Cordless Power Tools

[stronger800]

I’ve set fire to two corded grinders myself, being abusive.  One was yellow actually.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MT Matt]

DeWalt or Milwaukee, your choice.  I have many DewWalt tools to include leaf blower, string trimmer and hedge trimmer.  A couple of the propane heaters.  Impacts, grease gun and a couple lights. Never a problem. Have a Milwaukee 1/4 impact and inflator. Very good also. DeWalt is a little better on price. 

[Matt Kirsch]

14 hours ago, acem said:

When you get cordless tools there are three things you need.

Only three? Cordless tools are like an addictive drug. 

I have been running Ryobi for 25 years now, or more, since before they introduced lithium batteries. Ryobi has one of the longest-running battery "standards." When they didn't change their design and make you buy all new tools when they switched to lithium batteries, they earned a loyal customer here. Seemed like at the time every tool brand was changing their battery designs every 2 years so you had to buy all new tools. Ryobi was the first brand to dig their heels in and stick with a design.

I've run the tools until they were too hot to hold, and they still keep going. My original blue drill still works after all this time and letting the smoke out at least twice.

[just Dave]

3 hours ago, mader656 said:

I think the battery change to 20v was more to get the flat top battery. Also our freindly kiwis would say it’s still 18v as that is the running voltage. They do sell an adapter kit.

The 20v DeWalt fits right in my back pocket I like that. 

[Sledgehammer]

29 minutes ago, Matt Kirsch said:

Only three? Cordless tools are like an addictive drug. 

I have been running Ryobi for 25 years now, or more, since before they introduced lithium batteries. Ryobi has one of the longest-running battery "standards." When they didn't change their design and make you buy all new tools when they switched to lithium batteries, they earned a loyal customer here. Seemed like at the time every tool brand was changing their battery designs every 2 years so you had to buy all new tools. Ryobi was the first brand to dig their heels in and stick with a design.

I've run the tools until they were too hot to hold, and they still keep going. My original blue drill still works after all this time and letting the smoke out at least twice.

I'm glad you have had good luck with them. I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever seen anyone that thought this way. 

[just Dave]

@acem have you noticed the 20v chainsaw seem to over oil quite a bit?  That is really the only complaint I’ve had with dewalt. I have yard tools and many shop tools . Their 1/2” large impact is as strong as any other. Our True Value Hwd stores have very good sales once a year on red and yellow. I paint all the chains and shackles that I don’t want to lose in the yard with safety yellow so it’s good my cordless fleet is mainly yellow . I like a couple 2 amp batteries also for small jobs; much lighter by far. I use 36v dewalt for a cordless right angle grinder, but with cut off wheels only for the most part. I also go 36v on my cordless weedeater, it’s very impressive. I only use the gasser for brush now. Brushless is a prerequisite for me in any brand. I have a Ryobi vacuum because they make the best one, check specs any buy he best fit for your needs.

[stronger800]

Red neck buddy and I  each drilled 76 3/4 and 1/2” holes in pressure treated lumber one day this winter.  We were talking, but  also sort of racing a bit.  Neither of us had fresh new speed bore bits (really should have gotten new ones), but anyway, my red drill did get warm, but not uncomfortably by any means.  His orange Ridgid brand economy type drill was just about smoking and he went through two batteries.  My four bar indicator light on the battery had drilled about 50 holes before it dropped to 3 bars.

[cobfly]

I stick with red and black because it matches my tractors.

[Illini986]

1 hour ago, Matt Kirsch said:

Only three? Cordless tools are like an addictive drug. 

I have been running Ryobi for 25 years now, or more, since before they introduced lithium batteries. Ryobi has one of the longest-running battery "standards." When they didn't change their design and make you buy all new tools when they switched to lithium batteries, they earned a loyal customer here. Seemed like at the time every tool brand was changing their battery designs every 2 years so you had to buy all new tools. Ryobi was the first brand to dig their heels in and stick with a design.

I've run the tools until they were too hot to hold, and they still keep going. My original blue drill still works after all this time and letting the smoke out at least twice.

Our head of maintenance at work is a big Ryobi believer. That's all he buys for his personal use and since he orders all the tools for the plant, naturally that's what most of the power tools are here. They get plenty of abuse and generally keep going but the battery life seems short compared to other brands. 

[Ihfan4life]

I’m not seeing anyone mention Kobalt from Lowe’s. 
Had a drill/driver combination given to us. For a low budget tool-BULLETPROOF! I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase any Kobalt battery tools.

From the drill/driver kit we’ve added a circular saw, a mini circular saw, a reciprocating saw (think sawzall), an impact driver… I think that’s it. I’m just saying, if you’re not even looking at these, then you’re missing out on some great tools. 

 

[searcyfarms]

ive got craftsman 19.2, milwaukee and ryobi, neighbor has rigid and buddy has dewalt, honestly for most of us we are using these tools far less than any duty cycle they were made for - for the avg guy doing home owner stuff............they will all be great 

i have yet to have ANY of the brands fail me - the older 19.2 craftsman downfall was the batteries but outside of that quality was great

pick your color or two and stick with it

there is an outlet store for rigid/ryobi, ryobi is the house brand for home depot if you didnt know and they run all their stuff through their outlets as far as returns/reconditioned or updated if there was an issue, their upline is rigid so when you go to the outlet you have the ryobi/rigid to choose from 

rigid have a little more features and options and considered the upper crust of the two 

[poor farmer/logger]

Everything I have is Milwaukee. I started with them close to 10 years ago maybe even a bit more.  They’ve treated me very well. My oldest 1/2” impact is starting to act up. Not certain if it’s the impact of battery yet though. Didn’t swap in a new battery last time I was using it to see. I’ve never had a battery fail unless this impact one has given up the ghost now. Collecting for 10 or more years though and the oldest one still gets used on the grease gun.  I especially love my new 1/2 impact. It’s the high torque that came out nearly 2 years ago already. It’s crazy powerful. I have a 3/8” stuby impact as well that works great on the recreational stuff.  I have more invested in these tools then I probably should but I use most of them at least weekly. The chainsaw and blower I haven’t used a lot yet but still handy to have around at times. 

[New Englander]

First cordless here was a Makita drill. Battery life was only fair. Now most of my corded tools are Dewalt; cordless DeWalt too. 20V 1/4; 3/8; and 1/2 impacts 1/2' drill. I'm looking for a deal on the 3/8 ratchet. My air ratchet is loud and requires dragging a hose to it. Wish list includes oscillating, circular, and reciprocating saws. I have corded DeWalt but sometimes it's just one or two cuts and a PITA to drag out a cord.

I use the 1/4 and 3/8 impacts constantly. The 1/4 and Torx screws in lots of wood work. Torx don't cam out or slip and aren't fussy if you're not on them quite straight. I use 1/4 and 3/8 square drive adapters in the 1/4 wrench a lot as it seems to have the right amount of torque for smaller fasteners. 1/2 hasn't met a lug nut it couldn't beat.

I have EGO leaf blower and weed trimmer. The leaf blower is my new broom. Blow out the shop, barn, and hangar cleaner and faster than I ever could sweep them out.

Cordless drill is perfect for removing countless airplane inspection hole screws and with the adjustable clutch for driving them back.

I'd say stick with red or yellow with common battery type. It seems I got a charger with every tool so I have at least one in each building. I've never had a DeWalt battery fail. I have had an EGO battery fail and replaced it with a generic replacement; so far, so good, it doesn't claim to be a real one. Stories out there though about counterfeit red and yellow batteries going up in smoke.

 

[Mudder Fan]

19 hours ago, Sledgehammer said:

I'm glad you have had good luck with them. I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever seen anyone that thought this way. 

I have been running Ryobi as well for years with no problems. Yea I've burned up a couple of the circular saws but it was abuse on my part. Knowing I needed to change the blade but was just trying to finish the job. LOL

[Matt Kirsch]

18 hours ago, cobfly said:

I stick with red and black because it matches my tractors.

I like the Ryobi green color because I can find the tools when I leave them laying ON my red tractors  Danged Milwaukees get forgotten about, then they fall off and get run over...

 

[cobfly]

2 hours ago, Matt Kirsch said:

I like the Ryobi green color because I can find the tools when I leave them laying ON my red tractors  Danged Milwaukees get forgotten about, then they fall off and get run over...

 

I tend to not leaving my tools laying around.

[supermpuller]

Milwaukee brushles  battery are the  best

[supermpuller]

It"s funnny lithinm batteries  tools are great but  EV cars are controversial .

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

Yeah, remember when the federal or state government attempted to ban air impacts? No? Maybe that’s why it’s different. 

[supermpuller]

Nothing was ban and so  nothing is different

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

That is absolutely not true. There was just a thread on here the other day about heavy trucks and how you will not be able to register in some states if the truck was built after December 31, 2024 and was diesel powered. Certain things have been banned in some places and if it wasn’t for the change of direction here they would still be marching toward that for the entire country. It is a lie that everyone supports freedom when a large number of the population wants iron fisted control and some of those people have been in positions of great power. 

[MTB98]

15 minutes ago, Dirt_Floor_Poor said:

There was just a thread on here the other day about heavy trucks and how you will not be able to register in some states if the truck was built after December 31, 2024 and was diesel powered.

And that claim was proven to be false. 
 

 

As for battery cordless tools, red or yellow are both good. Yellow tools are made by Stanley Black & Decker, a US company. Milwaukee is owned by TTI, a Hong Kong, China based company. 
 

Another consideration are Harbor Freight Hercules battery tools. My son bought some of them with their battery/charger with free tool specials. He’s used them at his part time farm job while he was in high school. A few guys at the farm bought some after using them. I’ve bought a few too. They’re a good bang for the buck. IDK how they’d do in a professional day to day use setting. 
 

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

 

2 minutes ago, MTB98 said:

And that claim was proven to be false. 
 

 

As for battery cordless tools, red or yellow are both good. Yellow tools are made by Stanley Black & Decker, a US company. Milwaukee is owned by TTI, a Hong Kong, China based company. 
 

Another consideration are Harbor Freight Hercules battery tools. My son bought some of them with their battery/charger with free tool specials. He’s used them at his part time farm job while he was in high school. A few guys at the farm bought some after using them. I’ve bought a few too. They’re a good bang for the buck. IDK how they’d do in a professional day to day use setting. 
 

What was false about not letting diesel powered trucks register comrade? 

[MTB98]

23 minutes ago, Dirt_Floor_Poor said:

 

What was false about not letting diesel powered trucks register comrade? 

That simply isn’t true. I linked to the actual policies in the thread you are referring to. 
 

Has there been a change in national policy regarding emissions and fuel types? 

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

12 minutes ago, MTB98 said:

That simply isn’t true. I linked to the actual policies in the thread you are referring to. 
 

Has there been a change in national policy regarding emissions and fuel types? 

This is what you posted. They require ZEV. Not necessarily Electric, but it can’t be diesel.