Battery Powered Tool Brands

[sd455dan]

Guess I am WAY out of date still using almost all Craftsman 19.2V tools and when I buy newer V 20 tools use adapters for the batteries for the older C3's.

Come to think of it some of them are over 20 years old now since they were Ni Cad originally.
If it ain't broke...

Two 1/2" and a 3/8 drill, saws all, mini skill saw, two grinders, 3/8 and 1/2 impact, 90* drill, square and triangle sanders, air pump, jig saw, so far.

 

[zzvyb6]

I have most of the Kobalt 24V tools: drills, drivers, large and medium impacts, grinders and saws (even the chain saw). The portable air compressors work well that I keep in my vehicles too. I appreciate that their pressure setting feature agrees with my vehicle's on-board TPS readings They have been 100% durable. Even when you need a hammer and there's not one nearby. I've also purchased adaptor plates from Amazon that let me use the Kobalt 24V batteries on other products (even 18V and 20V items like hedge trimmers and tree saws). But beware, there are aftermarket batteries for them that are not the light weight lithium versions. Lead acid. These don't maintain torque up to the very end like the lithiums do.

I recently found that one of the 6Ah batteries could help start my truck when I left the rear hatch ajar and there just wasn't enough juice left to roll the motor over. I took one of the adaptors and a battery off a tool and held it on the truck's battery terminals while the other half turned the key ! Surpized both of us....

 

[mjonesnh]

Makita for me. Have several batteries including 2 3AH from 2015 still going strong. Never a problem with the tools either

 

[crazyjake8493]

All of the modern cordless tool lineups are pretty good.

Pick the one that has all the tools available that you'd like to acquire, and which agrees with your price range.

I have about 90% Milwaukee mixed between the M12 and M18 lineups, three Metabo HPT nailers, and a couple oddball Ryobi tools like the hot glue gun. I do favor Milwaukee but would have no reservations adding to either of the other two lineups if I found a tool I needed. I might add a Ryobi 18v power washer this spring.

 

[IXLR8]

I bought a bunch of the Milwaukee M18 tools and when my BIL passed, I inherited a full set of Makita cordless tools. Several of the Milwaukee tools have developed issues, the Makita tools all run great, I rarely reach for a Milwaukee tool anymore. Any new tools I will buy will be Makita.

 

[jyoutz]

I have two lines of battery powered tools: Dewalt 20v and the Harbor Freight Hercules line. I like them both and don’t think one is better than the other. There are often better sales on the Hercules tools.

 

[fwerring]

Guess I am WAY out of date still using almost all Craftsman 19.2V tools and when I buy newer V 20 tools use adapters for the batteries for the older C3's.

Come to think of it some of them are over 20 years old now since they were Ni Cad originally.
If it ain't broke...

Two 1/2" and a 3/8 drill, saws all, mini skill saw, two grinders, 3/8 and 1/2 impact, 90* drill, square and triangle sanders, air pump, jig saw, so far.

Same. I was ready to jump brands when my wife bought me a 19.2 lithium battery and charger many years ago, it was a game changer.
I can still get generic 19.2 lithium batteries for the tools, so no issues there.
I've even had people just give me 19.2 tools when they find out I still use them. Usually the Nicads gave out and they didn't want to upgrade to lithium. Managed to set up a couple of my kids with 19.2 tools to get them started.
What I really like about the old Craftsman drills are the bubble levels...one on top, one on the back. No other brand drills have this that I'm aware of.

That said, I do have some Milwaukee stuff that just way outclasses the 19.2 Craftsman stuff. 1300 ft lb impact, circular saw, chainsaw, weed whacker, pole saw and a few other things. But usually the Craftsman gets the nod, it's what I'm used to grabbing.

 

[Fetch_21]

Wife bought me a Dewalt combo kit years ago after hearing me gripe about the 18V drill issues. I've got 9 or 10 different tools & all have been great - hard to wear out the batteries. I actually like the cordless angle grinder better than the corded. As someone mentioned earlier, everybody will have their opinion & they're all capable.

 

[bcs001]

GREAT info guys!!! Your actual real world experience with the different brands was just what I was looking for. While I'm not an everyday pro user, my projects tend to be large and i push my tools pretty hard so I think I'll stick with pro brands and see what deals I can find for the few tools I'll need when I'm away from a power outlet.

Battery technology is definitely the weak link for so many different industries right now but i'm encouraged it will catch up, hopefully in my lifetime, to where we are not replacing them so often in tools, vehicles and other general use items.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Over the years, I have had Dewalt, Milwaukee, Porter Cable and one Hitachi, an impact driver. If Metabo whom bought Hitachi continued that quality, that would be a big plus. I bought that Hitachi in 2008 and the original lithium batteries are still going as is the tool.

That said, being just for my home/farm needs, I have mostly Bauer with 5amp batteries. Yes, I have worn out some but they have lasted as long as the names above if not longer.

 

[Vinnnie]

I'm needing to add some battery powered portable tools to my collection that I can take out in the field. My long term experience with Dewalt 18v Ni-MH batteries has been ok but not great since I don't use them daily and the cost is high to swap them out. The newer lithium batteries seem to be better so I'm planning to pick a manufacturer and buy a few needed tools that will run off the same battery packs.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Milwaukee M18 series XC5.0 series because it looks to be priced and geared to the occasional homeowner but open to user experiences with other options to power a 7-1/4" circular saw, 4-1/2" grinder and sawzall to start with.

I use Worx tools everything from grinder to my 2 chainsaws! Tried Dewalt earlier but the batteries were a huge pain to replace especially with my arthritis! So they both got donated. Worx are 20 volt and all of their tools share the same batteries some take one some take two like the 20" chain saw. Best part Worx runs specials from time to time
About the only thing I haven't seen is a battery powered bandsaw! Still looking for that !@

 

[Mudfarmer]

I use a 20 volt adapter on my old 18 volt Dewalt saws-all. The improved performance is remarkable. The larger lithium batteries last quite a long time. The rest of the stable are all Dewalt 20 volt tools - 1/2 in drill, impact driver, circular saw, 10 inch chainsaw, 15 foot pole saw - all work great. Once you commit stay with whatever brand - 'tis the batteries that are pricey. I keep a passel of Chinese knock-off batteries on hand.

 

[AntiqueIron]

I'm needing to add some battery powered portable tools to my collection that I can take out in the field. My long term experience with Dewalt 18v Ni-MH batteries has been ok but not great since I don't use them daily and the cost is high to swap them out. The newer lithium batteries seem to be better so I'm planning to pick a manufacturer and buy a few needed tools that will run off the same battery packs.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Milwaukee M18 series XC5.0 series because it looks to be priced and geared to the occasional homeowner but open to user experiences with other options to power a 7-1/4" circular saw, 4-1/2" grinder and sawzall to start with.

Dewalt 20v here. Had one or two for 5+ years now. I use them turning wrenches for a living and I’ve been happy with mine.

If I were starting fresh though I’d also consider that new Hercules line from “hazardous fart.” 5 year warranty and they seem to be more than willing to honor it from my experience

 

[Woodbutcher56]

We have milwaukee, dewalt and ridgid on the job site. We are gradually switching over to ridgid because of the lifetime warranty. They all wear our over time and with the warranty you have to jump through some hoops but they have replaced several tools that were wore out. That said, I do like the performance of Milwaukee angle grinder over the ridgid.