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How many battery platforms are you using for power tools?

dclark2171

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Feb 19, 2024
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186
Right now I am running three: Metapbo HPT (36v) out in the garage, older Ryobi in the house. Ego lawn blower/trimmer.

I'm staying with EGO for outdoors. However, I want to update my inside the house power tools. I thought about taking advantage of Ryobi days and just updating everything. I'm also thinking of just going Metabo HT subcompact in the house and use the same batteries (multivolt).

Is anyone have multiple tool battery platforms?
 
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Jeepster04

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Jun 25, 2013
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3,094
Hadn't really thought about it but it looks like Im up to four. Milwaukee, old Craftsman C3, EGO, and an old skill 1/4" ratchet. Oddly enough, the little 1/4" drive skill ratchet is my favorite/most handy tool.

I would rather not have more. I'll slowly transition from the Craftsman C3 to Milwaukee as the Craftsman stuff dies. Not including the batteries, I'll buy more knock off C3 batteries if needed.
 
Joined
May 25, 2024
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Currently I have only two. My old DeWalt drill uses the huge 18v batteries. I am not going to buy anymore of those batteries or expand on the DeWalt tools. I am sticking with Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless tools, so I don`t have to buy all these different battery platforms. I don`t yet have any battery operated lawn equipment. I `m sticking with gas operated lawn equipment as long as I can.
 
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dclark2171

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Feb 19, 2024
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186
Currently I have only two. My old DeWalt drill uses the huge 18v batteries. I am not going to buy anymore of those batteries or expand on the DeWalt tools. I am sticking with Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless tools, so I don`t have to buy all these different battery platforms. I don`t yet have any battery operated lawn equipment. I `m sticking with gas operated lawn equipment as long as I can.
You can probably keep your dewalt until it dies while using Milwaukee batteries

 

theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
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43,109
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SE MI
2 - M12 and M18

Started with M12, because I liked the compact size and light weight. The M12 3/8" impact just doesn't have enough torque for lug nuts so I bought an M18 mid-torque impact. Added a M18 1/2" impact/hammer/drill (always wanted a drill that could hammer). Bought my son (we share power tools) an M18 vacuum.

My wallet is pretty empty now from other expenses, but I like that newish M18 compressor look really sweet. If I needed them, I would be temped to get the M18 reciprocating saw and an M18 circular saw.
 

bobg03

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Aug 29, 2020
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3,420
Location
conway sc
4 currently....
1) started w/ridgid 18v many years ago, only have 3 seldom used older tools left and 4 batteries, when the batteries or those 3 tools need replacing i'll go completely to m12, when on sale of course. I had already been converting over as the ridgid tools became obsolete and heavy compared to the Milwaukee.

2) M12 which I got into to replace the older outdated Ridgids w/lighter more advanced tools.

3) Stihl for my blower and weedwhacker

4) Recent one off addition is Ryobi, because I wanted the hand held light duty powerwasher as nobody else made a similar tool and this one w/a 4AH battery was on sale. I like it but I will not expand this line as 98% of my m12s are in decent shape. Hopefully by the time it dies Milwaukee will have competition for this tool.

My goal is only M12 and the Stihl 18V.
 

Kirbot

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Sep 25, 2010
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11,001
Location
New Jersey
Way too many...
56v Ego, M18, M12, Ryobi 18v, Hypertough 12v, and Hercules 20v.

If I was starting again, I'd probably just do Ego, and Hercules.
It gets annoying having the whole top of my tool box clogged up with different batteries and chargers
 

mrvm

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Feb 12, 2014
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PA
From the "old" days: Bosch 10.8/12V followed by 18V Ryobi, Dewalt, and Ridgid (LSA has replaced every Ridgid battery).
Current battery platform M12/M18, 18V Makita, 20V Dewalt.

Note: the Bosch 10.8/12V are from the 1990s and not a single battery failure. They seem to last forever

Battery adapters allow the older tools to share a battery platform.
 
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dclark2171

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Feb 19, 2024
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186
I only want to keep my ryobi portable fans. I use them on my deck daily. However, the batteries (10 years old now) run down way quicker than they did before. I may just buy the $99 Ryobi days Fan and two lithium battery specials and just keep the ryoby system for the fan. There are no Hitachi/Metabo 36 multi volt to Ryobi battery adaptors.
 

AEAdam

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May 27, 2023
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2,734
Location
SE PA
Too many!
milwaukee 18 and 12v
bosch 18 and 12v
makita 18v

looking for a metal hanger nail gun. Milwaukee doesn’t make one. That might add another battery platform unless I go air.
 

bwringer

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Jan 1, 2013
Messages
10,253
Location
Indianapolis
Two in my garage: mostly Ryobi, a bit of M12 where compactness matters.

I had Bosch for some while, but grew very frustrated by the lack of tool selection. I think I initially ended up with a few Bosch tools through a Menard's gift card, and that was the best choice available. (Menard's is still dead last in the cordless tool game...)

I gave them to my niece and went all-in on Ryobi about two years ago; all my Ryobi stuff is the newest designs and brushless where that's available, and so far I've been very happy with their performance and value. I have at least a dozen Ryobi cordless tools. Watch the sales at Home Despot for deals, and rummage around in the store occasionally. Sometimes they have a "local" clearance. And, of course, Father's Day is coming up, so there are always some good deals around Father's Day and Christmas.

The one beef I have with the platform is that you really have to pay attention to which tools and batteries are "HP" tools, with extra sets of contacts in the tools and batteries. HP tools will still work with non-HP batteries, but you won't get all the possible beans. (HP batteries, of course, work perfectly well in non-HP tools) Their packaging and descriptions make it unnecessarily difficult to tease out this info.

And like any 18V-ish+ platform, the batteries can be just plain awkward; you have this big heavy box hanging off the tool somewhere. I can't see where one platform is much worse or better in this regard.

I recently added a few Milwaukee M12 tools to the mix, because there's no other platform that has a similar wonderfully compact form factor. I grabbed a great deal on two batteries and a screwdriver for $50 at Home Despot this winter, and quickly added two fantastic M12 LED lights. I'll add more M12 stuff as deals pop up at Northern Tool and HD, but it's not a priority.
 
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aquinob

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Oct 7, 2014
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Portsmouth, VA
I have a ton of Bosch 12 and 18 v tools. Picked up replacement batteries over time as well, usually they would go on sale around black friday. Also have some no name versions, some work better than others.

I Makita 18v tool, a ratchet that I got as a present and to have a different platform since Bosch doesnt seem to like to come out with many new tools lately.

Yard tools, some Ryobi 40v stuff. Had one battery go south, but they replaced it under warranty. Also just got a Toro 60v string trimmer. Hopefully no more different brands but I think I have all my tool needs covered.
 
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dclark2171

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Feb 19, 2024
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We had a contractor a few years back doing some work and he had a hodge podge of every brand possible. His extended cab area had a bunch of different charges on the seat and the floor full of cordless tools thrown on top of each other. The tools looked like they were dug up by Archaeologists in Egypt LOL.
 

turner66

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Jan 29, 2016
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122
Location
Texas
Alot! LOL:LOL:

Fein, Festool, Milwaukee, Bosch, Bauer, Hercules, Dewalt, Craftsman, Ryobi, Stihl, and Ridgid.
Dang, you guys make me face reality!
 
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jd_1138

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May 8, 2013
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17,043
Location
NE Ohio
Have 2 -- Ryobi and Makita -- both 18v.

Having 2 platforms is a huge advantage. You can afford more tools that way if you buy the less crucial ones in the cheaper brand. I never understood the passionate desperation to stay in one brand. Sure it's a small financial hit to pick up a tool combo kit that comes with a battery/charger. Bare tools are so cheap many don't wanna fork over an extra $50 or so for a tool that comes with the battery/charger.

That's why it's hard to sell bare tools. I've had brand new Ryobi drills, jobsite radios, etc -- bare, listed for $30 (when the new bare tool goes for $100-$120 in stores). And I got offers for $10-$15. Rationale being it's useless without a battery/charger. BS. Go and get you a $89 Ryobi drill/battery/charger kit.

And if you are doing a project you can have an additional set of drills (drill and driver) to hand an assistant to use to speed a project along. Makita drill with a drill bit and a Makita impact driver with a torx bit PLUS a Ryobi drill with a drill bit and a Ryobi Impact driver with a torx bit. Equals fast.

My pro carpenter cousin came for a visit to my mom's house one weekend. No tools with him. He said "hey let's make your mom a new deck". Off to the local lumberyard for lumber and materials. I defaulted to the Ryobi and let him use the Makita, as he was the head guy on the job. I am an OK carpenter (albeit amateur and not a pro level) but rightfully stepped down to laborer.

One of the most useful power tools to have, that many don't have, is the oscillating multi-tool. Mine is in the Ryobi system, and it has paid for itself 20 times over (time and money). Just on my own projects and paid projects for others or helping mates.
 
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bwringer

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Jan 1, 2013
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Indianapolis
...That's why it's hard to sell bare tools. I've had brand new Ryobi drills, jobsite radios, etc -- bare, listed for $30 (when the new bare tool goes for $100-$120 in stores). And I got offers for $10-$15. Rationale being it's useless without a battery/charger.

...One of the most useful power tools to have, that many don't have, is the oscillating multi-tool. Mine is in the Ryobi system, and it has paid for itself 20 times over. Just on my own projects and paid projects for others or helping mates.
I'll admit that I'm reluctant to buy bare tools in a platform I have because I don't know what sort of abuse they've been through. The underlying question is "why are they selling?" The other issue is that a LOT of tools that pop up on CrackList/FBM are very obviously stolen; they just didn't think to grab any batteries or chargers. Maybe if you make these things clearer you'll have better luck.

As to the Ryobi oscillator... yeah, that's next on my list. I have a cheap corded OMT that's been super-handy, especially after putting expensive blades on it. Next time I have an excuse, I'll go grab one.
 

finn

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Mar 27, 2005
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16,203
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The UP, God's country
12 and 20v Dewalt (plus an adapter to use 20v lithium batteries in my old 18vdrill), m12 and M18 Milwaukee, 20 v Skill plus an old Bosch era Skill with an integral lithium battery, 12 and 18 v Bosch.

Don’t know if they count, but a couple of old Black and Decker trimmers, each with unique battery packs, and an old Toro trimmer.

Depending on how you count, that’s around 12, although some like the trimmers and integral battery Skill drill aren’t really current platforms and, being older than dirt, will likely be recycled when the batteries finally fail. In the meantime, they all work and get used.

edit: forgot the Dewalt Flexvolt.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
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43,109
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SE MI
2 - M12 and M18

Started with M12, because I liked the compact size and light weight. The M12 3/8" impact just doesn't have enough torque for lug nuts so I bought an M18 mid-torque impact. Added a M18 1/2" impact/hammer/drill (always wanted a drill that could hammer). Bought my son (we share power tools) an M18 vacuum.

My wallet is pretty empty now from other expenses, but I like that newish M18 compressor look really sweet. If I needed them, I would be temped to get the M18 reciprocating saw and an M18 circular saw.
Forgot one - Black and Decker VersaPak. Dust Buster and Screwdriver. Great 1/4" hex bit power screwdriver. Straight handle and lots of torque ! I bought a couple of batteries last year.
 

mopar66

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Feb 15, 2011
Messages
595
Location
RI
I have 3, M12, M18, Dewalt 20V. I started with Rigid and then a few Dewalt 20V. My Rigid was old and back then they did not have the choices they have today. So, I sold them off and started down the Milwaukee path. Added some more Dewalt along the way. I would like to just have one or two platforms. But for me each one has certain tools I feel are better than the others.
 

cannuck

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Nov 30, 2021
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Rural SK
I have one drill that is 9V Makita that I keep out of nostalgia. Everything else is M18 and M12. Wife uses Makita 18V
 

JradM

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Sep 4, 2019
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1,813
Location
Alberta
Dewalt 12v, 20v & 60v, Bosch 12v & 18v, Ridgid 18v, Ryobi 18v, Porter Cable 20v, Milwaukee m12 and Black & Decker. I had Worx too for a bit but ended up giving it away.

I find you can buy kits for the same price as bare tools if you're patient. Especially if you're not brand loyal.

I also have at least a half-dozen adapters.
 

Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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5,800
Location
Sussex, England
Currently running four.

Bosch 12V, Bosch 18V, Makita 18V and Festool 12V. Probably going to end up with Makita 12V as well.

The idea of having just one platform is great, but unless you're some multi millionaire who only needs a cordless Ferrari polisher, it's not happenning. Most folks are going to need 12v and 18v at least.

I'd find even two a struggle, since there are a couple of tools just not made on one or other of the platforms I have, and a couple more that one or other maker just does better.

No complaints with any that I have though. Tools and batteries have all been excellent.
 

Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,182
DeWalt, Ryobi, and Ego. I would've loved to stay with DeWalt, but the 56V Ego just kills for OPE. I added Ryobi because of the price/performance for the vacuum, and a few items I rarely use like a hedge trimmer and tire inflator. I really didn't want to add Ryobi, but the price overwhelmed not wanting to add a third platform.
 
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