Cordless Tools vs. Other Options

[JohnnyMX]

So I have a Dewalt 18V drill and like the flexibility. I don't like however that most of the time I use it both batteries are dead and need a re-charge. I do not do this work for a living and many times find myself just reaching for the corded and grabbing an extension cord. I am wondering if the newer stuff is any different in terms of holding charge or if you are still just always charging stuff all the time like a second job.

I hate the idea of being tied into battery make and therefore tool brand. Has anyone gone a different route and just bought a Jackery (or other) battery generator and still just used your tools? It seems like the batteries on those last a long time from experience. It could also be a dumb
idea. You can get one for the price of a few smaller batteries let alone the 60/80v stuff. Any you can take it camping on the weekend so it isnt' just for tools or use it to keep things going if the power goes out. Seems like it would be more versatile.

Most of the time I work, I'm near a plug so all of this is irrelevant.

 

[sea2summit]

Any battery will have a X% drain per day it sits. Some drain very slowly, others not so much and temperature/storage conditions can contribute to that.

If you don't want to maintain batteries you'll need to go corded. OTH many chargers now are also tenders so you can just leave the battery in the charger and pull it when you need it.

 

[RoostersGarage]

I am in the middle of switching from Makita to Milwaukee, but still cordless. Some of my Makita batteries are from 2002 and are starting to show their age in the runtime loss, not to mention they are all 3Ah batteries and my Milwaukee batteries I've bought so far are 5Ah. The main reason for the switch was the tool power and tools produced for the maintenance I do on my equipment.

If you are moving from the old NiCad batteries to lithium, you'll notice a HUGE improvement in charged shelf time. Even my 2002 Makita batteries will sit on a shelf for months holding a nearly full charge. I do see some drop in runtime after that long without a charge, but it's only about 30 minutes or so when the tool runs for hours.

On a side note: I've always pulled my batteries off the charger shortly after they were charged because even lithium batteries have a memory although it's easier to correct than a NiCad battery memory.

 

[Roadworthy]

Lithium batteries do seem to run stronger and longer in addition to being lighter in weight than their NiCd or NiMH counterparts. The downside to me is that while in use there seems to be no slow down or tapering off of power when they run out. They transition instantly from good to dead. With the older batteries I knew when charge was getting low.

 

[RoostersGarage]

Absolutely! When using one of my work lights, it's full light until it shuts off. The worst is being on a roof and the battery dies. That's another reason I like the new batteries - they have a gauge I can check before I go to one of those really inconvenient situations.

 

[chim]

I went from DeWalt 18V tools to DeWalt 20V tools and the difference is great. The old 18V NiCad batteries do drain while sitting and discharge fairly quickly in use. The new 20V Lithium Ion batteries (still really 18V, but renamed so they're "different" sounding) can sit for months and have a full charge when you pick them up and use them. Their run time is a lot longer, especially with the brushless tools.

I only kept a couple of the 18V tools that I rarely use, and bought an adaptor to use them with the 20V batteries. A few 18V tools don't play well with the 20V battery adaptor due to clearance issues. The battery door on the little vacuum prevents using one, and the circular saw wouldn't cut to the full depth because the extra length of the adaptor makes the battery hit the wood at full depth.

 

[fidowanttobe]

Started in the siding/doors/windows business when cordless was started out. 9.6, then 12, 14.4 18, now 20 volt. Yeah, old to new, . . the new 20v Dewalts are amazing with their run time and power. RARELY do I plug in anymore. A grinder with no cord!! I'm spoiled. I gifted one to my skeptic brother, he's now a believer.
I now have the vacuum, light, fan, sawzall, oscillator, skill saw, grinder, drill, impact, and grease gun. Amazing tools.
At work I love my Milwaukee 12v kit as it is much lighter and completely handles all the tasks asked from it.

 

[kenmbz]

I use M12 and M18 and find the batteries still hold a decent charge for months.
I just used my M12 and one battery was full, the other 3/4 after some light usage over the last 2 months.

The M12 are at least 6-7 years old. All lithium.

The Makita 9/12v I have are NICAD and drain down fast once about 5 years old, so the newer batteries are a big improvement.

 

[newbury]

I'm addicted to cordless battery powered tools, mainly DeWalt 20V and Flexvolt, all lithium. I've been using them since 2012/2013 and am just starting to see failure in the older batteries. I had used nicads for years but they never lasted.
There have been a couple of times over the years I've picked up what I consider great bargains. But I only buy the batteries when they are a bargain, I've been shooting for $12/Ah, but have not seen great bargains since 2019.
I bought the DeWalt "generator"/powerbank that holds 4 batteries and will run 120V tools. I use that as an emergency power source.
With the dozen or so batteries (2 dozen? 3 dozen??) I've got and the variety of tools, including most of their flashlights, I've always got charged batteries around.
And DeWalt just introduced a new battery, the DEWALT POWERSTACK™ 20V MAX, compatible with their 20V max line.

 

[TractorGuy]

Upgrade to 20v. You can get an adapter for the 18v tools.

I even bought an adapter to use my Dewalt 20v batteries on my Craftsman 19.2v tools.

Chunk the old nicad batteries.