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Cordless versus corded tools for my project?

4K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  user1007 
#1 ·
I plan on fixing up my shack. It's remote - no running water, no electricity.

I am not going to re-roof (I decided to let someone else do that it is beyond my level of comfort), just reframe windows/doors/hang wood panel inside. The shack only has 4 windows, 1 door, only about 300 square feet. It is primarily masonry construction.

But I need tools. What do you recommend? I have a good corded drill and corded sazwall at home and of course your basic hand tools but nothing else.

I am thinking all I need is a circular saw and a drill/driver to get most of the job done. Anything else?

I am torn between getting a generator and corded tools or just buying Milauwkee's 28V set (which seems to have received excellent reviews):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Do you think this would be sufficient?

I really don't want or need a generator - we use white gas to light/cook/etc out there it does the job nicely and quietly.
 
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#3 ·
I personally have used 18V tools to do work I've done including roofing, pole barn construction, HVAC install, and a few others. I think 18V would work okay. All up to what you want to spend IMO. Dead batteries get on my nerves though, but I only have one battery and one charger. It'd be amazing to have one extra charger and two extra batteries.
 
#4 ·
I have a portable inverter to charge the battery tools while I'm driving. And the computer, printer. Buy a good size inverter for a new corded saw.
Be safe, Gary
 
#6 ·
Something that will run a corded saw is still pretty expensive, isn't it? At least $150-200 bucks from the research I had done earlier, unless I was wrong...

I wonder if you can run the charger for the batteries off a smaller inverter in your car, that would be great...

Any other tools I might be missing?
 
#7 ·
I have an 18V Dewalt cordless hammer drill, two batteries, one charger. I never use any of my (numerous) corded drills anymore. Lot of power in 18V, I imagine the 28 volt would be even more powerful, but I have never needed any more power than I have, and I have built a shed add on, added a header to a kitchen, built kitchen cabinets etc. The freedom of no cord is great. That said, I have a corded sawzall, table saw, circular saw, miter saw, router table. All of these tools are available in cordless, but a bit out of my price range.
 
#8 ·
#9 ·
I have cordless 1/2" drill I bought a few years ago. If I need to put in a lot of screws, like screwing down plywood, it will run for maybe 20 minutes. I have two batteries, so I have some down time between the two of them.

The chargers don't take much current, so a fairly cheap inverter ought to work -- just add up all the amps of what you want to plug in and select accordingly.

I think you'll need a sawzall, circular saw, and drill/driver. My Milwaukee sawzall is about 150 watts. You can get a 175 watt inverter from Best Buy for $54. That would let you use a sawzall (if yours is like mine) and charge your batteries. A circular saw is probably 10 amps or more, so a cheap inverter is out for that. I'd go for one of those combo packs with a battery powered saw, drill/driver, and whatever else suits you.

Get a AAA battery "headlight" They're great for seeing what you're working on, and you can use rechargable batteries for them.
 
#10 ·
Thanks for all the replies - I'll probably go with the Milauwkee M18 kit, I think that will do the trick. I read some reviews they might be phasing out the V28 and extra batteries are really expensive. And I'll just buy a cheap inverter to charge the batteries.

Yes, those AAA headlamps are awesome - we have been using those for camping for years, I keep one in my truck at all times. The white gas lanterns work really good up at the shack too for lighting - it really is just like having electricity, my one lantern puts out about 125w equivalent and my other compact one about 75w equivalent.
 
#11 ·
So, here's my 2¢ worth: I have corded and battery powered tools in my arsenal with my business. Each has it's own place. In your situation I can see you using 18v battery powered tools for your work, and not investing in an expensive generator. Unless you feel you may need the generator down the line. I also use an inverter to charge my 18v batteries while driving down the road. Maybe a little overkill but I have a 15000 watt inverter in my work trailer. I can/do charge two batteries at a time going down the road. If you had at least two batteries, and an inverter that would handle charging one battery at a time, you could charge one while using the other. BUT, then you would have to learn how long can you charge an 18v battery before your vehicle battery runs down. Life's like that, you gain one thing here, lose one thing there. Good Luck, David
 
#12 · (Edited)
Get over it. You don't have to buy one. Rent a really nice generator for the project.

I love my cordless tools but I know their limits. I hope for the day everything is without a cord but I am going to get carpal tunnel syndrome switching out the batteries.

I would never trust a cordless saw on a renovation project. And my cordless drill leaves me at the altar all the time trying to get into antique masonry. My multi tool, which I use much more than I ever dreamed, is corded as are all my sanders.

I do, absolutely and completely, still trust cordless paintbrushes to go the distance though if you take care of them.
 
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