Best battery operated sander & drill?

Another vote for Makita 18V cordless. 5AHr batteries last long enough when sanding for most jobs and my older lithium batteries seem to be lasting well at 6 years
 
For my cordless drill and screwdriver, I tend to go for quality, looking out for a good special offer, often a clearance item. Likewise for screwdriver and drill bits and hand screwdrivers, but for other stuff, especially "the tool for the job", where I'm not sure I'll use it much once this job's done, I look at Aldidl tools. I've got several that I figured I could throw away when the job's done. I think I've still got all the power tools I got from them apart from a small angle grinder my son borrowed and fried on a job that really needed a big one.

Same with hand tools. Get a cheap one for now. If it wears out, I'm using it enough to justify a good one. If it doesn't, it's doing the job I want.
 
I just went through the same exercise. I considered many factors and bought a makita set but i will retain some corded tools - here is my thinking.
  • I bought a drill without hammer function. On the rare occasions i want to drill masonry i will get out my heavy duty corded hammer drill.
  • I bought an impact driver plus a a set of adapters to use it with 1/4" , 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets. If you haven't used one of these you are missing out on one of the best things that cordless technology delivers!
  • I bought an 125 mm angle grinder. I have a corded angle grinder, but the convenience on odd jobs is great. If i need to do some serious grinding of welds and so on i will bring out the corded tool.
  • I chose 4 Ah batteries as a compromise between weight and run time. If i was earning my living with these i woud have bought the 5 Ah
I recently bought a corded Bosch Random orbit sander - 125 mm - and am very please with it. It couples well to vacuum system and works better than the Hitachi it replaced. I tend to find that sanding jobs are long duration so cord vs running battery flat results in preference for cord. Weight is another factor with corded being light to heft. This is important on vertical or overhead surfaces.
Finally, If you buy corded, you can choose the "best of type" rather than being locked into a single brand.
for example, i rate my corded Bosch multitool highly, and won't be in a hurry to replace it with a Makita battery version.

Being this spoilt for choice is definitely a first world problem.
By way of contrast, my BIL who is a mechanic by trade and works on off roaders and race-cars for fun swears by Ryobi. He says they are cheap, work as required and if the tool craps out they supply a replacement no questions asked.
Your choice!
 
No mention of Festool yet. I thought yachting was a rich man’s game - perhaps not then! I worked for a boat builder once that was a bit of a tool snob. Loads of Festool stuff. Mmmm, nice!
 
fredrussell said:
No mention of Festool yet. I thought yachting was a rich man’s game - perhaps not then! I worked for a boat builder once that was a bit of a tool snob. Loads of Festool stuff. Mmmm, nice!
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I have a Festool track saw not that much more expensive than a Bosch or Makita but I liked the ergonomics better than those I don't know if it functions any better probably not, the other Festool item I have is a Domino which I wouldn't be without no comparable products on the market, for I long time I used lose tenons using various methods over the years but the simplicity and speed of the Domino is for me worth it. I have yet to find any other Festool tool I would buy and certainly not their drill drivers. I do believe Santa is bringing me a Festool dust extractor though.
 
Stemar said:
My son's a cabinet maker. Most of his kit is Festool.
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There is a very good reason why people like your son use Festool and it's all to do with quality and accuracy I would love to have a Festool mitre saw but as I have a very good AEG one I can't justify spending over a grand on one.
 
Here is a great comparison video of cordless drills. Ryobi, festool, bosch,dewalt, makita ,milwaukee etc.
 
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