Cordless tool brand preferences

[Nickmm]

Hey guys,

So, I've been using the dewalt 18v stuff for some time now. I have most everything I need for work, and I've always said I'd move to the 20v versions if/when they add the tools I want in that line. Finally, they have a 2.5" portable band saw (not sure when it came out) as well as about everything else offered in 18v now in 20v. My current setup is a drill, 1/4 driver, 3/8 and 1/2 impact, 2" Band saw, and circular saw. I'd be looking at something similar (no impacts needed this time) in the new 20v stuff, but was wondering if anyone have a brand preference or one that performs better for them with options such as a sawzall, bandsaw, metal circular saw, and grinder in their line up? Dewalt does have good variety, so its a nice option. What about Makita/Milwaukee?

Cheers,
Nick

 

[RedRabbit]

Makita gets my vote. They have a massive lineup of 18v lxt tools. And a majority of them are brushless. They have a charger that cools the batteries while charging to prolong the life. And great power, but many reviewers seem biased against it. It is made in Japan.

 

[bbs lm-r]

I started off with a AC Delco 3/8 cordless impact, having no brand preference at all. I'm up to their 1/2 impact and 1/4 cordless ratchet now. I had their cordless die grinder and 3/8 ratchet at one point, but neither were ever used. The grinder lacked variable speed control, and I found the ratchet too bulky.

 

[blackedout12v]

it really is all individual preference. Makita,milwaukee,dewalt,bosch,all good tools

 

[Hesketh]

After buying a few cheep own brand drills and killing these quite quick, I got a Makita drill about 8 years ago. I have been buying Makita kit since then. I also upgraded to the LXT range of tools a few weeks back love the fact the 18v is lighter than my old 14.4v stuff.

So I would happily recommend the Makita kit.

Foot note I did kill the 8 year old drill a few weeks back but after 8 years hard use (and abuse) I really don't see that as a bad run.

 

[itguy08]

Never was a fan of DeWalt. IMHO it's B&D painted yellow.

I'm in the Milwaukee camp now - M12 and M18. They are very, very good tools!

 

[Big Bad Jon]

Bosch for me. I have had great luck with their tools both cordless and electric.

 

[DonPowers]

Makita, been using them for years.

 

[Dust Devil]

Makita

 

[bsaint]

Makita tools for me too. Ive used pretty much all of them and they all work well but Makita always seems to me the best value and quality for the money.

 

[Nickmm]

I suppose I'm going to start looking at weight and a few other specs on some of these tools. I figure anything with Li-ion batteries is going to be fairly light anyway, but I'm going to check individual tools I need and compare across brands. Such as who has the best cordless bandsaw, drill, etc.

I know I opened up the competition between brands, but must admit my dewalt hammer drill is incredibly powerful, and I like it very much! Its just too heavy.
Running with Ingersol rand for a lot of my cordless now, but they don't offer the home/metal working type tools my dewalt does. I have a 1/2 impact, 1/2 drill (over 1400ftlbs of torque between the two!), 3/8 ratchet, light, and 3/8 drill.

I haven't really given bosch a good look. I hate the drill of theirs we have at work, but its a 12v so not a fair judgement.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Milwaukee... M12 & M18 drills and drill-drivers. I've dropped them from above 8 feet.. and they keep on chugging along.

Also have a V28 impact wrench

 

[cashishift]

I'm pretty embedded into the DeWalt camp.. and would/will probably stay with them if they did 2 things.

1) Expand the 12v line and market the tools like you want to sell them. The tools get zero marketing support but they are awesome tools. I rarely use my 18v impact or drill anymore.. for the most part the 12v stuff has replaced it.

2) Adopt the TSTAK cases to ALL tools.. offer inserts for old tools to go into them.. people buy into that system and it turns into a cash cow. Look at Festool Ditch the stupid bags... no one in the field wants those.. they just rip and end up getting shoved full of stuff and never get zipped anyways.

 

[the gypsy]

In my case this is what I am doing. I have adopted the Milwaukee line M18 because it has the largest variety of tools available and also not to have 2 or 3 battery chargers and batteries to carry around from jobsite to jobsite. But on the other hand when I buy a corded tool I will look at the best in whatever line it is produced.
I love the Makita tools that are made in Japan and it is one of my first choices if they make the tool I need. I am allergic to most Dewalt and all Ryobi, I just can`t explain it.

 

[Nickmm]

Milwaukee M18 Bandsaw

Makita Cordless bandsaw 4.75" capacity

Ok, did some searching around based on your guys' suggestions. I like the Makita lineup for the brushless stuff, seems worth the investment. I found a very good deal on a 4 piece kit for $250 locally, I may pick it up. The Bandsaw will be my biggest asset to either lineup, and I like that makita has 2, a 4.75" and a 2.5" Capacity saw. My dewalt is 2.25, and it is a bit small for some jobs, actually, a lot of jobs. Question: LXT refers only to the battery tech, correct, not necessarily brushless?

On the Milwaukee stuff, the bandsaw only goes to 3.25" which is probably enough for most of my needs. Its also $100 cheaper than the top of the line makita, but I don't see that as a factor for my use. I do see that things like their sawzall, they have a very egronomic design. When running conduit, my friend brought his over, and I was impressed by its 1-handed ease of use, compared to traditional "turkey cutter" style sawzalls. Some of their other tools, including the bandsaw, have ergronomics clearly at the forefront of design, differing from traditional power tool designs most other companies have been using for a while. Any input on choosing this brand for that reason alone?

Checked out bosch and ridgid as well, and bosch looks like a good runner up, but I am thinking I'll go with the first two brands I mentioned for their proven track record.

Cheers,

Nick

 

[BK13]

Yes, I believe LXT is the battery. I have a brushed LXT hammer drill ($99 Home Depot special).

 

[Nickmm]

Yes, I believe LXT is the battery. I have a brushed LXT hammer drill ($99 Home Depot special).

Can't find it Implicity stated, but I'm pretty sure as well from their literature. LXT seems to refer to the newer battery pack is all.

I'm going to go testdrive the milwaukee saw and work out a decision. If anyone knows of some good deals/specials right now, I'd love to hear as well.

Cheers,
nick

 

[Kenskip1]

For me it is generally about the cost. I have 3 M12 tools. A 3/8 drill, an 3/8 impact wrench, and an 3/8 ratchet.They all perform great. I own a C-3 1/2 drive impact wrench.A Dewalt 18 volt 1/2 impact wrench, and finally a Makita 1/4 drive impact driver.Being restricted with $$$ I do a lot of reading about the tools I intend to purchase. These have all suited me fine. Ken

 

[AV tinker er]

I like Rigid. One of the better warranties and have been holding strong for me.

 

[RogueFab]

I like my Ridgid set... but the keyless drill chucks have some runout. So did the 2 my dad bought (3rd one didnt). Not a big enough amount for most jobs.

 

[Agentwho]

I picked up a Ryobi 18v one+ set a while back and it has been good to me. The biggest draw back being the battery starting to drop out after a year and worthless by the second. This also brings up one of their strong points. The one+ line has used the same battery for a long time now. Even the new lithium batts fit the old stuff unlike other brands who revamp the whole design making old stuff obsolete.

Yes the battery's are expensive and it is usually cheaper to buy a drill kit that comes with batt and charger. But at least that batt will still work in my original sawsaw

 

[airrj]

I have two full sets of Ryobi's one that is 9 years old and the second is 3 years old. I finally burned up a diode on the 9 year old drill which cost $3 for the diode. The 3 year old set is actually a re-manufactured set and I have built and entire house with them plus allot more. For the price they are essentially throw away tools, but I have never needed to throw them out. In a year I will likely buy another drill or something for two more batteries. I am very happy with them.

 

[cookiexd40]

Craftsman 18.2 lasted awhile, still works but I recent got the kobalt drill, circ saw, led light and recip saw combo with bag lithium 18 volt. I love the whole set...its not makita or Dewalt but I don't build houses and such.

sent from my rotary cell phone...

 

[mp23]

Im a dewalt fan. I have had my 14.4 stuff for 15 years and still going strong. That being said I cant speak for the new stuff. Since I cant go to the store and buy 14.4 stuff anymore im not sure what I should do in the future.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Craftsman C3 19.2volt. Had it since 2006, love it. Reasonably priced. My 2006 Ni-Cads are still working well. The second generation Li-Ion batteries look pretty good. Lots of different tools available. I what really, really like is one charger, one style of battery that is interchangeable.

 

[jd_1138]

I just bought a set of Ryobi 18V lithium tools -- 1/4" impact driver, drill, circ saw, recip saw. I used the 1/4" to drive some long exterior screws into the fence -- went in like butter. I love it. I never had a powerful driver before. Before I would've had to pre-drill and it'd take 5 times longer. This is my first set of cordless tools. Before, all I had was a cordless non-impact drill.

 

[kctyphoon]

Your personal preference - the only other options you have are basically milwaukee or makita. Milwaukee makes a brushless version of almost everything you want, and they also beat makita in terms of peak torque on every tools EXCEPT makita's new hammer drill. milwaukee also makes rubber boots for their impacts to protect the tools, and just came out with 5.0 batteries. Their m18 fuel high torque impact offers something crazy like 1000 ftlbs of peak torque. Makita on the other hand offers the largest line up of 18 volt tools, and offers a lot of speciality tools like chainsaws and string trimmers just to name a few of the more uncommon ones.. I personally like Milwaukee for 18 v stuff.. They seem committed to disrupt every tool market they enter, and it seems like they have more "advanced " tools coming to market every few weeks, weather it's a new speaker or a hole hog.. Their brushless line is pushing more and more mechanics to pick up a cordless impact over their air tools..


I've been kinda let down by Dewalt - I also was a committed 18v dewalt guy until I finally decided to get into lithium. I'm very happy I chose Milwaukee over dewalts 20v line, but I still like their 12v max stuff over the m12 stuff.. I have some of both. Dewalt lately seems more committed to please the Home Depot crowd than professionals.. Their newest tools are basic air tools in lowes, and a new 40v lawn and garden line coming out this year.. Sorry, but I think their core tool line needs attention and additions over selling a weed wacker. The 12v max line could be a much bigger success if they would expand it with more usable stuff like bosch and milwaukee has..

 

[Bruce57]

I would pass on the Dewalt. The drill chucks are junk. If your looking to go economical, check out Porter Cable 20v. Otherwise, my choice would be Makita.

 

[kctyphoon]

I would pass on the Dewalt. The drill chucks are junk. If your looking to go economical, check out Porter Cable 20v. Otherwise, my choice would be Makita.

Are you basing this off an older set or the new stuff - the only cordless drills my company would buy is dewalt, and I remeber for a little while you couldn't drill a hole without the chuck coming loose.. That was some time ago, and other models I have don't have any issue with the chuck at all. I do not own any of the 20v line, but 3 different 18volt between home an work, and a few other guys At work have different dewalts too.. I remember the problem was when they first changed over to a different chuck design, I think the first metal black chuck after the shiny metal ones. I think that's when the changed drill design from the transmission that would shift from left to right and changed to shifting front to back.. I just gave away my first 18v hammer drill that was probably 15 or 20 years old and still going. (After swapping the motor and transmission when the brushes finally went) there are a few dozen different model/yr dewalts floating around at work and I've never seen or heard of a chuck breaking.

 

[jmontoya]

Just sold my Makita impact drill i had for at least 6 yrs and it still works great, purchased used at a garage sale too, if it wasn't for the battery dying i would still have it, i dropped several times on concrete and it ran fine. Just moved to Milwaukee and the jury still out.

 

[kctyphoon]

Just sold my Makita impact drill i had for at least 6 yrs and it still works great, purchased used at a garage sale too, if it wasn't for the battery dying i would still have it, i dropped several times on concrete and it ran fine. Just moved to Milwaukee and the jury still out.

Yea I'm pretty much committed to milwaukee at this point also. I have the fuel drill/impact set. Just picked up the fuel sawzall and m18 LED light. Also have the m12 drill/ impact/ ratchet and various batteries.. Was able to scheme at work and get the m18 hammerdrill/ impact combo for there.. Also have 5 pieces of the dealt 12v max set that still pretty new - and a full set of 18v nicad Bosch and Dewalt stuff that they are meant to replace.. Somehow, my projects at home have slowed down quite a bit but my tool addiction is getting worse.. I need rehab and this friggin website does not help. That's not even the tip of the iceberg..

 

[JimD1]

My son really likes his Milwaukee stuff but I use the Ryobi 18V tools. I have a recip, circular saw, two drills, light, impact driver, and a brad nailer. The circular saw wouldn't hardly work before I got lithium ion batteries but works great with them. I broke the original 1/2 drill I had putting locks into solid wood doors. The 1 3/8 hole saw was a bit much for it. It had already drilled 1/2 holes in steel when I moved the axle on my boat trailer.

 

[BonzoHansen]

I am expanding my Mikita stuff. I had rigid but they kind of screwed me on the battery warranty so I won't use them out of spite. Too bad, stuff worked good.

 

[rice rocket]

I'm pretty solidly in the Milwaukee camp too (12 tools, 9 batteries), but I've been oogling some Makita tools lately. I might sell off my M18 tools, keep my M12 stuff, and go Makita for 18V/36V stuff.

I'd like to see Makita come out w/ a comparable brushless compact impact wrench first though.

edit: oh, it looks like they just released it recently.

http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=XWT02Z

maybe I'll wait for the brushless sawzall too...

 

[Shipfittin]

I just jumped from the Ridgid 18V Lithium to the DeWalt 20V Lithium line. I really like the DeWalt's so far, they have met all my expectations.

It really comes down to personal preference, which one feels best in your hand. This is certainly the time of year to do just that too. All the displays out there where you can play with each one of them.

As far as cordless power tools I try to stick to one brand because I don't want a bunch of different types of batteries floating around the garage. When it comes to corded tools, the game changes for me. Such as a the Milwaukee Sawzall, I'd never own any other kind of reciprocating saw.

I am considering buying into that Milwaukee M12 line, just have to convince myself I need it, haha.

 

[Nickmm]

Good info guys, Glad to keep it rolling. Frankly, because of a local deal I can replace my whole dewalt line for under $500 with makita LXT tools, I think I'm going for it. The milwaukee stuff looks really good, and feels great in hand when trying the tools out, but I'm not going to be disappointed with the Makita line I think.

Dewalt stuff going on Craigslist tonight, whoop.

 

[Sk8Crash69]

Personally I like Bosch, both their 18v and 12v product lines.

 

[Travisnd]

Bosch for me. I have had great luck with their tools both cordless and electric.

Same here....Ive got 3 drills, 2 impacts, no complaints.

 

[Kracin]

Are you basing this off an older set or the new stuff - the only cordless drills my company would buy is dewalt, and I remeber for a little while you couldn't drill a hole without the chuck coming loose.. That was some time ago, and other models I have don't have any issue with the chuck at all. I do not own any of the 20v line, but 3 different 18volt between home an work, and a few other guys At work have different dewalts too.. I remember the problem was when they first changed over to a different chuck design, I think the first metal black chuck after the shiny metal ones. I think that's when the changed drill design from the transmission that would shift from left to right and changed to shifting front to back.. I just gave away my first 18v hammer drill that was probably 15 or 20 years old and still going. (After swapping the motor and transmission when the brushes finally went) there are a few dozen different model/yr dewalts floating around at work and I've never seen or heard of a chuck breaking.

not that they break, they just stop holding. either from the cheezy design interally or from the bad teeth in the chuck. with makita, bosch or milwaukee chucks you can turn them by hand and grab something hard and smooth like a 1/4-20 gun tap and not have it spin in the chuck once. but throw it in the dewalt and you can't get two turns out of it before it spins in the chuck. same for drill bits, after about 2 months of use the dewalts require a pair of channellocks on the chuck to get them tight enough not to spin the bit when drilling heavy metal.

 

[Moose364]

Milwaukee M18 Bandsaw

Makita Cordless bandsaw 4.75" capacity

Ok, did some searching around based on your guys' suggestions. I like the Makita lineup for the brushless stuff, seems worth the investment. I found a very good deal on a 4 piece kit for $250 locally, I may pick it up. The Bandsaw will be my biggest asset to either lineup, and I like that makita has 2, a 4.75" and a 2.5" Capacity saw. My dewalt is 2.25, and it is a bit small for some jobs, actually, a lot of jobs. Question: LXT refers only to the battery tech, correct, not necessarily brushless?

On the Milwaukee stuff, the bandsaw only goes to 3.25" which is probably enough for most of my needs. Its also $100 cheaper than the top of the line makita, but I don't see that as a factor for my use. I do see that things like their sawzall, they have a very egronomic design. When running conduit, my friend brought his over, and I was impressed by its 1-handed ease of use, compared to traditional "turkey cutter" style sawzalls. Some of their other tools, including the bandsaw, have ergronomics clearly at the forefront of design, differing from traditional power tool designs most other companies have been using for a while. Any input on choosing this brand for that reason alone?

Checked out bosch and ridgid as well, and bosch looks like a good runner up, but I am thinking I'll go with the first two brands I mentioned for their proven track record.

Cheers,

Nick

I do a lot of conduit work and if you like that sawzall. wait until you try the M12V bandsaw that thing is a conduit dream, no problem with cutting over head with one hand it is nice and light and take's about 3 seconds to cut through 1/2 inch that bandsaw along is the reason I left Dewalt there 12v line ***** with NO support to the line of there 12v and I seen someone on here post there 20v stuff drops to 18v after about 10 seconds of use, claimed he tested it