Cordless tools

[basswipe]

I'm a tool snob.Nothing but Fein and Festool for me!

[leptar]

Originally Posted by basswipe

I'm a tool snob.Nothing but Fein and Festool for me!

LOL.. Snob...

Nothing wrong with that...

Originally Posted by JamesJet

Understanding that of course everyone has an opinion... I am looking for an 18V impact driver as i see some deck work in future, plus I just dont have one. I have an older Dewalt drill which suits me fine, so not really looking for a drill again in a combo kit unless it was was well worth the deal. Looking for the classics: dependability, battery, toque, comfortbility. I figure its going to run me between $250-325 with maybe a deal I can find for xmas or just after making it a bit cheaper.

Thoughts?

For what it's worth since you already have the 18V Dewalt you might want to look at a set of XRP batteries...
Check this out..

Bare-Tool DEWALT DC820B 1/2" 18V impact wrench $85.66

DEWALT Bare-Tool DC825B 1/4" 18V impact driver $79.66

DEWALT DC9096-2 18-Volt XRP 2.4 Amp Hour NiCad Pod-Style Battery, 2 Pack $101.99

Amazon has a promo going on with $25 off $100 in Dewalt tools..

No tax and free shipping..

now you get 2 new batteries for your older drill and a impact...

For what it's worth i would get the 1/2" unless you think your going to need to get into a tight spot...

Keep in mind that the tools listed are just bare tools they come in a box with no batteries or charger.
And your under budget... for accessories like adapters, ect...

[Slipknot]

You can rebuild batteries? I didn't know that
love to hear more as I'm sick of having to pay 80 bucks for replacements

I like Bosch tools and i have makita drills and a driver, can't afford the fesstool cordless stuff but have their other stuff.

those smaller dewalt battieries in 18 volt look good and you have a choice to go with the larger battery too, pricey though.

I love my small bosch driver 10 volts I think, great for cabinet hinge screws.

[nightfighter]

Got the Makita combo drill/driver/charger/light about two years ago for 199.00. Very pleased. Lighter and more comfrotable. Never looked back. The yellow dewalts (drill/hammer, four chargers and six batteries)now take up space in the shop, as I only keep the light with me in the truck. The 18 volt circular saw was never very good, and the sawzall sheared off behind the blade lock.

[leptar]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

You can rebuild batteries? I didn't know that
love to hear more as I'm sick of having to pay 80 bucks for replacements

I like Bosch tools and i have makita drills and a driver, can't afford the fesstool cordless stuff but have their other stuff.

those smaller dewalt battieries in 18 volt look good and you have a choice to go with the larger battery too, pricey though.

I love my small bosch driver 10 volts I think, great for cabinet hinge screws.

Slipknot, I can rant on for hours and actually did so until i realized that i would seriously confuse people....

There is so much info on the .NET that covers all the info you need...

Know the difference between Ni-Mh and Ni-Cd... Know that Ni-Mh is expensive because of the Mah(amp rating) the higher the Mah the more $$$ the cell + you can charge a half pack back to full with no worry of memory... Ni-Mh cells are used in R/C racing the hardcore guys usually get 1 race out of a new pack before they "ebay" the pack.

You will need a good iron/soldering station..

The initial investment could be the price of 2 battery packs...

I have the Weller WTCPT station with the 201 pencil...

63/37 Solder is ideal

Thermistor To keep your cell from over heating,, shuts charge off at 180ishF

Cell insulators

Heat Shrink


Different ways to attach batteries... You can use the tabs, or on tab free cells you can solder wire, solder tabs, battery bars..

You will need to make a jig to hold the cells because you will need both hands and be quick... holding the iron, solder then to switch the solder for a hold down tool...after a while you can hold both in the same hand and do it with ease...

I practiced on dead alkaline batteries... You will know if your holding the iron on too long.. rule of thumb is 4 seconds on 10 seconds off... @700F...

Pre-tin everything... get some good scratches on the cells.. i use a dremel with a drum sander attachment.

Also remember to insulate as when you solder on the positive end there is only 1/8" of a gap from the positive tab to the negative side... you don't want excessive solder...

After the holidays i should be set with my "laundry room" work bench i'll try and get a video/photo on how to rebuild the battery as i need to rebuild my final 18V Dewalt XRP pack....


NightFighter, unlike Dewalt, Makita makes a "different" line of the same tool... I was looking at the Makita cordless circular for my Dad.. found Makita makes 2 different models... I almost bought the wrong one... apparently Makita makes a "better" version first then builds a "striped down" version and numbers them accordingly... Just something to think about when looking to expand your tool line..

I know a few guys that swear by the Dewalt reciprocating saw.

Like i said if i could do it all over again i would be a Makita guy..

It's too bad that no 1 MFG makes a full line of tools that feel comfortable in my hands... Burns tools is 5 minutes from my house and i used to go there once a month and touch stuff.. LOL

I really miss and even though some would disagree WoodWorkers warehouse in Seekonk, MA.. Yes they had high prices for a reason but the staff was pretty cool and before you walked out they often gave you a break on the price to make it competitive with the big box stores.. What other store can you go into and ask them to drill a few holes or fire up a table saw/band saw... How about turn on a lathe?

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by leptar

Slipknot, I can rant on for hours and actually did so until i realized that i would seriously confuse people....

There is so much info on the .NET that covers all the info you need...

Know the difference between Ni-Mh and Ni-Cd... Know that Ni-Mh is expensive because of the Mah(amp rating) the higher the Mah the more $$$ the cell + you can charge a half pack back to full with no worry of memory... Ni-Mh cells are used in R/C racing the hardcore guys usually get 1 race out of a new pack before they "ebay" the pack.

You will need a good iron/soldering station..

The initial investment could be the price of 2 battery packs...

I have the Weller WTCPT station with the 201 pencil...

63/37 Solder is ideal

Thermistor To keep your cell from over heating,, shuts charge off at 180ishF

Cell insulators

Heat Shrink


Different ways to attach batteries... You can use the tabs, or on tab free cells you can solder wire, solder tabs, battery bars..

You will need to make a jig to hold the cells because you will need both hands and be quick... holding the iron, solder then to switch the solder for a hold down tool...after a while you can hold both in the same hand and do it with ease...

I practiced on dead alkaline batteries... You will know if your holding the iron on too long.. rule of thumb is 4 seconds on 10 seconds off... @700F...

Pre-tin everything... get some good scratches on the cells.. i use a dremel with a drum sander attachment.

Also remember to insulate as when you solder on the positive end there is only 1/8" of a gap from the positive tab to the negative side... you don't want excessive solder...

After the holidays i should be set with my "laundry room" work bench i'll try and get a video/photo on how to rebuild the battery as i need to rebuild my final 18V Dewalt XRP pack....




Burns tools is 5 minutes from my house and i used to go there once a month and touch stuff.. LOL

Burns gives you tool envy

that sounds complicated all that soldering, what are you doin? replacing cells?
I'll pass on doing it myself, sounds like you have a handle on that so maybe I just give you my old batteries


I bought the 2 pack drill/driver of makitas years ago but they are 12 volt, wish i had the 14 volt, but they work well and I am happy.

[5/0]

Seven years ago my Wife bought me the 18V Ryobi starter kit,it came with a cheesy gray plastic suitcase but let me tell you,don't let that case fool you!I used the light,drill and recip saw everyday in the field.
I work on commercial,residential and some Industrial HVAC-R equipment.These poor tools didn't get much rest at all,I used this set five-six days a week for just about five years and nothing broke,the batterys would fail after a years worth of abuse,but they were very inexpensive it was $35 bucks for two battery's. compared to De Walt 1 @ $90.

Anyway I retired the set and gave it to my Son and thought I had great luck with the first gen Ryobi why not buy the LI edition,right?
Wrong,I had bad luck right off the bat,the recip saw chit the bed cutting into deep uni strut,the hammer drill choked on simple concrete task's and wen't threw 2 battery's in three months.....Really?!?!These battery's were $90 bucks a hit.

After not having much luck with the newer one's I felt it was time to move on, I tossed in the towel and bought the 18V Milwaukee set.Hammer drill,circ saw,recip saw light and double charger.At fourteen months the reciprocating saw had some minor problems,so I went to there web site clicked on there warranty form printed out a form and a free FED X shipping label. I had to pack it up and drop it off in a FED X mail box but I got it back in six day's free of charge pluse they sent me a 10 in one screw driver....Not bad.
I had once ripped 5/8"CDX six pass's at full length( 8')and still had 2 bars on the battery.

So other than that I happy with them,but If I could do it again.....I would buy the 28V


O one more thing,just for the record Panasonic cordless tools has the best reviews from Consumer reports Guide.

[5/0]

Slipknot is selling that exact set on the Classifieds for cheap money(my first set).

[Fishoholic]

Originally Posted by basswipe

I'm a tool snob.Nothing but Fein and Festool for me!

IMHO they are the best. Most expensive, but the best. Festool for the drills and although not cordless the fein multimaster will out last and out work any of the competition. Too bad the blades are sooo much. There are cheaper blades that will work but I don't think they last as long.

Although... when I had to buy my own drill I got a makita.. it's great and doubles as a dumbell I can work out with between jobs