Need opinions on cordless tool brands - Updated with the outcome

[zipper]

Makita, Bosch and Craftsman are brands I have used in the past. I still like Makita tools. Now I use Dewalt 20v brushless drill for tapping maple trees, light easy to carry in the woods. As well as their Sawsall, chop/miter saw and 4 1/2" grinder, all with cords. I use Paslode cordless nail guns to fix fence and build sheds in remote locations. I like the Rigid worm gear circular saw and a few tools from Dremel, also with cords. I am a Husqvarna chainsaw/brushsaw guy. I really like my old Dewalt 14.4v drill with the hammer option for drilling into concrete. Just my $.02.

 

[Ronnie]

Not Ryobi but I’ve been very happy with this cordless tool from Home Depot. Especially useful for tasks like removing and reinstalling your jet boat’s pump.

 

[Bluewater272]

Whatever you choose, I think most boaters should get the Ryobi inflator. Charge lasts forever and its so damn convenient for inflating things. Short of permanently installing an inflator like some folks have, its probably the best option.

 

[Ronnie]

Whatever you choose, I think most boaters should get the Ryobi inflator. Charge lasts forever and its so damn convenient for inflating things. Short of permanently installing an inflator like some folks have, its probably the best option.

The only down side to this tool that I can think of is that it does not come in a kit with other tools or in a kit with its own battery and charger. That is, you have to purchase it, a battery and charger separately.

 

[Gunner]

I replaced my DeWalts with Rigid with the lithium batteries. DIsappointed in the power and run time of the Rigids.

 

[Ronnie]

Taught that by an expert tool salesman! Lol

It's a balance....unless you have piles of cash....

I try to buy the best available for myself but I can’t justify buying prograde tools knowing that they will be rarely used. An extreme comparison is a diagnostic computer used on cars, my wife used to work for one of snap-ons contract manufacturers (I’m surprised no one is advocating snap on tools, my mechanic loves them) which produced snap-ons OBDC scan tool, I don’t know hat it cost to build but at the time snap on sold it to auto shops snap-ons retail price for it was $12k, I currently have a pep boys unit for viewing and clearing codes that costs $40. When I discussed it with my local pwc shop they responded that the cost of the tool is why they charge so much to have engine hours read or to reprogram seadoo security lanyards.

After a few hard lessons I am trying to be more discerning about what to go to economy on and when. For instance, box wrenches and screw drivers from harbor freight are ok for on board boating/pwc tools but I wouldn’t put a socket wrench from harbor freight on board, again, they rust and lock up quickly.

I still have a mercury impeller tool (I.e., a 1 and 13/16” deep socket that was hard to find, cost me $70 and which I only used once. It hurts me to look at it but I look at it but I keep it anyway as a reminder that sometimes there are no alternatives.

 

[Julian]

Whatever you choose, I think most boaters should get the Ryobi inflator. Charge lasts forever and its so damn convenient for inflating things. Short of permanently installing an inflator like some folks have, its probably the best option.

I like the dewalt leaf blower.....can be used as a leaf blower and also comes with inflator attachments...the more multipurpose the better!

 

[Ronnie]

I like the dewalt leaf blower.....can be used as a leaf blower and also comes with inflator attachments...the more multipurpose the better!

I saw that at Home Depot yesterday for $139 and I think it came with a battery and charger. I also saw some cordless shears that I thought were cool, if I had a need for either I would have purchased them on the spot as I like expanding my ryobi tool collection but my cfo wife would not approve knowing I don’t have a current need for such tools.

If I ever fire my gardener I would be taking a closer look at Ryobis gardening tools like their lawn mowers. If my dyson handheld vacuum fails I would consider replacing it with ryobis version.

For boating and camping it’s been great having a drill, flashlight and air pump that work of the same battery.

 

[Jetmunke]

I worked at Home Depot off and on over the years in the hardware department. I wouldn’t buy DeWalt, way too many returns for defective products. Least returns for defects is Makita. I’ve used their products personally for years and never had any issues or very few. I recently bought a Ridgid multi kit for my cabin and absolutely love them. However the impact driver has a thermal protection problem that needs fixed but all the tools in the kit are beasts. Very competitively priced

 

[Julian]

I worked at Home Depot off and on over the years in the hardware department. I wouldn’t buy DeWalt, way too many returns for defective products. Least returns for defects is Makita. I’ve used their products personally for years and never had any issues or very few. I recently bought a Ridgid multi kit for my cabin and absolutely love them. However the impact driver has a thermal protection problem that needs fixed but all the tools in the kit are beasts. Very competitively priced

Is your persepective based on volume data too? Dewalt seems to be (or was anyway) HomeDepots top seller, so logically it would have the highest number of returns too. But what is the % of defective units is the key. If they sell 10,000 Dewalts at a store and have 100 returned, but only sell 1,000 Makitas and ony have 10 returned, it will seem like the Dewalts have an issue if you are working the return desk, when in actual fact they have identical reliability.

@Ronnie - If that blower came with a battery and charger for $139.....I would have JUMPED on that!!! I too like the Ryobi gardening stuff. I have to stay away from HD.....you guys are giving me the itch to go browsing.....and you know what that turns into!

 

[Julian]

I saw that at Home Depot yesterday for $139 and I think it came with a battery and charger. I also saw some cordless shears that I thought were cool, if I had a need for either I would have purchased them on the spot as I like spending my ryobi tool collection buy my cfo wife would not approve knowing I don’t have a current need for such tools.

If I ever fire my gardener I would be taking a closer look at Ryobis gardening tools like their lawn mowers. If my dyson handheld vacuum fails I would consider replacing it with ryobis version.

For boating and camping it’s been great having a drill, flashlight and air pump that work of the same battery.

Ok.... I had to go and look as $139 was what I think I paid for the blower alone! You were off by $300.....$439! Unless your store had some SUPER sale or we are talking about a different blower kit.

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Compact 135 MPH 100 CFM Jobsite Blower, (2) 20V MAX XR Premium Lithium-Ion 5.0Ah Batteries, and Charger DCB2052CKW100B - The Home Depot

The DEWALT 20-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower (DCE100B) is ideal for clearing debris from the ground or overhead and also works well for blowing out equipment. A 3-speed design offers versatility

www.homedepot.com

I will be looking for a high capacity Dewalt 5ah 20V dual battery kit on black friday....

 

[tdonoughue]

Yes, I actually saw this one at Lowe's yesterday (I have the big leaf blower, so I was wondering what @Julian was talking about re: blow up attachments, so I went to look). There it was $139 for just the tool.

 

[Ronnie]

I’ve got to hit pep boys next to Home Depot later today so I will check out the blower I saw for $139. The one I saw looked like the DeWALT in your post immediately above, I’m sure it was $139 just not sure if it came with a battery and charger or not.

 

[Julian]

Yes, I actually saw this one at Lowe's yesterday (I have the big leaf blower, so I was wondering what @Julian was talking about re: blow up attachments, so I went to look). There it was $139 for just the tool.

I have a backpack leaf blower that I use for leaves in the fall, but now I use the battery powered Dewalt for quick cleans of the deck, sidewalk, garage etc. (I;m sounding like a Dewalt salesguy now LOL). Its so much more convenient to just grab and blow (oh that doesn't sound good LOL)

 

[Threelakessx]

Another vote for Rigid. Had Dewalt but overpriced for the same performance. Warranty service on the Rigid was much better than Dewalt.

 

[biglar155]

My take on tool pricing is this: I've NEVER picked up a tool and said to myself "Gee, I wish I had purchased the cheaper, less accurate, less durable model."

That said, like everyone else, I do have to live on a budget so I reserve my "champagne taste" for tools I use regularly.

I'm at the point in life where I've pretty much got one of each, so I can afford to upgrade the tools I find myself using more frequently.

Example: My Dad's cheapo lathe sat in the corner of my shop for 5 years after he passed. One day I decided to try to make a nutcracker project (from Woodworking For Mere Mortals youtube channel) which I gave to my wife for Christmas. My wife then informed me that she wants one every year from here on out. Her sisters and sister-in-law (as well as our Mom's) have all jumped on the wagon too. Oh Lord. So I'm going to be looking to upgrade my lathe and tools in the next month or so to begin mass-producing nutcrackers. A few years ago I couldn't justify the expense. Now, I practically "need" to upgrade. (For the record, depending on how many I manage to make, priority will be My Wife, both Mom's (better not do one without the other!), and then the rest of the ladies.)

Back to the mater at hand, the timing on this "vid-jay-oh" couldn't be better. AVE is at it again with a Milwaukee 12v ratchet tear-down:

(Careful. There's some NSFW or Family language in there.)

 

[Murf'n'surf]

My take on tool pricing is this: I've NEVER picked up a tool and said to myself "Gee, I wish I had purchased the cheaper, less accurate, less durable model."

That said, like everyone else, I do have to live on a budget so I reserve my "champagne taste" for tools I use regularly.

I'm at the point in life where I've pretty much got one of each, so I can afford to upgrade the tools I find myself using more frequently.

Example: My Dad's cheapo lathe sat in the corner of my shop for 5 years after he passed. One day I decided to try to make a nutcracker project (from Woodworking For Mere Mortals youtube channel) which I gave to my wife for Christmas. My wife then informed me that she wants one every year from here on out. Her sisters and sister-in-law (as well as our Mom's) have all jumped on the wagon too. Oh Lord. So I'm going to be looking to upgrade my lathe and tools in the next month or so to begin mass-producing nutcrackers. A few years ago I couldn't justify the expense. Now, I practically "need" to upgrade. (For the record, depending on how many I manage to make, priority will be My Wife, both Mom's (better not do one without the other!), and then the rest of the ladies.)

Back to the mater at hand, the timing on this "vid-jay-oh" couldn't be better. AVE is at it again with a Milwaukee 12v ratchet tear-down:

(Careful. There's some NSFW or Family language in there.)

Omg! Love that Canadian guy.

 

[Ronnie]

@Julian , here are two pics of the Ryobi blower that I referenced earlier, not a back pack model but it does come with a battery and charger.

 

[djetok]

At home I use Milwaukee because is a great tool. At the office ALL the cordless is Dewalt , love the 20v xd batteries. Way longer lasting battery than the milwaukee. I do like the milwaukee for the lighter tool though. Hence why I took those home from the office.

 

[drewkaree]

I have Milwaukee 12v for home use. I have several atypical tools that I would have never bought in the 18v flavor (my ProPEX expansion tool being the primary example) due to cost, and I'd go with the 12v if I had to start from scratch.

I inherited my dad's Dewalt 20v drills and several batteries, and I've gone with that line for all of my tools up north (Sawzall, circ saw, impact driver). If I had to start from scratch, I'd drop back to the Milwaukee 12v line.

I find the 12v line perfectly acceptable for 99% of what I do, and the cost is acceptable to me as well. Given my experience with the 12v tools, if I find a need for more power, I'd go with Milwaukee's 18v line. As my current situation is, I buy bare tool Dewalt (tool only, no battery included) stuff if needed. Each time, it has felt like I overspent on the Dewalt. If the batteries crap out, I won't be replacing them, I'll look to put the money towards a Milwaukee kit.