FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Main Menu
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Main Menu Subscribe
Tools & Materials

A Look into Cordless Combo Kits

Whichever one you buy, the circular saw, drill, and batteries are the guts of the system.

By Andy Beasley Issue 176
Article Image

Synopsis: Cordless tools are overtaking their corded cousins. Case in point: cordless drills. Does anyone own a corded drill anymore? Now, cordless drills are being packaged with other cordless tools: circular saws, reciprocating saws, and jigsaws, to name a few. When you buy a cordless tool, you’re really buying into a system of cordless tools. In this review, Andy Beasley presents a big-picture overview of what’s available in the combo kit world, and a small-picture test of 18-volt drills and circular saws, which are the main reasons for buying a combo kit. A sidebar on battery technology contains a handy do’s and don’ts section.

Cordless convenience is unsurpassed, so it’s no surprise that the cordless-tool market has mushroomed steadily. In fact, more than 100 million cordless tools have been sold in the past 20 years. And because you can’t run a DeWalt saw on a Bosch battery, most buyers stick with a single brand. This built-in brand loyalty means that there’s more at stake when selecting among the confusing array of combination kits, and yes, the array of combination kits can be confusing. There are two-piece kits and eight-piece kits. Some kits cost less than $200, and others could rival your mortgage payment. With all these choices, it’s no wonder that using the tools is far easier than choosing them.

Focus on the saw, drill, and battery system

To limit this review to a manageable number of tools, I chose the smallest kits that contained a drill and saw, and pushed them through a series of standardized tests. For most contractors and do-it-yourselfers, drills and circular saws are the most useful tools. Plus, I figure that if a manufacturer can get those two right, chances are the other tools in the kit also will perform well.

Voltage systems range from the original 9.6v up to 28v. The most popular now are the 18v systems, which are what I focused on in this tool review. Two manufacturers (Porter-Cable and Craftsman) make 19.2v rather than 18v tools, but this extra volt and two-tenths doesn’t mean more power or endurance.

Most of the saws have a 6½-in. blade, but a couple of models (Craftsman and Ryobi) have smaller blades (5½ in. and 6 in., respectively). A larger blade yields a deeper cut, allowing you to cut through more than a 1¾-in. LVL in a single pass, but costs a little bit more, too.

All the drills have variable-speed triggers and 1⁄2-in. keyless chucks that can be tightened with one hand. Nine of the drills have a hammer function for drilling holes in masonry and concrete. Although this feature can be extremely handy for remodeling, many carpenters won’t need it. Plus, cordless hammer drills aren’t fast and powerful enough to replace their corded cousins — at least not yet.

Finally, in the cordless-tool universe, the tools revolve around the battery and the charger, so battery technology merits a close look.

Hand tools should feel good in the hand

Grip comfort and overall tool balance determine whether a tool is a pleasure to use or a pain. The rear battery attachment makes most cordless circular saws feel a little aft heavy, but not enough to condemn the entire breed. All the saws that I tested have the blade on the left side, which seems to satisfy most users. The most significant ergonomic aspect of the saws is the angle of the handle: The Milwaukee, Ridgid, and PorterCable all feature a sloped grip that makes the saws easy to push without wrist strain. When saws with level grips are used at a shallow cutting depth, it feels as if the saw must be pulled through the cut rather than pushed.

For more photos and details, click the View PDF button below:

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Sign Up

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

×
View PDF
X
X

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Featured Story

IBSx Roundtable: Behind the Siding—WRB, Drainable WRB, or Rainscreen?

Fine Homebuilding hosts a panel of building pros in a discussion of the various types of high-quality substrates that can be installed under siding to make a wall assembly more durable.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

In this episode of Shop Class, learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Deck Guardrail Design and Installation

  • How to Design Small, Smart Homes

  • 2nd Annual Wall-Assembly Contest

  • Podcast 329: PRO TALK With Modular-Home Builder Jason Webster

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

  • Fine Homebuilding All Access
  • Fine Homebuilding Podcast
  • Tool Tech

    Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

  • "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

    Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • cut a notch with a circular saw

    How to Cut a Notch with a Circular Saw

  • cutting 6x6 deck posts

    How to Accurately Cut a 6x6

  • Worm-Drive Oil Change

  • skilsaw super sawsquatch

    Skilsaw Super Sawsquatch

View All

Combo Kits

View All
  • Tools to buy for builder 2019 gift guide

    Home-Building Gift Guide

  • A Clean Job Site is a Better Job Site

  • Episode Eight: DeWalt and Milwaukee Tool Shows and the Paint Quality Institute

  • Tool Test: Hammer Drills and Impact Drivers

View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition

    Buy Now
  • 2020 Fine Homebuilding Archive

    Buy Now
  • Musings of an Energy Nerd

    Buy Now
Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 297 - Feb/Mar 2021

    • Foundations for Success
    • Staircase Renovation
    • Ditch the Hose
  • Issue 296 - Dec 2020/Jan 2021

    • Insulating Glass Keeps Getting Better
    • Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb
    • Making Sense of Minisplits
  • Issue 295 - Kitchens & Baths

    • Condo Kitchen Reimagined
    • Row-House Remodel
    • Rise of the IAQ Monitor
  • Issue 294 - Oct/Nov 2020

    • Schoolhouse Reimagined
    • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses
    • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls
  • Issue 293 - Aug/Sept 2020

    • A Practical Guide to Fall Protection
    • Installing Frameless Cabinets
    • Make Any Tablesaw Safer

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Manage Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • CA Privacy Rights

© 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Account

  • Log In
  • Join

    Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

    Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

    All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

    Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

    More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

    Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 52%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in