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Plbg.com also known as the PlumbingForum.com. The popular plumbing tips, remodel and advice forum and blog. Ask any toilet, sink, faucet, pump, water quality and plumbing related questions.
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Author:
cvcman
Ok I have a Ridgid 18v lithium drill that I love, it has power to spare.I would like a cordless sawzall and a buddy of mine said "get the Dewalt they are the best" But..I have the charger and batteries for the Ridgid and also I believe Ridgid has a free lifetime warranty even on the batteries...
Just wonder if they have the b@ll$ the Dewalt has ...do you guys use cordless tools ?
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
cord less is a need,Those who need work the battery, to make the tools work.Miss the formula for a week or two and it is sadly not recovering.Use it wisely or lose it.no weak end to any rigid tool. But all batteries fault unused or charged.I like my 19.2/yes craftsmen.on the tenth battery and fourth charger.never die when I need them/ok almost/never.Light saws all circular drill and hammer.never leave 120 volt power tools out because you may not need them. I smoked the last two batteries on tile when the power was on and the drill was on the truck.MY BAD.
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Author:
jimmy-o (CA)
Ridgid, Ryobi, etc are imported by One World Technologies. Not sure who makes DeWalt.
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Author:
North Carolina Plumber (NC)
I use a Milwaukee 28 volt cordless sawzall, hammerdrill, skil saw, and flashlight. Used at least once daily I get about 5 years out of a battery. I would stack my Milwuakee cordless drill up against any other as far as # of holes drilled per charge. I rountinly drill 2 9/16" holes with mine.
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Author:
sum (FL)
I have a Ridgid 18v one handed recip saw, I got it as part of a combo kit.
I am very disappointed with it. With a fully charged lithium ion battery it could not cut through one piece of 2x4 without halting and restarting.
The problem is not the saw, I think the problem is with the battery. I had the older lithium ion batteries and I literally had to stop/start/stop/start about twenty times to cut one piece of wood. With the new Hyper lithium ion battery it cuts down to about ten times. I was told my someone with the high capacity lithium ion battery it cuts without stopping. Naturally I don't pick it up anymore. I went back using my Porter Cable corded saw. The only time I use the cordless one is to trim shrub branches outside.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
For a homeowner there's no advantage to a cordless recip. If I break out my Milwaukee sawzall, I don't want to have to worry about a battery dying on me. If I have to go to the basement to grab it, I just grab an extension cord too.
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Author:
Fixitangel (NC)
Nothing worse than crawling into a tight place and having a battery give out.
Murphy's law of crawlspaces states:
"The access door to the crawlspace is always on the opposite side of the house where the work needs to be done."
I use cordless for the lighter stuff. I have a power inverter in the truck to charge up batteries when I need to. I use corded tools on the heavier jobs. Get 'r done.
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Author:
HelpMePlumb (FL)
If there's electric available I use corded. Period.
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Author:
NICK (CA)
Cordless is a must for a drill driver and I've had my dewalt 18 v for at least 10 years and no problems. I have the corded milwaukee super sawzall, the best in my opinion, for almost 20 years and it will outlive me. I personally have never owned anything else cordless. keep away from ridgid for power tools and dont believe their warranty. If you are a professional and have to have a cordless for certain situations which come up often, then do your homework. If you are a diyer for around the house, stay away from cordless stuff and stay with the cord. Without researching I would guess dewalt is better than ridgid.
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Author:
mr leak (CA)
Not even a point of discussion RIGID Dewalt is less quality and the weak spot of their tools are the cheap switches ONCE AGAIN RIGID
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Author:
mr leak (CA)
Rigid is far superior to Dewalt.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
SwimRunPlumb (MI)
I use all Ridgid cordless tools and love them all, with a slight exception for the sawzall. It is bigger and bulkier than the Dewalt, and does not feel as good in your hands. It has a safety switch that is very hard to engage with your thumb while squeezing the trigger with your finger at the same time (I disengaged mine it was so annoying). It also has much less rpm's than the DeWalt, but it may have more power, I'm not sure.
Of course, these comparisons are all based on my tools that are at least 6 years old, things may have changed.
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Author:
waukeshaplumbing (WI)
i just switched my battery tools from Milwaukee to Dewalt...both were 18v
the Milwaukee was better...i used to use Dewalt, but have switched all my tools to Milwaukee...they arent perfect, but they are a step up
my current dewalt set needs a recharge almost every other day....every project i use my sawsall for i always seem to run out of power in the middle....
id skip the Dewalt...they are not the best
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Author:
hj
Which is it? First you say you switched from Milwaukee to DeWalt, and then you say Milwaukee is better. I use the DeWalt 18 volt tools, and do not even have the corded ones on the truck anymore.
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Author:
Wheelchair
All those companies mentioned manufacture consumer grade and commercial grades. Obviously the commercial grades are constructed with better material. Know the limits of your warranties. Know the limits of your batteries. I always purchase one extra battery,just for a spare.
Ridgid has honored all of its warranties, so I stick with what works best.
Best Wishes
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Author:
cvcman
I will tell you this..my Ridgid cordless drill will twist your wrist off ! It came with 2 batteries and I have NEVER heard ANYONE say that they had an issue with the warranty on the batteries or the tool !
I just didnt know how well their sawzalls were..Guess I wasnt relly sking for permission to buy one nor did I need to be told I dont need one because I am a DIY homeowner, I can make that decision all by myself, thx
I just wanted to know if you felt their saws were as good as their drills ! The thing that bugs me is you dont seem to be ble to go into Depot and buy a saw with a battery ??
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Author:
vic
cvcman asked:
".....do you guys use cordless tools?"
3 1/2 years ago I purchased a beautiful new Milwaukee 28volt cordless sawzall, a 6 1/2" Milwaukee V28 cordless circular saw as well as a Milwaukee brand V28 cordless hammer-drill. At the same time I purchased 3 of their V28 batteries which cost a boat-load of bucks.
I love these Milwaukee tools as they are rugged and it's sure convenient to have cordless tools (just be sure to bring a 2nd battery along), however the batteries did not meet my expectations as far as longevity. After a year or so they really dropped off a lot in holding a powerful charge.
One month old I bit the bullet and purchased 2 new M28 Milwaukee 28volt batteries which replaces the former V28 batteries and with them I also had high hopes and again I'm disappointed in these new Milwaukee batteries. I'm no expert on this however will say that for $139. for each of these new M28 batteriese they are NOT worth it as even these new batteries don't seem to hold a great charge. The tools are awesome, their batteries have a lot to be desired and the cost for their batteries are ridiculous.
Sorry that I can't comment on Ridgid versus Dewalt however I did want to state my experience and opinion on the Milwaukee V28 and newer M28 cordless Litium-Ion batteries and value of them. The latest M28 batteries are "made in Korea with further processing in China" whatever that means. 
Also I must say that I've been happy with all Ridgid brand products that I've ever purchased and/or used.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
waukeshaplumbing (WI)
HJ...i switched from Milwaukee to Dewalt, but regret it
id choose Milwaukee next time
drills and circle saws work great on battery....but sawsall all suck...they go dead after 1-2 cuts....i find the dewalt tools over all to need recharging more often
Dewalt costs less than Milwaukee...there's a reason...you get less
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
cvcman.....No one told you that you didn't need one, or shouldn't have one. I said there was no advantage with a cordless recip. In fact, certain cordless tools, such as circular saws, should be outlawed. They are a hazard because as the battery begins to die they bind in the wood, and people start rocking them with the trigger pulled, and then they kick. The last one I used, wound up in pieces at the bottom of a cinderblock wall.Cordless drills, and even cordless screw drivers have there place, just be careful with cordless saws.They are the equivalent of a dull knife for a chef.
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Author:
cvcman
No mention of Makita
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Author:
cvcman
Paul, this is what Nick told me, sounds an awfull lot like I dont need one to me..
If you are a diyer for around the house, stay away from cordless stuff
That said i am a toolmaker by trade and know and understand how motors and power tools work, Im sure I will be fine making that decision..I was really ONLY looking for opinions on weather Ridgid sawzalls were anygood, thats all
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
He offered his opinion. It was not an assault on your right to buy anything you want.The bottom line is....no cordless tool will perform as well as a corded one under all conditions. If a plumber knew he would be drilling 1000 holes on a job today....do you think he would just bring a cordless drill with him?I have a cordless drill somewhere in the house. I can't remember the last time I used it though.Two or three times a month I grab the corded drill for something. I use the sawzall maybe 4 to 6 times a year. In between I don't worry if a battery is charged, or still good. It would be different if I used it every day on my job.By all means, get the best cordless recip money can buy. I think some of us were just trying to warn you that you might be disappointed with the performance.
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Author:
cvcman
Paul, I would think IF a plumber was going to drill 1000 holes he would have more than one battery IF he was using a cordless drill..Again I KNOW how they work and I KNOW that they dont perform as well as a corded in ALL cases...thats not what I was asking...
All I really wanted to know is IF you guys use cordless sawzalls do you feel the Ridgid works as well or has the b@ll$ that the Dewalt has..thats all I wanted to know. I wasnt looking for advise on how a diy doesnt need a cordless tool, and how you can get hurt on one,etc.
I will make my own decision on that. I tend to think I can run a cordless saw or drill or whatever and live to tell about it with no serious injurys..
Thx for the advise !
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Author:
vic
Thanks ALL who replied whether it was to answer cvcman's directly or to give additional advise, suggestions or thoughts.
Vic
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Author:
cvcman
I agree Vic, my posts seem to bring many replys, mixed or otherwise 
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Author:
cvcman
always find it interesting how there are so many different opinions no matter if we are talking about pipe dope on a compression fitting or using a cordless tool ! Thats what makes the site such a great place, you can get ALL the different opinions then make your own choice.
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Author:
ericsandstone (MD)
I find that all of the cordless tools have their limits and overall the biggest problems on job sites are: those who believe that you can drill or cut through heavy metal or cement board and still expect an old battery to have charge for the entire cut, others who think that a drill bit or unibit remain sharp enough to cut through metal forever. For sustained work with metal or thick wood we need corded tools and a healthy supply of new blades right for the cuts. I think DeWalt gets it done with cordless but, I believe that for the person who is continuously doing work which is highly demanding of the tools that a mixture of heavy duty cordless and corded tools (and sharp bits/blades) is the way to go. I also believe that it is good practice to have a 12 gauge cord (50'), a gfi protector and up to three 14 gauge cords - this combo allows me to have three corded tools at the ready on site instead of one and spending time un-plugging/replugging. That's my ideal work environment. Unfortanately I work for a guy who nurses his corded tools along, isn't good about having proper blades and has limited cords and cord tools. For the most part, I have been less than happy about the conditions of tools on sites (cords are the most improperly kept tools on most sites). Men are not working with the best - they are settling for number 2. It's very dissapointing. You are only as sharp as your tools are.
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Author:
hj
quote; ....but sawsall all suck...they go dead after 1-2 cuts
WHAT are you cutting? Mine last most of the day. The saw that drains the batteries is the circular blade "Skil Saw". I use my SawZall more than any other tool.
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Author:
hj
My opinion of the brand to use is that once you buy ONE tool, you then stay with that brand, REGARDLESS of which one it is, so the batteries, (and the in vehicle charger), are interchangeable.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
hj
IF I were going to drill a 1,000 holes, I would have corded drill AND an apprentice to do it. For the most part, I use cordless tools on the job AND around the house. The angle grinder/cutoff and my big SkilSaw, (really a Makita), are the only corded tools I use with any frequency.
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Author:
hj
quote; I always purchase one extra battery
Just ONE? I try to have 3 or 4 batteries, just in case I forget to charge one or two of them.
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Author:
hj
If you buy DeWalt, you can ONLY buy a saw without the battery, (and case), over the Internet. I did it last week, because I already had batteries and do not use the case.
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Author:
hj
The most sensible thing to do, since you already have a Ridgid tool would be to buy the reciprocating saw that uses the same battery.
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Author:
cvcman
Thats the plan, that was the original intent of this post to see IF the sawzalls were as good as the drill
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Author:
Wheelchair
A 1000 watt generator is about the same price as a battery. Depending on the job, a small generator and corded tool might be better then a battery operated tool. But again, each job has its individual needs.
Best Wishes
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Author:
sum (FL)
Quote:Author: hj
IF I were going to drill a 1,000 holes, I would have corded drill AND an apprentice to do it.
hj, will the apprentice be corded or cordless? 
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Author:
sum (FL)
Like I said, I have the one handed sawzall that comes with the R9682 combo kit and it doesn't cut well.
[www.ridgid.com]
I have not been able to cut through one 2x4 without it stopping numerous times. It is a problem with the battery. High capacity lithium ion battery on the same saw, no problem.
Drill wise, I think Ridgid is so so. I have the 18V R86008, and for the most part it works but twisting my wrist off? No. Just this morning I had to drill a 1/2" hole through a double top plate and I used an 3/4" auger bit.
Guess what it got stuck in the wood and the drill just seized Errrrr Grrrrrr Errrrrrr. I had to back it out, and switch to a spade bit. I had a Makita and liked it much better.
However, I am using mostly Ridgid because of the lifetime service agreement.
Beware though, the LSA only applies to batteries you obtained when buying them as part of the tools. So if you buy a drill that comes with two batteries, those are covered by LSA if you register within 90 days. But if you go out and buy a standalone battery for $69 compact or $99 high capacity they are only 3 year warranty.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
hj
IT depends on how I feel about him at the time. When I was an apprentice, I would put guys to work digging ditches if they p***** me off.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
cave do not dis count the lower cost crafts man products.they serve me better than the higher cost tools you want and or have purchased.I have no spare dollars so these upper end products have no room in my box!!
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Author:
hj
For decades, Sears/Craftsman/Kenmore was my brand of choice, but when they "modernized" and got rid of the salesclerks on the floor and centralized the checkout booths, I stopped shopping there, and now may only go into the store once a year, if that often.
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