Battery Powered Tools

[flying belgian]

MM and Belgian, in the interest of clarity what is "The R Brand" and why are you talking in "code"?

I was taking it as Ryobi.

 

[wore out]

I was taking it as Ryobi.

Talking about tools in code has to be one of the STRANGEST things I've ever seen on here!

 

[MM-TX]

Talking about tools in code has to be one of the STRANGEST things I've ever seen on here!

I’ve seen a lot of things I thought really strange on here.

 

[caterpillar guy]

I'll just keep my corded tools and air operated impacts.When your batteries are all dead and gone I'll still be working with them.

 

[flying belgian]

I'll just keep my corded tools and air operated impacts.When your batteries are all dead and gone I'll still be working with them.

That's what I always thought until I started buying battery. I'll never go back. I could see me owning an ev some day.

 

[m16ty]

I’ve got corded and air duplicates for all my battery powered tools. I still grab the battery tools more often than not. I can’t remember the last time I used a air impact, the 1/2 and 3/4 Milwaukee battery powered are amazing.

I agree battery cost is an issue, but I have had fairly good luck with batteries. There is no doubt battery tools are considerably more expensive than the cord or air counterparts, but I tend to think that extra cost is worth it.

Currently I need to invest in a pole saw to work on limbs around the field. I’m on the fence on getting a battery or gas. Price is about the same for either. I do think the gas has the advantage, but it’s a tool that I will use and then it will sit for months on end before I’d need it again. We all know gas powered stuff doesn’t do very well sitting for long periods unused, so I’m leaning towards battery. I can get the Milwaukee and use batteries I already have.

 

[m16ty]

That's what I always thought until I started buying battery. I'll never go back. I could see me owning an ev some day.

I don’t think EVs are there yet. When it gets as easy to change you dead battery with a charged one as it is your cordless drill I think we will be a lot closer.

 

[Texgasser1]

Yeah new batteries are crap, you can get them rebuilt at MTO battery.

 

[Caryc]

I'll just keep my corded tools and air operated impacts.When your batteries are all dead and gone I'll still be working with them.

Sure, as long as you have a long enough extension cord.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Well I have about a 100 feet of 12gauge extension cord plus another 100 of 14 so that is 200 feet then I have about 60 or so of 1/2 inch air hose along with about 150 foot of small air hose I can reach the road form the shed with small air hose and still have50 left. As for the cords I have juice to each building that I need to work in and the others are close enough to reach with cord from them. At Dad's we can to pretty much the same thing . And I could move the air compressor out of the shed to a remote area if need be and run the welder to power it. Now if beyond that I guess it is the old socket and ratchet. Some things I just pickup and carry up to the power. I hate working out in remote areas of the farm tools get lost and scattered when that has to be done sometimes. Working up by the shed I have a cement apron to work on for the most part and time running for tools is next to nothing. Dad likes to work on a dozen different things at once and has tools scattered then can't find this or that says it was right on the wall or on this shelf. Well then we find it where he was last working.

 

[showcrop]

I send my batteries to a place in Harrison Maine to get rebuilt.I think it may be called the Tool Works,but I'm not positive.I've never had to get one of their rebuilds done again yet,so I don't know how long they will last.It's been years.You get what you pay for,not amazon quality or prices.

two years ago I took a battery from my 20 year old Lincoln grease gun to Batteries plus which is a northeast chain and got it rebuilt. very pleased.

 

[want@1070]

I have DE s. , original 20V from 2013, stamped on batt still good, . some new. tools I have, drill, 2 impacts, pole saw, hand grinder,
Used but not abused , we'll see if new batts , last as long as original s I notice the 2 original ones done have Amp hours
stamped on the side.

 

[moresmoke]

The only small corded tool I regularly use is a grinder. Bigger stuff like a 1” impact I just can’t justify going to battery for my use.

All that said, I bought into the Milwaukee platform years ago. I have had a couple batteries die, 1 DOA, and 1 got run over. The DOA one was replaced under warranty. For new batteries, I try to watch to sales and get either a multi pack or combined with a tool deal. We can always use more tools right?

 

[m16ty]

The only small corded tool I regularly use is a grinder. Bigger stuff like a 1” impact I just can’t justify going to battery for my use.

All that said, I bought into the Milwaukee platform years ago. I have had a couple batteries die, 1 DOA, and 1 got run over. The DOA one was replaced under warranty. For new batteries, I try to watch to sales and get either a multi pack or combined with a tool deal. We can always use more tools right?

Yeah, the battery grinders just don’t cut it when you have power nearby. They will work when you are out in the field but just don’t have the rpm or power the corded ones do.

 

[Eman85]

I don’t think EVs are there yet. When it gets as easy to change you dead battery with a charged one as it is your cordless drill I think we will be a lot closer.

I've seen where in some places they have motorcycles/scooters set up like this. The battery unit slips right out and you exchange it, this is in countries where many don't have access to power to recharge themselves. E Bikes have a unit like this. In this country we seem to need heated/cooled seats and other luxuries more than basic transportation. If there was a company making an EV equipped like a 60's VW it would be a simpler task and a smaller battery.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I

I'll just keep my corded tools and air operated impacts.When your batteries are all dead and gone I'll still be working with them.

I'm right there with you Cat man!
I made a living using power tools and jumped on the battery band wagon back in the late 1980s.
Tools were a tax write off so I was never reluctant to spend money on them.
I've owned most of the tools and most of the brands. They are all plastic, all made by just a few brands and all made in China. The batteries all go kaput and those are Expensive to replace.
I used to buy Ridgid drill drivers. They were cheap - just had the drill, charger and 2 batteries in a cardboard box. No plastic carrying case with all the gizmos and "extras" in it. Get a year or year and a half till the clutches failed. Toss it and buy another for $99
I do still have a cordless drill/driver.
I think they are an indispensable tool.
Now that I'm retired and not working it hard I decided to upgrade and bought a
Bosch about 6 months ago for $275.
It's heavy though. Go hang half a dozen sheets of drywall on the ceiling with it and your arm will be sore. But I'm not doing that any more...
And this week the chuck fell apart on it.
Grrr.
I have old corded Milwaukee, B&D, Skill, Bosch, Hilti, Panasonic, Porter Cable and other brands. Some are 30, 40, even 50 or more years old. You can not wear them out!

 

[Caryc]

Well I have about a 100 feet of 12gauge extension cord plus another 100 of 14 so that is 200 feet then I have about 60 or so of 1/2 inch air hose along with about 150 foot of small air hose I can reach the road form the shed with small air hose and still have50 left. As for the cords I have juice to each building that I need to work in and the others are close enough to reach with cord from them. At Dad's we can to pretty much the same thing . And I could move the air compressor out of the shed to a remote area if need be and run the welder to power it. Now if beyond that I guess it is the old socket and ratchet. Some things I just pickup and carry up to the power. I hate working out in remote areas of the farm tools get lost and scattered when that has to be done sometimes. Working up by the shed I have a cement apron to work on for the most part and time running for tools is next to nothing. Dad likes to work on a dozen different things at once and has tools scattered then can't find this or that says it was right on the wall or on this shelf. Well then we find it where he was last working.

Wow, all that would just wear me out. I just grab a tool, stick a battery in it and I'm good to go.

 

[M-MAN]

I keep 3 grinders on my welding cart. 1 Milwaukee battery with a flap wheel. 1 corded with a grinder disk and 1 corded with a cut off wheel. The battery dies too quick when grinding so it's gets the sanding job.

 

[Loosehandle]

There's a lifetime service agreement and a lifetime warranty. They are different animals and owners should know the difference.

Like Craftsman....

 

[moresmoke]

Yeah, the battery grinders just don’t cut it when you have power nearby. They will work when you are out in the field but just don’t have the rpm or power the corded ones do.

Battery grinder lives on the welding table and it is great for cleaning off paint, rust, or weld splatter and such. But if you really need to remove some material the corded version is handy.