Favorite Tool Families

[Tom Bender]

We have Ryobi 18 volt ONE+
Started with the vacuum cleaner and added a drill/driver and a light.
These work great but the drill/driver is huge and the vacuum is loud.

[Matt Day]

Milwaukee is probably top of the heap right now. If My old Makita’s start crapping out, that’s the way I’d go.

[Ron Selzer]

DeWalt 18 volt and now 20 volt. However the 12 volt line is looking better all the time
Almost switched to Milwaukee 12volt and still think it might have been a better move than the 20volt DeWalt
Ron

[Mike Henderson]

I started with DeWalt a long time ago and stayed with them because of the battery lock-in.

Mike

[Dave Sweeney]

Years ago I started out with Ridgid because of their Limited Lifetime Service Agreement. Their unavailability of many consumable parts turned me off on that brand. I have since switched to mostly Makita and Milwaukee and haven't been disappointed by either brand yet.

[Bill Carey]

I started years ago with ryobi and have probably 20 of their 18v tools. But also have milwaukee 12v drill and driver, and a makita router.

[Doug Dawson]

Years ago I started out with Ridgid because of their Limited Lifetime Service Agreement. Their unavailability of many consumable parts turned me off on that brand. I have since switched to mostly Makita and Milwaukee and haven't been disappointed by either brand yet.
Makita and Festool for corded power tools. But any cordless tools I buy now are Milwaukee 12v, they are increasingly dominating the market (particularly for mechanics tools.) I still have Milwaukee 18v for the heavy stuff (recip etc) and the lights, though. Note that for the warranty you should be buying them from an authorized dealer (amazon is not an authorized dealer for Milwaukee.) HD, Acme etc are. HD seems to get the new tools faster than other vendors, FWIW.

I still have a number of Dewalt 20v tools, but tool for tool they are being edged out by Milwaukee now.

[David Bassett]

I started with DeWalt a long time ago and stayed with them because of the battery lock-in.

Mike

The thing I appreciate about Ryobi is they have kept battery compatibility between generations. (I have an unusable DeWalt driver that is unusable because of their battery lock-out!) I think the new Ryobi brushless tools are a significant improvement within their line, though they don't seem to be quite as heavy duty as the DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita.


DeWalt 18 volt and now 20 volt. However the 12 volt line is looking better all the time
Almost switched to Milwaukee 12volt and still think it might have been a better move than the 20volt DeWalts
Ron

I spent some time looking at the 12V lines because I wanted a more compact driver. Clearly Milwaukee 12V tests the most powerful in that range, but I found it as large as the Makita Compact 18V tools and very heavy for its size. I ended up with a Bosch even though it's the wimpiest in reviews because it was also the physically smallest and I figured it was powerful enough the tasks I wanted it for.

[George Yetka]

I like the bosch stuff they are very well made, cons with bosch are its not available in person for most of the stuff, its also a much smaller family, and the batteries are expensive. I have brute drill, impactor, bandsaw(like this for the size 2-1/4 opening is perfect for 2" copper), and grinder.

I also have the milwaukee 18v stuff. Not as high quality IMHO. Most of the outdoor stuff is great for small yards or if you have to cleanup after landscaper, I also have drill/impactor for truck, area light is pretty amazing, and i have pex cutter/2 expanders. I do like that there are a ton more tools in this system

Festool Very High quality, very limited options

[Chris Schoenthal]

I started many years ago with Dewalt tools and have been very happy with them.
Like most, I've continued expanding with them mainly because of all the batteries that I already have, but I've yet to be disappointed with any of the tools.
Dewalt now has over 200 products that use the 20V battery, so it looks like I might need to build a garage extension soon.

[Mike Stelts]

I add my vote for Makita 18V; but, I can't speak for the entry-level tools. Over the past 15 years, they keep getting better. For corded, I prefer Bosch.

[Patrick Varley]

I gave up trying to stick to one ecosystem. At some point I realized that (in my situation) choosing one brand was a self-imposed, artificial limitation.

I started with DeWalt 20V, and that's where the bulk of my core tools are. I definitely like the ability to throw a 60v battery on the hammer drill or grinder when I need it.

However I finally broke down and bought some Ryobi stuff (glue gun, nailer) for things that DeWalt doesn't make or were lightly used that I didn't feel the need to blow out the budget. I also have a Bosch FlexiClick, which is a great solution for which DeWalt doesn't have an option. I probably could have just switched to Milwaukee, but that was going to be more costly than just being in multiple ecosystems.

Since I'm a hobbyist, I honestly never run into problems. If I were running a shop/business where multiple people needed tools and I needed a bunch of batteries for continuous use, it could be problematic.

[Andrew More]

I use DeWalt 20v with a couple of 60Vs, I converted from their previous nicad line when they released the lawnmower. I've also got 12V Bosch tools, since they're nice, and I REALLY liked the design of the trim router.

In both cases it is because of a specific tool, and nothing else. Generally speaking the big names in this space won't let you down, so what you need to do is check on some of the more esoteric tools that might only be available in one of two lines. For example, I believe Milwaukee is the only line with a cordless soldering iron. DeWalt is (or was) the only line with a Lawn Mower (I'm aware of E-Go, and the new Ryobi, but they're not Bosch/Milwaukee/Makita/DeWalt).

[johnny means]

I'm pretty heavily invested in the Dewalt 20v lineup. I chose them after seeing Dewalt's long term support of the 18v line. I'm just about ready to start replacing things and will be switching to Milwaukee because they have a more complete ecosystem. To be honest, the only thing I absolutely had to have to stay with Dewalt was a right angle impact driver. I could have lived with a separate group for my automotive needs, but not having the right angle driver in my quiver is getting to me.

[Cary Falk]

In the past I have had Proter Cable and Makita. I currently have 18V and 12V Bosch. Over Christmas I bought into the DeWalt 20V becuase I wanted a couple of cordless nailers for indoor trim after I replaced all the Flooring. I also wanted a string trimmer so that also figured into the deal. I haven't had any issue with any of them so choose the tools that you might want now and in the future and go with that. I think you will be fine with about any of them.

[Roger Feeley]

I started with DeWalt a long time ago and stayed with them because of the battery lock-in.

Mike

same here. My cordless tools are all dewalt. My outdoor stuff (string trimmer, leaf blower, pole chain saw) is all Ryobi One 18v.

[Jim Becker]

The only cordless tools I have in the shop are my Festool drill/drivers and one older DeWalt 14.4 D/D. Oh, and a Bauer 20v impact drill/driver from HFT...the same batteries power a blower and a mini-chain saw and will also get action for a small string trimmer. If I were going to go whole-hog on cordless I'd most likely end up with DeWalt or Milwaukee.

[Alan Lightstone]

Sadly, different systems, with different batteries.

A whole bunch of Festool. Some Milwaukee (their small tire inflator with the screw on hose is awesome. Everyone I show it to buys one.), A few Dewalt, and a Hilti beast rotary hammer drill. Makes for a bunch of chargers, which waste huge space.

[David Lageman]

Like so many others, I started down the yellow brick road and stuck with it due to the battery platform. Even started picking up some of the outdoor items as my Echo stuff is now ancient. It's just too easy to grab one of the numerous batteries and go to town with the string trimmer!!!

[Doug Dawson]

Like so many others, I started down the yellow brick road and stuck with it due to the battery platform.
I started with DeWalt cordless back in the early 90’s and my experience with their batteries was such that my loyalty to them is exactly zero. Their 20v system is pretty decent, but if there’s an alternative ecosystem, that’s just great. IMO the modern Milwaukee batteries are a better deal, especially when offered as promotions, as often happens.

[Adam Herman]

i have the ridgid stuff and have been happy with it. If you are looking at new tools, i would be considering waiting on the new flex line at lowes, they are made by the company that makes e-go yard stuff, flex automotive tools, which are highly regarded and a few other brands of industrial and consumer tools. they are positioning themselves to be a Milwaukee competitor to bring the trades into lowes, as home depot has most of that market right now. hopefully they can create some competition with Milwaukee.

[Frederick Skelly]

I went with the Milwaukee after hearing Malcolm Schweitzer's experiences with them after two hurricanes. I love mine.

[Earl McLain]

I had a few Bosch 18v tools i liked very much. Last summer we needed a new string trimmer and i had accumulated some "rewards points" from one of our vendors that were going to expire--most of the stuff on the site was for blenders & costume jewelry. But, i found that i had enough points for a Milwaukee string trimmer kit, drill, driver, recip saw, and a circular saw--all at $0.00 out of pocket. Added their 18v chain saw (had to buy that in cash!!) a month ago. Heavier than my Bosch stuff, but since i gave all that to one of my sons...i'm growing used to the difference. Chain saw is for sure a lighter 16" saw, but very functional as well. Picked up a heated 12v hoodie (usher football at a noted university) last fall--and found that Milwaukee makes a 18v to 12v adapter that steps down so a 3 ah 18v lasts several hours on medium & low heat. In total, i'm happy--especially for what i have in it.
earl

[Brian Tymchak]

I went with the Milwaukee after hearing Malcolm Schweitzer's experiences with them after two hurricanes. I love mine.

Timely thread for me as my Dewalt impact drill and batteries are at end of life. I like the Milwaukee brushless tools but the permutations of tools / brushless vs FEUL / battery pack configurations is confusing to me. Trying to piece together all the knowledge to make a best choice for my needs is tiring.

[David Buchhauser]

I go with Milwaukee 18V for drills, drivers, angle drills, grinders, sawzall and hackzalls, circular saw, jig saw, impact driver, and several other tools. I also like the Ryobi "one" 18v system and use their drills, hammer drills, angle grinder, small hand held vac, rotary tool, along with some of the yard tools (hedge trimmer, chain saw on pole, leaf blower).
David

[Andrew Seemann]

When I read the thread title, my thought was the hammer family was my favorite tool family:)

For brand families, I tend to look first at Makita for hand held and Jet for stationary and then check out other brands. Though Makita and Jet tend to be my preference, I do I have representatives of nearly every major brand in my shop. It helps too that Acme usually has a good selection of Makita and Jet in stock and they are a 15 minute drive away.

My cordless tools are all Makita 18V, and I haven't found any reason to leave that ecosystem, in fact I will likely be adding to it in the near future.

It is strange, I have never been a fan of DeWalt tools, although I am not sure why; I like all the DeWalts that I own. I think it has to do with a dislike of Black and Decker dating back to the 1970s.

[Anuj Prateek]

We have Ryobi 18 volt ONE+
Started with the vacuum cleaner and added a drill/driver and a light.
These work great but the drill/driver is huge and the vacuum is loud.

I bought a m18 drill and driver couple of years back. I like the red color scheme. Bought an impact wrench and Sazwall in m12 version later. Now I have these batteries, so look at Milwaukee by default.

I have a Ryobi 18 sprayer and vaccum, but not invested in Ryobi.

[Doug Dawson]

Timely thread for me as my Dewalt impact drill and batteries are at end of life. I like the Milwaukee brushless tools but the permutations of tools / brushless vs FEUL / battery pack configurations is confusing to me. Trying to piece together all the knowledge to make a best choice for my needs is tiring.
FUEL is Milwaukee’s trade name for brushless. I have both the M18 and M12 batteries in various configurations (around 20 in total.) The M18’s have more brute force power, but the M12’s have a better power to weight ratio for their tools in my experience. If you’re holding the tool a lot, that makes a difference.

[Alex Zeller]

I started in the Makita camp back when 7.2v was the common battery size. I stayed with them up until I got a drill with NiMH batteries. It was a 3 speed drill and after a couple years of light use the fastest speed died. I really never used it so I didn't do anything. Then the middle speed died. About that time Milwaukee came out with a 18v cordless grease gun. I had wanted one but wasn't willing to get one that didn't share batteries with other tools. DeWalt came out with one not too much after but I had already bought the Milwaukee. Since then I have added to my collection of Fuel stuff. The only issue I've had is the trigger on the drill died and was replaced under warranty. I don't think I would call Milwaukee the best out there but they seem to be very well built and rugged.

[Frederick Skelly]

Timely thread for me as my Dewalt impact drill and batteries are at end of life. I like the Milwaukee brushless tools but the permutations of tools / brushless vs FEUL / battery pack configurations is confusing to me. Trying to piece together all the knowledge to make a best choice for my needs is tiring.

I really like the 12v FUEL. If I was using all day or had demanding needs, I'd have gotten the 18v. But the ones I have stay charged a long time between uses and meet all my homeowner and hobby shop needs.

[Erik Loza]

On cordless stuff, DeWalt 20V.

For corded stuff, Harbor Freight if I'm being totally honest.

Erik

[Brian Tymchak]

FUEL is Milwaukee’s trade name for brushless. I have both the M18 and M12 batteries in various configurations (around 20 in total.) The M18’s have more brute force power, but the M12’s have a better power to weight ratio for their tools in my experience. If you’re holding the tool a lot, that makes a difference.

I was reading on the Milwaukee site that FUEL tools are the top line brushless but there are brushless tools that are not FUEL.

[Doug Dawson]

I was reading on the Milwaukee site that FUEL tools are the top line brushless but there are brushless tools that are not FUEL.
You want FUEL. Maybe they’ve made other brushless, but FUEL is what you want. With Milwaukee anyway.

[Mike Stelts]

Makita also offers brushless tools. I bring this up because I've been using Makita since the 9.6v days, always being satisfied. The selection is enormous, so you can get exactly what you need. For example, there are 20 18V impact wrenches, 5 are brushless.