Cordless Tools Reviews

Bot 3 sets Lechmere closeout 10 years ago. Use sporadically and have experience that batteries last 4 years plus/minus. Buy a new one each year, keep 3-4 going. Inside batt are two industrial "C" Ni-Cads - older ones develop memory. To utilize best, discharge to 5% remain, then full. Not user replaceable. The torgue is enough to twist the unit out of a strong grip, but they are best for light/medium assembling, not all day heavy duty
unless a few charged batteries on hand. 1-10 Torque settings are useful with more delicate materials. Unit will turn to torque then click to prevent over tightening. High voltage drills are for all day house-building. 10 years use, units built to industrial strength, built to last. Package is good deal as retail batts are $30 and charger $40+.

I have no idea when Milwaukee first came out with this cordless screwdrive. I may have had one of the first made. All I know for sure is that, 10 years later, the darn thing still works great. The batteries have held up just fine; I've never had to replace one. It has great torque, and does everything you'd want a cordless screwdriver to do. If this thing every gives up the ghost, you can be sure I'll buy another. It's been a tremendous value.

First, let me state that I don't work for Milwaukee or any of their competitors. I'm just a consumer like you are. I couldn't decide if I wanted this Milwaukee cordless screwdriver or the Panasonic. When you compare what you get for your money and what you want to use your cordless screwdriver for, well, it's a no brainer. Unless you need a cordless screwdriver to drive hundreds of 4 inch screws into 2x6's, stay away from the Panasonic. You only get one battery and a charger with the Panasonic. With this red beauty you get not 1, but two 2.4volt batteries, a one hour charger, a package of bits for drilling and driving, a keyed chuck which is something I'm always needing (especially when I need to drive small pilot holes) and a beautiful red carry case embossed with the name Milwaukee on it. It's a very impressive package and it works. It also bends into a pistol type driver so you can get into those hard to reach areas. It is also very powerful at 26in./lbs of torque. This is the little red engine that works and works and works and.....Buy it. You won't be sorry and it will quickly become your favorite tool...

Nothing like a cordless product. No oil changes, no mixing oil with gasoline,no cutting a electric extention cord, and no mess. So what if it isn't as powerful as a gas one, I'm not doing 7 lawns a day like a landscaping service. It's easy, fast, and simple. Love It.

I got this trimmer and the one on the pole when my commercial echos were in the shop for 3 weeks?......Great for trimming New Growth, "time rateing under estimated"......alittle heavy after a while,....much slower than a gas model......But what a Great Idea, virtually noise-less, no 2-stroke, blue smoke!......Get a few extra batties for larger jobs.

My husband really likes the hedge clipper we purchased from you. The delivery was great. Thanks.

The saw's base plate screws do come loose and do fall out. All those people who gave this combo 5 stars should take a closer look at their saw.

I used my saw only twice. Once to rip 6 ft of lumber and once to cross cut 2 ft of the same lumber. When I went to use it a third time it didn't have enought power to finish my cut. When I replaced the battery I noticed one of the base plate screws was missing and the others were loose. I replaced all the base plate screws with screws a 1/4" longer and added locking nuts to keep them from coming loose again. I also used the two batteries right away leaving the drill empty.

I found the drill to be very powerful and heavy. For my uses it is probably overkill.

If you are thinking of getting a combo pack I recommend buying the tools separate. Check out the 18v Dewalt saw, (...)(no base plate screws to come loose!)and try the Makita 9.6v drill. The total cost is comparable to a combo pack but you will end up with the usefull saw that you want and the right size of drill along with 4 batteries instead of only 2.

Now go build something!

The circular saw in particular works excellent, weighted nicely, and very easy to handle. My only complaint is that the battery packs do not seem to last long while working, and I am in constant rotation of the batteries.

This is my story .
I went on a mission to find one tool set like this and there were many .
Since sears was close by I first got the set they offered , a circular saw and drill in a case .
The drill was nice but the saw useless so back it went .
A friend is really onto dewalt and raved about his so I went out but could not find the size saw he had and dewalt made the saw still but a larger blade diameter .
Now the drill was inpressive but the saw was no better than the sears model , both shared the same problem , a base that rocked on any flat surface and to make matters worse it flexed with the slightest amont of pressure .
' This may be fine if you are cutting thin paneling and don't need a square edge but for anything else it is useless and the dewalt had a switch that would catch and this made it difficult to use .
So finally I looked at the makita set and both the drill and the saw were very well made , both had all metal gear cases and both were built with precision .
I have been using them both for a few years now and they are the first tolls I will grab even though I do have power a few feet away .
The saw is light and balanced with a base that is stable and cuts a perfect 90 degree cut it will go through 2x4's with ease and it is quiet .
The depth lock lever is one of the best I've seen and the handle and switch safetly lock are right where you want them to be and simple to use .
Hands down the best cordless combo I have seen . I still looked at others after this purchase but none were in the class of these two tools .
I have used the drill for very small light work and drilling large holes , also as a power driver and in all applications it has worked well . It is large but very well balanced .
These tools I don't believe were designed to replace corded power tools but to add flexability to the job .
All rechargeable power tool batteries run down and need to be charged and I don't expect anyone is capable of giving an accurate run time . It depends on what you are cutting or drilling and the size of the bits or screws . Anyone knows this so for one to say the batteries run down too quickly tells me nothing at all . They ripped a 2x4 and it went dead , was it wet , did it have alot of knots , were you cutting using a guide of just forging on ahead blindly and binding the blade and what sort of condition was the blade in , nice and sharp or a bit on the dull side after hitting a few nails ?

A word of warning before you spend your hard earned money on DeWalt tools. Black and Decker (they actually make DeWalt) recently moved the manufacturing of DeWalt tools from Easton, Maryland to Mexico. Most of the DeWalt tools being sold now were either manufactured in Easton after layoffs were announced or were made in the new Mexico facility. The facility has been riddled with problems from day one and may never produce the same quality tools as the Easton plant. Yes, every tool maker now manufactures outside the US, but DeWalt admittedly priced their tools higher because they could stamp "Made in America" on them. Now all they have is higher prices, a bright yellow case stamped "Made in Mexico". I am not telling anyone not to buy DeWalt, just sharing the truth.

I write this review from the perspective of an aggressive hobbyist. My first power tool purchase was a DeWalt compact 12 volt drill/driver. My primary use for this tool was fixing small things in the nightclub at which I worked during my college years. As my skills gradually increased I began to take on more demanding tasks. It was clear to me that I needed some other tools and a little more power also. Frankly I didn't do much market research as I was satisfied with my DeWalt drill. Having said that, I will not compare this tool set with others on the market.

The price tag for the combo had me second guessing myself so I asked a contractor if I actually needed a $500 tool set. He advised me that I had to make my decision based on my projected frequency and intensity of usage. According to him, the cheaper tools often have weaker motor housings. In other words, the tool will break if it is pushed too hard and will, generally, have a much shorter life span. Not to mention diminished accuracy and power.

So if your usage is going to be: (1) Light and infrequent, consider an alternative to this combo. (2) Heavy and/or frequent, purchase a high-performance combo.

A word of caution, err on the side of purchasing the high-performance combo if you are not sure if your usage over time will increase.

After two years my combo still functions flawlessly.

Hammerdrill/drill/driver: This tool does what it states. It is nice having a light duty drill/driver as the 18-volt version can get heavy after a couple hours of work. For light duty work, a compact 12-volt drill/driver is ideal. Even in general, having two drill/drivers with you can save you a lot of time as you can place two different accessories in each drill. i.e. a drill bit in one and a screw tip in another. As a note, the hammerdrill feature works well, but within reason. This tool is not primarily designed for such use.
I have used this combination of drill/drivers to complete these two major tasks:
Extend a deck. Including anchoring posts into concrete footings and attaching ledgerboard into concrete.
Complete a rough framed room. As helpful info, there is a cheap depth setting drywall bit DeWalt makes that's a great time saver for setting screws in drywall.

Reciprocation Saw: There are a million uses for this saw, just pop in the appropriate blade and cut away. The only major drawback is that the saw vibrates a lot as it is relatively light weight. This makes clean plunge cuts difficult and while recip saws are made for rough cutting, it is a little more difficult to cut a straight line compared to some other recip's I have seen. Do not let me discourage you, I could list a hundred positives, but that would encompass more space than allowed.

As I truly enjoy the functionality of this saw, I purchased the 24-volt version. The 24-volt is a monster tool, but in retrospect my decision was not a good one. I already had a cordless recip; I did not need another one. I would have been better suited with a top of the line Milwaukee corded sawzall. This saw is a powerhouse, half the cost of my 24-volt DeWalt as it is corded, and an industry leader. If you ever need a more powerful recip saw, this would be my recommendation.

A final note. All of the tools in this package have been upgraded. The new 18-volt recip is a little heaver and has a 1 inch stroke (mine has � inch). This may have corrected the flaw mentioned earlier.

Circular saw: This is a very functional saw. It cuts very well and comes with a rip cutting extension. I have only one complaint: The base is flimsy. It works, but a stronger base would have been a benefit.

After using this saw for 2 years, I decided it was time for me to move on to a more powerful saw. I was debating the DeWalt lightweight, high-strength base model with the DeWalt 364K which is the heavy duty version (and very heavy). I paid the extra $20 for the heavy duty model based on the reasoning that I already have a good light weight circular saw (my 18-volt). Also I may, in the future need powerful cutting power for lvl, concrete, brick, etc... Not to mention running my 18-volt through a lot of pressure treated wood is an abuse in my eyes. The 18-volt will take it, but that really is the place of a corded saw. I would recommend the DW364K if you need corded power to add to your tool set. However, I did not do any market research on corded circular saws so it may be worth your while to research some other brands for a corded circular saw (consider Skil and Bosche).

In the upgraded version of the 18-volt circular saw now available, the base plate is solid. This resolves my major drawback.

Also, buy a 24 tooth carbide blade, the 16 tooth blade included is a very rough cutting blade.

Flashlight: Works well, nice to be able to hang it on things.

For sustained work involving two or more of your tools you really need a third battery and a second charger. I would suggest purchasing another 18-volt tool you need as the cost of an extra battery and charger is significant. Do not buy the 18-volt jigsaw. It is my only DeWalt tool I am not satisfied with. The bevel lock comes loose while cutting every now and then; ruining the piece you are working on. If you need a jigsaw, purchase a Bosche; they apparently make the best jigsaws.

I sincerely hope this review helps.

Theses four tools are the greatest, The drill is the best you can buy, strong enough to drill through anything. The reciprocating saw is wonderful for anything, even a quick prune of a low tree branch. The Circular Saw comes with the framing blade, cuts quick and the blade doesnt dull if you hit a nail or two, and the light is great for when you need an extra hand to hold a light, just adjust it and set on a flat surface and you have light to work by. I have had these tools for a few months now. I even try to find an excuse to use them.

This impact is great. I have a race car team and not having to use air impact wrench is great. We do not do hot pits. The impact wrench has loads of power. The batteries work great. I will get a few more for sure.

ya know, there are "toys" then there are TOOLS. This is a TOOL. I've already dropped it pretty far, it holds up like all dewalts. I've been impressed with its power - and I use this this thing as my primary impact. BTW, I repair brakes and axles on RVs so most things have rust, grime, and are well aged!! I bit more power would be nice but more power isd always better!! E

I use this cordles tool to pull wheels and cutting blades from my tractor and commercial mowers in the field. The Dewalt 300lb torque impact wrench is as advertised.

Nice saw with impressive power from the 18V batteries. Good ergonomics and handling with the following exception: Narrow blade opening in the table and the ample blade guard makes it a bit difficult to get a good view of the blade and your cut line while cutting. I thought a saw with the blade on the left would minimize this problem, yet with some adjustment from my usual cutting position, it still works pretty good.... its just in those situations when you don't have the 'ideal' position to make your cut that you really notice it. Charger recharges drained batteries fairly quickly, and as a bonus... the 18V batteries also fit my Milwaukee reciprocating sawzall.

After checking and trying several options including 3& 4 piece "package Deals" I decided I did not need the other items and this was the best saw for my purpose, it was also made in the USA. I am pleased with my decision.

You simply can't bog this guy down. I compared this to a Hitachi C6DC and although the Hitachi was slightly more comfortable, I couldn't get used to the blade on the right and the Milwaukee seemed to get through 2x8s effortlessly. The Hitachi could get the same job done, but it was worked harder than the Mil. Great tool.

Like his corded brother this saw is top notch as far as the mechanical aspects go. There is a definate problem though with the batteries. They do not stay charged for very long, and unfortunately for me I purchaced before I read the reviews of other customers explaining that the batteries are only good for about a year. Hopefully Milwaukee will design a better system soon.

one of the best saws for light demo , when your crawling through a tight space or a long run from an outlet.
I still carry a corded monster for big stuff.

I already have a super sawzall but there are places I need a sawzall where I can't get to electricity (like up in a tree). I bought this saw for the small stuff including pruning small branches, roots, etc.. This is a lot better than having to drag out the chain saw. If you don't need a sawzall very often, this is an excellent quality saw for the homeowner. I have other Milwaukee tools and am very satisfied with them also.

I ordered this item for my husband for Christmas...Well it arrived today and it is the wrong one. They sent a 1/2' drill instead of the 3/8". They said it was a substitution because the 3/8" is discontinued. They didn't even contact me to see if it would be ok to substitute. Now I have to wait for my account to be credited and probably have to pay the shipping to send the wrong item back...........merry christmas!

I've been using this drill for the past 5 years and it has performed flawlessly since day one. I've treated this drill like a redhead stepchild and tortured it with heavy daily use. It's fallen down a flight of concrete stairs and my idiot neighbor dropped it off his roof when I stupidly let him borrow it. While I don't recommend treating your power tools this way, my dewalt drill has taken everything I can dish out and still works as well as the day I bought it.
The battery life is excellent. I've put hundreds of hours of actual use to them and in five years had to purchase one replacement. Be careful to deplete the charge before recharging the battery. If you place the ni-cad battery on the charger before it needs charging, you will kill the battery life. This is true with all ni-cad batteries, and has nothing to do with Dewalt.
The adjustable torque can be set to stop at a very delicate setting, or you can set it with enough torque to rip your arm off if that's more your style. The molded plastic drill bit holders are very nice for keeping spare bits within easy reach and prevent constantly looking around wondering where you left your bits.
If you're looking for a cordless drill with enough power to make it through a long day on the jobsite or just a great drill for home improvement, this is the one. I highly recommend this drill! you won't be disappointed.

I've had this drill for about 8 months now and used it in a variety of settings for all sorts of purposes. I am amazed at how long the batteries hold a charge, and how they seem to be immune from even subfreezing temperature. I left it outside on the porch after finishing a project; the temperature fluctuated between upper teens and low 30's for the week it went unfound. I brought it in, thinking the battery was dead, and went to get the other. Out of curiosity I pulled the trigger and it was immediately at full speed. Without changing batteries I took it to the shop and used it over the next several hours with not a whimper. I am impressed. The smaller size and lighter weight make it a dream to use. I'm not convinced that the lack of "XRP" on the batteries make any detectable difference at all. The price is steep at "street list" and I've seen them go for much less, so be patient.

After many months of having to take my very resistant Bull Mastiff to the vet for monthly manicures, I picked this item up. This has been a great help. I found that the trimmings at the vet were very traumatic for both me and my dog, especially with the muzzle. Now we do her nails at home in the comfort of her own bed and she's much happier with this arrangement.

I've used this product five times since we purchased it and it's still running strong. I only recently replaced the batteries and the sander. I thought it would be more often considering some of the other reviews and her big thick black nails. I think the person who said the batteries died after the first use probably got an old set of batteries with their purchase. This happened to me with a scale I bought and after new batteries it was running fine. This kit is a dream come true and it only cost me what I would have spent on one and a half vet manicures.

A note to other large dog owners: If your pet is extremely resistant to any type of nail trimming then I suggest you discuss with your vet about getting sedatives for the dog. This makes them a lot more calm and even easier to handle. After the pet gets used to the grooming then the sedation can slowly be used less; until they're completely comfortable with the procedure without any medication. This is an immense help for the more difficult pets out there.

All in all, this was one great purchase. I have had no problems with the product and it saves time and money by being able to care for my dog at home. I highly recommend this item.

My greyhound is a bit timid, and when I first used the Dremel on her nails, she worried. After several weeks of doing a little bit at a time, she now falls asleep while I do her nails. It seems to mesmerize her. It sure beats clipping!

This little tool turned out to be easier to use than I expected. It's not real noisy and my dog doesn't seem to mind it. It's been a big help in keeping my dogs' nails groomed without wasting money at the vets office. Thanks Dremel for such an easy and compact tool!