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Location
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US
Cordless Home Tool Preference
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I've had a 7 piece makita set that I bought in '08, all the tools still work great, I keep them running with cheap Amazon batteries which are fine for my purposes.
My father in law has some Dewalt tools I've used and I do not have a high opinion of them at all.
My brother has some Milwaukee tools and if I was buying again that's what I would get.
I think Ryobi is a good option for homeowners that do some handy man work, vehicle/bike maintenance, home improvements and yard maintenance. They make good tools for the price and they have all the expected power tools but also some unusual home and garden type tools for people that do a little of everything. Ryobi is the “middle class dad” power tool company, and I think that’s respectable.
The Shop
Most my guys at work use Mikita (timber joinery factory ) and we have had a good run out of most there stuff
They are all pretty good, and getting better all the time.
https://www.youtube.com/c/ProjectFarm/videos
Some of the Milwaukee stuff is absolutely awesome (impact, sawzall) but some is absolute garbage at a premium price tag (radio, hammer drill)
Dewalt seems to be more consistently good. Maybe not always the best but good enough. Milwaukee is just such hit or miss on the individual tool. And ultimately 99% of the Milwaukee stuff is made in China. Dewalt certainly makes stuff in China but at least they do some final assembly in the US.
For the money, Ryobi and Rigid are good. Don't expect top tier performance but you also aren't paying top tier. And I like Ryobi uses the same battery structure so you can use beat up old Ryobis from the flea market with your new batteries.
I have a black and decker 20v weed-eater and 20v leaf blower. The blower really only works well on my deck, or it is nice to take up on the roof to clear the gutters (before I installed gutter screens), but not any good for anything more than that.
I bought some Bosch 12v impacts at work for the guys installing fixtures, etc in our 3 and 5 axis mills. They get constant use and last about 3 years before they need replaced. I just buy replacement 'tool only' from Amazon when they need them. The batteries last forever.
Our carbon shop guys swear by the DeWalt stuff.
The Indy Lights guys all use the Milwaukee M18 FUEL High Torque 1/2" drive impact drivers on their centerlock wheel nuts. They are 750 ft-lb monsters and will break your wrist if you aren't careful! I bought one of those at work for our Dallara Stradale EXP program for when we do demos and track days with those cars.
My company issues Milwaukee to us guys in the field.
I have my own Rigid tools.
Some stuff is better than the other between the two.
My cordless 1/2” drive Rigid seems better built and, puts out a bit more torque than the Milwaukee.
I’ve dropped my cordless Rigid sawzall down a 4 story elevator shaft. After straightening the guard, it was fine.
I haven’t came across a battery that can withstand the rain. If it gets wet, it’s ruined. Hopefully one day companies realize a lot of guys working outside also deal with shitty weather and, come out with a waterproof unit.
Honestly, it comes down to what you will need the tool for.
Milwaukee offers a larger variety but, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy Rigid provided they make what I’m looking for.
i use Ryobi and Milwaukee at home. we swear by Dewalt in the construction field.
Pit Row
My work tools are Milwaukee. The little 12 volt impact/driver is awesome and doesn't weigh 5 lbs.
The 12v ratchet is also very good. Shuts off at 55 ft.lbs. so it won't break your fingers like a pneumatic.
The little grinder, and the micro band? Awesome.
But for home use, ryobi is fine I think.
Yes Klein all the way, even their screwdrivers are better.
Dude, those little 12v drivers are awesome, right?
Don't weigh a ton and work.
ps. Whatever you get invest in larger amp hour batteries and a multi charger
Uhhhh like this deep??!! Finally got everything together and organized. I have a nice Milwaukee pile, Festool pile, Dewalt pile, Hitachi pile and Bosch pile of tools. The only ones that take batteries are Milwaukee.
However, the US tools are sold as 20V rather than the 18V system they use here. But, I can confirm that a US-bought 20V bare tool works just fine with UK 18V batteries. I did read that the batteries are identical in terms of actual voltage too, despite the different labelling.
US-bought 20V batteries will also fit and charge in a UK 18V charger too (although the batteries seem to be cheaper here, oddly). However, a US charger wouldn’t work here because it’s 110V mains, not 240V.
I bought some Bessey clamps last time too. Way cheaper than at home.
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