18V brushless power tools - recommended platform/brand

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richms

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#2989255 28-Oct-2022 14:54

Same with ryobi, they have direct tools over there as an outlet for all the returned ones as retailers are not allowed to put things back on the shelf like so many do here.

Also, they have HP brushless tools that we will be waiting years for if we get them at all. I want the powered ratchet but stuffed if I am buying another brushed tool when there is a brushless available overseas.

Just watch out for angle grinders - they have different hole sizing over there so nothing you get here will fit and vice versa.

Richard rich.ms

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mdf

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#2989318 28-Oct-2022 17:18

Scott3:

<snip>

Really want this one, but the cost to bring it in from usa / korea via ebay is just too high for me.

https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcd703f1/xtremetm-12v-max-brushless-cordless-5-1-drilldriver-kit

After watching AvE's BOLTR on this one, I want one too!

Lizard1977

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#3160434 17-Nov-2023 10:00

Back on this topic - never got around to buying last year (priorities changed) but hoping to buy a few tools to get started this summer.

I saw on Cheapies that Bunnings have a "Black Friday" deal on a three-piece pack from Ryobi. It's tempting, because it has three tools I would likely start with - a drill driver, jigsaw, and orbital sander. However, none of them are brushless.

The dilemma I still haven't resolved is how important having brushless tools really is. Ryobi's range includes brushless versions of all those tools above, but Ozito PXC (the other brand I'm considering - DeWalt and Makita are sadly out of my price range) is cheaper but doesn't have brushless versions of many tools I would probably need (such as a jigsaw and a sander).

If brushless is the more important thing, then I would go for Ryobi and probably start out with a brushless drill driver and then build my tool kit over time. If brushless isn't that important, and assuming Ozito is decent enough, then I might go with Ozito to get a larger number of tools/batteries for the same price.

CokemonZ

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#3160436 17-Nov-2023 10:05

Lizard1977:

Back on this topic - never got around to buying last year (priorities changed) but hoping to buy a few tools to get started this summer.

I saw on Cheapies that Bunnings have a "Black Friday" deal on a three-piece pack from Ryobi. It's tempting, because it has three tools I would likely start with - a drill driver, jigsaw, and orbital sander. However, none of them are brushless.

The dilemma I still haven't resolved is how important having brushless tools really is. Ryobi's range includes brushless versions of all those tools above, but Ozito PXC (the other brand I'm considering - DeWalt and Makita are sadly out of my price range) is cheaper but doesn't have brushless versions of many tools I would probably need (such as a jigsaw and a sander).

If brushless is the more important thing, then I would go for Ryobi and probably start out with a brushless drill driver and then build my tool kit over time. If brushless isn't that important, and assuming Ozito is decent enough, then I might go with Ozito to get a larger number of tools/batteries for the same price.

I've ended up largely moving to Ozito from Ryobi. Price can't be beat, and the one or two issues I've had bunnings have swapped units - no issues.

However I am nearly 100% homebody/low end DIY, and some of the tools are pretty basic.

Someone told me years ago, buy the cheap one, and if you use it enough you wear it out/break it. buy the good one.

I don't think Ryobi is better enough than Ozito to justify the premium, and if I need good I'll get actually good, not just a better diy brand.

In saying that the Ryobi tools I do still have are great.

reven

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#3160437 17-Nov-2023 10:05

bunnings is currently selling ozito 2.5ah with fast charger for $30 atm.

Thats a crazy good deal, they have another box version of that exact same thing for $89.

Ozito arent great, but for some tools theyre fine, esp for ones you dont use often. so $30 for 2.5ah battery with fast charger then a bare tool and thats so good.

I picked up two of them, so now i have 3 ozito fast chargers :P

reven

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#3160441 17-Nov-2023 10:08

the battery size on ryobi i find annoying, it makes some tools uncomfortable large, eg their trim router. but how many DIYers use a trim router?

richms

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#3160448 17-Nov-2023 10:28

reven:

bunnings is currently selling ozito 2.5ah with fast charger for $30 atm.

Thats a crazy good deal, they have another box version of that exact same thing for $89.

Ozito arent great, but for some tools theyre fine, esp for ones you dont use often. so $30 for 2.5ah battery with fast charger then a bare tool and thats so good.

I picked up two of them, so now i have 3 ozito fast chargers :P

2x 4ah with a dual port charger for $69 as well.

https://www.reddit.com/r/diynz/comments/17wdk0p/ozito_pxc_4ah_twin_packs_69_at_bunnings/

I got some sanders from them when I was sick of ruining discs by constantly swapping them on my other sanders and having the hook and loop backing get shreaded long before the abrasive was used up. Work ok, not as nice as the others but when you are just quickly doing small things they're great and 1/2 the cost of a ryobi.

Richard rich.ms

reven

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#3160450 17-Nov-2023 10:28

oh whoa, thats super cheap. guess im buying more ozito batteries

mdf

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#3160457 17-Nov-2023 10:33

Lizard1977:

The dilemma I still haven't resolved is how important having brushless tools really is. <snip>

I've got brushed and brushless tools from the same brand (AEG in my case). Some of those I'm really happy with, others could be better, but that isn't related to brushed or brushless. It seems to me that:

Brushless tools are generally more efficient than the brushed equivalent. You can either get the same output with a longer run time, or a faster/stronger/better output with a shorter run time. For DIY, battery run time is nice to have but hardly critical (c.f. trades where run time is super important).
Brushless tools are more expensive. Aside from the mechanical changes, there often seems to be a nicer fit and finish on the brushless stuff - on AEG, much more rubber overmoulding than hard plastic.

I'd suggest at the DIY end of the price/quality spectrum, none of that is critical. You're better off reading reviews of specific tools than going all in on "only brushless tools" as a rule. For me, I spent quite a lot on a brushless circular saw that is fine, but just a little bit underpowered (but long run time). Reviews - which I only read after purchasing - said exactly the same thing. #lessonlearnt

johno1234

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#3160465 17-Nov-2023 10:48

reven:

oh whoa, thats super cheap. guess im buying more ozito batteries

Thanks. 4.0Ah is the sweet spot for me... they last OK but not too heavy.

richms

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#3160469 17-Nov-2023 10:57

The most common problems I have had with my older ryobi tools has been the motor. A grinder I had the brushes melt out the side of it, same for a reciprocating saw.

I will not get anything now that is not brushless if there is a brushless version.

Richard rich.ms

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#3160485 17-Nov-2023 11:48

Now you might have slightly more time before the windings burn out.

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