Battery Powered Tool Brands

[Duds13]

Does Rigid replace their batteries for life? If so I don't see how they won't eventually get everyone's business.

Yes they do, just have to register them.

 

[92blacksunshine]

If you're not opposed to registering the tool and batteries when you first get them, it's hard to beat the Ridgid lifetime warranty

Rigid 18V have been good to me. Lifetime warranty, even on the "starter" batteries; but, there isnt as many counterfeit tool/battery options as there are with Milwaukee and Dewalt. Counterfeit isnt even the right term, imported "compatable" batteries and tools. Rigid has a pretty good line up of tools, but not as wide as Dewalt.

I used to use Dewalt tools, they were great until the batteries wouldnt hold a charge. I switched to Ridgid and haven't looked back.

My 20+ year old Rigid drill died on me recently. No problem at all getting it warrantied, was sent an updated model with no issues.

My impact driver recently died, I sent it in to Ridgid with a prepaid shipping label, and in 1½ weeks it arrived back at my door repaired.

Does Rigid replace their batteries for life? If so I don't see how they won't eventually get everyone's business.

Yes, and batteries are the first thing to go on cordless tools.

The original batteries as part of a kit are life time replacement. Other batteries have a slightly more limited warranty, like 3 years?

Edit: the lastest warranty info is life time, provided to register the tool, serial number, ect. In the past batteries bought outside of a kit where not lifetime

I had 2 batteries that started to depleat very quickly driving screws while building our deck. I called the number, they asked me a few questions, and they immediately shipped out 2 new batteries free of charge. I had the batteries in 2 days. I registered the new batteries, and they are covered under the lifetime warranty.

 

[John0829]

Don’t see any mentions of Bosch. Pretty happy with mine; driver is strong and tough - I’ve dropped it from heights way too many times but it keeps working. Right angle grinder is smooth but uses proprietary blades. Circular saw kinda wimpy but serviceable. If starting over I’d look for a great deal on batteries with a brand that has a wide array of tools and go with it.

I have a Bosch 4.5 angle grinder that has worn me out, cord has been replaced I don't know how many times, used it hard so many times till it got to hot to hold and yet it still is going strong. And has lasted though several other brands I bought to have for spares dues to its age. It is one tool that has well paid for its self even though I did not buy it, it was given to me by dad.

 

[Rustyiron]

Corded grinders? How bout this one, lol. Inherited it from my father-in-law when he passed

View attachment 5336715

This is what B&D used to be.
They devolved to kitchen appliances until a marketing genius decided that the name Dewalt (that they already owned) would be a way to bring back B&D's line with a new name (Dewalt) and a catchy yellow color!
The old Dewalt only made stationary super solid tools, the very old radial arm saw at the local lumber yard comes to mind for me.
As Eddie mentioned early on, many of these selections are made (offered) buy the same ownership. Makita is still family owned by the same family and I'm not beating on the others.
YouTube has an interesting video of the very limited ownership of tool manufacturing especially in the competitive big box retailing world.
I've been 100% makita for 30 years, much of the older corded tools still work but are getting tired or the designs/operation has become out of date.
Lately (and at my age) I've been buying into the "Hercules" line at HF. The warranty is better although I haven't had the need to put it to the test. It started with my interest in a cordless grease gun. Makita wanted $350, HF buy a $100 battery and get a free tool.
Now that my "charging station" that forever was just a single makita double charger, there's a HF charger sitting next to it. Something that I had been avoiding forever.

 

[MotorSeven]

I switched from Dewalt to Ridgid & some of my batteries are over 10 years old & still strong.

A few years ago I bought a Ryobi skeeter fogger, and accumulated a few more tools and batteries. I have 3 dead batteries already & what I have learned is that Ryobi's will not charge if run down too low......Nuts!

 

[JohnP3616]

Dewalt here. Old ones are 18v with adapters, new ones are 20v. Some adapters are junk, get good name brand ones.

 

[HFK Farms]

Another vote for Ryobi, being a farmer and rancher, they have never let me down, reasonable price.

 

[Duds13]

Another vote for Ryobi, being a farmer and rancher, they have never let me down, reasonable price.

I have some Ryobi stuff too. Hasn't let me down yet either!

 

[SPYDERLK]

I switched from Dewalt to Ridgid & some of my batteries are over 10 years old & still strong.

A few years ago I bought a Ryobi skeeter fogger, and accumulated a few more tools and batteries. I have 3 dead batteries already & what I have learned is that Ryobi's will not charge if run down too low......Nuts!

There should be an automatic cutoff to prevent any of the series cells from inadvertently being charged in reverse by it going dead and the pack still being used. Some tool - battery pack combos may not support this sensing function. ... Try interrogating the charge level during use occasionally. If it gets down to one light set it aside for charging.

 

[Gregster613]

All of the brands are roughly equal, even Harbor freight Hercules stuff is great. If you didn't know, there are really only a few major umbrella companies that all of the tool brands exist under. They all have their tools manufactured by the same OEMs in China.

All of the 19, 20, 21, and 22v lithium batteries have the same cell configuration and nominal voltage. You can get adapters to put any brand of battery on any brand of tool in that 20v lithium range.

Committing yourself to one brand is foolish. Pick one brand of batteries and get adapter for your tools. I use the Harbor Freight Hercules batteries on 5 different brands of cordless tools. I used to rebuild batteries with new cells when they went bad, but he Hercules ones are so cheap when they are on sale that I don't bother with that anymore.

Balazar, Where are you finding these "universal" adapters? I searched several times in the past and couldn't find a variety of adapters. Usually they are only for the DeWalt batteries. Thanks Greg

 

[Jstpssng]

Speaking of tools and batteries, does anyone here have experience with the generic version of the DeWalt 20 volt batteries available on Amazon? Does a lot less money equate to a lot less service?

I bought (2) 6ah batteries in 2020. One of them has been fading for a year or longer, and finally won't take a charge. It was $100 for the pair... except that the company never collected their money. I recieved no correspondence from them after the confirmation and thought I'd been suckered, until they showed up one day.

Last year I found (2) DeWalt 6ah batteries on Amazon for $100. WOW, prices are finally coming down!
It wasn't until a post or thread here that I started looking more closely, and found that they likely are counterfeits.

 

[Jstpssng]

. I asked her which are returned more frequently, DeWalt or Milwaukee. She said Milwaukee by a considerable margin

Now ask her which they sell more of. If the answer is Milwaukee, one might expect them to be returned more often.

I have multiple 20v DeWalt tools including a 10+ year old drill, router, impact wrench. Today I picked up a 12"chainsaw. I paid $60 more than the tool only price at HD and got a 5 ah battery with charger.

This thread reminded me that it's out in the garage, hopefully fully charged by now.

 

[Oaktree]

Committing yourself to one brand is foolish. Pick one brand of batteries and get adapter for your tools. I use the Harbor Freight Hercules batteries on 5 different brands of cordless tools. I used to rebuild batteries with new cells when they went bad, but he Hercules ones are so cheap when they are on sale that I don't bother with that anymore.

Well, yes and no. Adapters are rather bulky and may or may not always fit depending on how the battery placement is on a given tool. Is there really all that much difference between brands today that you can go wrong sticking with one?

Tried the battery rebuilding thing once, was more trouble than it was worth and didn't really save me all that much money.

I used to use Dewalt tools, they were great until the batteries wouldnt hold a charge. I switched to Ridgid and haven't looked back.

I've got a couple of Ridgid tools. They're decent enough, but the battery life is on the short side.

Balazar, Where are you finding these "universal" adapters? I searched several times in the past and couldn't find a variety of adapters. Usually they are only for the DeWalt batteries. Thanks Greg

Not so much universal, but specific battery to tool combo. I've got a Ryobi battery to HF tool adapter. Works, but as I mentioned above it's kind of bulky. Still better than having to buy a separate battery/charger kit for one tool.

 

[EddieWalker]

Years ago my wife got me a four pack of aftermarket Makita batteries. They where rated at 3ah. They all worked fine, but they all ran out of power very quickly. Less than half the run time of a factory Makita battery. They also died and wouldn't take a charge very quickly. Now I will only buy Makita brand batteries. There is a significant difference!!!

On a side note, letting your wife know that a new set of batteries is always a good birthday or Christmas present is still a good idea. One year she bought me a Makita cordless weed eater that uses two 18-volt batteries. It came with four 5ah batteries and a double charger!!! That's the best gift she ever got me, and she's done good with other Makita tools that I didn't think I wanted but have been very useful. Who knew how handy a cordless shop vac would be?

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have 3 dead batteries already & what I have learned is that Ryobi's will not charge if run down too low......Nuts!

It is possible to "jump start" those dead batteries by wiring a charged one in parallel. This can provide enough charge so the charger will "recognize" the dead one.

If you try it, MAKE SURE you observe the correct polarity!

 

[Jstpssng]

Who knew how handy a cordless shop vac would be?

I have a DeWalt portable which I bought to clean my company truck before turning it in. The truck had gone in on a wrecker and I couldn't get a cord to it- but there was no way I'd turn it in without cleaning. If I had been able to find one, DEWalt also makes a corded/cordless unit which is supposed to work well.

 

[SPYDERLK]

It is possible to "jump start" those dead batteries by wiring a charged one in parallel. This can provide enough charge so the charger will "recognize" the dead one.

If you try it, MAKE SURE you observe the correct polarity!

I think one of the cells in each of those battery packs has been ruined by going dead during pack use. When this happens the dead/totally discharged cell subsequently endures some period of being charged in reverse by power from the still charged batteries, ruining it. -- Probably a hazard to fool with trying to rejuvenate the pack.

 

[caver]

You will likely find the knock-off batteries weigh less. Then, you have to watch for the copycat stuff on scAmazon.

I use Ernie Ball guitar strings and they have even made copycats of those.

 

[WM75Guy]

I have a DeWalt portable which I bought to clean my company truck before turning it in. The truck had gone in on a wrecker and I couldn't get a cord to it- but there was no way I'd turn it in without cleaning. If I had been able to find one, DEWalt also makes a corded/cordless unit which is supposed to work well.

I am with you and Eddie on this one. I have the Dewalt 20V 2-gallon vacuum. It works great to be able to grab it for a quick cleanup. I am done before I could even get the cord unwound on the corded shop vac.

 

[MossRoad]

My employer provides Dewalt hammer drills. I've killed three of them in 9 years drilling anchors into concrete. They start smelling like old Lionel train transformers and they aren't long for this world. That being said, the batteries seem to last quit a long time, as I've had the same two batteries for that same 9 years.