re: Best brand of cordless tools?

Posted by LSU Tiger Bob

South

Member since Sep 2011

3111 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:20 pm to ForeverLSU02

Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Skil, Craftsman, I've got and used all of them. No problems. Even have a 3/8 drill..metal housing by Wizard (Western Auto) still working.

Posted by SportTiger1

Stonewall, LA

Member since Feb 2007

29860 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:21 pm to ForeverLSU02

My FIL swears by ridgid. Best warranty out there. If you need a new battery, just go to hone depot and they give you a new one.

I've got a porter cable combo I bought for 150 a few years back and has been a great value. I'm ready for some lithium though

This post was edited on 11/14/14 at 5:31 pm

Posted by Hu_Flung_Pu

Central, LA

Member since Jan 2013

22542 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:50 pm to ForeverLSU02

There is a package deal at Costco with the top of the line dewalt hammer drill with metal casing and the impact. Its the 20v with large pack for 229. I have this set and it is fantastic. Batteries last forever.

I consider makita, dewalt and Milwaukee all about the same.

If you have a smaller budget go ridgid for warranty

This post was edited on 11/14/14 at 5:52 pm

Posted by Clames

Member since Oct 2010

19538 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:19 pm to SportTiger1

I like Ridgid's 12V Jobmax setup. Definitely one of the better combo tools out there. Think they have an 18V model now but the 12V had no lack of power from what I could tell. Much stronger than the corded Dremel version I burned up.

Posted by GolfingTiger

Gonzales

Member since Oct 2004

292 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:28 pm to ForeverLSU02

Bosch or Porter-Cable

Posted by QuietTiger

New Orleans

Member since Dec 2003

26256 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:55 pm to ForeverLSU02

If I had to start over at this point, I think I'd go with Makita. I have big $ invested in Dewalt cordless and Milwaukee corded tools as of now. The few Makita tools I do have seem a cut above the quality I'm seeing in other tools.
I'm speaking from a none weekend warrior stand point though.

Posted by robins08

Alexandria

Member since Mar 2012

609 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:26 pm to QuietTiger

Have the lithium porter-cable , love it ...

Posted by T4

Member since Mar 2014

288 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:49 pm to ForeverLSU02

1. Milwaukee
2. Mikita
3a. Dewalt
3b. Hitachi
4. Bosch
5. Rigid
6. Porter Cable
7. Ryobi

Posted by 756

Member since Sep 2004

15909 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 9:40 pm to ForeverLSU02

Milwaukee or Makita

Posted by Butkus51

Member since Jun 2013

122 posts

Posted on 11/14/14 at 10:07 pm to ForeverLSU02

What will you be using them for? Will you work with them daily or just odds and ends around the house? I do a lot of work on rental houses/office blogs/retail stuff. I have used about every brand there is. This is what I have.
My 18v set is makita. It is awesome when I need it, but not my everyday carry.
12v dewalt set. Drill, impact, small sawzall, work light. This happens to be my favorite set I have ever had.
Also have a Milwaukee 12v set. Drill, impact, multi tool. Great quality tools.
I have had a Bosch 12v set also. Good tools
Have had a hitachi 12v set drill and impact also. Good also.
My 12v dewalt set was stolen out of my truck earlier this year. I will be puchasing another one hopefully before the end of the year.

Posted by mallardhank

Atlanta

Member since Feb 2006

1338 posts

Posted on 11/15/14 at 5:25 am to Butkus51

I'm on a construction site every day, and see the drywall framers using makita and dewalt impact guns more than any other brand by far. My heavy duty set of 18v tools is makita, light duty Milwaukee 12v. Both manufacturers offer a wide selection of add on tools, but be willing to pay a lot more for the makita brand.

Even though ridgid has a great warranty those suckers seem to be much heavier than other brands, and this makes a difference after a few hours.

Posted by Cracker

in a box

Member since Nov 2009

19261 posts

Posted on 11/15/14 at 8:25 am to ForeverLSU02

Milwaukie or Bosch have been my choices & I have been happy

Posted by crews12

SELA

Member since Feb 2008

1770 posts

Posted on 11/15/14 at 10:18 am to ForeverLSU02

Snap-on

Posted by TulaneUVA

Member since Jun 2005

26226 posts

Posted on 11/15/14 at 10:40 am to crews12

All I know is that all the guys I know at my work (plant) use dewalts for general cordless tool work. Now nothing will replace specialty tools like metabo but my advice is to follow the construction sites.

This post was edited on 11/15/14 at 10:48 am

Posted by dstone12

Texan

Member since Jan 2007

40315 posts

Posted on 11/15/14 at 3:25 pm to ForeverLSU02

I've got a Ryobi thats been around for years. Only the battery went bad.

Also got a Milwaukee that I have had to send back.

If I were you, and you aren't a general contractor:

Get a Lowes or Home Depot gift card (or a bunch of them) and get the affordable brand if it will sit in your garage 6 days a week.....they are just fine.

THen use the leftover money to buy the wood and screws of what you want to build.