[gizzygone]

As a follow up to my other thread, I think I've decided it's time for my tools to grow up. Right now one of the big box stores has a great deal on tools, so instead of buying a full kit flat-out, I'm thinking I'll buy a drill/impact set and add as needed.

I've played with both in store, and like the feel of both.

Milwaukee is obviously the newer of the tools, with their new fuel lineup. It seems to have the most features, but I'm wary of milwaukee's apparent quickness to ditch support for older tools.

Makita has been around a while, and the tradesmen I've had in my house all seem to have Makita cordless kits. I Love the fact that they have invested in creating a wide array of tools for their LXT batteries, and I also like their slightly lower cost compared to Milwaukee.

But if it were up to you: what would you put in your toolbox? Teal or red?

 

[ddawg16]

And Ryobi is not an option?

For the money, great value. I built my garage and addition with Ryobi....I have about 15 of their power tools.

 

[daveb1]

+1 on the Ryobi. They're more than enough for most people. And a larger tool assortment all using.the same battery.

 

[joecaption]

Have to agree.
I just bought a new set to replace some of my older tools.
Came with a drill, impact driver, sawsall, flashlight, ciruler saw, charger and two LI-Ion battery plus a bag to keep them in for less then $200.00.
I sold my old set for $100.00.

 

[Windows on Wash]

Ryobi is more than homeowner quality. Plenty of capability in those tools.

My installers run both the Ryobi and the Makita.

 

[Wildbill7145]

I've still got my first Ryobi miter saw that I bought around 13yrs ago. Great little light weight 10'. Cut miles of trim with that thing. Only problem I've ever had with it is a couple of years ago moving the deck around got really difficult like sand had gotten in there or something. Took it apart, cleaned it out but that didn't seem to help much.

I do think they make great gear though.

 

[Canarywood1]

And the 4 amp hr batteries at 2 for $99.00 ain't bad either, try buying Milwaukee or Makita batteries for that price.

 

[gizzygone]

Alright... Guess I'll stick with the green!

I didn't want to spend $150 for a new set of batteries and a new drill, but y'all make it seem as if there's really no advantage going more expensive for a homeowner

 

[ront02769]

I run makita xlt series and they are great. Just a few hours ago grabbed a wrecking saw for $119 at HD, said saw runs on the batteries that my drill/driver, 6 1/2" circular saw, and impact driver use. Charge in like a half hour. The big 3.0 amp hour batteries can be had for two for 99 bucks at HD today.have had all but the wrecking saw for about four years.

Right green IS less expensive. And lots of guys I work with at habitat have the little sets which are ok but not heavy duty. Some also have the kobalt sets (but those are toys compared to makita plus the circ is 5 1/2".

I am NOT a professional...but I do construction type work three or four days a week...and wouldn't trade out the makita....but that might be because it was what I started with....and when you get like six batteries, circ, wrecking, impact, and drill....you hesitate to change. Ron

 

[raylo32]

Makita, Milawaukee, Bosch, Ryobi, Hitachi, and others... You really can't go wrong with just about any of these. I would suggest looking at what tools you might need and then go all-in on whatever brand has the range you want. I have Makitas and (upgraded from the old 9.6V NiCd to 18V Li Ion a few years ago) and love them. The drill/driver and impact is just a start. The portable vaccum and articulating LED light are outstanding. Latest addition is the big 1/2" impact for car lug nuts. Now I don't need to run the noisy air compressor so often. Same batteries work in all and the quick charger is killer.

 

[woodworkbykirk]

tough call, makita has the largest selection of tools that run on their lxt batteries at over 100 tools... milwaukee has the edge for performance..

personally i prefer the feel of the makita tools. i find the milwaukee circ saws big and clunky compared to makita. and the makita impact drivers have better speed control in the trigger

 

[Bondo]

As a follow up to my other thread, I think I've decided it's time for my tools to grow up. Right now one of the big box stores has a great deal on tools, so instead of buying a full kit flat-out, I'm thinking I'll buy a drill/impact set and add as needed.

I've played with both in store, and like the feel of both.

Milwaukee is obviously the newer of the tools, with their new fuel lineup. It seems to have the most features, but I'm wary of milwaukee's apparent quickness to ditch support for older tools.

Makita has been around a while, and the tradesmen I've had in my house all seem to have Makita cordless kits. I Love the fact that they have invested in creating a wide array of tools for their LXT batteries, and I also like their slightly lower cost compared to Milwaukee.

But if it were up to you: what would you put in your toolbox? Teal or red?

Ayuh,.... I still have the Milwaukee set I bought years ago for well over a grand, that's total junk now, due to the lack of support,...
I'll Never, Ever buy a Milwaukee tool again,....

When I needed to up-grade a few years ago, a friend had a Makita impact driver that I was very impressed with,...
So the followin' Christmas, My Love bought me a Makita 1/2" drill/ impact driver kit,....
The only mistake was it was just a drill, not a hammer drill,....

Since then, I up-graded to the brush less motor units, an impact driver, 'n a hammer drill,...
I gave my slightly older tools to My Love, as she's also quite Handy, 'n needs her own tools,....

I couldn't be Happier with my Makita tools,....

 

[Mort]

I'm a Milwaukee guy, and we use Makita at work. The Makitas feel alright but don't perform as well. The new brushless drill couldn't run a self-feeding auger but through a fence post. I've found the opposite to be true on the impact driver trigger, it seems to be just an on/off switch. And the newer batteries don't work on their older tools, so goodbye Craigslist deals.

My Milwaukee Fuel impact driver has 3 speed/torque settings in addition to better trigger control. I haven't tried an auger bit in my drill but it drills through concrete just fine. And all M18 batteries run all M18 tools, including Fuel. They have more brushless tools then anyone else which is good for battery life and power.

They are geared towards professionals: that's why they have a cordless Mag Drill and knockout tool but no weed eater or coffee pot. But that's a good thing because professionals don't care what a tool costs, they just want it to perform.

Ryobi is good enough for the average homeowner who isn't a tool snob. That would leave me out They're not professional quality.

One thing that makes me hesitate to recommend them at all is that they still use stem-style batteries when everyone (except Craftsman, but they don't count) has gone to a slide-style battery. The stem-style works just fine but doesn't leave enough room in the tool for the electronics a brushless motor requires. That would make me think they would sooner or later have to change their platform over and would render all your tools obsolete.

 

[gizzygone]

I'm a Milwaukee guy, and we use Makita at work. The Makitas feel alright but don't perform as well. The new brushless drill couldn't run a self-feeding auger but through a fence post. I've found the opposite to be true on the impact driver trigger, it seems to be just an on/off switch. And the newer batteries don't work on their older tools, so goodbye Craigslist deals.

My Milwaukee Fuel impact driver has 3 speed/torque settings in addition to better trigger control. I haven't tried an auger bit in my drill but it drills through concrete just fine. And all M18 batteries run all M18 tools, including Fuel. They have more brushless tools then anyone else which is good for battery life and power.

They are geared towards professionals: that's why they have a cordless Mag Drill and knockout tool but no weed eater or coffee pot. But that's a good thing because professionals don't care what a tool costs, they just want it to perform.

Ryobi is good enough for the average homeowner who isn't a tool snob. That would leave me out They're not professional quality.

One thing that makes me hesitate to recommend them at all is that they still use stem-style batteries when everyone (except Craftsman, but they don't count) has gone to a slide-style battery. The stem-style works just fine but doesn't leave enough room in the tool for the electronics a brushless motor requires. That would make me think they would sooner or later have to change their platform over and would render all your tools obsolete.

I'm just the kind of guy who wants the best... But finances sometimes sway me in another direction.

Being just a homeowner, I've decided to stick with the Ryobi brand. As much as I'd like to upgrade to the pro grade models, it seems Ryobi is a safer bet. Sure, the run time may not be as long, and the tool may not be as compact or light, but they seem to be a favorite among homeowners here. And seeing as I already have invested in some Ryobi tools, it almost makes more sense to stick with what I know.

I'm sure they'll switch battery technology at some point which scares me, but they certainly do seem committed to their current design. In fact, while doing some research, I came across a brushless drill they just started selling in Australia, using the same battery. So it would seem to me they're simply engineering around their one plus platform.

I'd love a Makita kit, or Milwaukee, but at the end of the day, I'm saving a few bucks going with a Ryobi. If I break a tool or kill it, I won't feel as bad. And if I need a new tool, I just need to run down to the local orange box store, and pick up a bare tool from the shelf.


Thanks all for helping me in my decision!

 

[ddawg16]

I've got some of the older drills and I'm using the new LI batteries......plenty of run time

 

[gizzygone]

I've got some of the older drills and I'm using the new LI batteries......plenty of run time

Older Ryobi?

 

[jeffnc]

I know you're sticking with Ryobi, but for others listening, I like Makita. I think the batteries are great, and they have a huge selection of tools. Two of them I couldn't do without are the light and vacuum
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-XLC02ZW-Compact-Vacuum-Bare/dp/B00LIV0QJU
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LXLM03-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Flashlight/dp/B007ZOMKJ8

 

[raylo32]

Exactly, those are the 2 tools I mentioned without links in my earlier post. I use the vac almost every day and am getting a second for my workshop.

I know you're sticking with Ryobi, but for others listening, I like Makita. I think the batteries are great, and they have a huge selection of tools. Two of them I couldn't do without are the light and vacuum
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-XLC02ZW-Compact-Vacuum-Bare/dp/B00LIV0QJU
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LXLM03-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Flashlight/dp/B007ZOMKJ8

 

[ToolSeeker]

I will stick my $.02 cents on Ridgid I have had mine for about 15 years and replaced 1 battery and a charger. I have a whole garage full of ridgid and if needed to replace any I would buy them again. The only tool of theirs I didn't like was the 6" sander.

 

[jeffnc]

To be honest, it might be worth getting the Makita setup even if you're just getting the dustvac - it's that good. I've always liked the theory of dustvacs, but in practice the batteries always sucked and wore out fast. With this one, all problems solved. I don't know how good the batteries are on other systems, but the Makitas are great.