Cordless power tools

[Twinboystrains]

I’ll check with the local guy who rebuilds computers. He may have a bin for them. I will see when the battery vendor comes back again. They might take it also.

 

[skyliner]

Well, lemme think. In terms of power tools, I have a mix of brands and versions. For heavier-duty use or where portability is not as much of a concern, I have corded tools-- this includes a miter saw, circular saw, angle grinder, random orbit sander, and maybe a couple other things I can't recall at the moment.

For drills and drivers, I've really come to appreciate cordless. I've got a Craftsman Nextec 12V and a Ridgid 12V. I have a feeling I won't be using the Craftsman for too many more years as I think they are shifting away from that battery system. That's probably one of my biggest annoyances with cordless tools, the lack of standardization of batteries across brands and the change of battery systems even among the same brands. Yeah, I realize battery technology is continuously evolving, but please let me get at least a half dozen years out of a product before you completely discontinue the batteries for it.

In addition to the brands mentioned above, I've also been happy with Ridgid. They're available and supported by any Home Depot and I've found they are a reasonable middle of the road alternative between cheaper brands and high-priced ones. I have a few Ryobi items such as a weed trimmer that have been ok, but I probably wouldn't get one of their power tools for heavy use. When I need my next cordless drill, I'll probably go with a Milwaukee. I've got a few of their smaller items, and have been happy enough that I'm willing to try their power tools next.

 

[Bruette]

If that's just a regular trash dumpster, please don't put it there. Take it to a place that accepts batteries for recycling/disposal. Where I live, my county has an e-waste center that accepts old electronics, batteries, and other stuff for free. Some stores such as Batteries Plus also accept old consumer batteries for recycling. This helps reduce the amount of toxic metals and chemicals in the normal trash stream.

I have a bin at home where I toss all my old batteries, everything from AAAs to power tool batteries, and about once a year I take it to the e-waste center and they take them all, no questions asked.

Great point, thanks for catching my error!

 

[boatwrench]

Thanks for all the replies. I purchased DeWalt because the distributor gave me an additional 10% military discount and two additional 5amp batteries.

 

[timlange3]

I bought Ryobi because my son had a One+ flashlight and I needed a reciprocating saw to tear down a barn. I bought the Ryobi to save the cost of the battery and charger. Dam thing worked great! Thought I would just throw it away when done, but that saw is still going strong today! Have since bought drill, impact driver, circular saw, oscillating tool, a couple vacuums, soldering station, work lights, cut-off grinder, saber saw, pole saw, batteries and chargers, all as they go on sale at Home Depot. I have had no failures of tools or batteries in five years. I've run the recip saw until it gets too hot to hold several times, takes two 4 AH batteries to get it that hot running about a hour straight. If I had it to do over again I would have bought Dewalt as all the hardware stores carry that brand. No complaints against Ryobi, just that it is only available at Home Depot (and Home Depot store on Amazon). After my experience with 9V (NiCad) Makita tools, I swore off cordless for years until I needed a cordless recip saw.

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

I like the Ridgid brand from Home Despot for cordless and corded tools. I bought a inexpensive sliding compound miter saw off Amazon, and regret it. But I don't use it often enough to warrant replacing it.

For the layout, I got a Black and Decker cordless screwdriver which is quite nice for the small work.

 

[PMW]

Thanks for all the replies. I purchased DeWalt because the distributor gave me an additional 10% military discount and two additional 5amp batteries.

Those are great reasons to go with DeWalt! I would say two 5 amp hour batteries will be more than you'll need for model railroading

 

[rgeiter]

I’m a Makita fan. It’s all I use at work and at home. My older 18v Makita drills now have an adapter to use the new Lithium Ion batteries.

 

[rgeiter]

Had a small job to do today.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Dewalt Radial Arm here that is 58 years old - looks and runs the same as when new!
Makita 18V cordless drill
Sears Jigsaws
Sears corded 34 YO drill
10" chop saw - (old and cheap) don't remember the name - almost 40!
7-1/2" BD skill saw circular - same MO as above

All have had pretty extensive use with two (down to the studs) house remodels and add on extensions. Sure have needed a receipt saw in my past.

 

[Twinboystrains]

Have to let everyone know that the battery was recycled. Ended up taking a load of tires to the waste management center. While there I just deposited the battery into a plastic tote. They take any battery from hearing aid size to the larger deep cycle batteries at no cost, no questions asked as long as they’re not leaking.