Brushless/Cordless Tools

sailormanbigd · Nov 13, 2014

tools

I have a drill and impact driver my SO bought me for Christmas 3 years ago. I use the hell out of them. Don't know how I got along for so many years without an impact driver. The model is Milwaulkee and 18 V and I love them. They recharge in a very short time. The batts are powerful and don't self discharge. I can't speak for the particular model you mention but love my Milwaulkee's. I don't store them in the boat though???

KD3PC · Nov 13, 2014

the milwaukee fuel is likely one of the best tools out there, bar none. I use mine daily at home in the garage and I have friends who are pro mechanics and they swear by them, not at them, like some tools.

For the boat, I have a small weather proof case that is made of a self lubricant/moisture barrier plastic and it is over 12 years old and still keeps my boat tools pristine. A slip mate keeps his M18 on the boat, in a large, heavy zip lock with some silica packs.

Two batteries are great, the other "tools" like the lantern, the radio, and the like were not my cup of tea.

Maine Sail · Nov 13, 2014

I use the Milwaukee M12 stuff almost every day professionally. I have yet to kill any tool and I work on boats with it. I DO NOT baby this stuff..

I can't say the same for other cordless stuff from DeWalt, Porter Cable and Makita. My 18V stuff is current Porter Cable and it is a complete and utter JOKE!! It is no better than my Ryobi stuff and actually has proven LESS RELIABLE than Ryobi. This was just a dumb decision on my part but Porter Cable USED TO make high quality gear... :cussing: Eventually I will go M18 but for now the M12 stuff kicks butts and takes names.....

For boat use I would strongly advise the M12 series vs. the M18. The form factor is considerably better and the line up now has over 50 tools in it. I have zero issues with battery life and usually carry about 6 or more in my bag but rarely if ever get to them. Just yesterday I drained a 12 gallon water heater with my M12 drill and a drill pump. I did this on 1 battery..... Last weekend I built the entire frame for our shrink wrap cover, including perimeter boards and cross ties using one battery on the M12 Impact Driver. I must have sunk 150+ screws and still never reached for a second battery..

My M12 stuff out runs and out lasts my old DeWalt 18V non Li stuff, is smaller, lighter and fits into more spaces with ease. It has also been far more reliable than my old DeWalt stuff.

The M12 tools I use most:

Right angle drill
Dremel
Multi-Tool
Drill
Impact Driver
Screw Gun
Jig Saw
Hackzall
LED Flashlight

I have purchased a lot of my M12 stuff from Tyler Tool

woodster · Nov 13, 2014

i use Bosch 1/2 18 v drill , Bosch 12v impact and a Bosch 18v impact ...and will be adding a Bosch 12v right angle drill driver

Justin_NSA · Nov 13, 2014

I don't have brushless tools but from what I've read they don't present any advantages or disadvantages in saltwater environments. If you keep them in a dockbox or aboard, I would do as KD3PC suggests and seal them up when not in use. I have the PorterCable 20v drill and jigsaw and they work great.

From an article in Fine Homebuilding on the Milwaulkee

Reduced maintenance?
Some manufacturers argue that brushless motors mean a reduction in maintenance because, just like the brake pads on a car, brushes wear out. How quickly the brushes wear out depends on how the tool is used.

According to tests conducted by the company, Milwaukee’s brushed-motor drills bored an average of 30,000 to 35,000 holes using a 1-in. auger bit before the brushes needed to be replaced. Their new brushless-motor drill bored 10 times as many holes before the team was satisfied enough to end the test.
Going brushless is not primarily about a reduction in maintenance, however.

According to Milwaukee’s numbers, you could drill 20 holes every day for nearly five years before needing to swap the brushes in a conventional electric motor. Even then, it’s usually a quick job costing only a few dollars in parts. The real story with brushless motors is in their increased run-time.

Sailor Sue · Nov 13, 2014

I would also look at the Ridgid tools. Parent company owns Milwaukee and I believe Ryobi. My 12 volt drill is really compact, has good power, long battery life, and recharges quickly. It also has a LED light which lights the work area AND lets you know when the battery is getting low. And IF you fill out the warranty papers they offer free lifetime battery replacement. They also offer a multi-tool power unit that takes different tool heads - saber saw, jig saw, right angle drill, impact driver, oscillating tool... This uses the same battery as the drill, and will take Ryobi and probably Milwaukee tool heads.
Google Ridgid Jobmax for more information.

Scott T-Bird · Nov 13, 2014

Maine Sail said:
My 18V stuff is current Porter Cable and it is a complete and utter JOKE!! It is no better than my Ryobi stuff and actually has proven LESS RELIABLE than Ryobi. This was just a dumb decision on my part but Porter Cable USED TO make high quality gear... :cussing:

Funny you say that ... I have older P-C power tools that I've always been happy with. About a year ago I bought the P-C 12V multi-tool and it didn't work for me at all. If I was using it for cutting, it would just stop operating with hardly any pressure. I've been looking for it recently ... I think I left a tool bag somewhere in my travels that had it inside. I'm trying to retrace steps over a period of a few months to see if I can locate it. No luck yet, but I've been needing a multi-tool and have put-off purchasing. Maybe I'll just abandon it. I thought maybe I would have better luck with a corded multi-tool.

I also recently bought a kit with P-C 20V drill and impact driver. Using them at home on projects have been very satisfying so far. Much better than the old heavy 18V drills I had been using!

I've never kept a drill on-board because they are just so bulky and heavy. But the new 12v drills are so compact and light that I think it's a great idea. The prices are low enough that you can hardly go wrong.

Chief RA · Nov 13, 2014

For 12v drills I have never used a better drill than a Makita. I bought mine in '85 while with PG&E and still runs powerful and only 2 new batteries bought! I do store it in either my boat or RV. Chief

Maine Sail · Nov 13, 2014

Scott T-Bird said:
Funny you say that ... I have older P-C power tools that I've always been happy with. About a year ago I bought the P-C 12V multi-tool and it didn't work for me at all. If I was using it for cutting, it would just stop operating with hardly any pressure. I've been looking for it recently ... I think I left a tool bag somewhere in my travels that had it inside. I'm trying to retrace steps over a period of a few months to see if I can locate it. No luck yet, but I've been needing a multi-tool and have put-off purchasing. Maybe I'll just abandon it. I thought maybe I would have better luck with a corded multi-tool.

I also recently bought a kit with P-C 20V drill and impact driver. Using them at home on projects have been very satisfying so far. Much better than the old heavy 18V drills I had been using!

I've never kept a drill on-board because they are just so bulky and heavy. But the new 12v drills are so compact and light that I think it's a great idea. The prices are low enough that you can hardly go wrong.

IMHO, as one who owns four multi-tools, there is only one true multi-tool and that is the Fein Multimaster..... All the others pale in comparison.

I do like my M-12 for quick dirty work, it is nice to have a battery, but it is no Fein in terms of performance. The corded Rockwell is the only one I've used that even comes close to the Fein. The Dremel and Harbor Freight multi's are a complete joke, if you ever used a real one......

When I am cutting into a 15 coat of varnish teak interior on a Morris, Hinckley or other expensive boats, where mistakes can cost you more than what the job gross will be, there is only one multi-tool I trust for that, Fein...

I am sure there are now others that are decent but the closest I have seen & used is the corded Rockwell...

CloudDiver · Nov 13, 2014

I have several drills of different styles from DeWalt , two 18V XRP and another set of L-ion (drill and impact). My DeWalts have never failed until recently, but I typically don't use them anywhere exposed to salt water. I was using my older cordless 18V (over 10 years old) the other day and it started smoking out of the back vents. Obviously a brushed motor when you can see the sparks light up on the inside through the vents, not a tool you want to be using in your fuel locker! The drill still works by the way, I stopped using it as soon as I saw the smoke, checked it later and it still runs just fine.
The 12V L-ions have a much smaller profile but still deliver good power and battery life. The compact frame makes them very light and easier to get into tight spaces. The battery itself and even its charger are 1/3 the size of the 18V xrp packs. I'd choose these if I wanted to keep them onboard (drill and impact).
I also have an L-ion Milwaukee impact driver and let me tell you this thing is a beast! I can easily power 3 inch deck screws into 4x4's without pilot holes. It is noticeably more powerful than the DeWalt L-ion impact driver. Thing is, I don't want this onboard... Its too expensive to risk loosing over the side or to salt-water exposure and its way too powerful unless you use it very gently. This impact really slams screws home and if not careful it can do more harm than good on my Catalina 22. See all those 'dents' in aluminum window frames on Catalinas? That's from slamming screws home with no regard for appropriate torque setting on drills (pneumatic, impact, cordless or otherwise).

alexco38 · Nov 13, 2014

Got a Milwaukee Fuel M18 hammer drill kit with a winch bit. It raise my main sail 20 times between charge. Much lighter than the right angle drill also by Milwaukee. My boat has a fairly tall mast and heavy main sail.

My friend has a hunter 33, the sail is big roach and heavy. Also can raise 20 times between charge.

Since I'm going to keep a drill on board anyway, why not get one the can double duty to raise my main.

Some people prefer dedicated tools like Winchrite, I prefer multi-purpose tools.

pateco · Nov 13, 2014

Currently Using 18V Hitachi Tools for the last 5 years. Used Makita before. The lithium batteries last amazingly long time between charges. No battery replacements needed to date. These things can take some serious abuse. Broke one Hammer Drill last summer by dropping off of 40' ladder onto concrete sidewalk, but I don't think any manufacturer's drill would have withstood that. The dropped battery is still in use today.

Gunni · Nov 13, 2014

The 12vdc Hitachi Lithium-Ion battery brushless power tools are a great combination of small form factor and power. I would have a hard time justifying a heavier/larger tool onboard since they come with a second battery. When I shopped, they were less expensive than the Milwaukee version.

Sumner · Nov 13, 2014

Gunni said:
The 12vdc Hitachi Lithium-Ion battery brushless power tools are a great combination of small form factor and power. I would have a hard time justifying a heavier/larger tool onboard since they come with a second battery. When I shopped, they were less expensive than the Milwaukee version.

I agree, I bought some...

... Sears 12 volt Nextec drills/drivers and the jig saw....

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search=n..._clickID=47a89f77-d0ee-aa48-52a9-00000e1922e8

...... The Lithium-Ion batteries charge fast and last a long time. I now use these for 90% of the jobs around the house also. They have enough power to drive any length grabber screw and I even used them to drive a bunch of steel roofing screws. They get into awkward places I can't get to with my higher voltage drills. I love them and use them almost daily as I'm always making something. I've driven literally thousands of screws with these and drilled tons of smaller holes (don't use them for over 1/4 inch inch bits on metal at home but they will do 3/8th in a pinch). I've had no problems with them except one of the 4 batteries I have finally died.

I just ordered a third one yesterday as I like to have a pilot bit in one, a reamer in a second and driver bit in the third so I can keep going.

I love the jigsaw and so do my friends and I've thought about ordering the small circular saw and just saw they also have a multi-tool that might work for the occasional time I might need it and could take it on the boat also (I have a 110 one).

Sure these aren't for every job but they work for me for far more jobs than my larger battery operated tools and due to their size get used all the time,

Sumner

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Maine Sail · Nov 13, 2014

One thing for me, that was a driving factor, was how many tools are available for the particular set.

With some brands you are limited to about 4-6 tools. With Milwaukee you have about 40 in the M18 and 50 in the M12 line up. They are also constantly adding useful tools and sell them as tool-only when you don't need any more batteries or chargers. I have so many M12 batteries and chargers I am literally tripping over them, so at this point I just order tool only..

Tools I never thought I would use much but bought anyway and then used them way more than I thought...

Dremel type tool
Ratchet Driver
Hackzall
Jig Saw
Caulking gun
Pex Expander

Tools I can't live without

M12 Right angle drill!!!!

Gunni · Nov 13, 2014

yes, a small right-angle drill is a requirement aboard.

Ron20324 · Nov 16, 2014

CYQK said:
...Anyone know where I can get the attachments for the impact driver to go to a winch?

You can buy them for $$$, but I'm glad you asked. I had forgotten I once bought a 3/4 inch drive extender. IIRC, the square that would fit in the oct-winch socket would be 11/16, so the 3/4 could be ground down that much. Cut the extender to a suitable length, chuck it in the drill so you can leave jaw marks, then grind those (3?) flats. voila!