Tools - battery or corded?

Hi guys, I've got a decent range of tools including both battery and corded models. I'm just chasing people's feedback on which tools they have in which combos.

Do you find your battery powered ones don't last long enough or don't have enough power, etc?

Certainly like the convenience of the new(ish) '1 battery fits all systems' and when I buy new tools I've looked at both battery and corded options.

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Ben

My latest corded purchase is a Ryobi hedge trimmer. As I use it predominantly for trimming bamboo I convinced myself I'd need the power of a corded trimmer to cut through chunky bamboo stalks. I find the constant unwinding/rewinding/snagging of the power cord a real nuisance, and wished I had gone with the battery option. From what I now understand the batter powered product is equally or more powerful, anyway.

darylhewston

@ProjectPete

I find it really depends on the job you are doing. If I have to do multiple chases in walls then definately power. If fitting off shelving or something in tighter situations, then cordless. Also depends on how much torque you need. Sometimes we have to do jobs when there is no power available and we have no choice except lug around a generator. I have a couple sets of 'all in one' battery tool packs with extra batteries and just rotate through them.

I have nearly a complete set of Ryobi 1+ which contains: drill, driver, hammer drill, multitool, grinder, recip saw, circ saw, jigsaw, impact wrench, impact driver, led light, radio, 6 port charger and 7 4Ah batteries.

My Hilti set contains drill, hammer drill, impact driver, grinder and 3 3.3Ah batteries (the apprentices don't touch these).

I find the Hilti batteries last longer than the Ryobi even though the Ryobi has more amp hours, but much depends on how much pressure you put on the tool when using it.

It's always personal preference but if I had to drag around a 30m extension cord when mowing my yard, then I would without doubt buy cordless (or stick to my trusty Victor).

Andy_Mann

@darylhewston

I note that your cordless Hilti system is off limits to your apprentices, & if I'm on track, it's because the lads may not respect those quality (expensive) tools.

Unfortunately, many now are brought up with the false economy that when they buy cheap & it breaks, simply go out & get another one. I don't subscribe to that throwaway theory at all, tools are to assist us, but it doesn't give us the right to abuse/trash them. That goes for corded & cardless.

On topic, corded tools are best if you have a ready supply, or a generator.

Given the choice on a heavy duty job with power available, no matter what they tell you, cordless loses out.

Then there's the quandary of spec/brochure wars when talking quality v temporary tools.

A cheap tool may be rated at 2400W, but be less powerful than an 1800W quality tool, but why is it so?

It draws 2400w of power from the mains, but it's not efficient.

A well made electrical motor has a small distance (air gap) between the rotor (rotating part) & the stator (outer stationary part) which improves the essential magnetic coupling between the two. The windings will be wound more tidily & tighter, which allows both the rotor & stator to be more compact, & lighter. The motors have long lasting bearings (needle or roller), instead of bushings (an oil impregnated metal sleeve) which deteriorate with use.

Corded tools are best if you have a ready supply, or a generator.

Guys, unwind a cord like your wives have had to until recently when vacuuming, & stop your whinging. ; )

For the ultimate in cordless tools, I urge everyone to catch up with Andrew Jones' blog.

ProjectPete

I've settled on the fact corded are more powerful and in some ways more convenient. Given I only work at home so don't need to worry about a lack of power, I think I'll stick with mostly corded tools for the power and avoid having to charge/change batteries. But tools like a drill (always used even for little jobs) and maybe a grinder which I wouldn't use often or for long periods of time I will go with battery. Know what I mean?

Basically, I won't rush out to get battery tools just for the sake of it and the marketing

@Andy_Mann - which vaccuum do you mean? My corded Dyson, my cordless Dyson or my robot vaccuum? 😋

Andy_Mann

@ProjectPete

"@Andy_Mann - which vaccuum do you mean? My corded Dyson, my cordless Dyson or my robot vaccuum? :P"

Have I got this right, you vacuum the house, AND your robot? ; )

darylhewston

@Andy_Mann

"I note that your cordless Hilti system is off limits to your apprentices, & if I'm on track, it's because the lads may not respect those quality (expensive) tools."

Sorry John but not the case. I find that 90% of the apprentices I get don't actually know how to use the tool properly. Training is part of the key and I am constantly training my lads and lasses on correct tool use.

Bgrunt

It is up to the individual and certainly the job your doing .
I have a good mixture of both corded and cordless for different uses .
Today,s 18v cordless combo,s are terrific and i get a good run out of them on any job . Having two batteries at hand makes for longevity .
We recently spent 12 months on the road travelling Oz and i took the cordless , recharging on a 300 watt inverter and if needed a 2kva Honda . Never had any issues recharging and they were certainly handy plus no cords to be cut snagged or tangled .
I use the cordless more now than the corded
Just my opinion 🙂

Jason

Thanks for joining in the discussion @Bgrunt and making your first post. Let me extend a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. Looking forward to reading about your plans and projects soon.

Jason

Damo

I agree it's up to the individual and the job to be completed. I have used both corded and cordless tools, both generic cheapies (not mentioning brands but I'm referring to the various cheap brands from a number of hardware stores and auto shops), and quality home handyman and trade quality tools. I've noticed that the corded cheapies are good for light duty work, but struggle and start to fail when pushed a little harder. The quality corded tools can be pushed pretty hard and just keep on going. I've given up on the generic cheapie cordless tools, they are only good for very light duty work, the battery life is generally abysmal and they take effectively forever to charge. I am impressed in the quality branded lithium cordless tools, which can be pushed hard, have good battery life and charge quickly.

In summary, I've essentially given up on any corded or cordless generic cheapie tool (not mentioning brands, they all seem to perform similarly), unless I need one for a very specific one off job. For a long term tool purchase, it's either a quality branded home handyman tool (mostly the Ryobi One+ for cordless tools or Ryobi or Bosch corded tools) or a trade quality tool (Milwaukee is my go to brand for cordless tools). I've got a few tools in each of the ranges, and all are very good, although one of the older batteries in the one+ range has effectively died (it's one of the early li-ion 1.4AHr batteries which is about 5 years old), the Milwaukee tools are the best tools I've ever owned, they are lightweight but solid, batteries last well and they are more powerful than you'd ever expect for a 12v tool (the drill goes almost as hard as the hammer drill I've got in the 18v One+ range). I have a drill, driver, impact driver and multitool in the 12v Milwaukee range.

Basically, my opinion is spend more on a quality tool, they make the job you're doing easier, they last much longer, and save money in the long run as you're not replacing tools every 18 months to 2 years.

ProjectPete

Thanks for all the responses guys, really helpful.

Im going to go mostly for cordless.

Andy_Mann

@Damo

I couldn't agree more about generics, I bought a belt drive Compound Sliding Mitre Saw on eBay, & it was a disaster.

At the time, I couldn't justify spending $1000+ on a brand name unit, so the eBay saw which looked good on paper, got the nod.

BIG MISTAKE.

I hadn't even slipped the styrofoam packaging out of the box, when I noticed something fall out. It was an extremely poor quality metal part, which had broken/snapped, presumably during packaging.

Not a good start, but it was only the saw's lock down pin for transporting, so I shrugged it off.

Then I wanted to cut some lap joints, which was a total fail.

I kid you not, I could've cut the joints more precisely by hand, while being 4 times the legal driver alcohol limit, blindfolded, & being rib tickled at the same time.

It then decided that it wouldn't retract the blade guard, when I lowered the blade, so as a makeshift, I rigged the cover permanently open. That was far from ideal, as I'm prone to mental lapses, & value my fingers.

Needless to say, I've junked it, & lucked on a used, early build Makita LS1212, which is built like a tank on steroids.

The best part, it cost less than the brand new generic rubbish that it replaced, & I still have all of my fingers. : )

darylhewston

@ProjectPete

Just had a bit of a brain fart and noticed a fact that nobody else has mentioned, if you do go cordless, then find a brand that will allow trickle charging of your batteries. Batteries don't not like being used and will eventually die due to lack of use. Trickle charging allows you to keep the battery on the charger indefinately ready to use for next time without damage to the battery. You won't find this feature on some cheaper brands.

Thexmen

I must admit the AEG kit I have purchased from BUNNINGS has been the best bit of gear that I have purchased.

I am am looking at the new battery drop saw that they have just brought out. 6 year warranty, lots of skins and outperforms the tradies Makita stuff when we 'raced' them putting in batten screws.

i only have the 4aH batteries but a, looking forward to the new 7and 9 that are coming out later this year.

I also have trailed the new 58v chainsaw that AEG have now.

No 2 stroke smell, no vibration, and cuts lots.

ProjectPete

Who's bringing out tge 7 and 9 @Thexmen?

Thexmen

Aeg should have them out by the end of the year.

Wayne

The only cordless tools I have are Drills and an Impact Driver, I would really like a Cordless Brad Nailer to use instead of the Air model that I use now (even though that does the job splendidly) I just don't like the air hose all over the shop, tripping over it or knocking things over with it. If I am going to be drilling a lot of holes (like dowels) I will use a corded Bosch Blue drill that wasn't all that expensive when I got it.

Thexmen

Hi Wayne,

the the AEG or Ryobi brad nailer work well.. I purchased the AEG one as I had that drill kit.

I used it it for a project where I went through heaps of nails on one charge.

not sure if Bosch has to one yet.

go to BUNNINGS and give it a try

John1

I use Battery, Electric and Air. All have jobs to do and do them well. As an ex contractor my tools had to last. Not the real expensive ones as sometimes I worked on boats down on the water and seen to many of my mates lose them overboard. Yes I know water and electricity don't make good partners. I used my Air tools when possible as they don't mind water but I could not always take a compressor with me.

Battery Tools are my first love and though some say the expensive ones are the way to go for doing allot of work. I contracted to companies that manufactured boats as well as every other product you can think of made out of Fibreglass and Composites. My tools had to not only survive the hard yaka and constant onslaught of fibreglass dust but pay for themselves and be reliable. You definitely do not have to buy the expensive ones the mid range and cheapies can sometimes be the best depending on their use. I have Ryobi and swear by them but I have had a small Bosch that has repaid me over 100 times its original cost.

Battery make life allot easier in both DIY and tradesman situations as their are no power or air leads to trip over. At one boat company I manufacture all their small parts and we were raided by Health and Safety [someone dobbed us in] and they closed my area down two many leads to many double adaptors. The tools all met the requirements but to do my job and make money I had to run them all. anyway I was up and running in two days. Still had leads but hung them from the roof and placed air outlets where required. So Battery tools are best without a doubt and the others where required.

Isobel

For someone who doesn't use tools very often, batteries can be a pain. You go to use the tool and surprise, the battery is flat. This always happens when I go to use my drill.

John1

I have had 2x 4ah Ryobi One batteries for about two years now and have 8 Ryobi cordless tools and they work one on charge while using the other I always have one fully charged and when I'm mowing with my Ryobi 18v Lawn Mower then use the Line trimmer and finally my Blower to clean up the long nature strip and around the house they both go on chargers [overnight] as I have two chargers charging at the same time and switch off the chargers in the morning and back to the usual one battery always on charge and one in use.

Andy_Mann

@Isobel

It depends on the battery type that's supplied with your cordless tool.

I have a Panasonic cordless drill/driver, which I bought nearly 20 years ago, & back then NiMH batteries ruled. Their downfall was exactly what you describe, in that they slowly self discharge when stored, effectively leaving you with 1 charged battery, & a paperweight when you wanted to use the tool. It didn't bother me too much, because I usually expired before a fully charged NiMH battery did. ; )

My plan of action for the start of a day was to remove the (inevitably flat) battery that was in the tool, & fit the battery that'd been on charge. Then straight away bung the flat one into the charger, if I needed it after my afternoon "Nanna Nap".

It worked a treat, as I rarely work after my arvo nap. ; )

There's a good chance that you have more stamina than I do, so swap the batteries at the start in any case, then plan your work flow around the useful battery capacity/reserve, or make sure you've got some work/project continuity to carry on if the battery dies on you.

Andy_Mann

Corded the only way to go for this DIYer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEl-Y1NvBVI&index=16&list=PLGnWLXjIDnpBR4xqf3FO-xFFwE-ucq4Fj

GarryL

Both unfortunately is the answer, electric dill and battery drill are a must , after all you are running of batteries , but be selective , such as if you are a serious hobbyist you will know which ones you use the most and which ones you use little.

Leaded tools offer you the most power so if you have to cut alot of timber then only leaded saw is you most obvious choice , if you are a basic handyman then battery tools will do quite fine but can get expensive and you really should have large capacity batteries , and again the cost can be expensive.

I use the horses for courses , not much diling but a lot of screws then cheap electric drill and battery drill with large batteries, always remember if you have a large odd job such as sanding back decking then your cheapest option is to hire a floor sander, very fast and saves alot of time instead of usin your belt or flat sheet sander. And another rule is always ask several other peoples opinion then you will get the correct tool.

Jason

I agree with your advice about hiring a floor sander @GarryL. Made my project much easier on the weekend.

In regards to the original topic, I purchased a corded orbital sander to complete the edges and didn't mind having to manage the extension cord during the job.

Jason

Woodsy

I agree. The only battery powered tool I have is my AEG drill. I have been bitten before with battery tools where the battery dies and you can't get a replacement.

Brad

I have 4 battery types across 3 brands.

Corded and air when I have no other reasonable choice

Jason

Thanks for joining in the discussion and sharing your experiences @Woodsy.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to Workshop. It's fantastic to have you join us. I hope you find plenty of inspiration and information from our community members.

Please feel free to post anytime you need a hand.

Jason

greygardener

I'm really happy that I've gone to a battery-powered mower. No need to buy and mix petrol and oil, no horrible exhaust fumes and easy start. It is also really light and easy to maneuver, as well as being quiet.

Kermit

Anyone tried the Ozito wet/dry vacuum cleaner that is battery powered? After being up in the ceiling recently I realised it is probably overdue for a clean. I don't want to wreck my Dyson and it would be easier to not to have a power lead up there.

Rhys

you can get cordless tools now that are just as powerful if not more than corded tools, and are a lot more convenient, your best bet is to get cordless

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