On a Tight Budget? Consider Corded Tools.

[Garcky]

I can't imagine being backed into a corner without air, or living in a HOA.

I hear you. However, at 76, the decision to move into our new place was pretty easy. I'm done with lawn care and snow removal. I've done my share of it. No more!

 

[Garcky]

For now. Wait until Karen Balbyster runs for president. Then they'll regulate the color of your **** paper.

LOL! Well, we have only 32 units in our development. If Karen runs, I'll run, too, and I'll win. I know everyone on the current board. They all want things to stay about the same as they are. Very low-key. We have a Karen in one of the units, but she wouldn't stand a chance here. Our 40-something years old townhome development has a mix of working families and old farts like me. I don't think anyone wants a regimented sort of HOA. I'm hoping to stay out of it, but I'll get on the board if things change.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I hear you. However, at 76, the decision to move into our new place was pretty easy. I'm done with lawn care and snow removal. I've done my share of it. No more!

At just a couple years younger, I revel in it. It's part of what keeps me going. Speaking of which, I've got **** to do.

 

[Newell33]

Double Post... Computer Issues...

 

[Garcky]

At just a couple years younger, I revel in it. It's part of what keeps me going. Speaking of which, I've got **** to do.

Knock yourself out!

 

[vwpieces]

BTW, anyone use a corded work light or flashlight for anything in the last 20 or 25 years?

I HAD a corded reel light in the shop and never used it. So I cut it off and just put a plug end on the cord. Gets used a lot more now.

 

[Handyandy23]

I also just find cordless way more convenient. Small jobs it can take longer to drag out and roll up the extension cord than it does to do the job. Cordless is so much easier to just grab for one cut, or drive a couple lags, whatever. So I get things done a lot faster around the house because I can just grab things and go. But maybe that's just a me-thing.

Batteries aren't cheap, but the cost gets spread out more as you get more tools on the same platform. If a battery is $50 and you only use it on your drill then that's a steep price. But if you have 25 different tools you use it on then it's like an extra $2 per tool.

I do still have some corded tools, mostly large stuff that's inconvenient to set up no matter what. Miter saw, table saw, tile saw, etc. I have a corded angle grinder, but I grab the cordless one 95% of the time. Certain jobs though you maybe need very high end power.

 

[littleboss]

No Thank You! Most of my stuff is cordless. Very convenient and no stupid extension cords to trip on, or get burned up by welding sparks. My metal chopsaw has a cord and I do use a corded grinder/cutoff on occasion. I am building a new welding table today and have used up two batteries on my Milwaukee grinder with flap disc and other other with a cutoff wheel. I have four M18 and can stay ahead that way..

I can walk down to the barn where I store my steel and cut off whatever length of tubing or angle that I need- no need to carry a long stick up to the shop and then take back what's left. Sometimes (lot's of times) it's easier to take the tool to the job. Cordless is the way to go

 

[kbeefy]

BTW, anyone use a corded work light or flashlight for anything in the last 20 or 25 years?

I have a 36" underhood flourescent light with a 12' cord that I use quite a bit. Aside from that pretty much all my lights are cordless rechargable lithium units. Off the top of my head I have about 10 that are pretty high end.

As for cord vs cordless, I'm so heavily vested into dewalt batteries now that I shop for them first when I need a new tool.
I have 12v, 18v, 20v, and 40v just in dewalt, probably 15 batteries combined and 20 tools.

I still have corded for some bigger tools, I don't think they even have cordless options for those though.

 

[paulsomlo]

They still make them!?

 

[Blt2Lst]

BTW, anyone use a corded work light or flashlight for anything in the last 20 or 25 years?

I really hated those things especially the ones with the metal cover around the bulb, would always burn my arm on those suckers.
If I never see one again it will be too soon...

 

[gerlbaum]

I will only use cordless for certain tools (impact, hex driver, & drill). I will only use corded versions of certain tools (grinders and saws). I will only use gas versions of certain tools (chainsaw and blowers). Everything else in the middle has as many pros as cons.

The "right tool" for the job is a matter of opinion.

 

[richfinn]

Working out of a van (roadside assistance tech) I'm kind of stuck with cordless tools nowadays

I do miss my air tools that I used during my workshop days though, particularly my 1/2" air impact wrench

I do prefer my cordless 3/8" ratchet and drill/driver, but for working on a lift removing/refitting wheels and suspension repairs air tools were definitely superior (and cope with the grime and abuse far better than expensive plastic bodied battery tools)

I think air tools for under the vehicle and cordless for under the hood and interior work is a pretty good solution

 

[Renegade1LI]

For now. Wait until Karen Balbyster runs for president. Then they'll regulate the color of your **** paper.

I'm on the board at a few different HOAs at developments we built. I would never ever live in one! I see what these power hungry nobodys become & I shake my head, they will cite you if you have the wrong plants on your deck. they really get stupid.

 

[dnschmidt]

I have both in just about every variety known to man. That stated I seldom used either my air tools (and I have a massive compressor) or my corded tools anymore. One exception that I can think of is mixing mud which is a heavy duty job requiring a heavy duty drill. I normally don't care about cost and most of my stuff is Milwaukee.

 

[dnschmidt]

I hear you. However, at 76, the decision to move into our new place was pretty easy. I'm done with lawn care and snow removal. I've done my share of it. No more!

For lawn care I've got Roberto and what exactly is this snow that you've mentioned?

 

[housewolf]

I will say for me as a gc cordless saves time and money plus not having to deal with extension cords is huge. Safety gets a little carried away with cords, tools, gfis, to the point of ridiculous sometimes. Charger plugged into gfi, tool can operate freely anywhere with appropriate guards and ppe. Cordless has changed the jobsite, and for the better. We still use plenty of corded tools but I avoid them as much as possible.

I can remember after a supervisor’s meeting 20+ years ago a fellow supt telling me “one of these days you won’t see a cord on the job”. This guy was older than me and IMO (at the time) wasn’t a very progressive thinker either. I was surprised to hear him say that, and didn’t agree with him. Then, cordless batteries didn’t hold a charge when not used, had to be completely drained before charging, and didn’t really last long in the best of circumstance. He saw that all the faults would be improved on until they were an effective alternative to extension cords. Cords are expensive, easily damaged, and need to be inspected regularly. They are the debil on a jobsite! Around the house cords are easier to maintain and nobody is getting by with less than a couple of them but it’s still a hassle when using more than one tool at the end of a hundred foot cord. 3-ways/shorter cords/unplugging and plugging in = tangled up mess IME.

I’m retired today and don’t have an unlimited tool budget, in fact I don’t even have a budget, but most of the tools I use are cordless. The only things I use with cords are tools that aren’t used often, used primarily in the same location, or a few expensive 110V or pneumatic relics that it’s just not cost effective for me to replace.

If I were giving advice to a young homeowner starting a power tool collection on a budget, I would suggest buying less but get into a reliable cordless platform.

 

[gerlbaum]

I think air tools for under the vehicle and cordless for under the hood and interior work is a pretty good solution

Agreed, especially around gas or something flammable, air tools are probably a good practice.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Unless you're buying Milwaukee for everything, corded vs cordless feels like a wash.

I disagree. This is from my local home depot today …

 

[housewolf]

I disagree. This is from my local home depot today …

With all due respect, you’re comparing a bottom of the line 3/8” corded drill with their top of the line 20V 1/2” cordless drill with batteries. I don’t think one could argue there isn’t a cost difference but it’s not that much. The Dewalt 1/2” drill at HD is $149, same price as a bare tool cordless 1/2” drill.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Since my garage is basically a "so-called two-car" that is more like a 1.5-car in practical terms, it doesn't take much in the way of extension cords to do anything I need in there. I've never been a fan of maintaining batteries or worrying about which platform, or a platform becoming obsolete and having to repurchase/upgrade tools. That and there's just no room to dedicate to a bank of chargers for this and that brand/platform either.

If I had bigger property to maintain and more shop space to work with I would probably have my fair share of cordless tools, but for me there's just no real upshot and the space savings make it an easy decision. The cost savings doesn't hurt either, because as stated already by the OP, there's some very good deals to be had on corded tools.

Lastly, when it comes to professional use, I can't speak for anyone else but my experience with contractors here has fallen into two discrete categories. The first are people who show up and get to work, either with fully charged cordless or by plugging in corded tools. The second are the ones that bring chargers with them and the first thing they do is plug in and use my electricity to charge the extra batteries they need for the next job(s) that day. I'm fine with the former, but the latter chaps my ***. Contractors are utterly shameless about it too. They plug in by the main entry nowhere near where they are working and when I ask if they want me to make room or get a cord so they can swap batteries closer to the work area, "Oh I'm just charging these up for jobs later today, I won't need them while I'm here." To each his own but it seems like a **** move to me. If you're not using them on my job, why the hell am I paying for charging your 4 extra batteries? I'm already paying $180 for you to grace me with your presence and step off the truck, before you do any actual work, right? And no, I don't call people on it, I just make it a point not to call them back next time. Not the money but the principle.

 

[Garcky]

With all due respect, you’re comparing a bottom of the line 3/8” corded drill with their top of the line 20V 1/2” cordless drill with batteries. I don’t think one could argue there isn’t a cost difference but it’s not that much. The Dewalt 1/2” drill at HD is $149, same price as a bare tool cordless 1/2” drill.

I see what you're saying, and that might matter to some buyers. However, there is also a huge market for people looking for a drill that isn't three figures to buy. That corded 3/8 drill will do over 90% of what most people use a drill for. DeWalt's corded 1/2" drill will do way more than the 20V battery one. The two tools shown are for different buyers who are looking for different things, I think.

Both are good drills. On the other hand, you can go to HF and buy a 3/8 or 1/2" corded drill for even less that will still do the job for almost all buyers. Not a pro tool, but a useful DIY tool, for sure.

Tool manufacturers have to cater to a wide range of consumers, so they produce a range of tools at a range of prices. Not everyone needs a $189 1/2" 20V drill. Something less expensive with a 3/8" chuck will do the job just fine for the target audience of the less expensive one.

The mistake is telling the consumer who won't buy the $189 drill that nothing else is good enough for him. The tool manufacturers won't say that, and neither, I think, should we, frankly.

 

[Garcky]

Since my garage is basically a "so-called two-car" that is more like a 1.5-car in practical terms, it doesn't take much in the way of extension cords to do anything I need in there. I've never been a fan of maintaining batteries or worrying about which platform, or a platform becoming obsolete and having to repurchase/upgrade tools. That and there's just no room to dedicate to a bank of chargers for this and that brand/platform either.

If I had bigger property to maintain and more shop space to work with I would probably have my fair share of cordless tools, but for me there's just no real upshot and the space savings make it an easy decision. The cost savings doesn't hurt either, because as stated already by the OP, there's some very good deals to be had on corded tools.

Lastly, when it comes to professional use, I can't speak for anyone else but my experience with contractors here has fallen into two discrete categories. The first are people who show up and get to work, either with fully charged cordless or by plugging in corded tools. The second are the ones that bring chargers with them and the first thing they do is plug in and use my electricity to charge the extra batteries they need for the next job(s) that day. I'm fine with the former, but the latter chaps my ***. Contractors are utterly shameless about it too. They plug in by the main entry nowhere near where they are working and when I ask if they want me to make room or get a cord so they can swap batteries closer to the work area, "Oh I'm just charging these up for jobs later today, I won't need them while I'm here." To each his own but it seems like a **** move to me. If you're not using them on my job, why the hell am I paying for charging your 4 extra batteries? I'm already paying $180 for you to grace me with your presence and step off the truck, before you do any actual work, right? And no, I don't call people on it, I just make it a point not to call them back next time. Not the money but the principle.

To be fair, there are quite a few GJ posters who have very high standards for the tools they use. Nothing wrong with that. However, as with what car to drive or many other things, what I think is the best choice for me might not be the best choice for someone else.

As an example, I remember one time when I was out fishing on a local lake - my favorite lake. I was in my 12' aluminum boat with its Johnson 6hp outboard. Both were very old. Near where i was fishing was a guy in a $50k boat with a massive outboard. Both of us were fishing for the same thing, Muskies. I had my little boat up in the shallows, near an extensive bed of water lilies. I was fishing with light tackle and small lures. The guy in the other boat couldn't get that close to where the fish were at that time, so he was off quite a ways, making long casts with huge musky lures.

It's hard to catch muskies, but about a half an hour after I started fishing, I hooked one. It wasn't huge, but my small lure and light tackle was enough for me to net it in a few minutes. It measured out at 36". I released it and kept fishing there and caught some nice northern pike and even a couple of nice Largemouth bass. All on the same lure and tackle. No more muskies, but I had a lot of fun.

The other guy? He never had a single hook-up. He was not amused. He had the very best boat, the very best tackle, the very best rod and reel. But, he didn't catch anything. I finally called it a day and started my little outboard and putted out past his boat, leaving him plenty of room. He gave me the finger, as if to say, "You don't deserve to catch more fish than I do....Look at what I've got!" I just smiled.

 

[subroc]

I disagree. This is from my local home depot today …

With all due respect, you’re comparing a bottom of the line 3/8” corded drill with their top of the line 20V 1/2” cordless drill with batteries. I don’t think one could argue there isn’t a cost difference but it’s not that much. The Dewalt 1/2” drill at HD is $149, same price as a bare tool cordless 1/2” drill.

Agree, you can find a brushless compact drill kit with 1/2" chuck, a couple batteries and a charger for $100.

 

[Kuma601]

Corded tools for the lesser performed tasks is fine. Before cordless I bought what I felt were nice tools. Bosch 1587VS jig saw, Skil Mag 77 circular saw, the Porter Cable 690 and while I don't use them frequently they perform the task well to this day. They can be bought used quite affordably.

A local handyman wanted $25/hole to set some concrete anchors, there were 8 to do. The cost to buy the low end Skil corded hammer drill was $50, drill bit $15, the 8 anchors were like $4 each then the setter punch at $6 or so. That $100 saved was worth it and I have a tool if necessary for the next time. It isn't as fast as a higher line tool but for a one time DIY I'm not to concerned about saving a handful of minutes. The $ was.

 

[whateg01]

I bought my first cordless 9.6v DeWalt drill in the mid 90s doing car stereo installation and have never looked back. I have corded tools and many cordless of the same. Occasionally a job is going to take long enough that battery life is a concern so I'll use corded then, but that's probably 5% of the time. I do too much stuff I have to get in the truck to get to that dragging chords around is just that - a drag!

 

[Bubba Fett]

If you bring the work to the tool, corded is fine. If you bring the tool to the work, cordless is better.

 

[ybnormal]

I would have and use a battery powered tool for every job over a corded tool without question or reservation except shop equipment like table saw, drill press, miter saw, band saw, table mounted routers, etc. These days, i am just a home use DIYer. Of course corded tools can do the job. To some just starting out, brushless is a must. Apparently brushed tools are inferior and not worth owning. How anyone chooses to tool up is up to them. If budget, or convenience, or remote work or task or all of the many things that drive a guy to select corded or cordless, home owner grade or a top professional line of tools, who cares. I have mostly cordless tools. Very little is corded these days. But, the extension cord is still plugged in, wound and hanging just inside the garage door.

yep. I bought the Ryobi 10pc kit on sale on BF at HD. $369. I actually travel to my friends property where my cars are stored to work on them and he doesn't really have electrical available (long story). and when I goto the junkyard to pull car parts, the drill/driver/sawzall comes in handy.
I'm a DIYer but Ryobi fits my budget and my intended usage, and with the battery form factor never changing, it's a no brainer for me. this kit is also all the brushed tools, not the brushless models, and with my intended DIY usage, the brushless advantage is irrelevant to me.

 

[Garcky]

Agree, you can find a brushless compact drill kit with 1/2" chuck, a couple batteries and a charger for $100.

Yes, exactly. There's a tool available pretty much for anyone's budget. On the other hand, I'd be happy to have a contest of drilling a 1/2" hole in a 1/4" thick trailer frame rail. I'll use the corded old 1/2" drill with a side handle I bought for $20 at a garage sale, and the other contestant can use any cordless 1/2" drill he prefers. We both get the same brand new 1/2 drill bits. First one through the steel gets the other guy's drill. Kind of like racing for pink slips...

I guess my point is that it's better to have a drill than not to have a drill. If you can't afford the $!89 cordless one, you can still have a drill that will do the job you need to do. For a lot less money.

 

[Garcky]

If you bring the work to the tool, corded is fine. If you bring the tool to the work, cordless is better.

Well, if the work is less than 100' from the closest outlet, I'm good with the corded stuff.

 

[Aaron_W]

I make cordless tools justify themselves and often they just don't sell me on the need.

I tend to buy corded tools as I have good access to power, and it means I can buy exactly the tool I want rather than worry about battery infrastructure. Cordless can also have "feel" issues with weight and balance so that is a consideration, and last I find corded are the same price or cheaper than similar cordless tools so there is no real downside to corded unless portability is key as with a hand drill.

Even with drills where my cordless Makita is my go to, I have heavier corded drills for heavy drilling.

Most of my cordless tools are Ryobi because at that price point they are usually good enough for what I need, where my corded tools tend to be higher end name brands or vintage.

 

[nadogail]

My first cordless tool was ****, it was a grass and weed trimmer that lasted about nine months. The next was a Makita drill with the long 9.6 volt battery, I wore it out. My employer bought me a yellow cordless drill that despite it having a supposedly good name had a life much shorter than the Makita. I found a Royobi set at Home Depot and thought I would be fixed up, the batteries quit charging after a few months, so I bought a new pair of Royobi batteries ; they too went bad shortly.

I am back with Makita and I never plan to switch.

 

[ybnormal]

I make cordless tools justify themselves and often they just don't sell me on the need.

I tend to buy corded tools as I have good access to power, and it means I can buy exactly the tool I want rather than worry about battery infrastructure. Cordless can also have "feel" issues with weight and balance so that is a consideration, and last I find corded are the same price or cheaper than similar cordless tools so there is no real downside to corded unless portability is key as with a hand drill.

Even with drills where my cordless Makita is my go to, I have heavier corded drills for heavy drilling.

Most of my cordless tools are Ryobi because at that price point they are usually good enough for what I need, where my corded tools tend to be higher end name brands or vintage.

exactly. if the job calls for heavy duty like a hammer drill or drilling thru frame rails, then corded it is. otherwise cordless is perfectly adequate

 

[Aaron_W]

My first cordless tool was ****, it was a grass and weed trimmer that lasted about nine months. The next was a Makita drill with the long 9.6 volt battery, I wore it out. My employer bought me a yellow cordless drill that despite it having a supposedly good name had a life much shorter than the Makita. I found a Royobi set at Home Depot and thought I would be fixed up, the batteries quit charging after a few months, so I bought a new pair of Royobi batteries ; they too went bad shortly.

I am back with Makita and I never plan to switch.

Interesting with your Ryobi batteries, I have only had one fail in 10 years and that was in the past year. No idea how old it was, could have been from the first batch 10 years ago or one of the ones I bought 2 years ago because they were on sale and who can't use more batteries.

 

[nadogail]

Interesting with your Ryobi batteries, I have only had one fail in 10 years and that was in the past year. No idea how old it was, could have been from the first batch 10 years ago or one of the ones I bought 2 years ago because they were on sale and who can't use more batteries.

I guess it was about 10 years ago.

 

[redwrench60]

I really hated those things especially the ones with the metal cover around the bulb, would always burn my arm on those suckers.
If I never see one again it will be too soon...

I worked with em so long I find the soft glow of a 75 watt rough service bulb to be quite romantic.

You’re not living till you get a drop light cage pattern burned into your cheek while you’re hopelessly jammed up under the dash of a farm truck with dried cow **** on the brake pedal.

 

[LWB]

I have a battery drill and impact only, but this thread has me wanting a jigsaw and circular saw for no good reason...

 

[signcrafter]

Everyone has their own needs and choices. I have a pretty extensive m18 and m12 collection. Once you have the batteries you keep buying the tools as needed. I have corded tools of just about everything that rarely get used anymore. Bought my first cordless drill 25 years ago and knew from then on that they were worth the price to have. Dragging a cord out and rolling it back up ***** when time is at a premium. Especially if it's for one or two screws, or to cut one board. If I was retired and had free time I wouldnt care about cords. But when you work full time plus and then are always working on something else it's nice to just grab a tool and a battery and get to work.

I also do things I nor.ally wouldnt. I hated detailing the vehicles, with the work I do and having kids the vehicles get dirty pretty quick. I would let them be dirty since I hated getting the shop vac and cord out and dragging it around the car. Bought an m18 shop vac and now a quick vac is convenient so I do it a lot more.

I only use air for a blow gun, air hammer, sandblaster and my tire machine. Everything else has been switched over to cordless, impacts, ratchets, die grinders, buffers, cut off tool, etc. All my nailers and staplers are cordless now. I used my portable compressor last week to spray texture on the walls. Other then that it doeant get used much. Have cordless versions of just about every corded tool you could need, hole hawg, pvc and copper cutters, heat gun, soldering iron, oscillating tool, concrete saw(had to cut out a mud pan in a shower and it worked great with no fumes), mixing drill(had to buy when working at a house without power), lots of lights, saws, and the list just keeps going on. Once you get used to cordless they do have their place.

But if you are on a budget then I can see buying used corded tools. I dont have a clue what I have invested in my cordless collection and I dont want to know because then I wouldnt be able to say I dont know when the wife asks how much I have on that shelf.

 

[KnurledNut]

Cordless tools have an advantage during natural disasters, power outages, vehicle emergencies, etc.

 

[signcrafter]

Cordless tools have an advantage during natural disasters, power outages, vehicle emergencies, etc.

Yes sir. When we were without power for 8 days my milwaukee tools were invaluable. My flood lights, power supplies for charging phones, m18 chainsaw for cutting downed trees, and all the other tools. Could charge batteries when we ran the generator.