kreg’s new Festool Domino copy, Kreg Edge

[capncarl]

Has anyone seen videos of the new Kreg Edge? I’ve watched several videos direct comparisons side by side with the Festool Domino. Quite the price difference too!

[twistsol]

I've looked at it but haven't seen one in person yet. My biggest concern is with the weight and balance with the battery hanging off the back end. At slightly over 1/3 the price of the Festool, I think I could get past that unless it is really cumbersome. The fact that it doesn't require a dust extractor and it comes with both Imperial and metric scales are nice. If I didn't own a domino already, I would take a serious look at this and would be hard pressed to justify nearly 3x the cost for a Festool.

My experience with other Kreg products is that they are well built and their support has been excellent.

Grumpy old man statement: I don't understand why this or the new Domino are battery powered tools. Are people actually building furniture in the wilderness?

[dbhost]

Ryobi REALLY needs to add one to their One+ line up of 18V tools...

[capncarl]

My “Grumpy Old Man” statement. I set all of my corded tools aside and went all in when Dewalt came out with its 14.4 volt power tools. I had everything they offered. Thein their 18 volt tools came out about the same time my 14.4 batteries died. Rather than dump my 14.4s and jump on the 18 volt bandwagon I figured there was just another higher voltage line of battery tools to replace this 18 volt series, and another higher voltage line of battery tools would eventually replace it. Now I see we are up to 60 volt battery tools.

The Festool Domino 500 cordless is not noticeably heavier or clumsier than the corded version which I have. There is no reason to believe that the Kreg Edge will be any different. The Kreg Edge is suppose to be for sale September 8.

[twistsol]

My "Grumpy (almost as old) Man" response is that I concur. I've never had to rewire my shop because I switched tool brands or spend over $100 on a replacement cord that failed to move power after a few years and I've never had a power cord stop working with a few hours left to go on the job. We are given the choice of brand lock-in or an insane number of battery platforms withs some vendors having multiple incompatible platforms within a brand. You can't standardize on a battery platform because, for example, Ridgid doesn't have outdoor equipment, DeWalt has some outdoor equipment but nothing comparable to the domino there isn't a single vendor that provides everything needed within a single battery platform.

What I have now is Ryobi 18v and 40v mostly for outdoor tools but also a circular saw I keep in my truck, just in case. Dewalt 18 volt Impact driver, drywall gun and cutout tool mainly because cords are a PITA doing drywall and end up filthy at the end of the day, plus a DeWalt 20v hand vac, (Christmas gift from my brother in law), 18v Ridgid for various drills, and a lone 18v Festool C18 drill driver.

While I prefer corded tools for the shop, for my outdoor equipment (string trimmer, edger, small mower, chemical sprayer leaf blower etc.) battery power means no gas, no issues/maintenance with gas engines and I wouldn't go back.

Back to the original topic.
The Kreg Edge may be an outstanding battery operated tool, I don't know one way or the other. I just don't see a compelling reason for it to be battery powered.

[capncarl]

I believe that cordless tool Mfg’s strive to have their “own” battery tool systems for one reason! Maximize profits Not so good for the craftsmen/tradesmen who has a hodgepodge of cordless tools, Only people with their own TV show have all matching tools! Corporate Greed 1, Craftsmen/ Tradesmen 0.

[Jim Frye]

Ryobi pulled a surprising move when they took the One+ 18 volt line from NiCad to lithium. They kept the same battery form factor and introduced a new dual chemistry charger system. Tool owners didn’t have to buy new tools to switch to lithium power. I have One+ tools dating back to 1993 (the blue/yellow ones) and they still work fine , actually better with the lithium battery packs. My first three lithium packs lasted 13 yrs., 13 yrs., and 14 yrs. And all of my Ryobi OPE is 40 volt, including the snowblower.