Quote:
Originally Posted by Diseasel300
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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That's about where I am with DeWalt. I've had one of their 12" chopsaws, basic, not slide for more than 20 years. Their angle grinder is good, palm sander as well.
But early on I was unimpressed with their cordless tools. Back in the late 90s the way the battery mounted to the tool was really weak. Makita much better. They've improved quite a bit but I've stuck with Makita just out of stubborness I guess. Makita also has moved on with battery design. Seemed that most of my drills were going over the hill by the time I couldn't get the batteries anyway. I don't have a lot of cordless tools. My only other ones are a Makita 18v angle grinder and Makita chucked drill. In some settings and times of day the impact driver is just too noisy.
I prefer to use corded tools for most everything else, the lifespan of the tool, the power, just yields a lot more bang for the buck. My old Bosch 3/8 drill cost about as much as a new Makita battery, and batteries will go south with age, count on it. Though they seem to last longer these days.
I saw a Makita 18v chopsaw once, probably 12 years ago at least. I mentioned that here and the long lost Med Mech bought one. Said it was really useful when he had to bang out some small thing on a scaffold and had trouble running a cord.