Cordless power-tool advice ...

[Digger 66 3,481]

Well fellas , it's time to finally make a purchase . 

Here's the situation :

My cordless drill driver is 15 years old and is in perfect working condition , but it uses old battery technology and the batteries are almost as expensive as a new drill .

I also have a cordless hedge clipper and leaf blower that use different batteries and those are Nickel / Cadmium too .

I have looking at the Ryobi "ONE-Plus" line of tools and fully realize these are "homeowner" grade and not professional tools .

The thing that intrigues me is that the same batteries can be used for all the tools within this lineup ( which is more important to me than the "grade" of tool in this case ).

Do any of you have any experience with this particular line ? 

Again , I realize these are not pro-tools ( I have gas powered / corded heavy duty stuff for the big jobs ) but it sure would be nice to just be able to grab something at a moments notice and do what I have to do , when I have to do it !

- Drill / driver 

- (Maybe a) 3/8" light duty impact

- Leaf blower

- Hedge clippers

 

Future ??

-12" brushless chainsaw

- Pole-saw

- Palm sander 

- Circular (trim) saw 

- Reciprocating saw 

 

[Digger 66 3,481]

 

[Gregor 4,846]

Around here, at least with the people I know, Ryobi has gotten a bad rap. I really don't know why. I have Dewalt tools myself, but I used them hard every day on site. My son has several Ryobi Tools. Drill, impact, sawzall, and a couple of others I think. Anytime I have used them, I thought they were very good.

[squonk 41,155]

I have old 18V B & D cordless tools. Hedge trimmer. Leaf blower. 2 drills, flashlight, limb lopper. Over 10 years old. I buy off shore replacement batteries from the jungle for about $30 a pair. Lowes had a big 18V Porter Cable set on sale at Christmas about 6 yrs. ago. I bought that. Had the impact, drill, sawzall flashlight. Same thing. Replacement batteries from the Rain Forest site. I bought an Dewalt 18V Saw/ drill combo and flashlight and impact for work about 15 years ago. Same thing. Cheap replacement batteries online. 

[953 nut 55,321]

I have been using Ryobi 18 volt tools for about twenty years. My wife bought the super set with circular saw, saws-all, sander etc. as a Christmas gift in 2000. I upgraded to the lithium ion battery line about  eight years ago buying the drill/impact driver combo with two batteries. The impact driver is the greatest for working on  tractors. I also used it on several wheel chair ramps while volunteering with Habitat for Humanities.

[JoeM 7,874]

Ryobi tools okay, batteries not so good. I have had issues with batteries that were only a couple months old. Nothing but the run around from Ryobi.

 

DeWalt stuff much more expensive but was never a battery issue. I did have a DeWalt drill that crapped out 10 years ago, sent it back and they replaced it free. 

 

I am looking for some new items that I use the most Impact and drill and I am looking hard at the DeWalt 20 volt with an adapter to run the 18V tools.

 

When looking at the impact tools make sure you check the torque rating. I use the old Ryobi on the small WH jobs it is not a stripper! 

[DET 105]

Milwaukee makes a very good tool. We use them at work all the time and I have the “weed eater” myself. Going on 3 years and I love it. 

They make a lot of tools in the M12 & M18 lines, a lot of people really like the heated vest/coats. If you get the brushless tools of any brand they will perform better and batteries will last longer.

[rmaynard 15,514]

I am a Makita man myself. They are excellent tools and they just "feel right" in my hand. 

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

I have been around the gamit  pretty much with all brands and I am back to Dewalt. Lithium-ion is definitely the way to go. 
I prefer The 20 V lithium ion .

[Racinbob 11,094]

I had Porter Cable for years until the batteries were just getting too weak. The new batteries at the time weren't compatible and all I could find was rebuilt units. I opted to just get rid of it in 2011 and bought a Ridgid because of the name and the lifetime warranty including the batteries. They make it a bit of a pain getting them registered for the warranty but I followed everything to the letter. Now in the 10th year of very hard usage it's still going strong so I can't complain. I'm sure some day something will break and only then will I find out how their warranty service is. 

[rjg854 11,387]

I'm a Milwaukee believer, but I also have, and still use my Ryobi tools in the shop. They are good for the little jobs I do, but if I was still working construction I'd use the Milwaukee.  The batteries last a lot longer, and are better for more rugged continued use.  The warranty on the tools is very good, I've had to have some of them repaired.  I've never had to pay anything to have them worked on.

 

Just depends on how much and how hard you want to work them.  Ryobi is good considering the price and if you just need them now and then.  As far as having a tool that takes a beating and continued use, like I said I feel Milwaukee is the way to go. That's just my    Everyone has their own preference, kinda like what color red to use on their tractors 

[WHX?? 48,828]

Nother vote for Milwaukee... @pullstart.... they ain't giving replacement/extra batteries away tho. 

Makita ain't a bad tool either. We often talk about cheap HF stuff and when the batteries go south throw it all out and buya new one. Hate to say that but when you look at the way cordless stuff evolves. ..

[pfrederi 17,741]

When the battery died on my lithium ion 18v Dewalt the other day and I had to wait awhile as i had neglected to put the second battery on the charger I got to thinking.  This is my 3rd dewalt battery drill the older ones still work but one was a 12 volt and the next a 14.  The batteries on both are weak and expensive to replace.  Went to the tool chest and pulled out my Milwaukee old fashioned drill .. you know the kind you plug in.  Have had that for almost 30 years still works every time and doesn't get tired and cost way less than the 3 dewalt replacements and a few batteries.  90% of my drilling wire brushing etc occurs within 8 ft of an outlet...I think the tool manufactures have hoodwinked us in to spending a lot of money.....

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Hardware store I managed sold DeWalt.  Good tools and I've got quite a few.  We changed over to Milwaukee and I must say they are a better tool and most of our contractors preferred them.  If I made a living with my tools I'd change over to Milwaukee, but I don't.

 

I do suggest picking a brand for all the tools needed so the batteries can swap.  Ahh, batteries, the downside to battery powered tools.  An ongoing expense!

[Gregor 4,846]

I recently replaced my 20 year old 18V Dewalt drill and 1/4" impact with Dewalt 20V Lithium Ion tools. Night and day difference. Then again, mine were 20 years old.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

10 minutes ago, Gregor said:

I recently replaced my 20 year old 18V Dewalt drill and 1/4" impact with Dewalt 20V Lithium Ion tools. Night and day difference. Then again, mine were 20 years old.

I should have mentioned that as well.  The newer lithium ion tools aren't just the old tools with new batteries but a much better tool.  Brushless technology was a major improvement in battery powered tools.  Really not fair to compare the older NiCd Dewalts to new Milwaukee.  My new Dewalt does compare much better to new Milwaukees, but I think the Milwaukee is still the better tool.

[squonk 41,155]

Gee I forgot all about my Milwaukee's I got the M12 line. First bought a 1/4" ratchet and screwdriver for kitchen equipment. Then got the heated hoodie for freezer work. Then a right angle drill again for kitchen stuff. Then last summer added a bandsaw and a cut off wheel saw with a free battery. Then got a hackzall for Christmas. @WHX24 bought 2 upgraded batteries from the jungle. $35

[SylvanLakeWH 25,600]

Milwaukee...

 

[Handy Don 12,237]

Converted from Craftsman 19v to Milwaukee M12 last summer on good Fathers Day sale from the HD.

Experience so far is excellent. Particularly fond of the versatility of the brushless drill/driver/impact drill for occasional masonry holes as well as the usual metal and wood. The impact driver was a revelation with four "power" settings and very compact size.

Others' advice here about choosing brushless in any battery tool you choose is on the money--dramatically extends battery life. It also permits "slow start" on drills and drivers and, at least in the M12, substitutes an electronic sensor for a mechanical clutch when setting driving force--when the torque hits its limit, the drill just stops turning!

[WHX?? 48,828]

12 minutes ago, squonk said:

bought 2 upgraded batteries from the jungle. $35

Heard horror stories about the aftermarkets blowing up in the charger ... was Dewalt tho. 

[Pullstart 62,912]

Milwaukee 

[squonk 41,155]

I 've had great luck with aftermarket batteries. All brands.

 

I've got so much cordless it's nuts....... 20V B &D pole saw.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

This brand isn't mainstream around here and I have no experience with them but FESTOOL has some really expensive tools!

[Handy Don 12,237]

My advice? NEVER touch a FESTOOL unless you have the financial wherewithal to afford them. They are Swiss/German and superb to use. I narrowly avoided addiction and financial ruin some years back.

[CCW 1,295]

For me battery powered tools have become through away items due to short battery life.  My 40 year old power drill is still going strong.  Never planning on buying another tool that cannot be plugged in.