What you said about some choices being personal is SO true. I have small hands anyway, and arthritis has made it impossible for me to grip and squeeze my Ryobi batteries hard enough to remove them. When I saw that Lowes was having a Kobalt tool sale, I went to see if I could handle the batteries. Those two little side pushbuttons sold me. I bought the sale package, and also a cordless inflator. I have been totally pleased with everything I have used. I am just an 81 year old DIYer, so I really didn't care about the fact that someone told me Kobalts were not "pro quality" tools. By the way, I have two Warrior drills from Harbor Freight, that are so light weight they are a joy to use overhead, and they have very sufficient power for my use, as well as really good battery life. Loved this video and subscribed. Wish I'd found your channel sooner.
Im an Electrician I use kobalt 24v tools everyday great tools great warranty never let me down and they are crushing the rest of the competition in cost per tool and batteries.
I wouldn't say they're crushing it in the remod and demo world! Our production Mgr had all kobalt and it worked good til he was tryna put some masonry bits thru expensive hard brick...had to let him use my xr hammer drill while I used my ryobi sds
Such a solid review. I have the DeWalt atomic, I use it for what it was intended for. When the job is too big I pull out my DeWalt flexvolt. I feel a lot of TH-cam channels use these tool beyond their intent and make a decision on whether it's a good tool or not based on how much hell they put it through. You guys do a tool review the correct way. TY for all your hard work!
I'm certainly happy that I've gotten into Kobalt's line of tools. Their ergonomics can be slightly lacking vs other major brands, but for someone like me who can't spend tons of money on tools their prices and performance are top notch.
I agree like buying specifically the best of each tool can be a little bit of a hassle since no one brand is totally dominant. Having a bunch of different battery brands or not having enough of the ones you need at a specific moment isnt the most handy
I just got the Dewalt and am very happy with it. I have the large recip for bigger jobs and wanted something much smaller. If I didn't have a bigger one I would probably go for that Milwaukee but kudos to Kobalt for making a fine tool at an affordable price.
That Kobalt saw is often included in their kits for crazy cheap. I picked up a 6 tool kit for $199 about a month ago, really needing only 3 of the tools but have been impressed with all of them. For reference, my other tools are Dewalt and Bosch.
@@1dgrdgr It isn't a hammer drill- just a two speed drill with a handle, but it works really well. It has a metal Jacobs chuck and seems well built. The 6 tool kit came with about 10 attachments for the OMT. The soft start, brake and LED impressed me on the circ but I'm also upgrading from an old corded circ. Everything in the kit is brushless so pleeenty of power.
@@1dgrdgr They don't seem to be stocking much of them in stores, so I wonder if they are phasing out the 6 piece. I'd act sooner than later if you want it. Plus they have a 1 year satisfaction guarantee so you can return if it doesn't impress. There's a website called brickseek that'll help you find a store with the 6kit in stock.
Remember the old school saws with the Allen bolt that after a few years they wore out and after a a couple cuts u had to tighten it back up the have come a long ways
You can still get one , Makita JR105 (no idea what its model marking is in USA) , JR103 and DJR183 have the ejecting blade holder . Allen bolt Makita does have the benefit that you can use also jigsaw blades ... if you consider that to be a benefit . Maybe Makita replacement for those older models , is their stubby reciprocating saw .
I picked up a couple of cheap used 24v Kobalt tools to use with my discontinued 24v Ridgid tools that came with garbage batteries (using an adapter). I was impressed with the quality and performance of these cheap tools. The results of this comparison don't surprise me at all. While most of the Kobalt line is a great value for DYIers and pros on a budget, some like the new XTR full size recip saws are top notch for quality and performance.
I myself have the Milwaukee and love it but 100% agree with you that the DeWalt is way more comfortable in the hands if they would just up the stroke length and maybe bump up the power just a little bit in the motor they would have a bad mama jama
Glad I purchased the kobalt 24 volt 6 piece for $200 when it was on sale..plus you can still get the the set right now for $269 on lowes which is still a great sale
I am glad you pick the Milwaukee as I have the 12 volt which is 10 years old and use it almost EVERYDAY cutting hydraulic hoses and fittings including steel 1/4 thick.
I’ve got the Milwaukee and it’s a beast, I use is on everything up to the big shit. Then I swap over to it’s big brother. But as a warning and a plea to Milwaukee!! CHANGE THE BLADE ENGAGEMENT TO ALL STAINLESS. Only complaint is that you have to actually clean the blade locking mechanism after cutting stuff that may get it wet. The pin or ball bearing inside is regular steel and if I don’t wd40 it after getting it wet or I don’t live it prior it will get jammed and the collar won’t turn. Spray it down and a few love taps and it frees up. Otherwise one of my favorite tools.
I do flooring for a living and when ripping out plywood that cabinets are on top of the short stroke the dewalt has makes a huge difference, almost never bends the blade from smacking the subfloor underneath or material around it
Love it. This is the first time I've seen in print an advantage suggested for shorter reciprocating strokes other than more tolerable vibration. Good information.
I've used the Kobalt and Milwaukee. The Kobalt blows the Milwaukee one out of the water. It's cheaper cuts better and faster and the battery lasts way longer.
I wanna see an endurance test. I’m a roofer and we often will do 40 or 50 soffit vent holes in a row. We had the Ryobi handheld and it would overheat and stop working out until it cooled down. I’d like to see each of these saws go over and over and over doing the same thing and see if and at what point they overheat.
Automotive tech here. I use Rigid at work because of the lifetime warranty. I use the 1/4" impact driver constantly and the drill daily. I have yet to have any problems after 7 years. I was looking into buying the Rigid recip saw for metal work associated with exhausts and suspension components. This review convinced me to get it.
But how are you saving money buying an under powered tool that won't last as long? Being cheaper design and under powered you'll have to buy another one way sooner then someone who bought the Milwaukee and would have spent more money with less power the entire time. This was from personal experience with a co-worker, luckily I'm the Milwaukee guy haha
@@noahleek9696 I’ve flipped 4 houses with all Ryobi tools. Never had a single problem with any of their tools. Great value. With Dewalt your simply paying extra for a name and a few seconds faster cuts. It’s all made in China by the same people and materials at the end of the day. But people have ego and want to feel cool so they will pay the high price for the name
I just got my Milwaukee M18 Hackzall (#2719 bare tool) last month for $119. The others were no doubt discounted as well or value priced in kits. My point is that the pricing component is very fuzzy and I appreciate the lower weighting. And I'm glad to see my choice placed well. Nice job evaluating the saws!
One more thing on pricing, Milwaukee might be a bit more expensive but the build quality, performance and a 5-year warranty make this tool worth just a little more.
All said, I buy my power tool based on convenience of staying in one one platform of batteries/chargers. Mine is dewalt. Sometimes great sometimes ok, but the stated convenience factor wins every time. The only dewalt tool I'm not happy with is the blower. It chews through batteries entirely to fast. The greatest dewalt tool is the garden pruners. My Lord, game changer when it comes to cutting branches.
The Milwaukee m18 bare tool is $99, and I think it’s the brushless. Maybe not, I’ll check mine tomorrow. I’ve had mine for years tho, and put it thru hell, still works like a champ!
I’ve been building up my RIDGID battery tool collection for several years now.. no point in changing now! The Lifetime Service Agreement is hard to pass up on especially since you can also register batteries that were bought as part of a combo.
The testing here was very well done I believe, and helpful. From the data collected for cut times, it looks as if the first on to make a 3000 stroke per minute saw with and adjustable stroke length of 0.75 or 1.00 inches would have the most versatile unit.
I'm with you on this. As just a home owner, but one that does tons of jobs from metal working / welding to wood working etc, the platform is a HUGE factor for me. What options for that battery platform are there? The last thing I want is to have to keep several different batteries and chargers going at all times depending on what job I'm doing. Personally, I have recently switched to Milwaukee simply because there are so many options to tools on the M18, M12 platform. It helps a lot that most of their chargers will charge both batteries too.
bikeyo your absolutely right, I’ve been banging drywall screws all weekend. I pick up the saw and it wouldn’t work, I just checked it. I feel like an idiot haha 😂 thanks
I feel it should be mentioned that Ridgid's warranty is a lifetime warranty for the tool, service, and battery (when bought in a "kit"). The warranty can't be beat. This is when it is purchased from Home Depot and registered on the Ridgid website. I have many of their 18v tools starting with their Gen 5x and they have never let me down. Quality through and through...
It’s not easy to get the stuff warranted and I cannot wait for tools to be mailed in and mailed back etc. I’ve had 2 rigid tools go Up in smoke on me. Never again. Time is money in this business.
Nice review guys. This is easily the best tool review crew on TH-cam. Love the transparency of the process and results. I don't buy any power tools without checking to see if you guys have reviewed it. Thank you!
I did the “Home Depot hack” and got the M18 Fuel for $90. I also own the brushed version for $45 for jobs cutting roots in the dirt. If the price is the same as Kobalt, I’ll take Milwaukee every day of the week.
The Kobalt is over 50% less expensive as well as 50% less expensive batteries with an easy 5 year warranty. Ergonomics is relative also when you consider if it has much longer stroke and rpms you will finish each cut sooner so you can relax and adjust your grip instead of still applying pressure and tension. Kobalt is the real winner in this comparison in my opinion. It still will come down to what system you have already invested in. Kobalts limiting factor is still the amount of tools compared to the milwaukee or the makita or dewalt which all have at least 100-250 tools in their lineups. I have most of the Kobalt tools and I like every tool and batteries very much but I also have other platforms to fill out the necessary tool needs.
@@OJesusX3, except for the Dewalt Atomic. It’s really not that great of a tool, as there are way too many better choices. I don’t feel Rob was that unbiased with regard to the Dewalt’s performance. It was light weight because it’s motor is too small. Milwaukee is twice the tool. They built in an opposing main gear to assist in mitigating vibration…stuff like that adds weight.
My biggest thing is impact durability. If I’m gonna spend 200 on a tool I don’t want the battery or the tool to break from a slight drop. I perfect example was my drills. I’ve had portercable 20v which are awesome but I dropped it 2 feet and the battery pack broke. I’ve dropped my dewalts off 6+ feet and there’s a little dent.
I think adding a stress test or a strength/durability test in these would also add value to the rankings. Especially when people are taking these tools into crawl spaces and tossing them short distances or dragging them through the mud/water etc. just a thought!
I have the Milwaukee Hackzall and I love it. I also have the M18 cordless die grinder (for cutting off locks and chains - I steal bicycles for a living).
Thanks to Rob and the crew. I don’t choose based on the battery platform alone, though it is a huge consideration. The data the crew provides helps flatten the decision. This time my platform is supported though not coronated, I can live with that! Thanks for the information, it’s much appreciated!
How about doing a head to head with warranties. Go into detail how complicated some of them actually are in order to qualify for them to actually honor there warranty like rigid for example. Tell how easy and expensive it is to drop off or send in a tool for warranty work. When you read there warranty then try to use it, it's sometimes very different . Make sure they don't know who you are also so they don't give you preferential treatment. I would love to see that comparison myself, give me a thumbs up if you would like to see it so they might do it.
Bill - Several years ago I tried to do a comprehensive article on this and ended up punting. Why? It's so complicated when you dig in. Many companies have multiple warranties depending on the tool you buy, which part breaks, etc. Even the tool companies laughed at me when I asked for information to write the article. It's just not in the cards.
@@ConcordCarpenter I know that , by " trying" myself to have things fixed under warranty. They all make you think there warranties are far better than they really are. They all try there best to find ways and create loopholes so they dont have to honor them. The public should know just how shady and worthless most of the warranties really are . Milwaukee was the best I found overall. I don't have the platform or popularity your channel has, or even a channel for that matter, so thought it might make a really interesting video to let the public know about our beloved tool companies. Yes I know it will be hard to do because the companies want it kept a secret , sooner or later someone will break the news about it,,,,,, may as well be your channel I'm thinking ,,,,,if your up for it!!!
A Concord Carpenter / ToolBoxBuzz I for one would be interested. Maybe not for each individual tool review, but definitely a “warranty comparison review” video. As a small time contractor I’ve put many top of the line tools through the warranty process and haven’t always been happy at the end of the day. I bought dewalt for years solely because they have a repair outlet right down the street from me, so I could swap batteries/broken tools right over the counter or sometimes have to wait a week or two depending on the tool. But that branch has moved and now the closest one is 6 hours away... so I’m definitely considering other brands now. A channel/influence like yours could go a long way in seeing warranties honored and probably even made batter. Y’all could possibly do an official survey here on yt asking people about their warranty stories. Love the channel keep it up!
I own Milwaukee m18 *brushed* one hand Recip and it still outperforms the Ridgid 18v. I say mostly on being steady on the cut, as I’ve not actually tested them
@Clinton Damico don't believe me? Do I need to make a video? The Craftsman has 3200 spm compared to the Milwaukees 3000. It doesn't sound like much, but makes a difference. Milwaukee probably has more torque which would help in super dense/thick wood, but for regular oak type wood (like a stair handrail), the Craftsman is almost literally twice as fast. I just recently upgraded all of my tools from the Craftsman V20 to Milwaukee M18 Fuel. Every Milwaukee too is better and faster, except for the reciprocal saw
I bought the milwaukee fuel. It's an absolute monster. It'll take more abuse than the others too. This stat doesn't show up on paper. Mine accidentally went in a bath of salt water and after a little drying out and new graphite lube it works like new.
I have been so pleasantly surprised with all my kobalt tools. I use them daily here in the north east and they hold up well. However I still use makita impact and circular saw. I use The 71/4 kobalt cordless miter that won your competition almost daily for the last few years and I am still impressed. Keep up the great work guys! Wicked good stuff 😆
I’d be interested if you added an extra 1lb weight to the dewalt to match the Milwaukee tool weight. The Dewalt has a balanced weight approach (depending on battery. Weight could be focused a little rear) so dewalt has less cutting weight compared to the Milwaukee. But dewalt if one handed use is more ergo friendly for users. So I still personally feel the Milwaukee is the better tool for professionals. But dewalt lighter weight and ergonomics make it a better choice for smaller statured individuals, hobbyists, diy’ers, and tinkerer’s.
If it has to be as small as possible, you gotta go with the 12m Milwaukee with the BRUSHED motor. It's so cute and tiny for those awkward plumbing cuts.
Thanks bud.. Ya'll made up my mind.. I already have the Milwaukee fuels and batteries so its a no brainer... Great educational video!! You guys need a raise!!
Not a tradesman, never been one. In NZ your always going to be ripped off in price and courier fees so price was not an issue. I'm 65 with disabilities, Dewalt keeps me in the camping game with my very expensive compact saw relegated to backup. I really liked your comparisons, thank you.
Great job as always guys- Not sure whether I’m more surprised that the Kobalt wasn’t your winner or why Dewalt deserved 3rd! Hehe thanks again for the great info but I have to say platform kinda trumps all for me ... take care out there
Ergonomics. Kobalt doesn't emphasize them as much as other brands, and most people that plan to use the tools all day long care about that. Price and performance are top notch from Kobalt though.
Very good video. I will say that pricing should be weighed the same here as any other comparison imo because when you figure battery price, the Kobalt is half the price of Milwaukee. I love the Kobalt one hander but, what's even more impressive is the new XTR recip. Awesome saw.
I think length of warranty should be taken into consideration along with pricing. A 5 year tool warranty is obviously more desirable than a 3 year tool warranty. In my opinion, the price of a tool that costs more is offset with the 2 year longer warranty.
A couple years ago we tried to incorporate the warranties into our calculations. Guess what? It was a nightmare...everyone has such different warranties on what they cover, different times depending on the part of the tool...we through our hands up and gave up. Yes it's important...but honestly...we live in a disposable world. I can't tell you the last time I sent in a tool under warranty....we buy a new one and keep moving.
@@toddfratzel3569 I sent in a drill that was a little over four years old for a trigger that was intermittently malfunctioning. The manufacturer sent me an email with a postage paid label to return the drill to them, and they returned it to me with a new trigger installed. I guess most people would have tossed it, but if it's still has warranty left and it's working properly otherwise, why waste the money on a new drill? Especially when I had another, newer drill that kept me from being without a drill while it was being repaired. Disposable world? Maybe some of you, are but I have working cordless drills that I bought around 95 or 96. They're powered by Ni-Cad batteries, and yes, they're slow, weak, and HUGE compared to my Li-ion powered drills, but I still use them once in a while. I recycle, and e-cycle everything, but I will use these drills as long as I can still get batteries for them, or until they no longer work. Many of my ex coworkers have older back-up drills that they use often to keep the batteries from crapping out.
If able to wait & look for deals, able to pickup any tool at a great price. Picked up my Milwaukee M18 saw (2719-20) for $127 w/ a free 5.0Ah battery during the Q2-Q3 promos on Acme, Depot, OPT, etc....stores. Not a bad deal, imo, & does a great job for my needs. If able to wait & get the tools on promos etc....that’s the best deal; but if can’t & gotta get for an immediate job, it happens AND I’d go for best tool for the money “you’re willing to spend”. Cheers✌🏼
Damn dude. What more can we ask for? Extremely detailed test imo. I have the dewalt atomic and it’s actually replaced my full size dewalt saws all. Seems like Milwaukee always wins I’m your tests tho. Lol. It’s all good tho. Thanks for ur work. Much respect 👍🏻🤜🏻🤙🏻
If Makita have an older model and is the only one they sell it should put in the comparison as well. Just to show what you get from each manufacturer rather they are worth the money or not.
Good review, one thing you might try to include is reliability. You would have to gather info from repair shops. Ill be willing to bet rankings would change with this info.
Great presentation. Categorization and evaluations are tougher than getting an Oscar. Would follow this channel for more such true comparison test results. keep it up.
i havent handled many of these specific saws, but in my experience with these brands, i would almost completely agree, i would just put rigid up a step higher. but really, this is a fucking awesome video. it seemed so much more in depth, scientific, and objective (as much as can be from subjective things like feel) than any others. also, the criticisms seemed honest, not like other channels that seem like they are just looking to shit on certain brands they dont like. i usually dont subscribe to a channel unless i see multiple good videos from them, but im making an exception on this one and subscribing after just this one video. thats really how good i thought this review was. cant wait to see more.
Thank you - if you like this test then please check out our other Head-1-Heads here: www.milwaukeetool.com/Innovations/M18-Fuel? All the videos are embedded at the bottom of the reviews.
You guys, i keep saying it in the comments are going to be the top channel for tool comparisons in the world for the sheer amount of detail you go to. I sincerely hope the manufacturers are sending you the units and that Diablo too are sending out samples! Great job, i always look forward to your comparisons. Do you have any info about when Makita release new 1st and 2nd fix battery nailers? Pretty much their whole range of battery nailers are terrible akin to Milwuakee in their 1st attempt 1st generation nailers. Thumbs up from the UK.
@Box Addict not a chance here you can tell by these guys attitude. Those read it from the paper reviews and say nicey nicey things can be seen from a mile off. Steer clear. These guys, tools and stuff and concord carpenter/toolbox buzz are the best 3 channels for power tools on the whole of YT imho.
18V isn’t small- go for the 12V models. My full size reciprocating saw sits alone and dusty on the shelf. I have completely supplanted it with my 12V Bosh mini recip or my 12V Milwaukee baby band saw.
well, you guys should have consider that the distance between the rope that holds the weight and the trigger/grip makes a big difference on the force applied on the blade to cut the material. For example, ridgid would have an advantage over shorter tools like dewalt or metabo. hold the tool with the weight on it, just like if you where going to cut a pipe for the test, 8:38 with just the blade on the scale and see how the weight on the scale will change according to the distance between the handle and where the weight is. I reckon you guys should calibrate the weight according to the handle/trigger distance of each tool and re-do the performance test. Sorry about that.
Rob I got the Milwaukee fuel in a combo with Gen 3 hammer drill an impact gun in the pack out metal box for 350 bucks so if I broke it down that's all on it cost me ground the hundred bucks that's why I looked at it because the bargain affordability and I saw it again for Christmas so is this based on regular retail price the prices you can maybe find something thank you keep up the great show😷🍻🍺
I would have liked to have seen the ridgid job max recip saw head on either the ridgid jobmax multi tool or the Ryobi job plus multi tool. Either way, cool test and Great info!!
I've never really paid attention to the run time when using compact recip saw but i have used the 2ah batteries with the impact driver working at a scrapyard, i used it to teardown a/c units, computer towers, parking lot lamps, and a big blue computer systems that came from a factory. When tearing down a/c units and parking lot lamps I'd be working alongside my coworker who owned and used Milwaukee, by lunch he needed to go get a new battery and i had only used one bar. #kobalttools
Who has the best warranty and which one will last the longests under heavy duty use ? Customer care and longevity of trouble free use including battery longevity, I bet Milwaukee will score first place!
Great video! I have a question for a project I'm writing and can't find the answer anywhere. Do you know what model reciprocating saw DeWalt made in 1995-1998? I hope you can help.
i have about 40 broken Milwaukee hackzalls laying around in my shop. Kobalt last a hell of alot longer then any of these saws from a real world perpective!
Got a great idea for your tests. How about contacting 2 "Factory Authorized" tool service centers from each state in the nation. The reason every state is because some of these tools only show up in certain geographical areas. It wouldn't be that hard to set up. Once all the names where entered they could be send out via e-mail with a few key strokes. Maybe 10 questions regarding parts availability, ease of service, past or future problems, ease of warranty, ease of working with company and what ever else. It would have to be Factory authorized service centers not factory (owned) service centers as Factory service centers typically only work on their brand and authorized servicers may work on all of the tools in the test. Yes I work at a authorized service center and some of these tools you rate so high just make me cringe because of reliability, serviceability or warranty issues. Just a thought?
well based on the evaluation ill go with the makita lol I hope they do come out with a good one. Ive heard there subcompact is good. I really like your head to head videos.
What you said about some choices being personal is SO true. I have small hands anyway, and arthritis has made it impossible for me to grip and squeeze my Ryobi batteries hard enough to remove them. When I saw that Lowes was having a Kobalt tool sale, I went to see if I could handle the batteries. Those two little side pushbuttons sold me. I bought the sale package, and also a cordless inflator. I have been totally pleased with everything I have used. I am just an 81 year old DIYer, so I really didn't care about the fact that someone told me Kobalts were not "pro quality" tools. By the way, I have two Warrior drills from Harbor Freight, that are so light weight they are a joy to use overhead, and they have very sufficient power for my use, as well as really good battery life. Loved this video and subscribed. Wish I'd found your channel sooner.
Im an Electrician I use kobalt 24v tools everyday great tools great warranty never let me down and they are crushing the rest of the competition in cost per tool and batteries.
I too use kobalt 24v tools and they keep up with everyone else’s Milwaukee and dewalt tools even though they aren’t considered “heavy duty “
I wouldn't say they're crushing it in the remod and demo world! Our production Mgr had all kobalt and it worked good til he was tryna put some masonry bits thru expensive hard brick...had to let him use my xr hammer drill while I used my ryobi sds
Such a solid review. I have the DeWalt atomic, I use it for what it was intended for. When the job is too big I pull out my DeWalt flexvolt. I feel a lot of TH-cam channels use these tool beyond their intent and make a decision on whether it's a good tool or not based on how much hell they put it through. You guys do a tool review the correct way. TY for all your hard work!
Did they say which one has the longest stroke?
I'm certainly happy that I've gotten into Kobalt's line of tools. Their ergonomics can be slightly lacking vs other major brands, but for someone like me who can't spend tons of money on tools their prices and performance are top notch.
I think for 90% of us tradesmen it comes down to battery platform.
Always good to see how tools perform in these type of tests.
Well done again guys
I agree like buying specifically the best of each tool can be a little bit of a hassle since no one brand is totally dominant. Having a bunch of different battery brands or not having enough of the ones you need at a specific moment isnt the most handy
As long as you don't get a Makita nail gun just because you have LXT batteries. Their stuff is generally great, but the nail guns... Oof..
I just got the Dewalt and am very happy with it. I have the large recip for bigger jobs and wanted something much smaller. If I didn't have a bigger one I would probably go for that Milwaukee but kudos to Kobalt for making a fine tool at an affordable price.
How do you like the dewalt. I want to purchase soon
@@Toolboss0826 Works great for the stuff I've used it on. Doesn't cut as fast as the large 2-handed ones but does a good job overall.
That Kobalt saw is often included in their kits for crazy cheap. I picked up a 6 tool kit for $199 about a month ago, really needing only 3 of the tools but have been impressed with all of them. For reference, my other tools are Dewalt and Bosch.
Even at the current $269, it's a good deal. I really want the omt but don't want another battery platform....
How does the hammer drill work?
@@1dgrdgr It isn't a hammer drill- just a two speed drill with a handle, but it works really well. It has a metal Jacobs chuck and seems well built. The 6 tool kit came with about 10 attachments for the OMT. The soft start, brake and LED impressed me on the circ but I'm also upgrading from an old corded circ. Everything in the kit is brushless so pleeenty of power.
@@bikeyo thanks for that. I missed it was not a hammer drill. I still want the omt and the one handed saw. Still tempted
@@1dgrdgr They don't seem to be stocking much of them in stores, so I wonder if they are phasing out the 6 piece. I'd act sooner than later if you want it. Plus they have a 1 year satisfaction guarantee so you can return if it doesn't impress. There's a website called brickseek that'll help you find a store with the 6kit in stock.
Blue all day
Remember the old school saws with the Allen bolt that after a few years they wore out and after a a couple cuts u had to tighten it back up the have come a long ways
You can still get one , Makita JR105 (no idea what its model marking is in USA) , JR103 and DJR183 have the ejecting blade holder .
Allen bolt Makita does have the benefit that you can use also jigsaw blades ... if you consider that to be a benefit .
Maybe Makita replacement for those older models , is their stubby reciprocating saw .
I picked up a couple of cheap used 24v Kobalt tools to use with my discontinued 24v Ridgid tools that came with garbage batteries (using an adapter). I was impressed with the quality and performance of these cheap tools. The results of this comparison don't surprise me at all. While most of the Kobalt line is a great value for DYIers and pros on a budget, some like the new XTR full size recip saws are top notch for quality and performance.
I myself have the Milwaukee and love it but 100% agree with you that the DeWalt is way more comfortable in the hands if they would just up the stroke length and maybe bump up the power just a little bit in the motor they would have a bad mama jama
Glad I purchased the kobalt 24 volt 6 piece for $200 when it was on sale..plus you can still get the the set right now for $269 on lowes which is still a great sale
I am glad you pick the Milwaukee as I have the 12 volt which is 10 years old and use it almost EVERYDAY cutting hydraulic hoses and fittings including steel 1/4 thick.
Always love your tool reviews, back in the archive for some older content. Great job Rob and crew!
I’ve got the Milwaukee and it’s a beast, I use is on everything up to the big shit. Then I swap over to it’s big brother. But as a warning and a plea to Milwaukee!! CHANGE THE BLADE ENGAGEMENT TO ALL STAINLESS.
Only complaint is that you have to actually clean the blade locking mechanism after cutting stuff that may get it wet. The pin or ball bearing inside is regular steel and if I don’t wd40 it after getting it wet or I don’t live it prior it will get jammed and the collar won’t turn. Spray it down and a few love taps and it frees up. Otherwise one of my favorite tools.
I have never used any of the other saws but I love my kobalt. It is great for trimming smaller trees and cutting brush
Kobalt power tools are manufactured by Chervon, which is also parent company to Skil & Skilsaw. Just FYI.
I have Metabo saw. Works well, no complaints.
I do flooring for a living and when ripping out plywood that cabinets are on top of the short stroke the dewalt has makes a huge difference, almost never bends the blade from smacking the subfloor underneath or material around it
Love it. This is the first time I've seen in print an advantage suggested for shorter reciprocating strokes other than more tolerable vibration. Good information.
I've used the Kobalt and Milwaukee. The Kobalt blows the Milwaukee one out of the water. It's cheaper cuts better and faster and the battery lasts way longer.
I wanna see an endurance test. I’m a roofer and we often will do 40 or 50 soffit vent holes in a row. We had the Ryobi handheld and it would overheat and stop working out until it cooled down. I’d like to see each of these saws go over and over and over doing the same thing and see if and at what point they overheat.
Automotive tech here. I use Rigid at work because of the lifetime warranty. I use the 1/4" impact driver constantly and the drill daily. I have yet to have any problems after 7 years. I was looking into buying the Rigid recip saw for metal work associated with exhausts and suspension components. This review convinced me to get it.
So... if you’re paid by the hour, buy Dewalt. If you’re paid on piece work, buy Milwaukie
But how are you saving money buying an under powered tool that won't last as long? Being cheaper design and under powered you'll have to buy another one way sooner then someone who bought the Milwaukee and would have spent more money with less power the entire time. This was from personal experience with a co-worker, luckily I'm the Milwaukee guy haha
Ryobi is king
@@FromTheHood2TheWoods 💀 you're kidding right? Unless you have a drug habit and Ryobi is all you can afford, it's really bottom of the barrel stuff.
@@noahleek9696 I’ve flipped 4 houses with all Ryobi tools. Never had a single problem with any of their tools. Great value. With Dewalt your simply paying extra for a name and a few seconds faster cuts. It’s all made in China by the same people and materials at the end of the day. But people have ego and want to feel cool so they will pay the high price for the name
@@FromTheHood2TheWoods Or yk, you get what you pay for
I just got my Milwaukee M18 Hackzall (#2719 bare tool) last month for $119. The others were no doubt discounted as well or value priced in kits. My point is that the pricing component is very fuzzy and I appreciate the lower weighting. And I'm glad to see my choice placed well. Nice job evaluating the saws!
One more thing on pricing, Milwaukee might be a bit more expensive but the build quality, performance and a 5-year warranty make this tool worth just a little more.
I have the fuel one-handed sawzall and the fuel two-handed sawzall I find myself using the one-handed one more.
I have the unfuel model and love that thing. Kind of hoping it breaks so i can upgrade to the fuel model. Can’t see that happening though.
All said, I buy my power tool based on convenience of staying in one one platform of batteries/chargers. Mine is dewalt. Sometimes great sometimes ok, but the stated convenience factor wins every time. The only dewalt tool I'm not happy with is the blower. It chews through batteries entirely to fast. The greatest dewalt tool is the garden pruners. My Lord, game changer when it comes to cutting branches.
The FUEL is worth the money. The only thing I'd change is to add an adjustable shoe. It's an awesome saw.
Adjustable shoe AND orbital action would be nice, but the added complexity would no doubt add much more to the cost.
Then you would finally be able to use a blade to its full advantage
I got the Dewalt for 99.00 at HD dang good little saw
The Milwaukee m18 bare tool is $99, and I think it’s the brushless. Maybe not, I’ll check mine tomorrow. I’ve had mine for years tho, and put it thru hell, still works like a champ!
My bad. It’s not a fuel. But it’s still a badass hackzall!
Keep up the great reviews! By far the best on TH-cam!
Try watching Project Farm then tell me who is the best one man Army?
I’ve been building up my RIDGID battery tool collection for several years now.. no point in changing now! The Lifetime Service Agreement is hard to pass up on especially since you can also register batteries that were bought as part of a combo.
Very Good Test! Kobalt was very surprising.
Indeed it was
The testing here was very well done I believe, and helpful. From the data collected for cut times, it looks as if the first on to make a 3000 stroke per minute saw with and adjustable stroke length of 0.75 or 1.00 inches would have the most versatile unit.
It really comes down to the make of batteries you have invested in.
I'm with you on this. As just a home owner, but one that does tons of jobs from metal working / welding to wood working etc, the platform is a HUGE factor for me. What options for that battery platform are there? The last thing I want is to have to keep several different batteries and chargers going at all times depending on what job I'm doing.
Personally, I have recently switched to Milwaukee simply because there are so many options to tools on the M18, M12 platform. It helps a lot that most of their chargers will charge both batteries too.
I’ve had the kobalt for a week, works like a champ 😂
bikeyo your absolutely right, I’ve been banging drywall screws all weekend. I pick up the saw and it wouldn’t work, I just checked it. I feel like an idiot haha 😂 thanks
I love mine as well. I have a large Ridgid recip saw and I never use it because the Kobalt one handed works too great!
I feel it should be mentioned that Ridgid's warranty is a lifetime warranty for the tool, service, and battery (when bought in a "kit"). The warranty can't be beat.
This is when it is purchased from Home Depot and registered on the Ridgid website. I have many of their 18v tools starting with their Gen 5x and they have never let me down. Quality through and through...
It’s not easy to get the stuff warranted and I cannot wait for tools to be mailed in and mailed back etc. I’ve had 2 rigid tools go
Up in smoke on me. Never again. Time is money in this business.
Nice review guys. This is easily the best tool review crew on TH-cam. Love the transparency of the process and results. I don't buy any power tools without checking to see if you guys have reviewed it. Thank you!
Love to hear that - that is our goal!! Thanks for the comment
I did the “Home Depot hack” and got the M18 Fuel for $90. I also own the brushed version for $45 for jobs cutting roots in the dirt. If the price is the same as Kobalt, I’ll take Milwaukee every day of the week.
The Kobalt is over 50% less expensive as well as 50% less expensive batteries with an easy 5 year warranty. Ergonomics is relative also when you consider if it has much longer stroke and rpms you will finish each cut sooner so you can relax and adjust your grip instead of still applying pressure and tension. Kobalt is the real winner in this comparison in my opinion. It still will come down to what system you have already invested in. Kobalts limiting factor is still the amount of tools compared to the milwaukee or the makita or dewalt which all have at least 100-250 tools in their lineups. I have most of the Kobalt tools and I like every tool and batteries very much but I also have other platforms to fill out the necessary tool needs.
I’m a Milwaukee huge fan, but I would of gave Kobalt the number spot, big suprise
I think they're all great tools when used respectfully. 😊🌎
@@OJesusX3, except for the Dewalt Atomic. It’s really not that great of a tool, as there are way too many better choices. I don’t feel Rob was that unbiased with regard to the Dewalt’s performance. It was light weight because it’s motor is too small. Milwaukee is twice the tool. They built in an opposing main gear to assist in mitigating vibration…stuff like that adds weight.
My biggest thing is impact durability. If I’m gonna spend 200 on a tool I don’t want the battery or the tool to break from a slight drop. I perfect example was my drills. I’ve had portercable 20v which are awesome but I dropped it 2 feet and the battery pack broke. I’ve dropped my dewalts off 6+ feet and there’s a little dent.
I think adding a stress test or a strength/durability test in these would also add value to the rankings. Especially when people are taking these tools into crawl spaces and tossing them short distances or dragging them through the mud/water etc. just a thought!
Have the dewalt as a plumber it’s perfect for cutting pipe in tight spaces
The Dewalt is on sale now for $99 in the 2020 holiday season and I was gonna jump. Your review tells me to save my money.
The Metabo can also take jigsaw blades
I have the Milwaukee Hackzall and I love it. I also have the M18 cordless die grinder (for cutting off locks and chains - I steal bicycles for a living).
Thanks to Rob and the crew.
I don’t choose based on the battery platform alone, though it is a huge consideration.
The data the crew provides helps flatten the decision. This time my platform is supported though not coronated, I can live with that!
Thanks for the information, it’s much appreciated!
Thanks
I love Rob's unbiased no-nonsense head to heads. I really look forward to them. The only problem, there aren't enough of them.
thank you sir
Really good and thorough video. Awesome job!!
How about doing a head to head with warranties. Go into detail how complicated some of them actually are in order to qualify for them to actually honor there warranty like rigid for example. Tell how easy and expensive it is to drop off or send in a tool for warranty work. When you read there warranty then try to use it, it's sometimes very different . Make sure they don't know who you are also so they don't give you preferential treatment. I would love to see that comparison myself, give me a thumbs up if you would like to see it so they might do it.
Bill Sheffield would that of interest? They’re all so very different
Bill - Several years ago I tried to do a comprehensive article on this and ended up punting. Why? It's so complicated when you dig in. Many companies have multiple warranties depending on the tool you buy, which part breaks, etc. Even the tool companies laughed at me when I asked for information to write the article. It's just not in the cards.
@@ConcordCarpenter I know that , by " trying" myself to have things fixed under warranty. They all make you think there warranties are far better than they really are. They all try there best to find ways and create loopholes so they dont have to honor them. The public should know just how shady and worthless most of the warranties really are . Milwaukee was the best I found overall. I don't have the platform or popularity your channel has, or even a channel for that matter, so thought it might make a really interesting video to let the public know about our beloved tool companies. Yes I know it will be hard to do because the companies want it kept a secret , sooner or later someone will break the news about it,,,,,, may as well be your channel I'm thinking ,,,,,if your up for it!!!
A Concord Carpenter / ToolBoxBuzz I for one would be interested. Maybe not for each individual tool review, but definitely a “warranty comparison review” video. As a small time contractor I’ve put many top of the line tools through the warranty process and haven’t always been happy at the end of the day. I bought dewalt for years solely because they have a repair outlet right down the street from me, so I could swap batteries/broken tools right over the counter or sometimes have to wait a week or two depending on the tool. But that branch has moved and now the closest one is 6 hours away... so I’m definitely considering other brands now. A channel/influence like yours could go a long way in seeing warranties honored and probably even made batter. Y’all could possibly do an official survey here on yt asking people about their warranty stories. Love the channel keep it up!
@@billsheffield4572 i gotta agree with you on the lophole thing... is pretty fucking frustrating...
I own Milwaukee m18 *brushed* one hand Recip and it still outperforms the Ridgid 18v. I say mostly on being steady on the cut, as I’ve not actually tested them
Love my Ridgid brushless battery tools !!!!!!!!!!!!
No joke, I have the Milwaukee and I have the Craftsman Brushless, the Craftsman cuts twice as fast.
@Clinton Damico don't believe me? Do I need to make a video? The Craftsman has 3200 spm compared to the Milwaukees 3000. It doesn't sound like much, but makes a difference. Milwaukee probably has more torque which would help in super dense/thick wood, but for regular oak type wood (like a stair handrail), the Craftsman is almost literally twice as fast.
I just recently upgraded all of my tools from the Craftsman V20 to Milwaukee M18 Fuel. Every Milwaukee too is better and faster, except for the reciprocal saw
I have kobalt ridgid and Milwaukee kobalt surprised me too it was really impressive
I bought the milwaukee fuel. It's an absolute monster. It'll take more abuse than the others too. This stat doesn't show up on paper. Mine accidentally went in a bath of salt water and after a little drying out and new graphite lube it works like new.
I have been so pleasantly surprised with all my kobalt tools. I use them daily here in the north east and they hold up well. However I still use makita impact and circular saw. I use The 71/4 kobalt cordless miter that won your competition almost daily for the last few years and I am still impressed. Keep up the great work guys! Wicked good stuff 😆
I confess, I'm a tool nerd. This video is awesome 👍
You and me both!
I’d be interested if you added an extra 1lb weight to the dewalt to match the Milwaukee tool weight. The Dewalt has a balanced weight approach (depending on battery. Weight could be focused a little rear) so dewalt has less cutting weight compared to the Milwaukee. But dewalt if one handed use is more ergo friendly for users.
So I still personally feel the Milwaukee is the better tool for professionals. But dewalt lighter weight and ergonomics make it a better choice for smaller statured individuals, hobbyists, diy’ers, and tinkerer’s.
I'm happy with my Milwaukee especially using Diablo blades, they also make a big difference instead of other blades
The brand new brushless metabo is out next month 😁
been waiting on this one!! would love too see right angle drills head to head
If it has to be as small as possible, you gotta go with the 12m Milwaukee with the BRUSHED motor. It's so cute and tiny for those awkward plumbing cuts.
Can ask which one will cut tree roots thanks Aussie
Thanks bud.. Ya'll made up my mind.. I already have the Milwaukee fuels and batteries so its a no brainer... Great educational video!! You guys need a raise!!
Not a tradesman, never been one. In NZ your always going to be ripped off in price and courier fees so price was not an issue. I'm 65 with disabilities, Dewalt keeps me in the camping game with my very expensive compact saw relegated to backup. I really liked your comparisons, thank you.
Great job as always guys- Not sure whether I’m more surprised that the Kobalt wasn’t your winner or why Dewalt deserved 3rd! Hehe thanks again for the great info but I have to say platform kinda trumps all for me ... take care out there
Ergonomics. Kobalt doesn't emphasize them as much as other brands, and most people that plan to use the tools all day long care about that. Price and performance are top notch from Kobalt though.
Very good video. I will say that pricing should be weighed the same here as any other comparison imo because when you figure battery price, the Kobalt is half the price of Milwaukee. I love the Kobalt one hander but, what's even more impressive is the new XTR recip. Awesome saw.
Just found this channel. Awesome how in depth you go.
thanks
Milwaukee #1, hell I could of told you that and saved you a lot of time testing! Good shootout fellas!!
David Usry I wonder if the m12 Milwaukee will keep up. I have the full-size m18 and the m12 compact model.
FishFind3000 it does. I’ve done side by side (my Brushless) against a coworkers 18v (brushed)deWalt. Spoiler alert: Milwaukee is better
I think length of warranty should be taken into consideration along with pricing. A 5 year tool warranty is obviously more desirable than a 3 year tool warranty. In my opinion, the price of a tool that costs more is offset with the 2 year longer warranty.
A couple years ago we tried to incorporate the warranties into our calculations. Guess what? It was a nightmare...everyone has such different warranties on what they cover, different times depending on the part of the tool...we through our hands up and gave up. Yes it's important...but honestly...we live in a disposable world. I can't tell you the last time I sent in a tool under warranty....we buy a new one and keep moving.
@@toddfratzel3569 I sent in a drill that was a little over four years old for a trigger that was intermittently malfunctioning. The manufacturer sent me an email with a postage paid label to return the drill to them, and they returned it to me with a new trigger installed. I guess most people would have tossed it, but if it's still has warranty left and it's working properly otherwise, why waste the money on a new drill? Especially when I had another, newer drill that kept me from being without a drill while it was being repaired.
Disposable world? Maybe some of you, are but I have working cordless drills that I bought around 95 or 96. They're powered by Ni-Cad batteries, and yes, they're slow, weak, and HUGE compared to my Li-ion powered drills, but I still use them once in a while. I recycle, and e-cycle everything, but I will use these drills as long as I can still get batteries for them, or until they no longer work. Many of my ex coworkers have older back-up drills that they use often to keep the batteries from crapping out.
If able to wait & look for deals, able to pickup any tool at a great price. Picked up my Milwaukee M18 saw (2719-20) for $127 w/ a free 5.0Ah battery during the Q2-Q3 promos on Acme, Depot, OPT, etc....stores. Not a bad deal, imo, & does a great job for my needs. If able to wait & get the tools on promos etc....that’s the best deal; but if can’t & gotta get for an immediate job, it happens AND I’d go for best tool for the money “you’re willing to spend”.
Cheers✌🏼
Damn dude. What more can we ask for? Extremely detailed test imo. I have the dewalt atomic and it’s actually replaced my full size dewalt saws all. Seems like Milwaukee always wins I’m your tests tho. Lol. It’s all good tho. Thanks for ur work. Much respect 👍🏻🤜🏻🤙🏻
Dewalt actually won the last 2 tests
If Milwaukee paid me to promote their product I’d do the same. No worries
If Makita have an older model and is the only one they sell it should put in the comparison as well. Just to show what you get from each manufacturer rather they are worth the money or not.
Excellent and comprehensive evaluation.
Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
I think I did pretty well getting the 24v Kobalt, a 4ah battery, a 2ah battery, and a charger for $109 + tax. Hard to beat. . .
Good review, one thing you might try to include is reliability. You would have to gather info from repair shops. Ill be willing to bet rankings would change with this info.
gabriel back great idea
Great presentation. Categorization and evaluations are tougher than getting an Oscar. Would follow this channel for more such true comparison test results. keep it up.
Wow, thank you!
Very well done, very clearly presented highlighting all the key issues and tons of really useful data. Many thanks.
Picked up the M18 FUEL for $160 with a 5Ah battery and bag. You should never pay full price for tools unless you’re in need right away.
I got a Milwaukee this week for $99 with a free battery at Home Depot. But I wish I could have seen this before.
i havent handled many of these specific saws, but in my experience with these brands, i would almost completely agree, i would just put rigid up a step higher.
but really, this is a fucking awesome video. it seemed so much more in depth, scientific, and objective (as much as can be from subjective things like feel) than any others. also, the criticisms seemed honest, not like other channels that seem like they are just looking to shit on certain brands they dont like.
i usually dont subscribe to a channel unless i see multiple good videos from them, but im making an exception on this one and subscribing after just this one video. thats really how good i thought this review was. cant wait to see more.
Thank you - if you like this test then please check out our other Head-1-Heads here: www.milwaukeetool.com/Innovations/M18-Fuel?
All the videos are embedded at the bottom of the reviews.
You guys, i keep saying it in the comments are going to be the top channel for tool comparisons in the world for the sheer amount of detail you go to.
I sincerely hope the manufacturers are sending you the units and that Diablo too are sending out samples!
Great job, i always look forward to your comparisons.
Do you have any info about when Makita release new 1st and 2nd fix battery nailers? Pretty much their whole range of battery nailers are terrible akin to Milwuakee in their 1st attempt 1st generation nailers.
Thumbs up from the UK.
@Box Addict not a chance here you can tell by these guys attitude.
Those read it from the paper reviews and say nicey nicey things can be seen from a mile off. Steer clear.
These guys, tools and stuff and concord carpenter/toolbox buzz are the best 3 channels for power tools on the whole of YT imho.
Always enjoying on this kind of videos.Can you consider putting where units are made, just 2 seconds of video?
18V isn’t small- go for the 12V models.
My full size reciprocating saw sits alone and dusty on the shelf. I have completely supplanted it with my 12V Bosh mini recip or my 12V Milwaukee baby band saw.
well, you guys should have consider that the distance between the rope that holds the weight and the trigger/grip makes a big difference on the force applied on the blade to cut the material. For example, ridgid would have an advantage over shorter tools like dewalt or metabo. hold the tool with the weight on it, just like if you where going to cut a pipe for the test, 8:38 with just the blade on the scale and see how the weight on the scale will change according to the distance between the handle and where the weight is. I reckon you guys should calibrate the weight according to the handle/trigger distance of each tool and re-do the performance test. Sorry about that.
We never claimed to be a scientific testing lab. I bet if you did the math...the moment arm isn't as big a difference as you might think.
Rob I got the Milwaukee fuel in a combo with Gen 3 hammer drill an impact gun in the pack out metal box for 350 bucks so if I broke it down that's all on it cost me ground the hundred bucks that's why I looked at it because the bargain affordability and I saw it again for Christmas so is this based on regular retail price the prices you can maybe find something thank you keep up the great show😷🍻🍺
Excellent review
I would have liked to have seen the ridgid job max recip saw head on either the ridgid jobmax multi tool or the Ryobi job plus multi tool.
Either way, cool test and Great info!!
I bought a milwaukee drill driver combo kit, and the hackzall came with it. Sadly I havent been able to use it. My dad's is holding it hostage.
Add in the cost of extra batteries, then see how they compare.
Kobalt would win that hands down
Also, what about runtime?
I've never really paid attention to the run time when using compact recip saw but i have used the 2ah batteries with the impact driver working at a scrapyard, i used it to teardown a/c units, computer towers, parking lot lamps, and a big blue computer systems that came from a factory.
When tearing down
a/c units and parking lot lamps I'd be working alongside my coworker who owned and used Milwaukee, by lunch he needed to go get a new battery and i had only used one bar.
#kobalttools
Doesn't the Ridgid have a orbital mode? I'm pretty sure it's the only one that does.
supremekizzle yes
Who has the best warranty and which one will last the longests under heavy duty use ? Customer care and longevity of trouble free use including battery longevity, I bet Milwaukee will score first place!
Great video! I have a question for a project I'm writing and can't find the answer anywhere. Do you know what model reciprocating saw DeWalt made in 1995-1998? I hope you can help.
Great Video !! , Amazing Test Results and Awesome Details on the Webpage
i have about 40 broken Milwaukee hackzalls laying around in my shop. Kobalt last a hell of alot longer then any of these saws from a real world perpective!
40?
What broke?
Good video and test as usual. I would think what platform you were already using would be a big consideration though.
Got a great idea for your tests. How about contacting 2 "Factory Authorized" tool service centers from each state in the nation. The reason every state is because some of these tools only show up in certain geographical areas. It wouldn't be that hard to set up. Once all the names where entered they could be send out via e-mail with a few key strokes. Maybe 10 questions regarding parts availability, ease of service, past or future problems, ease of warranty, ease of working with company and what ever else. It would have to be Factory authorized service centers not factory (owned) service centers as Factory service centers typically only work on their brand and authorized servicers may work on all of the tools in the test. Yes I work at a authorized service center and some of these tools you rate so high just make me cringe because of reliability, serviceability or warranty issues. Just a thought?
Thanks Rob for the review
well based on the evaluation ill go with the makita lol I hope they do come out with a good one. Ive heard there subcompact is good. I really like your head to head videos.
Have you seen there are battery adapters. I saw on another youtuber has a video about them.
Lance Bosma yes
@@ConcordCarpenter How are they?
Right on.
Thanks for sharing guys.