Thread: Cordless Power Tools

Hi All,

Sometime between now and Xmas (or late Jan 2015) I'm going to buy some cordless power tools. A drill, grinder and a charger and a couple of batteries to start with. They will generally stay at work and won't be used too hard or all that often. The reason I'm buying these tools are the bloke I work with is leaving next year and taking his tools with him, and they have been useful plenty of times.

I'm thinking a AEG kit or individual items from bunnings (I think bunnings is the only AEG seller). I like the warranties for the tools and batteries, and the prices aren't too bad.

http://aegpowertools.com.au/?gclid=C...Y0PhoC7FPw_wcB

But I've heard that bunnings get their tools cheap due to things like plastic gears instead of metal gear et.c and are made in China (which doesn't bother me as long as they work). I found this old thread which was interesting but a bit dated:

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=107030

Cost is a factor but if it doesn't work or last then I still can't afford it. I have a AEG 125mm corded grinder for home which works really well.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Ben

Ben, I have to ask: why cordless?

Originally Posted by Old farmer

Ben, I have to ask: why cordless?

We're often mobile for short jobs and I don't want to carry a generator everywhere. Having the ability to use drills or grinders without running long extension cords or setting up a gennie comes in handy.

Ben.

Apart from your personnel use why doesn't the employer provide them.

G'Day Ben, Have a look in some of the Trade Stores as while AEG used to be top shelf it's now good DIY......
Check out what they are currently offering Dewalt, Metabo, Milwaukee, Bosch, Makita, Hitachi ...
A lot depends on how much you're going to use the tool...
Tools that get a caning need to be quality heavy duty or you'll be cursing the wasted money....
Just my 2boobs worth....cheers, crowie

I don't have any experience with AEG, but looking at the price for the drill/grinder/impact driver kit on the site you linked ($699), you're within spitting distance of many of the name brands anyway... Sydney tools website currently have a sale on Makita stuff, there are a few 3 piece kits there that are actually cheaper at the moment, although not brushless (not so fussed about brushless personally). If you were hung up on brushless, this Milwaukee kit could be a goer:

https://sydneytools.com.au/milwaukee-m18pp3c-402b-18v-4-0ah-fuel-li-ion-cordless-3pce-combo-kit

Longer warranty on the batteries, possibly a touch shorter on the tool - not quite sure how AEGs extended warranty works. Yes, an extra $100, but get yourself down to Total Tools at the right time, and you'll likely pick it up cheaper than the AEG- particularly if you're on their 'insider' list or whatever it is, they've had some screaming deals on Milwaukee stuff in recent months.

The company I work for runs Milwaukee gear on construction sites, and I can verify they can take a hiding from people who just don't care, and battery life is very good with the m18 fuel gear. Also seen a lot of Makita gear being bashed around on site by other trades without issue, and bought some of the higher end gear for home use...

Number of reasons why I chose Makita, always had good life out of Makita stuff, the fast charger suited my usage patterns at home, could get all the skins I wanted without crap I won't use, the drill I got was the most powerful 18v around (until Makita released their new brushless model, that thing should come with wrist braces!), and I didn't want it getting mixed up with the company gear if I take it on site

Interestingly, you don't see much of the other brands on site - Bosch appears in small quantities, don't think I've ever seen any Metabo gear. Our company also has some older Hilti gear, and you see a little bit of that here and there. Every now and then someone has Ryobi or Ozito, or even DeWalt...

By far and away though, it will be Makita or Milwaukee in people's hands.

I have always been a Makita bloke but when my cordless finally gave up the ghost I changed to blue bosch. Got an impact driver and a drill in a kit, powerful, light and good build quality. We recently went through the process at work as well when the Hitachi died. Took my kit in and everyone used it for a few weeks before deciding it was good gear and we got the current blue bosch kit for there. So far it has stood up well and given kids are rough on power tools it does get a hiding.

I have the AEG Brushless Drill & Impact Driver. Got them from Bunnings. I went for the AEG simply because the warranty is far better than anything else at the moment.

Sure I would have loved to have bought Milwake or Hilti but for home use I just could not justify the extra cost. Having said that I am more than happy with the quality of them, weight, balance, solidity all are fine. Plus I've got a 6 yr warranty on the device and 3 yr on the batteries.

The only thing you need to do is register them with AEG to get the extended warranty and for that you need the bunnings receipt.


Thx
Jon

We have some basic Milwake cordless stuff on our truck. I have been very impressed with it and while it may not get the same level of use from some trades, I think they are made very well. I was surprised to see that they were made in China but it just goes to show.

I think there are two main factors that dictate what brands are seen on building sites. (1) Quality, or perceived quality and (2) Clever, targeted Marketing.

Simon

Ben,
I have two AEG drills 1 corded and 1 cordless. The corded drill is absolute rubbish, the cordless is working o.k but does not appear to have a lot of battery life.
Both are fitted with keyless Rohm chucks and both chucks are rubbish, they keep losing there grip and stuffing drill bit shanks. Old AEG yes new AEG not for me.

Ted

Yeah, This is a really good deal, I paid over $1000 for just the drill and driver a year ago...

Originally Posted by Jekyll and Hyde

I don't have any experience with AEG, but looking at the price for the drill/grinder/impact driver kit on the site you linked ($699), you're within spitting distance of many of the name brands anyway... Sydney tools website currently have a sale on Makita stuff, there are a few 3 piece kits there that are actually cheaper at the moment, although not brushless (not so fussed about brushless personally). If you were hung up on brushless, this Milwaukee kit could be a goer:

https://sydneytools.com.au/milwaukee-m18pp3c-402b-18v-4-0ah-fuel-li-ion-cordless-3pce-combo-kit

Longer warranty on the batteries, possibly a touch shorter on the tool - not quite sure how AEGs extended warranty works. Yes, an extra $100, but get yourself down to Total Tools at the right time, and you'll likely pick it up cheaper than the AEG- particularly if you're on their 'insider' list or whatever it is, they've had some screaming deals on Milwaukee stuff in recent months.

The company I work for runs Milwaukee gear on construction sites, and I can verify they can take a hiding from people who just don't care, and battery life is very good with the m18 fuel gear. Also seen a lot of Makita gear being bashed around on site by other trades without issue, and bought some of the higher end gear for home use...

Number of reasons why I chose Makita, always had good life out of Makita stuff, the fast charger suited my usage patterns at home, could get all the skins I wanted without crap I won't use, the drill I got was the most powerful 18v around (until Makita released their new brushless model, that thing should come with wrist braces!), and I didn't want it getting mixed up with the company gear if I take it on site

Interestingly, you don't see much of the other brands on site - Bosch appears in small quantities, don't think I've ever seen any Metabo gear. Our company also has some older Hilti gear, and you see a little bit of that here and there. Every now and then someone has Ryobi or Ozito, or even DeWalt...

By far and away though, it will be Makita or Milwaukee in people's hands.

Originally Posted by TED C

Ben,
I have two AEG drills 1 corded and 1 cordless. The corded drill is absolute rubbish, the cordless is working o.k but does not appear to have a lot of battery life.
Both are fitted with keyless Rohm chucks and both chucks are rubbish, they keep losing there grip and stuffing drill bit shanks. Old AEG yes new AEG not for me.

Ted

That's interesting. Mine have the lithium ion batteries and are very good. Likewise can't complain about the chuck.

Maybe I got lucky!!

Sounds like it might be a lucky draw


Thx
Jon

Just recently purchased Milwaukee driver and drill combos 18 volt which replaced my 12 volt Bosch. Yes that's how old it was back when 12volt was king. Bunnings do spec their own cordless products so they can be the cheapest on that model, down spec is usually how they are cheapest.
anyhow I looked at AEG Bosch Makita dewalt and Milwaukee (apparently AEG and Milwaukee are same company) and the local tool specialist said with cordless gear they have to buy in really large volume to get good pricing.
So I bided my time and one day total tools had a big sale on Milwaukee with race car out front race bike at the door, pretty girls on display and sales reps and staff coming out their wahzoo with pallets of stock priced to go.
so suss out the big sheds but check the specialists too and try and be right time right place,
cheers

I have to say I'm a Dewalt bloke through and through.
I have had the rest and for the last 10 years settled with the best.
I have heard from time to time of people having a bad run with Dewalt, But I have nothing but praise
for mine.
I have two 9" Dewalt grinders
three 5" Dewalt grinders
A Dewalt tek gun
Two corded Dewalt drills 1 is 950w and the other is 1500w
An 18v cordless drill and an 18v cordless impact driver both Dewalt.
Not one of these tools has missed a beat over the years, and they have had an absolute flogging.

I have a myrid of other brands including Hitachi, Bosh, Makita, Ryobi.
All are OK, but nothing to write home about.
I especially am unhappy with both my 5" Makita grinders, as both have had minimal use and the bearings are compleatly shot.
I will fix them as it will be cheaper than replacing the whole tool.
But it leaves a sour taste in ones mouth to say the least.

Anyways thats my 2 bobs worth.
Take it or leave it.
Thanks for listening

Matt

Originally Posted by bwal74

Hi All,

Sometime between now and Xmas (or late Jan 2015) I'm going to buy some cordless power tools. A drill, grinder and a charger and a couple of batteries to start with. They will generally stay at work and won't be used too hard or all that often. The reason I'm buying these tools are the bloke I work with is leaving next year and taking his tools with him, and they have been useful plenty of times.

I'm thinking a AEG kit or individual items from bunnings (I think bunnings is the only AEG seller). I like the warranties for the tools and batteries, and the prices aren't too bad.

http://aegpowertools.com.au/?gclid=C...Y0PhoC7FPw_wcB

But I've heard that bunnings get their tools cheap due to things like plastic gears instead of metal gear et.c and are made in China (which doesn't bother me as long as they work). I found this old thread which was interesting but a bit dated:

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=107030

Cost is a factor but if it doesn't work or last then I still can't afford it. I have a AEG 125mm corded grinder for home which works really well.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Ben

It is very difficult to rate cordless tools this days since the race seems to be who can build the cheapest rubbish and charge the most based on sentimentality.
Because a corded tool bought 10 years ago is performing well, it does not mean that the cordless tool built today by the same brand will be of equivalent quality.
Brushless is good. I say Milwaukee, Makita and Hitachi are decent. i wouldn't buy from Bunnings though unless you know you are buying the exact model you want.
I personally use all Makita. Bought a drill and impact driver set that came with 3 batteries from United tools and added on the collection, a whole heap of skin tools bought from Amazon.com for a song. If you buy Milwaukee don't buy the small battery.
Cordless tools are not high quality unless you buy Festo, Feins or similarly ridiculously priced tools, you are in for mediocrity dressed as good. nothing else.