Best cordless tool platform - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Tony H · #16 06-11-2020, 08:02 PM

I don't necessarily want to go to another brand but want to keep my options open. I know Makita is quality stuff. My 15 year old 18v drill had been heavily used and is just now showing signs of wear. I use the recip saw like a chain saw in the yard and has been flawless. My 10 year old batteries are just starting to wear down. Before I start buying new batteries etc I thought it was time for a fresh look at what's out there. I noticed on job sites Dewalt always seems to be there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air&Road

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.

Tony H · #17 06-11-2020, 08:09 PM

Our new place has a smaller property than our last so I plan on going to a cordless blower but I have to stay with the gas string trimmer. We have a semi-forested area of blackberries and vines that take some serious wacking and cutting with the blade. But the batt chainsaw would be nice. The thing is none of the brands seem to have the best of every tool I need. I may need a separate outdoor tool platform. I already have the Ryobi chainsaw pole trimmer and the tiny battery it came with is amazing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

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.

Tony H · #18 06-13-2020, 03:00 AM

I think I will go with Ryobi for the blower and outdoor tools and stay with Makita for the power tools. The Makita outdoor tools (blower, chainsaw) are a little beyond what I need. I bought a 120v electric chainsaw a bit back but I mostly bring the wood to it so it's fine. I used to think electric chainsaws were a joke but it's actually quite powerful but the cord is a pain.

Botnst · #19 06-13-2020, 10:22 AM

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.

That’s what I have. Clearly, I don’t put constant industrial use on them. I’ve had no problems.

My chainsaw is a Cobalt. Prior to this, all I owned were stiehl and they were fine. I’m older now and don’t have the strength and stamina for a big chainsaw. I get about 10 min of heavy cutting per battery and it takes about a half-hour to recharge. So I have two chargers and three batteries. “Theoretically” I could go at a constant pace, but then there’s the stamina issue. So I take five at battery change then get back to it.

I st have a gas splitter, which I’m very happy with. I wonder if they will ever go electric to drive the hydraulics.

INSIDIOUS · #20 06-13-2020, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

That’s what I have. Clearly, I don’t put constant industrial use on them. I’ve had no problems.

My chainsaw is a Cobalt. Prior to this, all I owned were stiehl and they were fine. I’m older now and don’t have the strength and stamina for a big chainsaw. I get about 10 min of heavy cutting per battery and it takes about a half-hour to recharge. So I have two chargers and three batteries. “Theoretically” I could go at a constant pace, but then there’s the stamina issue. So I take five at battery change then get back to it.

I st have a gas splitter, which I’m very happy with. I wonder if they will ever go electric to drive the hydraulics.

There have been electric log splitters for a long time. I don't think they bother wasting efficiency by transforming the power to hydraulics.

INSIDIOUS · #21 06-13-2020, 12:01 PM

Even less likely to see a battery version of a wood splitter. The power requirement is way larger than for hand tools. Unless your making toothpicks by splitting pencils

Diseasel300 · #22 06-13-2020, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

My chainsaw is a Cobalt. Prior to this, all I owned were stiehl and they were fine. I’m older now and don’t have the strength and stamina for a big chainsaw. I get about 10 min of heavy cutting per battery and it takes about a half-hour to recharge. So I have two chargers and three batteries. “Theoretically” I could go at a constant pace, but then there’s the stamina issue. So I take five at battery change then get back to it.

My dad is in his mid 70s and is not the type to slow down for anything. The heft and stamina issues were getting to him on the chainsaw front as well. He has an extension style Ryobi battery powered chainsaw that he absolutely swears by. So much so that he's gotten a Ryobi electric weed whacker. And now a drill. All use the same battery pack and there are "extra capacity" sizes available. He's got one of the bigger packs on the saw and it'll last him all afternoon trimming trees, bushes, and under brush.

Botnst · #23 06-13-2020, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

My dad is in his mid 70s and is not the type to slow down for anything. The heft and stamina issues were getting to him on the chainsaw front as well. He has an extension style Ryobi battery powered chainsaw that he absolutely swears by. So much so that he's gotten a Ryobi electric weed whacker. And now a drill. All use the same battery pack and there are "extra capacity" sizes available. He's got one of the bigger packs on the saw and it'll last him all afternoon trimming trees, bushes, and under brush.

I continue to use my Steihl gas powered limb saw because limb cutting doesn’t demand near the strength nor endurance as cutting up 36” oak and hickory. We had a tornado last year and lost dozens of large trees across the farm and in the road and on neighbors’ properties. So we are all accumulating mountains of split hardwood. The winter was so warm I burnt less than 1/4th Wood I split!

One of my daughters drank the battery yard tool Koolaid. She’s got a mower, weedwhacker and pole saw and really likes the battery convience shared among the tools. I don’t recall the name brand. Her husband is a Ryobi shop tool guy. He knows his stuff so I’m sure it’s a good choice.

Tony H · #24 10-24-2020, 04:44 PM

I have decided to switch to Ryobi. My only good Makita tool left is the recip saw and it is 10 years old. Not enough to buy new batteries for. I bought the 12" 18v Ryobi chain saw and 280CFM blower-both highly rated as long as Ryobi batteries are used and not the cheap off brand replacements. I also bought 2 Ryobi 4ah batteries. I already have a small battery and the 1+ charger that came with the chain saw pole trimmer I bought a few years ago. Even the small battery would last a long time in the trimmer but a chain saw or blower will require a larger battery.
I saw a Ryobi electric riding mower on CL for $700 almost new and was really tempted until I read the reviews and found out how unreliable they are. One even caught fire while the user was on it.
EDIT-sounds like the Ryobi recip saw is not the best. I may buy a battery and keep the Makita one. Kind of defeating the 1 brand advantage but I use the recip saw all the time in the yard with a landscaping blade for trimming.

cmac2012 · #25 10-25-2020, 11:32 AM

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.

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.

cmac2012 · #26 10-25-2020, 11:37 AM

Still makes a cordless chop saw. This one uses two 18v batts. Bring money.

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XSL07Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Dual-Bevel/dp/B07RF9HTKL/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxNT8BRD9ARIsAJ8S5xa1jWiV1giojSxi-vAOKCO4SB3efBz6EUrfxaWR8EUNlhAzRcBTwRAaAvcPEALw_wcB&hvadid=295249772049&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9031928&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5796095686300027414&hvtargid=kwd-325002386879&hydadcr=23757_9904182&keywords=makita+cordless+chop+saw&qid=1603636528&sr=8-3&tag=googhydr-20

Tony H · #27 10-25-2020, 01:38 PM

Cordless is nice if you cannot run a cord. I had a cordless band saw (portaband type) at work that was really useful in the field. For me I think the obvious yard tools/drill and a circular saw will do it.

cmac2012 · #28 10-25-2020, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

I continue to use my Steihl gas powered limb saw because limb cutting doesn’t demand near the strength nor endurance as cutting up 36” oak and hickory. We had a tornado last year and lost dozens of large trees across the farm and in the road and on neighbors’ properties. So we are all accumulating mountains of split hardwood. The winter was so warm I burnt less than 1/4th Wood I split!

One of my daughters drank the battery yard tool Koolaid. She’s got a mower, weedwhacker and pole saw and really likes the battery convience shared among the tools. I don’t recall the name brand. Her husband is a Ryobi shop tool guy. He knows his stuff so I’m sure it’s a good choice.

Ryobi is still low end but have improved a lot over the years. I used a bunch of them now and then when working with clients who owned them. I don't begrudge anyone wanting to go for economy with them as they are adequate. Most carpenters are tool snobs however. Not completely irrational, there is something a bit higher quality about Makita.

I've known guys who swore by Hilti cordless, others by Milwaukee. Both pretty good IMO.

Lately my drill bits are Ryobi. Good quality for price.

Air&Road · #29 10-28-2020, 10:42 PM

I think that for non professional, occasional use, Rybin is a good economical choice. For everyday professional use, although there are several great brands, DeWalt is a great choice due o the breadth of their product line.

My $0.02,

Tony H · #30 10-29-2020, 12:39 AM

Since I need to buy a Makita battery to keep my recip saw going I'm thinking I will just buy a new Makita drill. The battery longevity has vastly improved so I'm not too concerned about 2 platforms. My Makita batteries are over 10 years old and just now worn down.