jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm bringing up cordless tools again. I can't help myself. I think manufactures missed an opportunity when they didn't agree on a universal battery style. I have Ryobi and DeWalt cordless tools, so I'm limited to buying only those brands. If I spend a couple of hundred dollars on a Milwaukee, I'd have to spend another couple of hundred on a charger and batteries.

I wanted to buy a cordless impact wrench so I wouldn't have to deal with the compressor and air hose. Since I'm not a professional mechanic, I didn't need the best, just something that worked. The Bauer, from Harbor Freight, was surprisingly good for just $90, compared with $170 for a DeWalt. Unfortunately, adding just one battery and charger would bring the total to $165, and I would have to make an hour and a half roundtrip drive to get it. So, I ordered a DeWalt from Amazon and used my credit to pay almost half the cost. It will be delivered for free on Friday.

I realize that manufacturers think that once you have their cordless system, you're stuck with them, but they should also realize that if you haven't started with their system, it will probably never be a choice. Yes, I know there are adapters to use a Brand A battery on a Brand B tool, but that's just an added complication - and more expense.

There. I'm done.

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

I suppose the same could be found in the camera market. With few exceptions, lenses are only compatible with like brands. Such is life in the the world of capitalism. I have Ryobe and DeWalt tools as well. I’m just thankful for the excellence of both brands. I hate having to untangle a long extension cord when I use my older corded models. But at least they have a standard plug 🤪

w8vln

battery operated things are convenience operated things.
The thing will eat you up with the cost of batteries.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yeah, I thought about camera batteries, but cameras tend to have different shapes, with batteries made to accommodate them. The exception is a camera that uses AA batteries.

allan catt Loc: gillingham,kent,uk

I bought aDewalt impact driver,itcame with 2batteries and a charger,I then bought a Dewalt jigsaw BARE. I can use the spare battery from the impact driver and the same charger, I also bought a dewalt case on eBay for the jig saw.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I don't like the DeWalt canvas bags. I have a couple of them, and I'd prefer a hard case of some kind. I usually buy toolboxes for tools, so everything is in one box - drill, bits, etc.

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Figured out that battery problem 16 years ago just stay with Ryobi, that is what I have been doing.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-Cordless-1-4-in-4-Mode-Impact-Driver-Tool-Only-PBLID02B/314109535

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

I always thought that Ryobi was at the bottom of the food chain until I realized at this point in my life I am now at the bottom of the food chain.... Now my biggest use is the 18V battery caps with USB charging ports for the Ryobi batteries... Collecting Ryobi is a whole lot cheaper than collecting cameras...

agillot

When it was time to tool up for voluntary work , building wheel chair ramps , and cemetery work , i was not in the mood to spend a lot .i went with walmart brand HART , they all use same battery , a lot cheaper then some others , and actually work fine . the edge trimmer used for clearing junk , are actually hybrid , you can plug it or use the battery , under $70 .all work on 20 v 2 or 1 1/2 amp .battery .the drill will screw in large wood screws with ease .

spaceylb Loc: Long Beach, N.Y.

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Jerry - Loew's has a Kobalt cordless impact wrench on sale for $99 after $50 off with battery and charger.

BebuLamar

If I run Milwaukee company I wouldn't want to make a great tool selling to you for good price and having you buying Dewalt batteries where the money is made. My Milwaukee AC powered drill is 38 years old and is working fine. A cordless drill of that age may still work but I don't know how many battery packs you had to buy.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Jerry, when you look at impact wrenches also look at the battery powered ratchets, talk about a neat tool for getting to bolts etc. in tight places. Great tool with the same battery problem!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Unless you're in the construction business and using these tools all day every day, I don't think brands matter at all. I keep a generic cordless drill in the house for whatever needs pop up, and it's been working fine for years. I work on small projects in the living room while I'm watching TV. My Ryobi and DeWalt tools are probably overkill.