Cordless Tools: New Recommendations Needed!

[bigbarf48]

What else do you have in the Dewalt 20V Max line?

BTW, how do you get a socket big enough for the 1/4" drive to spin off a lug nut??

Thanks.

See ya,

Just the impact & the drill

I use a 1/2 adapter and put an impact socket on it

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YQ341C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jamesc]

I have the millwaukee m18 set and I don't think I could be happier. I have the 1/2" drill, 1/4" impact and the 1/2" impact. I got the drill and 1/4" impact together for about 200$ came with 2 of the smaller batteries, then recently I bought the 1/2" impact for 300$ with 2 of the bigger batteries. The impact would be prefect for home use as you can get alot done on a charge. I found some very good deals I think so keep your eyes open because these tools go on special from time to time.

 

[shoturtle]

May want to rethink 1/2" & 1/4" with the same battery. The dewalt 1/4" impact with 12v Lion and the Milwaukee 18V LiIon 1/2" impact are in my box, I love both. If I was to do it all over again I may just get 20V DeWalt items, but I do love how light the 12V stuff is too.

The 20v dewalt is 18v actually when under load, the milwaukee is 18v under load as well. There is a Milwaukee service center right next to our office. Was talking to the guy. Dewalt just uses a playful way of advertisement.

 

[coolformula]

I"m no expert...but my .02 cents.

I think their are several models you will be happy with.

Milwaukee 2697-22 M18 18-Volt 1/2-Inch 2-Tool Combo Kit (5 year warranty battery meter on batteries)

Hitachi KC18DDL 18-Volt Li-Ion Impact Driver and Drill Combo Kit

Makita LXT211 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 2-Piece Combo Kit

DEWALT DCK290L2 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion 3.0 Ah Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit


I really think Lithum is the way to go!! I'm not a tool expert, but in other things Lithum has been used for a while (high end flashlights, computers etc). Lithum lasts a lot longer and dont' have the memory effects.

Pretty much their all 18V under load. Dewalt says 20V (good job markerting team!! lol), but its still 18V.

Their all around 300 dollars.

The dewalt has more BPM than the others....but the M18 has more RPM in the 1/4 impact driver by a bit. (the new dewalt brushless should be good, but its not in a kit that I can find yet and its almost double compared to the standard).

I would go to the store and check out the tools in your own hands. Since your going to be using it and not us. I really dont' think you can go "Wrong" with other of these to be honest. I"m not a brand snob.

I just purchased the Dewalt and it seems to be fine for what I"m needing it for. Just a guy needing to do some stuff around here, i'm not a contractor.

Whatever you go with I would make sure its Lithum!!

Good luck

 

[tenorplayer23]

I think the Milwaukee is likely to be the choice, pending a hands on test with them and some others at HD...plus a cruise by Sears for a look-see at Craftsman. In lithium, the price differences between the Craftsman and others isn't much. The Milwaukee kit referenced is a very good one.....2691-22. I've seen it as low as $199 for the set. Nice deal plus the warranty. Will never know about service until I try, but at least its a substantial time period and basically covers everything except personal destruction.

Now for the hands on.

Thanks.

See ya,

I have the millwaukee m18 set and I don't think I could be happier. I have the 1/2" drill, 1/4" impact and the 1/2" impact. I got the drill and 1/4" impact together for about 200$ came with 2 of the smaller batteries, then recently I bought the 1/2" impact for 300$ with 2 of the bigger batteries. The impact would be prefect for home use as you can get alot done on a charge. I found some very good deals I think so keep your eyes open because these tools go on special from time to time.

The 20v dewalt is 18v actually when under load, the milwaukee is 18v under load as well. There is a Milwaukee service center right next to our office. Was talking to the guy. Dewalt just uses a playful way of advertisement.

I"m no expert...but my .02 cents.

I think their are several models you will be happy with.

Milwaukee 2697-22 M18 18-Volt 1/2-Inch 2-Tool Combo Kit (5 year warranty battery meter on batteries)

Hitachi KC18DDL 18-Volt Li-Ion Impact Driver and Drill Combo Kit

Makita LXT211 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 2-Piece Combo Kit

DEWALT DCK290L2 20-Volt MAX Li-Ion 3.0 Ah Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit


I really think Lithum is the way to go!! I'm not a tool expert, but in other things Lithum has been used for a while (high end flashlights, computers etc). Lithum lasts a lot longer and dont' have the memory effects.

Pretty much their all 18V under load. Dewalt says 20V (good job markerting team!! lol), but its still 18V.

Their all around 300 dollars.

The dewalt has more BPM than the others....but the M18 has more RPM in the 1/4 impact driver by a bit. (the new dewalt brushless should be good, but its not in a kit that I can find yet and its almost double compared to the standard).

I would go to the store and check out the tools in your own hands. Since your going to be using it and not us. I really dont' think you can go "Wrong" with other of these to be honest. I"m not a brand snob.

I just purchased the Dewalt and it seems to be fine for what I"m needing it for. Just a guy needing to do some stuff around here, i'm not a contractor.

Whatever you go with I would make sure its Lithum!!

Good luck

 

[shoturtle]

The initial investment with LI ON is not a huge savings. But if you look to grow the tools, the bare tools of the C3 is about 40-50 dollars cheaper then the other brands.

The Milwaukee is a very good set of power tools, and it is not as expensive as dewalt or bosch. And they have allot of service centers. You really can not go wrong with the milwaukee 18v stuff.

 

[coolreed]

A few things I have learned regarding Cordless tools. Ryobi and Craftsman make horrible cordless tools in my opinion.

Dewalt and Bosch make excellant cordless tools. Those little Bosch Drill/Drivers and Impacts are incredible.

When my battery packs start getting weak I have them rebuilt with better batteries that the ones that came stock. Much cheaper and better product than the original batteries.

That is all.

At ease.

Carry On.

 

[tenorplayer23]

Curious about how and where you have the batteries rebuilt?? Explain?

Thanks.

See ya,

A few things I have learned regarding Cordless tools. Ryobi and Craftsman make horrible cordless tools in my opinion.

Dewalt and Bosch make excellant cordless tools. Those little Bosch Drill/Drivers and Impacts are incredible.

When my battery packs start getting weak I have them rebuilt with better batteries that the ones that came stock. Much cheaper and better product than the original batteries.

That is all.

At ease.

Carry On.

 

[tenorplayer23]

Guys,

Well, I'm down to a combo 1/2" Drill/Driver & 1/4" impact driver from Milwaukee or the same from Rigid (interestingly, they are the same parent company). Nice deal going on now at Home Depot for the Rigid set ($179 for the pair). Lifetime warranty w/registration for the original owner....not much wrong with that!! Milwaukee are the more diverse tool selection, 5 yr. warranty and available through all kinds of retailers and online vendors...so, the Li-Ion batteries will power their many/many tools. Not as many choices with Rigid....like a 1/2" cordless impact wrench.

My guess is that Rigid vs. Milwaukee is a wash, depending on how they feel in my hand, etc.. Popular Mechanics rates them both pretty well...albeit behind the Makita. Consumer Reports feels the Rigid has the edge over the Milwaukee.

I was going to dig further into Craftsman....but, at the same prices basically....the warranty lengths for the others are so much better. Too bad....I like the Craftsman line and support them via all my hand tools except for the odd Harbor freight purchase (OK, I will admit to the 42" HF tool cart and top chest being just outstanding for the money).

Any final opinions on Rigid vs. Milwaukee (or Craftsman I suppose) for these combo sets.

See below.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-bwo...Id=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#BVRRWidgetID

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F7BIMG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks as always.

See ya,

(PS - Go Yankees!!)

 

[shoturtle]

No there is a bit of a difference actually. The milwaukee uses use a bit higher end parts then rigid. Found that out form the milwaukee guys. The milwaukee is gear toward work uses thus the beefier parts and the rigid has become their diy line. It is very comparable to the C3 from craftsman and nicer then the ryobi.

 

[tenorplayer23]

Good info....handling the Rigid, Milwaukee side by side, I can envision the heavier duty differences. But, quite likely, it is also as likely product differentiation by pricing discrimination between the lines and less actual product differences. My guess is the lifetime warranty is aimed squarely at the DYI-set and the 5 years for Milwaukee because the line is abused more by pro's....the primary target market.

The RIGID line is likely aimed dead center at the Craftsman, market-wise.

The bad thing about the Craftsman units, aside from any product differences at all.....is the warranty. 1 year and out with Craftsman, unlike their hand tools. Lifetime or 5 yrs. with registration w/the others is so much better...especially when the price is a wash. If you shop the deals for the TTC brands, you can meet or beat the best Sears will do on the C3's...unfortunately.

Thanks.

See ya,

No there is a bit of a difference actually. The milwaukee dues use a bit higher end parts then rigid. Found that out form the milwaukee guys. The milwaukee is gear toward work uses thus the beefier parts and the rigid has become their diy line. It is very comparable to the C3 from craftsman and nicer then the ryobi.

 

[shoturtle]

The rigid is a good deal right now. If there are items that you might want to added down the line. It would be a good fit. The Milwaukee would be good if you plan to use it allot.

Read the lifetime warranty fine print. It is quite allot of conditions.

 

[tenorplayer23]

The qualifications for their warranties isn't very difficult....although, there is some reason why they use lifetime service agreement and warranty differently in their document. I think the net is that, to the original owner who registers their equipment, it's basically a lifetime warranty. Roughly the same words with Milwaukee except theirs truncates at 5 yrs. Both are printable like the Craftsman document....as long as you return it to their service center, looks OK.

Thanks.

See ya,

The rigid is a good deal right now. If there are items that you might want to added down the line. It would be a good fit. The Milwaukee would be good if you plan to use it allot.

Read the lifetime warranty fine print. It is quite allot of conditions.

 

[shoturtle]

I think the rigid is a very nice diy set. And it is allot of tools for the money. Think it will work well for you. nice thing about the rigid batteries, they cost a little less then the milwaukee ones. Adding more when you needed is not a pricey.

 

[tenorplayer23]

Too bad they don't make (or yet) a 1/2" cordless impact wrench. seems Milwaukee does, not Rigid. One more thing...looks like there is a transition with Milwaukee to their M18 "Fuel" line. Looks like a lighter, yet same or more powerful set of drivers/drills, etc.. That may be way the Milwaukee set is a deal. I'm going to check during business hrs. this week. Talked with the "Blue Crew" today.....Craftsman just doesn't have the bundle I want....I can out it together piece meal but it would be a lot more than the sets usually offered by all mfrs.

See ya,

I think the rigid is a very nice diy set. And it is allot of tools for the money. Think it will work well for you. nice thing about the rigid batteries, they cost a little less then the milwaukee ones. Adding more when you needed is not a pricey.

 

[shoturtle]

you want a 1/2 impact drive. None of the big makers combo pack a 1/2 impact. Dewalt, bosch, milwaukee, mikita or hitatchi. The all have 1/4 drive with bit adapters head. You will find that you will have to piece them out as well.

I would get a drill set and add a bare tool on the 1/2 impact driver.

 

[tenorplayer23]

My point was that Rigid doesn't make a 1/2" impact wrench at all. Craftsman actually has a 1/2" drill/driver and 1/2" impact wrench combo, but with Ni-Cad, the 3/8" drill/driver and 1/4" impact wrench come with Li-Ion.

If Rigid made the bare tool 1/2" impact wrench, this would be easy. Alas, not so.

See ya,

you want a 1/2 impact drive. None of the big makers combo pack a 1/2 impact. Dewalt, bosch, milwaukee, mikita or hitatchi. The all have 1/4 drive with bit adapters head. You will find that you will have to piece them out as well.

I would get a drill set and add a bare tool on the 1/2 impact driver.

 

[shoturtle]

they have a 1/2dr li ion option as well, it is 180 with the promo code, and free shipping. 6/10-6/14 code SEARSHOTDEAL

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-19.2...p-00917229000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3