Obviusly the lithium ion craze has changed the playing field here- So, what tools do you go cordless on, what brand do you like, and if you use lithium batteries, any thoughts? Are they really the second coming?
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just bought 2 more dewalt nicads. ions are very pricey...
It's ridiculous. The Dewalt 18volt LiIons are like $139 each or more, meanwhile, you can get Makita LXT 3.0 LiIon 18volt batts for 2 for $99, or the 1.5amp versions for 2 for $39.WTF Dewalt!?
DeWalt dropped the ball. LAST to have ANYthing in L-Ion and it's all misfit to the last gen of tools, but sorta works. I was anxious to have a better batt. set up, I have maybe 10 18V tools and 6 batts that are nearing end life, and now this wait and then extreme price happens?
Yeah they screwed up. Did you see the price of the charger?
Slowly, now that the majority of my work has drifted away from working with a guy who also had DW, I'll be changing over to Makita more as the DW stuff dies. The smoke leaked out of hammer drill just the other day...I'll not be replacing it w/DW.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
I bought a D.W. 18 volt nano hammerdrill and impact driver combo for 299$ this month at HD. I also used a 20$ coupon.I also sold my old impact dr and 1 bat and charger to my buddy for 75$
I was running out of good batteries and had been waiting on a deal.
The batteries are definately lighter and hold a charge well.
If they live up to their claim of taking twice as many charges I will be a happy camper.
As far as the fit they don't cover the same opening exactly , but they have fit all the tools and don't seem to be an issue.
By the way I love the new impact as it is shorter from chuck to back and has a better grip and the light is way cool.The hammerdrill is no slouch either.
I am not ready to give up on Dewalt as they have tools that no one else has even added to their system(Trim gun nailers ,metal cutting saw,cut out,etc.)
But I have added the rigid 18 volt system because of good deals and unique tools such as a caulkgun and planer.As soon as I can get a great bargain on the circle saw I will be happy camper. I have this saw in corded and it is my favorite.I want it in cordless to have a right side blade in cordless to mirror image my DW.
ANDYSZ2
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Is the Rigid cordless a RT. blade? Cool. I often need that when cutting close to stuff, and the only RT. blades I have are 2 corded Milwaukees. I got a corded PC left and the DW 18V left.
How many batts did that combo hammer/impact come with? I could be tempted for 299.00 if it had 2 and a charger. And where? HD? Lowes?..Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
2 batteries and a charger.
HD had them.
The right hand is a plus that I can use regularly.
HD has from time to time a great price on their 18/24 volt combos.I bought the caulk gun for 39$ and the door planer for 29$. I bought a 18 volt combo hammer drill/recip for a 100$ with 2 batteries.I am waiting on a comb deal on the saw and something but I want to catch this with their lithium batteries so I am eagerly waiting.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Thats good to know. I think we're getting a HD closer to here soon. Otherwise it's awkward for me to get there, I never seem to be just passin by, like the zillion Lowes we have. But if they have that Nano 1/2 hammer and an Impact with all the goodies, by golly, I'll get there..LOLSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
HD has the Milwaukee V18 cordless combo kit for $199 right now, YMMV.Bosch also dropped the ball - they had a very high quality 18volt platform and basically left us all hanging with no new batteries to come for it.Their Bluecore batts do last a long time, and I have a 15minute charger, so I'm set for right now now - but, when I make a move, it'll be to the Makita LXT stuff probably.Already have the LXT multi-drill/impact gun and two batts and two chargers, will probabll add a few oddball items like the blower and a flourescent light so as to be able to stop using the Makita 14volt outfit that I have.The blower and the light is what keeps me using it. Great for cleaning off the tablesaw or chopsaw before loading them up, blowing off sheetgoods when using my Festool saw, and invaluable for "sweeping" sawdust off of the driveway.My Bosch 18volt stuff is all running strong - won't be stopping using it for a while now - the cordless 10" miter saw is very handy and powerful enough for ANY trim work less. Weighs 20lbs.JT
Did you get my Email?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Yea - sorry haven't replied yet...JT
I was using all 18 volt ni cad milwaukee for the last 6 years and bought 3 sets of batteries 3 each time. 9 in all. I switched to V 28 Milwaukee and after 2 plus years I still have 3 working batteries . they dont last as long as new but still better then the nicad Batts. I just bought 3 new V 28 batteries and have 6 so I can work all day hard and never need to plug anything I even leave my charger at home and charge at night I have 2. now I just recently bought the M10 Hacksall, screw gun, impact driver ,flashlight and 4 batteries and charger and many days I only take these tools with me. last Wed and Thurs installed a new sink in an old counter top (needed to enlarge hole from one bay sink to two bay sink and installed a new dishwasher and never needed to change batteries changed drain pipes cut hole in floor added new junction box ,new water feed to dishwasher plus sink clamps to hold down sink etc. one small bag holds all 4 tools plus batteries . I love them. I use Milwaukee only . I do use dewalt chop saws have 2 . and 3 table saws . 2 compressors Blah blah . but Ive never regreted Milwaukee tools and Ive gotton some good deals on them.Carpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
Julian,I also have the Bosch 18v set and it came with the 2.0 NiCads, not the Bluecores. In 2005 when the kit was still pretty new, I purchased a 3.0 NiMh battery for that kit, made in China and sold through an internet battery dealer. I needed a third battery. That one battery is the only one that holds a charge for more than a week. The Bosch batteries are pretty lame, and I am glad your Bluecore 2.4's are working well.The kit is good, especially the jigsaw. The only weak link is the hammer drill, which is pathetic. It is no faster than the drill without hammer action. As a standard drill, it is very powerful, though heavy.I think I need to get a few more of those aftermarket batteries.Bill
What do you want out of a cordless tool?
Most here agree that pasload cordless nailers are great for punch out or backframing, but if you have work to do you pull out the compressor& hoses.
Same with most other tools, small stuff can be done cordless, real work- get out your cords.
Li-ion is lighter than nicad, but no more run time or power.
I currently have an 18v Dewalt set,drill,sawzall,radio and impact, a Makita set,drill,sawzall and impact in 18v lithium ion. A Bosch 10" Miter saw 24v and radio. A paslode 16 ga. angle trim gun, an 18ga brad nailer and framing gun. A Senco 18v extended screw gun. I like the Bosch tools but I do admit the Makita tools I have now with the lithium ion batteries are great, much lighter and smaller. I love my battery operated tools but I still drag my compressor and hose to a job site. The Paslode trim guns are great when I am on scaffold or a ladder doing trapazoids and tall windows. Also I love the Paslode 18 ga brad nailer when I am doing cabinet crown, no hose being dragged over new cabinets is a good thing.
A few things I forgot - Dewalt radio and 24 v circular saw, Ridgid jigsaw and vacuum cleaner. Being a Trim Carpenter cold is never an issue so I don't see any advantage with the lithiums over the Ni-cad except weight and size. Also the Dewalt sawzall cuts much better than the Makita LTX.
Edited 3/11/2009 10:25 pm ET by DAC747
We do a lot of repair work where job power is not available or hard to get at, so cordless works for us in many cases.
I am now in year 3 of my Makita LiOn kit and I have been quite pleased with the tools. Lighter, good ergonomics and design.
They put my Bosch 18v NiCad set back in the tool library for two years, but these just came out for a fiber cement siding project. I won't expose the Makitas to the FC dust. (Do blow them all out at rollup.)
The ToolBear
"You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert
I just work on my own house, but here's what I like about LiIon:
You put a tool away charged, you pick it up a week later - IT'S STILL CHARGED! You can use it while you have another battery topping off in you need to. You don' need to leave batteries on the charger all the time anymore.
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
nothings changed.
certain tools need a cord and convience tools don't
I just switched from all dewalt 14.4 cordless to Makita 18V lit ion.
as happy with the Mak lit ion as I was years ago with the dewalts.
I have the Mak lit ion sawzaw ... but it'll never replace my corded Milwaukee.
have the Mak lit ion circ saw ... but it'll never replace my corded Dewalt.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Lithium batteries do not like the cold.
If you need your tools to work below 40* F, then give pause to the LiIon conversion.
The batteries won't charge in the cold, either (the charger won't even operate). The tool may work for a while if you charge the batteries at home, but what do you do when they need a recharge outdoors (or in an unheated space)?
I have personal experience with the Bosch 10.8v, Milwaukee V28 and HILTI LiIon tools, and none of them work well (or at all) below 40*. Below 32*... closer to zero? Forget it.
None of my electronic devices with LiIon batteries work well at those temps either.
I have a Milwaukee 18v NiCad kit that gets used fairly often, but sometimes there is no substitute for corded power tools. The cordless Sawzall is one thing that chews up batteries quick.
My "old and outdated" Makita 12v NiCad/NiMh impact driver will work when the new fangled LiIon stuff wont.
I have the 10.8 Bosch line and at first I was concerned about the cold temp thing, then I realized that I don't work much below 50. Next year probably 55.
BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Maybe someday I will abide by the same rules... but not yet :)
Lithium batteries do not like the cold.If you need your tools to work below 40* F, then give pause to the LiIon conversion.@@@I work in So.Calif. in the winter, so cold is not an issue, but I wonder if some sort of heated ice chest (insulated container) might work for battery and charger. Drop a pocket hand warmer in. Wonder how long a nice toastie battery will run.The ToolBear
"You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert
i was about to switch to the new lith ions till i was at the authorized tool repair guys shop ( he is the main repair guy authorized to repair nearly all makes of tools in a area of over a million people ) he says they arent worth a shi* in the cold like we get here lately , - 30 c daytime for weeks on end , like lately
in the bana belt it wouldent matter im sure
I am not a Ryobi fan but they have got one thing right, thier new lion 18v batteries fit ALL their nicad 18 v tools. I would have been nice if other tool companies had followed this logic.
Wier/Barlow
No, lithium-ion doesn't like the cold, but my co-worker's ni-cads are always dead. ;-) I was using my Makita li-ion cordless circular saw the other day at 5 degrees F. Didn't work awesome, but it saved me from dragging out a cord.
I warm my batteries any chance I get. I keep them in a plastic case, which does help to trap the heat a little.
I work for a builder. Framing is sub'ed out, and we *only* do small stuff. Cordless tools are life-changing for us. I'm usually at two or three different sites in a day, and a cordless saw and hammer gets me through all the incidental tasks. Think safety rails and the like.
I'd go li-ion, unless you're outside all the time, all winter.
I had the Milwaukee V28 recip. and circular saws some time back and was real happy with them. My li-ion tools now are limited to 2 Bosch 12v. pocket drivers. Otherwise, my cordless tools are all 18v. DW - a drill, a hammerdrill and an impact driver. If business picks up at all this spring, I plan to invest is a slew of li-ion tools, but nothing by DW. I'll probably move toward Makita.
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools - BuildersTools.net
See my work - TedsCarpentry.com
Yes, Lithium batteries are great. I use my Makita almost everyday. I dont have the same problems with mine in the cold as every one else, apparently. I charge my batteries in the heated job trailer, and they perform just fine. No batteries should be charged in extreme cold, it will shorten their life span quick. The Bosch Li line seems especially susceptable, I ruined a brand new pocket driver last year charging it in below freezing temps.
I am currently using the V28 Lithium Combo set up. Hardly ever use my corded stuff anymore. They just sit in the corner gathering dust.
Bosch now has a 36 Volt Lithium combo, fat pack, looks sweet.
My new Makita 18 volt lithium impact driver has a battery 1/4 the size of the V28. The way things are going, there will eventually be a 50 V lithium combo pack-you won't ever need a corded tool.