Cordless tool upgrade recomendations

[CARS]

I am looking to replace my Ryobi cordless tool set. I am not a professional tradesman, just a hobbyist who works around the home/garage.

The Ryobi set is pre-Lithum Ion battery and is just wearing out. Drill chuck isn't holding small bits well, the reciprocating saw's quick blade release is broke, batteries aren't holding a charge, etc.

When I bought that set, I had a Snap-On this, a Craftsman that, and wanted a 5+ piece set that shared batteries and was affordable.

The sharing of batteries is still a must, but I don't know if I need/want a 24V system or is 18V still good enough for my needs.

As a hobbyist, I have rarely needed more than 2 batteries to get through a project and I am not against the idea of a beer break to wait for one to charge.

What seems to be the most popular sets these days that wont be outdated for expansion or parts in a couple years.

By set, I am referring to drill/driver, circular saw, reciprocating saw, light, and then expand to the addition of an impact driver, radio, impact.... basically expand to the tools you don't need around the house, but make life a bit more convenient.

 

[bobcatdan]

By default, I'd say Milwaukee. I have or use 20v DeWalt/ Mac tools at work. While the impact is great, the big DeWalt 20v hammer drill kinda *****.

 

[Ericgst]

Dewalt 20v, Milwaukee 18v, or Makita 18v will give you the best tool options and long term support.

BTW a drill is not the best driving tool, I would put an impact driver high on your list.

 

[LB-1911]

You could always stay w/ Ryobi

ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Super Combo Kit (4-Piece)

P271 Drill with Screwdriver Bit
P504G Circular Saw with Blade
P515 Reciprocating Saw with Blade
P704 Flashlight
P118 Dual Chemistry Charger
(2) P102 18V ONE+™ Compact Lithium-ion Batteries

$129.00

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ON...4;jsessionid=9B4540452317E00F194F10B1F57A6FF3

RYOBI 18V ONE+ System
https://www.ryobitools.com/power-tools/products/list/family/one-plus

 

[tymbo]

Makita has over 140 18v tools including about a dozen that use dual 18v for 36v. I just recently got the 36v chainsaw and 18v string trimmer. The one tool I want that they DONT have, is a pole saw

 

[Greg85mcss]

I just saw the commercial for that ryobi kit last night & was thinking what a good deal it was. Nothing wrong with them quality wise but the battery is pretty long & looks like it would get in the way in tight spaces. I love my Milwaukee set & when one broke (user error) the warranty process was really easy. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the brands recommended so far.


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[kctyphoon]

Milwaukee.. as they say, invest in a platform and not just a few tools. They have the widest range of tools and accessories available, and every purchase has exceeded my expectations. I started out with just a drill and impact driver and now I probably bought most of their line up. It's very addictive when u actually feel like you get your money's worth out of something....

If you feel that's a bit overboard and expensive for you, then I might suggest looking at Ridgid. They have seriously stepped up their game too..

 

[jlipsky14]

My vote goes milwaukee, I have a smaller set of 20v dewalts in addition to my milwaukee stuff and like the Milwaukee stuff the best. They are also always bringing out new tools.

 

[Milwookie]

I did a crapton of research before buying power tools (I'm also just a homeowner who will use the tools for odd jobs). Milwaukee quickly rose to the top of the list. They outperform DeWalt in most real world tests, the products have a good warranty, they are very reasonably priced, and there are tons of options. Their Fuel brushless line is one example of how they continue to innovate, as opposed to just putting a different color on a tool everyone else makes.

 

[djcslice]

I recently invested in the Ridgid Brushless line. I mostly bought into it because of the lifetime warranty but I also got really good deals over the holidays and clearance. I have been impressed with the impact which I use most of all. My only complaint, its larger larger than it needs to be.

 

[MattVette89]

For the average homeowner, the Ryobi lithium can't be beat for the price and flexibility of tools. I have the drill/impact combo. Batteries last long and the quick charge is about 20 minutes.

If I used them professionally, I'd upgrade to Milwaukee, etc. But it doesn't sound like that's what you need.

 

[Banana Man]

I've used the 18v Dewalt for the last 8 years, the tool held up oaky, but the batteries failed too quickly. I Just upgraded all my cordless tools, I got the new Milwaukee 18V FUEL line. I was using the impact driver to install some cement board and it overheated rapidly. Overall I wasn't impressed with the Milwaukee line so I returned the whole kit to Home Depot. I then went online and got some better deals on the brushless 18V Makita 5.0 Ah kit. I have angle grinder, oscillating tool, impact, hammer drill, and compact hack saw all brushless, I like them a lot better than the Dewalt/Milwaukee.

 

[burnedonice]

Ryobi makes a perfectly fine set of tools for homeowners, I own a set for at the office and have Dewalt 20v at home. I obviously like the dewalt more, but the ryobi does fine for building shelves and asst tasks.

Milwaukee, dewalt, and ridgid are great tools to last through any project you do at home, but if they're overkill why spend the money?



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[openwheelracing88]

For home owner I'd go with Ridgid.

For professional I'd go with Milwaukee.

 

[kctyphoon]

Yea, so -- basically any brand. Pick your favorite color and call it a day..

 

[inlinr6]

I have Craftsman 19.2 and abuse them regularly. The old NiCads wore out, and went to (lighter) Lithiums and still super happy 3/8 and 1/2 drills light and 3/8 impact angle grinder. couple of lights, and a lawn blower ha! yes works well.

 

[RichWentFishing]

Find out what brand has the nearest repair center. They are all pretty much good for home owner use.


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[MiamiPHiL]

Milwaukee, hands down. Meets and far exceeds all my professional needs. I have their latest FUEL Brushless hammer drill/driver, impact driver and impact in 18v and 12v. The 12v FUEL brushless tools are incredibly powerful and almost makes me question buying the 18v kits. However, I have them there if I ever need them. They're definitely expensive IMO. I would place them in the upper echelon of cordless tools in terms of cost, but they're made for professionals. You get what you pay for. You complain about the price once. You complain about subpar tools every time you pick them up!

 

[Jeeper]

Another vote for Milwaukee. I am heavily invested in the M12 line. Fuel drill, Fuel impact driver, fuel 3/8 impact, stick light, both radios, Fuel circ saw, recip saw, right angle drill Jig saw, rotary tool, vac. They all work well. Most used tool is the stick light. Every time I work on a car it's on. The batteries seem to hold charges for a long time.

 

[dacan23]

You could start out with Milwaukee M12 tools and go from there. Most of their M12 Fuel stuff out performs your old tools. Perhaps add some M18 things if needed, like full size sawzall if M12 hackzall doesnt do everything you need.

Plus if you do car work the M12 ratchet is awesome.

You mentioned radio, I have the M12 radio and the M18 bluetooth/charger radio. While the M12 is good, I wish it was louder and didnt drain batteries quick though it has a AC plug. The M18 jobsite radio is awesome.

Another strength of the M12/M18 platform are the lights. The have 12 different lights, only the 2 old ones are not LED. I have 9 out of the 12 and am so glad I never have to use a corded light again.

 

[yamaha0343]

Also check out the Craftsman C3 line. I'm not a big CMan fan these days, but the C3 tools would be great for general homeowner use.