Who makes high quality cordless tools?

tboo

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2000
7,626
1
81
Im sick of buying junk that breaks down after a few months. Who makes nice cordless tools? I know Black & Decker sucks. Ryobi? Dewalt? Milwaukee? Craftsman?
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
Black & Decker makes Dewalt. Dewalt cordless drills are pretty much tops IMHO. Black & Decker firestorm drills aren't that bad. When I worked construction we dropped them from 3 stories high onto cement and they still worked.
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
I've had experience with Makita, Porter-Cable, DeWalt, and Ryobi.

If you plan on doing actual work with the stuff, DeWalt, Makita, and Porter-Cable are all good, in that order of preference.
Ryobi is decent for light duty stuff but don't dare take it on any mission critical applications. :)
 

brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
0
76
I vote Ryobi in terms of quality/dollar. Often a 20volt Ryobi costs less than a 9.6volt Dewalt. And I don't care what circumstance - a 9.6volt Dewalt will never be more powerful than a Ryobi 20volt... Plus, Ryobi has innovative things like built-in level, drill bits, and a magnet to hold screws.

My 14.4volt Ryobi has even stirred morter - about 1 gallon for a minute (with proper pauses) without overheating

If I had money to blow, I would get Porter Cable or Millawakee. They both just feel so nice.
 

Sluggo

Lifer
Jun 12, 2000
15,488
5
81
Every contractor that does work for me uses DeWalt, Makita, Porter-Cable or Milwakee tools, DeWalt being the most used.

There is that one guy who still uses his 300 pound Skil worm-drive saw, but he has always been a little ways out there. :D