affordable cordless tools - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

curapa · 11-01-2008, 09:08 PM

I have been searching for an affordable cordless tool set. I need a saw, sawzaw and drill / hammerdrill. I have been checking out the Ridgid brand stuff as I am very happy with their corded tools I own. Can anyone recommend a quality brand with comparable prices.

dlcj · 11-01-2008, 09:23 PM

search cordless tools here. Wheve talked about it many times. My vote for best value in cordless tools for the budget minded. Ryobi- 18v drill, circ saw, recip saw, vaccume, flash light, 2 batts and charger-$169.oo

rbsremodeling · 11-01-2008, 09:24 PM

Rigid. Home depot usually has 3 4pc combo on sale for $299 and batteries for life guarantee

curapa · 11-01-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlcj

search cordless tools here. Wheve talked about it many times. My vote for best value in cordless tools. Ryobi
If your on a budget.

Sorry, but you can keep your Ryobi. I own their cordless drill that I keep at my home for personal use when my trailer is at the job, I couldn't imagine using that thing on a job. I have tried their cordless saw before to and that thing was crap.

I just cant see paying $600 for some of these tool combos that are out there though.

dlcj · 11-01-2008, 09:42 PM

Like i said "Best Value" Nothing else cheaper (and there are some) or withn $100 more can perform better. Had no problems with mine and have put on many metal roofs over the last 5 years i had it.

I looked at a Bosch 18v impactor the other day. I like it but at $200 one batt and no charger?

SLSTech · 11-01-2008, 10:58 PM

How about 10% off the new Ridgid set? Comparable tools @ comparable prices that I would recommend, hmmmm nothing comes to mind

rbsremodeling · 11-01-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLSTech

How about 10% off the new Ridgid set? Comparable tools @ comparable prices that I would recommend, hmmmm nothing comes to mind

There are actually very nice tools. I get my new guys a set when they start out and they take the abuse of a novice learning the trade well

MALCO.New.York · 11-01-2008, 11:09 PM

All I have is RIDGID and I beat the Living Shiiit outta them. They Laugh at me EVERY time. Can not seem to hurt them!!!!!

Not on the pricey side but NOT Ryobi priced either.

Alwaysconfusd11 · 11-01-2008, 11:30 PM

QUALITY: http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...yword=cordless

MALCO.New.York · 11-01-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwaysconfusd11

QUALITY: http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...yword=cordless

Are you back on the Pipe again?????? Do you need an intervention????

rbsremodeling · 11-01-2008, 11:41 PM

Yeah that harbor freight stuff is crap. I would not give that stuff to my worst enemy

Alwaysconfusd11 · 11-01-2008, 11:41 PM

When you are a tool addict, need a fix, and money is tight a man has to do what a man has to do!!

Ive only bought a handful of items from that store, and they are all clamps. Its hard to beat $2.99 aluminum 24" bar clamps.

As far as the kit goes, I enjoy my Makita, but has anyone tried the porter cable kits from lowes?

rbsremodeling · 11-01-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwaysconfusd11

When you are a tool addict, need a fix, and money is tight a man has to do what a man has to do!!

Ive only bought a handful of items from that store, and they are all clamps. Its hard to beat $2.99 aluminum 24" bar clamps.

As far as the kit goes, I enjoy my Makita, but has anyone tried the porter cable kits from lowes?

Thinking of getting one to see how it hold up. the price is good but they don't have the rugged Rigid look to them.

Alwaysconfusd11 · 11-01-2008, 11:54 PM

Yea they kinda have a goofy look to them.

s. donato · 11-02-2008, 08:01 AM

i have over a grand into bosch 18v and liked them very much but after 3 years my batts are pretty much done. i had a ryobi set that i used as a back up(at my house) that i am now using for the winter. in spring i will probably get a new set of LI somethings... i own a bunch of ridgid tools and have been eying them up too. i also have some dewalt 18v stuff so when i need a better 18v drill i have one to grab.

i just got 3 of the ridgid 12v LI drill/drivers, and i am very impressed. i will probably get a combo of their 18v/24v stuff in the spring.

i think ryobi has its place, but not as our everyday tools.... ie like their drywall/rotary cutter. i use mine 2-4 times a year so i am not mad about owning a ryobi for that. some of their little odd battery tools are worth it in my opinion. i am have debating on getting their caulk gun ;-). back when i first started i beat the heck out ryobi tools and went through 3 of their drills in one year... the sad part is that still didn't cost what my bosch cost ;-)

MakDeco · 11-02-2008, 08:09 AM

We use a combo set from Hitachi, we replace alot of trim boards and fencing for townhome complexes we paint and the cordless saws have held up well we have two saws and two drills with 5 batts and two quick chargers. I think we've had it for 4 years now...

In the Chicago area we have a store called Berlands which is a great tool store, they have stuff you don't see in the home centers and good repair service and knowledgable guys on the floor.

Renegade 1 LI · 11-02-2008, 12:02 PM

The thing with Porter Cable is they are owed by B & D/ DeWalt so it makes me wonder if they would let PC make a better tool than DW ? I had some PC cordless stuff back in the mid 90's & it held up real well. Now I have all DW & the tools seem to hold up good just need to replace batteries. What I do is every 6 months or so I will pick up a 2 pack of 18v DW batteries from HD, last year they were 99$ for a 2 pack now they are 119$. I date the batteries with an engraver so I can keep track of how old they are & recycle the old ones out. It seems to be working pretty well as 1 set I use are from 99.

MakDeco · 11-02-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renegade 1 LI

The thing with Porter Cable is they are owed by B & D/ DeWalt so it makes me wonder if they would let PC make a better tool than DW ? I had some PC cordless stuff back in the mid 90's & it held up real well. Now I have all DW & the tools seem to hold up good just need to replace batteries. What I do is every 6 months or so I will pick up a 2 pack of 18v DW batteries from HD, last year they were 99$ for a 2 pack now they are 119$. I date the batteries with an engraver so I can keep track of how old they are & recycle the old ones out. It seems to be working pretty well as 1 set I use are from 99.

We went to the Hitachi set from PC I think it was there 19.2 volt system which worked well, I didn't have a recip saw in the kit so when I went to buy the 19.2 recip it was cheaper to by a new combo which is when we went to Hitachi that had the 3 Ah batteries

JLTrim · 11-02-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curapa

I have been searching for an affordable cordless tool set. I need a saw, sawzaw and drill / hammerdrill. I have been checking out the Ridgid brand stuff as I am very happy with their corded tools I own. Can anyone recommend a quality brand with comparable prices.

Ridgid... I bought their 18v cordless drill and jigsaw set 2 years ago and was surprised by the quality for how little I paid for them (I think around $200 for both tools, 2 batteries and charger). I'm still using the original batteries, although they are getting a little weak. I have used Ryobi in the past and wasn't impressed at all. I have some Dewalt stuff that really works well but Ridgid is just as good or better for less money, easy choice for me.

F*@k Harbor Freight... I bought a pneumatic gasket scraper and an air ratchet from them, both broke after one use. A helper of mine bought a little el cheapo generator from them, I think he may have gotten a week out of the thing.

Jason W · 11-02-2008, 12:58 PM

At the risk of being mocked, I bought 2 of the drill kits from Craftsman and I've had them for about two years now. I don't know how the other tools work but $139 for two 19.2v batteries, a charger, a regular drill and a right angle drill is a great deal.

No issues with batteries in the cold weather either.