Cordless Operated Power Tools - Your Favorite

[blackrams]

A truck battery “cordless” tool sounds awful. Cordless tools aren’t an end all to all problems, but serve a lot of uses. I have more tools than batteries so I prefer to use a separate light and not tie up another battery.

I guess it depends on how you want to use the tool, how often you use the tool and several other factors. Beats the heck out of stretching an extension cord out for a 5 minute job. I had the tool and thought I'd try something different. I assure you, it's not awful when it works. Besides that, I'm cheap. Why buy something when you can make use of what you have if, you have the option.

Guess I should have mentioned that I have Anderson plugs on both the front and rear of my trucks. Mostly used for winches but, works for my modified impact and drills.

YMMV

Rams

 

[4570Man]

Glad it works for you, but aftermarket batteries aren’t that expensive.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Have had several cordless drills, impacts, saws, grinders, whatever. Honestly, they're just handy toys for me but, I really get ticked when the tool is still good but the battery goes to crap. Then I go to buy another battery and find out, those tools now use a different version or voltage and what I need will have to be special ordered or is no longer available. Got tired of going through that. Then, it struck me that really the only time I use most of these battery powered tools was when I was doing something on one of my trailers or in my RV toy hauler. In just about every case, one of my Dodge Cummins trucks is coupled to the trailer I'm using/working on. I hate wasting resources and throwing away a usable tool is doing that.

So, I took one of the old worthless batteries out of it's case and then cut the ends off of a set of jumper cables and solder the battery connection to the jumper cables. The re-worked battery case still couples to the impact the same as before so, if I do find another 18 volt battery that is worth keeping, it could still power the drill. Hooked it to a 12 volt auto battery and now it works like a charm. Having re-read this, I'm not sure I've explained it well but, my previous 18 volt impact and drill now runs off of any 12 volt auto battery. Have used it many times.

Rams

I did the same thing with my Canadian Tire 1/2" impact wrench. It's in my work truck all the time and I never have to worry about the battery.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Put me on the "Stupid" list...

My last 18V DeWalt hammer drill battery was going out, so I order a pair of rebuilt batteries; $75. Shortly afterwards, the clutch in my drill went out. So I sent the hammer drill in to DeWalt for repair; $100 flat fee. Instead of repairing my drill, they simply sent me a reconditioned drill. All seemed well in the world.

Not so - 3 months later (now) that reconditioned drill totally locked up. DeWalt offered to fix it free, but the truth is, I'm pretty much tired of fooling with it. And the 6 week wait is unsatisfactory as well.

I would have been way better to have simply trashed the 5 year old DeWalt 18V Ni-Cad battery hammer drill and replaced it with a better Li-ion drill - OR a Milwaukee impact. Actually, I'm open to suggestions as to which way to go. I've already squandered $175 on a worthless DeWalt repair job and new 18V Ni-Cad batteries, so my flavor right now doesn't lean toward DeWalt.

Right now I'm getting by with my old faithful DeWalt corded 3/8" drill. That's a good reminder as to how convenient cordless tools are.

 

[newbury]

Out of curiosity this morning I checked the voltage on some freshly charged Makita batteries. My old ones charged up at 19.6 to 19.8. I have two new ones, just a few months old, they charged to 19.95 and 19.97. It makes me wonder, if there is a difference among these brands of tools, how much of it is due to the motors and electronics. Rather than the voltage ratings.

For what it is worth, on jobsites and with tradesmen here in the Sacramento area, Dewalt is the hands down winner, I would say 90% of the cordless tools I see are Dewalt.

C'mon guys the difference is in the lying advertising. Just like in politics.

So yes, 18V and 20V Max systems have the same amount of voltage power. However, the guts of each battery cell do vary from brand to brand and even within a single brand as technology and chemistry improve. So is DeWaltç—´ 20V Max line more powerful than their 18V line was? Yes. Because the electronics, motors, and cells are better, but theyæ±*e putting out the exact same voltage!

from 20V Max Vs 18V: Setting the Record Straight | Pro Tool Reviews

As far as what is used by contractors one thing I always wonder is if they get a better discount for some tools.
And one thing I really like about the DeWalt line is their color. They stand out in the grass. I don't misplace them as often.

I expect 18 volt and 20 volt are pretty much the same. I don� have a 20 volt to check though.

Like I wrote and linked to they are. The big difference was the "max advertising". Now however the 60V Flex-volt is a different item. I imagine as battery technology improves we'll get "120 Volt Flexvolt".

 

[Wakey]

This is another handy battery tool. Not having to drag a cord when cleaning up a jobsite is much easier.
Amazon.com: Dewalt DCV58H 18/2V MAX Cordless Wet-Dry Vacuum: DEWALT: Home Improvement

 

[airbiscuit]

Put me on the "Stupid" list...

My last 18V DeWalt hammer drill battery was going out, so I order a pair of rebuilt batteries; $75. Shortly afterwards, the clutch in my drill went out. So I sent the hammer drill in to DeWalt for repair; $100 flat fee. Instead of repairing my drill, they simply sent me a reconditioned drill. All seemed well in the world.

Not so - 3 months later (now) that reconditioned drill totally locked up. DeWalt offered to fix it free, but the truth is, I'm pretty much tired of fooling with it. And the 6 week wait is unsatisfactory as well.

I would have been way better to have simply trashed the 5 year old DeWalt 18V Ni-Cad battery hammer drill and replaced it with a better Li-ion drill - OR a Milwaukee impact. Actually, I'm open to suggestions as to which way to go. I've already squandered $175 on a worthless DeWalt repair job and new 18V Ni-Cad batteries, so my flavor right now doesn't lean toward DeWalt.

Right now I'm getting by with my old faithful DeWalt corded 3/8" drill. That's a good reminder as to how convenient cordless tools are.

Exhibit A about why to divorce your NiCad tools. You're not on the stupid list, you are just part of the "waste not, want not" crowd. I love my Milwaukee M18 tools. You could sell your battery on Ebay or Craigs List. Here is why you shoulkd ditch the NiCads (sonner rather than later)

1. Your NiCad batteries will crap out, and sooner than you think
2. The newer Lithium Ion tools are so much better, better designed, and all around nicer to use
3. Li Ion tools are worth every penney and cheaper in the long run

 

[blackrams]

Glad it works for you, but aftermarket batteries aren’t that expensive.

I guess that depends on one's definition of expensive and repeat buys. This is not a tool I use on a daily basis and most surely would not recommend for any major tasks but, (for me) it provides the tool I need and I didn't have to buy a new version that I'm sure would be outdated, revised or simply no longer supported when the time comes. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect this to last forever but, the way I use it, it may be the last impact/drill I need to buy.

I did the same thing with my Canadian Tire 1/2" impact wrench. It's in my work truck all the time and I never have to worry about the battery.

I also carry a set of 30 foot long battery cables in my tool box with Anderson plugs on both ends that have used when I needed that impact for tire changes on the road. It happens and this definitely speeds up the tire changing process. I have Anderson plugs on both the front and rear of both of my trucks. Mostly the rear is used for winching and the front is used for jump starting others. When I was installing these on the rear, it didn't take much to put them on the front also and they do come in handy. The nice thing about them is, no one ever tries to borrow my jumper cables.

Rams

 

[Ehanson]

I received my Dewalt 18V XRP I think 4 piece kit for my 30th year of service from my work, that was more than 10 years ago.
Best Award gift ever received bar none. I have completely worn out the drill. Reciprocating, Circular, Light still going strong.
1 Battery pooched a couple years ago, since then I have bought new drill that comes with small battery.
One thing about warranty that just came to mind is when this kit was about 6 months old the charger failed, I called Dewalt explained I did not have bill of sale as it was a gift, they sent me a new charger in the mail.
I know my friends have Milwaulkee and Makita, any of these are great units, and would not be afraid to own any of them.

 

[oosik]

Dragoneggs - before I enlarged your picture - post #41 - I thought is was a picture of a big ear of corn.