Battery Operated Power Tools?

[Chris M]

We will soon move back to Phoenix from Prescott Valley and our new home will need a little help from me in places. I have need of some basic power tools that'll have to include a circular saw and maybe a jigsaw. I could use some guidance here...
What brand will perform basic minor tasks, be durable, and be reasonably inexpensive?
Corded or battery?
I really only want to buy once, and I'm not hard on equipment.

Thanks for your suggestions and experience!

Chris

Sponsored

 

[jayroderusprime]

Milwaukee M12 has served me very well for a variety of tasks at work, they make a great drill/driver and is light to handle with strong batteries. I also have their rotary (dremel) tool that can take all brands of accessories easily like flexible extensions. They have an impact wrench in M12 good to 250 ft lb for your lug nuts on the truck.

If that's still too pricy, can always go with Ryobi/B+D as they are more meant for occasional use.

 

[Langwilliams]

Milwaukee an DeWalt are the top brands from what I've seen. I have a 20V drill, impact driver, 3/8 impact gun, compact circular saw an leaf blower from Harbor Freight. The Baur line has held up well for my occasional use. I bought the impact driver first then got a socket adapter set for it an used the crap out of that one an it's held up extremely well IMO. Repeated use of the blower an drill will use up the battery but the impacts seem to run a long time. I bought the bigger amp battery for the blower an drill an they work fine for what I use them for. They have sales an coupons too. I bought the circular saw open box for half price.

The key is buy everything in the same brand an same battery style. Lowe's had a good sale over Christmas: buy a two battery and charger kit for $80 an get a free tool. I don't remember the brand though.

 

[Markubis]

If you're trying to keep cost down, there is always sticking with a corded tool as well. Most of the battery powered tools will be fine for casual use.
I personally use Black and Decker and have never had issues. They're inexpensive, have nice features and the batteries are interchangeable across the hand tools and yard tools.

 

[KJRR]

What brand of oil do you use?
I've got Milwaukee M12, impact, ratchet, drill, driver and heated jacket and use them all. I pickup extra batteries when there is a good deal.
Circular saw, jigsaw, miter saw along with a drill are corded, all Craftsman from back in the day. Picked up a used 8" Craftsman drill press a few months back for a good price and that has been working well.
Yard tools are EGO but I don’t think you'll need those.
For heavier jobs I'd go with corded tools. You can burn though batteries pretty quick diving screws into a deck or cutting lots of lumber. An occasional screw into drywall or tightening screws, anything will do.
Don't forget, hand tools still work also and are the original "green" tools. Helps make up for damper arms.

 

[MountainGoat]

I have a bunch of Dewalt stuff, table saw and a Makita circular saw that's supposed to be top class. It went up in price like everything else though. Circular saws are ok with batteries, sawzalls I've heard are terrible. I tend to go with corded anyway. Batteries are a huge expense and sometimes they change them. Only on a cordless drill are they really great. I bought this one to replace my old one and it's been great with frequent use.

 

[subquark]

For a home garage (mine is a tiny one-car one), I like air tools too. A larger compressor is so handy for wheel rotations, tire pressure (here in New England, I mess with tire pressure several times per year for seasonal changes on two cars), and the ever-so-important blow gun to help keep engine mice in check! =D

And this, FTW! =p

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115993268401

 

[Big Blue]

As has been mentioned, with battery powered tools try to stick with one, maybe two brands. Keeps the number of batteries under control. I have centered on Dewalt 20 volt max for my small power tools like drills and things. For yard and garden things like leaf blower and lawn mower I use Ryobi 40 volt. For heavier duty things like circle saws and reciprocating saws I recommend staying with corded, they will eat batteries faster than you can charge them. Also go for the highest AH battery you can without making the tool to heavy.

I've found battery yard equipment works well. It avoids dragging a cord around the yard. I still have a gas string trimmer, but will replace it with a Ryobi to match my mower and blower.

 

[Chris M]

As has been mentioned, with battery powered tools try to stick with one, maybe two brands. Keeps the number of batteries under control. I have centered on Dewalt 20 volt max for my small power tools like drills and things. For yard and garden things like leaf blower and lawn mower I use Ryobi 40 volt. For heavier duty things like circle saws and reciprocating saws I recommend staying with corded, they will eat batteries faster than you can charge them. Also go for the highest AH battery you can without making the tool to heavy.

I've found battery yard equipment works well. It avoids dragging a cord around the yard. I still have a gas string trimmer, but will replace it with a Ryobi to match my mower and blower.

This is good advice for me, I think. I own only a corded Black & Decker drill and a corded leaf blower and hedge trimmer, also B&D. I'd like to ditch the cord for the yard stuff for sure (recommendations from the gang are VERY welcome here), and I see the wisdom of keeping cords for the power tools.

Thanks much, guys!

 

[Buckbull]

You really need to pick a battery system first and then go about building your tools. Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita are very good tools but expensive. I've had really good luck with all three brands. Laugh if you want, but I've had pretty good luck with Ryobi. I bought a combo set that I leave at my hunting cabin. Wanted something cheap because theft is always an issue up there. And I wanted a complete set of cordless tools up there so I if something comes up I'm always prepared. The cordless tools make working on deer stands out in the field easy. Of all the Ryobi tools I have, the flashlight crapped out almost immediately but I didn't care. The chain saw crapped out last weekend but I put a lot of hard wear and tear on it. I cut alot of stuff that I should have used my stihl gas saws on but didn't have them with me. If you need alot of tools quick, I'd recommend Ryobi. If you want to build a really nice set of tools and don't mind buying peice meal I'd go Milwaukee.

 

[Joeiconic]

This is good advice for me, I think. I own only a corded Black & Decker drill and a corded leaf blower and hedge trimmer, also B&D. I'd like to ditch the cord for the yard stuff for sure (recommendations from the gang are VERY welcome here), and I see the wisdom of keeping cords for the power tools.

Thanks much, guys!

You absolutely want cordless handheld tools, such as drills. Dewalt is a great value brand. I use Makita, which is a little pricey, but they make great stuff. I have a drill, impact driver, chain saw, reciprocating saw, a hedge trimmer, a tire inflator and even a hand held vac that use the same 18v batteries. The batteries are amazing. I recently drilled about 40 quarter inch holes through concrete block and it only drained the battery about 25%.

 

[Charley]

Numerous options out there. A lot of variables.
Sounds like you are looking for light duty, so Ryobi may be best. Plus they are generally lighter in weight and lighter in price
If you want something more robust, then as mentioned above Milwaukee, Dewalt, Bosch , Makita, and Ridgid are good choices. the 12 volt series from Bosch, DeWalt and Milwaukee are generally lighter in weight and can be easier to control than the 18 or 20 volt series.
No matter which brand, have at least 2 batteries.
And just how many different brands are out there? click the link.
Who makes which brand?

 

[Langwilliams]

I was in Lowe's tonight an saw these package sets. Looks like a $199 and a $299 set. I have already have stuff that I like that does the job but I was tempted to grab a set at these prices.

*Edit: I don't know if a battery or charger is included at this price. I might go back for a set since I have a Craftsman 20V battery an charger already. I bought a battery string trimmer an got Craftsman since they had a deal at the time to get a free power tool with any purchase an I needed a battery 3/8's ratchet so that's what I got. I don't trim much so it does what I need an the ratchet works really well.

 

[Chris M]

I was in Lowe's tonight an saw these package sets. Looks like a $199 and a $299 set. I have already have stuff that I like that does the job but I was tempted to grab a set at these prices.

*Edit: I don't know if a battery or charger is included at this price. I might go back for a set since I have a Craftsman 20V battery an charger already. I bought a battery string trimmer an got Craftsman since they had a deal at the time to get a free power tool with any purchase an I needed a battery 3/8's ratchet so that's what I got. I don't trim much so it does what I need an the ratchet works really well.

Oooooh!

 

[DubVeeRanger]

Use strictly dewalt at working they hold up well. Trust me high school kids are hard on tools.

For myself I'm still using 19.2 craftsman set I've had for over a decade. Once it dies I'll probably invest in the new craftsman eco system.

Sponsored