Marrying Into a Cordless Tool Family

[Bull]

If you were to enter into a new, long-term relationship with a set of cordless power tools right now, which line would it be?

I have a rag-tag grouping of battery tools. I have a new-ish 18v Ni-Cad Porter Cable drill. I have an older 14.4v DeWalt impact driver that a member here gave to me for free. It has one battery that will hold a charge, but it doesn't last very long. I have an older 18v Ni-Cad Milwaukee drill and flash light from my dad. I also have a new-ish Ridgid 18v Lithium drywall gun...the kind that feeds a strip of screws automatically into the head.

I really would like to purchase a new impact driver, but want it to be from a line of tools that I can commit to. Instead of having several brands, with different batteries and chargers to juggle around, I'd like to simplify and stick with a brand for the forseeable future.

I've seen some recent deals on 18v sets from Makita, 19.3v (?) stuff from Craftsman, and 12v kits from Hitachi. But, I didn't pull the trigger on anything. Seems that with any line of tools or for individual tools within a line, you have people saying this isn't good, that could be better yada yada.

What would you do?

 

[sickboy motors inc.]

Only 3 dewalt. Milwaukee. Or ridgid I ve had problems with everything else. My own opinion.

 

[May Pop]

I have and like 18volt Milwaukee.

Ron

 

[OccupantRJ]

DeWalt. I have most of what they make in 18 volt. Grab a tool, grab the nearest battery, go to work with it. No hassles, just results. 5 battery drills, circular saw, saws all, jigsaw, grinder, 2 types of lights, nailer, impact driver, etc. I have never regretted a dime I spent on these tools, and I am a heavy weekend user, and also use DeWalt 18 volt at work.

 

[shoturtle]

Home uses only, a heavy DIY or casual?

For me, I aM a heavy DIY, so my home set is Bosch 18v li ion. They have a great hammer drill and jigsaws. Like they have a compact impactor that put out 180nm of torque. Enough for working on my motorcycles and changing tires.

Now if I was a casual user, the craftsman 19.3v with the li ion would do that job just fine. But the craftsman 19.3v and the dewalt 20v are all actually 18v under load like the Bosch and Mikita.

 

[djjsr]

If cost wasn't an issue, I'd have Milwaukee or DeWalt. But since I'm retired and don't need them daily, I have Ryobi. Lots of them.

 

[Bull]

I guess I am between heavy DIY and home user.

One thing I should have mentioned was that I am interested in a line of tools that has a lot of products. IOW, if Milwaulee has twenty-five more types of tools than the next most prolific line, then that would be a big nudge towards Milwaukee.

 

[Sureshot]

I like my rigid stuff. If you want to get rid of yours let me know. I amy even have some Pontiac parts to trade as well.

 

[91bronc300]

I have Bosch Li-ion and they are great tools, some are Malaysian but some are Swiss too.

I'm bummed that Milwaukee is now a China brand but as they flesh out their brushless line a little more I plan on buying some of their 18V Li-ion stuff.

 

[nine4gmc]

I have and like 18volt Milwaukee.

Ron

x2

 

[fourjeepin]

I've been real happy with 18 volt Dewalt. If I didn't already have a significant investment in them, I would consider the Rigid as I read that they warranty the batteries. Forever, not just a year. My Rigid metal chop saw burned up after a couple of years and it was replaced free under warranty. No hassles.

 

[zosk]

Most of my cordless tools are are Milwaukee's 18v L-ion line. I went with them because I liked the way the drill fit in my hand best. I do think they're a bit heavier than some of the other tool lines. I don't have any complaints about them though. One of the reasons I picked them is because they have a lot of different tools in their lineup. I got mine from CPO outlets and their outlet sites do seem to be a good way to see what different brands have available.

 

[redwrench60]

Milwaukee "M" series 18 volt

 

[shoturtle]

well bosch 18v li ion, has jigsaw, band saw, reciprocation saw, grinder, impactor in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, bit adapter head, a 600ft/lb impactor, 2 rotory hammer, planer, nail gun, rotary tool and drills, you get a very good selection of 18v stuff. Plus a jobsite radio that is a charger as well. They have a very impress 18v line of power tools.

Milwaukee is nice as well as the hitachi, dewalt and mikita.

 

[ChrisF250]

I love my hitachi tools and in my opinion the cordless tools they offer cover most of what I would use. That said they do not offer a cordless impact and milwaukees fuel line looks awesome so I'd go Milwaukee

 

[PETE14]

My long term relationship with 110 VAC is still going strong. And I'm not about to start cheating now.

Pete

 

[t100]

Hitachi seems to have the best warranty on the Li-Ion batteries.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee or DeWalt.

For me both Bosch and Makita on a production floor.

DeWalts are great for thier line up and battery availability. The Milwaukees for the M12 and fuel lineup and the various bits for automotive aimed tools vs const./woodworking.

Since Porter Cable and others have been bought out and gone cheap and low end, the 4 above are the only ones I look at. Ever.

 

[ElectroLight]

Tough call Bull. I would expect you want/need performance and quality so that IMO puts you in the pro grade tool line. That's where I was when I bought my pro grade kit. I had a 12V Makita drill and circular saw combo from the 90's but looking at a kitchen and bathroom renovation, it was time for some heavy weaponry. I bit the bullet and picked up a DeWalt 18V kit w/ drill, saw, sawzall and flashlight. No regrets, just want more... BTW, later on I discovered that the cordless sawszall is the assault weapon of junkyard tools! Win-win.

 

[Bull]

I love my hitachi tools and in my opinion the cordless tools they offer cover most of what I would use. That said they do not offer a cordless impact and milwaukees fuel line looks awesome so I'd go Milwaukee

They don't have an impact wrench, you mean? They do have impact drivers though, right? I was looking at a 12v Hitachi kit with drill and driver, refurbed, for like $84 shipped.

My long term relationship with 110 VAC is still going strong. And I'm not about to start cheating now.

Pete

For a while, I thought about not buying more battery tools and just using cords. But some recent projects have reminded me how much of a PITA it can be to have multiple tools and multiple cords, and to have to move stuff all the time for access or to avoid breaking your neck on something in your walking path/work area.

 

[shoturtle]

this a sample of my bosch 18v setup. Everything I need for working on my car, bikes, and around the house. Thinking about adding the grinder and bandsaw down the line. Love the big rotary hammer, but will not use it enough to justified the purchase.

 

[Exceller8]

I invested in Dewalt simply because I got a nice 18v kit for Christmas and I wanted to keep everything using the same batteries. I've been really happy with my Dewalt tools and I would highly recommend them.

 

[jeffk14]

I've been very happy with my Milwaukee 12V stuff. Just the right balance between compact size and power. If I need something stronger, I'll break out the air hose or extension cord.

 

[Greatbear]

I have close to two dozen DeWalt 18V (NiCd and LiIon), about a dozen each of Bosch 12V and 18V LiIon, with a smattering of Milwaukee (12 and 18V Li), Makita and Hitachi. All have been good tools so far. If you are just starting in on a particular brand, my suggestion is to see where the current new product is coming from. In the case of Milwaukee, they are heavily promoting their 12 and 18V LiIon lines. Same with DeWalt 20VMax and 12VMax, and Bosch 18 and 12v LiIon. Lots of new tools coming out as well as new battery chemistries in those formats with longer run times and more power. While DeWalt has pledged to keep the 18V pod-style NiCd and LiIon tools current, their future is more with the slide-on 12 and 20V LiIon lineup. Look at where the most development is happening, pick a brand you like and jump in. Milwaukee by far has pushed their LiIon platforms into far more niches than any other of the major brands. Many of these niches are almost strictly professional, and to get and keep customers they will have to keep support and development of the platforms for a long time. That bodes well for a long lifetime with that brand. DeWalt has probably the biggest contractor following, and Bosch has probably the biggest international market with their current lineup.

It seems that the market has settled nicely into two ranges, the 10.8/12V for the smaller tools, and 18/20V for the bigger stuff. The upcoming 2.0AH cells with the additional runtime and power will make both levels even more capable. The larger 28 and 36V stuff will become less of a focus except for specialized powerful items, and anything smaller (7.2 and less) will be mostly found in specialty gadgets and low end consumer gear.

NiCd will have almost no future soon, so I would not get into a line that is powered solely by that chemistry.

 

[LSU]

Rigid. Bought cordless driil and separate driver at HD on sale. Lifetime warranty on batteries.

Had a hitachi whic I was happy with. Gave it to a friend who helped me on project.

Too long a list of brands I've been unhappy with.

 

[signcrafter]

I have dewalt and don't have any complaints but if I was to do it over again I would strongly look into ridgid, mostly for their lifetime warranty on drill and batteries. Batteries are the weak point in these tools and are expensive to replace after they die.

 

[cruzer75]

I have the ridgid line, 18v Nicad. Lifetime warrenty, including batteries and charger. Li-ion batteries can be bought and used in the same set, just have to get the li-ion charger also. I have been very pleased with the tools in the 5 years I have had them.

Stew

 

[slip knot]

I had the same delimna and went with Rigid. The free replacement batteries is what sold me. I've used the warranty a couple of times and have gotten free batteries in return. But I don't seem to get much battery life outta the newer ones? Not sure if they've cheaped out on the replacements or if my drills getting some age on it and is harder on the batts?

 

[BajaBound]

I am huge advocate of the Craftsman C3 "with" lithium batteries not ni cad. I have a drill and 1/2 impact and they are really great tools. I also have a led flash light that I use the ni cad's with and it's great.

I am currently waiting for the 3/8 impact to come out as a tool alone and I will then buy another large lithium batt.

I am a home wrench but the impact leaves nothing to be desired for and travels with me on every offroad trip. If it breaks I will buy another with another with out question.

 

[shoturtle]

long battery life look at the 2.6ah or better. 3.0ah last a good time. Both milwaukee and bosch have 3.0ah batteries. metabo has a 4.0ah, but do not have the 18v line up like the big 4.

Now having used 18v, certain tools are really not well suited for the larger battery 18v batteries. The rotary tool of bosch is not well suited for the rotary tool user. And couple of the 18v tools from milwaukee the 12v version is better suited for them. Like the 18v hacksaw and angle drill. Nice they have them but the 12v is more balance and practical for normal uses.

That is why I expanded to have a 12v system augment my 18v when compact and more balance are needed.

 

[Imcrazy]

x2

X3 on the M18

 

[Dustin Echoes]

I work at a pawn shop during the day, and just got a Dewalt 36 volt driver in. What a drill! I know where I'll be looking next time I need a decent cordless. Currently run a Makita 18 volt Hammer/Drill and impact driver combo. Li ion batteries hold a charge FOREVER, and charge up in 10 mins. when they do need it.

 

[petee_c]

I have a small family of makita 18v li-ion stuff. Very happy with it. DIY'r, home user with small basement wood working shop

Going on my 4th year with them

P

 

[greasemonkey44]

i really like Milwaukee tools; especially the 12v line
i use them alot, and they withstand alot of abuse
a friend has the 18v line up; they are very nice as well
ive used 18v dewalt alot; its very rugged and durable, i dont care for it
i used 14.4 and 19.3 craftsman; they were ok but didnt do much, kinda like ryobi
i use snapon at work for 18v and 14.4v and i have been very impressed; but they are insanely expensive and i bought everything used

its all dependent on your needs; and how much you want to spend

 

[X1 Mike]

I bought a Makita LXT 18 volt kit with ½” drill, 3/8” impact and flashlight and love the LXT line. I also have started to collect the Milwaukee M12 line with a close quarter drill, quick load drill, and ¼” impact. Even though I love the Makita’s if I was doing it all over again everything would be Milwaukee.

 

[Bull]

What is the target demographic for the Milwaukee M12 line compared to the M18 line?

I looked at some Bosch stuff online. Looks quite nice, but its price point is a reach for me.

 

[jjjrmx5]

What is the target demographic for the Milwaukee M12 line compared to the M18 line?

I looked at some Bosch stuff online. Looks quite nice, but its price point is a reach for me.

To me, the the Milwaukee M12 line is high end homeowner but mainly pro user aimed. Especially things like teh newer mini 1/4" M12 ratchet. I know a dozen mechanics/techs that own them but not a single home owner /DIYer. 18 line is just more power and a bigger cell. Good for drills, drivers and the bulkier tools. Not so much for teh tight work tools. It's a balance.

Jigsaw, sawzall, mini circ. saw are all over the place. They work in a hurry but most jobbers I see use electric, not battery. Shops or mfgrs. use air or elec unless in a hurry or off site. Many tools go thru those batteries (unless 36v as mentioned) really quick whcih means down time. Way bad for production.

It's all a balance of speed, ease of use and how hard you are using them. They all have their place.

As for Bosch, the tool snob come out for the price. Just like owning a Benz , Audi, BMW or Porsche. The name comes with a price .LOLOL.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I would get a prenup.

With every passing year, I like cordless tools less. I'd love to get rid of all of them in my shop.

 

[Jtoddaz]

I really liked my li-ion Bosch stuff, both 12v and 18v, especially the heavy duty drill driver made in Switzerland. They didn't have enough new items coming out, tough so I switched out to 12v max for the smaller stuff, and Makita LXT for the heavier duty. Could not be happier with either. To me, their best in class, use my LXT shop vacuum almost every day.

Wouldn't hesitate to use either Bosch lines though.


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[fatrod]

Festool.

Expensive but very well made and lots of lots of different attachments etc.