Hi everyone, I’m looking for feedback on any of the 18 or 24V combo kits on the market. I’m currently contemplating the Makita, Ridgid and Bosch kits.
The Makita is offering a cordless 7″ sliding compound mitre saw as a bonus and the Bosch is offering a 10″ compound mitre saw.
Do any of you with these tools have any likes or dislikes? Would you buy them again? I’m more concerned with the quality of the product than what tools come with the kit. The cordless mitre saws sound kinda nifty for smaller projects. They might compliment my larger 12″ sliding mitre saw which isn’t quite so nimble.
Thanks for any thoughts on this!
Mike G.
Replies
My boss bought me the Bosch 24 volt kit for work. I love it. It's to nice to be able to pull it out and trim up some lumber or whatever. It's durable and the battery stays up pretty good.
Who Dares Wins.
Bosch...........
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I have the Bosch 18v and I would re-buy it.
I have 2 cordless makita tools, 12v impact driver and drill. they are also good.
I have no idea on Ridgid tools.
I've got both Bosch and Makita cordless tools. Actually, the only Makita cordless tools I have are two impact drivers. If I were gonna buy a kit, I'd buy the Bosch and then pick up a cordless impact driver when they come out in a month or so. Those Bosch cordless tools are built like tanks and the batteries are at least above average.
BUT... I'm starting to believe that that Rigid line has gotta to be pretty dang good stuff. They just changed their two year warranty to THREE YEARS. And that includes the freakin' batteries. I just don't see how they can do it, but they are. When that line first came out with the two year warranty, everyone was jabbering that it had to be a promo and they'd change the policy in a few months. Instead they added an extra year onto the warranty and continued to include the batteries under that umbrella. Rediculous. I've never laid a hand on a Rigid cordless tool, but now I'm wondering. Especially considering how thrilled I've been in the last three years with my Rigid table saw...that's a well built machine.
Three years.... I'm still shaking my head. If I get three years out of most any tool these days, I'm thrilled. Let alone a battery! If nothing else, I hope that it makes some of the big guns in the tool industry to kick in a little more warranty time.
Bosch is coming out with a 18v impact?
came across this while looking at the Bosch site.
take a look
http://www.boschtools.com/News+Room/Press_Releases/Provantage.htm
Hey bro,
To be honest, I guess I jumped to the conclusion that Bosch's new impact drivers would include an 18V model. They are coming, I've been reassured on two occasions by the area Bosch rep, just not sure when. If I should talk to him again soon, I'll try an remember to ask him about the voltages.
RE: that link... I guess that's the kind of domino effect I was hoping for. We spend alot of coin on this stuff....we deserve a little service once in awhile, right?
I saw the bosch reps at a show here recently and h gave me one of the flyers on the impacts. I just went out to the van and looked at it again and 9.6-12-14 was all that was listed.
I can't imagine who would need a 18 in an impact with all the torque you get out of the lower volts and still keep the weight down.
Looking forward to that release myself. I hope they stand up to the hype.
I got a press release from Bosch today about the impacts...
Here are some relevant tidbits:
"The Bosch IMPACTOR line meets and far exceeds competitors in RPM, BPM and torque across the board. All three units boast the most speed and power within their class - 2,800 RPM and 3,200 BPM. The 14.4-volt unit offers 1,150 in/lbs. of torque, enough to turn the most stubborn fastener or drill bit. Additionally, both the 12 and 9.6 -volt units turn 1,050 in/lbs and 950 in/lbs, respectively, the highest in each voltage category."
"Each IMPACTOR has a 1/4-inch hex quick-change chuck for instant bit changes from driver to drill bits. By utilizing the entire system, tools and accessories together, users can accomplish any fastening or driving task with ease. A sensitive variable-speed trigger gives serious users optimal control in different materials. Dim work environments cause no problem as each fastening/driver also features a bright multi-position trigger-activated LED work light with a manual off function.
Also look for the complete line of Bosch IMPACTOR fastening/driver accessories, including Insert/ Power Bits (phillips, square drive, torx, posidrive, tri wing, torq, security) and and Nutsetters. All other manufacturer’s 1/4-inch hex power grove accessories are compatible with the Bosch IMPACTOR series.
Each Bosch IMPACTOR Fastening/Driver - 23614 14.4-volt, 23612, 12-volt, and 23609 9.6-volt - comes complete with two Bosch NiCad rechargeable batteries, one-hour charger and carrying case."
Picture attached...
I know I'll be wanting to try one.
Happy Friday,
-Kit
Technique is proof of your seriousness. - Wallace Stevens
Edited 10/1/2004 5:04 pm ET by VANDERPOOCH
Yikes....ask and ye shall receive. Please ignore my last post - I just saw the pic!
Has anyone seen pics of the new Bosch impact online?? I'm eager to see what they look like but can't find them on their website.
Mike
Mike, not that we need the power of the 18 volt. But, personally, I sure would like them to put out an 18 volt model so that it would use the same batteries as my - drill, recip saw, circular saw, planer, jig saw, and flashlight.
Unfortuanatly, when I specifically asked the Bosch rep about 18 volt he said sorry, no - not in the plans.
I have to agree with DieselPig and the 3 yr. Ridgid warranty. However, there could potentially be the whole 'fine print' issue and customer service issues in regards to honoring the warranty. If I'm not mistaken, Ridgid offered a 'lifetime' warranty on their products inlcuding batteries up until recent (or am I out to lunch on this??). If you snoop around enough, there are lots of complaints posted by consumers on the topic of warranties and the various tool manufacturers.
Doesn't sound like I could go wrong with any of the products though and I'm dying to see the new Bosch impact drivers... could they be as sweet as my Makita?
Thanks for the interest so far.
You said: >> I have to agree with DieselPig and the 3 yr. Ridgid warranty. However, there could potentially be the whole 'fine print' issue and customer service issues in regards to honoring the warranty. <<
About 10 years ago, HD had signs on the sales floor for a particular "contractor grade" tape measure that came with a life time all inclusive warranty. Did I take them up? You are darn right. I go through tape measures pretty fast. Usually the blade wears out, or the end breaks off. I went through about 4 tapes in the next coulpa years. Each time, I had a big smile on my face when I brought it back to HD for a replacement... Well, you know what the rest of this story is...
Suddenly the return policy changed. "Oh, that covers factory defects only. Not normal wear and tear." End of happy story.
So, if you decide to buy any tool with a too good to be true warranty, an least read all the fine print and save a copy of the warranty, because, it may indeed be too good to be true!
Re Ridgid, they have been around making tools for a long time, previously heavy duty hand tools and such like pipe threaders (I think). I do remember they had great calendars - with a "miss" for each month :-) Pretty much tells you who their target customer base was. Anyway, I gotta think this new wave of power tools is the result of a company/name buy-out, and that the new Ridgid is an entirely different business entity from the old. As far as I'm concerned, the jury is out on this Ridgid stuff. Personally, I think their target customer base is the DIY with $, based on where the tools are sold and how they are marketed. I think this warranty stuff is just a marketing ploy to get their foot in the door. I'll wait a few years and see if people are still happy.
I did a quick web search and came up with a few Ridgid warranty complaints, but not really a trend.
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I have no real specific brand loyalty when it comes to tools; generally, I buy what I feel is the best of the specific item I want. However, as far as battery tools are concerned, here is what I did: I selected a brand that I felt had good stuff and a great selection so that way I could have all my batteries use the same charger, and most every tool use the same battery. Much more convenient for finding a good battery in the truck, and no need to have multiple battery chargers plugged in. Works great for me. Matt
Greetings,
Where did you find these deals?
The Makita combo kit is at an independant woodworking/tool shop and is selling for around $850 US. The Bosch kit is at a national retail store http://www.houseoftools.com
I did some research on the Makita and Bosch saws last night and they both look good so far. The Makita 18V 7 1/2" sliding compound mitre saw has some impressive cutting capacities - 2" x 7 1/8" @ 90 degrees and 1 3/8" x 5" @ 45 deg. Not bad for a smaller portable saw and only weighs in at 23 lbs.
Mike
have owned makita 14.4 cordless drills for over 10 years(i have 3 of various ages), batteries are still good after up to 10 years of cabinets installations
Milwaukee 18v all the way! I'm mean to my tools and the Milwaukee just says is that all you've got. I have the cordless circular saw, 1/2" drill- driver, hachet folding sawzall, and a fantastic 18v flashlight with pivoting head. Also have the radio. Go RED.
Curly
Restoring the past for the future.
Curly,
I have the same set as you. I've had it a little over 2 yrs. now. I bought a reman drill driver for 150? bucks or so and got a free battery. At that point I had 5 batteries for the set. I don't know if I'm just expecting to much or what but the batteries are getting a little weak. I don't use them on a daily basis but there are times when they see a lot of action.
Last week ECK supply was running a special, 2 batteries for $110.00 so I purchased a pack and so far so good. I love Milwaukee tools as a rule, and the cordless circ saw had the best balance for me.
Overall I would rate the combo kit a 4 out of 5 and would do it over again. But I do wonder about the batteries. Yours holding out o.k.?