I just purchased my first home and it’s time to get a cordless tool combo kit. I won’t be doing any major work on the house but I want a quality 18V Kit. I’ve looked at all the brands and have narrowed down to Bosch and DeWalt. If anyone is wondering why not Milwaukee, it’s because I don’t like the style of recirprocating saw in their kit. As for Makita, I’ve not had a lot of experience with them and I havn’t received overwheling recommendations as of yet.
In any event, I can get a 5 combo kit (hammerdrill, circ saw, recip saw, jig saw, flashlight, 2 batts, 1 charger) from Bosch, or DeWalt for $499. Bosch at Lowes, DeWalt and Costco. Each kit features the top of the line product in the 18V line.
I need to get information on which is the right kit to buy. I want something that will last be a long time, and even though I won’t be abusing them in terms of use, I want them to be able to handle abuse if the time ever comes. I want something “durable for the worksite”, in that it can get thrown around without problem.
Replies
The Milwaukee hatchet is one working unit.
My 1st choice would be either the Milwaukee or the Bosch. 2nd choice would be either the Bosch or Milwaukee.
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
My partner has had to return every tool in his milwaukee kit for repair.My only opinion on the other kits is color, I find the yellow a little loud and tiring at at times ;)
cheers ....Rik........
I'm with IMERC. Assuming the "Hatchet" is the recip style you don't like. Milwaukee does offer a regular sawzall style cordless, but to find it local, it's likely special order or found at a 'real' tool dealer. I looked at Amazon, and they have #0912-29 for $480 (free shipping) - same price as 0923-29. (0912 has the sawzall style, 0923 has the hatchet.) Only down side I see is I don't think I've seen/heard of a Milw. cordless combo with a jig saw, although knowing how I use jig saws a cordless would have no advantage for me.
I am also just a HO, not a contractor. But I'm the brother/in-law/friend/cousin people call when they want something done short of an addition put on the house. I have the Hatchet, and it's done everything I've thrown at it. In fact, it's the only sawzall I have. I was worried it was a gimmick when purchased, but the flexibility has come in handy, and its durability is proven IMHO.
If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
I went to Lowes and actually found the standard sawzall in the Milwaukee 4 piece kit they had. However, for the same $500, I can get a 5 piece kit from Bosch or DeWalt, so I might as well get that extra tool, which is the jigsaw, as it's a tool I know I would frequently use.Local Lowes carries the Bosch kit, so I got to compare it directly to DeWalt in terms of feel. The DeWalt fit better in my handle because the handle is slightly smaller. The Bosch was a heavier unit which indicates to me it's a sturdier build, and the rest of the products probably reflect.
It's hard to say if the thickness of the Bosch drill handle would cause pain in my hand with frequent use on whatever project I may be working on. The 18V drill would probably get the least amount of use out of the kit. I have a 7.2V DeWalt cordless which handles most of my general HO work. The main tools of use in the kit would be circular/jig, followed by sawzall and then drill. It just makes sense to get a kit as cost savings are high.
So far it seems like Bosch would be the way to go over DeWalt (again, only looking at those two). Is DeWalt just that lower in quality and build and durability? Or is it mostly personal preference?
I'm sure I'll be shot by the tool #### for recommending this but if you don't want the Milwaukee I'd say get the DeWalt. Personally I like their drills and I like the new cordless vacuum/cordless shears and other items in the line. The Milwaukee stuff is really nice and I think the hatchet style sawzall would grow on you.
-Ray
I'm picking up the new Ridgid combo from home depot this week, it looks very well built, and Ridgid is a name with a bit of backing. The deal is that if you buy before dec 31'st you get lifetime warranty, even on the batteries...you cant pass that up... I currently own 2 milwaukee cordless drills, i dislike them, i have 2 Hilti's as well, theyre good, but the batteries are worn out and new ones are over 100 bucks each. I look forward to never having to buy batteries again. BTW, I've owned makita, dewalt, B&D, Hilti, Milwaukee and crappy Ryobi cordless drills in the past, so I'm willing to try anything, these Ridgid tools look very nice though, i think there's a thread going on about them somewhere.
I own both the Milwaukee, and the Dewalt kits. I've had the milwaukee for a year and a half, and the Dewalt for a month or so. The hatchet is an awesome sawsall, but the dewalt is lighter and more aggressive by far. Milwaukee 18V batteries suck. They run down fast and don't hold charges in an un-used state for more than a few days. The mechanism for attaching them(the slide on, in dovetails) is enough for me to throw the kit in the trash. You have to squeeze the piss out of the buttons then try to slide them, throw in a little sawdust, or dirt and you are cussing at the top of your lungs, and throwing stuff.
The dewalt so far is very nice(this from someone that hates yellow for the most part). The batteries last much longer, and the radio actually charges batteries(read as: buy the radio, it's well worth it)
I got the Dewalt on e-bay new for $360. Buy it now option, there are plenty out there.
Wanna buy a used Milwaukee kit, got 4 batteries, 2 chargers, sawsall, circ saw, drill, hammer drill, flashlight, cool red and black bag......$300
I hope you purchased the Milwaukee. Anything else is of lesser quality. The people that have trouble with the batteries just don't know how to use them .
I'll jump in and say, how come you haven't considered Porter Cable?
Why limit yourself to 18 volts, the PC is only 19.2. And way better than Dewalt or Milwaukee. I've got the PC cordless combo, and it's quite popular on the jobsite.
Dewalt batteries suck! (I used to own Dewalt, gave it away I was so frustrsted with them)
Anyway, between the 2 you've chosen, you can't go wrong with Bosch. Quality tools all the way.
Dewalt makes a good boat anchor.
Rod
I chose Bosch. The free 15 minute quick charger, jigaw, corded 7" circular saw could not be tossed up. Every other kit was less tools for the same money.
Since getting the tools, I discovered a feature I did not notice previously on the Bosch drill and that is the auto-locking clutch, which I find extremely useful.
I bought the 18V Milwaukee a while back and have never second guessed my purchase. The sawzall works wonderfully, but is a bit hard on batteries, and the drill is AWESOME. It can wrap your hand around it like a 1/2 110V unit can if you're augering wiring holes in wood.
The batteries are NiCd, and do have a memory. Like ANY NiCd, they need to be "trained" to work correctly, and if this is done, you'll have no problems with them. They're 2.4 amp hours and last a while. I am pretty sure they make hydrides too (NiMh) but I've yet to need another battery and I've done complete additions solely with cordless tools.
Another tool to think about is 1/2 cordless Impact wrenches. While carpenters don't usually consider this an essential tool, if you ever attach ledgers in old Post and beam framing, you'd realize the value of this tool. Also, it makes you look really kewl when you get a flat and aren't out there with a big "+" shaped lug wrench...You'll wonder how you've done without one! I use my cordless impact ALL THE TIME!