Cordless tool systems?

[Beezerk]

I’m looking at getting a new strimmer and maybe some more cordless related tools down the line.
What’s the best battery system to go with these days?
I was always under the impression Dewalt was the biz but have they been dethroned from their lofty position?

 

[Bunkermagnet]

All my powertools are Bosch professional. 12v for a cordless driver and LED light/torch, and 18v for drill, circular saw, multi tool, SDS drill, reciprocating saw, jigsaw, vacuum, impact driver and one or 2 other goodies I've forgotten
For garden tools, the mower is petrol and strimmer, shredder and scarifier are 240v

 

[GreiginFife]

If it's light or occasional use and you want a good range of tools then Ryobi or Worx won't go too far wrong.

If it's more "serious" then DeWalt's XR (and Flexvolt) platform is very good as is Makita's LXT and Milwaukee's M18 platforms.

If it's 'deadly serious' and you want to remortgage your house to pay for them then Festool.

Personally I have Dewalt XR platform (mix of 18v and 54v 'Flexvolt' tools) and I have Milwaukee's M12 platform for my 12v tools (mainly because the tool handsets tend to be more compact in the Milwaukee Fuel range).

All of my corded power tools are Makita as I think they are just better value for money.

 

[Beezerk]

If it's light or occasional use and you want a good range of tools then Ryobi or Worx won't go too far wrong.

If it's more "serious" then DeWalt's XR (and Flexvolt) platform is very good as is Makita's LXT and Milwaukee's M18 platforms.

If it's 'deadly serious' and you want to remortgage your house to pay for them then Festool.

Personally I have Dewalt XR platform (mix of 18v and 54v 'Flexvolt' tools) and I have Milwaukee's M12 platform for my 12v tools (mainly because the tool handsets tend to be more compact in the Milwaukee Fuel range).

All of my corded power tools are Makita as I think they are just better value for money.

Ha ha house is safe, it’s not for really major stuff, just weeds and light grass work.
I’ll give Ryobi a look

 

[SteveW86]

Got a few ryobi items and they are great for the relatively light work tasks required for

 

[Beezerk]

Got a few ryobi items and they are great for the relatively light work tasks required for

Good to know thanks.

 

[GreiginFife]

Ha ha house is safe, it’s not for really major stuff, just weeds and light grass work.
I’ll give Ryobi a look

Ryobi get decent reviews for that light work.

The lawn mowers and strimmers are good by all accounts.

The drill and impact drivers are a little heavy in hand though, this is due to the bulky batteries.

 

[RichA]

I have Makita strimmer, hedge trimmer, pole hedge trimmer and leaf blower with 2 18v batteries. They are very good. I can comfortably do 4 hours work on 2 fully charged batteries.
Previously owned some Bosch rechargeable tools and these are much better quality.

 

[PIng]

I've just ordered a Bosch sander, part of their Power For All system that a number of other companies (mostly German) have signed up to. This means you're not tied down to a single manufacturer just because you've invested in their batteries.

The Bosch 18V POWER FOR ALL battery system. | Bosch DIY

THE battery for your home. Do-it-yourself. Garden. Household.

www.bosch-diy.com

 

[jim8flog]

If you are thinking about going down the cordless route I think the first question you need to answer is

"how often will they sit unused?"

On a a personal basis I never went further down that that route after doing it once with a battery screwdriver. Every time I went to use it the battery was flat.

My only battery powered 'tool' these days is a battery powered robotic lawn mower. The battery last 3-4 hours and easily does by lawn in that time

The company I bought it from

https://www.cleva-uk.com/collections/mx-24v-battery-system

uses a single battery system for all their garden powered tools

Quick charger which recharges the battery for the lawn mower in under an hour.

 

[VVega]

I’m looking at getting a new strimmer and maybe some more cordless related tools down the line.
What’s the best battery system to go with these days?
I was always under the impression Dewalt was the biz but have they been dethroned from their lofty position?

The Bosch 18v system is ok. Just don’t get their strimmer, mine gave up after a year (just out of warranty). I use a petrol based Stihl now, much better (also string cut is better than plastic blade).

 

[cliveb]

Cordless tools are great.
But the thing that slightly bothers me is that after buying a DeWalt multi tool with 2 batteries at a good price, I now only ever look at DeWalt bare tools, since I already have the batteries. I've kind of trapped myself!

 

[Beezerk]

I’ve got a Ryobi 36v strimmer in my basket, just waiting for a discount code now

 

[Golfmmad]

On a slight tangent but related.

Did anybody hear the news report about the builders/craftsmen etc are demonstrating in London with a go slow. To do with tools being stolen from their vans. Police seem to not be doing much to prevent or apprehend the perpetrators.
The scumbags just rip the doors open and steal the tools and sell them at boot sales.

Awful situation for the builders not being able to work and earn a living until they've replaced them at great cost!

I certainly wish them well on their peaceful demonstration.

 

[GB72]

All I can add is just go for an established system. I make the mistake of buying the bog standard cordless strimmer from Toolstation. Now the charger has packed up but they have changed the battery they use in new models and so you cannot get a replacement. Not easy sourcing a charger online either so the whole lot may be going to the tip.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

On a slight tangent but related.

Did anybody hear the news report about the builders/craftsmen etc are demonstrating in London with a go slow. To do with tools being stolen from their vans. Police seem to not be doing much to prevent or apprehend the perpetrators.
The scumbags just rip the doors open and steal the tools and sell them at boot sales.

Awful situation for the builders not being able to work and earn a living until they've replaced them at great cost!

I certainly wish them well on their peaceful demonstration.

Sadly it’s all trades that have had this scourge for quite a long time. That’s why you see so many vans with extra security locks fitted.
The other problem is certain makes have known weak points that allow scum to force their way in, again that’s why so many vans have extra security plates fitted in the known strategic places to reinforce the van.
What’s made it worse, is there is no interest from the police as they have too much to do for their numbers already, and insurance for tools is astronomical so again many don’t bother now.

 

[GreiginFife]

On a slight tangent but related.

Did anybody hear the news report about the builders/craftsmen etc are demonstrating in London with a go slow. To do with tools being stolen from their vans. Police seem to not be doing much to prevent or apprehend the perpetrators.
The scumbags just rip the doors open and steal the tools and sell them at boot sales.

Awful situation for the builders not being able to work and earn a living until they've replaced them at great cost!

I certainly wish them well on their peaceful demonstration.

Tool safes can be installed in vans. They are not 100% and quite expensive but they do add a layer of additional protection.

Milwaukee introduced their "One Key" system a few years back that links one Key tools to an app that has tracking and tool lock out capability. If the lock out is activated the tool is useless until it's unlocked.

 

[Golfmmad]

Tool safes can be installed in vans. They are not 100% and quite expensive but they do add a layer of additional protection.

Milwaukee introduced their "One Key" system a few years back that links one Key tools to an app that has tracking and tool lock out capability. If the lock out is activated the tool is useless until it's unlocked.

That's a good deterrent, a tool safe and the lock out should make it harder for the scumbags!

 

[splashtryagain]

I would say Ryobi or DeWalt (looked at Stihl?) would do fine as long as no individual job is longer than 15-20 minutes.

 

[splashtryagain]

All I can add is just go for an established system. I make the mistake of buying the bog standard cordless strimmer from Toolstation. Now the charger has packed up but they have changed the battery they use in new models and so you cannot get a replacement. Not easy sourcing a charger online either so the whole lot may be going to the tip.

Get a cheap car battery charger and fasten on the connectors for your tool - works fine for my golf trolley battery