Best brand of cordless power tools

[redsoxski]

Every couple years I seem to end up buying cordless power tools all over again because the batteries no longer hold a charge and I have a hard time finding replacements etc. Part of the problem is I end up thinking I am getting good deal with off brands when I am obviously not. Its time again to get a new reversible drill and impact wrench and I would like to get them from the same manufacturer so they can share batteries. I would also like to be somewhat assured that when the batteries give out I will be able to find replacement batteries rather than have to buy the tools all over again. Any recommendations?

[mikee_357]

Have had a Makita for years and replaced the batteries, motor and gears have not died yet

[deadjeep]

Snap on wanted $80+ for new batteries for my cordless impact when they started to die after 4 or 5 years of hard use. Batteries plus rebuilt them for under $30 each and they work like new.

Gives you a good option over factory replacement batteries.

I have a craftsman set with the 1/2 drill, jigsaw, circular saw, sawzall, and angle drill. The set is about 3 yrs old right now and runs like new. When I bought it I was running through a couple of batteries a day in the drill and a battery or two in the saws. The whole set has held up very nicely.

[DaJudge]

Have you looked online for the replacement batteries? I've had good luck just googling the name and voltage.

[Jeffro600]

Dewalt...i have one of their 18V sets i bought 3 years ago and i abuse the piss out of them and their still going as strong as the day i bought them.

[Jeepster-Matt]

I had a Makita that lasted forever, it died in a fall off a roof, I currently have a Dewalt that I am happy with.

[Steve]

I had a DeWalt. After 3 or 4 years of use both batteries wouldn't hold much of a charge and it was prohibitively expensive to replace both of them. I now have a Ridgid 18V. So far I like it. The drill will break your wrist if the bit gets caught and you're not paying attention.

[LONEWOLF]

Dewalt 18 vote I have three sets one for each work truck, they do good for me.

[Clint]

Dewalt 18v and 14v here as well. Been running them for a LONG time. Replaced the batteries in 05 and been running since.

[DADA_JEEP]

craftsman 19.2, i bought the 75th anniversary ones when they were just coming out with the 19.2 stuff, i like them a lot, batteries interchangeable with the flashlight, circular saw, riciprocating saw and screw gun/drill. there's more but those are all i own, when you buy them they each come with a charger and battery, you can buy the batteries at about $29 each, i got a 2 pack for $49 once, only had two batteries fail in about 8 years, and those were the first two i bought with the set.

[fullautodave]

I have had a DeWalt 18v drill and sawzall for six or seven years now with no problem. Just now replacing batteries, a little expensive (60.00) but easy to find. Also have a couple of 12v Milwaukee drills that have been good. Batteries are a lot cheaper.

[OlBlueCJ7]

Just to mix things up a bit, I'm going to say Milwaukee.

[old_man]

The Ryobi 18v drill is sweet. The speed control is the best I have found. My only rant is why the heck can't some manufacturer spend an extra $5 and put a GOOD Jacobs chuck on a drill. I'm a machinist and I have threatened to take one of my keyless chucks for a mill and mate it to a hand held drill.

[1BADKJ]

Just to mix things up a bit, I'm going to say Milwaukee.

I'd have to agree,there 28volt Ion battery stuff is awesome.Love the 28volt impact,best one out there right now.

[not so Quikjeep]

Just to mix things up a bit, I'm going to say Milwaukee.

X2 I have a 18v hammer drill at work I use it everyday and beat the piss out of it. 3 years and still going strong, wait the trigger locked once after a fall so it needed fixed. But the I still use it hard as hell. It will kick my personal 18v craftsman arse all day long. Also have a Milwaukee 18v sawzall its awsome but it sucks up the batteries quick.

-Tom

[4.0Cherokee]

only use dewalt

[redsoxski]

I see most of you use your tools daily and thats certainly a good test of reliability - but it comes at a price. I only use mine for working on the jeep and the occasional home project, so I'm not sure its worth it to me to spend $200 on a drill when the Ryobi 18V is less than half that.

In the past I haven't had problems with the tools themselves as much as the battery packs. I'm wondering if the batteries themselves on the high end DeWalts or Milwaukees are that much better than on the Ryobi's or Sears.

Speaking of Ryobi, any thought on them. I just went to Home Depot an looked at the 18V "system" and they sure have a lot of options. Everything from the regular drills to a chain saw, and they even have a car charger available.

I know you get what you pay for but I don't really think I need the high end so I'm now looking for recommendations on the next quality level down, something a bit cheaper...

[not so Quikjeep]

The battery life on my craftsman will only last half as long as my Milwaukee and the milwaukee has more torque and power than the cartsman.