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Milwaukee or Dewalt?
jimdeere
Member, Moderator Posts: 26,155 ******
My old Dewalt 18v. batteries are dying one by one. I am looking to buy a full set on new tools. Anybody have experience with Milwaukee? What does the *Fuel designation mean? The set I want must include the 1/2" impact.
I would consider other brands.
Comments
We have both my oldest son really likes Milwaukee wehave chain saws trippers saws and of course drills and drivers he has a impact at work
All have done great no complaints
I went with Dewalt some years ago when I lost garage to fire I had a hodge podge of so many brands I had picked up so I started over with Dewalt 14. 4 then the 18 vt and now the 20vt and a hand full of aadptersto use new battery's in the old tools
I Can't complain about them all have served me well and still going
Will add bought adpters to use Milwaukee battery's on Dewalt tools sure saves on a lot of extra battery's
If I was to go with one now just for convince I would just go with Milwaukee
Just to have all the same
I've always liked Makita brand. Milwaukee has been around a long time and I'd have no hesitation using anything Milwaukee.
The only Milwaukee brand tools I've got are at least 20 years old. They are corded tools but work as good now as they did 20 years ago. If I was in the market Milwaukee would get my vote. I think the fuel designation is just the name of one of their product lines. They make some pretty big Li-ion tools that are supposed to take the place of traditionally gas powered stuff, like concrete saws. Hence the name fuel, meaning it replaces fuel powered tools. Bob
Most of my tools are Dewalt 20 volt now. I do find some Milwaukee ratchets usefuel, and have some fuel batteries.
Margaret Thatcher
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
Mark Twain
Milwaukee. I run em everyday. They are great.
DeWalt here, I use some of them every day. Cordless miter saw and cordless air compresssor are handy.
The 'Fuel' designation is nothing more than a button on the back end of the battery that you press to show remaining charge level.
Personally, I don't think you could go wrong with either brand. We use the Dewalt 1/4" impact drivers at work to drive 3" torx drive deck screws and will generally go through a 35# bucket of screws in a week and a half to 2 weeks. We've had the newest driver at least two years now and both have seen a considerable amount of use, and abuse.
I vote for Makita.
Got both, Milwaukee!
This could very easily turn into a 1911 vs Glock type thread!
Nothing but DeWalts for me.
I have several Ryobi tools they have served this novice well. Especially my 12" corded compound mitre saw. It's a beast.
I got a deal on 2 new style Ryobi batteries and charger on graigslist. Can't say anything bad about Ryobi.
The contractor who installed our new windows swears by Porter Cable.
6 of one or a 1/2 dozen of another. Jim, the last time through I picked up 2 -18 volt batteries at Rural King - on sale.
I owned a tool store for 22 years, both brands are comparable.
This is what I'd do if I wanted "all new stuff": I'd buy Dewalt, which is what I have now. Been pretty happy with it, except when the 20V line first came out, there was an impact driver that was JUNK, and I ended up with one. There is also a small radio that is junk, I've had one replaced 3x under warranty. Other than that, it is decent stuff.
What you COULD do is buy 20 V batteries and chargers, and then buy 18V to 20V adapters. That is the cheapest way. You could still use your old tools. Don't buy 18V batteries, any that are left out there are junk by now.
Merc
I like both brands but learned a very valuable lesson about battery powered tools quite some time ago.
Most already know this but I will state it anyway. Never store your batteries out in unheated shop conditions!
Other than that, I will buy either Milwaukee or Dewalt brand products when needed and are on sale.
Ridgid has a lifetime warranty.
Ridgid does have a lifetime warranty on the batteries too! I have never used that brand, but for general use, IMHO, they would be good.
I prefer Dewalt 20v simply because I have used Dewalts for over 20 years(why change what isnt broke kinda deal, just upgrade).
IMHO Dewalt is geared towards wood work, and the bigger stuff for vehicles(lug nuts). I have a 1/2 HEAVY duty impact for lug nuts(overkill) but bought it for use in my tractor(think rusted 2 inch bush hog nuts). I also have a Dewalt weed eater that is AWESOME!
Again, IMHO, Milwaukee is geared towards automotive work. Think ratchets and small work lights.
You cant go wrong with Dewalt or Milwaukee.
I would check to see which has the tools that I want, then check prices!
Depends on what color you like. If you are a red guy buy Milwaukee, if you prefer yellow buy the Dewalt. Both brands are excellent tools you can' go wrong with either. Harbor Freight has branded tools that even the pros seem to like at very low costs.
Stanley Black & Decker now owns Dewalt, Craftsman, Mac Tools, Porter-Cable and a bunch More.
TTI owns Milwaukee, Ryobi, RIDGID and more...
check out this link if you like:
https://www.protoolreviews.com/power-tool-manufacturers-who-owns-them/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20Craftsman%20and%20DeWalt%20are%20Owned%20by%20Stanley%20Black%20%26%20Decker
I have used Dewalt and Craftsman for most tools all my life and a few others, most recently got a new 20v Craftsman drill and a jig saw happy with both so far, My Dewalt 14.4 drills (have 2 of em) have lasted almost 20 years with battery replacements a few times, the last time I got the Craftsman for about the same price as just the Dewalt batteries would have been. For corded either Miwaukee or Dewalt have been good drills, saws etc. Batteries are nice but I still use corded for jobs that take awhile and are close enough to outlets.
I've had nothing but excellent results with Craftsman 19.2v cordless tools, the chargers, and the batteries. My only experience with Dewalt so far is a 12v cordless drill I picked up yesterday, at the local Goodwill store. Figured for $3.99 it was worth a try, and I've got a charger lined up for under $10 later today.
I don't know the cost, but I saw that Batteries Plus will rebuild your old power tool batteries.
I just started to switched over to 20v yellow. So far I'm very impressed with them, especially the small impact driver. For only being a 1/4", it sure is impressive. Do your homework though, not sure about red, but yellow has many different models/features of the same tool. I found it better to spend a little more money and get a better tool. For example, the small drivers can come with speed /gear settings, or just where you control everything with the trigger.
i just finished up building my shop. I own Makita drills and my cousin who was helping me owns Milwaukee. His tools were heavier and just couldn't keep up. When we had to torque down the heavy lag screws mine could turn them in faster and further. When you couple that with the weight savings the choice becomes pretty clear. Cost is similar but performance is not.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
corded or cordless...........I have all DeWalt power tools.
I have had craftsman and dewalt in the past, both brands the chargers gave out before the batteries, though they too may have caused the chargers to die. I don't do nearly the work around the house, ect I used to do and ended up getting a drill and sawzall combo kit from the Worx brand right before I ordered it they ran a special on the drill, sawzall and circular saw with 4 batteries and 2 chargers for less than $200 I think it was 179-189 for the kit. so far I have been happy with them, the circular saw will eat batteries pretty bad at least twice as fast or more than the sawzall, the drill seems to last as long,longer than the other brands. I don't know if they would hold up to heavy duty daily, use such as contractor , but for the once or twice a week around the garage use they are great. I have used the sawzall with a 8-10 rough tooth blade more than anything, mainly to trim trees, rootballs when pulling up a few shrubs. and also out at my deer blind to saw limbs and small trees out of line of sight to make shooting lanes and one battery will do more than a dozen small trees the size of your wrist and still be running...........
I have Bosch 18 volt tools. Love ‘em. Drill motor, impact driver, grinder, skilsaw, reciprocating saw and a flashlight.
About 20 years ago, I bought a light duty Black & Decker battery powered electric drill at our local K-Mart store. Got it very cheap on clearance. Its battery is contained inside the drill with no means to remove. Just an access hole in the handle where the charging cord plugs into it. I used it a lot around the house and some out in the shop all these years and believe it or not that little drill is still going strong to this day!
I now shall rely on an old disclaimer about complimenting mechanical equipment. Now that I have bragged up this drill be prepared to hear sometime in the very near future about my B&D drill has just bitten the dust! 😁
Like Furd or Chevy.
We run the snot out of Dewalt 20 and 60 volt tools. You name it, most likely someone will have one on the job running it. Never had a battery issue, now the older lower voltage tools, that is another story
Others might be as good but not better, my 2 cents.
I have always used DeWalt,but I started going to a local Tools Direct store and the prices were so good on Ryobi I have a lot of their 20 and 40 volt tools.So far so good. The direct tools sell Ryobi,Ridgid and some Milwaukee that TTI makes.They also make the Hart tools that Walmart sells.
Thanks for the tip, buddyb.
The older Milwaukee tools with a cord are built like a tank and will last forever. I have a DeWalt 14.4 drill that I have had forever and abuse quite a bit. No complaints. DeWalts 14.4 Batteries are over priced junk and I will never buy another one. For $20 i get a new one on Fleabay and it last longer than the DeWalt battery. Just my 2 cents. ----------Ray
95% of my battery tools are DeWalt, and I think I have 1 Milwaukee. I have been very happy with the DeWalt tools and the 20V batteries. My older DeWalts that are 18V, not so much.
Joe
I have used almost every brand out there, and found Milwaukee to be the best so far. I use cordless tools every day, all day long. Dewalt is not bad either, but I prefer the Milwaukee more. Get the brushless tools or drill. If you don't, you will be taking it back within two weeks. Also, buy yourself the extended life 5.0 batteries. The tool that are not brushless, over heat the batteries and kills them super quick.
Could you post the phone number please?
Did you know that DeWalt 20V tools are really only 18V?
https://toolguyd.com/dewalt-20v-max-18v/#:~:text=What%20is%20important%20is%20that,the%20output%20will%20be%2018V.
I couple or so of you guys have mentioned the Dewalt 20V/18V adapter. My many Dewalt tools are 18V and my problem has been with the battery release. Maybe my fingers are just too sore to operate the release buttons. It looks like using the 20V batteries would solve that problem. Any complaints with that adapter?
Just buy NEW stuff. The new 20v systems are WAY better than the old 18 volt ones, dewalt and Milwaukee.
Cordless tools have come a LONG ways in the past 10 years.
I use the Dewalt 20v brushless XR tools.
I no longer do construction for a living. when i was we used porter cable and some dewalt . I would go with whichever you can get the best deal on . The porter cable folks quit catering to the pros and went after the hobby market