Product Cordless tools

[Tom Kitta]

I have Bosch, Ryobi, Dewalt (recent) and most Chinese "brand" batteries for household tools.

I wish there was standardization here - all 18 - 21v batteries are identical - they just have different molded plastic. Chinese strange brands usually follow plastic molding of a major tool brand.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

I've been a Makita guy for many years, and am still heavily invested in them (lxt18), but some Milwaukee m18 and m12 has started to creep into my shop, and more will come (still keeping makita's though). I prefer the Makita battery latch style though, as they're much easier to release one handed for me. For my needs, either are fine, but there's a reason M18 Fuel tools are the so prevalent on jobsites. They're just tough, hard working tools that stand up to abuse better than the rest. Almost all brands would suffice for most home handyman and tradesman use though.

If you're already in the M18 ecosystem, then stick with it. Upgrade to some 5ah batteries at least a little at a time. They really do add that extra bit of longevity and umph to make cordless tools that much more usefull, but they're expensive. MUCH cheaper to get some with a package on sale, and either sell the other tools and keep the batteries, or find tool packages you want. Don't buy any new tools that aren't brushless, and look for the Fuel version of the tool instead of normal, they're just higher quality.

That 1/4" hex drive impact you have is pretty handy. I have a couple Makita ones, and love them for driving screws and also with 1/4" drive sockets. Get some 1/4" hex to square drive adapters (on sale now at princess auto) to make it even more useful. Then buy a 3/8" square drive stubby impact, and after that a BIG 3/4" for the big stuff (you can always adapter down to 1/2 if needed.) If you're working on vehicles and heavy equipment that's how I'd go. A 3/8" fuel ratchet would be handy to pickup cheap used, and A battery grinder is always awesome too. I love mine and want a few more. Home depot has 5" m18 grinders on right now for $98, same with KMS tools. I'll probably pick one up today or tomorrow from KMS when I get a chance to browse what else I "need" to make up the extra $1 to get free shipping.....$100 is a great deal. Not a fuel version though, but for my needs at home it should be fine.

KMS tools, and Atlas Tools are pretty good for cheap package deals every once in a while. It's a great way to upgrade your batteries for dirt cheap if you sell the tools afterwards. Don't forget yard tools either. I love my Makita string trimmer and blower. The combo was also a cheap way to get another 2 5ah batteries too.

Things like this deal are a fantastic way to get your foot in the door. Almost considering buying it to get the 1/2" drive impact, or another battery grinder and upgrading my drill and 1/4" impact to brushless versions as well as two more 5ah batteries......Very tempting.

 

[Chicken lights]

I just snagged this off the tool truck

 

[BMW Rider]

I'm going to look into the screwdriver @BMW Rider posted, but as it takes a different battery than what I own I'm not locked into that direction. Like @kevin.decelles mentioned, once you have some batteries and tools in one colour, it makes sense to stay with that colour

I resisted getting into the M12 series for quite a while too, but finally gave in and now have a few tools and batteries.The one nice thing is that the chargers I have work for both the M18 and M12 batteries. I also have three or four spare chargers stowed away because I don't need them all at one time.

What finally got me to buy in to the M12 line was happening upon the Milwaukee rep while at Home Depot. I said I was interested in the M12 tools, but didn't have any batteries so was holding off. He said, get the tool your looking at today and meet me out at my truck in the lot and I'll comp you a set of batteries and charger. I couldn't resist that deal.

 

[Martin w]

I have some Milwaukee cordless tools here that are 19 years old. Used every day in a millwork shop.
I have just recently switched back to Makita cordless tools. I like the Makita better, even though Milwaukee has served me well.
My advice. Buy the highest amp hour batteries you can find. I run almost all 6amp hour. Especially if you are using a grinder, saw, or vacuum. Stay away from the 1-1/2-3 amp hour batteries ,
I like one battery fits all but some of the newer Makita is 40 volts
Cheers
Martin

 

[Dan Dubeau]

You can have too big of batteries though. I recently helped a friend sheet his garage ceiling in OSB and we were about an hour deep passing his nail gun around on ladders when It finally dawned on me that my shoulder was hanging and so was his. Nail gun had a 12ah forge battery hanging off it that was the size of a small lunch pail. I slid down the ladder, grabbed one of his small (much lighter) 5ah ones, and we both just looked at each other, no words exchanged, and just started laughing lol. We only had another sheet or two left at that point, but better late than never....I'd love that big one on my string trimmer though, but I'm not paying $400 for one..... I can almost get around the entire house on one 5ah charge if I'm efficient. So much better for that job than my big Stihl gas though. I save that for the ditches and bigger stuff.

 

[Downwindtracker2]

Using big batteries makes electrical tools pretty clumsy. An airline hose starts to make sense. I like the 3ah on my little 3/8" drill motor. It doesn't last, but what do you need on a drill motor.

 

[Chicken lights]

@BMW Rider im not seeing one with a clutch like yours you posted, do you use the clutch often?

do you end up buying longer drive bits for working on stuff? or can you get driver extensions?

I'm used to screwdrivers and having different lengths

 

[Susquatch]

I just snagged this off the tool truck

You know, I talked about tools I liked. I also should have talked about tools I don't like. Much as I like the Dewalt 20V system, I DO NOT LIKE their grease gun. The first one I got started squirting grease out of the relief vent. I returned it for a replacement. The second one started doing the same thing a few weeks later. I loved it when it worked. Hand pumping grease is a PIA!

I wish. I knew how to fix it. First thing I'd do is replace the pressure relief with something more robust. I understand that pressure relief is a good thing. But that damn thing let's go if you look at it!

 

[BMW Rider]

View attachment 63306

@BMW Rider im not seeing one with a clutch like yours you posted, do you use the clutch often?

do you end up buying longer drive bits for working on stuff? or can you get driver extensions?

I'm used to screwdrivers and having different lengths

I had a bit of a time finding it too, it is not always stocked in stores. I finally found mine at Home Depot, but KMS usually shows it in their stores. I do use the clutch feature all the time to prevent over tightening the screws into the plastic panels. the nice thing is the clutch holds the bit solid when the screwdriver is stopped, so you can give the screw a bit of a hand tightening to feel with it. I do have longer bits for it as well as shorter ones depending on the need, mostly Torx bits as that is what is used on my bikes. I am looking at getting a flex extension for a few of the more awkward to get at screws.

 

[Johnwa]

Some battery brands are interchangeable
I found this but also found contradictory info.

• Bosch: While bosch has a reputation for quality tools, their batteries are not compatible with other manufacturer’s products.
• Craftsman: Craftsman batteries are compatible with those of dewalt, and vice versa.
• Dewalt:Dewalt has a wide range of batteries, including 12v, 20v, and 60v. They are compatible with other manufacturer’s products, including craftsman.
  
  
• Makita: Makita batteries are compatible with those of milwaukee, and vice versa. They come in sizes ranging from 12v to 80v.
• Milwaukee: Milwaukee batteries are compatible with those of makita, and vice versa. They come in sizes ranging from 12v to 18v.

 

[Chicken lights]

I had a bit of a time finding it too, it is not always stocked in stores. I finally found mine at Home Depot, but KMS usually shows it in their stores. I do use the clutch feature all the time to prevent over tightening the screws into the plastic panels. the nice thing is the clutch holds the bit solid when the screwdriver is stopped, so you can give the screw a bit of a hand tightening to feel with it. I do have longer bits for it as well as shorter ones depending on the need, mostly Torx bits as that is what is used on my bikes. I am looking at getting a flex extension for a few of the more awkward to get at screws.

Thank you! That's very helpful!

 

[Hruul]

I read something a few weeks back that Musk was talking about having some law passed in the states to have all tools have a common battery format. I assume it would still be different based on the major voltage differences if it was implemented.

 

[Mcgyver]

I read something a few weeks back that Musk was talking about having some law passed in the states to have all tools have a common battery format. I assume it would still be different based on the major voltage differences if it was implemented.

That would that would seem sensible so long as it wasn't called the cyber battery and control by Tesla. An Orwellian quip came to mind, about porcine creatures occupying an abode... but that might be viewed as political

 

[ChazzC]

I read something a few weeks back that Musk was talking about having some law passed in the states to have all tools have a common battery format. I assume it would still be different based on the major voltage differences if it was implemented.

Common battery format would mean that either full size tools would have either small (= lower capacity) batteries or small/compact tools would only have gigantic battery options, like this monstrosity, only bigger:

Yes, the above lets you use M18 batteries for M12 tools (and offers a free base!), but I want compact tools that are compact.

 

[JustaDB]

I read something a few weeks back that Musk was talking about having some law passed in the states to have all tools have a common battery format.

The gov't has no business being in business.

 

[Susquatch]

Yes, the above lets you use M18 batteries for M12 tools (and offers a free base!), but I want compact tools that are compact.

^This.

The whole point of battery powered tools is portability, size, and no cord.

The lack of standardization does not offend me. I just picked a few formats based on the array I fell into and stuck with them. In my case, that is currently Millwaukee M12 and Dewalt 20. Besides, a few friendly "my tool is bigger than yours" debates is way better than fist fights over important stuff.

 

[StevSmar]

I was reading an article about making battery packs for model planes, and the fellow was using a “Pencil” spot welder to weld on the tabs for the battery cells.

If I ever jump to cordless tools, that might be a good addition to allow me to remake my own battery packs.

 

[StevSmar]

I recently helped a friend sheet his garage ceiling in OSB and we were about an hour deep passing his nail gun around on ladders when It finally dawned on me that my shoulder was hanging and so was his.

Festool has an “exoskeleton” to help with this. I can imagine if you spend all day working over your head this would be a fantastic investment.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

A few manufactures are making some pretty big strides in exoskeleton type stuff. I can only imagine where we'll be in 5-10 years. I think it was hilti that had one that was like an old camping frame pack and engine hoist had an illegitimate love child. Looked ridiculous, but I can think of a lot of situations where that thing would be super handy. I have a couple old frame packs hanging in the barn, and have thought about making something similar with one, but haven't gone farther than that. Too many ideas, and projects, never enough time......