<html><body><font face="Helvetica">Bob,<br><br>In my life experience the higher the voltage the better the performance and the newer LIthium batteries are a great improvement over NiCad. They lose a charge much more slowly sitting on a shelf, although I have found they are also affected by temperature so lose a charge in an unheated garage in the winter much faster than in a heated garage. My other observation is stick with one brand so you have one charger if you can. I did not do that and it is a PITA managing the different batteries and chargers. <br><br>I've been a long time fan of DeWalt and Porter Cable, but I recently bought a Makita and am very impressed. I've had several of their corded tools over the years but was unimpressed by earlier generations of their battery operated tools. Their current tools however seem to be a big improvement. <br><br>Hope that helps. <br><br>Tom<br><br>Sent from XFINITY Connect Mobile App<br><br><br>------ Original Message ------<br><br>From: Bob Spidell<br>To: Shop Talk<br>Sent: April 9, 2016 at 2:12 PM<br>Subject: [Shop-talk] Battery-operated tools<br><br>Folks,<br><br>I realize this is like bringing up 'best oil' or 'best tires' on a car <br>list, but I'm in the market for a battery drill/driver/sander/etc. combo <br>to replace my ancient--but still working--Makita 9V driver-drill. I <br>want something with all the 'goodies;' I'll need the usual driver/drill, <br>but also need a portable sander (belt and/or disc), and at least the <br>option for more attachments.<br><br>I know I probably can't lose with DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita or even <br>Craftsman--hell, they might all come out of the same factory in China <br>for all I know--but would like to see if there's a consensus on best <br>overall. Is more voltage always better, or is 14.4V better for some <br>reason than 19.2V, etc.? My main issue, and the reason I haven't <br>retired the old Makita yet, is that the batteries always seem to lose <br>capacity over time. The 9V Makita is nickel-metal-hydride, and both the <br>OEM--which are too expensive IMO--and cheap, off-brand aftermarket ones <br>all lose charge when not used, and lose capacity after repeated <br>charging. I know Li-Ion is better, but a battery is a battery, and they <br>all will lose some capacity over time.<br><br>Any and all opinions, rants, etc. welcome.<br><br>Bob<br>_______________________________________________<br><br>Shop-talk@autox.team.net<br>Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html<br>Suggested annual donation $12.96<br>Archive: http://www.team.net/archive<br>Forums: http://www.team.net/forums<br>Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/fitzgibbon3@comcast.net<br><br></font></body></html>