Cordless Tools

BCConstruction

The quality of the cutting tip is as important as the quality of the cells. Also many people seem to think LI-ION has longer run times than NI-CD but the run time is calculated by MAH and not cell type. A 3AH cell of either kind will have the same amount of run time if both battery types are treated as instructed. If anything the NI-CD would be longer because they dont have a low voltage cut off like the LI-ION. But for people who dont really keep track of charge levels in their cells but use them often then LI-ION cant be beat. Just make sure you charge them often as if any of the cells drop below the cut of voltage for to long they will lose performance and can stop taking charge altogether.

crovello

Are you saying that if I have a LI-Ion cordless tool and I don't use it for a month or two and don't keep up with charging it, it will loos performance?

Dave

TempestV

Actually, that's an advantage for the Li-ion over the older batteries. With the Li-ion's, if you use the batteries too hard and run the voltage down to far, it can mess up the battery. Charge the battery as soon as you notice a drop in the power, and you should be fine. It doesn't hurt them to charge them early either. It's kinda the opposite of the older batteries where charging them early hurt them, and you had to run them dead first.

stp57

I don't know about other brands, but Dewalt's lithium batteries have a computerized shutdown when the voltage gets too low. It is impossible to run it down too far.
Steve

TempestV

Most do, since running the voltage down can really hurt them.
My dad's mini rigid drill goes from full power to not running, with no warning. The first time the battery went dead, he thought that the drill had broken, since it stopped working so suddenly.

Chris G

My cordless tool review:

Oldest to newest purchase:

Delta 18v Cordless Circular: Will cut 2 feet of 3/4 plywood before battery dies. Stolen years ago.

Dewalt 18v Nicad XRP Hammerdrill. A lot more power than Makita 3.0 hammerdrill. Heavy, but a workhorse. 2000 rpm higher than Makita. Sadly, stolen 3 months ago.

Dewalt 18v Nicad XRP Circular 6 1/2" version. More powerfull than Makita 3.0 circular, but heavier and less ergonomic.

Dewalt 18v Nicad XRP Recip. More powerfull than Makita 3.0. Stolen 1 year ago.

Dewalt 18v Nicad XRP Jigsaw. It rocks. But I have never used another, so who knows.

Rigid 18v Lithium impact. Drives 10 screws on a full charge. Maybe. Battery always flashed defective one week after purchase. Sits in a bag in my basement waiting for me to contact rigid for replacement.

Rigid 18v Drill. See above.

White Makita 1.5 Lithium Impact. Wicked fun. 15 min charge. Not for lag screws though. For that you need the 3.0 battery which it accepts.

White Makita 1.5 Lithium Drill. Not bad. A good lightweight drill. a little light on the power. No 1/2" augering.

Blue Makita 3.0. Lithium Impact. Basically the same as the White with a 3.0 battery. Will drive small lags. Accepts 1.5 battery.

Blue Makita 3.0 Hammerdrill. Pretty good. Not as powerful as the Dewalt.

Makita Circular. Only accepts 3.0 battery. Lightweight. Ergonomic. Fairly powerful.

Makita Recip 3.0. Not bad. A little slow.

Overall, the old Dewalt Nicads are a little more powerful. Battery life with the XRP's is comparable with the Makita Lithiums. Fast charge 1.5 batts rock. All the Makita tools are really user freindly.

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BKFranks

When I first needed to replace a nicad cordless drill, I went to HD and they had the lithium ion as the same price as the old nicad. It was a no brainer. Lighter, battery charges in only 15 minutes, came with a led light on the drill. Threw the old nicad in the gargage and haven't seen it since. After that I bought an impact driver, another cordless drill with a hammer drill, and cordless grinder. Would never go back to nicad.

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BKFranks

I second that. I have that saw in the garage somewhere too. I tried to take it back just to get rid of it and exchange it for anything else, but they came out with the XRP just after that and no one would take it back.

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BCConstruction

Yep keep the batts charged often. Most quality LI-ion tools will have an auto cut off if batt reaches the critical voltage so that you dont damage the cell but if you reach that point and then let the cell sit for a few months then the cell will self discharge below the safe voltage and will often ruin the whole pack. The self discharge on LI-ions is slow compaired to Ni-cad but it still discharges. Again it's not a problem for people always using their LI-ion tools but if you have a tool that you dont use very often thats li-ion just take it out and charge the cell every 3 months just to be on the safe side.

KennMacMoragh

It's not just an opinion, it's been proven they last 2 - 4 times longer than nickel cadmium.

matt grisham

hilti rental tools 18 volt 4300 rpm cordless impact is 20 dollars a month . full gun and battery replacement . two batteries and charger. replaced even if stolen . if police report was filed

crovello

That does not sound possible.

BCConstruction

That dont sound to bad. If i was paying $20 a month for ever power tool i own i would have a massive payment for just tools each month.

matt grisham

you are thanking that having the best tools is expansive . full tool guarantee and tool replacement . and brand new replacement tools every to years . hilti giving me inch and eighth sharps screws for 34 dollars a box inch and eighth drillers 46 dollars . their screws has improved, next day free delivery . not bad

Inner10

Huh? I've got a 14.4 and seen the 12...but never an 18.

Fleeting tools in decent deal...espicially if you have abusive staff.

matt grisham

hilti 18 volt impact just out this month 499 dollars 75 dollars off if you bring in any broken or wore out cordless drill any brand. But i prefer less tools