Are 36 Volt Cordless Installer Power Tools Worth It?

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Brian Rhodes
Oct 13, 2016
IPVMU Certified

Are 36 VDC cordless tools really worth it? Few, if any, power tools are as important to installers as their cordless drills, with most using 18 VDC or maybe 19.2 or ~20 VDC for 'commercial grades'.

I noticed DeWalt sells a family of 36 volt tools, and sure enough they are pricey!

At ~$500 each, one could load up on 4 or 5 18 volt models.

For most security installer uses like drilling holes in studs, walls, metal jboxes and driving screws, the 18 V seems fine. Is 36 volt stuff overkill, or is it really better?

MM
Michael Miller
Oct 13, 2016

Not really needed much unless you are drilling big holes. Once I got my hands on the M12 tools from Milwaukee the 18 Volt tools stayed on the truck unless we were spinning big bits.

I have found these M12 tools to be the most useful for hanging cameras and conduit. Smaller, lighter and less fatigue.

M12 Drill

M12 Rotary hammer

M12 Impact

M12 BandSaw

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Brian Karas
Oct 14, 2016
IPVM

FYI, it looks like Home Depot may be running a promo on these (could be other places too, not sure). But this morning a buddy bought an M12 drill impact driver combo, and the hand vac, and the hand vac rang up free as "M12 Free Bare Tool Promo".

Might be a good time to pick some up if you're in the market for new cordless tools.

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Ari Erenthal
Oct 13, 2016
Chesapeake & Midlantic

Probably not for your average installer. 18v is basically fine for most purposes, and I'd recommend a corded drill for anything else. Unless you're regularly punching holes in historic buildings with extremely old wood, of course. Those ancient studs and beams turn into something harder than steel.

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Undisclosed #1
Oct 13, 2016
IPVMU Certified

At ~$500 each, one could load up on 4 or 5 18 volt models.

I don't know about load up, maybe 2 18v instead of 1 36v, apples to apples, nano to nano...

18 x 2 = 36, $250 x 2 = $500

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Brian Rhodes
Oct 13, 2016
IPVMU Certified

super strong eye roll

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Brian Karas
Oct 13, 2016
IPVM

My 18V Makita hammer drill has put a few 1" holes through 12" of solid concrete lately without too much effort. Not sure I'd want the extra weight of 36V batteries, at some point it makes sense to get out the corded drill.

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Jon Dillabaugh
Oct 13, 2016
Pro Focus LLC

If you are drilling small holes in masonry for anchors, then the M12 hammer drill that Michael posted is super light and effective.

However, if you are drilling larger holes for penetrations, I would recommend a Hilti. They just drill so much faster for the larger and deeper holes. Like a hot knife through butter.

On occasions, you will need a corded drill for really tough drilling. I have a 30 year old Hilti TM7 for those.

FWIW, my dad was a Hilti salesman when I was a kid. I was blessed with the ability to drill, shoot, etc just about any Hilti tool made in those days.

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Brian Karas
Oct 13, 2016
IPVM

Very familiar with Hilti, my father-in-law had a couple, and they are great for that kind of work.

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Undisclosed #1
Oct 14, 2016
IPVMU Certified

Warning: Do not try this at home... or work.

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John Scanlan
Oct 14, 2016
IPVM • IPVMU Certified

I like my 20V because it was a fair price, it's powerful enough to handle most tasks, light weight, you can clutch it down when using it for more delicate tasks, and it even bounces when dropped from a 12' ladder. It's also helpful that the batteries are interchangeable with other tools I have.

When I was in the field I would bring my own drill with me, but would use the company provided hammer drill when I needed penetration holes.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Oct 15, 2016

Here's a little hammer drill trick via Harbor Freight: (I know, I know, don't roll your eyes).

I love some Harbor Freight stuff but always shied away from any of their electric tools. For Hammer drills it was only Bosch Bulldogs at about $300 each. After buying about 5-6 of them through the years, getting a couple of them repaired and eventually trashing the rest, I listened to a wise old contractor who told me this trick/strateegery.

Buy the Chicago Hammer drill from Harbor Freight when they're on sale or with a coupon and they're about $69. Buy the extended warranty for $20. Then use them til they quit and just take it back and they'll swap you for a new one, no questions asked. $20, New extended warranty, lather rinse and repeat.

Since I switched to that strategy about 4 years ago, I've bought maybe 3 or 4 and returned only 1 or 2. I'd have to acknowledge that they've held up about as good as the Bosch. If the clutch slips, just swap it out under warranty.

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