Carey Frennier
Well-Known Member
So, my 5 year old Craftsman 5 Tool C3 kit is down all batteries and three tools (all burned out).
I use my tools almost every single night for 2-3 hours a night. I use them for general homeowner, remodel and new construction, mechanical service and small metal fabrication applications.
For the money, I really liked the versitility of the C3 line and I've always been a fan of most Craftsman products. I own a great Craftsman Pro grade table saw, compound miter saw, bench drill press, amazing craftsman pro vise and a slew of basic hand tools that have never let me down.
I'm doing more and more work myself these days. Money is pretty tight as sales have dropped off the face of the earth (allocation death spiral for new KIA inventory). Often, it's not worth the money to go into work and pay a contractor. Last year was a totally different story.
I'd thought about upgrading my Craftsman DieHard 19.2V batteries to Li-Ion but I can't see making the investment in charger, three batteries for only two working tools. I could repurchase the ones that died on me but they were exceptionally underpar feeling tools compared to the rest of the kit.
So now I'm shopping for some tools.
I've really looked hard at what I need and what I want to spend.
I need a contractor grade tool.
I want a flat battery Li-Ion.
I want all Metal chucks, gearing etc.
I want tool line versatility.
I want value in the $600 mark.
So far, the Milwaukee M18 line and the Dewalt 20V MAX line have my attention. I also really like the Milwaukee M12 line and the Dewalt 12V MAX line. They all have their pros and cons.
I like the features per tool and the tool quality a little better in the Dewalt line. I like the value of the Milwaukee M18 line more. I like the fact that the Dewalt 20V MAX chargers can charge the 12V MAX batteries also. So if I wanted a couple compact, smaller tools, I could just buy the tool and one battery. However, the Milwaukee M12 compact line seems to dust the Dewalt 12V MAX in selection and features per dollar. They even have a heated jacket for the M12!
Back on the farm, we used all Milwaukee and Dewalt. Dewalt was usually better but that's like 20 years ago.
What do you use and why? What would you pick as your primary line between the M18 and the 20V MAX?
I use my tools almost every single night for 2-3 hours a night. I use them for general homeowner, remodel and new construction, mechanical service and small metal fabrication applications.
For the money, I really liked the versitility of the C3 line and I've always been a fan of most Craftsman products. I own a great Craftsman Pro grade table saw, compound miter saw, bench drill press, amazing craftsman pro vise and a slew of basic hand tools that have never let me down.
I'm doing more and more work myself these days. Money is pretty tight as sales have dropped off the face of the earth (allocation death spiral for new KIA inventory). Often, it's not worth the money to go into work and pay a contractor. Last year was a totally different story.
I'd thought about upgrading my Craftsman DieHard 19.2V batteries to Li-Ion but I can't see making the investment in charger, three batteries for only two working tools. I could repurchase the ones that died on me but they were exceptionally underpar feeling tools compared to the rest of the kit.
So now I'm shopping for some tools.
I've really looked hard at what I need and what I want to spend.
I need a contractor grade tool.
I want a flat battery Li-Ion.
I want all Metal chucks, gearing etc.
I want tool line versatility.
I want value in the $600 mark.
So far, the Milwaukee M18 line and the Dewalt 20V MAX line have my attention. I also really like the Milwaukee M12 line and the Dewalt 12V MAX line. They all have their pros and cons.
I like the features per tool and the tool quality a little better in the Dewalt line. I like the value of the Milwaukee M18 line more. I like the fact that the Dewalt 20V MAX chargers can charge the 12V MAX batteries also. So if I wanted a couple compact, smaller tools, I could just buy the tool and one battery. However, the Milwaukee M12 compact line seems to dust the Dewalt 12V MAX in selection and features per dollar. They even have a heated jacket for the M12!
Back on the farm, we used all Milwaukee and Dewalt. Dewalt was usually better but that's like 20 years ago.
What do you use and why? What would you pick as your primary line between the M18 and the 20V MAX?
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