Battery powered DIY tools

[Deadwood]

Battery powered DIY tools

My kit is full of Makita tools. Most of them are home maintenance related, but I'm starting to gravitate more towards collecting and using automotive maintenance types of battery powered tools so I don't have to do so much wrenching by hand.

I plan on sticking with Makita as my number one brand. I might add Milwaukee as number two if my needs justify it.

I have...
- Makita 18v 1/2-in impact wrench (not the big one)
- Makita 18v 3/8-in impact wrench
- Makita 18v 1/4-in impact driver
- Makita 18v flashlights

Would there be any point in buying the 18v 3/8 ratchet, or is that more of just a nice to have? I'm perfectly satisfied with the tools I have already, so I'm not planning any jumps to other brands, and like most people, I don't want to maintain any more battery systems than I have to.

I already know that I'm going to need to buy the bigger 1/2-in impact wrench. The one that I own is not wholly sufficient to quickly get wheels off, but it works eventually, after all my HOA neighbors open up their doors and notice what's going on with all the excessive hammering.

 

[Rand]

if these are not everyday use tools consider ryobi.

The HP line is good and the $$'s are reasonable.

For example I got the big impact which is as strong as my dewalt dcf899 for $80

Added a nice ryobi HP hammer drill the PBLHM101B
for $69

Batteries had an extra good sale last year
99$ for (2) 4ah HP batteries+ charger with a free tool.

 

[Hirev]

About 2 or 3 years ago I bought a kobalt cordless 3/8 in ratchet to add to the collection of cordless automotive tools. I've found it to be handy for my older hands.

 

[The_Jeff]

About 2 or 3 years ago I bought a kobalt cordless 3/8 in ratchet to add to the collection of cordless automotive tools. I've found it to be handy for my older hands.

Yeah these are great for zipping off 10mm headed fasteners that hold all the "fluff" on like splash shields. Makes getting to the meat of the repair quicker.

 

[Nessism1]

I'd get a 3/8" drive ratchet, instead of 1/4" impact. Change up the form factor for flexibility.

Love my old 12V Makita drill motor. I've switched to Milwaukee for reasons unknown, but still have a soft spot for Makita.

 

[Deadwood]

if these are not everyday use tools consider ryobi.

The HP line is good and the $$'s are reasonable.

For example I got the big impact which is as strong as my dewalt dcf899 for $80

Added a nice ryobi HP hammer drill the PBLHM101B
for $69

Batteries had an extra good sale last year
99$ for (2) 4ah HP batteries+ charger with a free tool.

I do have a converter to be able to use my Makita 18 volt batteries on my two 18 volt Ryobi tools. So I could save some money by buying Ryobi. Good idea. I assume the HP impact wrench would be up to the task of taking wheels off and suspension types of jobs.

 

[Timmastertech]

I find 18 volt ratchets useless. The batteries are too big and get in the way.

 

[wavinwayne]

Would there be any point in buying the 18v 3/8 ratchet...

I already know that I'm going to need to buy the bigger 1/2-in impact wrench...

If you find yourself removing & reinstalling a lot of fasteners, I'd give the 18V rachet a try.

I own the high torque LXT 1/2" impact wrench. It's complete overkill for everything I own; I'll probably never test its limits. It feels like it would take the lug nuts off a 747.

 

[cptbarkey]

I have tried a few different battery ratchets, and settled on the cheapest brushed 3/8 Milwaukee. I have used it only a few times. I still prefer a hand ratchet 99 percent of the time, none of the battery units feel good in my hand and I prefer feeling the bolt vs basically zero feedback, and all of them are awkwardly bulky.

 

[CarbonToast]

I have the cordless ryobi 18 volt. It is bulky but has been a huge time saver. The head rotation helps some. I use it all the time. Car projects, furniture assembly, etc. I had a bunch of ryobi tools before I got. The harbor freight one has good reviews.

 

[GrumpyCat]

Would there be any point in buying the 18v 3/8 ratchet, or is that more of just a nice to have? I'm perfectly satisfied with the tools I have already, so I'm not planning any jumps to other brands, and like most people, I don't want to maintain any more battery systems than I have to.

Talk like that among the wrong crowd and you'll be stripped of your Man Card.

No Man has ever had enough tools.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I don't do much work anymore, and a bum back to boot. Father time has caught up to me. I'm totally content using ratchets. Got plenty of 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive stuff to get the job done. Have a few Black & Decker cordless drills, leaf blowers, weed wackers. Upgraded some of the batteries to 8Mah for longer run time. Do have an electric 1/2" drive impact gun I use every so often. Still recovering from 2nd back surgery. Beat my body up good doing construction and wrenching cars since the 70's. No need for me to get cordless ratchets. Leave all that good stuff for the youngins.

 

[wtd]

All of my power tools are 20-volt Dewalt except I have one Milwaukee M12 3/8" ratchet. I have two Dewalt ratchets with one of them having an anvil that can be switched between 1/2" and 3/8"

 

[willbur]

if these are not everyday use tools consider ryobi.

The HP line is good and the $$'s are reasonable.

For example I got the big impact which is as strong as my dewalt dcf899 for $80

Added a nice ryobi HP hammer drill the PBLHM101B
for $69

Batteries had an extra good sale last year
99$ for (2) 4ah HP batteries+ charger with a free tool.

Could try the Hart brand sold at walmart. Made by Ryobi. Gets surprising reviews from TTC. Ryobi is in the same family as Milwaukee

 

[Snagglefoot]

Talk like that among the wrong crowd and you'll be stripped of your Man Card.

No Man has ever had enough tools.

He who dies with the most tools, wins.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Battery powered DIY tools

My kit is full of Makita tools. Most of them are home maintenance related, but I'm starting to gravitate more towards collecting and using automotive maintenance types of battery powered tools so I don't have to do so much wrenching by hand.

I plan on sticking with Makita as my number one brand. I might add Milwaukee as number two if my needs justify it.

I have...
- Makita 18v 1/2-in impact wrench (not the big one)
- Makita 18v 3/8-in impact wrench
- Makita 18v 1/4-in impact driver
- Makita 18v flashlights

Would there be any point in buying the 18v 3/8 ratchet, or is that more of just a nice to have? I'm perfectly satisfied with the tools I have already, so I'm not planning any jumps to other brands, and like most people, I don't want to maintain any more battery systems than I have to.

I already know that I'm going to need to buy the bigger 1/2-in impact wrench. The one that I own is not wholly sufficient to quickly get wheels off, but it works eventually, after all my HOA neighbors open up their doors and notice what's going on with all the excessive hammering.

Regarding the ratchet, I was watching a video on replacing a Chevy truck front fender and the video showed the manual ratchet work in high speed. It looked totally comical with the ratchet flailing in high speed. Yes, a battery operated ratchet is a must. My ratchet is 1/4” and does fine. I’m also a believer in trying to keep to one or two battery systems.

 

[Nessism1]

He who dies with the most tools,wins.

I recently bought a couple of Mitutoyo digital micrometers. Not cheap. I'm going to be 64 next month, and when buying them I imagined my kid, who is not a garage rat like me, giving all my tools away to goodwill when I die.

 

[Lenny5160]

I love my brushed M12 3/8" ratchet. Usage is probably split 50/50 with the 3/8" anvil or a 1/4" drive adapter.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Regarding the ratchet, I was watching a video on replacing a Chevy truck front fender and the video showed the manual ratchet work in high speed. It looked totally comical with the ratchet flailing in high speed. Yes, a battery operated ratchet is a must. My ratchet is 1/4” and does fine. I’m also a believer in trying to keep to one or two battery systems.

I have to correct myself. My battery ratchet is 3/8" with a crossover to 1/4". Its a Milwaukee. I chose it because of its compact battery size.

 

[Trav]

Battery powered DIY tools

My kit is full of Makita tools. Most of them are home maintenance related, but I'm starting to gravitate more towards collecting and using automotive maintenance types of battery powered tools so I don't have to do so much wrenching by hand.

I plan on sticking with Makita as my number one brand. I might add Milwaukee as number two if my needs justify it.

I have...
- Makita 18v 1/2-in impact wrench (not the big one)
- Makita 18v 3/8-in impact wrench
- Makita 18v 1/4-in impact driver
- Makita 18v flashlights

Would there be any point in buying the 18v 3/8 ratchet, or is that more of just a nice to have? I'm perfectly satisfied with the tools I have already, so I'm not planning any jumps to other brands, and like most people, I don't want to maintain any more battery systems than I have to.

I already know that I'm going to need to buy the bigger 1/2-in impact wrench. The one that I own is not wholly sufficient to quickly get wheels off, but it works eventually, after all my HOA neighbors open up their doors and notice what's going on with all the excessive hammering.

I wouldn't spent much for a battery ratchet (all normal ratchets and screwdrivers are cordless), they are okay for some things like down the front of the engine or near the brake MC or booster, for hard to get at bolts and nuts the long shaft with a small head is what I find is the most useful. Basically these are tools with limited uses. I have a Hercules from HF $54 and $34 for a 4A battery, for the few times I actually need it the thing is fine. The head is very small and the switch paddle is much nicer than most.

For underbody panels, transmission and oil pans, timing covers, etc I use a small Bosch 12v 3/8 impact and for putting them back in a Bosch 12v driver with a clutch, it is many times faster than a battery ratchet but setting the clutch low will only tighten the bolts slightly so you can finish with a TW or small ratchet. For screws going into plastic I set the clutch on 2-3 and bolts going into pans 5 with no chance of stripping the threads and you can install all of them in seconds.