Kobalt 24 volt

 

[sparky 1971]

Three. M18, M12, and I have one Makita 7.2 volt stick driver. Unfortunately, Milwaukee or anyone else has a stick driver that comes anywhere near comparison with the Makita.

 

[californiamilleghia]

mostly Ryobi ,
Some Dewalt ,

the Hart-Walmart batteries all died so I just have a few random "homeless Hart " tools

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Three. M18, M12, and I have one Makita 7.2 volt stick driver. Unfortunately, Milwaukee or anyone else has a stick driver that comes anywhere near comparison with the Makita.

I guess it depends on how you value logistics ease versus optimal tool. For some using the M12 fuel surge impact driver to avoid having to add a third battery would make sense. But for you, you really like that stick driver I guess enough to justify adding a third battery type.

Curious what benefits are compared to a M12 fuel surge impact, since it's one of Milwaukees most popular M12 tools. Is it just space, the makita packs smaller?

 

[CheeseburgerFixxer]

You can probably keep your dewalt until it dies while using Milwaukee batteries

Amazon.com

Yes, I had 4- 18v DeWalt batteries. Now, I`m down to one battery. Once that battery is no good, I will retire the drill I guess.

 

[sparky 1971]

I guess it depends on how you value logistics ease versus optimal tool. For some using the M12 fuel surge impact driver to avoid having to add a third battery would make sense. But for you, you really like that stick driver I guess enough to justify adding a third battery type.

Compare the specs. I also have the Milwaukee, it sits in my basement doing nothing. The voltages are different between the two, but the size and idea behind both is the same. Logistics don't matter, I have a plethora of all three different batteries and only charge them at home. The charger table has four M18/M12 chargers and one Makita.

M4™ 1/4" Hex Screwdriver | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M4™ 1/4" Hex Screwdriver features 44 in-lbs of peak torque and a 21-position clutch with auto shut-off. The M4™ Screwdriver is easy to use with one hand

www.milwaukeetool.com

Makita USA - Product Details -TD022DSE

7.2V Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver Kit

www.makitatools.com

Curious what benefits are compared to a M12 fuel surge impact, since it's one of Milwaukees most popular M12 tools. Is it just space, the makita packs smaller?

I don't have the M12 Surge, but I do have the M18 Surge as well as two M18 Fuel impacts. I'm not impressed by the Surge in any aspect other than how much quieter it is. I bought it when I was replacing my deck surface boards (900+- sq ft of cedar run at a 45° angle with my house and it was a blessing even if it's no faster than a regular impact. I would guess that it would be the same thing with the M12's, I have three M12 Fuel standard impacts, but for what I do, wouldn't consider the Surge as anything near the top of the list.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Three platforms - Milwaukee for everything except three Hitachi 18v nailers (framer, finish, pin), and Ryobi for the glue gun and hedge trimmer.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Too many.... M12, M18, Ryobi 18, B&D 40v..... and some HF platform, I forget which. The B&D and HF stuff, I'm not that invested in. We probably have mostly Ryobi for home and garden. I slid into M12 to augment the air tools, and then M18 is an easier move than yellow/blue because the M18 charger does M12 batteries as well.

-Ryan

 

[dclark2171]

Have 2 -- Ryobi and Makita -- both 18v.

Having 2 platforms is a huge advantage. You can afford more tools that way if you buy the less crucial ones in the cheaper brand. I never understood the passionate desperation to stay in one brand. Sure it's a small financial hit to pick up a tool combo kit that comes with a battery/charger. Bare tools are so cheap many don't wanna fork over an extra $50 or so for a tool that comes with the battery/charger.

That's why it's hard to sell bare tools. I've had brand new Ryobi drills, jobsite radios, etc -- bare, listed for $30 (when the new bare tool goes for $100-$120 in stores). And I got offers for $10-$15. Rationale being it's useless without a battery/charger. BS. Go and get you a $89 Ryobi drill/battery/charger kit.

And if you are doing a project you can have an additional set of drills (drill and driver) to hand an assistant to use to speed a project along. Makita drill with a drill bit and a Makita impact driver with a torx bit PLUS a Ryobi drill with a drill bit and a Ryobi Impact driver with a torx bit. Equals fast.

My pro carpenter cousin came for a visit to my mom's house one weekend. No tools with him. He said "hey let's make your mom a new deck". Off to the local lumberyard for lumber and materials. I defaulted to the Ryobi and let him use the Makita, as he was the head guy on the job. I am an OK carpenter but rightfully stepped down to laborer.

One of the most useful power tools to have, that many don't have, is the oscillating multi-tool. Mine is in the Ryobi system, and it has paid for itself 20 times over (time and money). Just on my own projects and paid projects for others or helping mates.

I love multi tools. I use it for everything. The 10 year old Ryobi MT that came in one of those Home Depot bundles has been abused, left in the rain, snow, fell from a roof...you name it. Still going strong. The batteries are petering out. I find the Milwaukee Shockwave blades will cut thru anything.

 

[dclark2171]

One can now pretty much buy any battery adaptor. The Ryobi's are a hard one due to that battery pole. However, other brands are plentifiul . So if you need that ONE tool from a different brand, it may not hurt to try the $20 adaptor for your main batteries and see if it works.

 

[finn]

Yes, I had 4- 18v DeWalt batteries. Now, I`m down to one battery. Once that battery is no good, I will retire the drill I guess.

Buy a couple of Dewalt 20 volt batteries, ie a starter kit with a charger, plus the adapter from Dewalt and you’ll be set for years. Not as nice as a new drill, but it works.

 

[Callelle]

I just have M12 and M18, but they kinda share chargers so I'm not sure if that counts as 2. I can't really wrap my head around running multiple battery platforms.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

Dewalt
Ridgid
Ryobi

 

[Beerhippie]

2: M18 drills, drivers and 4 1/2" angle grinder. Stihl 36V for the yard tools--mower and line trimmer. I just added the Stihl stuff this spring and I'm lovin' it.

 

[liliysdad]

3 in the shop;

Dewalt 20v
Dewalt 12v
Dewalt 8v

3 in the yard/house;

Hart 40v
Hart 20v
Black & Decker 40v

I have started a slow walk toward replacing yard tools with Dewalt 20v as well. So far I’m in with a pole saw, chain saw, and power washer

 

[Iron Horse]

Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ryobi, and cobalt. Since everything is in their zones it pretty much stays where it is by their chargers, so nothing is scattered. The milwaukee tools are basically my main set of contractor tools thats all in packouts. The other stuff is doubles and triples of what I have in milwaukee already, but are used for lighter duty. If I was rolling a truck full of tools like I used to it would probably just be milwaukee, but at home its not all that important. I generally I look at the tool, and if it's stellar I'll grab it, platform be damned.

 

[KnurledNut]

Paslode
Stihl
Benner Nawman (Hitachi)
Dewalt 12v, 18v Nano, 20v, 60v
Makita 18v LXT
Milwaukee M12, M18
Snap-on 18v
Ridgid 18v

 

[NakeDiesel]

99% dewalt 20v. Have many different tools that run on that platform from normal shop tools to a small chain saw, telescoping pole saw and hedge trimmer.

I still have my old craftsman batteries but they only get used for the little shop vac I have. Ive worn out or broke the few craftsman battery tools a long time ago.

 

[BlindViper]

Makita 18v LXT(50+ batteries), Metabo/HPT for my cordless nail guns (4 batteries), Bosch for my laser levels(2 batteries), Dremel(2 batteries)

 

[subroc]

5? I have and am using Dewalt 12v, 20v, 60v as well as older 18v pod style and Milwaukee 12v.

 

[rmsg0040]

Milwaukee M12/M18 and Ego 56V (blower/trimmer)

My Ego 56V blower/trimmer will be 8 years old next month, no issues at all.

 

[engineer2]

Everything I have is Makita 18V LXT. Oldest tool is 12 years old and still works great including the 12 year old batteries.
No need for another platform. They have over 325 tools to cover every need.
If I were starting over, I would consider Makita XGT 40V, but they are expensive.

 

[goldtang]

I am running 3, Makita 18v, Milwaukee 18/12v. and Hitachi 18v

 

[tarmy]

Almost all Milwaukee. Weeding out some old DeWalt.

 

[TnClimber]

Ridgid. Free batteries and great warranty. Dewalt shop and lawn tools.

 

[Tactile]

Two; Bosch/Dremel 12V & Bosch 18V

 

[GTO]

Milwaukee M12, M18
Echo (String Trimmer)

 

[Buckaroo5]

Ego outside tools (weed whacker, hedge trimmer, blower, chainsaw & pole saw) that I currently run off three batteries. I like the dedicated tools rather than the multi-head system.

Milwaukee M12 (ratchet, stubby impact wrench, impact driver, work light, inflator) & M18 (hammer drill, circular saw) for hand tools. I really like the compact size & light weight of the M12 tools.

Three 2 cycle chainsaws for heavy cutting.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I buy for the tool not the battery so I have many different ones. Usually when the batteries go I sell the old tool, charger and battery’s on eBay , then am free to buy whatever new tool is the better one.

 

[jmdirk]

Ego for OPE
Milwaukee M12 for a compact impact and ratchet
Dewalt for a full size impact, oscillating tool and reciprocating saw
SunJoe for a cheapo hedge trimmer that gets used once or twice a year
Rigid for drill driver, circ saw, grinder and flood lamp

I have my own excuses to justify so many

Having so many chargers is kind of a pain, but on the other hand, I do rarely find myself not having a charged battery available or having to switch batteries between tools during a job

 

[rmanrman]

Milwaukee m12 and m18, dewalt 18v, ego 56v outdoor equipment, Greenworks 40v outdoor,
Ryobi 18v all ugly green

 

[mbf1511]

Two:

Ryobi small tools 18 volt

Craftsman small tools 19.2 volt

Craftsman Lawn Mower 60volt

 

[Sumboodie]

Milwaukee

 

[RMERR]

Makita 18V (my main) Ryobi for a couple tools with features I like.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Milwaukee M18 and M12 and Bosch 18V.

I started M18, and went Bosch 18V, who had at the time, a more versatile impact driver, better batteries, prices, chucks, and storage options. I will strongly consider them going forward too. Milwaukee is a regular effing circus with battery sizes and sales structure.

 

[oldwino]

I’m down to one
recently got rid of SnapOn 18v and Dewalt. Milwaukee only

 

[wjjeep]

EGO, Milwaukee, and 1 Ridgid tool

 

[tyyost]

Milwaukee M12 and M18, added Makita 18v last year when my Milwaukee cordless saw crapped out for the second time. Purposely avoiding cordless electric OPE unless it is in a system I already own.

I am tempted by the Metabo HTP cordless nail guns, look to be good deals, but don’t want another system…

 

[BTL-A4]

1. Milwaukee M12 for a rotary tool. My old corded one was dying and the small Ryobi sucked.
2. Ryobi for OPE and drills, saw, etc. I switched over from Black and Decker because B&D didn't have batteries readily available and Ryobi has more choices for tools. I'm a serious DIY'er so these have been fine.
3. Ego for lawn mower.