Need help with some cordless tool decisions

[biscuit141]

So I have been using Craftsman 19.2v tool user for about 7 years. I bought one of their 1/2" chuck drills about 7 or 8 years ago and it has been a good, problem free tool. I also have their florescent worklight which comes in plenty handy. The original batteries have not been lasting as long so when I have been doing wood projects the batteries would die on me. I decided to buy a cordless drill and driver kit and I found an unbelievable deal on a used (like brand new) DeWalt XR Brushless 20v drill and impact driver. I have listed my Craftsman drill and work light for sale on CL with no bites.

Here is where my dilemma lies, I was at the pawn shop last week and they had a box of Craftsman 19.2 volt tools, the duster buster vacuum, the circular saw, the reciprocating saw, the flashlight and two 3/8" chuck drills a charger and 2 batteries and were asking $80. I have been wanting a reciprocating saw for odd jobs here and there but have always hesitated to buy one. The Dewalt 20v goes for $100 new on ebay, tool only. I am thinking about buying this box of tools because they are tools that would be handy to have when the need arrises but won;t be used on a regular basis at all. I can get all these tools for way less than the price of a new DeWalt recip saw and it would still be used minimally. I don't think its dumb to buy these tools since they wouldn't be used often and i would be getting a lot more for my money than just the DeWalt saw, but I am hesitant because it would mean keeping two different tools systems on hand and eventually I would have to replace the 19.2v batteries which is what I was trying to avoid in the first place. (However they are cheap enough on sale and I could stay with Ni-Cad batteries since they would be used in high use tools.)

 

[Vwrick]

get the new milwauke stuff its awesome

 

[Kevin54]

Myself...I'm sold on DeWalt tools.

 

[biscuit141]

OK, so I realize my post was not very clear. Basically what I am asking is whether it is worth it to keep my Craftsman 19.2 system around for using a few of the tools a handful of times a year. I can get the Craftsman saws for half of what one new Dewalt reciprocating saw would cost and either way I would only use it a few times per year.

 

[pipsters]

If you can continue to get new batteries I would keep what you have. Me, personally, I cannot justify expensive cordless tools for the little I use them.

 

[Voi]

OK, so I realize my post was not very clear. Basically what I am asking is whether it is worth it to keep my Craftsman 19.2 system around for using a few of the tools a handful of times a year. I can get the Craftsman saws for half of what one new Dewalt reciprocating saw would cost and either way I would only use it a few times per year.

I could see taking a chance on the box for $80 and trying to sell what you don't need.

But even if you only use a cordless reciprocating saw a few times I year I think you'll really appreciate the brushless version and the modern battery tech. Some have said here it's tools like saws and grinders where the brushless motors really shine.

Now that my home remodel is done I don't use my corded reciprocating saw as often but when I do I tend to use it for fairly long periods of time. If I had a full sized cordless one I'd hate to be under powered or to be going though a lot of batteries to get something done.

If I were in your shoes and had already bought into the brushless Dewalt system I'd pick up the reciprocating saw in bare tool form. Or if you can find it with a higher amp-hour battery than what came with your drill and impact then maybe take the opportunity to add some batteries to the mix.

I have two lithium ion battery systems, Bosch 12v and Hitachi 18v, and it's definitely not ideal but it's also not enough of a problem to keep me from using certain tools. I'd focus more on the capability of the tools you really need rather than the issue of more than one battery/tool system.

 

[k1rodeoboater]

is your craftsman a Ni-Cad battery? If so just replace the bad cells, or even replace all of them if you want. Comes out to be cheaper than new batteries usually.

 

[mshell56118]

is your craftsman a Ni-Cad battery? If so just replace the bad cells, or even replace all of them if you want. Comes out to be cheaper than new batteries usually.

Where do you get the cells to rebuild


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[6-Speed]

Forget the Ni-cads and upgrade to the C3 Li-Ion batteries. All the C3 tools perform better with Li-ion batteries.

 

[k1rodeoboater]

Where do you get the cells to rebuild


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

E bay or another "dead" battery pack. Usually it's one or two that go out, the rest are fine. Just need to test them with a voltmeter. Lots of how-to's on youtube.

 

[BajaBound]

Buy the craftsman and invest in a couple lithium batteries. The new version are called xp I believe. I love my 19.2 stuff. I have 1/2 and 3/8 impacts a drill and a light. Great stuff when matched with a lithium.