Cordless Tools

[iclark]

in another thread, fiatben said:

That is a really interesting tool(s). And it causes me to wonder what everyone's opinion is on cordless tools, specifically the amount of power available and the length of time before downtime to recharge. ...

rather than hijack that thread, here is a new one for this discussion.

I have been very happy with the Dewalt 18V XRP 6-tool set that I picked up a few years ago at Costco. I added the compatible nailer and one of the small portable vacuum cleaners.

the vacuum cleaner was a mistake (but I have also been unhappy with all of the corded small-hose shopvacs that I have tried).

I have the 2nd-generation 18V batteries. with 3 chargers and 4 batteries, I can go all out and I am the one that wears out first. that is continuously using the nailer, circular saw, grinder (with sanding disk), sawzall, and drill. IIRC, I got about a half-hour per charge on the grinder stripping old paint.

at work, we have one of the previous generation Dewalt drills with the 1st gen 18V battery. about 9 months ago that battery would run the drill briefly but could not power the vacuum. we upgraded to the 3rd gen Li-Ion battery (also required new charger). those batteries hold a charge sitting on the shelf better than the ones that I have and the charger is backwards compatible to the older gen batteries.

while corded (and hosed) tools have their advantages (you don't need to remember to charge the batteries), it is really nice to be able to use them wherever I want and to not have to continuously fight the cord or air hose (or watch out to not cut the umbilical). when working on the RV, we also do not have to fire up the generator.

part of the reason that I am happy is that Dewalt has continued to support this system and has brought out components and new batteries that are fully backwards compatible (sound familiar?).

I have been much less happy with some of the other battery-powered equipment where it all becomes junk when the battery stops taking a charge.

for each of the last 2 Christmas seasons, the borg stores have brought out new battery-powered systems and then discontinued them at the end of the season. the Black & Decker VPX tools (2008 holidays) were really nice and I still use mine, but B&D seems to have no commitment to the customer after the sale. when those batteries are dead, so are the tools.

[robinson46176]

In recent years it seems that all power cords have the same destination... Under my feet... No matter hard I try to watch where they are I start to use the tool and find I am limited by the #$%& cord being under a foot. That reason alone is more than enough to off-set any charging inconveniences associated with battery tools.
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While whining to a clerk in HD one time about the stupidly high price that Dewalt was charging for replacement 12 volt batteries for my drill he pointed out to me that if I did want batteries there was a better way. At that time they were selling a little dust-buster type vac with two batteries and a charger for considerably less than the cost of two replacement batteries.
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I didn't buy it but did buy a Ryobi 18 volt 1/2" drill kit with a very good flashlight included for much less than the Dewalt batteries. I liked it so well that I bought a second one and have used both without any problems for years now. If I do ever need batteries for them they are quite reasonable.

[Ed in Tampa]

I believe Ridgid offers lifetime battery replacement if you regisiter the tool and batteries when you buy them.

I love cordless tools especially my Makita 14 volt system but I hate the ridiculous cost of replacement batteries. To replace my 3 batteries it costs more than the whole kit with Cir Saw, Drill, Recip Saw, vac, flashlight, charger and three batteries cost. That is a ripoff!

Next time I go Ryobi (low cost batteries) or Ridgid with lifetime service agreement that includes free batteries.

[charlese]

Regardless of the hype from the tool makers and the magazines - the weak point in all cordless tools are the batteries. It doesn't matter what type of battery.

Cordless tools are handy - no doubt about it! However, when it comes to battery replacement or charger replacement - they are very expensive. A person could easily spend more $ on batteries for a cordless drill than on his Shopsmith, during the same amount of time. (and some bitch about the cost of Shopsmith parts)

For a contractor - who can pass these costs on to the customer - cordless is the way to go for convenience sake if nothing else. But I'm not one of those.

Like said above above, I'm going with the cheapest cordless drills in the future and the cheaper batteries.

[osx-addict]

I also love my cordless tools.. Especially my very small Milwaukee driver.. The batteries last a long time, it's got lots of torque and is well designed to take a beating. On the other hand, I've got a MUCH heavier (>5lb) Makita drill/driver I bought <3 years ago when we were doing a remodel and find it annoyingly heavy if you're trying to raise it above your head for very long, and while it has tons of torque, I had the fastest speed gears stripped before 6 months was up. In talking with someone at a local tool repair center, they indicated that was because Makita uses a plastic gearbox. Ugg!! With how much that thing weighs, I was very surprised.. Anyway, one of these days it will be replaced as I really dislike the crappy products made these days.. I do however have a Makita compressor that I love.. However, no more Makita for me in the future..

[easterngray]

I drive thousands of bronze and stainless screws at work each year... two years ago I bought the Makita 18V Lithium Ion cordless drill and it has taken a real beating and keeps on driving and drilling - and it's LIGHT WEIGHT. The two batteries I got with it still work fine and the charger as well - however the charger is loud! Ther's a fan in it and it makes a real racket. Fortunately the charge time is only about 15 minutes, so it's bearable. I recommend this cordless drill without hesitation. Alec

[cv3]

I have had a Dewalt 18 volt drill and mini circular saw for about 3yrs now. I use the drill much more than the saw. It came with two batteries and the both seem to still be holding a charge. But when I have a job with lot of drilling and screwing like working on my new deck I go back to my trusty old craftsman corded drill it is not as heavy and it goes all day.

[eartigas]

I have a few sets purchased in HD, one is SKILL and the other two B&D. For the Skill i realized that if I wanted more batteries it was cheaper to buy another drill with two than a single battery. For my amateur endeavors they have served me well, the drills, jig saw (Skill) and the Sawzall (Skill). There are flashlights that are OK but my frustration in both of my cheap and only sets is the total uselessness of the circular saws. Paperweights they are but wood cutters, no. I find cordless convenient and for my hobby work those cheap sets are fine but one day I will have to spend some good cash in a cordless circular saw. Please advise if you have tried and are satisfied with any one in particular.

[ryanbp01]

I have an 18v Firestorm set (Drill, circular saw, flashlight, and reciprocating saw) I purchased at Lowe's a few years ago. Since then I also purchased the vac (handy for the car) and a radio recharger. Haven't had a problem with any of them, all have served me well. I have my eye on an spin trimmer which takes the same battery, which I hope to get on Father's Day.

BPR

[dkerfoot]

If you have never used a Lithium battery in your cordless tools, you don't know what you are missing. For many years I have had several Craftsman 19.2 V tools. I bought a couple of replacement batteries over time, but tools like the circular saw and the reciprocating saw were barely usable.

Last year I got a lithium battery and charger for Father's Day and it was like getting a whole new set of tools. Simply put, the available power and the length of charge are in a whole other class! Seriously, I can't overstate the difference.

If you drive a lot of screws and have never tried an impact driver, you owe it to yourself. I had always used my drill. Then a friend let me use his impact driver and I went out that same day and ordered one. Again, just a completely eye opening experience.