Hopefully this thread will stay on topic and not go to the dark side. I'm at the point where I could go to another cordless tool platform other than Makita. Dewalt seems to be the platform of choice but wonder if others might have experience. I don't mind paying more for quality but their flex-volt batterys are very expensive. I would use the typical drill, driver, circ saw, saws all type, maybe blower(I know their blower choices are limited).

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Tony H
W111 280SE 3.5 Coupe
Manual transmission

Past cars:
Porsche 914 2.0
'64 Jaguar XKE Roadster
'57 Oval Window VW
'71 Toyota Hilux Pickup Truck-Dad bought new
'73 Toyota Celica GT

Love the thread idea - Ive been curious myself.

I will say that I have the Ryobi 18v pieces (Drill, circ saw, cheap blower and a weed wacker).
Im not sure Id recommend them, because the construction *looks* cheap, but the batteries and tools are holding up under 'boring residential dad' use.
They were mostly gifts so Im cool with it for now (and looking for threads like this)

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
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12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

I think that you are implying a good point; that while battery quality and cost are important, the qualities and diversity of the tools they power are important as well.

Which line(s) of battery-powered tools are best for you? I would look at it from that perspective, and come up with two or three lines which seem to work, THEN look at battery perofrmance.

I have a bunch of black and decker stuff -- the quality and price are on the low end but over the last 5-6 years I have only had one battery fail on me (out of 6) and all of the tools are still operable. Battery life kinda sucks for some things like a leaf blower (batteries are 1.5ah to 4.0ah, the 1.5s will get ablut 10 minutes on the blower) but it is enough for my yard, and easy enough to swap out quick.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

We've got quite a lot of DeWalt tools in our production facility. The corded tools are bulletproof, nearly indestructible. The battery operated tools are good quality but they keep discontinuing support of the batteries. The oldest set we had was tough as nails, but alas, could not get a battery from anyone anywhere. We upgraded about 10 years ago to a new set of tools and actually got in touch with DeWalt before buying that the damn batteries would be supported. They said yes, we bought, 5 years later, forget it. We're on our last battery that holds a charge (briefly) and when it goes, out goes the DeWalt. It won't be replaced with another.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

I have the same ones and have done a ton of work with them. I was using dewalt before but in my opinion the cost to quality is better with the Ryobi. I've totally switched over to Ryobi now.

I’ve had my ryobi stuff for about6 years. And everything still works like new. 18volt droll, impact, circular saw, saber saw, weedwacker and chainsaw pole. Although ryobi makes a lot good tools I would consider them more of a light duty set. For $200 your can have a pretty good set off tools

My dad has rigid cordless tools and they have some serious torque but they are Heavy like a mofo. If your doing a project that requires you to use the tool all day your arm is definitely gonna be hurting

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1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero

I'm also on the Ryobi 18V system, and probably for the same reason as everyone: HD pushes them. The batteries and chargers pretty much lock you into the platform after the first tool. In that regard, the old NiCad Ryobi batteries were useless. But the lithiums are durable and hold a good, long charge. And Ryobi is unbelievably good about compatibility. Not only do the 18V's run all their small tools, the lithiums are direct replacements for the older NiCads, so the investment in tools wasn't wasted.

I suspect that I could find a better tool from a different vendor for any given category, but the Ryobi system is unusually complete. I have the drill/driver the impact gun, the tire pump, the circular saw, the reciprocating saw, the flashlight, the dustbuster, and the latest addition is the 10" chain saw. The drill has lasted a dozen years under very hard use, as has the impact gun. The resiprocating saw is garbage, but the circular saw is a very handy thing for light work. I have to say that the little chainsaw works great for what it is. You won't get too far on a battery, but if I bring a bucket of four batteries with me, I can spend the whole afternoon in the woods. So not much different from toting a gallon of gas and a balky two cycle saw. I'm considering buying the full size 40V saw, but that's a decision point because I'd need a new collection of batteries.

It's almost embarrassing to admit having such a large collection of cheap crap and being happy with it, but there it is, I've said it. In my defense, I have corded tools from Porter Cable, which used to be a great name.

I use Milwaukee cordless tools and don't have any issues.

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Jim

I've got DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch stuff. Bosch is my hands down fave….

I have a variety of Ryobi One + tools and several batteries. They are not used heavily, mainly for household chores and occasionally for larger projects.
I have no complaints.

I have a number of Ryobi and Dewalt cordless compressor and flashlights. They last and work ok for carpentry around the house.
These were used to build a 2100 square foot garage which I am selling soon-- too small.


The BEST cordless tool I have is a MATCO cordless impact which shoots out about 650 foot pounds.
It's not part of a platform and built by Ingersoll Rand exclusively for MATCO.


I also have five special Army battery-powered 1/2" drive impacts which I am selling after keeping three others for myself.


These impacts are used for taking ALL of the lug nuts off a HMWWV or disassembling a rim. Since the Hummers have 24 lug nuts, they last a long time but usually require an overnight charge. They are set up to use lead-acid or gel car batteries. Will probably sell the five since I don't need that many any more, just keep 3 for me.


I also have an Ingersoll Rand 1" impact that I use for disassembling Traction frames, separating the engine cradle and FWD power pack from the rest of the chassis. I have a spare version of same in Makita.


Like them both. I just fear shearing bolts so I heat and oil nuts a lot before tearing them off. Power has to be used judiciously.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Why do you ant to go away from Mikita? It’s quality stuff. If you do Dewalt is a good choice if you want a wide choice.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

I started using cordless Makita tools in the 1980's. Gradually I moved over to Dewalt 14.4v NiCad family and had at least 6 cordless drills and an impact. But eventually the batteries were cost prohibitive. I wanted to buy my 19 year old son an impact and drill last year so I did a fair amount of shopping. Ended up with a pair from Ridgid mainly because the tools AND THE BATTERIES come with a LIFETIME WARRANTY. I made sure he registered them on Ridgid's site.

I have to say, I was so impressed with how those two tools worked and felt in my hand, I ended up ditching my old Dewalt stuff and bought myself a nearly identical drilll and impact set from Ridgid.

I also have in the last year purchased a Ryobi 40v LI cordless weed eater. That thing rocks. Lasts very long and is more powerful than the Stihl commercial grade trimmer that it replaced. I love the convenience. I recently added a 10" pole saw to my collection and love it as well.

You guys may know this, but I didn't. There are only a few companies that own or license the majority of the popular brands. Milwaukee, Ridgid and Ryobi are all affiliated in one way or another. This will make your head spin:

https://youtu.be/yGRVDRZbPkQ

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Behind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great woman is a great behind.

I think battery powered yard tools are the best of the new gadgets, I plan to replace all the gas stuff. My two cycle saws and such never seem to work when I need them. First time out each year, I have to spend a day or two tuning and tinkering to get them running. Then they'd go wonky after I hefted tools and gas containers a quarter mile to do whatever needed doing. A morning clearing brush meant an afternoon cleaning carbs. Battery power just works. No fuel to mix, no intricate maintenance, less noise. Much more gooder.