Advice on cordless sawzall purchase

[willowbilly3]

Who has them, likes, dislikes?
I have really crappy luck with batterys and chargers and I want something that will last. So what are you guys using and what do you like/dislike?

[67mann]

I don't own it,but have borrowed my buddies Dewalt 18v(4xtra bat.'s though)for trim branches at my tree stands --never used it on metal,but if the blade was good--I would think that it would do a good job.

PS --I have 8+ treestands to tend and cut "suckers" and branches for shootin lanes. 4 fully charged go with me and I bring 1-2 back unused.

[Ranchero50]

Yeah, it depends on the duty. Happy home owner vs construction carpenter.

Just about any battery pack is going to crap out after a couple years. I have the Craftsman 19.2vdc kit, drill, light, sawzall, skill saw. Batteries lasted about four years, charger then crapped out. Went out and bought another regular drill and a close 90 drill with charger and batteries for $79 and away I went for less than the price of two new batteries. For my duty this kit was worked out well.

I had a really nice porter cable 18v for many years, but couldn't pony up the $100 for a new battery so it died. The little 14v skill drill was good to me for many years as well.

The new lithium ion stuff is supposed to be really nice. I've been looking into the Makita 18v impact and drill it for around $270 for work.

Jamie

[MadMaxetc]

I have a 19.2v Craftsman. I have allmost all of there 19.2v stuff. Realy good quality.

If you go with onw of the big brands you should be in good shape. If you don't have a set you are trying to match I would look into getting a combo set. Lots of tools and most of the time a little cheeper.

[convincor]

I prefer to plug in. I've had the same original Milwakee Sawzall for over 10 years. Never a problem.

[willowbilly3]

I need something to take to the junkyard. I just had my last craftsman drill batterys die, probably more from disuse. It all sat in the case for several months but not long after I got it the batterys would only be hot out of the charger and the one in it was always dead, now they won't charge at all. Before that it was a Firestorm and that was an unending saga with bad chargers and smoked batterys.
It kind of looks like the Makita with the "smart" lith batterys might be the best bet, about 3 bills (ouch!) but I would like some real world feedback.

[seattle67]

I prefer to plug in. I've had the same original Milwakee Sawzall for over 10 years. Never a problem.

I have both a Milwaukee 110volt and a Dewalt 18v. Nothing beats Milwaukee for longevity. I have drill motors that are 30 years old and still going strong. But for heading to the junk yard the Dewalt is great. I would only suggest that, if you have a bunch of cutting through steel to do, bring a second fully charged battery with you.

[itsmy72f100]

I am a home remodel installer if you do go with a cordless recipercating saw Definantly go with dewalt 18v but I'd recommend using a 110v as the cordless one just die so dang quick and if your cutting steel yeah corded is the way to go just get a good power inverter for the scrap yards. as far as drills go 12v and 18v XRP dewalt. I prefer a 12v myself they don't and seem to last longer too wear your arm out so quick.

[Ripsnorter]

Milwaukee corded tools are GREAT. especially their sawzalls.

Milwaukee cordless tools are not so great. they have a lot of problems with their batteries.

Unless you NEED a cordless sawzall, I'd get a corded one. A lot more power, a lot more longevity.

As far as cordless tools go, I bought a Rigid cordless drill from Home Depot before I started work on my shop. the reason I bought it is because they have a lifetime warranty on their batteries and brushes. I tested it out too, as my spare battery went bad not long after I bought it. I don't like Home Depot much, but I walked straight in and handed them the old battery, no receipt, and they gave me a replacement battery without dickering. They didnt have the smaller original battery so they gave me the big 3 amp hour battery instead. (on the shelf for $99)

So far the drill seems a good tool, but the lifetime warranty thing has already almost paid for itself. If they keep it up thats all I'm going to buy.

[fordman]

i have a dewalt 18v cordless. it dies when i try to use it at the junkyard. i go throuhg batteries too fasdt and it doesn't work that great for junk yard use. maybe its the old batteries i don't know. but one of them is brand new and still doesn't cut up bodies for nothing. my corded one will cut up a cab in two or three minutes though.

[nikon4u]

itsmy72f100 is right! I am a fulltime handyman, and always use Dewalt. I have tried other brands, and regretted it. I have a corded Dewalt which I got for less than $100.00 and I also have a PorterCable Tiger saw as a back-up, both are tough as nails! Batteries are great for short bursts of power, but not long duration. I have a Dewalt 18v drill that runs the battery down after about a week or two using it everyday for this and that, and I have a Dewalt 18v circular saw that will run down if I cut through a dozen 2x4s.

If you are just going to the junk yard for a few things, the Dewalt 18v and an extra battery will work great. You could also get the converter and keep one battery on the charger while using the other. Now that's the ticket!

[willowbilly3]

I have an old Makita corded at home. It works fine. I need something to take with me. I have to pass on a lot of stuff because I can't get it off. Like last week there was a perfect 35 Chevy grille on a car with not another usable part. It is just too dry and windy to crank up a torch out there.

[4th effie n counting]

what about a small generator, kind of a hassle but you could use your saw as long as you got gas as an added bonus can use it if your power goes out to. Just a thought, i mean you look at the prices of the cordless tools and a small generator i bet its not that big a difference. I'd almost bet you will be unhappy with the cordless performance @ junkyard.

[nikon4u]

Have you thought about T.N.T.

[oldschoolrods]

For what its worth, my uncle had a milwaukee cordless he used for ems rescue, he said it would cut through i believe 2 sets of door a-pillars before it needed a battery swap.