Because it’s Sunday, it’s boiling hot outside, and I wish that my Ryobi stuff would die so that I could buy Milwaukee.
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Because it’s Sunday, it’s boiling hot outside, and I wish that my Ryobi stuff would die so that I could buy Milwaukee.
Admittedly I'm not a pro or high end user...that said, I've gotten tremendous value out of the Black & Decker 20v system.
I use it on everything from cordless vacs and blowers to impact drivers, drills, lantern, hedge trimmer, string trimmer, reciprocating saw, circular saw and more.
Have only had to replace one device, (a blower), under warranty which they replaced within seven days on their dime both ways. Great customer service.
Have not had one battery fail in years of service with a rapid charger.
I use at least some of this equipment multiple times daily and it has been nothing less than stalwart.
Based on my knowing several pro users, Milwaukee appears to be the professional choice. I’m nursing along some Makita batteries as I have a drill, impact and circular saw but in the near future will have to update.
Now for the bigger argument: do the big box chains get lesser quality versions of the same tools?
I am another B&D 20V fan. It is obviously not Milwaukee or Makita, but I think it has strong value. I expected to kill the impact driver last year and it is still rocking.
Since they are a bunch cheaper and I ended up with a couple tools that I would not have spent Milwaukee money on, the reciprocating saw and the circular saw. I bought the circular saw because I thought it was cheap and cute, but figured it would be lame. With a carbide blade it is definitely NOT lame, and I just got great use out of it on the Extream Makeover Reloading Bench Edition project.
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When I was looking for a cordless drill for around the house use, I asked a friend who in turn talked to another guy who does handyman work...he recommended Milwaukee, so I went with that.
I bought a Makita cordless drill for my father way back in the 80s as a Father's Day gift. It was expensive, but I wanted to get him something special. When it came time to buy one for myself, I bought a Makita, and several subsequent generations as they increased voltage and evolved from NiCd to Li batteries. However, the last Makita I bought was junk, and so I switched to DeWalt 20V.
Everyone should be familiar with the youtube Channel AvE.
He disassembles tools and comments on their build quality.
He works in the mining industry in the Canadian wilderness
so he knows something about tools. He has an amusing
presentation style.
https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil/videos
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For years I made due with mostly corded power tools, and corded/gas on lawn tools. I had one cordless hammer drill, a Dewalt with a Ni-Cad battery, that was a "hand me down" from a relative. When I moved recently I decided to "cut the cord," on lawn tools and my hand tools.
I went with Ryobi for the following reasons:
1. I'm not a pro using them all day five days a week, I'm an average DIY user, placing moderate demands on the tools. While some brands might be capable of taking more use/abuse, I won't be be dishing out enough abuse to justify the additional cost. Some tool buyers are like gun buyers, purchasing for a theoretical limit they will never approach, or buying features only a "pro" needs. For 99% of tool buyers getting "pro grade" tools, are like AR buyers insisting on CHF barrels. They won't ever come close to needing the "better" version, or buying earpro that is based on comms and a helmet, when they could get better protection at a lower price.
2. I now live 20 minutes away from my closest friend in the world, and he has Ryobi tools. We can share stuff, or if we do a big project together, all our batteries can be shared.
3. The sales H-D runs, including the recent "Ryobi Days" made it very inexpensive to get started.
4. I now live fairly close to a Direct Tools Outlet, so I can get factory blemished tools, that still have the full warranty, at super low prices. I got the battery "Super Charger" with two batteries for $75, normally $160 at H-D. I got the heat gun for $47, when it's normally $100 at H-D.
5. Ryobi offers a huge variety of tools, that I couldn't find easily, or at a decent price, in other brands. For example, the cordless heat gun.
Items 1, 3 & 4, on my list are why I went with the 40v Ryobi lawn tools. My friend doesn't do his own yard work, so tool sharing wasn't a factor.
I voted Milwaukee as that is what I tend to buy, but Bosch makes good stuff too.
I use primarily corded. I resisted cordless because I felt since I’m not a contractor and don’t use power tools on a consistent basis I would have battery issues from infrequent use. I have one Dewalt cordless drill I acquired with points given at work. It gets occasional use and I could get by without it. Every time I use it except for a quickie job I’m plugging in the charger and charging the 2nd battery. It almost seems like more trouble than a corded drill and an extension cord.
I’m a contractor. We use Dewalt. From what I understand Milwaukee is on par, but I just keep buying Dewalt for compatibility between all my crews and vehicles.
You get what you pay for with power tools. There’s no secret bargains.
But if you just want a drill for fart-around-the-house projects, you’ll be fine with a Ryobi or Craftsman.
I had the same concerns, which is why my switch to cordless was out off for so long. With the old Ni-Cad batteries battery issues were a big problem. With Li-Ion batteries this is not a problem. While they won't last forever, most of us will get many years out of Li-Ion batteries, whether it's infrequent use or daily use.
Years ago, I just standardized with Dewalt everything cord and cordless when I got a real job. I am still mostly 18v but got a newer set of 12v drill/driver that is my go to for most things. I just got a 60v tracksaw which is awesome.
I just got some air die grinders and went with Dewalt. Maybe it is a way to just lower my decisions I need to make.
Dewalt is probably more then I need not being a contractor. Milwaukee is probably the best stuff out there now but really a lot has to do keeping not having 35 different types of batteries.
The last 5 years things are really improved.
Im a total makita snob, mostly because my bro in law uses them and hes a contractor.
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I’ve been using Dewalt and I’ve been happy with them.
For inside, I want for nothing with my m12 tools. The M18 tools I have get used a LOT less. The cordless sawzall doesn't have the battery life to be super useful, so the extension cord gets pulled out for those duties. The drill, same. It's just not needed as the gap between the m12 and a cord is very small. For the impact driver, the gap widens. But the answer for more there is an air tool, I think. But, I don't drive that many lag bolts which is where the extra oomph has mattered.
Perhaps the best part of the m12 experience is the speed at which the batteries recharge. I haven't seen comparisons between brands, but I don't need to. I have a couple of batteries and 3 chargers, 2 of which I've never used.
I really want M12 :(
M12 & M18, I switched from DeWalt when the cost of a new tool + better battery + charger was more than a replacement DeWalt battery.
At the last IPSC match dude was using an M12 stapler to set up a stage - actually slower than a conventional stapler but made a cool zzzzt sound with each press. I saw one of these at the local Home Depot, CDN$140 which seemed a bit pricey.
It is an ongoing see-saw between the various brands as to which has the broadest range of tools, more a question of timing than anything else and I would not be too surprised to find that many of the parts come from the same places in Asia.
I think Makita (and maybe one of the others) even has a lawnmower.
Milwaukee has a chain saw, table saw, weed trimmer, several blowers and vacuums, many different lights, ...
After my wife watched me kind of lose my $h!( a while back when dealing with some HF gear (I am older and much more calm nowadays), she took it upon herself to surprise me with a 20v DeWalt hammer drill. That thing was waaay spendy and I almost returned it. It has turned out to be exceedingly useful. The batteries hold a charge for a re-dick-u-lously long time (lying dormant or in use) and this thing has the power to twist your arm off. Way more drill than I generally need, but it has been great. I am not a contractor but am generally loathe to pay others for construction work, so it has seen a magnitude more and heavier use than what an average home-owner might inflict. (For instance, I just installed sheetrock with it in a bathroom, small pantry, and foyer - on about half a battery. Prior to that, was running a bunch of deck screws attaching sub-floor in the same bath, hallway, and kitchen.) My DeWalt compound miter saw (not cordless) has also more than paid for itself. For whatever reason, I used to think DeWalt was over-hyped, but I have absolutely been pleased with how their tools have performed.
I have learned the hard way about trying aftermarket li-ion Ryobi batteries, just don’t do it.
I've worked in manufacturing environments for the last three or so years. All of them used Milwaukee M18 line products to the point I ended up purchasing my own, mostly for drilling holes in steel frames and steel plates. For better performance I think you would have to use pneumatic tools or have a workpiece small enough for the machinists to work on, but that may not be an option for most homeowners.
Edit: I've seen most welders at community college and at work using Makita grinders. Most of the cordless drills and impacts I see from co-workers personal toolsets are from Dewalt's 20V line.
I had a dewalt cordless for 20 years before both batteries finally gave out. Was at HD and they had a drill/hammer combo M12 setup for about $80. It was a demo unit. I use the hammer drill more than I though I would. Love them. It was cheaper than replacing the dewalt batteries (they were old and hard to find). I think I made out OK.
I have Milwaukee M12 stuff. I’m very happy. They have way more power than I expected. I used one of the drills to hang a new storm door on my porch, it kicked ass. The batteries don’t last super long if you use them a lot, but I got a couple combo packages that had a bunch of batteries so if I ever need to I just swap out and put one back on the charger.
Would buy again tomorrow if I was starting over.
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I picked up the drill & impact driver M12 combo a few years ago (well, nine?) on Black Friday. First-ever planned Black Friday purchase; I happened to be in the store the night before to pick up some hardware and saw the flyer. They've been awesome. Use them all the time. I stick with the small batteries so they are lighter and more compact, as that is the whole point with them.
Anything bigger than that, I go corded or air because those tools are essentially a permanent investment. I can buy the tool I need now and have it for the rest of my life or until the end of modern civilization, which ever comes first. They are generally lighter, more compact and more wieldy apart from the cord, and more powerful with no worry about level of charge. When the electric drill I bought with some of my high school graduation money finally had the insulation on the cord crack to the point you could see the insulation on the inner wire after more than a couple decades, I bought ten feet of heavy rubber tool cord and a plug kit at Home Depot and set it up better than it was new. It was a good chance to blow out some of the dust and relube a couple things on the inside, too.
I did pick up a Makita 18V cordless handheld vacuum a couple years ago. It's been awesome for in the house and is the ultimate eliminator of small winged creatures. No other company had an equivalent vac at the time I bought it, but I haven't added anything else to that ecosystem.
Makita blower is awesome, use it everytime I mow the lawn
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Having worked in the automotive business for 15 years Makita was far and away the leader in what I saw used everyday. Having said that, I feel like they haven't quite kept up on the battery technology side of things. In my experience it is the battery that is usually the point of failure not the tool itself. I think Milwaukee and Dewalt are the definitive leaders in that regard by far and the sheer variety of tools they offer is outstanding. If what someone is looking for is catered a little more towards automotive type work I can recommend the Ingersoll-Rand stuff as well.
I made a living in construction for many years. I started with Dewalt then I went to Makita and now I have a set of Milwaukee 18v tools that will most likely last me the rest of my life.
Not a serious user here, but I've been happy with my Craftsman 19.2V stuff.
On my firetruck we carry a few of the Milwaukee M18 tools, 2 sawsalls, a drill and an impact. Our rescue company has the same tools and more but in the Dewalt 20v max xr series. The Dewalt will beat up the Milwaukees and take their lunch money all day long. The Dewalt just preform better and last longer. My son's company builds custom industrial machines and the just traded in all of their Milwaukee stuff on all Dewalt tools. That said, I have the Porter Cable 20v tools and cant complain for what I need them to do around the house.
No one tool company is THE company in my experience.
I prefer and long ago bought corded hammer drill/reciprocating saws, etc, which have lasted longer then my battery powered tools. I bought a Ryobi reciprocating saw, for the one time I needed cordless that a tree saw wouldn't work (time verses labor). I have a Porter Cable drill and driver, that need new batteries. I hope someday LI batteries, will have the lifespan on NiMH batteries, or be easily and inexpensively rebuildable. (had good luck years past with 9.6 Makita's and 15.something Panasonic, when it was one of the first brushless drills)
There are benefits to having all one tool brand, however some tools are harder on the batteries (seen a relative kill a whole bunch of batteries in short order). I don't tend to follow that mentality and there is certainly no benefit if a rarely used tool.
DeWalt makes better impact wrenches then most, however impact drills and drivers, I am more of a user that would grab a Porter Cable or Ryobi, because of convenience and the amount of use I will use it for (bunch of stuff, then may sit a while and by the third year, the batteries are dead). I would prefer a Makita cordless circular saw, based on some features I would use, verses some of the others.
It’s a damn shame but I don’t think the tool companies have done anything to educate their customers about the way LIBs work, and how they differ from NiMH.
Even with crappy Chinese cylindrical cells, you should be seeing at least comparable life between the two technologies and grossly more convenience. One thing that should help a lot is a difference in your approach to charging. NiMH has ‘memory,’ so it needs to be fully cycled. Run it dead, then charge it all the way back up. LI absolutely doesn’t, and doesn’t like being fully discharged. Small charge cycles centered around the middle of the battery’s voltage are optimal. Avoid letting the battery sit around at 100%. Keep the battery below 90f if you can in storage. High temps and a 100% state of charge are murder.
Built a small (8x8) floating deck in the yard last weekend. My 5yo Dewalt still can countersink all but the last 2 screws before I have to swap batteries. And the battery lasts plenty long enough to recharge the backup. Hard to beat that. And I'm more of a Lowes fan.
I’ve primarily used DEWALT all my life. lol still even have my old 3-speed 14.4v drill that just 3 or 4 years ago, I had to replace the batteries finally and I bought it in 05.
Recently I’ve upgraded to mostly all 20v- 1/2” drive impact, 1/4-drive impact, 2-speed drill, cordless circular saw and angle grinder.
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My son in law is a union carpenter. He buys Milwaukee. My father is a retired union electrician; he always bought corded Milwaukee. I have porter cable battery drill for around the house. I bought a Milwaukee battery powered weed trimmer this summer to replace my gas powered echo. ( my fucked up shoulder doesn’t like pull cords ) So far I really like the Milwaukee trimmer. I plan on buying my Milwaukee battery powered tools. Their chain saw is next
Been using the Ryobi for close to 20 years. Bought a factory reconditioned set when I bought my house. Used them to rebuild the fence and deck. Have since built a couple of porch/decks with friends. It has installed shelving, hung doors, built target stands, assembled furniture, and 100 other house hold chores. The work, well.
Now, my issue is I have 10 ryobi tools, 3 chargers, 6 batteries.... so I am married to the brand. But it works. I buy two new batteries every 4 years or so. Did my buddies DeWalt stuff impress me? Yes, it did feel better and had power to spare. Was it worth double the cost, and my having to start over buying new tools? Hell no!
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I've been using the Dewalt XR 20V cordless tools for a few months now. I've had zero issues. I'm a fan.
Milwaukee on all of our service trucks and in the shop. We started with Dewalt, but two things pushed me away.
1: Battery life, Milwaukee just really seems to out perform in our usage, bandsaw, sawzall's, impacts, drills, lights, grease guns, pipe
cutoff tools.
2: Milwaukee always seems to lead in innovation, being first to the market with new tools, with Dewalt following behind.
Also, the manufacturing side of our business uses all Dewalt, so having a totally different brand seems to curb tool "migration" from one side to another.