Milwaukee - Dewalt - Ridgid - Makita

I work as an inside salesman at a supplier and handle the tools repair processing for our contractors. We stock the yellow and red brands. Here is my take: I see far more of the yellow brand come in for warranty work. I’m talking like 7 of the yellow tools to one of the red. On top of that, the yellow brand warranty just flat out sucks, about 60% of the time, the tool owner is going to be out of pocket $60-170 for their warranty repair (pretty much 100% of the time for cordless hole hogs).

when I was working in the field, I had Bosch Bluecore, Makita brushless, and Fuel, in that order. Go with Milwaukee or Bosch.

 

I have a couple of Bosch cordless drills / drivers. The first one lasted for over twenty years, battery is still good, but the clutch finally got funky. I used it a ton - meaning all the time - for removing and installing panels with screws on airplanes and helicopters. It was compact and very lightweight.
The second one is bigger and heavier with a bigger heavier battery to go with. It is still going strong. I have had it for probably three years.

 

I’ve narrowed it down….I think either the Makita saw or Dewalt saw

 

XR or Flexvolt are the better from DeWalt. I went with the XR since they seem to be more well rounded for my minimal usage and most XR can take the flex volt battery's anyway. XR can even preform better with XR 8ah batteries as well as flex.

But if you go with the Flexvolt saw you can buy other XR models and use that bigboy battery if its no too over wielding for the tool.

 

Has anyone tried the new DeWalt Powerstack batteries yet? It's too soon to say if they live up to the 2x lifetime claim, but I wonder how well the other claims hold up in practice.

https://www.dewalt.com/powerstack

 

I did a ton of research before going Dewalt again. They look like a good option for compact power, but for more of a day to day work I think I read they don't last as long as expected. Ill probably get one at some point to help with the tools over compact size since I mostly have small projects.

 

Decided on Makita Brushless 18V LXT tools. Mainly because of the performance of Makita tools but secondly their warranty. I contacted the customer service department and was told by two different associates two different times that Makita will send a return label for repair in both directions. When I called, the associates spoke plain english and the wait time was less that 5 minutes each time. 800-462-5482

I also called Dewalt and they were nearly AWOL, and non first language english associated. Very frustrating and didn't want to deal long term with that. Their phone number is not easily found.

When I called Milwaukee they were also mainly english speaking so nothing to complain about. 800-729-3878

Makita Circular Saw Model#XSH06PT Paid $330 tax included
Makita Reciprocating Saw Model# XRJ08Z Paid $124 tax included
Makita Hammer and Impact Drill Kit Model# XT269M Paid $193

 

Good choice.

I think you'll be happy with Makitas performance.

They're solid.

 

Just stumbled across this thread and cast my vote... probably too late.

Wanted to say the home depot has the milwaukee 16" battery chainsaw on sale - I assume for black Friday. Picked one up today and used it to cut down the Christmas tree and it's a great addition to the collection. Can't wait to use it to cut up firewood on the next camping trip

 

Milwaukee is a good brand especially coming from Ryob which is what I had for my business. It's a big step up.
I bought most of my tools new, using FB Marketplace. Might've used a little gas to get some of the batteries and tools but worth it instead of buying from HD or AZ.
$130 for (2) 6amp batteries along with the charger.
$90 for the fuel hammer drill
$180 for the fuel 1/2" impact w/ friction ring
All genuine - I made sure of that.

 

Me too & I've gotten to the point I just buy a tool because I have Batts & really like their line of tools!

 

I have Ryobi. Went overboard this Black Friday and got 10 different tools, batteries , chargers etc etc, all cordless.
For my limited use , I think they ll serve me well

 

Used to always have Dewalt, but recently made the switch to Milwaukee too... M18 Fuel 100%. The impact gun I bought recently will break lugnuts pretty easy if you arent careful, lol. I never use it on the highest torque... or at least, haven't had the need for it yet!

Still use my Dewalt sawzall & drills a lot, I have 2 batteries that are in ok shape still. As my dewalt batteries die one by one, I will consider one of those Milwaukee took packages HD sells.

 

I'm still using the same Porter Cable drill and driver that I have had since 2016. They just won't give up, which is fine by me. The last 3 cordless tools I purchased were Kobalt (1/2" driver, 3/8" driver and 3/8" rachet) because Lowe's is so close to me and their return policy has always been great. I'd love to have a full set of one brand or another, because having 4 different chargers (older Makita and EGO) on my bench is a pain.

 

Just found this thread. I've been using Dewalt battery powered tools for a few years, home projects only but some of them pretty intensive. I've been very happy with their drill and impact driver, also got the palm sander, hand vaccuum and string trimmer, plus a tire inflator and 12" chainsaw. The chainsaw quit working right after the 2 year warranty ended, found others had the same issue and service was not helpful. Would have cost more to get it fixed than I paid for it. This was with occasional use cutting up small trees on our property for firewood. The string trimmer also had a crappy shield that was way too small so I had to buy a larger one.

I will go with another brand from now on based on my experience and the input here. Sounds like Milwaukee is people's favorite.

 

Dude, no joke, those Porter Cable sets were damn good for the money. Back in 2014 the owner of our company bought the 9 tool sets for his top guys. I used mine in the field heavily (cell site construction) for 3 years and only had to replace 1 drill in that time period, and that’s because I was regularly using it with 2” and 3” hole saws. Eventually I moved on to Milwaukee and handed off the Porter Cable tools to one of my guys who still got plenty of use out of them.

 

Hilti…. Just sayn

 

I've been a Dewalt guy since 2003, and am using 20 volt tools now.
I'm happy, but.........
My work uses Milwaukee M18fuel tools, and I'm impressed. The guys love them, and warranty/repair service is strong.

 

You’re not wrong. The problem is that Hilti does not have much of a presence here as compared to the other mainstream brands. Warranty support is not nearly as convenient as with other brands. But I would put Hilti, Milwaukee, and Bosch as my personal top 3 tool choices.

 

Best deal I’ve seen.

https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=kobalt&refinement=982555941

You get to pick a free tool.

 

I believe Milwaukee and DeWalt are the best and I use both.

 

A guys garage just burnt up from a battery trimmer charging not sure what brand.

 

Had the same question on my mind for a while.

Thanks for the opinions everyone, I've assembled a collection of mismatched hand tools over the years and have been putting off the decision but when I end up needing to grab something I am now somewhat better equipped!

I did see a mention of 120V tools too and that may end up taking precedence. Same reason I bought a corded vacuum!

(but lesson learned, don't buy SharkNinja products. You *can* get your part replacement but they'll fight you on the warranty along the way and I don't want to have to cite/try to use the Magnuson-Moss Act next time. No, the entire vacuum is not a "consumable" like a filter. But at least the rep had excellent English... I'm going to go bagged vacuum next time too.)

 

I'm a Chief Engineer on a U.S. Navy ship manned by Merchant Marines for about 25 years. It's a very harsh, industrial environment. Our tools are also beat up/abused badly by people who didn't have to pay for them.

By a very wide margin, the battery powered tool brand that holds up the best is Milwaukee Fuel, which is why it's our choice in the Engineering department. Deck department has used DeWalt or Makita which helps distinguish ownership so the other department isn't taking off with our tools.

The Milwaukee tools get replaced about half as often. I know because I'm the guy that makes all the orders.

All the major brands likely work fine for the casual home user, so the extreme conditions Mariners subject tools to may not apply to you.

 

Have been very happy with my Milwaukee tools. Because of the batteries & charger costs you buy into a brand.

 

I use Ridgid and happy with their LSA. Anything goes wrong including batteries and they replace it free. Only have needed it for a battery and it was replaced without issue.

https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/lsa-warranty

 

How is this even a question, anyone I know who's caught with yellow or green batteries gets roasted.

 

Went from Yellow to blue but now using red. But a contractor friend of mine, well, let’s just say…

 

3 year warranty, correct?

 

if you register within 90 days it is lifetime. Details are at that link, included some of the text below.

Lifetime Service Agreement
The original purchaser of an eligible product may elect to register for a free Lifetime Service Agreement. To accept this Lifetime Service Agreement, you must register your product and submit proof of purchase for processing approval as described below. The Lifetime Service Agreement provides the original owner of qualifying RIDGID® Brand tools a lifetime of free replacement batteries, free service and free replacement parts subject to the limitations set forth below.