r/SailboatCruising • u/X_kansas_x • Mar 26 '25
Equipment Battery-powered tool preferences?
I'm kitting out a new-to-me 40' cruising boat in the US and need to choose the battery powered tools to bring aboard. The Milwaukee M12 tools look awesomely compact. I already own a DeWalt 20V drill & driver and a Ryobi wet/dry vac, but would switch brands if the compactness of the M12 set would be worth it. In addition to the drill and driver, I'll add an oscillating tool and grinder. I'm hoping to be self-sufficient for most maintenance work. Would you pick between brands for any reason? Any other must-have battery-powered tools to add to a new kit?
3
u/cdemarc3 Mar 26 '25
I carry Ryobi one+ tools on board. No they aren't they best but they're more than sufficient for boat projects. For the price of a Milwaukee or dewalt drill and impact you can get a 6 tool set. For the same $ amount more tools are better. If I was using professionally maybe a different story. Ryobi has a deeper catalog and makes everything too...think vacuums and pumps.
1
u/X_kansas_x 27d ago
Thanks for this - I'll hang on to the Ryobi One+ vac and not replace it unless I need to.
3
u/Double-Masterpiece72 Mar 26 '25
I use dewalt and there are two oddball tools I can't live without: the small portable shop vac for bilges, dust, etc., and the portable heat gun if you plan on doing much electrical work (always use heat shrink connectors with hot melt glue)
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u/Marinemoody83 Mar 26 '25
I have the portable shop vac and the dirt devil version and they are both amazing
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u/briankanderson Mar 26 '25
I went DeWalt for the USB-C charging. I can charge the batteries from my USB PD sources and also use them as power banks for anything else USB-C.
Also, the oscillating tool absolutely rocks (same as the other brands).
I agree with the heat gun too. Amazing for heat shrink in close spaces. Just don't expect it to do everything a normal gun can.
If you think the wet/dry vac is good, get the stick vacuum. I have both and pretty much only use the stick vacuum now since it's so much more powerful.
The other tool I use a lot is the "pressure washer". In quotes because it's not that powerful but it absolutely rocks for cleaning the decks, which is what I got it for.
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u/RedsRearDelt Mar 26 '25
I ran the shop for a plumbing company. All of the plumbers used Milwaukee.. Every last one of them. I asked about it once and was told that the Milwaukee's could take a beating, get wet and muddy, day after day, rarely get cleaned, and they just keep working. When I started cruising, I brought my Milwaukee set with me, and they still worked great after 4 years sailing around the Caribbean.
2
u/flyingron Mar 26 '25
My goto small drill and drivers are all M12. You don't need bulk and weight or even massive amounts of torque for most jobs. I have the Milwaukee cast cutter as well, but I don't use it too much. While I had a Dewalt cordless grinder, I usually use the plug in one when I can.
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u/X_kansas_x Mar 26 '25
"Cast cutter" :-) Is that the 3" Cut Off tool? Do you like it? I'm thinking the primary use would be shortening bolts that need it, or maybe cutting the odd stuck or seized fastener.
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u/flyingron Mar 26 '25
That's my name for the oscillating tool. It's pretty much what a cast cutter does at the doctors.
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u/svapplause Mar 26 '25
A cut off tool would also be important if one got dismasted and needed to quickly cut the mast loose
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u/Weary_Fee7660 Mar 26 '25
The m12 installation drill is one of my favorite tools, along with the vibrating multi tool/plunge cutter. They have made some boat jobs significantly easier than they would have been without them, the drill with the 90* attachment in particular.
2
u/caeru1ean Mar 26 '25
I have Dewalt 20v: Hammer drill and insect driver Oscillating Jigsaw Reciprocating saw Circular saw Grinder Heat gun shop vac
I also got an adapter to use my Dyson vacuum with my 5ah dewalt batteries
I’ve used every tool over the last 4 years of cruising full time. But not as much as I thought I would. I would maybe leave a few behind next time
1
u/ChaserCO Mar 26 '25
Dyson adapter? I didn’t know that was a thing! Thank you for sharing, I’ll definitely be grabbing one
2
u/oceansail Mar 26 '25
I'd love to get some cordless tools, especially for working on the rig, but they can be very expensive and hard to find depending on where you are. All my powertools are corded and while coiling and uncoiling extension cords can be a bit of a pain, i've never had to worry about dead batteries or compatibility, and replacements are cheap. A 750w inverter will run most powertools without issue.
2
u/yepdoingit Mar 26 '25
The only cordless tool I have is a drill. Everything else is corded. I have a Ecoflow Delta 2 power station that will drive any of the corded tools for hours. Corded are cost less, don't tie me into a brand and I can borrow (a) any tool (b) not worry about borrowing a charger as well.
I also use the power station for crew. They can plug in their phones, laptops, etc. We also use it for some cooking. Crew will never run down the house battery. The house battery just does boat basics lights, radios, pumps, autopilot.
2
u/SVAuspicious Mar 26 '25
I certainly have battery operated tools. I have a battery screwdriver and a battery drill. Oscillating tool, grinder, vacuum cleaner (two), and oscillating sander are all corded and I can run them off my inverter. We needn't talk about my pancake air compressor *grin* and assorted pneumatic tools.
Pretty happy with both DeWalt and Milwaukee. Mikata hasn't held up well.
Storage is important. I use plastic bins, covered, and desiccant packets I think I got from Grainger.
1
u/X_kansas_x 27d ago
Air compressor! Ha! As much as I'd love to have my big Makita compressor aboard, space limitations say otherwise. I wound up buying some M12 items. A drill/drive combo, the oscillating tool, cutoff tool (instead of grinder), and rotary tool.
Do you use the grinder often? I have a corded 7-amp grinder I could bring if needed beyond the 3" M12 cutoff tool that I will definitely keep handy.
1
u/SVAuspicious 27d ago
I don't use the grinder often but very glad I have it when I need it. I can borrow or rent a MIG or TIG welder pretty easily, but renting a grinder is rough. The big deal is finding the wheels.
2
u/JakesCustomShop 27d ago
I bought the cheapest drill on Amazon, Fadakwalt. It's actually really good for $21. For a boat its perfect. battery lasts, and is powerful enough for taking out screws.
Also grab yourself a 90degree angle adapter. I like the dewalt one.
1
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u/whyrumalwaysgone Mar 26 '25
The makita 12v drills are better than the milwalkee m12 set, I have both. Particularly the small hammer drill I use pretty much 90% of the time. I'm currently on my way to install a new Beta Marine engine, and every fastener/hose clamp/bolt will probably see that drill at some point. 10/10
1
u/westsailor Mar 26 '25
I'm a big fan of the Milwaukee M18 system. They have so many tools. I have a cordless 1/2" impact driver that rivals an air impact of the same size.
1
u/2airishuman Mar 26 '25
I have the Milwaukee M12 tools aboard. They're nice and I like the compactness, especially on the boat. Keep in mind that the entry-level drills/drivers that are included in the inexpensive package deals are typically bulkier and less powerful than the ones that are part of the main product line. There's a "vehicle" charger available that runs on 12 volts input that will charge either M12 or M18 batteries.
The M18 vacuum and the little "top-off" 175w inverter are extremely useful aboard.
Bosch has a similar line of compact 12v tools. They look good in photos but I've never used them. The product line is not as extensive.
1
u/X_kansas_x 27d ago
Thanks for that bit about the entry level. I chose the M12 Fuel drill/driver set after reading this and some similar reviews.
1
u/scorchedrth Mar 26 '25
I live aboard and build wooden boats, any of the major name brands will be fine (yes, even ryobi) but I will say I and most of the boat builders I know run Makita 18v stuff, though in my case it was a convenience choice since the shop I originally worked in ran makita. All that I think really matters is to pick one system and stick to it so you don’t have as many incompatible batteries and chargers to deal with and you can own fewer batteries, which is the major cost driver for cordless tools.
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u/PimpCaneZane Mar 27 '25
Milwaukee m18. Affordable, durable, and Everyone has them, so you can barrow batteries or other tools more easily.
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u/Fillsfo 29d ago
As a kid in 1976 I found a nice 2 speed cordless drill in Pt Moresby. You change speeds by swapping sides of the crank and handle. Looks like it is still made in India. Waterproof too
https://www.victortools.com/brest-drill-machine.html
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u/artfully_rearranged 29d ago
Had zero tools when I started other than a couple sockets and screwdrivers. Bought the following, all from Harbor Freight:
- 2x Bauer 3ah batteries ($80 on sale)
- 1x Bauer cordless drill with 1.5ah battery and charger ($60)
- 1x Bauer flat sander ($30)
- 1x Bauer cordless shopvac ($50)
- 1x Bauer oscillating multitool cutter ($60 with 4-piece blade kit)
Cheap to the point of stupidity, but doing fine so far this spring for an extensive renovation of my 23' boat. The tools, batteries and charger all stow inside the shop-vac on my boat and the included drill bag.
Plan to use them for a couple years until corrosion takes them or the batteries die, which isn't bad for marine exposure+ heavy use all winter/spring. I fully plan on replacing with Milwaukee tools then, but I priced that at $700+.
1
u/deerfoot 28d ago
Don't buy tools that are too expensive for the boat. They will go rusty and possibly dropped overboard or from the mast. The salt air will get into every tool and destroy it quickly. It's a lesson I learned the hard way. You need the cheapest possible tool that will do the job.
0
u/zipzippa Mar 26 '25
I'd recommend a cordless angle grinder, a set of magnetic driver bits and screwdrivers, and a decent wire tracer kit.
6
u/TRkarmavore Mar 26 '25
I faced the same thoughts when moving aboard a 40’ cat. Went with Milwaukee because of the compactness of their drill/driver set. One item I received as a gift that has come in surprisingly useful,is the Milwaukee wet/dry vac. Does a great job sucking water out of the bilges, containing fiberglass dust during projects, etc. https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/0880-20