Buy Into *THIS* Power Tool Battery Platform in 2022

Buying into a cordless platform can be a decision that lasts up to 25 years in some cases, in both good ways and bad ways. There are many facets to consider when purchasing these tools, price, warranty, ergonomics, and so on. None of these are quite as important as the compatibility of the battery platform you're buying into. If you're a plumber, you'll need to make sure you have access to niche plumbing tools and accessories, the same goes for contractors, electricians, welders, you name it. If you're in a trade-focused field, buying into a reliable battery-powered platform may be the difference between a check in your pocket and an unfinished project. Kenny, Tom, and Clint deep-dive into the nuances of purchasing, owning, and maintaining your tools in this episode of PTR Punchlist.

#PowerTools #ProTools #DoItYourself

[deckape]

All that time and I feel like no one was willing to say what system they liked and why.

[Tammacazi]

I started with the Ryobi platform and i've been very happy with the performance from all of my tools. I'm a DIY'er and don't use my tools too often, but when I do they always come ready to work and get the jobs done without any issue! This is for both the brushed and brushless lines of Ryobi. Everything taking the same battery was a big thing for me so that is probably the main reason with cost being second in making my decision. No doubt Milwaukee is my favorite brand of tools, but since i'm not making money with my tools I have no reason to spend twice the price to do the same job around the house. The best tool brand is the one that suites you the best. Love the conversation!

[dkd]

One aspect that's important to me is how trustworthy a manufacturer is in maintaining support for their line, particularly the batteries. I've had the rug pulled out from under me more than once where the battery needed was EOLed by the manufacturer, even though the tool using it was in good condition.

[yarkobroda]

Not having watched the video, this is what I told people when I sold power tools. And I continue to tell people this.

I used to work at Home Depot so I'll try to give you some unbiased insight. there isn't a huge difference between the brands. The difference between Milwaukee and dewalt is small. Unless you're driving 2000 deck screws every day building decks or something the slight performance difference between them won't be realized.

Ryobi gets a lot of crap from people but they have a decent brushless line too. I have all ryobi tools and they get you where you need to go.

Ridgid has a lifetime service agreement. That covers batteries too if you bought them in a kit. Mind you, it has to be registered within 90 days of purchase to be covered for life.

Don't get caught up on 20v vs 18v. They are all 18 volt and use the same 18650 cells in the battery. Dewalt measures the voltage in a particular way that gives 20, the same goes for mastercraft, porter cable, B&D. The exception is Kobalt from Lowe's their 24 volt system is actually different and apparently pretty stout.

Each brand has a Variety of lines. Milwaukee has entry level, brushless, fuel brushless. Dewalt has entry level, brushless, atomic compact brushless and XR. Same with ridgid, ryobi, Makita. They all have different lines. The difference between an entry level Milwaukee and a ryobi is negligible. In fact, ryobi, Ridgid, Milwaukee and Hart are all made by the same company
TTI.

Dewalt, Black & Decker, Porter Cable, Craftsman are all the same company.

Some brands have a wider range of tools. So consider the whole line up, Milwaukee has a staggering line up of tools including a bunch of really niche trade-specific tools. Their M12 line up is a serious set of tools in a smaller form a factor, it's worth considering. The other brands of 12 volt are kinda junk and have hardly any tools.

Everyone except ridgid has a lawn and garden tools. If you think you'll want a trimmer or hedge clippers or even a chainsaw ridgid may not be for you.

My advice to people (homeowners, diy, hobbyists, woodworkers etc) who were looking to get into a new set of tools from scratch was to buy the one that is on sale that day. Best bang for your buck.

[fz]

My personal list of requirements breaks down like this in order of importance.
1. Availability, can I go to any hardware store and get/replace a tool.
2. Power/durability
3. comprehensive tool line up
4. Cost over the tool line up
5. Warranty, actual useful warranty. (I refuse to ever allow another Ridgid in my tool collection for this reason)

[mattmeyers]

Absolutely love these videos. Thanks for taking the time to put these together!!

[likeaboss]

As a “cost of doing business” type thing, i completely understand. You can’t afford to
Have a tool go down. I had a dcf899 for 5ish years and it finally died. It was $190 to fix it locally but parts were out for a long while. So i tracked down another and bought it. Can’t be without my big impact to make money in an auto shop.

[creepycrawlything]

Enjoyable video. A long-term DIY thought. If most of your cordless power tools are on one brand-platform, then you have a lot of interchangeable bits; batteries and chargers first, but components also. As your tools age and you upgrade to another technology-platform: your previous platform can become less-critical-work backup; even as particular items in the package fail. Similarly the package can be passed on to someone whose work-use is less-critical. The original package of tools can go on being used, in some form, for a very long time. That aspect of things can allow you to ease yourself into the purchase-costs of buying into a new platform: using what is becoming a back-up platform; you don't have to rush into buying a rake of tools on the new platform.

[FyrFytr]

On the newest episode of “It depends on the application and setting…..”, lol. Good video. One thing a DIYer might also consider is whether or not to roll the dice on new brands. There was a time where Ryobi was openly mocked. Now it’s one of the most stable and copious brands out there even if you can only get them at HD. This is what customers at Lowe’s are deciding right now with Kobalt and Flex. Kobalt is slowly coming around now with a total lifestyle brand after being in limbo for a bit. And Flex is still too new to determine. And I disagree, I am a home garage DIYer that is not happy with having three brands in the garage. I crave uniformity, lol.

[Griffinwoodworks]

As a guy that is in his garage and workshop after my regular job 6-7 days a week but not pounding the tools 7-8 hours a day, I can say I benefit from multiple platforms. My most used tools or those that if it fails, I’m in a bad way, (like an impact wrench) are Milwaukee. Mostly m12 but some m18. Others that I may use once or twice a year like hedge trimmers are craftsman and Ryobi. One of my impact drivers that I call my junk yard dog is a brushless 3 speed Ryobi that has the same specs as the m18 impact driver, and it is strictly for trips to the junkyard and under hood work. My other is a m12 fuel that I’ll use for woodworking and car interior work so it stays clean and has a less chance of stripping out screws. All were bought on sale, so I have never paid full price for any of them that I can think of.

[joshvarney]

I went with all dewalt for my main tools. I'm not a huge yard guy yet and i wanted to start with some simple stuff and i went with some Ryobi weed eater and blower. Since i had the battery platform for Ryobi for OPE and needed a brad nailer i bought a ryobi nailer mostly because the dewalt was 3x the price of the ryobi. Im a union carpenter but i don't/won't use the nail gun nearly as often as my main dewalt tools so for me having a cheaper "sometimes" tool made more sense.

[westmanjoel]

As a DIYer, when my older Black&Decker brushed drill bit the dust, I knew it was time to jump to a more broad brand. I knew the big three (Dewalt, Makita, and Milwaukee) all had the core tools AND the OPE I would eventually be able to work my way into, so ergonomics was my primary decision maker. My thumb knuckle sticks out weird so I wanted a tool line that didn't hurt to hold. Dewalt won me over simply because of how the plastic moulding on the handle hit my hand. I literally spent time at my big box store just holding the displays to see how stuff hit my hand.

[thebassclef]

I have about 5 different chargers in my garage, but I just tinker and fix. I gotta say, the next tool I want to buy isn’t always the same brand as the last one I bought though. If I was a pro, I’d certainly go one battery to rule them all. But as a dude just trying to keep the house from falling apart and the yard alive, I like being able to choose to buy the top of the line tool or a mid grade cheaper option, and not be locked into either line.

[Naomipaisley]

In investing, many times, risk is high at higher prices and low at lower prices. I often disliked a stock at 100, liked at 50, loved at 20. If data improvement has led to lower prices, your risk have actually decreased.

[activedelta]

I started out with Hitachi 18V brushed tools (drill and impact drivers) when I got my first apartment. Once I got my career rolling and had some extra cash I bought my first brushless tool: Hitachi’s 6 1/2” circular saw. Loved it. Then found a great deal on the Metabo HPT Multivolt hammer drill and triple hammer impact. Then they ran a crazy deal: but a bare tool and get a free 36V 4 ah battery... picked up their 7 1/4 inch circ saw, recip saw, miter saw, 1/2” impact wrench...

Then I wanted some cordless lights, and bought into Milwaukee’s M18 system on sale last year. Then I bought into their M12 line.

Then last month I picked up DeWalts 5 inch deep cut brushless bandsaw with a 6 ah, 4 ah, and charger for two hundred dollars!!

So yes... I’m now at four different battery platforms, and I love it.

I love tools.

[interman]

Love my Flexvolt platform, soooo much power for high demand tools and batteries can run 18 volt tools also .

[timpearson]

My battery platform revolves around specialty tools, it started many years ago when I got tired of fighting the pasload gas framing gun. At that point the dewalt was the only one out so I got it, then it was the converter that I put batteries on and I can run small power tools. Then the gun that shoots pins into concrete instead of the hilti. And fortunately dewalt hit most of my sweet spots. With one exception I just had to buy the Metabo teco nail gun!! But most of what I have is because of the specialized tools then I built around that.

[AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great discussion and Points guys @ProToolReviews

[ryane]

Makita has been the most consistent for us over the last 18 years. We decided on Xgt and am super impressed so far.

[kencooper]

I'm a professional contractor, but mostly behind a desk these days. If I was still in the field today, I would probably be all Milwaukee. I think all in all it's probably the best line. Most of my powertool usage these days is at home, I'm doing major remodeling at the house and using the heck out of my tools. Most of what I have here at home is the Ryobi line; just can't beat it for the price and the sheer number of tools they make, all using the same battery. As you have noted on your show, they have really gotten serious about their newer tools, they are really quite good. I also have a smattering of the Skill 12 volt stuff. It's amazingly good for the price!