- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Recommendations for battery-powered tool brands?
Posted on 5/27/20 at 12:14 pm to fishfighter
Posted on 5/27/20 at 12:14 pm to fishfighter
quote:
Big fan of Ryobi 20V. Half the price of DeWalt. More then enough for a DIY person. I had put the Ryobi tools thru a full test. Give them a very good mark
0
Posted on 5/27/20 at 12:33 pm to thedrumdoctor
For tools, I recommend Makita. I have a ton of tools on different platforms and the Makitas 18v units are thoughtfully designed and are built like tanks.
Milwaukee is my next choice after that.
Milwaukee is my next choice after that.
Posted on 5/27/20 at 1:47 pm to thedrumdoctor
Fan of DeWalt here.
I try to keep as much as I can American made.
I try to keep as much as I can American made.
Posted on 5/28/20 at 8:42 am to thedrumdoctor
I have to say Milwaukee. 18v system you can get almost everything in battery system. Routers, hole hawk, even bench tools. (I dont get the bench tools) But I have added drills , impact driver, 3/8" impact wrench, 6" saw, palm sander, probably left some stuff out. I bought echo yard tools b4 I got the Milwaukee products.
The tools are awesome. Ive had Panosonic 12v driver drill and drills for almost twenty years and they were the gold standard. But something happened to the quality of replacement batteries about 5 years ago....Sorry to retire them but the Milwaukee does everything as well.
The tools are awesome. Ive had Panosonic 12v driver drill and drills for almost twenty years and they were the gold standard. But something happened to the quality of replacement batteries about 5 years ago....Sorry to retire them but the Milwaukee does everything as well.
Posted on 5/28/20 at 9:35 am to thedrumdoctor
Last month I caught a sale at Home Depot for a Dewalt kit that included a 1/2" drill/driver, impact driver, reciprocating saw, & oscillating saw for $300. Came with two 20V 2.0Ah batteries & charger & large tool bag. The drill & impact have the brushless motors. Added to that a new Dewalt 7.25" brushless circular saw and 5.0 & 6.0Ah batteries.
Gave my son my old Makita 18v NiCad 7.25" saw and Dewalt 12v lithium drills & drivers. All have been pretty solid tools.
After having a Ryobi string trimmer in the 90s, I steered away from them on future cordless purchases.
Gave my son my old Makita 18v NiCad 7.25" saw and Dewalt 12v lithium drills & drivers. All have been pretty solid tools.
After having a Ryobi string trimmer in the 90s, I steered away from them on future cordless purchases.
Posted on 5/28/20 at 5:10 pm to thedrumdoctor
I originally got the 20v Dewalt set with drill, impact, reciprocating saw, and flashlight. Also came with two 2.0ah batteries. I now also have their 20v 12" chainsaw, one 5 ah battery, the 6.5" circular saw, and two 6 ah batteries. I would recommend all of these to anyone who asks. I've done a lot of work with them. Especially the chainsaw...I've cut 18" pine logs into small chunks to burn.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 4:30 pm to thedrumdoctor
I also tend to favor Bosch cordless (and corded) tools, but also have a few DeWalt, Milwaukee, and my first cordless Makita tool, a brushless 18 V drill-driver, arrived today.
I save $$ by buying re-conditioned tools, in fact I’d guess 90% of my cordless and corded hand tools are reconditioned, and 90% of those arrive as looking new out of the box. For example the reconditioned 18 V brushless drill driver that arrived today sells new at Home Depot for $142, I paid $88 for the reconditioned tool, and as far as I can tell appears to be brand new and never used.
I save $$ by buying re-conditioned tools, in fact I’d guess 90% of my cordless and corded hand tools are reconditioned, and 90% of those arrive as looking new out of the box. For example the reconditioned 18 V brushless drill driver that arrived today sells new at Home Depot for $142, I paid $88 for the reconditioned tool, and as far as I can tell appears to be brand new and never used.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 4:45 pm to CrawDude
Craw, how do you go about getting reconditioned tools? Is there a site you watch? I know at the end of the isles at home depot/lowes sometimes they'll put them out.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:10 pm to good_2_geaux
quote:
Craw, how do you go about getting reconditioned tools? Is there a site you watch? I know at the end of the isles at home depot/lowes sometimes they'll put them out.
I’ve purchased most of my reconditioned tools through CPO outlets LINK, but I’ve also purchased some reconditioned Hitachi tools (mostly nailers) through BigSkyTools LINK. I’ve bought several reconditioned Bostitch nailers/staplers via CPO outlets. CPO will often have clearance items on reconditioned tools for further savings.
I’ve also bought a few reconditionded tools from Tyler Tools LINK
I’ve also been lucky to score a couple clearance steals from Home Depot a mile from my house - a brand new $550 DeWalt DW735 planer for $200 and new in box Rigid $450 drill press for $100. But I haven’t seen a deal like that in a while - you have to be in the store at the right time and right day. I think they must have fired the manager of that store.
This post was edited on 5/29/20 at 7:51 pm
Posted on 5/29/20 at 5:35 pm to tigerfan4120
Stihl...
I have two battery powered Stihl Chainsaws. Both are awesome.
I have two battery powered Stihl Chainsaws. Both are awesome.
Posted on 5/29/20 at 8:23 pm to thedrumdoctor
I'm looking for recs too, and this thread has been about as helpful as google. That is to say, not very.
It's not that the recs are bad, it's just there doesn't seem to be any objective way to decide what you want. I guess that's true of most things.
It also doesn't help that what I want doesn't seem to exist. Like most business models these days, the strategy is vendor lock-in, so I feel like I can't decide on a drill without considering my next decade of tool purchases. Is it too much to ask that they settle on a standard battery platform?
I'm replacing an old Craftsman 19.2v (C3 I think) drill, which honestly has been great. Plenty of power, battery life was good. Drill is still good, it's just the battery/charger is shot. Both original batteries died (they lasted about 4 years, decent I guess), but now I'm pretty sure the charger has a blown cap and it has drained my last remaining battery to death.
So I'm starting fresh, and I want to decide on a solid battery platform. Is it all pretty much luck of the draw, or does one brand seem to have the battery situation figured out?
Also, as of now I mostly just do odd jobs around the house, but I hope to over the next few years start doing some light electrical work.
So what's the best bang for the buck? Ryobi gets mentioned a lot here, but if I start using the tools 4 or 5 days a week, will they and the batteries hold up? If not, is it still cheaper to just replace as they fail rather than going with a more expensive system and hope they last longer?
It's not that the recs are bad, it's just there doesn't seem to be any objective way to decide what you want. I guess that's true of most things.
It also doesn't help that what I want doesn't seem to exist. Like most business models these days, the strategy is vendor lock-in, so I feel like I can't decide on a drill without considering my next decade of tool purchases. Is it too much to ask that they settle on a standard battery platform?
I'm replacing an old Craftsman 19.2v (C3 I think) drill, which honestly has been great. Plenty of power, battery life was good. Drill is still good, it's just the battery/charger is shot. Both original batteries died (they lasted about 4 years, decent I guess), but now I'm pretty sure the charger has a blown cap and it has drained my last remaining battery to death.
So I'm starting fresh, and I want to decide on a solid battery platform. Is it all pretty much luck of the draw, or does one brand seem to have the battery situation figured out?
Also, as of now I mostly just do odd jobs around the house, but I hope to over the next few years start doing some light electrical work.
So what's the best bang for the buck? Ryobi gets mentioned a lot here, but if I start using the tools 4 or 5 days a week, will they and the batteries hold up? If not, is it still cheaper to just replace as they fail rather than going with a more expensive system and hope they last longer?
Posted on 5/29/20 at 8:48 pm to Korkstand
To me, it’s hard to go wrong with DeWalt. Just about any jobsite you’ll see black and yellow tools. Their tools are very solid and their 20v Max lineup is much better than the old 18v lineup. There’s also an adapter if you want to use the new batteries in older tools (shouldn’t affect you).
Ryobi is definitely more “homeowner” level, but more than capable to get the job done. The big advantage to them is their battery system is interchangeable across a lot of tools.
In general, it seems DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita are the most common, heavy user recommendations.
Ryobi is definitely more “homeowner” level, but more than capable to get the job done. The big advantage to them is their battery system is interchangeable across a lot of tools.
In general, it seems DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita are the most common, heavy user recommendations.
Posted on 6/1/20 at 3:35 am to thedrumdoctor
Hi there, I think this review might help you, too The Best Cordless Drill under $50, $75, $100, $150 and Over. I always want to have a Festool brand because they have high-powered rechargeable batteries. 
Posted on 6/4/20 at 5:22 pm to LSUtigerME
quote:I ended up going with DeWalt 20v max. I got the drill and driver set with two slim batteries and charger with bag. It's not the pro-level tools, but I don't need those yet and the price was surprisingly good for this set at $140. And if I do need to upgrade the tools, I feel like I've got a good start on a battery platform that should last a solid decade at least.
To me, it’s hard to go wrong with DeWalt. Just about any jobsite you’ll see black and yellow tools. Their tools are very solid and their 20v Max lineup is much better than the old 18v lineup.
Posted on 6/4/20 at 9:52 pm to Korkstand
The 20v DeWalt tools are good to go. I use them at home and at work. Im a mechanic in a chemical plant and a dewalt 1/2" drive 20v cordless impact works wonders on rusted flange bolts that havent been broke in decades
Posted on 6/4/20 at 10:45 pm to mingoswamp
quote:
After having a Ryobi string trimmer in the 90s, I steered away from them on future cordless purchases.
Hey man....it's time to forgive and forget. Time to let go....
On a more serious note, I'm a DIY'er, but I wanted a reliable set of tools for a decent price. So, I ended up settling on Ryobi after multiple recommendations, BUT, I stick to their "brushless" tools. A little more $ but they will last longer and perform better than the cheaper brushed versions. I have the circular saw, reciprocating saw, driver, impact drill, air compressor and the caulking gun (which is the coolest tool I've ever owned). I have to say, no issues, impressed and love the vast variety of tools that Ryobi makes.
You can typically get the brushless version of a Ryobi for less than the cost of a brushed dewalt tool. Heck, sometimes, 2 for 1! For DIY, can't go wrong here.
Posted on 6/5/20 at 12:00 am to Korkstand
quote:Top of the line, Milwaukee. Then Dewalt, Makita, Ridgid, then Ryobi. I know there are others, but I think those are the biggest players.
I'm looking for recs too, and this thread has been about as helpful as google. That is to say, not very.
It's not that the recs are bad, it's just there doesn't seem to be any objective way to decide what you want. I guess that's true of most things.
quote:Ryobi has kept the battery layout the same, so new batteries fit in older tools.
t also doesn't help that what I want doesn't seem to exist. Like most business models these days, the strategy is vendor lock-in, so I feel like I can't decide on a drill without considering my next decade of tool purchases. Is it too much to ask that they settle on a standard battery platform?
Lithium batteries are a game changer from the old Ni-Cad. Much more consistent, and last a lot longer.
quote:I think they're all solid from that group, the lithium batteries have made a huge leap. Currently the big move is brushless motors.
So I'm starting fresh, and I want to decide on a solid battery platform. Is it all pretty much luck of the draw, or does one brand seem to have the battery situation figured out?
Of note- Ryobi's had some problems with their chargers, I had to exchange one. And I've had to take one battery apart and 'bump start' it so it takes a charge again.
quote:Hmm, 2 different things here. Yeah, I think Ryobi generally will hold up. They're "good enough" to work with.
Also, as of now I mostly just do odd jobs around the house, but I hope to over the next few years start doing some light electrical work.
So what's the best bang for the buck? Ryobi gets mentioned a lot here, but if I start using the tools 4 or 5 days a week, will they and the batteries hold up?
It really all depends on how hard you are going to work something. The Milwaukee tools are at another level, but unless you use them a lot, you might not see the value. I have some of their 12v, I use the ratchet a ton working on cars.
Speaking of cars, I have a bunch of Ryobi and use their impact wrench (not driver) for taking lug nuts off.
Ryobi makes practically every tool you can imagine, and if you aren't a busy contractor, you won't find them lacking in function.
Posted on 6/5/20 at 12:20 am to Scoob
Ryobi, Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee are all good tools but if I were to go battery powered I would go Ego. I really like my Echo gear and have tried battery powered in the past with good and bad experiences, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about Ego on lawn forums from people that I wouldn’t expect to use nothing but gas motors.
Posted on 6/5/20 at 12:22 am to Scoob
Ryobi, Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee are all good tools but if I were to go battery powered I would go Ego. I really like my Echo gear and have tried battery powered in the past with good and bad experiences, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about Ego on lawn forums from people that I wouldn’t expect to use nothing but gas motors.
Tools are one thing. Lawn tools are another.
Tools are one thing. Lawn tools are another.
Page 2 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News