Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I'm looking for one around 14-18 volts. There a lot of models to choose from, just curious about which model others like? I would kind of like to spend no more than $100

I have a Skil 12 volt and haven't used more than a Skil drill.  The 12 volt appears to have a 120 volt backup that you can put in instead of a battery.  I wonder if Manufacturers have that design.  I know Skil has the 1 hour chargers now.

Black and Decker has very good product now with the competition skill, Millwaukee, etc they need to impove a lot and the price is good too only one thing battery pack are very fragile they could crack very easy in cold weater if you drop it. But globaly I prefer them to the others

I have used and owned I think all, of the above mentioned.  I am 100% partial to Milwaukee tools.  You can p/u an 18volt hammer drill driver for about $130.  Lots of deals all the time trhat you can get a nice combo package, i.e. sawzall ,drill, flashlight, etc. cheap.  Of the other choices mentioned, I would put Dewalt in 2nd place.  Other off/cheaper brands will get ya by, but treat them like a disposable lighter, they can and will break fairly easily under moderate use.  In my business I'm a heavy user, and MIL stands up better than the rest IMHO. 

Incidently, if you find MILwaukee and or Dewalt are more than you wanna spend, the next step down, that would be an adequate average homeowner use, is Porter Cable.  Alot of my installers use them w/ good results. 

Go with 18 volt but not less than 14.4. Dewalt is best overall in my opinion but if you don't really use it a lot Ryobi is probable good enough. My wife bought me one of those sets (the works) for Christmas and so far I am very happy.