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Cordless tools, which brand

Xicor

Red Skull Member
Joined
May 20, 2020
Member Number
799
Messages
54
No I don't need a grease gun:flipoff2:

So last week I had most of cordless tools ripped off. I have been using the kobalt 24v as batteries were dirt cheap so I kept buying tools for it. Now that they are all gone except for one drill and 1/4" impact I'm looking at what to buy.

Looking at
1) replacing the kobalt 24v as I still have a couple tools and chargers
2) go to dewalt 20v stuff. A bit cheaper than the m18 fuel and also what a number of friends and family run which is convenient for borrowing a tool.
3) spend the money and get the m18 fuel, is it really that much better?


Looking for immediately a sawzall, angle grinder, 1/4" impact, circular saw. Longer(ish) term I want to add a 1/2" impact to avoid dragging compressor lines all over the place.
 
I went with lots of Dewalt 20V stuff about a year ago. No complaints so far. A couple of drills, small leaf blower (use it to help fire off the BGE), 1/2" impact that I have used the piss out of:smokin: I came >< this close to a Dewalt circular saw. Only reason I didn't was how it was set up, just liked their corded model better. Time will tell, but so far I am a happy guy!
 
I went with Team Red. No complaints. Solid tools.
 
It really doesn't matter anymore.

They're all shit :laughing: and work about the same.

I have the Dewalt stuff because that is what was easy to get when I got started. Now it would be to expensive to switch.

It's the whole Chevy/Ford, Miller /Lincoln, Dewalt/Milwaukee bit
 
Team Teal here, started with Team Blue as some of their stuff was made in Germany and Switzerland but those days are long gone. Teal stuff got me sold from AVE's reviews and just sorta been keeping buying their stuff.
 
My dad uses Milwaukee M-18. He and I have everything we own in the same place at the same a dozen times a year. So I went with dewalt so it was easier to keep from losing track of who’s stuff is who’s. Surprisingly the 18V 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 impacts have more power than my 20V dewalt stuff. As in, if I run something on and rattle the piss out of it with a dewalt the Milwaukee can always take it off. But the Milwaukee can tighten stuff tight enough that my dewalt can’t break it loose.

anecdotal experience of course.
 
Long time back, I used DeWalt 14.4V drills at jobs & never had a problem (burly units).
For ~10 years, I had DW 18V tools & it they kepy my loyalty by the time I wore them out.
I "re-fleeted" with yellow 20V Max tools & they've all been solid performers for a few years.

That being said, I'm not anit-red (other than hating the color red :laughing: ).
I have friends with Milwaukee cordless fleets & they're totally happy.
I know folks who think red are the only decent tools - yeah, nah :homer:

I wouldn't hesitate to build a fleet of modern Milwaukee or DeWalt cordless tools.
 
I was heavily invested in DeWalt 6-7 years ago, their 12v line went stagnant so I sold all my 18v and 12v stuff and switched to Milwaukee m12 and m18. I have multiple lights, vacuums, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 impacts, drills, m12 sds hammer drill, m18 grinder, m12 ratchet, m18 portaband, m18 circ saw, m12 and m18 sawzalls, m12 propex, and more shit im forgetting.

I can't complain about any of my tools. The guys I work with that aren't cheap mofos have switched to Milwaukee. I do wish they were cheaper but I've saved a shit load buying new and used on ebay. If you're pricing everything out at home depot or similar your usually getting raped, especially battery prices it seems.
 
Hmmm I do not see any red tools on this list , wonder why ? I do see Dewalt Tools and Craftsman tools :usa:
ChannellockMeadville, PAHand toolsWrenches not made in the USA
Snap-OnUSAHand tools, tool boxesNot all tools made in the USA
DeWaltBaltimore, MDPower toolsMany American-made products made with global materials
Stanley Black & DeckerUSAHand tools, power toolsNot all products made in USA
IQ Power ToolsUSAMasonry tools, sawsNot all products made in the USA
CraftsmanUSAPower toolsSome newer products made in the USA
CrescentUSAAdjustable wrenchesA very small selection of adjustable wrenches are made in the USA. Look for the “USA” stamp on the handle.
MakitaBuford, GeorgiaPower toolsThe Makita USA collection is American-made
KobaltUSAScrewdriversOnly one collection of new screwdrivers is American-made. Look for “Made in USA” on the package.
RidgidUSAPipe wrenchesOnly select pipe wrenches are American-made. Look for “USA” stamped on the tool.
 
I've been on Milwaukee stuff for years now, M12 and M18, more M12 than anything after the latest generation of stuff came out. I locked into the battery system at the beginning, it'd cost me a ton to switch now. Plus Default and Makita don't really make comparable cordless ratchets and those are what I use most at work.
 
I think pick which line has the tools you want. For example I wanted Impact, light, drill and driver as my starter tools...milwaukee has the best 1/2" impact(2767). From there I have added hackzall, circular saw, trimmer, leaf blower, search light, router, grinder and wet/dry shop vac....

Pick what you like, that has the most tools you like....for me that is milwaukee
 
I've had dewalt 20v and it was good, no complaints although I had the non brushless and swapped the cheap chuck for an xrp version from an older 14.4v drill.

My brother and nephew are all ryobi and it's ok for standard stuff but the batteries are shit and the tools are weak.

I have m18 fuel and I'm happy as could be with it. Great battery life, strong tools and they're reliable. Money well spent.
 
I have what seems like every dewalt 20v tool there is and they all work good.... but I assume any major brand would
 
I went will all Rigid stuff from Home Depot. Lifetime Warranty is a nice feature. I have a drill, sawz all, and a nail gun all cordless. I have had no issues at all after several years. Like other people have mentioned I think as long as you spend the money on a quality product you will be happy. Then stick with that brand so you can use the same batteries.
 
I have all Dewalt 20V, brushless max stuff. A lot of my income depends on them and I have no complaints. I have drills, drivers, cutting things, lights, nail guns, router, vacuum, everything cordless is Dewalt.
 
Pick a color, I chose Red. The go on Ebay and buy an adapter to fit different color tools on your battery if needed. On phone so no Linkslide to Ebay adapters
 
Great new subject! :flipoff2:​​​​​​

I started with m18 stuff 7-8 years ago. Lost everything in a fire, and went with them again.

I did it mostly because I had a great experience with their warranty. (4.5 year old drill from a yard sale that I broke the chuck screw starting a pressure washer with :laughing: I asked for a new screw and they sent me a new drill) :grinpimp:

The other reason is they seem to have the best selection of impacts and ratchets. The big dick 1/2" is nice (my first was 1100 ft lbs, new one is 1400 ft lbs) but also, the 3/8s impact is awesome, and very compact. I loooooove my m12 3/8 ratchet.

90% of the guys I work with have milwaukee, the "worm drive" m18 skill saw is damn impressive. Not sure if anyone makes something similar.

I'm not against any other brand. Ive had a few people ask about my big impact and I usually tell them that it's awesome, but stick with whatever brand you have, they all have a big impact that is close. I still think the 18v Dewalt xrp 3 spd is the nicest drill I've used. For some reason my buddies 20v brushless felt like garbage though.
 
I have 20v Dewalt stuff, overall I am happy with it. The 1/2" impact is my main go-to, but it isn't as strong as the Milwaukee version. My brother has the milwaukee and his definitely has more takeoff power than mine. The other item I use a lot is the bluetooth radio, that thing is great and has a built-in fast charger so I don't need to carry a charger when I take my radio places.

edit to add: I will be getting the M12 ratchet, because dewalt doesn't have anything comparable.
 
I have always had good luck with Makita, I don't like Dewalt because they don't fit my hand, hands down the best drill I ever had was a Porter Cable that thing took a beating, had good battery power, finally put it aside beause of batteries that wouldn't take a charge anymore, and of course they had changed the batteries and I couldn't buy them anymore
 
Best friend is all Dewalt, I'm all Milwaukee.

Fuel vs XR, they're very similar, maybe the Milwaukee is a little better, but marginally.

Good batteries will make all the difference. The Dewalt flexvolt battery is a beast, just like the Milwaukee 9.0AH or bigger. The bigger batteries make a lot of performance difference for the bigger tools (1/2 impact, angle grinder, heat gun...)
 
Depends on the tools you need to use. I have DeWalt at home and we have Milwaukee at work. I think Milwaukee makes a more powerful impact but DeWalt makes a better grinder. Apparently Milwaukee makes a better grease gun, I would argue DeWalt has a better thought out circular saw. Milwaukee makes lots of great specialty plumbing tools, DeWalt has a good selection of nailers.
 
I have used Bosch for a long time (since 07-08ish). For a long time they seemed to have the best batteries of the early lithiums. But their new tools just can't hold on to the performance of yellow or red. I've started switching to Milwaukee for the 12v stuff and just started on dewalt for the 20v stuff. Milwaukee has more trade specific stuff, but dewalt seems to win on woodworking - eg dewalt has a much more established palm router than milwaukee.

Last year I picked this up on sale for $200 - https://www.hilti.com/c/CLS_CORDLES..._SCREW_7123/CLS_CORDLESS_DRILL_7123/r11102216
Its been great for general shop use. It chokes some on large holesaws, but it is a 12v tool. Not sure I would pay the 350+ they want now
 
bbagwell said:
I went will all Rigid stuff from Home Depot. Lifetime Warranty is a nice feature. I have a drill, sawz all, and a nail gun all cordless. I have had no issues at all after several years. Like other people have mentioned I think as long as you spend the money on a quality product you will be happy. Then stick with that brand so you can use the same batteries.
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Same here. The Lifetime Warranty is nice. Sometime in the last 12 years they gave me a new set of batteries.

I just got their new 1500ft/lb impact. Now I'm looking for rusty bolts.
 
Amongst people who make their living with tools I see less and less yellow every day. Most are going to Red and a much smaller percentage Blue. I like the Blue concept of doubling up smaller batteries for high draw tools more that Red who makes you buy larger and more expensive batteries which can be cumbersome in low draw tools.
 
bigun said:
I have always had good luck with Makita, I don't like Dewalt because they don't fit my hand, hands down the best drill I ever had was a Porter Cable that thing took a beating, had good battery power, finally put it aside beause of batteries that wouldn't take a charge anymore, and of course they had changed the batteries and I couldn't buy them anymore
Click to expand...

I loved my 18v Porter Cable stuff. Used it until the 20v stuff came out and it started getting hard to get the 18v batteries, so switched to the 20v stuff. IMO they are a great homeowner/weekend warrior tool option. I won a set of Milwaukee Fuel tools so they have taken over duty on projects in my shop, but I keep my PC stuff in the house for home projects and repairs. I will say the one thing Milwaukee has over most if not all others is the tool selection.

Duane
 
CLRracer said:
I loved my 18v Porter Cable stuff. Used it until the 20v stuff came out and it started getting hard to get the 18v batteries, so switched to the 20v stuff. IMO they are a great homeowner/weekend warrior tool option. I won a set of Milwaukee Fuel tools so they have taken over duty on projects in my shop, but I keep my PC stuff in the house for home projects and repairs. I will say the one thing Milwaukee has over most if not all others is the tool selection.

Duane
Click to expand...

Another reason I've been happy with Ridgid. They've improved the cells, but stayed with the same voltage and form factor. My 2008 batteries fit the impact I just bought (and since they're warranty replacements, they still work).
 
I'm Dewalt 20v as well...availability and price and they've always been good and ergonomics are nice.

That said, really all the major tool brands are good. Depending what you do, Milwaukee seems to suit mechanics better, Dewalt carpenters better, etc. so just pick the brand with the best ecosystem for what you want to do or whichever feels best in your hand.
 
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