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Buying Into 18V "Lineups", Looking For Recommendations
- Thread starter Skeptic68W
- Start date
If it was me just starting out, I would look at buying the basic tools you'll need like a drill, 1/4" impact and grinder. What nobody has mentioned is this: there are tons of 18V Ni-Cad Dewalt tools on Craigslist that people are selling real cheap, because they bought the 20V stuff. Some of the 18V stuff is damn near new and unused and can be had for $20-$30.
Now here is the kicker, you can buy an adapter, charger, and 2 20V batteries that works in these tools, and you can then use like new tools with new performance from the upgraded batteries. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016K1UEPS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
But I would only buy the basics like a drill and impact along with the adapter kit.
Here is the best part of going this route. You can then upgrade to the new 20V platform over time by buying the bare tools only, instead of buying a kit since you'll already have the batteries and charger. Then as you slowly upgrade you can sell off the 18V stuff you bought in the 1st place.
This is how I did it, and the new batteries with the adapter has made a huge improvement in the 18V tools I own and the run better now than they did new with the Ni-Cad batteries.
Now here is the kicker, you can buy an adapter, charger, and 2 20V batteries that works in these tools, and you can then use like new tools with new performance from the upgraded batteries. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016K1UEPS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
But I would only buy the basics like a drill and impact along with the adapter kit.
Here is the best part of going this route. You can then upgrade to the new 20V platform over time by buying the bare tools only, instead of buying a kit since you'll already have the batteries and charger. Then as you slowly upgrade you can sell off the 18V stuff you bought in the 1st place.
This is how I did it, and the new batteries with the adapter has made a huge improvement in the 18V tools I own and the run better now than they did new with the Ni-Cad batteries.
I would think for drills any of the lines would work. For automotive I think it is impossible to beat the Milwaukee ratchet and impacts and they just keep making better stuff. For a guy without an air compressor who wants to remove crank bolts, axle nuts etc the Milwaukee stuff is extraordinary. But, this is just like the hand tool debates though. You don't 'need' a Snap on ratchet or Mac wrench to change your oil once a year but the more you do with the tools the more it becomes worthwhile to get a better tool if you can afford it.
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Now here is the kicker, you can buy an adapter, charger, and 2 20V batteries that works in these tools, and you can then use like new tools with new performance from the upgraded batteries. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016K1UEPS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
But that kit is $112, and it would result in a bulky tool. And a lot of the older ni-cad DeWalt stuff is in rough shape even if you can find it used. Why spend $170 on that kit and a used impact & drill when you can buy a brand new lithium kit for the same amount?
The new kit will come with an impact driver, a drill, charger, bag, and 2 batteries. Once you get the charger and batteries, then you can buy bare tools for cheap.
59 wagon man
Well-known member
I can almost 100% vouch for the Ryobi 1 + 18 . I have the impact drill,driver,and the drain snake which all work well, the sawzall was tough to use to cut threaded rod. the spotlight was incredible and the fact you can plug it into 110 also works great. I have the drywall cutout tool also but I haven't used it yet. for the price it is a good deal