Aside from an ancient 9.6V Makita drill, and some decrepit/non-functioning Craftsman tools, I do not have any battery-powered tools, mostly preferring corded tools for simplicity/reliability.
I’ve been wanting a driver, preferably oil-filled (for quiet), and a local hardware store is clearancing M18 Fuel Surge oil-filled/hydraulic drivers for $75 (usually $200 or so), so I’m considering Team Red — a small battery is $40, but the least-expensive charger which they have in stock is ~$100, but they have a combination floodlight/charger for $200, so all in $355 or so (I’d want at least 2 batteries).
The other notable option to consider is Ryobi (for reasons, I have a dead Ryobi battery, no charger, an ancient old light, reciprocating saw, circular saw, and small vacuum, only the latter of which I’ve considered using), but I’m not seeing much in stock locally which I’d be inclined to buy, and I don’t think that they offer a hydraulic driver.
(I don’t want to wait on shipping, so buying locally)
Other options local to me are Team Yellow (DeWalt), Team Blue (Lowe’s house-brand Kobalt), Festool from the local Woodcraft (probably a budget-buster), or maybe if someone makes a compelling argument, something from Harbor Freight.
Is there some really fabulous option, or serious consideration which I should take into account?
FWIW, I was gifted a full kit of Ryobi 18V tools back when NiCAD and NiMH were used and had one 18V Makita drill motor which was great but also had poor battery option. Dragged 8 dead Ryobi batteries to HomeDepot to complain and it was a day Ryobi had a rep on site. Got a great deal on 2 large 18V Li batteries, a leaf blower and weedwhacker plus charger.
so I cut open a dead Makita battery, gutted it, cut my Ryobi flashlight off at the handle and shoved the Ryobi flashlight handle+battery clip stub into the top section of the Makita battery and wired together. One 18V battery to rule them all.
It does make the Makita taller but the smoother control and torque is far and above better than other drill motors I’ve used.
Long way to say you might be able to hack a good battery onto a different brand tool.
I was annoyed at how poorly the nicads lived after I first joined team yellow about 30 years ago based on what was available when I need some tools. But when I found a special on the new lithium ion DeWalt batteries and tools, and found that you can get an adapter to run the old tools on the new batteries, I stayed on team yellow when I refreshed.
The only problem with the adapter is that it drains batteries, so you can’t leave a battery plugged into the converter, with it without a tool. But the BMS in the battery must be successfully cutting off discharge, because the couple times I’ve forgotten that, the batteries have recharged fine.
In particular, I’ve been very happy with their brushless tools. I’ve been satisfied by speed control in particular.
I don’t have direct comparison to equivalent age models for the other teams, so this isn’t comparative in any way. Just satisfied with what I have.
I wish there were a battery standard that crossed manufacturers, though. The “razor blade model” that they all use is rent-seeking. The best I could do was watch for a sale and load up.
Yeah, every time I look at the disparate aisles of different colour tools at the hardware store I wonder if someone couldn’t make a series of battery “shims” where a range of similar batteries/tools could then be made interchangeable.
FWIW, the impulse has gone away (at least for now), and I’m going to just stick to my corded tools and various hand tools (I need the exercise).
I forgot to mention, but for completeness… I have a couple of 80V Kobalt lawn tools. The initial battery packs died early. One in warranty and one out of warranty. The replacement packs haven’t died yet. But the 18650 cells were not completely dead so it might have been a problem with the BMS.
More anecdata for the next person who runs across this
I have used them all. I tend to like Dewalt tools a little more than Makita or Milwaukee, and my workshop shows that as well. And like you I prefer a corded tool when I’m building something out of the shop. I have worn out makita impact drivers and their hand tighten drill chucks. Also I have dropped a Dewalt impact driver while on top of a ladder with no apparent damage. That being said, I am not easy on tools. Happy Tool hunting…
One thing which might sway me in the future is more companies adopting USB-C charging at the battery level as an option:
If the local hardware store had such a battery for Milwaukee tools, it would have been pretty easy to justify getting the bare tool on clearance and the battery.
Yeah, That could be a nice option. But I think trying to charge a tool battery with a USB-C would take quit some time, especially when you need it now..
When I worked for Stanley and had access to purchase tools at cost I went far to the other side. I bought the four battery charge station that also can be used as a 110vac power station when it has all four fully charged batteries. I will power a worm drive saw for about six hours of intermittent use..
Another tool I have absolutely no use for now that I’m retired…
All li batteries have the same charge and loss of functionality characteristics. There is a limited, finite number of charges you will get,…So really, it’s a toss up. I can say that as a union electrician of 30+ years, mainly Makita’s and Milwaukee tools are in use on the job site, and no greater stress can be put on a tool than to be subjected to those thugs…lol! For personal use, even daily, Makita 18vdc impacts are the bomb, Dewalts combination drill/rotohammer has served me well at home going on 15+ years now…
