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I'm currently trying to decide which vendor/battery system to buy into for the long run. Festool/Hilti are too high end for DIY/Hobby. I'm looking at De Walt/Ma

I'm currently trying to decide which vendor/battery system to buy into for the long run. Festool/Hilti are too high end for DIY/Hobby. I'm looking at De Walt/Makita and leaning towards Makita.

windowsworkstoo 6y ago
Yeh me and and most of the people I work with are on Makita (in Aus). Otherwise Milwaukee is quite popular, especially among the sparkies.
- tonyarkles 6y ago
  My wife bought a Ridgid drill with a promo kit of four batteries. The chuck eventually wore out, but the local Ridgid repair shop replaced it for us for $30 (would have been free if we’d registered for warranty). Because we had all those batteries, we were sucked into the ecosystem: cordless sawzall, impact driver, etc. They sell “naked” tools (no battery) at a significant discount. Definitely worth looking into, we’ve been exceptionally happy with the kit we’ve slowly been growing. Edit: in Canada. Not sure if they’re the same elsewhere.
zrobotics 6y ago
Honestly for hobby use I would definitely recommend ryobi. Reason being, they haven't changed their battery design in absolute ages. So, you can take a old drill that was originally ni-cad and use brand new batteries without an adapter. They have updated battery chemistry, so obviously you need to change chargers when you get new batteries, but at least you don't need to re-buy all your tools as well. They definitely aren't pro-grade, but I've put fairly heavy use on mine over the last 9 years and the only tool that failed was a flashlight. Wore out 3 batteries that I took good care of, but buying $200 in batteries & charger is way better than $1k in batteries+tools. The only real problem is they look cheap, so if you are into showing off then that is a negative. I used Dewalt tools at my last mechanic job, and I honestly didn't think they were better enough to justify the price (2-3x ryobi). I haven't used makita, but the Dewalt drills would only survive 2-3 5 foot falls onto concrete, and the chucks were really crappy. My ryobi drill has survived probably 5 falls of the same type, and is still functional. The only real complaint I have is that the plastic absorbs grease, so if you use them in automotive/machine shop environments they start to look really grungy.
- AuryGlenz 6y ago
  My rule of thumb is midrange for battery powered tools, and more expensive for corded tools that I expect to last me a lifetime. I went with Ryobi for the former and I’m really happy with them. I’ve had one battery go bad, but otherwise no issues at all and I love the variety of tools. In addition to the normal set you’d expect we have a pump for our hot tub, a tire inflator, and a handheld vacuum.
- cosmie 6y ago
  Also a happy Ryobi user. Even more so after I stumbled on [1] from Slickdeals; they rotate through a ton of Ryobi stock (factory blemished and refurbished) and I haven't ran into any duds yet. Between that site and frequent Home Depot specials, I've been able to build out a solid kit for far less than I expected. I'm sure other brands funnel factory rejects and refurbs somewhere, as well. But I'm not sure where that is. [1] https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/ https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/
zdragnar 6y ago
Electronic tools wise, I've been happy with the worx power share platform, but for a gas chainsaw, I have definitely become sold on Makita.
KozmoNau7 6y ago
My dad used Makita battery tools exclusively for ~30 years of being a self employed radio communication tech. He stuck with them because he could still get chargers and batteries for the oldest drills, the ones with the stick battery that goes all the way into the handle like a handgun magazine. I borrowed his tools many times over the years, and I've never been let down by anything made by Makita.
bluGill 6y ago
Any of those will be good the only difference is what tools you can get. I bought Dewalt because a local store carries their chainsaw, and either Milwaukee doesn't have a chainsaw or my local store doesn't carry it. Local store is important because more than once I've needed a new tool for a job today. I'm a fan of makita tools but I can't find them on my small town so I only have plug in tools that I bought well in advance.
rsync 6y ago
"I'm looking at De Walt/Makita and leaning towards Makita." I went with Dewalt solely because this device exists: https://www.dewalt.com/products/storage-and-gear/generators-and-portable-power/1800-watt-portable-power-station-and-simultaneous-battery-charger/dcb1800b https://www.dewalt.com/products/storage-and-gear/generators-... So, you've already got the batteries, and you already need a place to charge the batteries - why not get the added bonus of a true 15-amp portable generator while you're at it ? It's not true sine wave, but it's quite robust - I have powered decent sized compressors, etc. with it.
vl 6y ago
Makita and DeWalt are more or less equivalent, but I’m using DeWalt 20V (and corded miter saw) for few (subjective) reasons: * Looks like DeWalt bundles are priced better. * Looks like DeWalt has better variety of tools in 20V. * DeWalt is sold at both Home Depot and Lowes, so you run into more sales and has better chance of picking up required tool (and, importantly, accessories) on the short notice. * Amazon has good DeWalt sales for the Prime Day, etc. In particular for corded miter saw DeWalt 779 is just a great deal. I upgraded it with the light kit and got DeWalt portable stand. Since these tools really last, there is no need to get cheaper versions if you can afford it. For really rare-use tools or accessories I get cheap Porter Cable (ironically owned by same holding as DeWalt) or chinese knock-offs from Harbor Freight.
- NickNameNick 6y ago
  You have to be careful with the tool bundles. The tools in the bundle aren't necessarily the same as their stand-alone look-alikes.
rhinoceraptor 6y ago
I went with Makita without a whole lot of research, but I like that have a wide line of tools. I recently bought their weed wacker, and I'm thinking I'll eventually replace my plug-in lawn mower with their battery powered one.
- cosmie 6y ago
  One word of caution with battery powered mowers is they tend to weigh about 2x as much as a gas powered or corded electric mower. May be a non-issue for you, but bit me hard when I tried to go that route. My lawn has poor drainage and never completely dries, and the added weight of the battery-powered mower led to constant rutting and mower-wrangling.
reportingsjr 6y ago
Makita has had the same battery setup for a good long while now (the 18v batteries are something like 15-16 years old), and they have a ton of really good, well thought out tools in the 18v (same as DeWalt 20v) lineup. Plus, the higher power tools still use the same batteries, just two, rather than forcing you to but yet another set of batteries. I wasn't as impressed with dewalt's tool lineup.
wmoser 6y ago
I think they are more expensive, but I’ve had a Bosch small drill driver that I’ve used regularly for over 10 years now. Still use the two original batteries although I do have to switch them on the charger more often. At work we use Bosch battery tools too. Our chief electrician just bought his own set because as he pointed out, some of them have been in use for years and oil field roughnecks aren’t known to be kind to their tools. Whatever you buy make sure it comes with two batteries so you can use one and charge the other.

I'm currently trying to decide which vendor/battery system to buy into for the long run. Festool/Hilti are too high end for DIY/Hobby. I'm looking at De Walt/Makita and leaning towards Makita.

windowsworkstoo 6y ago

Yeh me and and most of the people I work with are on Makita (in Aus). Otherwise Milwaukee is quite popular, especially among the sparkies.

tonyarkles 6y ago
My wife bought a Ridgid drill with a promo kit of four batteries. The chuck eventually wore out, but the local Ridgid repair shop replaced it for us for $30 (would have been free if we’d registered for warranty). Because we had all those batteries, we were sucked into the ecosystem: cordless sawzall, impact driver, etc. They sell “naked” tools (no battery) at a significant discount. Definitely worth looking into, we’ve been exceptionally happy with the kit we’ve slowly been growing. Edit: in Canada. Not sure if they’re the same elsewhere.

zrobotics 6y ago

Honestly for hobby use I would definitely recommend ryobi. Reason being, they haven't changed their battery design in absolute ages. So, you can take a old drill that was originally ni-cad and use brand new batteries without an adapter. They have updated battery chemistry, so obviously you need to change chargers when you get new batteries, but at least you don't need to re-buy all your tools as well. They definitely aren't pro-grade, but I've put fairly heavy use on mine over the last 9 years and the only tool that failed was a flashlight. Wore out 3 batteries that I took good care of, but buying $200 in batteries & charger is way better than $1k in batteries+tools. The only real problem is they look cheap, so if you are into showing off then that is a negative. I used Dewalt tools at my last mechanic job, and I honestly didn't think they were better enough to justify the price (2-3x ryobi). I haven't used makita, but the Dewalt drills would only survive 2-3 5 foot falls onto concrete, and the chucks were really crappy. My ryobi drill has survived probably 5 falls of the same type, and is still functional. The only real complaint I have is that the plastic absorbs grease, so if you use them in automotive/machine shop environments they start to look really grungy.

AuryGlenz 6y ago
My rule of thumb is midrange for battery powered tools, and more expensive for corded tools that I expect to last me a lifetime. I went with Ryobi for the former and I’m really happy with them. I’ve had one battery go bad, but otherwise no issues at all and I love the variety of tools. In addition to the normal set you’d expect we have a pump for our hot tub, a tire inflator, and a handheld vacuum.
cosmie 6y ago
Also a happy Ryobi user. Even more so after I stumbled on [1] from Slickdeals; they rotate through a ton of Ryobi stock (factory blemished and refurbished) and I haven't ran into any duds yet. Between that site and frequent Home Depot specials, I've been able to build out a solid kit for far less than I expected. I'm sure other brands funnel factory rejects and refurbs somewhere, as well. But I'm not sure where that is. [1] https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/ https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/

zdragnar 6y ago

Electronic tools wise, I've been happy with the worx power share platform, but for a gas chainsaw, I have definitely become sold on Makita.

KozmoNau7 6y ago

My dad used Makita battery tools exclusively for ~30 years of being a self employed radio communication tech. He stuck with them because he could still get chargers and batteries for the oldest drills, the ones with the stick battery that goes all the way into the handle like a handgun magazine. I borrowed his tools many times over the years, and I've never been let down by anything made by Makita.

bluGill 6y ago

Any of those will be good the only difference is what tools you can get. I bought Dewalt because a local store carries their chainsaw, and either Milwaukee doesn't have a chainsaw or my local store doesn't carry it. Local store is important because more than once I've needed a new tool for a job today. I'm a fan of makita tools but I can't find them on my small town so I only have plug in tools that I bought well in advance.

rsync 6y ago

"I'm looking at De Walt/Makita and leaning towards Makita." I went with Dewalt solely because this device exists: https://www.dewalt.com/products/storage-and-gear/generators-and-portable-power/1800-watt-portable-power-station-and-simultaneous-battery-charger/dcb1800b https://www.dewalt.com/products/storage-and-gear/generators-... So, you've already got the batteries, and you already need a place to charge the batteries - why not get the added bonus of a true 15-amp portable generator while you're at it ? It's not true sine wave, but it's quite robust - I have powered decent sized compressors, etc. with it.

vl 6y ago

Makita and DeWalt are more or less equivalent, but I’m using DeWalt 20V (and corded miter saw) for few (subjective) reasons: * Looks like DeWalt bundles are priced better. * Looks like DeWalt has better variety of tools in 20V. * DeWalt is sold at both Home Depot and Lowes, so you run into more sales and has better chance of picking up required tool (and, importantly, accessories) on the short notice. * Amazon has good DeWalt sales for the Prime Day, etc. In particular for corded miter saw DeWalt 779 is just a great deal. I upgraded it with the light kit and got DeWalt portable stand. Since these tools really last, there is no need to get cheaper versions if you can afford it. For really rare-use tools or accessories I get cheap Porter Cable (ironically owned by same holding as DeWalt) or chinese knock-offs from Harbor Freight.

NickNameNick 6y ago
You have to be careful with the tool bundles. The tools in the bundle aren't necessarily the same as their stand-alone look-alikes.

rhinoceraptor 6y ago

I went with Makita without a whole lot of research, but I like that have a wide line of tools. I recently bought their weed wacker, and I'm thinking I'll eventually replace my plug-in lawn mower with their battery powered one.

cosmie 6y ago
One word of caution with battery powered mowers is they tend to weigh about 2x as much as a gas powered or corded electric mower. May be a non-issue for you, but bit me hard when I tried to go that route. My lawn has poor drainage and never completely dries, and the added weight of the battery-powered mower led to constant rutting and mower-wrangling.

reportingsjr 6y ago

Makita has had the same battery setup for a good long while now (the 18v batteries are something like 15-16 years old), and they have a ton of really good, well thought out tools in the 18v (same as DeWalt 20v) lineup. Plus, the higher power tools still use the same batteries, just two, rather than forcing you to but yet another set of batteries. I wasn't as impressed with dewalt's tool lineup.

wmoser 6y ago

I think they are more expensive, but I’ve had a Bosch small drill driver that I’ve used regularly for over 10 years now. Still use the two original batteries although I do have to switch them on the charger more often. At work we use Bosch battery tools too. Our chief electrician just bought his own set because as he pointed out, some of them have been in use for years and oil field roughnecks aren’t known to be kind to their tools. Whatever you buy make sure it comes with two batteries so you can use one and charge the other.