Which brand 18V Li-ion battery/tool system?
09-22-2012, 06:43 PM
#21
We've been using DeWalt at work for several years in 12V, 14.4V and 18V flavors...XRP and non. 12V is eh... 18V has the same power as 14.4V but weighs more. That sucks if you're actually holding the tools for extended periods of time.
Battery life for each use is pretty decent, but we found that the batteries were about done (in our applications) after 2-8 months, depending. Don't put a newly-dead (read: hot) battery on the charger. duh
We've recently switched over to the 18V Makita system after some limited testing in some light construction settings by one of our project managers. So far, all is well, and we love the quick-charge feature! Definitely feel lighter and more ergonomic than the DeWalt stuff, though I don't think they offer a recip saw for this system...but I haven't exactly looked, either.
Battery life for each use is pretty decent, but we found that the batteries were about done (in our applications) after 2-8 months, depending. Don't put a newly-dead (read: hot) battery on the charger. duh
We've recently switched over to the 18V Makita system after some limited testing in some light construction settings by one of our project managers. So far, all is well, and we love the quick-charge feature! Definitely feel lighter and more ergonomic than the DeWalt stuff, though I don't think they offer a recip saw for this system...but I haven't exactly looked, either.
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09-22-2012, 07:16 PM
#22
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I literally just bought this:
Factory Reconditioned Ryobi ZRHJP002K 12V Lithium-ion Drill Kit
I prefer "reconditioned" because of the basic reality that every electronic item I've bought that was reconditioned has never failed. I assume they are tested to a different standard. I also buy the cheapest power tools because they always fail to charge after a while. This was the cheapest Li-Ion drill I could find that came with a spare batter and charger.
My drill batteries sometimes sit for months, what is the best way to extend their lives?
Factory Reconditioned Ryobi ZRHJP002K 12V Lithium-ion Drill Kit
I prefer "reconditioned" because of the basic reality that every electronic item I've bought that was reconditioned has never failed. I assume they are tested to a different standard. I also buy the cheapest power tools because they always fail to charge after a while. This was the cheapest Li-Ion drill I could find that came with a spare batter and charger.
My drill batteries sometimes sit for months, what is the best way to extend their lives?
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09-22-2012, 07:29 PM
#23
I've had fantastic luck with rigid li-ion stuff. Used the 18v drill for a year and a half every day on the job as my primary tool. The small batteries would last me a little more than a full day's work, and they charge to 100% in 15 minutes flat. My best friend loved using it when I let him borrow it once, and I ended up buying him the full-on Rigid 18V kit as a wedding present.
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09-23-2012, 02:19 PM
#25
I rock this:
M18 Red Lithium 18-Volt Cordless 2-Tool Combo Kit - Compact Drill / Impact Driver-2691-22 at The Home Depot
Worth every penny. Lithium batteries that charge from dead to full in like 15 minutes. Super super nice.
M18 Red Lithium 18-Volt Cordless 2-Tool Combo Kit - Compact Drill / Impact Driver-2691-22 at The Home Depot
Worth every penny. Lithium batteries that charge from dead to full in like 15 minutes. Super super nice.
The Grand Am team uses Hitachi and Milwaukee, i'd say they are equally nice.
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09-24-2012, 08:32 AM
#29
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I got a 4-pack Makita kit (recip, hammer drill, impact driver, circ saw...) and two batteries for it.
They aren't the slim batteries so they do last a very long time. The chuck on the Hammer Drill is seizing up now after a year and so is the chuck on the recip saw. The batteries also **** the bed on me 8 months after I bought it.
Over the last 4 months I've redone an entire house with this kit so it is getting very VERY heavy use.
Battery power is fine using a drill or impact driver, but when it comes down to the recip saw and circ saw...only takes a few cuts to kill a battery and the power just isn't there like a plug in.
For home use its great though.
Just my two cents.
They aren't the slim batteries so they do last a very long time. The chuck on the Hammer Drill is seizing up now after a year and so is the chuck on the recip saw. The batteries also **** the bed on me 8 months after I bought it.
Over the last 4 months I've redone an entire house with this kit so it is getting very VERY heavy use.
Battery power is fine using a drill or impact driver, but when it comes down to the recip saw and circ saw...only takes a few cuts to kill a battery and the power just isn't there like a plug in.
For home use its great though.
Just my two cents.
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09-24-2012, 08:35 AM
#30
I'm going to regret this, I know it.
The 2 best tools that I own... and I'm talking about THE 2 BEST TOOLS THAT I OWN... my Go-To devices that never let me down and have been absolutely awesome are...
1. Black & Decker 18v cordless regular old 3/8 drill. It's going on 10 years old, and I use it weekly and have used it for everything, including putting down row after row of decking screws.
2. Black & Decker 24v cordless weed-whacker. Same as above... about 6 years old, cuts like a gas one, will do my whole yard + some of the neighbors in a single charge on "turbo".
I don't own any other B&D products, but you can't beat the price, and I have had great luck with them. Would I feel good banging them around a job-site or dropping them off a ladder... NO. But for "residential home use", the price-point cannot be beat.
The 2 best tools that I own... and I'm talking about THE 2 BEST TOOLS THAT I OWN... my Go-To devices that never let me down and have been absolutely awesome are...
1. Black & Decker 18v cordless regular old 3/8 drill. It's going on 10 years old, and I use it weekly and have used it for everything, including putting down row after row of decking screws.
2. Black & Decker 24v cordless weed-whacker. Same as above... about 6 years old, cuts like a gas one, will do my whole yard + some of the neighbors in a single charge on "turbo".
I don't own any other B&D products, but you can't beat the price, and I have had great luck with them. Would I feel good banging them around a job-site or dropping them off a ladder... NO. But for "residential home use", the price-point cannot be beat.
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09-24-2012, 12:54 PM
#32
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Makita. I bought a 12v impact driver from them in 2005 and I still use it every time I wrench on a Miata. Had to replace one of the batteries, though - not because it didn't still hold a charge (it did), but because I had dropped it so many times that the battery case split open.
Just picked up an 18v Makita a couple of months ago for lug nuts and suspension and I love that as well.
Just picked up an 18v Makita a couple of months ago for lug nuts and suspension and I love that as well.
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09-24-2012, 01:04 PM
#33
I rock this:
M18 Red Lithium 18-Volt Cordless 2-Tool Combo Kit - Compact Drill / Impact Driver-2691-22 at The Home Depot
Worth every penny. Lithium batteries that charge from dead to full in like 15 minutes. Super super effing light.
M18 Red Lithium 18-Volt Cordless 2-Tool Combo Kit - Compact Drill / Impact Driver-2691-22 at The Home Depot
Worth every penny. Lithium batteries that charge from dead to full in like 15 minutes. Super super effing light.
If you have the extra money get the XRP DeWalt stuff, and you'll never have to replace anything.
Pawn shops are your friends.
Usually 40% off for brand new items.
If you aren't familiar with tricks to pay less at pawn shops ask.
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09-24-2012, 01:23 PM
#35
Pawn shops rarely pay you more than 50% MSRP when you sell them stuff, and that is on new items.
The biggest trick is to not NEED anything, and be willing to walk away without disappointment. Even if you really want the item, you cannot show it, and this includes bartering back and forth to long. This shows you really want the item.
Tool set.
MSRP $1000
In brand new condition they will mark it at $950
The pawn shop probably paid $300-$350 tops.
You look the item up online, and its on sale at the local home depot for $799
You offer $500, and don't look back.
You'll probably haggle a little, and get it for $550-600, or you can be stubborn (which is what I do), and take out 500 cash.
Chain shops aren't as easy, but they are more organized, and usually have better stuff.
Usually there will be a date on the tag.
If its less than a month good luck getting a deal.
If its 3+ months old, you should be able to haggle them down further.
I have the luxury of haveing quite a few shops in Texas, I don't know how it compares to other parts of the country.
The biggest trick is to not NEED anything, and be willing to walk away without disappointment. Even if you really want the item, you cannot show it, and this includes bartering back and forth to long. This shows you really want the item.
Tool set.
MSRP $1000
In brand new condition they will mark it at $950
The pawn shop probably paid $300-$350 tops.
You look the item up online, and its on sale at the local home depot for $799
You offer $500, and don't look back.
You'll probably haggle a little, and get it for $550-600, or you can be stubborn (which is what I do), and take out 500 cash.
Chain shops aren't as easy, but they are more organized, and usually have better stuff.
Usually there will be a date on the tag.
If its less than a month good luck getting a deal.
If its 3+ months old, you should be able to haggle them down further.
I have the luxury of haveing quite a few shops in Texas, I don't know how it compares to other parts of the country.
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