On Friday, June 8, 2001 at 8:22:52 AM UTC-5, davefr wrote:
Unless you have a highly specialized application, these voltages are
overkill for a cordless drill. You will pay a large weight and size
penalty. (12v-15v for a drill is just right). My 12v Panasonics have
never let me down and I've never had the desire to have more voltage.

18v for the saw is fine, but I'd really think twice about whether you
really need the cordless feature. You can't beat a corded Super
Sawzall and they are cheaper than cordless.



On Fri, 08 Jun 2001 00:07:13 -0400, Paul McHale
wrote:

I am going to buy a dewalt cordless drill and reciprocating saw
(sawzall). I have a fixer upper and can use the tools. Is it worth
the extra money to buy the 24 volt? I am not a contractor, but don't
want to wish I had more tool down the road. Are there downsides to 24
volt other than price?

PS Most people I know wish they had purchased a higher voltage.

Thanks,

Paul McHale

Man how things have changed in a few years. Now that I look back on this conversation and compare it to what is out on the market now as far as cordless tools. Most brands are still making their corded tools, but not much has improved in the last say 5 to 10 years. Heck, there are a few that are not even making new or upgraded corded tools any longer. However, if you look at their cordless tools, you'll see that they are actually surpassing the corded tools in performance and weight.

In article ,
wrote:

On Friday, June 8, 2001 at 8:22:52 AM UTC-5, davefr wrote:
Unless you have a highly specialized application, these voltages are
overkill for a cordless drill. You will pay a large weight and size
penalty. (12v-15v for a drill is just right). My 12v Panasonics have
never let me down and I've never had the desire to have more voltage.

18v for the saw is fine, but I'd really think twice about whether you
really need the cordless feature. You can't beat a corded Super
Sawzall and they are cheaper than cordless.



On Fri, 08 Jun 2001 00:07:13 -0400, Paul McHale
wrote:

I am going to buy a dewalt cordless drill and reciprocating saw
(sawzall). I have a fixer upper and can use the tools. Is it worth
the extra money to buy the 24 volt? I am not a contractor, but don't
want to wish I had more tool down the road. Are there downsides to 24
volt other than price?

PS Most people I know wish they had purchased a higher voltage.

Thanks,

Paul McHale

Man how things have changed in a few years. Now that I look back on this
conversation and compare it to what is out on the market now as far as
cordless tools. Most brands are still making their corded tools, but not
much has improved in the last say 5 to 10 years. Heck, there are a few that
are not even making new or upgraded corded tools any longer. However, if you
look at their cordless tools, you'll see that they are actually surpassing
the corded tools in performance and weight.

One of the biggest improvements has been in battery technology. A
lithium ion battery will hold a charge for at least a couple of years.
Ni-Cd batteries need to be recharged after a few months. Lithium ion is
in a smaller package for similar Amp-Hours.

I found a DeWalt adapter that lets me use 20 Volt lithium ion batteries
in older tools that came with 18 Volt Ni-Cd. It is nice to be able to
use the tools without first recharging the batteries!

Fred