Cordless or NOT

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Bosch Brute 14.4 with BluCore batteries. Have a flash light too, but I don't consider that a tool, thus Driver only vote.
Love the Brute 14.4 with BluCore. I go days without chaning the battery, the torque is world class, especially when compared to weight of this 14.4 driver.

[LinuxRandal]

See my signature

Hmm, Craftsman screwdrivers, (cordless) bigger screwdriver (hammer, cordless), etc, etc.

[dwolsten]

Are flashlights considered a tool?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I have flashlights, but I don't consider them tools like a saw or drill. My cellphone is cordless too, but I don't see anyone listing that as a tool here, either.

I can definitely see the advantage in cordless drills for around-the-house stuff, since you don't have to mess with cords, and drills don't require that much power. Saws (except jigsaws I guess) are another matter. I don't work anyplace without power, just my garage and inside my houses, so outlets are always close by.

[jackellis]

I have five old Makita 9.6v cordless drill/drivers bought second hand. Three are in the shop and two are at a second home. It's nice not having to worry about extension cords but the thing I like best about them is being able to have a tool set up for each of several job steps without having to change bits.

About the only other cordless tool I've ever considered is a circular saw, but I'm not sure it's all that useful cutting 3/4" sheet goods.

[jhart]

Worked on enlarging an existing deck this weekend. Used my Ryobi cordless drills and trim saw extensively. Couldn't believe how long the battery was lasting on the saw, cutting pressure treated 2 X 4's and 2 X 6's.

Had a Black and Decker Firestorm cordless a few years ago to use when putting a laminent floor in an upstairs room, and the thing would run out of battery after about 6 cuts.

Have 4 of the Ryobi 18V batteries, and kept the charger going quite a bit, but always had enough to do the job.

[TheRic]

Have both types use both types

I have cordless tools, and corded tools. I use them both as the job needs. I use the cordless ones when it's a quick one / two time thing. If I'm going to be doing anything that takes some time, power, or is going to be done multiple times, I get the corded ones out.

They both have their places. I wouldn't use my cordless drill to put 50 1/2" holes in 8" thick concrete. I also wouldn't use a 1/2" corded drill to put one small screw in a wall to hang a picture.

About the only thing I use the cordless tools for multiple uses, is the drill to put screws in / out.

I must say I LOVE my 18V Ridgid Impact Driver!!!

[LCHIEN]

I have cordless tools, and corded tools. I use them both as the job needs. I use the cordless ones when it's a quick one / two time thing. If I'm going to be doing anything that takes some time, power, or is going to be done multiple times, I get the corded ones out.

They both have their places. I wouldn't use my cordless drill to put 50 1/2" holes in 8" thick concrete. I also wouldn't use a 1/2" corded drill to put one small screw in a wall to hang a picture.

About the only thing I use the cordless tools for multiple uses, is the drill to put screws in / out.

I must say I LOVE my 18V Ridgid Impact Driver!!!

So, why don't corded VS-reversing drills have adjustable clutches like drill drivers?

[vaking]

So, why don't corded VS-reversing drills have adjustable clutches like drill drivers?

My guess - driving screws does not put as high load on battery as cutting wood. Cordless driver will probably satisfy 90% of all users. The exceptions would probably be people like automechanics and they use air impact drivers. Between the air drivers and cordless - there is not enough market left to make that tool.

[cwsmith]

I have the Ridgid 14.4 drill/driver and the impact driver. I bought the "combo" last November on close out. It was a great deal, sort of like buying one tool and getting the second free. That's it on cordless! Everything else has got that, always ready, cord attached.

When I'm out in the woods, I've got a carpenters saw, a buck saw, a bow saw, or borrow either of my Dad's single or double ended lumberjack-type saws. (I don't like chainsaws!) Plus there is the axe. For boring holes, there's always my trusty brace and bit set.

CWS

[liqdfire]

Craftsman 19.2 Volt Set, best torque I have found in a cordless set.

[scorrpio]

Batteries hate me. They seem to stop holding charge real quick, they run out at most inconvenient times, and I generally remember that I forgot to charge just when I need to use the tool. I almost never work far from an outlet in any case.

Does anyone know if there are any tool sets that come with what is essentially a transformer that goes in place of a battery and turns a cordless tool into corded? If there was a cordless set that came with that thingie, I'd consider it - that way, I could have the best of both worlds.

[DUD]

Mine are all Ryobi 18v,
2 Drill/Driver
Miter Saw
Recip Saw
Flashlight
5" Saw
and I use them all. the cordless miter saw is great for small jobs. Bill

[bigsteel15]

Craftsman 19.2V C3 system - 4 batteries, single and double chargers - bought last summer
Drill (clutched) - use all the time for driving screws
5-1/2" CS - used a lot when building garage...great for cutting siding with blade reversed
Recip saw - used a lot for garge, rarely since
Flashlight (never used)
Stapler/brad nailer - bought afterwards and use a lot doing sheeting and vapor barrier in garage
Looking at impact driver - on the fence, maybe when it goeas on sale.

I do find that the cordless drill is just too big (long) sometimes and then I use my little 3/8" electric.
Batteries seem to still last a long time...time will tell.

[Stormbringer]

18V Ryobi Cordless Six Pack
1) Drill
2) Rotozip
3) Circular Saw
4) Flashlight
5) Reciprocating Saw
6) Miter Saw

18V Ryobi Dual Pack
1) Drill
2) Sabre Saw

18V Right Angle Drill
18V Ryobi Sabre Saw
18V Ryobi Impact Driver
18V Ryobi Caulk Gun
14.4V Craftsman Drill
14.4V Craftsman Circular Saw
14.4V Craftsman Professional Drill
18V DeWalt Finish Nailer


Bought the 14.4 Craftsman early on. Ryobi Six pack and the dual pack were 40% off. Impact driver 25% off. I buy when the price is right.

The absolute best of the bunch, that I can honestly say replaces the corded equivelent, is the 18V DeWalt Nailer. No hoses, no compressor, no extension cord. The battery charge lasts forever. 18V Impact driver second with the cordless miter saw right behind it.

[Thom2]

So, why don't corded VS-reversing drills have adjustable clutches like drill drivers?

I have always wondered about this too, but it seems that Ryobi is the only manufacturer that thinks like we do .....

http://www.ryobitools.com/catalog/tool/d45ck/

At least Ryobi is the only one that I've seen that offers a clutch on a corded drill, that model has been around for several years now and was pushed harder with a Craftsman badge than it was in the Ryobi line-up.

If any of my corded drills would give up the ghost, this is the model that I would most likely buy.