Longevity of battery powered tools?

[bobcatdan]

With cordless tools, life is general set by the battery
When it does, it's always a debate whether it's new batteries or new tools. As for cord, cordless, air debates, they all have their place. As handy as a cordless angle grinder is for quick stuff, it will never replace a corded one. With air, die grinders, air hammers, needle scales and impacts aren't going anywhere. If you have a high output 1/2" air impact, I have yet to find a cordless not matter how many nut busting torque it has can touch air. 3/4 and larger are still air. Now my first grab is cordless for impacts and drills because I hate dragging cords, but air comes out when the job calls for it.

 

[dacan23]

Had a few small cordless drills, got a big Ryobi Nicad set about 18 years ago, as I started doing more of my own car work I started adding pneumatics, then with house DIY that the Ryobi Nicads were useless on I added corded tools. 6 years ago started with a M12 set that included the ratchet.... never looked back and all the corded tools, compressors, and pneumatics are gone. I also do not own any corded lights anymore. Have a crazy M18 & M12 collection.

 

[oldwino]

started with cordless in the '80s when Makita came out with the 9.6v drill. Not a ton of power but it was the **** not having to drag cord everywhere. The amazing thing is that battery was bullet proof. They lasted for years.

Now use Milwaulkee 18v for nearly everything. only exceptions are die grinders (air) and heavy stuff like hole-hogs which are still corded. Would love to go cordless with the big stuff as well but don't use it enough anymore to justify the $$$

 

[GrantCee]

With cordless tools, life is general set by the battery. When it does, it's always a debate whether it's new batteries or new tools.

Huh? I have multiple cordless tools, all of which use the same batteries. If one battery dies, I get a new battery. I don't ditch any of the tools just because a battery reaches the end of its life.

I'll allow that it might have been true in 1992, when people only owned a cordless drill, the Ni-Cd battery it came with and nothing else, but in 2018 it sure isn't. (The modern Li-ON batteries also have a longer service life and are more tolerant of neglect than those early Ni-Cd batteries, so truly dead batteries don't happen nearly as often.)

 

[Mr_B]

The worst, most aggrivating thing, is being in an akward uncomfortable position - where you have to reach out with a heavy tool - only to have your movement stopped by a cord that's caught on something or 6" too short.

Most of my air tools are half the weight of closest battery option .
When working in a bay for some time first thing you organise is airline for full coverage and muscle memory know limits of where your lines will reach pretty quickly .
I know what you getting at though , airline caught in something is common one but again it operator and work space organisation issue mainly .
If you work in a auto shop and can't use an airline well after few years you best selling up lol .

 

[bobcatdan]

Huh? I have multiple cordless tools, all of which use the same batteries. If one battery dies, I get a new battery. I don't ditch any of the tools just because a battery reaches the end of its life.

I'll allow that it might have been true in 1992, when people only owned a cordless drill, the Ni-Cd battery it came with and nothing else, but in 2018 it sure isn't. (The modern Li-ON batteries also have a longer service life and are more tolerant of neglect than those early Ni-Cd batteries, so truly dead batteries don't happen nearly as often.)

I tend to stay with match sets and generally have two batteries per tools minus ones for work lights. Tools are bought close to each other so the batteries are all close to the same age. First one goes, then another. Next thing I know is I have two batteries out of 8 for 6 things. Do I drop $800 for new batteries or $1000 for new tools since the complete kit is often less than $50 more than one stinking battery

 

[Mr_B]

^
you want learn how recell batteries .
one of biggest issues is overpricing of the batteries, needs addressing legallly as taking the piss out of consumer and the environment with throw away society just so retailers can control product life thus future repeat sales .

 

[bobcatdan]

^
you want learn how recell batteries .
one of biggest issues is overpricing of the batteries, needs addressing legallly as taking the piss out of consumer and the environment with throw away society just so retailers can control product life thus future repeat sales .

My old ni cad stuff i had the batteries rebuilt all the time. Got over 15 years out of my old makita impact driver and drill. To my knowledge the lin ion are not servcable.

 

[plinker]

With my M12 stuff, I found buying 2-3 batteries a year (or every other year, Black friday sales beat all) seems to work for me, Some defiantly are getting worn (dont last as long), but still work long enough to keep using.

Two of the four smaller ATD work lights I have are doing the same, only last about an hour instead for three or four.

 

[thefoobag]

I do heavy equipment repair in the field. If i can avoid air use I will. Climbing all around larger excavators with an air hose isn't a fun option. Cordless ratchets on deep engine work and cab repairs has been a total game changer! Unless its ungodly tight I stay cordless, 3/4 and 1" air is still king, but maybe Milwaukee changes the game with that too. I also use air for is die grinders and maybe cutoff tools as I haven't seen real world cordless die grinder use.

 

[Mr_B]

My old ni cad stuff i had the batteries rebuilt all the time. Got over 15 years out of my old makita impact driver and drill. To my knowledge the lin ion are not servcable.

Not that hard unless battery board has a life counter circuit .

 

[bobcatdan]

Not that hard unless battery board has a life counter circuit .

So my old Milwaukee's would have been out since they store the first charge date?

 

[Mr_B]

Only if it been designed on purpose not be reusable and no one offers service solution .
Some notebooks batteries for example simply reset when rebuilt, some don't as board stops charging unless modified .
Power tools are now the same and big brands worse for screwing you generally .
and of course it all done for your safety sir, not for easier future product sales and you can junk your kit for recycling which so good for the environment, that why weather so good lol :-S

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I've tried to go cordless for most of my tools, minus large corded tools like my table saw and bandsaw, and pneumatic nail guns. For things like circular saws, reciprocating saws, grinders, SDS, I can't see a reason not to go cordless.

 

[kctyphoon]

I dont think your gonna see people “replacing” their cordless systems when a couple batteries die like you did, or do, with people FINALLY upgrade from old Nicad stuff.. these days, you take a GIANT leap forward if you upgrade to the latest stuff. But what you get is in many case comparable to, or almost equal to the power of corded tools.

As technology improves, i think you’ll see smaller and smaller steps forward, at least for quite a while.. i dont think you’ll see a need or “the desire” to toss out an entire system in favor of something new with little benefit at a big expense.. how much torque can an 18v cordless drill REALLY make use of before it just becomes stupid.. how MUCH smaller do they really need to get? I dont think the next 10 years are gonna be comparable to the last 10.. more types of tools of tools will come out, that weren’t cordless before - but i dont think you’ll see as big as a leap as you have with going from 18v Nicad to 18v Brushless Lithium.. not enough to justify tossing a collection of todays cordless 10 or 15 years from now just over a few dead batteries.

And really - just about everyone REALIZES the batteries are ultimately consumable, but even battery lifespan today is on a different level than the old Nicad.. replace 4 or 5 batteries to keep 10 or 15 good condition older tools going 10 years from now - who cant live with that? Today’s cordless tools are power houses..

 

[Dirtydan69]

Cordless all the way.

 

[kctyphoon]

With cordless tools, life is general set by the battery
When it does, it's always a debate whether it's new batteries or new tools. As for cord, cordless, air debates, they all have their place. As handy as a cordless angle grinder is for quick stuff, it will never replace a corded one. With air, die grinders, air hammers, needle scales and impacts aren't going anywhere. If you have a high output 1/2" air impact, I have yet to find a cordless not matter how many nut busting torque it has can touch air. 3/4 and larger are still air. Now my first grab is cordless for impacts and drills because I hate dragging cords, but air comes out when the job calls for it.

3/4” cordless impacts have been out for a while.. and this 1” impact is on the way.. consider the bar raised..

I’m not sure if they officially released the torque specs on it, but the unveiling was also done before the new high output batteries were announced.. so I’d expect some serious numbers out of that impact.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I love my cordless tools, and I can't complain about the lifespan of my Makita batteries. I just had my first one go bad after nearly a decade of steady use.

However, the current trend of trying to make EVERYTHING cordless is getting on my nerves. Why on Earth would I want a battery powered miter saw? It's a miter saw. It doesn't move.

I also wish I could get a corded impact wrench with even half the torque of the current battery powered models.

 

[Mr_B]

Never seen such a unrealistic marketing vid lol, if they want get serious on 'cutting the hose' they really need reduce size of impacts .
I lover cordless tools if mobile or doing construction but bulky impacts make me cringe every time I see a guy struggling get straight engagement with a fastener due to the size and space constraints in auto use .
They already too powerful, better trigger control and power settings would be wise .

 

[Alexander]

I love my cordless tools, and I can't complain about the lifespan of my Makita batteries. I just had my first one go bad after nearly a decade of steady use.

However, the current trend of trying to make EVERYTHING cordless is getting on my nerves. Why on Earth would I want a battery powered miter saw? It's a miter saw. It doesn't move.

I also wish I could get a corded impact wrench with even half the torque of the current battery powered models.

You're out of luck when it comes to corded tools. Their R&D departments are more or less entirely focused on battery tools, because that's what the majority of consumers are buying.

The market may turn around eventually or R&D focus may come back, but for now I wouldn't keep your hopes up for an updated plug-in impact wrench, especially one that keeps up with battery tech.

 

[kctyphoon]

Never seen such a unrealistic marketing vid lol, if they want get serious on 'cutting the hose' they really need reduce size of impacts .
I lover cordless tools if mobile or doing construction but bulky impacts make me cringe every time I see a guy struggling get straight engagement with a fastener due to the size and space constraints in auto use .
They already too powerful, better trigger control and power settings would be wise .

What’s “unrealistic” about it?? I have $1500+ corded impacts for utility work that are bigger and heavier than that, that only put out about 350ftlbs of torque.. my smaller, lighter cordless is delivering about 550.. the corded ones are fully encased in metal, have cords that constantly break and the impacts will even burn up under really heavy use.. you CANT equate all impacts to automotive work. Mechanics are only one trade out of dozens.. guys building infrastructure would sell their mother for something like that.. if Milwaukee releases fastening torque specs in the plus 1000ftlb range, how much smaller can you possibly ask it to be? A cordless impact capable of fastening bridge sections together is just unreal. Nobody is buying 1” impacts to do brake jobs and ball joints.

What i find mind blowing is the fact that a 1/2” cordless can reliably do 700ftlbs and last years on the job.. to me that means with some program tweaking it could PROBABLY do 850 if they really pushed it. I remember people posting that Milwaukee would never make a mid torque impact in 3/8 cause the anvils couldn’t handle the torque, and me saying I didn’t believe that.. few months later the 3/8 mid torque was a reality.. i wont be surprised if we start seeing a “turbo” button these things soon that’ll pump out an extra 10% of power for short bursts.

 

[ChrisLS8]

In a year or two there will be cordless impacts that are smaller and more powerful than their air counterparts

The tech for air impacts has pretty much peaked while the cordless is just starting. We now have a cordless the size of your hand that can do 85% of fasteners on a typical car or truck

 

[kctyphoon]

Yea - i dunno how much better you can really ask for.. things are half the size of impacts from 2 years ago

 

[WittHay]

Am I alone on this or do others feel that battery powered tools are overrated?

With cordless tools, life is general set by the battery. When it does, it's always a debate whether it's new batteries or new tools

I wouldnt say that cordless tools are overrated but most people I know have more than one brand of cordless tools and dont get addicted to buying them. A lot of marketing and hype regarding cordless

There might be a DeWalt drill, next to a Ridgid grinder beside a Lincoln grease gun. Dan is right, if something happens to those Lincoln batteries, do you get replacements or upgrade your grease gun to some newer model. Saying that the grease gun might have issues before the batteries

My Milwaukee Fuel M18 3/8 impact is wearing out, not sure if I want to replace it with another Milwaukee even though I got a bunch of batteries or get something more heavy duty from a tool truck. No brainer in a shop, would just use a air impact

 

[Mr_B]

What’s “unrealistic” about it?? I have $1500+ corded impacts for utility work that are bigger and heavier than that, that only put out about 350ftlbs of torque.. my smaller, lighter cordless is delivering about 550.. the corded ones are fully encased in metal, have cords that constantly break and the impacts will even burn up under really heavy use.. you CANT equate all impacts to automotive work. Mechanics are only one trade out of dozens.. guys building infrastructure would sell their mother for something like that.. if Milwaukee releases fastening torque specs in the plus 1000ftlb range, how much smaller can you possibly ask it to be? A cordless impact capable of fastening bridge sections together is just unreal. Nobody is buying 1” impacts to do brake jobs and ball joints.

What i find mind blowing is the fact that a 1/2” cordless can reliably do 700ftlbs and last years on the job.. to me that means with some program tweaking it could PROBABLY do 850 if they really pushed it. I remember people posting that Milwaukee would never make a mid torque impact in 3/8 cause the anvils couldn’t handle the torque, and me saying I didn’t believe that.. few months later the 3/8 mid torque was a reality.. i wont be surprised if we start seeing a “turbo” button these things soon that’ll pump out an extra 10% of power for short bursts.

visual exaggeration of knotted air hose, not pairing best modern alternatives for comparisons.
I quite agree in construction battery only way really want go for the most part but even you guys would benefit from more compact light tool and better power control .
I like modern battery tools a lot, hell it makes my life easy on the road or in the pull a part yard but seeing people use them just for sake of it and the craze rather than best tool for the scenario gets on my **** .

 

[Mr_B]

Yea - i dunno how much better you can really ask for.. things are half the size of impacts from 2 years ago

When that size twice current torque with proper trigger throttle control and multi torque dial control they can pat themselves on the back

 

[Mr_B]

In a year or two there will be cordless impacts that are smaller and more powerful than their air counterparts

The tech for air impacts has pretty much peaked while the cordless is just starting. We now have a cordless the size of your hand that can do 85% of fasteners on a typical car or truck

I doubt it, air tools are still evolving too, you get over 600ft-lbs in a nano tool not much bigger than couple m18 batteries.
reactionless air ratchets are another huge advance in ultra tiny package.
Battery tools never been better but making them smaller/lighter and power control seems 2 areas they still struggling improve or not improving due to costing of already high price tool .

 

[ChrisLS8]

All the r&d is in cordless tech, if you wanna deny that eventually cordless will outpower air and be more compact that is just putting your head in the sand.

The M12 stubby fits inside your hand and has enough power for most general automotive tasks...and that is the first itineration of that, imagine what they will be like in 2-3 years

 

[plinker]

Here's what I want to know, When are they going to make a battery ratchet somewhat close to the size of an air ratchet and not the same size as the current battery 3/8 ratchet? That I'd buy.

 

[dacan23]

Idea just popped in my head, Milwaukee should make a micro ratchet for their USB battery platform, could be nice and small with maybe 15-25lbs of torque. That would be awesome.

Here's what I want to know, When are they going to make a battery ratchet somewhat close to the size of an air ratchet and not the same size as the current battery 3/8 ratchet? That I'd buy.

 

[Ign]

I love my cordless tools, and I can't complain about the lifespan of my Makita batteries. I just had my first one go bad after nearly a decade of steady use.

However, the current trend of trying to make EVERYTHING cordless is getting on my nerves. Why on Earth would I want a battery powered miter saw? It's a miter saw. It doesn't move.

I also wish I could get a corded impact wrench with even half the torque of the current battery powered models.

Because there's a concept called "off the grid" or building "in the field".

If I wanted to build a shed at the top of my non-profit where power is scarce a cordless anything and everything is welcome. Sometimes (oftentimes) a genny is more trouble than it's worth.

 

[Mr_B]

All the r&d is in cordless tech, if you wanna deny that eventually cordless will outpower air and be more compact that is just putting your head in the sand.

The M12 stubby fits inside your hand and has enough power for most general automotive tasks...and that is the first itineration of that, imagine what they will be like in 2-3 years

it still bigger than nano air and almost 400ft/lbs less output.
That the reality ...
Part of reason battery never be as small is because of that big damn battery and trigger board control, being cordless has design limits.
As for air ratchet try a kuani reactionless for size and power, nothing battery even close yet ...
Yeh battery good but it not that good if right next to an air hose and want the power and smallest form factor possible .

 

[Mr_B]

Because there's a concept called "off the grid" or building "in the field".

If I wanted to build a shed at the top of my non-profit where power is scarce a cordless anything and everything is welcome. Sometimes (oftentimes) a genny is more trouble than it's worth.

Not much of an 'off the grid' concept if can't even build a basic shed without latest high tec power tools ! what has man come to ! most can't even rotate car tyres or do a once a year winter tyre swap without a battery impact as turning that tyre brace be too much like real work .

 

[sberry]

My battery impacts are older, when they first came 28v and the new are super better. I have easy air and use it in the shop for drive tools and specialty grinding, wire wheels but like the common economy of electric for 4 1'2. Just so much cheaper to operate and can use outside the shop. I am not under a car 40 hrs a week and have ratchets in 3 drive sizes and can make do impact in 1/2 which keeps the sockets simple. If I was a front end specialist or under the hood constant would have a compact but I am so proficient with the common stuff I get along fine with it and can actually get a common air gun on most work a lot of guys seem to have trouble with.
Again, if I was a specialist wouldn't be scared to tailor a tool as needed but today would and do rely on batteries more than ever especially with the new boost in power and ergonomics. I had some batteries going south and drug my feet about replacements till I almost had a couple accidents due to the fact we were using alternative tools as a replacement for the system we became accustomed to using.
I see some reports about 3/4 drive impacts that are pretty impressive. The cost is a fraction of gearing up air equipment, super portable. Air is part of a good shop, there are places for it but batteries are super revolutionary along with the different power drive fasteners.

 

[ChrisLS8]

it still bigger than nano air and almost 400ft/lbs less output.
That the reality ...
Part of reason battery never be as small is because of that big damn battery and trigger board control, being cordless has design limits.
As for air ratchet try a kuani reactionless for size and power, nothing battery even close yet ...
Yeh battery good but it not that good if right next to an air hose and want the power and smallest form factor possible .

I swear you aren't understanding the idea of advancement.yeah right now it's not but they are advancing at a faaar faster rate than air tools. If you think air will always be better size and power wise I have had news for you

 

[Mr_B]

^ I have news for you
Battery will never be as small as air, simple design concept _ one has power source onboard and one doesn't .
also realise battery development leaps are slowing down so future major progress going be much further away than 2 or 3 yrs, also realise air is not standing still in technology advances .
Both air and battery are great tools but like all tools they have areas that they best suited to and specific design features they excel at .
Trick is picking what best and unfortunately that not always done in current times as people blinded by the marketing hype and sometimes miss the best tool and innovation for the job conditions they have as simply not looking at all options or simply follow marketing trends without real world experience .

 

[Rabid Badger]

Because there's a concept called "off the grid" or building "in the field".

If I wanted to build a shed at the top of my non-profit where power is scarce a cordless anything and everything is welcome. Sometimes (oftentimes) a genny is more trouble than it's worth.

I built houses for over a decade and could count the times a cordless miter saw would have been useful on one hand.

 

[Ign]

I built houses for over a decade and could count the times a cordless miter saw would have been useful on one hand.

I'm sorry to hear that!!!

 

[kctyphoon]

I built houses for over a decade and could count the times a cordless miter saw would have been useful on one hand.

10 years ago, even 5 years ago - a generator was NECESSARY.. now a battery pack can make a generator obsolete. These days the only real form of electricity i need on a work vechicle can be provided by a $20 power inverter that can charge up tool batteries.

 

[Bert_]

I like battery when working in a large area or moving around constantly. When I'm working in a smaller area I usually grab a corded tool.

The new battery stuff is really good and getting better but stuff is never reverse compatible. All the sudden I have tools that take 3 or 4 different batteries. Anything electric fits the same plug and lasts forever.

Don't get me wrong I use battery a lot and wouldn't have it any other way but corded and air will always have it's place for me.