Searching for the Perfect Cordless Tools
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From: In a van down by the river
Originally Posted by Bowser4x4
Black & Decker bought Dewalt about 30 years or so [maybe more] for their radial arm saw line. About 10 years or so, B&D replaced their professional line with the yellow Dewalt line, and made the B&D line the consumer end of things. Just like Bosch did with Skil
As far as the voltage: generally the more volts, the more torque produced by the drill. As a byproduct, there is also more storage [amp/hours] so the tool will run longer at the same drain. The downside is weight. Another problem is that most producers [including Dewalt] have more than one line of tools. If you look at their batteries, the pro stuff is listed as XR, XR+, etc, where as the base units are just listed as 18v. While they all produce the same voltage, the pro stuff will hold more power, hence longer run times. This is also why you can find cheap imports with 19.2 volts, good torque, but no run time at all. Feel the weight of the batteries, it is a good indicator of the amount of cells/run time/amp hour of the battery.
Another battery area: some of the new Milwaukee's and Makita's have Lithium Ion Batteries [like the cell phones] They hold the charge, have great run time, no "memory effect", and are much lighter than the typical NiMH used by most. We sold some Milwaukee 28v LIon kits to guys doing work after the hurricanes hit Florida, and they were able to run all day on just 2 batteries [saw, drill, recip saw] The downside is price.
I sell all of them [except Craftsman] and have a Dewalt 18v set up, but mainly because I like the radio/ battery charger they have. But I did add the small 7.2v cordless screwdriver for those times when the 18v stuff was just too heavy and too big. Now I use that 7.2 almost 50% of the time.
And just for the record, Ryobi now owns Milwaukee, Black & Decker owns Dewalt, and Bosch owns Skil-> a real hodgepodge.
If you are looking for a decent tool, go with the Dewalt professional [XR type batteries] in 14.4 or 18v, or the Milwaukee in 18v or any of the Makita.... These all have the better bearings, metal gears, and better chucks. Just my 2 cents. See what fits your hand the best.
Woof
Bowser
As far as the voltage: generally the more volts, the more torque produced by the drill. As a byproduct, there is also more storage [amp/hours] so the tool will run longer at the same drain. The downside is weight. Another problem is that most producers [including Dewalt] have more than one line of tools. If you look at their batteries, the pro stuff is listed as XR, XR+, etc, where as the base units are just listed as 18v. While they all produce the same voltage, the pro stuff will hold more power, hence longer run times. This is also why you can find cheap imports with 19.2 volts, good torque, but no run time at all. Feel the weight of the batteries, it is a good indicator of the amount of cells/run time/amp hour of the battery.
Another battery area: some of the new Milwaukee's and Makita's have Lithium Ion Batteries [like the cell phones] They hold the charge, have great run time, no "memory effect", and are much lighter than the typical NiMH used by most. We sold some Milwaukee 28v LIon kits to guys doing work after the hurricanes hit Florida, and they were able to run all day on just 2 batteries [saw, drill, recip saw] The downside is price.
I sell all of them [except Craftsman] and have a Dewalt 18v set up, but mainly because I like the radio/ battery charger they have. But I did add the small 7.2v cordless screwdriver for those times when the 18v stuff was just too heavy and too big. Now I use that 7.2 almost 50% of the time.
And just for the record, Ryobi now owns Milwaukee, Black & Decker owns Dewalt, and Bosch owns Skil-> a real hodgepodge.
If you are looking for a decent tool, go with the Dewalt professional [XR type batteries] in 14.4 or 18v, or the Milwaukee in 18v or any of the Makita.... These all have the better bearings, metal gears, and better chucks. Just my 2 cents. See what fits your hand the best.
Woof
Bowser
Yeah I really like the lithium battery setups or the Dewalt XJ or whatever type stuff that is meant for the professionals as I know I'll be in the middle of a home improvement project and not have to worry about the battery dieing and forgetting to put the other on the charger.
But then again, like you said. The downside is major cost. Which I don't think I want to incur at this point.
I'm narrowing in down to:
Craftsman 19.2V combo kit (some assortment of their many combo kits)
Trying to find a Dewalt pro one or Milwaukee Lithium at a cheap price (fat chance).
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From: In a van down by the river
Originally Posted by Bowser4x4
The Dewalt 18v, the Milwaukee 18 & 28v impacts will do it, I would not trust any of the others. They might do it for a while, but since most of the others have nylon in the drivetrain, and the hammer/anvils are not hardened, they ain't going to last.
Woof
Bowser
Woof
Bowser
So you're saying all the Dewalt and Milwaukees don't have nylon in the drivetrain and have hardened hammer/avils? Regardless of pro or regular 18v?
What about the Ryobis? Do they have have nylon in the drivetrain or hardened hammer/anvils? Their price makes them VERY appealing. But there has to be a catch to them. Nothing good in life seems to be cheap.
Thanks again for all the great insight!
The Craftsman Professional Lithium-Ion 20 Volt 3-Tool Combo Kit with Contractor Utility Bag looks good as it has the lithium batter and larger circular saw. Not to mention its on sale for $300 at sears this week. ($100 off).
I'm going to look online at Makita now.
Last edited by F150 Duke; Jan 23, 2007 at 03:14 PM.
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From: San Antonio, Tx
Being in the woodworking biz, the only cordless set I looked at was Makita 18v LXT Lithium-Ion. 
from there on down.
Hitachi
Milwaulkee - bought by Ryobi.
Portercable - along with Delta bought by dewalt.
I wouldn't even bother wasting my time looking at the dewalt junk brand, b & k or crapsman.
from there on down.
Hitachi
Milwaulkee - bought by Ryobi.
Portercable - along with Delta bought by dewalt.
I wouldn't even bother wasting my time looking at the dewalt junk brand, b & k or crapsman.
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From: NW Indiana
Originally Posted by F150 Duke
hmm..is there any way of finding out if the Craftsman 19.2V ones have nylon in the drivetrain or hardened hammer/anvils?
So you're saying all the Dewalt and Milwaukees don't have nylon in the drivetrain and have hardened hammer/avils? Regardless of pro or regular 18v?
What about the Ryobis? Do they have have nylon in the drivetrain or hardened hammer/anvils? Their price makes them VERY appealing. But there has to be a catch to them. Nothing good in life seems to be cheap.
Thanks again for all the great insight!
So you're saying all the Dewalt and Milwaukees don't have nylon in the drivetrain and have hardened hammer/avils? Regardless of pro or regular 18v?
What about the Ryobis? Do they have have nylon in the drivetrain or hardened hammer/anvils? Their price makes them VERY appealing. But there has to be a catch to them. Nothing good in life seems to be cheap.
Thanks again for all the great insight!
Ryobi has always been a consumer line-decent quality, but like you said, they have to cut corners somewhere to make that price level. This is usually in the batteries and drivetrain.
I have seen the Milwaukee 28v Lion kit for around 700.00....alot of cash, but great tools [circular saw, hammer drill, sawzall, & Flashlight]. If you use it a lot, you will love the Lion batteries.
Any other questions, yell. I am going out for a while[actually have to work here!] but if you need some indepth info, send me an e-mail.
Woof
Bowser
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From: In a van down by the river
Originally Posted by Bowser4x4
Don't know about the Craftsman, but based in the price, I am guessing that they are not the hardened gears/drivetrain. Maybe call their service center, hopefully someone there would know. As far as the Dewalt, their pro stuff is good quality and I think all metal [they are outsourcing to China, so it is hard to keep track of what is current.] The anvil/hammers are just for the impact [the part that actually causes the impact], so a regular drill would not have those. But a good quality tool will be all metal and used hardened parts.
Ryobi has always been a consumer line-decent quality, but like you said, they have to cut corners somewhere to make that price level. This is usually in the batteries and drivetrain.
I have seen the Milwaukee 28v Lion kit for around 700.00....alot of cash, but great tools [circular saw, hammer drill, sawzall, & Flashlight]. If you use it a lot, you will love the Lion batteries.
Any other questions, yell. I am going out for a while[actually have to work here!] but if you need some indepth info, send me an e-mail.
Woof
Bowser
Ryobi has always been a consumer line-decent quality, but like you said, they have to cut corners somewhere to make that price level. This is usually in the batteries and drivetrain.
I have seen the Milwaukee 28v Lion kit for around 700.00....alot of cash, but great tools [circular saw, hammer drill, sawzall, & Flashlight]. If you use it a lot, you will love the Lion batteries.
Any other questions, yell. I am going out for a while[actually have to work here!] but if you need some indepth info, send me an e-mail.
Woof
Bowser
Thanks again,
Duke
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From: South Jersey
Well I'm so damn bored, I've turned lazy and didn't read this entire post. Can't seem to keep my eyes open long enough to read a full page. Even this isn't helping.
Anyway, from my personal experience....I will never buy another Dewalt drill as long as I live. When I was actually in the field turning wrenches everyday for a living, my cordless drill was glued to my right arm. I used it for everything. And If I wasn't using it, someone else was always borrowing it. At the time I had a basic 12V craftsman, that was fine but just couldn't handle what I was putting it thru. So I went and bought an 18V Dewalt. It was good for about a week and the chuck went bad. I had it fixed and it went bad again. I took it back and got another one. This one lasted about a month when I started to get hit in the face with something everytime I used it. Come to find out, the plastic fins on the motor were chipping off and flying out of the drill. I took it back to Sears and told them they could keep that POS. I traded it for the Craftsman 18V with the removeable T-handle on it. That thing lasted forever and went thru some hell along the way. I guess I used it for about 8 years before it finally died on me. I'm not saying Dewalt is total junk, just that my experience was not a very good one. I actually need to buy a new cordless drill myself and it will deff. be a Craftsman.
As for the higher the voltage rating the heavier the drill is...thats not so true anymore. A buddy just got the new 18V Makita ( the white and black body one) and the thing is light as hell. It uses Lithiom-ion batteries. He's had it for about 2 months now and he really likes it.
I'm not sure about the impact driver taking off lug nuts..Maybe if they were put on with that same impact. If they were put on with air at the dealer, I'm not so sure it will do it..but maybe. And yeh, the Snap On impact ROCKS
, but its about $800
BLUE....Vader was right, you have Milwauki tools since they are red. Makita is Blue and the new Lithiom -Ion stuff is black and white.
I think you will be very happy with the Craftsman stuff. Thats all from me for now. I'm going back to sleep until its time to go home.
BREW
isn't helping.Anyway, from my personal experience....I will never buy another Dewalt drill as long as I live. When I was actually in the field turning wrenches everyday for a living, my cordless drill was glued to my right arm. I used it for everything. And If I wasn't using it, someone else was always borrowing it. At the time I had a basic 12V craftsman, that was fine but just couldn't handle what I was putting it thru. So I went and bought an 18V Dewalt. It was good for about a week and the chuck went bad. I had it fixed and it went bad again. I took it back and got another one. This one lasted about a month when I started to get hit in the face with something everytime I used it. Come to find out, the plastic fins on the motor were chipping off and flying out of the drill. I took it back to Sears and told them they could keep that POS. I traded it for the Craftsman 18V with the removeable T-handle on it. That thing lasted forever and went thru some hell along the way. I guess I used it for about 8 years before it finally died on me. I'm not saying Dewalt is total junk, just that my experience was not a very good one. I actually need to buy a new cordless drill myself and it will deff. be a Craftsman.
As for the higher the voltage rating the heavier the drill is...thats not so true anymore. A buddy just got the new 18V Makita ( the white and black body one) and the thing is light as hell. It uses Lithiom-ion batteries. He's had it for about 2 months now and he really likes it.
I'm not sure about the impact driver taking off lug nuts..Maybe if they were put on with that same impact. If they were put on with air at the dealer, I'm not so sure it will do it..but maybe. And yeh, the Snap On impact ROCKS
, but its about $800BLUE....Vader was right, you have Milwauki tools since they are red. Makita is Blue and the new Lithiom -Ion stuff is black and white.
I think you will be very happy with the Craftsman stuff. Thats all from me for now. I'm going back to sleep until its time to go home.
BREW
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From: In a van down by the river
Yeah I'd love to get my hands on the lithium stuff but it seems too expensive. Same goes with the Makita stuff.
I've read a ton of reviews on lowes, HD, and other sites and the craftsman 19.2V stuff is getting better reviews then the dewalt regular 18V stuff (dewalt pro style tools are too expensive too).
So I'm getting closer to going with Craftsman.
Is using an impact that hard? Does it automatically stop when you shouldn't tighten any more?
The tire place I go to has been using their corded impact which plugs into an air tank to take my rims off when putting the 22s on (I'm running the stock ones in the summer).
But it'd be a lot nicer to just do it myself and save the $25-$30 each time. Not to mention the impact would come in handy on hard to pull screws or long screws.
I've read a ton of reviews on lowes, HD, and other sites and the craftsman 19.2V stuff is getting better reviews then the dewalt regular 18V stuff (dewalt pro style tools are too expensive too).
So I'm getting closer to going with Craftsman.
Is using an impact that hard? Does it automatically stop when you shouldn't tighten any more?
The tire place I go to has been using their corded impact which plugs into an air tank to take my rims off when putting the 22s on (I'm running the stock ones in the summer).
But it'd be a lot nicer to just do it myself and save the $25-$30 each time. Not to mention the impact would come in handy on hard to pull screws or long screws.
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From: San Antonio, Tx
Originally Posted by F150 Duke
Couldn't agree more at this point. However, they're uber expensive.
$500 includes shipping 4pc combo circ, impact, drill, lamp
$574 includes shipping 4pc combo circ, recip saw, drill, lamp
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From: Pittsburgh
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From: In a van down by the river
Originally Posted by FX4Firefighter
I love the V28 milwaukee stuff but that is way out of my price range.
I think I'm going towards the Craftsman 5 pc. 19.2 volt Combo Kit at a price of $199.
5 Pc. Kit includes: 1/2 in. Drill/Driver with 2-Speed (0-400 / 0-1400 rpm) Gear Box & 1/2 in. keyless chuck; Trim Saw with 4500 rpm & 5-1/2 in. carbide blade; Reciprocating Saw with variable speed (0-3100 spm) & 7/8 in. blade stroke; Impact Driver (without LED worklight) with variable speed (0-2500 rpm / 0-3000 bpm) & 1/4 in. hex collet; Fluorescent Light.
I mean if I'm going to push $500 or $600 then I mine as well shell out for the awesome Milwaukee V28 lithium that is the best in class. But since I'm not going to be using this but at most once a week, and I can get a corded circular saw for the big stuff, I'll stick with a cheaper setup that is still a heavier duty when compared to the Ryobi.
Duke
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From: Pikesville, MD
Duke send me an email...I'll reply with some consumer reports info if you want it.
I can take or leave CR but the reviews brought up valid points on these kits...
vader716 <at goes here> gmail.com
I can take or leave CR but the reviews brought up valid points on these kits...
vader716 <at goes here> gmail.com
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From: San Antonio, Tx
I wonder why Milwaulkee doesn't test their high dollar Lithium ion against the other lithium ion drills, more specifically the Makita....I didn't bother checking the other brands.
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OK, so heres what my best friend that repairs powertools for a living says about this, since we were on the phone when I found this tread...
Bottom line is who is going to repair the tool? DeWalt, Black and Decker (Same thing as DeWalt), Ryobi, craftsman, etc. are all disposable tools. They dont last, burn up, and nobody fixed them because you just go buy a new one. He says the Makita and Milwaukee brands are good, and if you want 5 years then Milwaukee has 5 year warranty on everything. Everyone is coming out with Lithium Ion batteries, but the DeWalt has problems with the 36v, and he basically cant stress how much they are crap.
OK, so anyways, I know some of you guys have these tools and I have some as well. It pisses me off when he says it but after watching him do this for the past 5 years for his familys business (30+ years in business), and then seeing it myself I believe him. He has given me tools that are 10+ years old and needed a new cord, swtch, or other $5 part and I have been beating them all up without any problems since... Except that Bosch hammer drill... But he told me they were so-so when I got that one.
Hope that helps.. And oh yeah, hes got mad mad mad tools that are used to sell if you need something cheap.
Bottom line is who is going to repair the tool? DeWalt, Black and Decker (Same thing as DeWalt), Ryobi, craftsman, etc. are all disposable tools. They dont last, burn up, and nobody fixed them because you just go buy a new one. He says the Makita and Milwaukee brands are good, and if you want 5 years then Milwaukee has 5 year warranty on everything. Everyone is coming out with Lithium Ion batteries, but the DeWalt has problems with the 36v, and he basically cant stress how much they are crap.
OK, so anyways, I know some of you guys have these tools and I have some as well. It pisses me off when he says it but after watching him do this for the past 5 years for his familys business (30+ years in business), and then seeing it myself I believe him. He has given me tools that are 10+ years old and needed a new cord, swtch, or other $5 part and I have been beating them all up without any problems since... Except that Bosch hammer drill... But he told me they were so-so when I got that one.
Hope that helps.. And oh yeah, hes got mad mad mad tools that are used to sell if you need something cheap.