Best Cordless Tools?

[Grit dog]

Probably beat to death and full of opinions, but the time has come to replace my cordless tools. Old 18V Dewalt Nicad battery setup. A shame because the tools work good but....
Need at a minimum a drill and 1/4 hex driver. Also need a peanut grinder so may as well be cordless for my use.
But the time I get those 3, may as well step up to a combo that has that stuff and a 1/2” impact and a skil saw.....
I understand the different lines of tools and their cost vs output strength or features and different capacity batteries. And I’m not going with a full pro setup but now basically suckered into the $600-700 combo kits.
When you break it down, literally Milwaukee, Makita and Dewalt are within a few bucks of each other for the same “line” of tools and same number/capacity of batteries.
We use $1000s of all 3 brands at work , and they all obviously work fine, most tools either get lost, stolen, smashed by a loader or forklift and the rest are usually hammered junk after a year or 2.
This is home use. More work in the shop than the average person and home improvement **** as needed.
Any credible reason to buy red over blue or yellow?
I’ve considered Hilti, again, I’m not buying pro line tools so the Home Depot Hiltis aren’t really Hilti “quality.”

 

[Frankenchevy]

Before I bought, I asked the largest tool repair shop in town what they see the least of. This would let me know the reliability aspect of each line of tools. They said hands-down, Makita tools are the most reliable tools in their opinion. One of the guys I work with has almost all of the new Milwaukee stuff both in 12 V and 18 V. He has had a few tools fall apart, not from abuse. None of my makita stuff has ever failed and I used the heck out of it.

Chances are you would be fine with any of them. Milwaukee definitely has the widest selection of types of tools, though.

 

[Shorty81]

As an industrial mechanic, I have good luck with Milwaukee Fuel 18v. We have cabinets full of every thing they make. And believe me we use them hard!!

 

[Catbox]

Most excellent question.
I will be following as I have been looking at the new fangled battery powered tools as well.
All mine still have cords....

I have just been looking at the Ryobi line of tools that Home Cheapo sells though..

 

[scwaters]

Ryobi are throw away tools. My choice was always Milwaukee until they started making some of them off shore. My only recent purchases have been drivers and drills I’ve settled on the Bosh.

 

[Corvette Ed]

Stay away from Ryobi, I’ve had good luck with Dewalt drills and 1/4””driver.

 

[Frankenchevy]

One thing worth mentioning, the Ridgid brand tools and Home Depot come with a lifetime.

 

[75gmck25]

Ryobi is fine for a one-time job or very infrequent use. However, they are bulky, the batteries don't last, and the tools are medium grade functionality (cutting ability, etc.).

For my new tools I have switched to Makita brushless, and if possible I get the black compact version. They are relatively pricey, but hold up well, and the compact drill and driver are very easy to carry around hanging on a tool belt or in a tool tray. The batteries last a long time, and charge quickly, and you can usually save quite a bit of money by buying them with the tools.

Bruce

 

[Vbb199]

Ive had my porter cable **** for maybe 3 years now
(Skill saw, side grinder, 1/2 and 1/4 impact, hammer drill, sawzall), no failures yet. And i beat the **** out of them pretty frequently.

Even left a couple of them in the rain by accident... still work.
Theyve been covered in oils, grease, coolant, used as hammers, still wont let me down.

I DID kill 1 sawzall, but i was sawing 6x6 posts with it, and that day, the outdoor temps were over 100° , the thermal overload was trying to keep me from damaging it, but a persistent, drunk guy (me) killed it.

I wouldny consider that maybe a tool failure, but more of an inproper use.

Replaced it, im using that one just the same. Cuttinf thru angle iron, solid steel, wood, logs, and whatever else i wanna use.

A have a small stockaid of 4ah batteries, and 1 and 2 amp hr batteries.


Fwiw.... ive gotten lug nuts tight enough with their 1/2 impact, my buddies dewalt 1/2 couldnt get them off.

Or just in general, his dewalt 1/2" couldnt break a bolt lose that mine could.... so.... maybe his is a different model, or has less tq.... idk.... but im pretty sold.

 

[Vbb199]

Oh and i have a ryobi drill that was a gift.... total pos

 

[CRM]

I've been using 12v Milwaukee for years now. I've dropped them off high roofs with no damage. Love them.

 

[Need15]

I use all Milwaukee every day and have no complaints. I build and restore vehicles as a career so they get used frequently. The biggest benefit was the cordless ratchets they make, saves having to use an air ratchet for hanging body panels and having that airline near freshly painted parts. Whatever you buy will all be equally good. Milwaukee I find is more invested in the automotive side of tools then other brands.

 

[Charlie]

Been using Ryobi for the last few years and have had no problems. Do need extra batteries but have worked well for me.

 

[crpntr78]

I too would vote Milwaukee Fuel, 18 volt. They are the bees knees!

 

[eskimomann209]

I’m a dewalt fan boy.
I have the pole saw
12” chain saw
16” chain saw
Impact gun 1/4
Impact gun 3/8
Impact high torque 1/2
7 1/4 worm drive(style) saw
Hammer drill
60v blower
20v XR Sawzall
20v atomic sawzall
Orbital tool 20v
.......
I’m sure I’m forgetting something.