Thread: Cordless/Battery Powered Tools

That is only true for all brands other than Festool. With Festool each of the item separate will equal the complete set. Still expensive, but I scored when purchasing additional tools that could use the batteries that I already had. I will be at the show tomorrow, so maybe we can catch up.
Les

There's a problem with both systems: with every Festool purchase you get batteries and a charger. How many chargers do you need? Surely no more than 2 or 3 . More batteries may be ok, but I'm sure that a great many people would like to be able to just buy FT skins (and you can with at least one tool now).

Looking at it the other way (from Rod's perspective) - is that a trend Rod? I just had a very brief look at Sydney Tools, and there seems to be plenty that come with Batt/charger.

have to say I like th option of mix and match and buying what you want. I went to Sydney Tools and got 3 chargers 9 batteries and about a 18 battery tools / items

Most of the major mid range manufacturers (Hitachi, Bosch, Milwaukee, Makita) still sell cordless tools as a complete kit with carrier, charger and batteries. However they also sell them as multitool kits with bag, charger, a couple of batteries, and a tool collection of 2-7 pieces, or as bare tools (skins) with just the tool specific accessories like spanner for circ saw or angle grinder.

Ryobi seems to be the primary one for selling individual boxed tools without battery and charger and then selling batteries and chargers as extras. This started out when Ryobi started to run LIon and NMH battery systems in the same tools, they basiclly offered two levels of battery performance and specific chargers to suit. While I suspect that the NMH batteries have gone by the wayside, the sell seperately policy is posssibly being continued at the request of the Bunning marketing gurus who see it as a way to increasing sales counts and values.

As someone with a decent kit of one brand mid range gear, I can confirm that I have purchased as single unit full kits, and multi kits, but once you have 3 chargers and 6 batteries, being able to buy just a skin and save $200 on extra charger and batteries has a lot of attraction.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

There's a problem with both systems: with every Festool purchase you get batteries and a charger. How many chargers do you need? Surely no more than 2 or 3 . More batteries may be ok, but I'm sure that a great many people would like to be able to just buy FT skins (and you can with at least one tool now).

Looking at it the other way (from Rod's perspective) - is that a trend Rod? I just had a very brief look at Sydney Tools, and there seems to be plenty that come with Batt/charger.

I have purchased a Festool jigsaw skin only as well as Impact driver skin only. I did buy extra batteries over time. Still only have one charger. The T15, Ti15 and C15 festool drills and Jigsaws come as skins only or complete sets.
Les

Yes Les, they seem to be expanding it up. I guess the market asked for it.

Originally Posted by rod1949

Not that long ago when you brought a cordless tool it came complete with battery (or 2) and charger. Now the battery and charger are each sole separately which makes the purchase very expensive.

I dont agree with companies using this as an excuse to empty your wallet.

Have always believed if buying a rechargeable tool it should be sold as the complete package.You should not have to rely on that charger at home being capable of fulfilling the task unless it is out of the same factory then I would consider it such as Festool/Protool or as askin as has been stated.

I have a Protool 18v drill complete and augmented this with the skin drill only set-up primarily for masonry use.This makes sense if getting 2 batteries with the original purchase ,perhaps a consideration if thinking of a skin as an afterthought when making that first buy!

Off topic here but I believe that Protool will soon be a thing of the past soon according to a source I spoke to recently.Be interesting to know why if this is indeed correct!

Cheers

Protool is going to be rebadged and absorbed into the festool range, dont know exactly when though
SSGT