On a Tight Budget? Consider Corded Tools.

[gerlbaum]

That’s an interesting twist on this topic.

I used to use a sawzall a lot at work. I’m not sure about what’s available today but I’ve never used a corded sawzall that could hold a candle to a cordless Milwaukee

They're also not really developing new corded tools. I have seen a lot of cordless commercials (Stihl today) but I can't remember the last time a saw a commercial for a corded or gas line of tools. In some places, like California, you will only be able to buy new corded or cordless - no gas powered tools. California's population is bigger than the bottom 22 states combined. That's a pretty large market and it dictates what direction a company will take.

 

[housewolf]

They're also not really developing new corded tools. I have seen a lot of cordless commercials (Stihl today) but I can't remember the last time a saw a commercial for a corded or gas line of tools. In some places, like California, you will only be able to buy new corded or cordless - no gas powered tools. California's population is bigger than the bottom 22 states combined. That's a pretty large market and it dictates what direction a company will take.

Interesting. One thing I had never seen is a cordless quickie (cut off) saw. I just looked and they do make them now. I wish I had back every hour I ever spent trying to start an old 2-stroke Stihl we used to have

 

[bonneyman]

For quikie one or two screw jobs I'll grab the Makita cordless. (Not worth stretching out a 100 foot of cord for that). If the jobs gonna take alot of drilling I'll haul out the corded drill.
If I had lot of remote work I'd get an inverter for the truck and still go corded. (But then that would be out of the budget category that the OP asked).

 

[signcrafter]

Interesting. One thing I had never seen is a cordless quickie (cut off) saw. I just looked and they do make them now. I wish I had back every hour I ever spent trying to start an old 2-stroke Stihl we used to have

I have the m18 9" cut off and love it. It eats up batteries pretty quick and only cuts 4" deep. But it's so much lighter then my 14" stihl so it doesnt kill my back. It works great for saw cuts in new concrete and a 4" deep cut is enough to break up and tear out most old concrete. And the best part is no fumes when using indoors. Milwaukee does make a big boy 14" but that is in their big battery line. Think it's called mx. In that line they also have a jackhammer, tower light, and a bunch of other stuff.

 

[dchawk81]

They're also not really developing new corded tools. I have seen a lot of cordless commercials (Stihl today) but I can't remember the last time a saw a commercial for a corded or gas line of tools. In some places, like California, you will only be able to buy new corded or cordless - no gas powered tools. California's population is bigger than the bottom 22 states combined. That's a pretty large market and it dictates what direction a company will take.

Yeah but 67% of that population doesn't work and the rest is celebrities and people who can't admit to being there.

 

[Meursault74]

BTW, anyone use a corded work light or flashlight for anything in the last 20 or 25 years?

I did. Maybe 8 years ago. Corded work light with an incandescent bulb too. I was working in the corner of my garage down on the ground. Lighting was poor there. I used it for light and to power the drill. I have the corded work light that can also be used as an extension cord. I don't store the bulb in there though. Use it mostly as a medium length extension cord most of the time.

 

[Meursault74]

I really hated those things especially the ones with the metal cover around the bulb, would always burn my arm on those suckers.
If I never see one again it will be too soon...

Then I won't invite you over. I have 2 of those in my garage

Yeah, I've singed a hair or two with them over the years.

 

[bonneyman]

Then I won't invite you over. I have 2 of those in my garage

Yeah, I've singed a hair or two with them over the years.

I have a drop light or two, and put spiral flourescent bulbs to replace the incandecents. Alot cooler. On one I painted the inside surface of the metal dome white to reflect as much light as possible. Not shatterproof if you drop it, but better than a standard bulb.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I have a Dewalt corded drill I bought new when I moved into my first house in 2001. I think it only has a 3/8" chuck. Any 18 volt cordless drill has more torque than that drill.

You must have bought a wimpy drill. I bought a 3/8“ milwaukee, i think it has a “magnum” label on it. It will give your wrist a serious twist if you aren’t hanging on.

 

[genog]

I've got electrical outlets all over the place.
I am not worried about tripping over an extension cord or getting one wrapped around my neck

The only cordless tools that I have interest in is a High Torque Impact so that I can rotate tires in the driveway
I won't have to drive the cars back to the shop and then have to fire up the compressor.
Nor will I have to worry about tripping over an air hose or getting it wrapped around my neck

A cordless leaf blower is another tool I just have to have.
I threw my gas blower out on the sidewalk and bought a corded one.
Never looked back.
But....
I keep tripping over the extension cord.....
So a cordless leaf blower is in the future!

 

[gerlbaum]

Aren't cordless and corded tools both running on electric motors? I'm surprised at the variation people are saying between the two.

 

[Garcky]

Aren't cordless and corded tools both running on electric motors? I'm surprised at the variation people are saying between the two.

Yup. Both use motors that run on electricity. Cordless means you have to have the battery and the charger. Corded, you just plug in to the electrical outlet at any time. That generally never runs down and needs a recharge. I like that.

 

[Garcky]

You must have bought a wimpy drill. I bought a 3/8“ milwaukee, i think it has a “magnum” label on it. It will give your wrist a serious twist if you aren’t hanging on.

Same with my 1/2" corded drill. Better grab the side handle on that one and hang on. Especially if you're making a big hole in something hard. It will twist your wrist badly if you don't.

 

[joel63]

Same with my 1/2" corded drill. Better grab the side handle on that one and hang on. Especially if you're making a big hole in something hard. It will twist your wrist badly if you don't.

I learned a long time ago to not use any drill over 3/8.
It only took one time for me to gain a lot of respect for the power of a 1/2 corded drill.

 

[reader2580]

Same with my 1/2" corded drill. Better grab the side handle on that one and hang on. Especially if you're making a big hole in something hard. It will twist your wrist badly if you don't.

A friend of mine gave me a great big Craftsman 1/2" drill from probably the 1970s. I am darn lucky that I haven't broken my wrist using that thing. I only use it with large hole saws and sometimes the hole saw will catch.

 

[reader2580]

Aren't cordless and corded tools both running on electric motors? I'm surprised at the variation people are saying between the two.

Cordless tool manufacturers have spent a lot of time optimizing DC electric motors to get the most out of the limited electricity they have access to. Corded tool manufacturers have access to a near unlimited supply of electricity so they don't care as much about getting every bit of power out of the electricity they use.

 

[Garcky]

I learned a long time ago to not use any drill over 3/8.
It only took one time for me to gain a lot of respect for the power of a 1/2 coded drill.

Well, sometimes you need a 1/2" drill. You just have to understand how to use it safely, and always use it that way. They have so much torque at zero RPM that stalling one means you'd better have the thing under full control. Mine is a switchable hammer drill. Nothing like it for making holes in concrete. It's also the right tool for drilling larger holes in steel, like working on trailers and vehicle frames. I got mine used at a garage sale. It's old, but it still works perfectly. I use it just a few times a year, but it has paid for itself many times over.

 

[joel63]

Well, sometimes you need a 1/2" drill. You just have to understand how to use it safely, and always use it that way. They have so much torque at zero RPM that stalling one means you'd better have the thing under full control. Mine is a switchable hammer drill. Nothing like it for making holes in concrete. It's also the right tool for drilling larger holes in steel, like working on trailers and vehicle frames. I got mine used at a garage sale. It's old, but it still works perfectly. I use it just a few times a year, but it has paid for itself many times over.

I fully understand what you are saying here.
I have a hard time finding one to fit my hands.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Back in the day, I got some smoking good deals on refurbished corded power tools. I purposely only bought "heavy duty"/commercial grade items, but I got them at a huge discount.

I have a Craftsman Commercial 4" grinder and a Craftsman Commercial 1/2" triple gear reduction drill. That drill will break your wrist if you are not using the assist handle and the bit gets stuck !

I have bought some battery tools. M12 3/8" drill, M12 "dremel" and M12 3/8" impact. All great for small jobs.

 

[gerlbaum]

Hahaha I've definitely almost broke my wrist with a drill.

 

[Bert_]

I got mine used at a garage sale. It's old, but it still works perfectly. I use it just a few times a year, but it has paid for itself many times over.

This sentence is pretty good, in my opinion. This is why corded tools will always be better than cordless for some things. Nobody is ever going to pull out their 30+ year old cordless tools. Old tools are common for hobby or light use.

Cordless battery platforms change and you get left with tools you can't use. Cordless makes the most sense for high use tools that you will wear out in less than a decade.

 

[gerlbaum]

I'd be surprised if cordless tools lasted a decade in a high use environment.

 

[zendriver]

I'd be surprised if cordless tools lasted a decade in a high use environment.

Probably, but after 10 years, throw them away and get something new that is probably more powerful. It has a longer battery life.

 

[subroc]

I'd be surprised if cordless tools lasted a decade in a high use environment.

The mere presence of a cord doesn’t by default make it a good tool. Will a corded tool made today do that?

 

[f121]

Aren't cordless and corded tools both running on electric motors? I'm surprised at the variation people are saying between the two.

Investment. No one uses corded impacts, they either use air or battery. Therefore most consumer corded impacts are cheap junk with very little power.