Long article comparing the two.   Note the publisher is more for a 'general contractor' than 'woodworker'

 

https://www.protoolreviews.com/milwaukee-vs-dewalt/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=milwaukee_takes_on_dewalt_plus_more_news_and_reviews&utm_term=2020-12-27

Interesting read. While I knew most of the history stuff, I was unaware that both companies had so much manufacturing in the US....I see that as good news. But the article did spend more words on cordless tools (at least it seemed so to me) and I've more or less given up on them. Some of that is the general contractor versus hobbyist no doubt. Still interesting , thanks.

I'm like Fred, give me a corded tool (most of the time). I do like a battery powered drill/driver.

Have little of both.  While the Ryobi line gets bashed alot I have several and they have held up to my DIY usage.  Really do like the M12 line though. Lightweight compared to M18 and DeWalt 20 vt. Much easier on my bad wrist and arm.

I have used and like both brands.  For myself, though, big red has won out.

I use my M12 drill driver all the time.  It is light and seems to have plenty of torque for my hobby woodworking.  Not for home remodeling, I have a 20volt Porter Cable for that.

For Christmas I bought myself an M12 heated axis jacket.  My first impression of it is pretty good.  A little odd to carry a battery in the pocket - but it does pump out some heat under a pair of coveralls!

In the yard I have an M18 leaf blower and string trimmer.  Both work well and I have been very pleased with them.  Been using them now for maybe three years?

 

One day I may buy a corded DeWalt circular saw.  The GC I've hired a couple times has one and I swear it weighs about 2/3 what my Craftsman does.

1 hour ago, Cal said:

One day I may buy a corded DeWalt circular saw.  The GC I've hired a couple times has one and I swear it weighs about 2/3 what my Craftsman does.

 

I will get one, when the Craftsman dies.  Based on it's performance thus far, and my maintenance of it, won't be anytime soon.

 

 

Thanks, Keith.  I never realized that DeWalt was on comparison with Milwaukee.  I have several DeWalt as I considered them good tools for a hobbyist.  I am saddened that Porter Cable is now gone.  Well, I think that most of my tools will last me as long as I live.  

I've had a Dewalt set since before lithium batteries and it is still running strong on lithium retro batteries.  I have a Hitachi 12V drill and impact driver that I use in the shop.  It gets more use than the Dewalt 18V since it is lighter. 

13 hours ago, lew said:

I'm like Fred, give me a corded tool (most of the time). I do like a battery powered drill/driver.

That's pretty much where I am, drills and drivers. The other stuff isn't all that useful to me, and given the short battery life (failure) I'll stick with corded.

Edited December 29, 20205 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

Only cordless tools I own are a Dewalt and Makita drill/driver. Both have provided several years of good service. My corded PC puts them both to shame, though. Oh, I forgot. I picked up a cordless B&D at a yard sale for $5. It's only use is to raise and lower the router lift. That's really all it's good for.

I forgot to mention the 20v PC set I bought has a reciprocating saw.  That is quite useful to do heavy pruning out in the yard. 

Something odd about that PC set, it came with a small circular saw.  The blade on that saw is on the left side of the motor.  I've used it once so far, it was pretty awkward for me.

I use a lithium battery powered Rigid set.Drill, Driver, Reciprocating saw, circular saw, and flashlight. Now most of the use is for my electrician work. remodels, and the like where plug in power can’t be counted on.

 

 I was a DeWalt  cordless fan until several years ago when both Cordless drills died. Cash was really tight at the time and I replaced them with the 18V Ryobi's I have now. The Ryobi's have never failed me yet. Still using the original batteries. I have my Bosch 24V reciprocating saw. Must be at least 20 years old, I've had to replace the batteries a couple of times. Like Cal, it has been useful for pruning trees around the yard, and great for demo work when there is no electric power.

Has anyone ever used one of these razorsaws?  

 

https://buyrotorazer.com/?c=14630

 

It is a bit pricey, but I can see some uses for it.  I like the idea of using a diamond saw blade for specific tasks.  And, I can see using it for cutting down a piece of plywood.  But, that price is way too much for me.  

On 12/29/2020 at 1:37 PM, Artie said:

I use a lithium battery powered Rigid set.Drill, Driver, Reciprocating saw, circular saw, and flashlight. Now most of the use is for my electrician work. remodels, and the like where plug in power can’t be counted on.

 

I'm with you on this one.   Ridgid 1/2" hammer drill. recip, circ saw, and light on the 24V platform.   Never had a problem with the tools and under  the LSA they have replaced the batteries 3 or 4 times now over the years.   That was after owning 4 different (ni-cad?) sets that were all useless when the battery sets died.  I refuse to buy additional batteries since they can't be registered under the LSA, but what i have works well.

I'm never more than a few feet from an outlet in the shop.   I carried a cordless drill when I was doing on-site repair work (homes, warehouses, and stores, usually) and now I have a cordless impact driver for the theater set construction, on stage set up and take down.

 

My latest have been Ridgid because I went through 2 Makita and one Metabo cordless drills when the battery flaked out.   Ridgid has lifetime warranty (LSA) on them.

 

The latest craze seems to be the Milwaukee "Packout" boxes.  Seems to have eclipsed "Systainers"

I have a corded Rockwell  version of the razorsaw. Not impressed with its performance.