Replies

1. 
   mudman | May 16, 2006 07:45am | #1

   I have owned all the cordless tool brands you mentioned. Ridgid is my favorite, better batteries, better charger, better circ saw. Down sides are no radio (yet) and the light isn't as good as Dewalts'. Just to show I am not playing favorites I will say that I currently am using a Dewalt set. After my Ridgid set was stolen I went with Dewalt for a few reasons that are no longer relavant (lack of tools for the system like angle grinder and power planer, which they now make, and the Ridgid saw used to have a smaller blade, not any more). I am certain that the Ridgid was better.

   If were to buy a set today I would go for the redesigned Makita Lithium Ion set. Asside from the better batteries the tools have great features that are trade friendly.

   Mike

1. 
   storme | May 16, 2006 07:58am | #2

   any word on a jigsaw? If there was a 28v set with a jigsaw that'd swing me but it doesn't appear that Makita makes a cordless jigsaw.

1. 
   ring | May 16, 2006 08:02am | #3

   I have to say that I've had the DeWalt 18v jigsaw for about 4 months now and we're really happy with it.

   DR

2. 
   mudman | May 16, 2006 04:46pm | #5

   Ridgid has a good jigsaw. I was unhappy and returned my corded Dewalt, the chuck didn't hold the balde parallel to the shoe. It turned out that a lot of people here had the same problem, most just lived with it. I think the cordless jigsaw has the same chuck.

   I haven't seen other tools in the Makita Li Ion line, just the standard 5 piece set. But I doubt Makita will offer the range of tools that Dewalt and Ridgid do.

   Mike

2. 
   JMartinsky | May 16, 2006 03:51pm | #4

   Dear Charles,
   For straight quality, look at Panasonic. I am a contractor, and those things are top notch. Cheap, no, but when was good ever cheap?

   John