do you have cordless tools from multiple "systems"?

[JackOfDiamonds]

I told myself that it would never make sense to buy anything but Milwaukee, now that I have so many chargers and batteries and I can just buy bare tools. But my wife really wants a Ryobi hot glue gun, and it's not THAT expensive...

Do you have multiple types of tools, and if so, how did you get sucked into the other system? Was it ONE particular tool that you had to have that your initial system didn't offer (like my glue gun)?

 

[Bubba Fett]

Yeah. Usually because I needed something that only one brand offered, or there was only one brand to choose from at the time or ordering. At work, we often have very short time windows to get something, and a small list of vendors we can order from. So we ended up with hammer drills from DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch.

It's simply not always possible to be a one-brand shop, even for homeowner/DIYers. Getting the job done is more important than battery swapping, IMO.

 

[ScottsGT]

Mostly Milwaukee M12 & M18. But had to try out the Ryobi 18v hand held pressure washer. It was meh…had to buy a real one. I still use it for smaller jobs on the dock. I did buy the Ryobi 18V edger and it kicks ***. Also tried the Ryobi stick vac and it was a real POS. I should have listened to the reviews about the beater bar melting itself to the plastic busing. Didn’t even run it long enough to discharge one battery before it went back to HD. Replaced it with the Milwaukee stick vac.
And now I saw the thread on the new Bosch sander…..

 

[joseywales]

I started with Ryobi, because of some of their niche products. No complaints, but I've been bitten, fairly hard, by the M12 bug, and very slightly the M18 - they still don't have everything I need and I, too, have looked hard at the Ryobi glue gun, solder iron, etc.

You can take any animal in North America with a 30-06, yet other rifles continue to sell. Different guns, requiring different ammo, etc. No one questions that.

 

[Robinson1]

Battery compatibility really doesn't matter in a home or shop environment. Where it starts to matter is working off a truck where space is limited and precious..

Ive got a mix of everything in the shop. I have Dewalt 20v on the truck.

 

[reader2580]

I have mostly Makita LXT, some Ryobi, a 60 volt Dewalt air compressor and Dewalt 20 volt grease gun, and now Milwaukee M12.

Makita LXT because they were the first mass market lithium-ion tools. I have ten batteries and numerous tools.
Dewalt Flexvolt because Dewalt was first to market with a cordless air compressor. I bought the grease gun on sale.
Ryobi 18 volt because they had a miter saw long before the others. I have bought a few other Ryobi tools too.
Milwaukee M12 I got the fuel band saw cheap and Milwaukee has some great tools.

 

[GeoBruin]

I have Dewalt 20v for all my "core tools" but then expanded to milwaukee m12 for some specialized things I wanted. There were then some Milwaukee m18 tools that Dewalt just wouldn't make so I have a couple fo this now as well.

Anyway, Surebonder makes Glue Guns that accept most batteries. Here's the Milwaukee version.

60W Full Size Cordless Glue Gun, PRO2-60MIL – Fits Milwaukee® M18

Surebonder PRO2-60MIL is a 60W cordless high-temp glue gun compatible with Milwaukee® M18 batteries. Uses 0.43" glue sticks and supports interchangeable nozzles.

surebonder.com

 

[Nosferatu]

I started out with Bosch 18v lithium years ago. They never really offered many tools for it over time, so I switched a couple years ago to Dewalt.

My primary tools are Dewalt 20v.

I also have some Milwaukee 12v tools for some more specialty things; Caulk gun, rotary tool, small drill, stapler.

I have a selection of Ryobi 18v, mostly because my wife uses the fans in the car for the dogs. We also have some Ryobi tools in the travel trailer; impact for running the stabilizers, sawzall for cutting firewood, lantern and inflator.

We have Kobalt 80v lawnmower and string trimmer.

I'm keeping an eye on were Makita goes with the XGT lineup. I have their gas powerhead and a few attachments for it. I could see getting an XGT powerhead in the future and a chainsaw, etc for the outdoor stuff.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have all Dewalt 20V stuff, replaced my Dewalt 18V stuff. All the same brand/battery system.

However, if your wife wants the Ryobi hot glue gun, buy it for her. That makes it, her tools. If she wants something else, buy her Ryobi. Your tools/her tools.

 

[Handyandy23]

I started out with the same mindset on sticking to one battery platform (DeWalt 20v), but I've come to find that it makes a lot of sense to dabble in others.

I started into Ryobi 18v with a trimmer and blower because even with the battery and charger it was like half the price of the DeWalt OPE, and I have a small yard. Then I realized there were lots of other examples where you don't need a precision made tool and I could save money. So I have a Ryobi mini wet-dry vac, inflator/deflator, drain snake, etc. All work well and were much less than the yellow versions.

I also bought into Milwaukee M12 line since they offer a lot of unique tools (mostly their mechanics tools) and the DeWalt 12v line is meh.

There's a bit of an up-front cost on more batteries, but in the end you have a lot more flexibility to go with the best or most affordable tool for the job. I have no plans to go further than the 3 battery lines I have right now, but I think 2-3 battery lines can make a lot of sense for people.

 

[paulsomlo]

Milwaukee M12, Makita 18V, IR 20V

 

[u2slow]

No. I'm holding out with my limited number of Makita 18V battery tools. It pains me that a group 31 or 65 truck battery costs less than a power tool battery.

I still buy corded tools as I need them. Tough to beat the price-point and power in most cases.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I have all Dewalt 20V stuff, replaced my Dewalt 18V stuff. All the same brand/battery system.

However, if your wife wants the Ryobi hot glue gun, buy it for her. That makes it, her tools. If she wants something else, buy her Ryobi. Your tools/her tools.

Yep. That way she won't be borrowing your batteries.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

dewalt 20 volt in the garage, ryobi 18 volt for the yard and a power torque cordless ratchet from orilley auto parts

 

[tarbellb]

Tool selection > Brand loyalty


Its why I went with the brand that offers the most useful tools for MilwaukeE

 

[f121]

Pick the brand(s) that offer the tools you need. I think there’s a strong case for two systems, one for big and one for little tools. For me that’s Marita 18v and Milwaukee m12, because makita have a strong range of diy and garden tools, and m12 has a strong range of auto tools.

having multiple systems beyond that just seems like hassle as batteries age.

 

[ScottsGT]

Battery compatibility really doesn't matter in a home or shop environment. Where it starts to matter is working off a truck where space is limited and precious..

Ive got a mix of everything in the shop. I have Dewalt 20v on the truck.

I disagree. I got tired of tripping over power cords and constantly plugging and unplugging different tools into my extension cord. And the more cords I have, the bigger the trip hazard. Cannot tell you how many times I’ve pulled the trigger on the miter saw or table saw only to be followed up with “Aww ****, forgot to plug it in!”
Granted, I don’t work from a permanent shop, but everything I do is on a temporary setup in a one car garage.
It does me no good to have an extension cord with multiple outlets if my table saw is set up opposite end of garage from my miter saw. I have tried shorter cords plugged into the main, but back to that trip issue again.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm another that has no problem owning multiple battery platforms. I have Dewalt 20v and Milwaukee m12. My OPE is EGO

 

[acer66]

Bosch 12/18, Dewalt 20, Fein 18, Ryobi 18, Metabo 18, Festool 14 and then there is outdoor stuff.
Bosch and Dewalt are the main ones the rest were given to me or a deal to good to pass up.

 

[BonzoHansen]

Lol yes. Primarily Ryobi 18v, and Makita. I also just got a free M12 1/4 ratchet, I just had to buy a battery, so now there's that. Oh, and an oddball ryobi hedge clipper. And my kobalt 80v blower & weedwacker...

 

[javyLSU]

I do own and use multiple cordless platforms, because several have tools not available on the others. I also don’t want to be limited from using a tool that I consider better because they’re not on my chosen battery platform. I have Milwaukee M12/M18, DeWalt 12v/20v/FlexVolt, and Snap-on 14.4v. The number of platforms is mitigated somewhat by the fact that DeWalt and Milwaukee can use a single charger for their respective platforms.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Yes, mostly acquired through gifts. I was given my first, a Ryobi drill. I was given my second as well, a Makita drill and impact combo that came with a 4.5" angle grinder. I was given my 3rd, another Makita kit I traded in on the Makita 1/2" Impact. I bought my Snap-On 14.4 stuff myself. I was given Dewalt 20v yard tools last as well. So only four systems so far...

 

[Voi]

I have some Bosch 12v because I needed an oscillating tool right away some years ago & there was a free bare tool deal at Lowes. And there wasn't a Hitachi oscillating tool at the time which was my only cordless system at the time.

Then I bought into Makita because they had the lightest cordless/brushless string trimmer on the market & the most cordless OPE. That was an easy & smart choice. Have lots of their tools now.

I have two Ryobi impact wrenches that I've never used. I have taken them on trips & UTV rides but have never needed them. Now have a more compact Makita so I really should dump them.

I still have my Hitachi drill & driver but no batteries.

I could easily justify many Milwaukee 12v & 18v tools but am resisting.

I could also justify any of the various cordless power washer type sprayers but am also resisting.

 

[bwringer]

I guess I'm one of the weird ones. Ryobi's newer brushless stuff finally prompted me to standardize.

And yes, it is indeed very, very nice to have only one battery platform to juggle, with tons and tons of tools easily available at the Home Despot down the road. Of course, even within that platform there are variations to be aware of, like the HP batteries that can give a little extra oomph to some tools like the new brushless 1/2" impact.

And the brushless compact drill and 1/4" driver are amazing; I get into tight spaces and they pack a big punch.

 

[wxm]

Yes, I don't need to go to job sites, no need to worry about carry to many spare batteries. So I mostly buy tools based on what's on sale. Of course, I try to stay within Makita 18v and Milwaukee M12 & M18. I regret that I cleared out my Ridgid line.

 

[bubinga]

Yes!

 

[bbrins]

When I started buying my DeWalt 20v stuff, I stuck to it for a while. Then I decided I wanted a few more compact tools, so I decided to get some 12v stuff, figured since i was adding a new battery anyway, that I might as well go with Milwaukee M12 since they offered a larger selection, and they are more compact than the DeWalt 12v if you use the smaller batteries.

Then I wanted a battery powered pole saw, I did not like the one that DeWalt offered, the Milwaukee M18 one is just way better built, so then I had M18 too, so i might as well get the trimmer, and hedge trimmer attachments, might as well get the leaf blower too, gotta have something to clean up the mess.

Then I wanted a battery wet/dry vac, didn't particularly care for either the DeWalt 20v or the Milwaukee M18, so I got the 2 gallon Makita LXT. That one I might actually regret, not because it isn't a better vacuum, but because none of my other vac attachments fit without an adapter. That and it is the only thing that uses that battery, and I haven't really seen anything else in their line up that I want right now. I may just get rid of it and get the DeWalt, at least that can be plugged in if I want to.

 

[M635_Guy]

At least for "garage tools" (drill/impact/etc.), I'm fully on Milwaukee M12/M18, and there's really nothing that tempts me to go in any other direction. I guess the equation is different for everyone, but I highly value battery stability and Milwaukee has a great lineup.

I feel like an idiot for trusting Lowe's for my Kobalt blower/trimmer, but if I think Ego will be around and I'm very happy with the mower I got. If Kobalt 80V goes the way of the dodo, I'll dump my stuff quickly and consolidate to Ego for yard tools and I'll be happier with less chargers.

 

[619DioFan]

All my cordless stuff ( including the weedeater ) is ryobi. when I decided to get a cordless impact I went with the biggest , strongest 1/2 drive milwaukee had to offer so I wouldn't have any issues with stuck fasteners. ( my air impact has failed a few times ) I also bought the 3/8 drive version. I see ryobi now has a 1/2 inch cordless impact that boasts 1000 ft lbs breakaway so might get one to keep in the truck.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I had to have the Bosch beast with the 1/2" anvil with 1/4" hex. The M18 Surge, while a truly nice driver, didn't have use as a small impact wrench.

Now, my 1800 Bosch has become "the old model" with the release of the GDX18V-1860C.

I will avoid other lineups, but to be honest, I am no battery hoarder. Just get the tool when I need the tool.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Basically, it's crazy to spend "professional tool" money on tools that aren't mission critical to your job/hobby. While I love my Milwaukee stuff for wrenching, I realized that I could buy all the homeowner tools from Ryobi for what Milwaukee wanted for just a circular saw. I'm exaggerating a bit, but the point remains.

-Ryan

 

[mike93lx]

Basically, it's crazy to spend "professional tool" money on tools that aren't mission critical to your job/hobby. While I love my Milwaukee stuff for wrenching, I realized that I could buy all the homeowner tools from Ryobi for what Milwaukee wanted for just a circular saw.

-Ryan

Thankfully we don't have to justify purchases to anyone but ourselves and maybe spouses/partners.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Thankfully we don't have to justify purchases to anyone but ourselves and maybe spouses/partners.

I'm lucky. My wife is a mad seamstress, so she knows the value of good tools.

We're pretty much "buy once, cry once" here for the tools that matter, but going cheap for the tools that we don't use much means we don't have to compromise when it matters.

-Ryan

 

[BonzoHansen]

...
I feel like an idiot for trusting Lowe's for my Kobalt blower/trimmer, but if I think Ego will be around and I'm very happy with the mower I got. If Kobalt 80V goes the way of the dodo, I'll dump my stuff quickly and consolidate to Ego for yard tools and I'll be happier with less chargers.

I think the 80v is dead. I really like the trimmer and blower I have. Luckily I got 2 batteries with both on specials, so I ought to be good for a while.

 

[isb cornbinder]

All of my cordless power tools are Milwaukee, RED. I do have a Yellow endoscope camera. It was a gift. The yellow scope thingee is power hungry and uses up the battery, quickly.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Seems like a lot of overthinking, just buy whatever you need from whoever has the best tool, after you get a few of each it really doesn't matter. As a GC I have every platform they all cost about the same, even at home I keep all different platforms, they are so close in quality & performance, I do like the flexvolt system, especially for yard tools. A lot of times it comes down to who is offering a better package for the price. I love my ryobi hot glue gun & inflator, I get a lot of use out of my ryobi pin nailer, but I don't care for their finish nailer. Their just is no perfect all inclusive system.

 

[mrvm]

Okay....I luv my cordless tools: spread out between three different work shops (so no one can judge me LOL): Old set of Bosch 10.8-12V (drill/impact/oscillating/hack saw/heated jacket) that still perform, old set of Makita 18V (drill/impact/recip/circ), old Dewalt 18V (drill/impact/jig), old Ryobi 18V (yard tools). My garage: new M12+M18 (impact driver/impact wrench/ratchet/heated hoodie/inflator/LED light(s)

 

[finn]

Multiple lines aren’t a problem for me. The really early stuff I had in the early nineties is long gone, but I still have a couple of 9.6 v Craftsman drills from around 1998. They function, but I am down to one battery.

Have one Dewalt 18v that I occasionally use, albeit with a current 20 v battery and an adapter.

Switched to 10/12 v Bosch and liked it, so I got some Bosch18 v and some more of the 10/12 v tools, all still in regular use.
Got a Skil 18v drill as a gift. It’s probablnearing ten years old but still works, so it’s still viable.

Pretty much standardized on Dewalt 20 v and Flexvolt around four years ago. Have around ten of those tools now.

Have some non fuel 12 v Milwaukee....meh.

Read too many posts here so I bought Milwaukee Fuel 1/2” high torque and 3/8” compact 18 volt impact wrenches, and a few batteries. Not impressed, so I just bought another Dewalt, an Atomic 18v 921 compact impact wrench. So far, it’s better than the Milwaukee.

That puts me at somewhere around two Dewalt, two Milwaukee, two Bosch, and a Skill platform in more or less general, regular use. I have tools in four locations (buildings), in three properties, in two states.

Lack of commonality isn’t an issue, but I will probably limit future acquisitions to Dewalt 20v and Flexvolt, Bosch 18 and 12 v, and Milwaukee 18 v.

I am staying away from HTP Metabo, Menards Masterforce, Flex, Kobalt, Ridgid, and Ryobi, all for no specific reason.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Im slightly surprised of the amount of OPE guys here have that is battery powered.

 

[mrvm]

Im slightly surprised of the amount of OPE guys here have that is battery powered.

For me as long as the electric or cordless OPE can get the job done the bonus is less maintenance and no fumes to breath in.