Jim said:
Do any of you buy into a “system”? One brand and battery level for multiple tools?
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When I took over as Director of Engineering at a major luxury hotel in Santa Fe, NM in 2006 there was a mish-mash of cordless tools of several brands and voltages in the shop....and a whole row of chargers on a shelf. What a PIA. What a mess.
I sold them to my employees for token prices, then bought several DeWalt 18 volt tools with extra batteries. It took a chunk of that month's budget, but after that the guys could come in, grab a tool and a battery and go. Come back and dump the battery in a charger and done. Boom. Much better.
I kept it simple and all the same voltage....BUT.... I have no personal experience, but a friend tells me his 40 volt (??) Ryobi chainsaw and trimmer are joys to use. Something to check out....might be worth expanding the range a bit.
It's very worth it to buy the higher amp/hr batteries at the beginning. Go ahead and pay the difference in price....and buy only premium brands. They're worth it. Use the 2400 ah batteries that come in the kits, then try a 4500 ah.....you'll never, not ever, look back. Very worth the extra dollars, and they Are spendy. Money well spent.
When I was still self-employed in the '80s & '90s, I tried a few Craftsman and Black & Decker cordless tools and threw them away while still almost new. Junk....frustrating for a busy man to try and use on a job.
P.S. I still haven't found a cordless circular saw (skil saw) of any brand that's worth spit.