Corded or Battery Powered Tools??

[TomB19]

The people who suggest a circular saw needs to be corded must not have tried a Milwaukee M18 circular saw. Even the brushed version of that saw (I have both 6.5" versions) is fantastic.

The Makita with 2 x 18v batteries is excellent also, although not as small and light as the Milwaukee.

When you can grab a saw, not bother looking at the charge level, climb a ladder, and lop off all the 2" LVLs you want without the thing stalling or binding... you sure as hell don't need a cord.

 

[TomB19]

... but yeah, get corded. lol!

Unless you use it all the time, in which case, get a cordless circular saw and never look back.

 

[drink]

I used my corded power tools about a couple of days ago. My corded circular saw was plugged into an outlet with an extension cord and it power right up. It did a lot of non-stop cutting until the cutting was finished. Afterwards I cleaned up and my saw was put back up until next time. My 5660 8-1/4" Skil saw has worked without a problem as needed for about 25 years.

If I were hanging drywall with screws I would want a corded electric screwdriver because of the constant demand. I have seen contractors on a jobsite use battery powered until they started hanging drywall. Then they plugged up a corded Makita drywall screwdriver to do the job. When you have people on payroll you don't want to have to stop and wait for a battery to charge.

 

[drink]

When I decked a small bridge that was in the woods away from an outlet I used my battery powered Makita drill/driver to screw the deck boards and other lumber down. It took several trips to the battery charger to get the job done but it was the only way other than a portable generator or by hand to fasten the lumber together.

The lumber was cut with my 7-1/4" corded Skil saw on the back of a pickup truck that was parked close enough to an outlet where an extension cord could reach the truck. The charging station was set up at the outlet also. I really like my 5656 Skil saw because it has a lever that raises and lowers the blade guard. The blade wrench also is stored in the handle. I don't know if Skil makes saws like mine anymore but they are really good saws IMO.

 

[drink]

Here are some of my corded power tools. I really like my jig saws because they can cut at 45° in either direction. My Porter Cable router is liked because of its small size. Milwaukee power tools are tough as can be IMO.

 

[drink]

I've watched some contractors use the cordless DeWalt circular saws while installing millwork. They used the small circular saw to make a limited amount of cuts in things like countertops that had to have field adjustments made. The cordless circular saw did was not used much but it worked long enough to do what the installers had to do. The last time I priced replacement batteries a twin pack cost about the same as a new drill/driver. Some places like Batteries Plus can rebuild batteries if they are rebuildable. From what I understand some batteries are not rebuildable and it is another thing to take into consideration when buying cordless power tools if you plan to use them a long time.

 

[TomB19]

When you have people on payroll you don't want to have to stop and wait for a battery to charge.

There are battery systems available that allow the operator to swap out the entire battery pack and replace it with a fresh one so the tool user can continue being productive while the depleted battery is charged.

 

[TomB19]

I don't know if Skil makes saws like mine anymore but they are really good saws IMO.

Skill continues to build a top model that is as good as anything out there, IMO.

 

[drink]

There are battery systems available that allow the operator to swap out the entire battery pack and replace it with a fresh one so the tool user can continue being productive while the depleted battery is charged.

You might be saying something I am not familiar with but I am familiar with pulling out a battery, dropping it in the charger, and putting a fully charged battery in to continue working. However, I have had both batteries to go dead before the other could be recharged. They have improved charging times over the years but I have stuck with a lot of corded tools. I haven't been using my power tools as often as I used to when I was younger. Corded tools are ready to work when I need them and I am not stranger to battery operated tools either.

 

[drink]

I do enjoy reaching for a cordless drill driver to screw something quickly and be done with it without having to run get an extension cord. The cordless can be used quickly sometimes and put back up before you can ask what happened. If the battery is too low when you reach for it then you have to wait to charge a battery or plug up a corded tool.

 

[cgv69]

There is no one correct answer.

When I started buying tools the only cordless tools worth a **** were drills and even they didn't have the power of their corded brothers so I own corded versions of just about everything and still use them from time to time depending on the job (more on that later).

Cordless technology has come a long way (and will improve more yet) but most cordless tools still don't have the same power as the beefiest corded tools and even if they do, they have a limited run time.

That said, cordless tools are so much more enjoyable to use. The cord (and the needed ext. cord and power outlet that go along with them) can be a real PITA sometimes, especially if you just need to make one or 2 cuts or drill a couple of holes.

Two things to consider when deciding between corded or cordless... Budget and how the tool will be used? Corded tools are generally cheaper and you never have to worry about replacing the batteries. How it will be used meaning things like will it be used in shop or out in the field? Is this for light duty/home owner type stuff or professional/daily/hard use? How often will it be used? How big of a deal will it be if the battery dies in the middle of something?

Everybody needs a cordless drill IMO but I still have and occasionally use my corded drills. I have both a corded and cordless circular saws but I never use the corded one any more. I only have a corded reciprocating saw because I rarely have need for it and see no point in buying a cordless version. I could go on but like I said, you have to figure out what makes sense for you?

As for brand, don't be a brand *****. No brand out there is that good. They all make some good tools, some best in class tools but some major duds too. Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch and Dewalt are all generally good but it would depend on exactly what you were looking for? For instance for cordless tools, I firmly believe Milwaukee is the way to go right now (back in the day is was Makita). Bosch tools are really hit or miss. some tools like their jigsaws are best in class but others not so much.

 

[drink]

Have you noticed the buy of the day at Home Depot? You can buy a 9 tool DeWalt cordless kit for $499 plus tax.

http://www.homedepot.com/SpecialBuy/SpecialBuyOfTheDay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053

 

[onthefence777]

Thought I would share my opinion.

I usually research in depth any purchase I make. But when I got my house that needed work, I just went in to Home Depot and bought the Ryobi Cordless set with the lithium batteries. Believe the kit came with both the small battery and a second bigger battery, or maybe I bought the bigger battery seperate. Kit came with a circular saw, sawz-all, drill, and flashlight.

4 years later, I have been extremely pleased with this kit. The batteries last very well! The sawz-all does indeed **** down the batteries fairly quickly, especially the small battery, but the circular saw seems to last very well. Even with ******** constant use of the sawzall, I have never been in a situation where I was out of battery. They charge pretty fast.

A couple of years ago I bought a cordless ryobi grinder for a lot of metal cutting I needed to do. Talk about a battery hog!!!! I ran out the big battery very quickly so I promptly went to the store and bought the same grinder with a cord to finish the job. Didn't bother me a bit buying both. For ******** jobs, I will just use corded, but still like the ability of having a portable grinder as well.

Basically, as long as you go lithium batteries, for general home use, go cordless for first purchase except for the grinder if you need one. Corded tools definitely have merits, but unless you are a contractor, why mess with a cord if you don't have to?

 

[drink]

Home Depot sells a line of Rigid power tools but I don't know much about them. Some of the Home Depot store brand stuff has worked pretty good so far but the stuff I bought did not come from the tool section.

Here's what I pulled up at Home Depot. Does anybody know what brand actually makes the Rigid brand?

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Hardware-Power-Tools-Power-Tool-Combo-Kits/RIDGID/N-5yc1vZc2ecZ18g

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'm a cord guy, in the minority I know. I hate batteries.

I am with you all the way ! I have borrowed my son's cordless 1/4" hex impact a few time. It is great for shooting screws. The only thing I have close to that is a whimpy cordless screwdriver and a 1/2" pneumatic impact (overkill).

Flip side, he knows if he is doing some "serious" work to come get my 1/2" corded drill, reciprocating saw and/or circular saw. My drill has triple reduction (<750 rpm max) and will just about break your wrist if you are not using the assist handle for certain jobs (like drilling 1" holes in a PT 4x6). I actually BENT a Silver and Demmings 3/4" bit when it got stuck.


Also, if you know what you are looking for, you can buy corded tools on CL cheap.

 

[ajchien]

Let's see, I've got

Cordless and corded: drills, reciprocating saws, lights, sanders, hedge trimmer, leaf blower

Cordless only: oscillating multi tool, impact driver, impact wrench, nailers, staplers, string trimmer

Corded only: grinder, miter saw, circular saw

I find cordless more convenient yet more expensive. If I'm set up in one location to do stuff, corded works well. If I have move around and drag an extension cord with me, cordless is better. Having 1-2 batteries on a platform is suboptimal. Some days I can run through 7 battery equivalents over the course of 4 hours, particularly when doing yard work. To keep working without interruption I need 5 batteries and 2 chargers. Of course, I have 7 batteries and 2 charges. The cost of extra batteries, that I'll theoretically replace every 4 years isn't that cheap. On the other hand, spending 10-15-20 minutes dealing with 150-200 feet of extension cord getting pulled and knotted all over the place makes the expense with it.

 

[jipps]

Don't know the OP's level of familiarity with modern cordless, but I would like to make one point in case it helps wth decision making:

li-on batteries will charge from flat to full in 20mins.

I just raise it because my father-in-law would only ever buy corded because his only battery experience was with a 12v nicad, and he (rightly) didn't fancy waiting around for a charge....

When he saw how quickly my Makita LXTs recharged he was pretty impressed.

 

[ibedayank]

corded... building crates to ship motorcycyles and parts I can kill cordless batteries in 30 minutes or less.... 4x4x8 foot crates Normally use $100 bucket of 3 inch and another 1/2 bucket of 2 inch when time to build the crates

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

When I started to buy tools everything cordless used ni-cad batteries. I had a cordless drill and circular saw. The circular saw was pretty much useless as it chewed through batteries so quickly.

Fast forward to today and lithium ion batteries. I am a bit of a brand *****, but only because I am so heavily invested in the Milwaukee M12 and M18 battery lines. If a cordless version of the tool is available I will more often than not buy the bare tool over a corded version because I already have batteries. I won't consider another cordless tool brand because when batteries start to fail I will only have two types to replace (one 12v and one 18v) rather than several.

I know Dewalt and Makita have similar offerings, but the Fuel Sawzall, Circular saw, High torque impact, and Hole Hawg are all worthy replacements for their corded counterparts.

The only corded tools I am still holding onto are my jigsaw, Dremel (although I have a cordless), and sanders because these are typically used in a workbench/workshop setting where there are plenty of outlets available. My angle grinder is corded too, but it is used so infrequently I don't mind pulling a cord out when needed.

 

[sam.coll]

Don't know the OP's level of familiarity with modern cordless, but I would like to make one point in case it helps wth decision making:

li-on batteries will charge from flat to full in 20mins.

I just raise it because my father-in-law would only ever buy corded because his only battery experience was with a 12v nicad, and he (rightly) didn't fancy waiting around for a charge....

When he saw how quickly my Makita LXTs recharged he was pretty impressed.

Actually not true, different capacity battery's (Ah) and manufacturers have varying charge times my Makita 5.0Ah's take 45mins from flat 3.0's are 30min. Not sure how long the 6.0's take.

 

[Manatee91]

I have worked as a professional with tools many times corded tools are nice such as when setup to do lots of prep cutting wood or when you are running lots of screws in a deck when you need to move around alot a good cordless set wih at least 3 lithium batterys is good as they charge fast and have longer run times and some manufacturers make 12v chargers that can be run off your car if you are setup for air numeric tools make a good choice as well and are cheaper. I have corded saws and screw guns but I hardly touch them because I tend to use the chordless.
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Ultimate-Combo-Kit-6-Tool-P884/203466936

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Let's see, I've got

Cordless and corded: drills, reciprocating saws, lights, sanders, hedge trimmer, leaf blower

Cordless only: oscillating multi tool, impact driver, impact wrench, nailers, staplers, string trimmer

Corded only: grinder, miter saw, circular saw

I pretty much agree with your conclusions.

Regarding the grinder and circular saw, I think it depends on how you will use those tools. If you're use is sporadic, then cordless. If you will use those tools for long periods of time, then corded might be the way to go.

The number one problem with corded tools ... is the cord and a need to have access to electricity which might mean an extension cord a mile long or a generator.

 

[Krokodil]

All my powertools are corded except for a cordless drill\driver. I don't like to run out of power...