Cordless Tools vs. Other Options

[DGZRT]

IMO, cordless tools are far more convenient than their corded counterparts. They are also safer to use outdoors in wet environments. As another poster mentioned, extension cords are also shock and tripping hazards. The new lithium batteries hold their charge many times longer than the old NiCd's and have no memory effect. That means they can be charged after every use without worrying about loosing capacity. They are much lighter as well.

I've now converted 95% of my power tools to cordless. I have 6 wall mounted chargers which I keep on a timer. Whenever I've finished with one, I stick in a charger and turn on the timer for an hour or so. That way, I always have a bank of 6, fully charged at all times.

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These power tool batteries can also be used for a variety of purposes. Using these adapters, you can even make your own tools:

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No need to buy a portable floodlight when you can make one from some aluminum channel, a drawer handle and an old tractor work light. The possible uses for these tool batteries are almost endless, especially in situations where extension cords aren't practical.

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I use them to power portable tractor cameras and even the display. They can be placed almost anywhere without any wiring:

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I even use one to power the brakes in my utility trailer since I can never keep the one on the trailer charged.

I like what I see is it possible to build a LED Spot light using a M18 Milwaukee battery? I would love a portable one with a magnet on the mount so I can transfer it from the 4 wheeler to the Tractor ROPS

 

[Bearsixty7]

I like what I see is it possible to build a LED Spot light using a M18 Milwaukee battery? I would love a portable one with a magnet on the mount so I can transfer it from the 4 wheeler to the Tractor ROPS

Many LED lights have a working range of 12-24V so shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure the light you are considering has the right voltage range.

This one is 9-36V

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/traveller-35-in-1500-lumen-work-light-tw0530-05146?cm_vc=-10005

 

[BravoXray]

I have DeWalt and Black and Decker 20 volt Lithuim powered 3/8" drills that I use a lot, with and extra battery for each one. I also have an DeWalt 18 volt impact driver that I bought an adapter for so I can use 20 volt litium batteries on it, mostly for use with 3" construction screws when building something out of wood. But for heavy drilling or grinding I only have corded tools, impact tools and die grinders are air powered. As long as the old corded and air tools are doing the job, I see no reason to change to battery powered ones.
I did buy an Astro Tools LED magnetic base light that I really like. Long battery life and the light bar is adjustable to many angles. I hardly use drop cord lights any more.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Absolutely! When using one of my work lights, it's full light until it shuts off. The worst is being on a roof and the battery dies. That's another reason I like the new batteries - they have a gauge I can check before I go to one of those really inconvenient situations.

Many of the new lights blink off and on a few times as a warning before they go off

 

[jjeff]

If you get the DeWalt 20 volt adapter for 18 volt tools you have to remember pull the battery or it will drain when not in use. I'm a DeWalt guy for life DeWalt had great customer service I brought a beat up broken 18 volt xrp hammer drill and a 1/4" impact driver to there factory store they were less than three years old but used 5 days a week and beat to crap they completely rebuilt both no charge to me.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Remember when all of our cordless power tools were diesel? Oops, wrong thread.

On a more serious note, oldest son (ChemE) will be 25 on Halloween. He has no tools and wants some..specifically power tools. He lives in an apartment and likes it that way. All I can think of is a drill and maybe a reciprocating saw. The sets all have useless junk, imho.

Flashlight is pretty handy, especially in case of power outage.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Could not tell by the OP first post of the age of said tools. But one person did mention the difference between the old Ni-Cad and the Li-Ion of today.
I'll mention ol Red on his U-toob channel The Den of Tools just did a piece on the Dewalt 20v LI-Ion batteries.
Now Dewalt does not out right mention on any packaging that the new Atomic series are Li-Ion Polymer batteries. These types are thin gel type easy for many formats and used in ultra-thin laptops.

The issues are swelling, fires and combustion.
However, The old Bear did a follow up when he get info that Dewalt uses a black goo substance (Guess like KFC secret recipe I dunno).
In between each cell this goo is used in order to mitigate this known behavior of the polymer cell.

Now that out of the way I'd like to mention another option for those that take cordless tools to work out in the field.
Many trucks have a 120vac inverter. So maybe take a charger with you and while working on on the way to the site finish topping off batteries. If a few need to be charged then maybe use the truck inverter for a fast back up. I have four batteries and even though am using only one tool if I'm down two batteries then the others are on charge until I'm done.

Anyways once they age and the life cycle is near may be time to up one size on AH rating and when the old one finally dies off to the recycle bin it goes.... Bout the few tings I like about Ridgid. They have a outlet site for Ryobi and Ridgid. So I by factory blemished tool for 30% less or better at times when those even go on sale...

Ah yes sorry brain fart this is what I wanted to mention as well. For best battery use, look for chance to upgrade to brush-less tools when ever possible.

 

[newbury]

I wouldn't reference that article. It's far outdated.

Aw C'mon - it's only 2013 or so!

Gotcha, thanks. I'm heavily invested in the Dewalt 20v line; want a cordless grinder but I hate how their cheaper ones are all like 2 feet long. Can imagine many a scenario where it wouldn't fit inside of a vehicle or other application.

I like the length of the grinder. I had to cut up a twisted pile of carport crashed by an ice storm. That extra length really helped.

I like having 3 batteries in rotation, one in use, one cooling, one charging.

And I can use any of my 18V Milwaukee tools for much longer than it takes one to charge.

Like I wrote, I've got lots of batteries. When I first started getting into the DeWalt 20V line I focused on getting the 5Ah batteries. Now being 10 years older I'm finding the value of having some of the 1 & 2Ah batteries. They fit a niche for drilling overhead, flashlights etc.
It's like having the option of carrying and using a 50' 10 gauge extension cord versus a 10' 14 gauge. If you don't need the power you may not need the weight.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Seems DeWalt has the best battery situation. We build metal buildings and such. A lot are remote. So get there with hot batteries and leave a welding machine charging dead ones. I've used them all. DeWalt has the best battery latching mechanism. Drop all the others off a roof and see which one still works. Ryobi has a delicate latch. Porter Cable has latch on battery breaks each and every time. Milwaukee is just a name they use, seems the Mexicans use those so the batteries don't get mixed up with theirs. Hitachi back to the battery latch...

 

[deezler]

I like the length of the grinder. I had to cut up a twisted pile of carport crashed by an ice storm. That extra length really helped.

Like I wrote, I've got lots of batteries. When I first started getting into the DeWalt 20V line I focused on getting the 5Ah batteries. Now being 10 years older I'm finding the value of having some of the 1 & 2Ah batteries.

Thanks, good point.

Yeah I love the 5ah batts for my yard tools, or extended drilling sessions, but my drill go-to is the 2ah batteries that are super light. This is important when I just hang the drill (or impact) off my pants pocket for going around a job site or up/down ladders. They still have a super long run time!