[Ware]

...Even the specialty tools like hydraulic crimpers for ProPress, Pex, and electrical work, hydraulic punch or knock-out tools, all use the same battery platform.

My observation has been that brand preference depends largely on the trade. You're much more likely to see a plumber or electrician using Milwaukee for the reasons you mentioned above - and at the same time much more likely to see a trade that does more work with wood use DeWalt.

 

[MasterMech]

...Even the specialty tools like hydraulic crimpers for ProPress, Pex, and electrical work, hydraulic punch or knock-out tools, all use the same battery platform.

My observation has been that brand preference depends largely on the trade. You're much more likely to see a plumber or electrician using Milwaukee for the reasons you mentioned above - and at the same time much more likely to see a trade that does more work with wood use DeWalt.

There's good reason for that, and this is stating the obvious for fans of vintage tools.

Those of us that remember when battery powered tools were almost exclusively homeowner toys, (and prior!) will also remember when Milwaukee portable corded electric tools were renown for their excellent, serviceable, motors. DeWalt was associated with high-end carpentry tools like you'd find in a cabinetry shop.

I still love the opportunity to drag out a 70lb Milwaukee mag-drill. You know, the ones with a Morse Taper instead of a Jacobs chuck for the tool holding apparatus. Now, we're working! :lol:

 

[Phids]

My observation has been that brand preference depends largely on the trade. You're much more likely to see a plumber or electrician using Milwaukee for the reasons you mentioned above - and at the same time much more likely to see a trade that does more work with wood use DeWalt.

Professional-grade brands like Milwaukee and Makita naturally appeal to people who benefit from them most - those who need them every day. The average homeowner in the consumer or pro-sumer market can benefit from these tools as well, but will overpay because they'll see no real difference from casual use with a less premium brand. It's like buying a Lamborghini to use as a commuting vehicle when a regular Mazda will do just fine.

 

[Ware]

...It's like buying a Lamborghini to use as a commuting vehicle when a regular Mazda will do just fine.

Don't forget you're talking to a bunch of people who mow with greens mowers. :lol:

 

[ColeLawn]

Pretty much all Milwaukee for me. The 3/8 stubby impact is the reason I went Milwaukee, even thought it wasn't the first tool I purchased. I am going with Toro for electric lawn tools and eventually a Super Recycler, but am highly considering the Stihl line (gas and electric) as well.

If I don't buy Milwaukee I usually reach for Bosch.

 

[Ware]

...The 3/8 stubby impact is the reason I went Milwaukee...

Those and the M12 ratchets really influenced my decision to add another platform.

 

[PodScot]

When I was researching battery string trimmers it was narrowed down to Ego or Milwaukee. Stihl had just released their stuff and it seemed like battery life wasn't good. Having lots of Milwaukee tools already and Home Depot was running a sale with one free attachment or blower with the purchase of a string trimmer. It was pretty much a no brainer since I wanted an edger. I am happy with the purchase 3 seasons later.

 

[jpsrules]

I needed an electric string trimmer for touch up work after bed time. I'm into the dewalt batteries too deep to change brands. Just had to return a dewalt string trimmer that was hopefully a fluke. The replacement works great so far...

I didn't want to go with dewalt again but replacing the batteries would be expensive plus I would need to occupy another outlet for a new charging station. In fairness dewalt has been good to me over the years albeit not very hard use.

 

[Ngilbe36]

Question for all here.
I currently am fully invested in dewalt (non-yard) tools. However their outdoor tools just dont seem very interchangeable or highly rated overall. Am I missing something and you can actually get an interchangeable string trimmer/edger/polesaw/hedge trimmer, or is Ego or Milwaukee the only option?

Bonus question
Ive been looking at this Milwaukee set
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-String-Grass-Trimmer-Combo-Kit-with-Pole-Saw-Hedge-Trimmer-Edger-2825-21ST-49-16-2718-49-16-2719-49-16-27/310572609#overlay
Will an 18 volt battery (or 2) get me through an hour of weedwacking a week on my almost acre lot, or will I be disappointed?

 

[PodScot]

Battery life on the Milwaukee seems pretty good to me. I have a 10k yard with beds from the front to back I edge, edge both sides of a long sidewalk along with the curb line, edge patio, trim by neighbors fence and some other light trimming by a mailbox, tree rings - after all that I usually have 3 bars left, sometimes 2 on the 9ah battery. I run the trimmer head and the edger attachments. You can't go wrong with Milwaukee or Ego. Kite Army did a comparison on battery life between Ego and Milwaukee. The big ego battery blew the Milwaukee away but that ego battery is $350! That's absurd if you ask me.

Regular batteries

 

[M1SF1T]

It's not the only brand I buy, but I really like the Makita gear generally. I run their 18V cordless platform and have several of their corded tools in my woodshop from nailers to sanders to routers to grinders.

When I decided to go battery powered for outdoor equipment I went with them too. I've been happy with my 18" mower, although in hindsight I wish I bought the 21", not for the extra width of cut but for the higher HOC range 3 15/16" vs 4 15/16", I use their split shaft system too with a handful of attachments, trimmer, edger, pole saw, all have performed as expected.

I have 4200 sqft front and back and I can edge, trim, and mow on one set of 5ah 18v batteries... then I switch to a fresh set for the leaf blower.

Where I am (Toronto area) the Makita service centre guys are great. I haven't needed any warranty, but obscure parts and accessories that the hardware stores don't stock they have always gotten to me within a day or two.

 

[oskiZ28]

anyone have experience with the SKIL outdoor tools? I believe EGO owns them....I wonder if its a better value than Ryobi.

 

[Ngilbe36]

Question for all here.
I currently am fully invested in dewalt (non-yard) tools. However their outdoor tools just dont seem very interchangeable or highly rated overall. Am I missing something and you can actually get an interchangeable string trimmer/edger/polesaw/hedge trimmer, or is Ego or Milwaukee the only option?

Bonus question
Ive been looking at this Milwaukee set
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-String-Grass-Trimmer-Combo-Kit-with-Pole-Saw-Hedge-Trimmer-Edger-2825-21ST-49-16-2718-49-16-2719-49-16-27/310572609#overlay
Will an 18 volt battery (or 2) get me through an hour of weedwacking a week on my almost acre lot, or will I be disappointed?

I pulled the trigger on the whole combo set. Ill report back once I get it and give the set a workout! I am excited for it. My logic was if I wait for Dewalt to come out with all their attachments I will need to buy the 60V batteries (I only have the 20V) anyway so I might as well go with Milwaukee for outdoor tools and keep my Dewalt for indoor tools. Plus HD's return policy is decent so if I hate it I will just bring it back.

 

[MasterMech]

Question for all here.
I currently am fully invested in dewalt (non-yard) tools. However their outdoor tools just dont seem very interchangeable or highly rated overall. Am I missing something and you can actually get an interchangeable string trimmer/edger/polesaw/hedge trimmer, or is Ego or Milwaukee the only option?

Bonus question
Ive been looking at this Milwaukee set
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-String-Grass-Trimmer-Combo-Kit-with-Pole-Saw-Hedge-Trimmer-Edger-2825-21ST-49-16-2718-49-16-2719-49-16-27/310572609#overlay
Will an 18 volt battery (or 2) get me through an hour of weedwacking a week on my almost acre lot, or will I be disappointed?

Makita also offers a good variety of split-boom attachments.

https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XUX01M5PT

Toro has a different approach, dedicated tools with front-motors. I like it. Makes a lot of sense for a battery application. My critique would be that they need to lose the folding booms since that's really unnecessary on dedicated tools and detracts from ergonomics. This approach is also marginally more expensive than a split boom would be but I don't think it will make a huge difference for the average home-gamer that owns 2-3 split-boom attachments.

https://flexforce.toro.com/products/60v-max-brushless-stick-edger/

 

[kydegan]

Question for all here.
I currently am fully invested in dewalt (non-yard) tools. However their outdoor tools just dont seem very interchangeable or highly rated overall. Am I missing something and you can actually get an interchangeable string trimmer/edger/polesaw/hedge trimmer, or is Ego or Milwaukee the only option?

Bonus question
Ive been looking at this Milwaukee set
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-String-Grass-Trimmer-Combo-Kit-with-Pole-Saw-Hedge-Trimmer-Edger-2825-21ST-49-16-2718-49-16-2719-49-16-27/310572609#overlay
Will an 18 volt battery (or 2) get me through an hour of weedwacking a week on my almost acre lot, or will I be disappointed?

I pulled the trigger on the whole combo set. Ill report back once I get it and give the set a workout! I am excited for it. My logic was if I wait for Dewalt to come out with all their attachments I will need to buy the 60V batteries (I only have the 20V) anyway so I might as well go with Milwaukee for outdoor tools and keep my Dewalt for indoor tools. Plus HD's return policy is decent so if I hate it I will just bring it back.

I did the same thing a month ago. Trying to find someone to buy my old gas powered Stihl equipment as I will never go back to gas now. The Milwaukee equipment is top notch.

 

[Bean4Me]

Question for all here.
I currently am fully invested in dewalt (non-yard) tools. However their outdoor tools just dont seem very interchangeable or highly rated overall. Am I missing something and you can actually get an interchangeable string trimmer/edger/polesaw/hedge trimmer, or is Ego or Milwaukee the only option?

Bonus question
Ive been looking at this Milwaukee set
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Brushless-String-Grass-Trimmer-Combo-Kit-with-Pole-Saw-Hedge-Trimmer-Edger-2825-21ST-49-16-2718-49-16-2719-49-16-27/310572609#overlay
Will an 18 volt battery (or 2) get me through an hour of weedwacking a week on my almost acre lot, or will I be disappointed?

I think you should be okay 2 large batteries and a rapid charger. I can trim my whole property on the 8ah battery if I move fairly quickly. This includes beds around the whole house, around 3 trees, sidewalk down the whole front of the property, driveway, and street edge. The most battery intensive tool is the power rotary scissors.

 

[Ngilbe36]

I pulled the trigger on the whole combo set. Ill report back once I get it and give the set a workout! I am excited for it. My logic was if I wait for Dewalt to come out with all their attachments I will need to buy the 60V batteries (I only have the 20V) anyway so I might as well go with Milwaukee for outdoor tools and keep my Dewalt for indoor tools. Plus HD's return policy is decent so if I hate it I will just bring it back.

So, after having the set for less than a week, I absolutely love it. With the 8ah battery I can easily string trim my entire yard. ~35min. I can even edge my driveway.

- String trimmer
Works well. Variable trigger is nice and makes it feel more like what I am used to. Weight balance is good. Cut is good. The head is fantastic. Its the best OEM head ive ever had. It is similar to the aftermarked feed and twist heads ive bought in the past. Love it so far. No complaints.

- Pole saw
It works. Its exactly what it should be. No issues.

- Edger
Works well, plenty of power to run it through a neglected edge. My only wish would be that the height adjustment was a little bigger of a range. Even at the highest setting, it digs pretty deep.

-Hedge trimmer
WONDERFUL. Maybe my favorite attachment. The extra reach is great for tall bushes. The head can swivel and lock in 180 degrees. It makes the task of trimming hedges a breeze compared to my old hand held version. Its still rough on the forearms though holding that pole out.

 

[PodScot]

Nice! I'm always amazed by the battery life when a lot of other brands went to batteries triple the physical size.

 

[TulsaFan]

I just watched the following Youtube video and it made me remember this thread...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtjokBR_JQk