Battery power is nice but corded has its advantages like no loss of power.
I'm gonna switch back to corded. What's a good brand that won't break the bank

Depends on what you are looking for. I use/have used a lot of different corded tools from sanders to drills/saws. It seems each company has their specialty. I like Milwaukee for drills, unless it is a hammer drill, then a Hilti is hard to beat. I really like the Makita circular saws with the magnesium base. The steel based saws suck. Porter-Cable makes a good router. Porter-Cable has a decent jig saw too. I like DeWalt reciprocating saws (saws-all). Some of the Rigid brand stuff (Home Depot) is pretty good.

It depends on what you are after. Can't beat Bosh angle grinders. circular saws and electric hand planes. Makita is the way to go. Hammer drills, either hilt or Hitachi. No single brand does it all well.

Great advice in the two posts above.

Another thing to look at is the specifications on the model number of a specific tool. Often, each manufacture with make multiple models. Example - say circular saws. Milwaukee, Makita, Porter, Bosch.... all make different models that are engineered to different price points. Many retailers will only stock 1 or 2 of the models so it can be difficult at a store sometimes to actually compare them. So end result is you have the "consumer grade" that is made will lessor components to be cheaper and the "Pro" model with better bearings, motor.... Naturally, how you use it and longevity will dictate which model to buy.

That should clear things up...
But it's true....so many options it is confusing.
I've gone cordless and all Dewalt. May be sorry someday but so far so good.
I have a short fuse and fighting extension cords and air hoses blows my cork consistently.
Nothing like going to use a power tool and "click".....dang extension cord is plugged into another tool. grr

I'm going for skill, reciprocating, jig, drill, sander for now. I already have a few that are corded.

Good info thanks guys.

I agree Gary but I think it's more frustrating when the batteries start dying especially on saws during a cut.

I think it is a good idea to have both corded and batterie powered tools. In my "shop" i mostly use corded tools as I have a socket every couple of feet along the wall, know my setup etc.
When I am on side on a boat or dock, I tend to take cordless with me in case something needs a little trim here or there.

I am the same way !! Many years ago I changed the plugs on my saws so they lock into the extension cord. Hate it when they disconnect.

On the Makita circular saws....I wore out two of them and had them rebuilt and wore them out a second time......but the Skill I bought at the same time (1990) is still running.

The Makita is lighter ....and that's nice when you pick it up a hundred times a day...but the vibration eventually gets to them. They also torque violently when you trigger them...just because they are lighter. It will surprise you if you aren't aware.

Like mentioned above there are different levels of saws made by same brand. Household use and professional use would be the best way to explain it.

Black & Decker owns Dewalt and other companies that might surprise you.

I was a building contractor for 20 years and the brand I used was dewalt.

Building pole barns we used cordless equipment exclusively. Buy the higher grade saws and buy few extra batteries and things were good.

Not using the batteries is what killed them. And while charging them keep them out of the hot sun as heat kills batteries.

I probably have 20 18volt batteries to my dozen various types saws, drills, impacts.

The new wave is 20volt lithium batteries that come in various sizes.

The nice thing about corded is that you are not locked in to one brand or battery platform, You can pick and compare each tool i.e. go with the Milwaukee saws all and the Bosch Hamer Drill Makita jig saw. You can pick the best tool each time not just the best "line of tools" like you would with battery powered.
JD

If you go cordless, pick a brand and stick with it for battery reasons. I prefer Milwaukee for cordless tools. Keep your batteries charged and store them out of the heat in the summer and cold in the winter. They will last much longer. Each spring, I go through batteries to test and eliminate problem batteries and order replacements. I use a label maker and mark each battery with the date and a number so I can monitor for problem batteries. Look for batteries of the same size with higher power ratings - sometimes the same price or very close and much better performance.

I prefer Bosch for corded tools. German efficiency! Most of the rest can keep their products.

Don’t forget pneumatic tools. Get yourself a good air compressor and plenty of air hose and and a complete set of good USA made air nailers - spiker, stapler, finish, roofing, and a pinner.

Don’t forget to take tor wife or girlfriend (or both) shopping with you. Best wishes.

For a jig saw,my current Bosch is the best I've ever used,very smooth and vibration free.Dewalt was the worst.

I also find the Dewalt reciprocating saws to have way too much vibration,both corded and cordless.I have an old Milwaukee,corded reciprocating saw that has none of that jack hammer vibration but I hate the old,allen screw,blade holding system.I need to look in to something new.

Good idea on stronger batteries.

I use Milwaukee for all my stuff to keep the batteries all the same and because Milwaukee has a lot of tools for electritions that I might be getting in the future.

I use 20V Dewalt, same as my Sons, who are carpenters. They aren't entirely tickled with Dewalt and are trying others, including Milwaukee.
My Brother has been carpenter for 40 yrs and has switched to Milwaukee, as has his Son.

I thought the same till I tried Hiltii tools. Their 22v stuff is great. Batteries last longer than any other on the market. I got my whole crew hooked on Hilti stuff now. There was no debating the battery life and warranty. Our rep has guys bringing in twenty year cordless impact guns and drills and they rebuild them and give them back to them.

That said, I like milwaukee corded stuff.

Lord, I hope our cordless nail guns don't come under attack with the 30-round clip thing. That wouldn't make a bad home-defense weapon. AR 16-penny semiautomatic! I'd better be quiet....

You get what you pay for. I like Bosch, Dewalt, Millwalkee , Makita. I have a little of everything including Hitachi. My Porter cable tiger shark sawzall is the best one I've used ever.

Paint them black and I am sure they would be on the list

i have a bunch of dewalt 18 v stuff .. have been upgrading to 20 v .. have a 1/2 in impact and a 3/8 20v.. the 60 v batteries last forever and charge fast.. hardly ever use my air tools anymore... i wouldnt be without the 3/8 impact for mechanic work. adaptor for 40 bucks lets the 18 v accept 20v batteries have a cpl small grinders set up like that.

I am not a contractor/carpenter, but have Ryobi tools and have used them hard. No complaints about them.