So true. A drill and maybe a trim saw is all I would really use in a cordless application. They really don't generate enough power for serious jobs. I like my cordless DeWalt drill for putting up drywall, but when I have to drill through 100+ studs in my basement to string electrical wire, I borrow my neighbors corded Makita. Drills a 5/8's hole in half the time.

 

My dad and my brother are carpenters and needless to say I did my fair share of summers working with them as well. They prefer DeWalt to most other brands. You can drop them 1000 times and they're still good. The batteries are pretty universal throughout the tools they have and since they're at home depot, you can return them almost whenever you want.

I like the whole corded/cordless idea. Seems like it would solve a lot of problems. I know I hate waiting for a battery to charge when I'm doing a project that a cord would work on.

 

We sold Porter Cable and when B&D bought them, we now have access to the entire B&D line.

DeWalt is considered a professional level tool. It is a tool intended for a good deal of use/abuse. It is more than most need for home projects.

Porter Cable is pretty close in durability and abuse taking. I think DeWalt is more geared towards the pro. This line would be a stretch for the home user, but not silly to own if you bought them.

Black and Decker is considered a consumer line. For occasional drilling/cutting or whatever, it is quite adequate. You would want more if you were doing some big projects.

Rigid is Home Depot's private label brand. I don't know who makes it, or even the quality of the tool.

 

I've had really good success with DeWalt, Bosch, and Milwaukee. If you're looking for a sawzall, the Milwaukee 13 amp is the best on the market. DeWalt drills and circular saws are damn near perfect, and Bosch makes pretty good everything else. Porter cable is a pretty decent brand, but I'd stick with the first three.

 

Milwaukee=tits

... but expensive. I'll offer another vote for DeWalt. Especially if they have a good deal on a set at Costco. Can't beat that.

 

I was a kitchen and bath remodelor, my battery powered tools of choice were Bosch. I used my drills until they were too hot to hold onto when attaching drywall and subflooring/underlayment. Battery life was about 18 months of daily use. If you are going to replace everything at once I have seen complete kits, i.e. drill motor, circular saw, sabre saw, flashlight, etc. at home depot and lowe's all ranging in the 400-500 dollar range, from DeWalt and other makers. All would be good enough for general homeowner use. Stay away from those that use huge battery pacs as the battery life is shorter due to excessive heat buildup on the internal batteries in the pac, since all they are, are a bunch of 1.5V rechargeables wrapped around one another.

 

Dewalt, for the most part, makes the best power tools you can buy (including heavy dute equip.)

I have a lot of dewalt tools (drill, midar saw, paddle mixer, table saw, etc) and they have been GREAT. I have some black and decker, but I only get low duty tools from them (like a jigsaw)

Cutting tools, Motabo is the best. Its the "caddilac" of cutting tools. Makita is ok, Hitachi isnt all that.

Bosch im not a fan of, had 3 grinders go on me.

Dont hesitate to buy DeWalt. If you can, get the more expensive items (my Dewalt cordless was $250)........runs like a champ though.

 

One other thing I'd mention would be the weight of the high-power cordless tools. An 18v or 24v battery pack weighs a LOT and it makes the tool pretty hefty. Something to consider if you're going to be using it for long periods of time. I only have 14.4v tools because of this very reason. I figure if I need a stronger tool, just use the corded ones.

 

I just went thru the same "battery oudated and no longer sold" scenario with DeWalt so they aren't the answer to your problem.

Using the tools up before they change the design so you have to buy a new set is the only solution I see.

Whatever you do get the highest voltage system you can afford. You'll get more torque.

 

PM me if you want to buy bosch power tools. I can get you some pretty decent discounts.