Moving into the M18 family with some new yard tools

Sedgehammer · October 07, 2020, 10:02:56 AM

Quote from: Magicman on September 22, 2020, 09:03:40 AM
It's interesting to note that (Japanese) Techtronic Industries (TTi) owns Ryobi, Milwaukee, Oreck, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and many other brands. Each separate company's headquarters are in the USA but Ryobi and Milwaukee are manufactured in the same factory in Hong Kong. Ridgid is manufactured in Ohio, USA.

The Connecticut-based Stanley Black & Decker owns many brands beyond its name, including Lenox, Craftsman, Irwin Tools, Porter Cable, Bostitch, and DeWalt. They are manufactured worldwide, but have 48 manufacturing facilities in the USA, some of which are; New Britain, Connecticut; Hampstead, Maryland; Shelbyville, Kentucky; Greenfield, Indiana; Cheraw, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Jackson, Tennessee. .

There are only 4 major tool manufacturers in the world and sorting them out will make your head spin. smiley_dizzy

I have Rigid. Like them very well so far. They have a lifetime warranty available if you buy them through home depot. I've used that warranty a few times. It even covers batteries. Milwaukee is probably better, but a lifetime warranty is hard to beat.

barbender · October 07, 2020, 12:30:51 PM

I haven't been very impressed with Rigid's batteries. I don't want to have to send them in, I just want them to work. I have a lot of Dewalt 18V, and now 20V tools that I am very happy with overall. I have the Dewalt brushless 20V angle grinder, good tool but I ran it side by side a Milwaukee Fuel grinder and I think the fuel had a bit more power. I picked up a 20v chainsaw that is really handy around the mill, I can see a Blower in my future as well. The brushless trimmer has made gas trimmers seem like a bad dream that I'm trying to forget😁

gspren · October 07, 2020, 01:13:33 PM

Do any of you get your batteries rebuilt when they get weak or die? I've had good luck with both Makita 14.4V and Dewalt 18V rebuilds lasting better than the originals. These are my cases with new internals.

Dave Shepard · October 07, 2020, 08:34:08 PM

I have 10 year old M18 batteries still going. When they die, I will try to recycle them. I will not have them rebuilt, I don't want my house or car to burn to the ground. If you are playing the cordless game, you will buy enough new tools with batteries that it isn't really an issue.

A few of my batteries and chargers.

Sedgehammer · October 08, 2020, 12:10:24 AM

Quote from: barbender on October 07, 2020, 12:30:51 PM
I haven't been very impressed with Rigid's batteries. I don't want to have to send them in, I just want them to work. I have a lot of Dewalt 18V, and now 20V tools that I am very happy with overall. I have the Dewalt brushless 20V angle grinder, good tool but I ran it side by side a Milwaukee Fuel grinder and I think the fuel had a bit more power. I picked up a 20v chainsaw that is really handy around the mill, I can see a Blower in my future as well. The brushless trimmer has made gas trimmers seem like a bad dream that I'm trying to forget😁

since they are under warranty, I guess it's on them

btulloh · October 08, 2020, 08:45:48 AM

No chance to try the new grinder yesterday. Hopefully today. Sounds like others have found these grinders to work well though. The Fuel grinders come in three sizes up to 7 inch and give you the option of paddle switch or slide switch, so you can pick your poison. I prefer paddles and triggers over slide switch. It's nice to have the choice.

Dave Shepard, that's quite a stack of batteries and chargers. I doubt I'll get anywhere close to that when I'm done.

Somebody mentioned rebuilding batteries. I've had some 18V Dewalt nicads rebuilt. All in all it didn't work out that well for me. Shipping costs plus cost of rebuild just didn't come out right. Catching them on sale helps, and I also tried some 3rd party batteries which are easy to find now. 3rd party bats were ok and a good value. Fitment was a little off but acceptable. Overall the nicad world is not the place to be any more, and I've been transitioning to all Lithium stuff. Better technology for sure. Seems like all the brands have gotten to be pretty good these days.

btulloh · October 08, 2020, 05:12:11 PM

Took the grinder out for a little test drive today. Overall it works well. Seems to have about the same power as the better corded grinders. I cut off a couple pieces from a piece of 1 1/2 x 3/16 flat bar using a brand x cutoff disc. Worked fine, although brand-x discs don't cut as fast as quality discs. I seem to be out of the good ones, so I was stuck with that. Tool performed well though.

Switched to a grinding disk and that worked well also. Overall, it seems like a good tool. Couldn't get a feel for battery life since it was just a short workout. Fuel gauge on the battery didn't show any discharge from the short test. Need to do a full grinding session to see how long the battery lasts.

A couple interesting things - Doesn't jump from the start up torque like the corded tools. Seems to be more from a soft start than lack of torque. Working torque seemed fine. Motor and gearhead are quieter than the corded tools. Kinda nice, but grinding is grinding. Still makes grinding a little quieter though.

I'm pleased with it.

trapper · October 08, 2020, 10:36:26 PM

Friend used my 1/2 inch m18 impact today. Told me it wasnt working right until I explained to him that after it breaks the bolt loose it slows down to give more control the rest of the way out. Then he was very impressed with it.

Sedgehammer · October 09, 2020, 12:52:26 AM

Quote from: Dave Shepard on October 07, 2020, 08:34:08 PM
I have 10 year old M18 batteries still going. When they die, I will try to recycle them. I will not have them rebuilt, I don't want my house or car to burn to the ground. If you are playing the cordless game, you will buy enough new tools with batteries that it isn't really an issue.

A few of my batteries and chargers.

10 years old....... That's pretty impressive. Yeah, my Rigids last about 7