Best Cordless Tool Brand?

Milwaukee has a huge line that seems to give them the edge. Plenty of availability at HD or lots of Ace Hardwares. I've enjoyed everything of theirs that I've used, good battery life too.

But honestly yeah, pick your fav color.

 

Current input (not shown - cordless DeWalt circular saw and sawzall):



I happened upon a deal on the DeWalt tools (Home Depot bundle) years back. The "boss" at the time okay'd it after we purchased our first house. I use what I have. I love both. Both do their jobs. That Milwaukee impact does work and is my 3rd favorite gun I own *wink and a nod*.

I plan on picking up a Milwaukee cordless dremel and Milwaukee cutoff tool in the next month or so. I'm moving towards Milwaukee, personally.

 

U cant go wrong with the Milwaukee

i prefer Makita............hv used them several decades

lightweight reliable

 

One thing I love about Milwaukee 12v that I hate about Dewalt 12v is the battery shape, Milwaukee has the compact 12v round batteries so the tool can fit in a tighter place where as the Dewalt 12v batteries are shaped like smaller versions of 18v/20v stuff, Milwaukee does have extended batteries that are larger which I own many of, but I really love how small of an area I can get my milwaukee 12v stubby impact gun with the compact battery into.

 

I own both and they are both very good.
But, my experience with Milwaukee repair. Well, they suck.
I sent a two week old Milwaukee M12 extended 3/8" Ratchet that quit working to them over 2 months ago. Still no word as to when it might be fixed.

I have never used any companies repair before.

 

Check this thread out on Mud about this topic. consensus there, including myself, is Milwaukie. But nowaday most brushless tools should work well. But I'll always buy Milwaukie.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/cordless-tool-help.1213746/

 

between those two I would definitely go with Makita

and if I was just starting on a platform I would get the Makita 40V Max

 

For automotive repair work, Milwaukee has two tools in the M12 line without a direct competitor, a 3/8" drive stubby impact good for 250 ft-lbs, and a 1/4" drive ratchet with a 3/4" dia. head, both good for tight spaces:





I own the 3/8" stubby and it has enough juice to loosen lugnuts, LCA cam bolts (139 ft-lb factory), steering stop bolts (118 ft-lb factory). Haven't tried it on an axle nut or harmonic balancer yet!

 

I ended up going with Makita because I got a good deal on two drill and a grinder which I needed for some project I’m doing. Will be getting a saw and oscillator tomorrow.

My father always used Makita and I kinda forgot about them thinking they weren’t as good as the others. But he’s never had problems.

 

Some of the coworkers Milwwauke drills seem like the chuck and clutch don't hold up. Started to fail less than a year.

I like my Dewalt 20v.

 

I have a lot of 18V Makita tools I use as a carpenter , 2 drills , 2 impact drivers , right angle drill , planer , 2 6 1/2" circular saws , concrete vibrator , leaf blower , jig saw , reciprocating saw , die grinder , metal nibblers , metal shears , radio etc

 

I'm a Dewalt guy, but rapidly integrating Milwaukee. This surge impact is absolutely quiet.

 

I have always been about maximum impact torque available for the tool I am looking at.

That being said, I have always had great luck with the Makitas, they have a maximum available torque of 118 ft lbs. And their battery design has been the same for the last 10-15 years easily. I have only had an issue with one of their batteries in that time.

I don't like Milwaukee and obviously Dewalt likes to change their battery design which is just plain wrong.

Honestly, for the money, get a Makita. Crazy strong for a cordless, reliable, and tough. What more could you want?

 

My M12 stubby 1/2 drive was able to break the 19mm harmonic balancer bolt and the 35mm axle nut. Took a second to get going but zipped it right off for me. As long as you get the extended battery pack the M12 stubby 1/2 drive is hard to beat. Small compact and actually breaks free what it says it does. One of the best tools I own.

 

That is amazing. I have an original DeWalt "20V" impact. It's just ok. Fine for spinning nuts and stuff but not really for breaking much free.

 

Ryobi. Lmfao

 

Milwaukee has a pretty good on line deal for a pair of the larger M12 batteries. Two for $69.

 

Lowes currently has a buy one battery kit or drill/driver combo get a free bare tool (Saw/grinder/vac/batteries) ob both Dewalt and Craftsman. Home Depot has buy one get one bare tool for Milwuakee Dewalt and Makita. Bare Ryobi tools from $50+

 

I bleed Makita blue. It's what my dad bought. I have several corded tools from the 80's still flawless. I have their cordless stuff too. Ditto on storing the batteries inside. I have all mine in my office. The Texas heat and the temperature cycles in the garage wreak havoc on cordless batteries.

That said, Milwaukee has a fantastic line of compact cordless tools and you can find them damn near anywhere. I've thought about picking up a few of their cordless compact tools. It can be expensive and a pain in the ass to have multiple brands of cordless. Chargers and batteries everywhere. Maybe just two brands wouldn't be that bad.