18v cordless system

[Firebrick43]

For a long time I resisted cordless tools to to the weight of the nicad batteries.

Anyway a couple of years ago I finally broke down and bought a dewalt li-ion 12v drill and impact driver. The impact driver was a godsend. Handy, powerful, and lightweight. I was fine with the small battery packs as I rarely did huge jobs. It's handy and lightweight. It fits my hand well and stands upright. Downside is it doesn't fit my hand with winter gloves and unfortunately dewalt has failed to expand this line.

Any, this fall I started my house build and felt the need for a larger drill.

Menards had an 18v li-ion Bosch kit for 130 bucks. I have used the dog **** out of the impact driver and it fits well. Been mostly happy but here in the last two days it seam much slower but still will drive long screws. Makes an odd skipping sound while the hammer mechanism is engaged. Doesn't appear the batteries are to blame as they both work fine in the drill. I don't feel cheated as I have driven thousands of tek screws and 3" construction screws.

Question is, should I have the impact driver repaired and continue to purchase more Bosch 18v tools. (I sort of want a drywall gun)

Should I stop and buy in to the Milwaukee m18 system?

The other option is just buy further into the Milwaukee m12? I already have the m12 propex tool and fuel hackzall. I am impressed with the fuel impact drivers and would love an m12 3/8 impact. The have the larger batteries that allow the tool to sit upright but I am not real thrilled with the sort of fat handle. Also no drywall gun but I could just use a corded one.

I really am not thrilled with the dewalt 20v system and others are out not because their bad, just not common around here.

What would you do?

 

[gdocktor3]

The M12 batteries wouldn't last if you were using them to drive deck screws and stuff like that with the impact driver. If you have Bosch 18v batteries, I'd continue with them. You can buy refurbished units from CPO for cheap and never know the difference between refurb and new if you wanted. You're crazy to buy a battery powered drywall gun. The proper way to use a drywall gun is to keep the trigger pressed and rpms up, put a screw on and send it home, repeat, repeat, repeat without releasing trigger. You're better off with a corded version.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Depends... do you want to stick with Bosch? Do you have a lot of their batteries? Most will say to stick with 1 platform (if you can) as it reduces cost on batteries. How much you want to spend? What other tools are you interested in besides a basic drill/driver and impact driver?

Honestly for the home-gamer any of the current cordless from the big manufacturers will work just fine. Milwaukee seems popular here on GJ.... I personally started with Makita (LXT line), because that's what my dad had. He mostly bought Makita in the 80s and all are still working to this day, at least the corded ones. Cordless OTOH, has changed so much since the NiCad days. Even though they worked, it wasn't worth keep them. Battery-life, weight, power... no comparison from the 9V NiCad of yesteryear to 18V lithium today.

So that said, I'm very happy with my Makita LXT tools... not as cheap in price as Milwaukee (fewer deals), but the batteries charge super fast and I like the ergos.

 

[jlipsky14]

I have lots of Milwaukee and love it all. Use it every day professionally.
I feel they are the best at the moment (except for lawn tools) and are constantly bringing new tools to market. Their warranty is very good as well.
As an added bonus the m18 chargers charge your m12 tools too.
I would definitely go "Fuel" as the kit pricing with another tool is very good right now.

 

[kctyphoon]

The smartest thing you can do, is take a hard look at what platforms offer which tools. If theres ANYTHING you might wants down the road, it's worth at least considering that now before you purchase anything..
I am extremely happy with all my Milwaukee stuff.. I have both m12 and m18. it seems the majority of people that go with Milwaukee, wind up buying both the m12 and m18 lines. It's just worth it to have the selection of big and small tools.. I like my dewalt 12v max stuff too, but they haven't done anything with it.. Milwaukee's powers tools lines are very extensive, and they are the fastest growing lines of cordless stuff. Basically no one competes with Milwaukee's cordless lighting, heated gear, their warranty reputation, battery selection, or tool selection either. That's why they have such a big following in here..

When the holidays roll around, they usually offer the biggest sales too.. they were basically "giving away" their new 9.0 batteries and rapid chargers the last few months. Promo kits included $200+ cordless fuel saws, their $199, 9.0 battery, and $70 rapid chargers for as low as $187 for all 3 - with a regular price of $249.. I just got one of them, and their $249 rocket light for $199, that came with a free charger and 5.0 battery too..

I've NEVER seen another tool company offer such great deals.

 

[Voi]

The other option is just buy further into the Milwaukee m12? I already have the m12 propex tool and fuel hackzall. I am impressed with the fuel impact drivers and would love an m12 3/8 impact. The have the larger batteries that allow the tool to sit upright but I am not real thrilled with the sort of fat handle. Also no drywall gun but I could just use a corded one.

What would you do?

It sounds like you have two M12 tools and two Bosch 18V tools, of which one of the latter is not working properly?

If it were me I'd buy a M18 drywall gun first. It will come with a dual voltage charger which will give you another way of charging M12 tools.

From there you can decide which tools to add in 18V, 12V, brushless or brushed. And you'll only need one charger regardless of how you combine those four characteristics.

 

[fourjeepin]

I switched from nicad Dewalt to Ridgid. I didn't intend to switch, but kept seeing deals and loved the battery warranty. Their line up isn't the best, but it is decent, the tools are good quality, and they can be had very cheap via the hot deals forum.

 

[MarlynOC]

Anyone use a Makita or Ryobi impact driver? Thinking of one as do not need to remove wheel lugs as have wire wheels and need a brass hammer to remove them. So would be be for bolts and such. has 1450 in/lb torque. 18 V lithium