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DeWalt, Milwaukee, or something else?

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#21 ·
Ware said:
I think it's kind of like iPhone and Android - most people probably prefer what they started out with, but they each seem to have some offerings that are better than the other brand - the DeWalt 20V inflator comes to mind. There are some things I really like about Milwaukee, but not enough to completely switch at this point.

Has anyone ever used the adapters that let you put a DeWalt 20V battery on a Milwaukee M18 tool, or vice versa? They add a little bulk, but might be a good option for someone that wants a niche tool offering, but doesn't want to buy into another battery system. Here is one that goes the other way.

I love my DeWalt 12V stuff. It is nice an compact and has adequate power for quick jobs around the house. I think Milwaukee has more tool offerings in their M12 line, but I prefer the grips on the DeWalt - to me they are more ergonomic because they do not house the 12V battery inside the grip. There are also some DeWalt chargers that work with both the 12V and 20V batteries.
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Ware I have one of the adapters to use my DeWalt 20V batteries on my Ryobi brad nailer. I wanted the DeWalt brad nailer, but I got the Ryobi basically brand new from DirectToolsOutlet for $200 cheaper than the DeWalt & it has been an amazing nail gun. I also use the Ryobi hot glue gun, has been super handy when doing woodwork & for only $20.

My DeWalt collection grew when COVID hit, I have the 12V impact, 12V hammer drill, 20V Atomic multi-tool, 20V recip saw, 20V fan, & the 20V shop vac. This led me to purchase the DeWalt mower, blower, & string trimmer. All of the tools work great, but my neighbor got the M18 string-trimmer with the edger attachment & that is one negative about the DeWalt OPE stuff. I live really close to Lowe's, so I'll probably add the Ego edger next season. But, If I lived closer to a Home Depot I'm sure I'd have some red or even Makita blue in the garage.
 
#22 ·
My dad bought into Ridgid (yes, there is a d before the g in their name)when he built his house because of the lifetime warranty. I followed suit a couple years later when I bought my first house and needed to get some projects done. I've been happy with them, but part of me wishes I would have gone with Milwaukee just for the color scheme.
 
#23 ·
In the past, I purchased a lot of Dewalt corded power tools and 18v tools. However, the 18v batteries were so bad about keeping a charge that I decided to switch cordless platforms.

I ended up going with Lowes private labeled Kobalt 24v by Chervon (Chinese makers of EGO which might explain why they no longer selling EGO at Home Depot). So far, the batteries have been much better and the tools work just fine for my limited use. Replacement batteries are super cheap and I love the color Blue!

During the April pandemic shutdown, I left my Kobalt drill at work and didn't want to make the drive. So, I went back to Lowes to buy a Dewalt 12v drill but they had completely sold out of about every drill they had. (Supposedly, people who had never owned a drill decided to do home projects that month.) :roll: So, I bought the last drill Harbor Freight had available which was a Bauer 20v Drill/Driver that has worked flawlessly so far.

About three weeks ago, I ordered (2) 18v replacement batteries for my Dewalt jigsaw. :lol:
 
#26 ·
Many years ago I got tired of throwing away drills because the batteries would no longer hold a charge and new ones were the same prices as the tool + batteries. I bought Ridgid with the lifetime service agreement. I just ordered another set of replacement batteries this week for both my drills. This is the 5th set for one drill and third for the other. You have to be careful reading all the "gotchas" for registering a tool but after that you're done.
 
#28 ·
So what line of tools do you guys primarily use? Or are you not invested in one brand? For me, it's Ryobi. Not the best in terms of quality, but for my purposes around the house they're pretty darn good, and they're much more economical than other brands. They also offer a ton of tools compatible with the One+ battery line.
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
I use mostly DeWalt 20V and 12V, but I have added a few Milwaukee M12 tools. I resisted the urge to cross platforms for a long time, but it is really not as big a deal as I thought it would be.
 
#33 ·
I go cross platform when it comes to corded tools, so I have a Ridgid benchtop planer and shop vac, and a Dewalt router. I really only stay with Ryobi when it's battery operated.

I have seen several Youtube videos that show a $20 adapter that can be used so that Makita, Dewalt, etc. batteries can be used with different platforms. The bad thing for me is that the adapter doesn't allow Ryobi batteries to work with other platforms because the Ryobi batteries are oddly shaped.
 
#36 ·
There is no comparison. Milwaukee has taken the commercial market over for a reason....a better tool and great warranty. I work for a Fortune 500 company (will not name it) that sells many brands. We go into 5 counties in our sales area that is assigned to us. Six years ago every factory in this area was all DeWalt except for one. Now, every factory, but one, is all Milwaukee. There is no comparison as Milwaukee is a much better tool with a far superior warranty and service.

Don't let that so called 20 volt Dewalt tool rating fool you. There is no such thing. When you touch the trigger there is a voltage surge for a millisecond (not under a workload) and the tool instantly cuts back to 18 volt. It is an advertising gimmick. Read it for yourself on the DeWalt box. It's in the fine print.
 
#37 ·
All Milwaukee here. The string trimmer with edger attachment is great. Did my first mow today that involved some trimming and cutting all new edges with the edger around my patio, sidewalk and curb. Not sure of the actual lengths for edging but it's a good size. First time edging of the year takes way more time than edging during the season. All that trimming and edging only used up 1 bar on the battery which I was shocked. Typical in season edge maintenance and trimming usually uses 1 bar. Thinking about getting the Milwaukee blower when my gas blower dies.

If I remember correctly the person who turned Dewalt into what it is now works for Milwaukee.
 
#38 ·
JeffB said:
There is no comparison. Milwaukee has taken the commercial market over for a reason....a better tool and great warranty. I work for a Fortune 500 company (will not name it) that sells many brands. We go into 5 counties in our sales area that is assigned to us. Six years ago every factory in this area was all DeWalt except for one. Now, every factory, but one, is all Milwaukee. There is no comparison as Milwaukee is a much better tool with a far superior warranty and service.
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You get what you pay for, and you're paying a premium price for a premium product in Milwaukee. It does seem, though, that Makita is right up there with Milwaukee in terms of brand equity.
 
#39 ·
Phids said:
JeffB said:
There is no comparison. Milwaukee has taken the commercial market over for a reason....a better tool and great warranty. I work for a Fortune 500 company (will not name it) that sells many brands. We go into 5 counties in our sales area that is assigned to us. Six years ago every factory in this area was all DeWalt except for one. Now, every factory, but one, is all Milwaukee. There is no comparison as Milwaukee is a much better tool with a far superior warranty and service.
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You get what you pay for, and you're paying a premium price for a premium product in Milwaukee. It does seem, though, that Makita is right up there with Milwaukee in terms of brand equity.
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Just a couple comments as a user of tools.

Dewalt's 20V tools and batteries aren't labeled as such to make you think they're better than competing tools, (but..., yeah..., I know.) as it is to differentiate them from the all but forgotten 18V XRP line. 60V vs 56V is no different....

Milwaukee's strongest attribute is their 18v battery platform's universal application across their professional tools, prosumer, and OPE. Even the specialty tools like hydraulic crimpers for ProPress, Pex, and electrical work, hydraulic punch or knock-out tools, all use the same battery platform.

Makita may possibly have the best battery system out there for longevity. Actively fan-cooled batteries during charging. I personally don't stress them enough to test it, but I can see that making an actual difference if you run and charge your battery packs continuously. Unfortunately, by then, the tool has easily paid for itself in that kind of service and the owners probably aren't looking to pick pennies on batteries. Build quality for the money tends to be very good with Makita too.

As any tool snob will tell you, the "big three" here in North America are not actually the highest quality tool you can get, more often than you might think. They are contractor or commercial quality tools. Made to do the job reliably for certain period of time and be replaced without hassle. And they are certainly life-limited by the batteries in homeowner use.
 
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TulsaFan
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