Makita 18v or 40v or Other

[jyl]

I’m a couple years late to this dilemma, but hey I’m old.

Should I switch to buying 40v Makita tools, stick with building my 18v collection, or switch to a different brand for 40-56-80v stuff?

Looking at buying a cordless leaf blower. The analysis paralysis is deep in this one.

[chrismorse]

Hi JYL,
I just used up 77 years of life and am still ticking, so don't worry :-)

I've been a contractor for 35 years, now "retarded" and moved on from the early 12 volt makita stuff to 18 v Milwaukie, primarily for more power/length of charge and broader range of tool availability.

The 18 volt stuff has been quite adequate for normal residential construction/remodeling/repair.

big time use, like rotary hammer and continuous, use will surely benefit from going to higher capacity, (A/H) / voltage equipment.

First, try going to a later iteration of higher capacity batteries for the equipment you have and if that doesn't work, or you want to move up to more powerful equipment, make the move.

I've been happy just going to bigger, more long lasting batteries for the drills, saws, impacts and grinders i use in my automotive and rental repair work.

chris

[masraum]

What do you think your main uses will be? How many and what sort of tools do you think you may ended up with?

I think those two things may make a difference in the recommendation.

[RANDY P]

Weird, I was just thinking the same thing last night. Been using a LOT of my power stuff updating the Subaru. All LXT 18V.

No 40V for car stuff. Frankly the 18V is more than enough for most household and CAR tasks. Plus, it's everywhere.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by masraum

What do you think your main uses will be? How many and what sort of tools do you think you may ended up with?

I think those two things may make a difference in the recommendation.

Mostly the usual DIYer power tools. Have a few - impact driver, drill-driver, circular saw, socket wrench, orbital sander, brad nailer, pin nailer. Also 5 Makita 18v batteries.

I'm not really looking to go "all battery" - cords are often just fine and cheaper. For my Makita track saw I chose corded 'cuz cheapskate. For my multitool I chose Fein corded.

I would like to avoid pneumatic - the compressor noise bugs me.

The cordless tools I'm likely to get in coming years - sawzall, angle grinder, framing nailer, dunno what else.

In general I think stuff where the motor runs continuously is better off corded - like I only use my 18v orbital sander for teeny jobs because the battery only lasts 20 min or so.

I also want to get some lawn and garden tools. I have GreenWorks 40v battery mower and hedge trimmer. I could stick with GreenWorks for the rest of the lawn-garden stuff, they have a leaf blower too.

[look 171]

Question is how long will you be out there blowing leaves? On an industrial level, make sense to up the battery capacity but for home owner, stick to something light, easy to use. If you don't finish in an hour or two, quit and take your wife out to lunch, finish up after. We have Dewalt blowers and have been very happy with it. I feel DeWalt, Milwaukee and Makita tools are about the same, all industrial grade. Stick to 18v if you alerady have the batteries. My guys really like the Makita reciprocating (Sawsall) saw. They hold up to lots of abuse. I have a corded Sawsall sitting under the house somewhere still.

[dad911]

After years of Dewalt, Makita, and Ryobi, I've switched over to Bauer (Harbor Freight) 20V.

Batteries seem to last longer, large selection readily available, and many of their tools are brushless. I was convinced when after Hurricane Ian the only chainsaw I could find was the Bauer 20v. I don't think I've used a gas tool since.

[Cajundaddy]

Most of my tools are Makita 18v and have served me well for building a deck, studio build, car maintenance and track support. I have no need for any more (heat) on those as the batteries charge faster than I run them down. For a leaf blower and trimmer I got a hand-me-down EGO with 1x40v battery (I know, another system with different charger). These tools have worked out great and usually it is just enough battery to complete my yardwork.

I am now a 2 cordless tool system guy with 18v drills, drivers, and saws, but 40v yard tools. Different systems for different needs.

[aschen]

I think you need large battery format for yard tools including leaf blowers.

Not so much the voltage as the total energy storage, its a fundamental limitation. For example my ego leaf blower generally uses a 5ah 56v battery (~200 whrs). I have a 2 ah 56 v battery as well but it will suck it down super fast. a ~ 20v tool is going to have to be 10 Ah+ to have decent power and run time.

I have a bunch of ego yard tools, some of them for many years. They work pretty well. I would rate them 8/10. If I was starting over Id probably go ego again or look closer at the 2 battery milwaulkee stuff.

[rwest]

The new batteries have gotten lighter, but something to think about if you’re going to be holding it up or over your head for long periods. I went 12v Dewalt for just that reason.

12v works perfectly fine for drywall screws, but would need battery changes like crazy for lag bolts.

[Bill Douglas]

Not that I know what I'm talking about. But I'm bored and felt like making a contribution. I almost always buy Makita. And 40volts is the way to go as I suspect 18volts will be phased out.

[908/930]

For general purpose home tools like drills the 18v is likely more than enough, for blowers and saws likely different story. The one snag with the higher voltage drills is the extra weight, I have a 36v Bosch that I only use only when I really need the extra power, almost never. At a quick glance the makita 40v drill vs 18v is 2 lbs heaver, same with the hammer drill options.

[Bill Verburg]

I've got a full range of Riobe 40v tools, the original 4A battery from the first one that I bought ~20yrs ago is still good

the 730 cfm leaf blower is almost but no quite as effective as the Stil gas blowers that my contractors use.

The said I think that the 56v EGO 765cfm may be a tad better

I have 2 mostly manicured acres surrounded by an Oak forest, w/ some Ash and Hickory, The leaf load is large but the Riobi doesn't have an issue w/it.

I do have a belt power supply that i can put up to 3 6 -7.5 amp batteries in, this is only needed on the 3-5 worst fall days.

The beauty of focusing on a single brand allows multiple relatively inexpensive tools all using the same batteries. After many years I now have 8 very usefull tools and over a dozen 6 amp 40v batteries, w/ 6 chargers for them.

[zakthor]

Im so, so happy with my toro corded leaf blower. Had it 8-9 years and i think it was $60. Light and strong and goes for as long as i need. Cant even imagine wanting a battery unit if an extension cord will reach.

I think the irrational love of battery tools might be a social disease.

[oldE]

Zakthor, I have put steel on three of my roofs. The first one was done with extention chords powering my drill to drive the screws. I became aware of the PITA constantly having to move the cords and nearly found out how quickly the edge of a piece of roofing steel can cut through a cord. The next time I went at that sort of job, I was using a cheap cordless set of drill and impact driver. I was impressed. When I was fencing, I used to use a brace and bit to make holes for tensioning ropes in the posts and a screw driver to set the screws for the insulators. Not any more.
In my shop, I have a power bar mounted directly above my work table. Even so, I find myself reaching for a cordless tool rather than freeing up a cord, using the corded drill and stowing it later.
In conclusion, I suspect I will not be giving up my cordless tools when the fad passes.

[craigster59]

After years of being a Milwaukee/Makita/DeWalt guy I've recently become a Ryobi One fanboy.

I've got the screw gun, leaf blower, air compressor, mini vac, buffer, small circular saw, multi cutter, drain cleaner and sawzall. All same battery.

And you can buy "tool only" and at Home Depot it seems like every 2 weeks it's "Ryobi Days" where the stuff is discounted.

Their 40v stuff isn't bad either, when it comes to leaf blowers and leaf vacs you want to "go big".

[zakthor]

Originally Posted by oldE

Zakthor, I have put steel on three of my roofs. The first one was done with extention chords powering my drill to drive the screws. I became aware of the PITA constantly having to move the cords and nearly found out how quickly the edge of a piece of roofing steel can cut through a cord. The next time I went at that sort of job, I was using a cheap cordless set of drill and impact driver. I was impressed. When I was fencing, I used to use a brace and bit to make holes for tensioning ropes in the posts and a screw driver to set the screws for the insulators. Not any more.
In my shop, I have a power bar mounted directly above my work table. Even so, I find myself reaching for a cordless tool rather than freeing up a cord, using the corded drill and stowing it later.
In conclusion, I suspect I will not be giving up my cordless tools when the fad passes.

I have a few battery tools and I love them.

I’m criticizing the tools that almost no one should buy:
Battery belt sander, mitre saw, table saw, lathe, mig welder.

I’m sure they make sense for someone in some niche scenario. But have you seen the strange phenomena where a set of people can’t stop themselves from buying when their brand comes out with a new battery tool. THATS the disease.

I def see the beauty and appeal of battery yard tools, I’m fortunate to be in a position to get by with a long heavy cord.

Ps: man I wish I could do a roof, I do what I can but I’m not tough enough for a roof. Hats off to you.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by zakthor

I have a few battery tools and I love them.

I’m criticizing the tools that almost no one should buy:
Battery belt sander, mitre saw, table saw, lathe, mig welder.

I’m sure they make sense for someone in some niche scenario. But have you seen the strange phenomena where a set of people can’t stop themselves from buying when their brand comes out with a new battery tool. THATS the disease.

I def see the beauty and appeal of battery yard tools, I’m fortunate to be in a position to get by with a long heavy cord.

Ps: man I wish I could do a roof, I do what I can but I’m not tough enough for a roof. Hats off to you.

Oh no, the battery powered miter saw is a must on out job site. I reserve the corded saw to be used when I need it in my own house. I learn how to cuss at the cord when I need this tool.

I understand the production shops that needs a tool to be plugged for constant power which we have but the sliding compound saws that run on batteries are the best right next to a cordless drill. We run one big and one tiny one for small stuff. Powerful and accurate. changing battery is pretty fast and simple and a cord can used as well. Dang great tool. We have one or two cords running across the floor now days unlike the past, cord and air hose run like a bunch of roots in a tropical forest floor.