Cordless tools...

[Scott Douglas]

Need some help here. Our son is buying his first house and has asked for cordless tools to get him started out.
I'm old school when it comes to drills and saws. Mine all have cords.
What is the hot ticket as far as cordless goes?
I'd like to get him a good quality that'll not have to be replaced for a long time.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Makita has been my choice for many years. My 20 yr old cordless drills still work.

[mossguy]

24 volt if available . Otherwise 18 volt. No opinion on brands.

Best,
Tom

[masraum]

I'm guessing that with cordless, you probably want top quality like Makita or Milwaukee.

Some cordless stuff is great, but I'm with you, for some things, I prefer a cord. I don't think you can match a corded tool for power and endurance with a tool that uses batteries.

[masraum]

I'm not sure how much you're looking at spending, but how about this?

Milwaukee M18 High Performance Hammer Drill/ Sawzall/ Circ. Saw/ Light Combo - 2690-24 at The Home Depot

[id10t]

Having owned quite a few cordless "homeowner grade" things, I recently started replacing as needed w/ corded tools. Batteries die adn don't take a charge anymore, or they aren't charged when needed or you can't find the charger or you can't find new replacement batteries... got tired of it all.

[MES 944]

DeWalt, Home Depot has 18V sawzall, screw gun, two batteries, charger for $199.00

[Moses]

I have an old Makita 18V that is seriously indestructible. I've abused it, left it out in the rain and have performed NO maintenance. It still works like new.

I was given a new Milwaukee 24V and that's great, too. I'll probably give the Makita to my son.

I'll never go with corded tools again.

[FPB111]

I reach for my 14+year old Makita drill 90% of the time. I have 3 batteries, 1 in the tool, 1 in the charger and one cooling off when I am using it hard, a hot battery will not charge. I mostly use it for screws.

I have built two sheds, one 12 x 12 deck, put up 125 sheets of sheetrock in the house and ~40 sheets in the garage with it. On the deck I helped it with a 3/8 Milwaukee to drill pilot holes. I take it to the track and use it as a "speed" wrench to pull wheels after they are loosened.

I never had much luck with cordless saws.

If you are going for 18v or more the tool gets heavy. With a drill get one that is balanced IE: with the handle more towards the center of the tool to keep from getting carpal tunnel when using it for long periods.

[dipso]

I like Bosch stuff. Use lithium ion batteries.
Your best bet is to buy one of those big kits. That way all the batteries are interchangeable and you won't have to use one charger for your screw gun and another for your circular saw.
Bosch is great. Small powerful batteries, great tools.

You really can't go wrong with any of the majors, Bosch, Dewault, Makita. The only thing I would look for if I was you was battery size.
Some of the older ones have huge battery packs and are very heavy.
The smaller lithium kits are stronger, have more torque, are lighter and easier to use.

[Oh Haha]

Bosch, Makita, and Dewalt all have kits like dipso suggested. Check out the sales this weekend for some good deals.

[Dantilla]

Having a constuction background, I've had lots of corded and cordless stuff.

For production work, as in you're earning a living 40-50 hours a week, get the cords out.

But I bought a DeWalt case with a bunch of cordless stuff at an auction, just because it was a good deal. Gotta say, that's the way to go. I've flipped a few fixer-upper homes, and bringing that one big box with me holds everything I need for "fixer" type work, and would sure be more than adequate for a homeowner.

Mine is all 18v DeWalt. Skilsaw, screwdriver/drill, jig saw, sawzall, trouble light, charger, bit boxes, and a couple batteries, all in one carrying case.

Hard to believe I was even debating about it. Couldn't live without it now.

DeWalt has been good for me. Milwaukee and Rigid make good stuff, just stay away from "consumer" quality, and get what the pros use. It will last forever for homeowner use.

[VINMAN]

For the average homeowner that is going to do a lot of his own work, you cant beat the Dewalt 18v combo sets. They are the way to go. I would go with the XR line. It is a little more heavy duty.

[1990C4S]

My crappy 18 volt $30 drill/driver lasted me five years.

I just bought a Kawasaki 21 volt for $50. It is certainly good enough for a homeowner.

I would suggest you find one with two batteries, but otherwise I have been happy with the cheap ones.

[rick-l]

Batteries are the downside to these tools. It is usually cheaper to find a special on a new tool with two batteries than to buy replacement batteries.

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

Makita has been my choice for many years......

+1

[Scott Douglas]

Thank you all!
I looked at a lot of the 'kits' being offered up tomorrow. I can't see getting one with a light as part of the package. I appreciate the comments about size as they'd apply to me but my son is a big guy (6'3" 240#) and being an ex-pitcher isn't lacking in arm strength the way his old man is, so I don't think that matters. I think he'll be doing as much of his own work around the house as possible so pro grade is what I'm going to look at, if the budget allows.
Thanks again for all the input. I knew I could count on the Pelican crew.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving all!

Mark - your picture speaks volumes!

[vash]

i have an older DeWalt that is flat out amazing. i bet i bought it in 1988. when the early 18v tools came out. the drill shaft is a tad bent, barely..from my abuse. but it keeps spinning. batteries, if you need a new one, sucks. costly.

i also have an impact, 18v from milwalkee. the batteries are heads over the dewalt in terms of longevity. one charge goes further.

[Bill Douglas]

I'd try and talk him out of cordless.

If that doesn't work, as mentioned by MES944, DeWalt is good stuff.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

I'd try and talk him out of cordless.

I'm very happy with my Goodwill corded Craftsman and a 50' cord. I just don't use them enough for cordless to make sense. Every time I needed to use the thing it was dead.