12V vs 18/20V tools

[nh_yota]

Here is a slightly outside the box point of view:

I live in a small house on a small piece of property in the downtown area of my small city. Everything on my property is within reach of a 100' extension cord and most things are within reach of a 50' cord. I bought the house in the spring of 2009 and I didn't use a single cordless tool for the first two years until I bought a new Hitachi 18v drill/driver/light set in 2011. I had an older Craftsman cordless drill/saw kit that I bought in college but the batteries were shot so it was never used. In that first two years of home ownership I worked on quite a few projects and did them all with corded tools. Money was tight so new cordless tools were not a priority until a couple of years later when I had some extra money and decided that it would be nice to not have to unravel an extension cord when I worked outside.

My point is that for most people, 12V tools can accomplish 95% of the same tasks that can be done with 18V tools except for tasks that need a little extra grunt, and most of those remaining tasks can be accomplished with a corded tool and extension cord.

 

[geo_08]

I have to say that I was all set to buy the makita subcompact set, but reading this thread is making me think hard about that.

 

[intillzah]

My point is that for most people, 12V tools can accomplish 95% of the same tasks that can be done with 18V tools except for tasks that need a little extra grunt, and most of those remaining tasks can be accomplished with a corded tool and extension cord.

I couldn't have put it any better myself...

 

[DFB]

I have to say that I was all set to buy the makita subcompact set, but reading this thread is making me think hard about that.

That Makita subcompact offering is really completely different animal altogether. A kind of a crossover...your basically getting the compactness of a 12v tool (and the power/torque rating isn't much greater) but by using a 18v battery form which allows you to use any of the other Makita 18v tools It's kind of a win win in a way for expansion without supporting two platforms.



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As to OP question many are using the Milwaukee tools and (FUEL Line) as a tool reference and for most homeowner chores and smaller projects they will get the job done well and the brushless tools generally do offer increased performance advantages over the brushed.

I have a lot of M12 both brushed and brushless. Also have M18. Though a lot of similar tool cross over between the Milwaukee 12 and 18v tool lines certain tools options will only available in the higher platforms. Water pump, fan, tripod lights, wet dry vac come to mind. Would be nice if more took a multi battery configuration like the big BT stereo speaker.

There is seriously big difference in certain tools though like a full size recip saw vs a hackzall drill/driver or the larger impact wrenches. Other things like RA tools or some the different lights not so much.

 

[geo_08]

That Makita subcompact offering is really completely different animal altogether. A kind of a crossover...your basically getting the compactness of a 12v tool (and the power/torque rating isn't much greater) but by using a 18v battery form which allows you to use any of the other Makita 18v tools It's kind of a win win in a way for expansion without supporting two platforms.

That is why I am still on the fence. I may end up just buying a little 12v impact drill driver/ screwdriver set that bosch offers for hobby work as well as the makita subcompact around the house.

OP maybe that makita subcompact is something you should look into.

 

[crewchief888]

I have both 12v and 18v stuff. All li ion batteries
Around the house i find myself reaching for the 12v brushed stuff 1st, mainly because the weight.

In my service truck I mainly use 18v fuel 3/8" Dr impact, occasionally my 18v fuel grinder, or 12v 1/2" drill flashlight is also 12v.

 

[Voi]

Does Bosch offer a non impact 1/4" driver? Or can you turn the impact off their 1/4?

I need a little 12v for working on bikes and originally was thinking about picking up the dewalt 12v max screw driver, or either the Makita FD01W or FD06R1 kits.

Bosch has a few. PS20, PS21 and PS22. I'm not sure if they even make the PS20 anymore. I got one for free and I really like it but I understand the PS21 & PS22 are much more powerful.

Bosch also offers dual voltage chargers.

Unfortunately I just couldn't fall for the Bosch 18V line despite already having bought into their 12V line. Since I made the post you quoted and changed my mind and bought into Makita.

Might still add some Milwaukee 12V tools, however.

 

[Voi]

That is why I am still on the fence. I may end up just buying a little 12v impact drill driver/ screwdriver set that bosch offers for hobby work as well as the makita subcompact around the house.

OP maybe that makita subcompact is something you should look into.

I'm not sure I get the subcompact line. As I recall my Makita 18V impact driver and hammer drill are physically shorter than their subcompact equivalents. But much more powerful at the cost of a pound heavier each.

Likewise, I think my XTW11z is about a pound heavier than the new subcompact 3/8" wrench. But it's also only 1/8" longer while something like 90 foot pounds more powerful.

But there is always the issue of all day use which rarely applies to me nowadays. I still might use a tool all day but I rarely have to do it again the next day.

 

[6PTsocket]

Does Bosch offer a non impact 1/4" driver? Or can you turn the impact off their 1/4?

I need a little 12v for working on bikes and originally was thinking about picking up the dewalt 12v max screw driver, or either the Makita FD01W or FD06R1 kits.

In reference to small size, with Makita's new subcompact line that rules out some of the advantages of the 12v drill/ driver and impact.

They did when I got mine. I got the 12 volt impact driver and was given the choice of a bonus rt angle drill or the regular drill with clutch. I took the regular 12 volt drill with multi position clutch. These are both hex drive tools. Just as people refer to 18/ 20 volt tools, the 12 volt tools are actually 10.8/12 volts. Bosch called them 10.8 when they first came out, then switched. Same battery.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[finn]

I have mostly 18/20v Bosch and Dewalt, but I also have a 12 v Bosch driver which is very handy, and a 12 v Milwaukee hacksall, which I hate with a passion.

The 12 v Bosch is perfect for my wife to handle. In fact, I think it has pretty much become her property.

One thing I don’t like about the 12 v tools is that they don’t stand in an upright position like the 18/20 v tools, which I’d inconvenient, especially when a ladder is involved.

 

[Tonyuk]

If your looking to use it professionally or for the best part of a days work, buy the most powerful tool you can reasonably use/afford. There's nothing more annoying than using a weak impact, and having to constantly stop, crack the fastener by hand, then get the gun on it again to spin it off.

Im a fan of the Milwaukee M18 system and really recommend their compact 1/2". It does me for 90% of work every day in the dealership, i also have their mid-toque and a dewalt 1/2" high torque. They're great and will deal with pretty much anything on a car.

I had a cordless 12v impact a while ago (a draper brand) and it was tragic, no real power for anything other than smaller fasteners such as under-covers etc..

The better brands will probably perform better, however i doubt there will be much of a difference in cost between the older 12v and newer 18-20v line up.

My electric tools with the least power is a new snap-on 3/8" 14.4v, its ideal for work inside the cab, however there isn't really that much of a weight or size saving over the 1/2" Milwaukee compact, i prefer it for the trigger set-up however.

Buy a good 1/2" impact, a good cheap-ish set of sockets, extensions & a universal joint, you'll be happy.