Which cordless "system" to buy into?

[Ign]

To be honest, I JUST bought my first M12 Fuel piece last week. HD dropped the price of the hex impact driver + 2 batteries to 139. Its not a bargain, but its not the 169 everyone else wants for it. After using it this weekend, I have to say I cant see going back to an 18V impact driver. It spins faster, has more torque (plus 2 speed settings which Ive never had in an impact before) and oh yeah its TINY. If I wasnt using my Ridgid 18V driver I was using my old Bosch PS40 which is just slow and not working correctly (speed fluctuates, and it emits a nice motor-ish smell when I use it). I thought about just getting a PS41 bare tool, but looking at the specs vs value the M12 Fuel stuff seemed like a better investment.

If the M12 Fuel hammer drill really holds up that well, I could see the M12 being my whole kit. Granted, I dont get the "lifetime" battery warranty, but Im still not so sure how lifetime it is with Ridgid anymore anyway.

-Chris

The Fuel 1/4" hex impact kit went to $114.09 on the website for a few days, just a week or two ago. I grabbed it then

I'm not sure which hammer drill you're referring to ("normal" or SDS). I've used my 2404 a fair bit and it's nice. But if you're trying to use it as a "real" 1/2" drill it doesn't quite have the balls or battery longevity. I'd say it's nice for bits up to 3/8", beyond that it does work but either eats XC batteries OR stalls a lot as the battery protections kick in. S&D bits are mostly out of the question. All my experiences are drilling steel, I'm a metalworker and thus hard on my hand drills because they rarely drill "soft" materials.

 

[Ign]

Another thing to consider with Milwaukee is it has a real warranty. 5 years on the tools and 3 years on the battery's. The Milwaukee warranty covers shipping both ways and they are great to deal with, none of this send it to a repair station and we will see if it gets covered. Unlike some other company's I could mention, they actually honor their warranty.

It's 2 years on the compact M12 batteries

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/parts-and-service/milwaukee-warranty/cordless-battery-pack

 

[Hlidskjalf]

Are Hilti cordless made in Germany?

Took a look in person at a supplier and they are made in China.

From my research I find that people stand by their cordless stuff being the best.

 

[retfr8flyr]

Took a look in person at a supplier and they are made in China.

From my research I find that people stand by their cordless stuff being the best.

Well I have DeWalt and Bosch tools also but my Milwaukee Fuel tools are far and above the best I have owned. The M12 Fuel drill will do about 95% of what a homeowner would need. I have the M18 Fuel drill also, had it before I got the M12 and I don't need it except a maybe a couple times a year. The M12 Fuel will handle all my woodworking needs but if I am drilling heavy metal the M18 just has more guts, to handle the bigger stuff.

If I were starting from scratch building my tool setup. I think I would go with a mix of M12 Fuel and M18 Fuel tools. If I had to decide on only one type, I would go with the M18's. With a mix of smaller and larger battery's the M18 Fuel tools will handle about anything you can through at them. They even have a new M18 Fuel 7-¼ inch Circular saw now.

 

[merbie]

Makita?


Sent from the sticks

 

[spoon671]

Makita?

They are plastic inside, from what I know. Low torque numbers. I've had buddies in the trades that bought into Makita when they released their white/black designs. Much of them actually burned out.

 

[spoon671]

Took a look in person at a supplier and they are made in China.



From my research I find that people stand by their cordless stuff being the best.

Thanks for the info! A lot of Milwaukee is also made in China as well..but not all.

I remember looking at a big corded Hilti roto-hammer a while back...said "Made In Lichtenstein"

 

[SASORacing]

I am not sure if it's been said yet but.......... Milwaukee.

Period.

The drill is also super easy to tighten loosen. One handed handed operation and all metal construction oozes quality. I like the m12 battery indicators. I bought the m12 drill, case charger and 2 batteries for $99..... and it came with the free hackzawl tool only.

Milwakee right now if the best value, I don't think much compares unless maybe bosch.

 

[chrisexv6]

I am not sure if it's been said yet but.......... Milwaukee.

Period.

The drill is also super easy to tighten loosen. One handed handed operation and all metal construction oozes quality. I like the m12 battery indicators. I bought the m12 drill, case charger and 2 batteries for $99..... and it came with the free hackzawl tool only.

Milwakee right now if the best value, I don't think much compares unless maybe bosch.

Which drill is that (preferably exact model number)?

Thats the only thing Im not fond of with Milwaukee....there seems to be plenty of different models out there.

Thanks.

-Chris

 

[chrisexv6]

@SASORacing: which M12 drill do you have? I see a bunch of them (Fuel, non-Fuel, etc)

Also, another thing I found out about the Ridgid LSA - if the batteries didnt come with a tool kit (i.e. you bought spares, bigger capacity, etc) they are NOT covered under the lifetime agreement. Only the 3 year.

 

[spoon671]

Thats the only thing Im not fond of with Milwaukee....there seems to be plenty of different models out there.



Thanks.



-Chris

Try looking at Milwaukee specs online. Back when I was looking at drills, I also noticed a few different model numbers for drills that appeared to look nearly identical.

Three drills may look identical to each other and one might cost $100 more, but it's for a reason right? I bought the expensive one, had all metal gears and chuck (it was heavy) and higher torque numbers than the others.

Do you have a Milwaukee store near you? They are very helpful.

 

[stikman56]

I went with Snap-On....all used. I don't have much in all of it. CT6850 impact, CT4410a impact, CDR6850 drill, CTS561CL screwdriver. They work great. I'm in no way a Snappy fan boy, have no use for their air tools, feel most of it is priced too high for what it is, but their cordless stuff is pretty nice, and it's proven to be durable. Parts can be got directly from Snap-On as well, which is nice if you ever need any.

 

[spoon671]

Same with Milwaukee..they has service/repair centers located throughout the country. You can either drop your tool off to them and let them fix it, or just buy the parts.

 

[TM98]

I recently got the Rigid brand with impact driver, drill, and small radio. Seems to be ok so far.

 

[Monte]

Bosch will release 6 AH batteries in january...

 

[ADSR]

Bosch will release 6 AH batteries in january...

prob the same size and weight of a car battery

 

[chrisexv6]

If I were a contractor the massive aH batteries MIGHT be useful. But even still, with tools going the way of brushless which inherently makes them LOTS more efficient, I think more aH in a pack is useless. In fact, I feel that 1.5 and 2.0aH should become more popular than 4+aH for brushless because they probably give you the same runtime as the larger pack but without the weight and size. Sure you can use all the aH you can get if you are running a circ saw or grinder, but even 4aH makes them last a while.

I feel like the tool brands are just one-upping each other to get "the largest capacity battery EVAR!"

 

[Monte]

prob the same size and weight of a car battery

nope
same size like their 3AH, 4Ah and 5AH batteries....

 

[franzdom]

If I were a contractor the massive aH batteries MIGHT be useful. But even still, with tools going the way of brushless which inherently makes them LOTS more efficient, I think more aH in a pack is useless. In fact, I feel that 1.5 and 2.0aH should become more popular than 4+aH for brushless because they probably give you the same runtime as the larger pack but without the weight and size. Sure you can use all the aH you can get if you are running a circ saw or grinder, but even 4aH makes them last a while.

I feel like the tool brands are just one-upping each other to get "the largest capacity battery EVAR!"

I suspect it's not just capacity but some power as well. That being said, I use them at home and have mostly 1.5-2 Ah.

 

[Ign]

I suspect it's not just capacity but some power as well. That being said, I use them at home and have mostly 1.5-2 Ah.

True story. Things like the 2763 1/2" impact come with 4.0's for MAX POWER ("Great Name." "Thanks, I got it off a hair dryer."), not runtime so much.

 

[artieb]

Hi, I just ordered a Milwaukee 1/2 impact 2655-22, with 2 fuel batteries. I have a lot of Milwaukee 12volt drills. Will the battery work? I'll update my drills when I get more money.
Thanks Artie

 

[Ign]

Hi, I just ordered a Milwaukee 1/2 impact 2655-22, with 2 fuel batteries. I have a lot of Milwaukee 12volt drills. Will the battery work? I'll update my drills when I get more money.
Thanks Artie

?Que? The 2655 is 18V, you say you have 12V drills. No, the voltages do not interchange in the tools.

 

[artieb]

Ok, it took some homework, " fuel " technology is the tool.... not the battery. Mainly brushless motor and battery management.
I hope I get as much service from fuel and m18 Milwaukee, that I got from my 15 year old 12 v Milwaukee drills, etc. Thanks Artie

 

[MN4x4]

I'm late to the party, but another vote for the Milwaukee Fuel stuff.

But I have a buttload of M12 stuff and LOVE it. I am in the process of getting rid of all my old Dewalt stuff - ALL of it - and moving to Milwaukee.

I *DO* have the Ingersoll Rand 20 volt Cordless Impact guns in 1/2" and 3/8" and love those too. But if you had to pick one system, for me it would be the Milwaukee M12 and/or M18.

 

[chrisexv6]

Yeah, I think M12 is it for me.

I have a few Bosch 12V pieces but Im going to sell them and change to M12 (mostly brushless). I have the old Bosch 12v impactor (PS40)....the PS41 is supposed to be MUCH better, but instead of buying the bare tool I put the $$ towards the M12 Fuel hex impact.

Honestly all I really need is the hex impact, a compact drill (3/8" I guess) and then eventually the 1/2" hammer drill. Those are the tools I use the most in 18V and the 18V versions can probably be directly replaced by M12 or M12 Fuel (anyone else wish Milwaukee had a brushless 3/8" drill?)

I use my circ saw and recip saws on occasion...I might keep my Ryobi One+ kit just for those.

 

[77thor]

My Vote: DeWalt 20v MAX - XR "Brushless" models

 

[Ign]

Yeah, I think M12 is it for me.

I have a few Bosch 12V pieces but Im going to sell them and change to M12 (mostly brushless). I have the old Bosch 12v impactor (PS40)....the PS41 is supposed to be MUCH better, but instead of buying the bare tool I put the $$ towards the M12 Fuel hex impact.

Honestly all I really need is the hex impact, a compact drill (3/8" I guess) and then eventually the 1/2" hammer drill. Those are the tools I use the most in 18V and the 18V versions can probably be directly replaced by M12 or M12 Fuel (anyone else wish Milwaukee had a brushless 3/8" drill?)

I use my circ saw and recip saws on occasion...I might keep my Ryobi One+ kit just for those.

Not really. What would be the advantage over the 2403/2404 1/2" chucks? Maybe slightly shorter?

 

[franzdom]

They call the M18 drill a compact...
I always liked having 1/2" chucks since I can use any drill in my index box.

 

[chrisexv6]

Not really. What would be the advantage over the 2403/2404 1/2" chucks? Maybe slightly shorter?

Actually yeah I just noticed that....the current non-Fuel 3/8" driver is only 1/4" shorter.

So I guess Ill just skip the 3/8" drivers and go for the Fuel 1/2" (hammer or non or both)

I thought long and hard about how I use my current 18V 1/2" hammer drill and 90% of the time its in hammer mode its only for 3/8" or smaller diameter holes. I think the M12 Fuel 1/2" should have no problem with that, at the same time weighing half as much and being much more compact.

 

[bcradio]

Ok, it took some homework, " fuel " technology is the tool.... not the battery. Mainly brushless motor and battery management.
I hope I get as much service from fuel and m18 Milwaukee, that I got from my 15 year old 12 v Milwaukee drills, etc. Thanks Artie

Which 12v Milwaukee is this? I don't think the original 12v lithium was out 15 years ago.

 

[bcradio]

Actually yeah I just noticed that....the current non-Fuel 3/8" driver is only 1/4" shorter.

So I guess Ill just skip the 3/8" drivers and go for the Fuel 1/2" (hammer or non or both)

I thought long and hard about how I use my current 18V 1/2" hammer drill and 90% of the time its in hammer mode its only for 3/8" or smaller diameter holes. I think the M12 Fuel 1/2" should have no problem with that, at the same time weighing half as much and being much more compact.

Zero need for both. Just get the hammer drill and you'll be set. I had the DeWalt 36v hammer drill and my M12 Fuel now replaces it with basically full capability.

 

[chrisexv6]

Zero need for both. Just get the hammer drill and you'll be set. I had the DeWalt 36v hammer drill and my M12 Fuel now replaces it with basically full capability.

Thats pretty impressive.

I only wish I got into the M12 stuff forever ago, instead of choosing Bosch.

 

[Farmall450]

DeWalt 20V Max or Milwuakee Fuel

 

[deter]

personally, I've been switching all my ryobi stuff out to makita 18v. I can't get behind Milwaukee's new stuff yet, as their old stuff SUCKED

 

[chrisexv6]

personally, I've been switching all my ryobi stuff out to makita 18v. I can't get behind Milwaukee's new stuff yet, as their old stuff SUCKED

I had a 14.4V cordless Milwaukee drill forever ago. Drill was great, batteries sucked. Luckily (?) they had fire hazard issues with the batteries and sent me brand new replacement packs, I took that as an omen to sell the drill.

It seems their battery packs nowadays are as good as the rest.

And its also very nice to replace a 7lb (without battery) 18V hammer drill with something that is equally as capable but weighs half as much.

 

[drummingpariah]

I didn't read any of the other replies, but I'm using the 20v Dewalt kit, because their 1/2" drive impact gun is so compact (it's a bit down on power compared to the competition, but as long as I get >120ft/lbs I'm happy). It's really nice to be able to pop into the engine bay and remove virtually anything I want while the engine is still there. One battery typically lasts me through an entire hillimb race weekend, which is a big selling point as well.

All the other cordless tools in the kit are virtually the same as any other manufacturer.

 

[shampoop]

I bought makita. At the time, the only only players in the Lithium game were them and milwaukee. They were both pretty similar, but makita was cheaper and still had a great reputation. Still glad I made that choice. My drill and impact driver are ****** great! I'd recommend makita to the homeowner who wants some good damned tools.

I'd lean towards milwaukee if you wanted the best of the best and are willing to pay for it, and/or if you want a MONSTROUS 18v system (I.E. for contractors that need all sorts of crazy tools with interchangeable batteries, NOT HOMEOWNERS). If the price is right, I'd recommend them to the homeowner, but they definitely gravitate towards the professional.

I've used the dewalt 18v nicad and Lithium stuff at work and dislike them. Their 20v stuff is awesome though, no idea what it costs.