Last Updated on 2020-10-27 by Harry Masterton
If you’re a building contractor or your home remodeling the question foremost in your mind will be what are the best cordless tools for contractors?
General contractors and jobsite workers whether you are fully professional or a DIY enthusiast undertaking a large home remodeling and renovation project you will want to use the best contractor grade cordless tools.
What we have endeavored to do in this article and review of the best cordless tools for contractors is not to be to hidebound by the word ‘cordless’.
The simple reason being that when you get to certain categories of jobsite, woodworking shop, home renovation and remodeling equipment like jobsite vacuums and jobsite lighting then then corded equivalents provide much more bang for your buck and higher rated models are just not available as cordless options.
The Best Cordless Tools For Contractors
In this report on the best cordless tools for contractors we’ve also stayed away from specifically aiming the reviews at ‘full time’ professional contractors and jobsite workers.
Why? Well, if you’re a serious DIY’er or weekend renovation and home remodeling warrior embarking on your first project then you’ll want to consider the very best equipment and buy the best contractor grade cordless tools for the job.
Choosing the right cordless power tools for the job and being willing to pay the money for the very best quality will pay dividends when you start your project.
This will be doubly true if you get the renovation ‘bug’ flip your project for profit so that you can start another!
You will also benefit from features that don’t appear on cheaper tools designed for the home and occasional use market. More about power tool features later.
Exactly what type of contractor are you? Because the Woodworking Hobby Shop is a site dedicated to just that, the woodworking hobby, we are going to keep this article related to the kind of building contracting work that relates to woodworking and home remodeling.
In other words if you are a general contractor who might be building home extensions, loft and attic or basement conversions and even full home builds then this extensive list of the best cordless tools for contractors is for you.
Likewise if you are looking at a home renovation and complete or partial home remodeling, or you’ve bought a rundown property to remodel and flip, then we’ve done our best to put together a comprehensive list of the best cordless tools for contractors that will suit your needs.
As always and its worth repeating again, when you’re buying woodworking power tools always buy the very best you can afford with an eye to future proofing.
Future Proofing Your Woodworking Power Tools With The The Best Cordless Tools For Contractors.
Let me explain. Back around 2006 my wife and I bought a little house on the edge of town for our son, his wife and new baby. In a small town in Tennessee close to Pickwick Lake the house was known locally as ‘the rock cottage’ and had a lot of local history.
It was a good solid house but needed a lot work. First thing was a new roof. That was contracted out to a local Mennonite craftsman who did a superb job. Next came the air conditioning unit which packed in so we brought in a young local HVAC guy who did a great job.
Then when they eventually moved out we decided to make it a complete home remodeling project that would be sympathetic to the properties history and to offer a light airy and well presented home to the rental market in town.
So off we went to the local Lowes Store and that’s where we made our first mistakes. Instead of going the whole hog and buying the best cordless tools for contractors we bought hand tools and power tools as cheaply as we possibly could, thinking we could get the job done on the cheap, rather than buying contractor grade cordless tools and power tools or at least top quality serious hobby grade tools.
We didn’t ‘future proof’ our woodworking power tools purchase because the intention was that once we had finished this job we would look for other properties to remodel for renting or flipping.
Big mistake. A lot of those tools broke, gave up or burnt out because of the work load we put on them so we then ended up having to go back and then purchase the best cordless tools for contractors which would last, had good warranties and would work on renovation and home remodeling jobsites for years to come.
Not buying the best cordless tools for contractors and good hand tools in the first place cost us dearly. Whatever you do, please don’t make that mistake. Always buy the very best hand and woodworking power tools you can afford and then some.
It will pay dividends in the future when you start a new project and all your top grade power tools are ready for another home remodeling project to flip for profit.
What Type Of Contractor And Home Remodeler is This Article For?
Because I’m a serious woodworker and if you are on this site I’m assuming that you at least have an interest in the woodworking hobby then we are going to concentrate on the types of jobs and projects, and therefore the best cordless tools for contractors related to woodworking jobs we are likely to be qualified to take on during our home remodeling project.
It Takes More Than One Contractor To Build Or Remodel A Home
All of the specialized work like plumbing, electrical, roofing and HVAC you should be contracting out to quality tradesmen (and women) who have specific skills and the required specialized tools to fit an air conditioning system, rewire your project or fit your new plumbing. These guys and girls can do there job because they're confident in the equipment they own because they bought the best cordless tools for contractors!
So for this cordless power tool buying guide the list of the best cordless tools for contractors and the additional equipment we recommend we are going to concentrate on the general building work and renovation parts of the project.
We’ll leave the expert tradesmen to do the work we are not qualified to do. That way you’ll build up a team of local building specialists in your neighborhood that you can call on when you need a plumber, electrician, framing joiner or HVAC specialist.
There will be two major parts to this with their own set of power tools and equipment that go to making up the list of the best cordless tools for contractors.
Those are the tools we need for the tear down and demolition and the finer tools we will need for the actual renovation and finishing. Before we finally get into our list of the best contractor grade cordless tools let’s take a quick look at…
Renovating A House Checklist – Step By Step
So before we get started on the best cordless tools for contractors and all the related recommended equipment you might need let’s take a quick look at the 3 main parts to building a home extension, a renovation, a home remodeling project or a full or part building project.
There are 4 main parts to a home remodel or renovation whether that be a part or full whole house renovation project.
- Planning And Design. Have a least some detailed sketches and ‘wish list notes of how you want your finished project to look. If it’s a more substantial home remodeling project with structural framing removal, partitions and wall removals then get some detailed plans drawn up
- Budget. Cost things out and know what your budget is. Renovations and remodels have a habit of running away with money. Have a contingency fund. Know what electrical, plumbing and HVAC changes will be needed in advance and get those costed out with firm quotes from your specialist contractors. Make sure you budget for tools and equipment. Need we say it? Make sure you buy the best cordless tools for contractors and everything you purchase is top shelf!
- Move out of the rooms you’re going to be remodeling and make yourself comfortable in another part of the house. If it’s a long project think about putting a trailer in the back yard. Local bye laws allowing. Get things you’re not going to need into storage to keep them clean and safe.
- Start the demolition and tear down. Make sure you’ve ordered a dumpster to keep the work area clean and safe. Punch your first hole in the drywall to give yourself that ‘I’ve started sense of satisfaction!
Tear everything out staring with the flooring, carpets and drywall to give yourself a sense of what’s underneath and behind everything. Double check that you’ve had the electricity, water and any gas supply disconnected before you take your Sawzall TM to the framing, pipework and cable ducting.
Best Cordless Tools For Contractors – Cutting The Cord
Corded vs Cordless Contactor Tools
The corded vs cordless debate has been raging for a few years and is now spilling over into the realm of contractor power tools and equipment.
Without a doubt with modern battery technology you can buy the best cordless cordless power tools for contractors that are as powerful as their corded counterparts.
With developments like the DEWALT FLEXVOLT Max range offering up to 60V MAX with a single battery of 120V MAX with twin batteries or the Makita X2 LXT lightweight cordless circular saw the argument for a power cord is fast disappearing.
The only time you’ll really need a corded tool is if you are bringing a larger piece of equipment like a full sized table saw, drill press or large capacity flooring sander on site.
And you’ll almost certainly need a corded power supply for your workshop vacuum
What brand of contractor grade cordless power tools are you currently invested in?
If you’ve already started to purchase contractor grade cordless power tools and have maybe a loyalty to DEWALT, Milwaukee, Makita or Bosch then you’ll already have some of those branded batteries.
As we point out below however it’s not just as simple as continuing to buy that brand just because you own several of their batteries.
Brushed vs Brushless Motor
The power tool technology that has really brought cordless contractor power tools into the 21st century is the brushless motor. The brushless motor delivers more power, far more tool durability, longer tool life and drains the battery far less than a standard brushed motor.
A contractors power tool with a brushless motor will certainly cost you more, but then it will outlast it’s brushed counterpart and give you more power where and when you need it, on the job.
And the question that’s always on every building contractor, home renovator and remodelers mind is…
Which Is Best Cordless Tool Brand For Contractors?
This is a big question and needs answering in depth. The short answer is as we’ve previously mentioned it’s not just about which power tool brand you may have already invested in and how many of their branded batteries you already own.
The default way to sell cordless power tools seems to be ‘bare tool’ or ‘tool only’ assuming that you already have a supply of batteries for the same brand of power tools that you have just or are about to purchase.
The favored US brands on the list of the best cordless tools for contractors are obviously DEWALT, Milwaukee, Bosch and Makita and these would always be on our list of the best cordless tools for contractors.
Craftsmen are also making a comeback as a contractor brand now that they are owned by Stanley, the parent company of DEWALT and Black+Decker.
It’s not just as simple however as deciding on say DEWALT or Milwaukee. Whilst DEWALT has a huge range the Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 SAWZALL is still the best full sized reciprocating saw for contractors.
And the Milwaukee 2719-20 M18 FUEL Hackzall is certainly the best one handed compact reciprocating saw.
Makita has an excellent range of power tools and their drills and motors are particularly rugged and well made and certainly deserve aplace on your list of the best cordless tools for contractors.
Again DEWALT make a good range of compound miter saws but the very best is the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw
Bosch in our opinion still makes the very best plunge router and base kits and the Bosch range of jigsaws is outstanding. And far better than the DEWALT equivalent.
So unless you are prepared to compromise on certain tools in your tool boxes you will have to mix and match brands. And that also means mixing batteries and chargers.
If you seriously want the best cordless tools for contractors then that is just a fact of life unless you’re prepared to compromise.
Best Cordless Tools For Contractors Jobsite Tools List
Types Of Contractor Tools – Demolition And The Tear Down
Jack Hammer
Take a very careful look at the highly rated WAKYME 21V Li-lon 1/2 inch Cordless Demolition Hammer because buying this and keeping it your shop for when you need it will cost you less than hiring one for a couple of days!
So what do you know? The first tool on the list of the best cordless tools for contractors is not cordless!
It’s actually a tool that most of won’t need for a general remodel but if we do need to break up some larger areas of concrete flooring, patio areas or a drive way then a powerful Jack Hammer is the tool of choice.
Ranging in price from close to $1500 you have the option of the Bosch 120-Volt 1-1/8 Brute Breaker Hammer BH2760VCB with Basic Cart or the best selling XtremepowerUS 2200Watt Heavy Duty Electric Demolition Jack hammer Concrete Breaker which will cost you less than a couple of days hire!
XtremepowerUS 2200Watt Heavy Duty Demolition Jack Hammer Video
Cordless SDS Rotary Hammer Drill
SDS drills are basically hammer drills on steroids. SDS is actually a German phrase, stecken, drehen, sichern which in English means ‘insert, twist, secure’. The SDS drill bit was invented by Bosch and Hilti in the mid 70’s.
If you want the ultimate contractor grade hammer drill on your list of the best cordless tools for contractors then it has to be an SDS capable rotary hammer drill.
SDS Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill | ||
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The SDS shank fits neatly into the spring loaded chuck eliminating the need to tighten the chuck.
The drill is more secure, allowing a more vigorous hammer action and drilling larger holes in brick masonry and concrete with less effort than a standard hammer drill.
On your list of the best cordless tools for contractors consider the Milwaukee Cordless Rotary Hammer SDS Plus which ‘cuts like a hot knife thru butter”, or the incredible value and highly rated WAKYME 21V Li-lon 1/2 inch Cordless Demolition Hammer which has a brushless motor, 2 x 21v batteries with charger, a set of SDS drill bits and a host of features at the price.
If you’re a DEWALT fan boy or girl the best selling and the top rated DEWALT DCH273B 20V MAX SDS Rotary Hammer Drill – Tool Only is an excellent SDS rotary hammer drill.
A ‘conventional’ hammer drill is normally a 3 speed tool and will deliver a rate of BPM or ‘blows per minute’ while the drill is rotating. The hammer drill utilizes a conventional drill chuck.
Ideal for drilling holes in concrete, brickwork and masonry work when you don’t need the heavy duty application of a a more expensive SDS rotary hammer drill. For the beginner to a home remodeling project it's probably a more budget sensible addition to your list of the best cordless tools for contractors
The DEWALT DCD996B 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill with Brushless Motor and 3-Speeds (Drill Only) delivers an incredible 38,250 BPM with 3 mode work light with the ability to connect to the DEWALT dust extraction system.
The Makita XPH10R 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammer Driver-Drill Kit with Makita’s proprietary 4-pole motor delivers exception power in a compact package weighing only 3.4 lbs. The Makita XPH10R 18V offers exceptional value for such a quality hammer drill complete with battery, changer and hard case.
I know we keep banging the ‘buy the very best cordless power tools for contractors’ you can afford drum but if you really are on a tight budget the CRAFTSMAN CMCD711C2 V20 Cordless Hammer Drill Kit is part of the ‘new’ Craftsman range since Stanley (owners of DEWALT) took over the brand.
With a great range of features including a high output brushless motor, excellent batteries and a design that is jobsite rugged the CRAFTSMAN CMCD711C2 V20 represents great value for money coming in at less then $100.
Reciprocating Saw For Contractors – Jobsite Reciprocating Saws
There is not a lot more that can be said about what in our opinion at the Woodworking Hobby Shop is the best cordless reciprocating saw. The best professional reciprocating saw and that is the Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 Reciprocating SAWZALL.
If any saw should be on a list of the best cordless tools for contractors its the Milwaukee 2720-20 SAWZALL.
Powered by the Milwaukee 48-59-1850 M18 RED LITHIUM XC Batteries it’s an unbeatable combination.
Pair the Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 Sawzall will the one handed compact Milwaukee 2719-20 M18 FUEL Hackzall compact reciprocating saw for tighter spots when you need to squeeze in a smaller space to cut something loose and you’ll have a winning combination.
Two excellent reciprocating saws that will handle all of your home remodeling and home renovation work and are deserving of their place on the list of the best cordless tools for contractors.
Check out our full review of the best cordless reciprocating saws here.
We also covered the Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 Sawzall and the Milwaukee 2719-20 M18 FUEL Hackzall here. 6 Best Reciprocating Saw For Pruning Trees
OK so we’ve made good inroads into our remodel demolition and tear down. Removing partition walls, ripping up the old flooring up and cutting out the stud work, pipework, drywall and framing.
What’s next? Keeping everything clean tidy and dust free. First of all did you rent a dumpster? Go over and check Budget Dumpster. They are sure to have a supplier close to you
Best Cordless Tools For Contractors – Keep The Jobsite Clean
Cordless Contractors Jobsite Blower
A couple of items of jobsite equipment will be lifesavers when you’re fighting to keep the worksite reasonably clean and tidy and those are a good quality cordless blower and a wet and dry workshop vacuum.
And of course a really good quality shovel and heavy duty wheelbarrow to haul all that trash out to the dumpster!
WORX-WG050-Aerocart-All-Purpose-Wheelbarrow Video Demo
Yes we can use a heavy duty yard broom but by far the easiest and quickest way is to add a cordless jobsite blower to our list of the best cordless tools for contractors.
If you’re a DEWALT fan then the DEWALT DCBL722P1 Blower 450 CFM with 125 mph blow speed kit with battery and charger is a great jobsite blower choice.
If you need a more compact jobsite blower then you should consider the DEWALT DCE100B 20V MAX Compact Blower for Jobsite without battery or the DEWALT DCE100M120V MAX Compact Blower for Jobsite Kit.
The DEWALT Compact Jobsite Blower is a great choice for light work and dust removal. With an airflow of 100 CFM and a blow speed of 135 MPH at 5 and 3/4 lbs it's a one-handed blower that you can use all day without fatigue struggling to control.
Milwaukee also make a great range of compact jobsite blowers with our favorite the powerful Milwaukee M18 Compact Blower 0884-20. With a 2 speed and variable speed control this light but powerful jobsite blower really performs.
Weight without battery is only just over 2 ½ lbs. With the extension nozzle fitted the Milwaukee M18 0884-20 Compact Blower does a great job of clearing dust, debris and light rubble from the ground on your jobsite or overhead without stress or strain.
If you’re looking for the ultimate in rugged jobsite blower power then look no further than the Milwaukee Electric 2724-20 M18 Fuel Blower. The Milwaukee 2724-20 M18 Fuel get to full speed in under a second and is designed to professional jobsite and landscaping standards.
With the Milwaukee POWERSTATETM Brushless motor and the High OUTPUTTM XC8.0 batteries this powerful professional jobsite blower has high to low speed settings allowing debris to be cleared from floors and work areas safely and effectively.
We are a huge fan of the Milwaukee Electric 2724-20 M18 and this jobsite blower should be on your list of the best cordless power tools for contractors..
Buy the Kit Milwaukee Electric 2724-21HD M18 here or the Milwaukee Electric 2724-20 M18 Tool Only here
Best Cordless Tools For Contractors – Keep The Jobsite Clean Part Two – Jobsite Shop Vacuum
The Best Cordless Jobsite Vacuum
A jobsite and shop vacuum is an absolutely essential tool to keep your home renovation and home remodeling project a clean and dust free environment. The last thing you need is for dust and debris to be invading the parts of your home that you are living in. (if you haven’t actually moved out that is!)
The tendency is to let the clean up process slip so we suggest that you make jobsite cleaning a daily discipline. Remove your accumulated demolition and building waste to your dumpster on a regular basis.
Sweep or blow regularly and make sure you give your site and working areas and good vacuuming at the end of every workday.
What we will go through in this next section are our recommendations for the best cordless jobsite vacuum.
DEWALT Jobsite Vacuums
DEWALT have a whole range of shop vacuums in various ‘gallonage sizes' ranging from ½ gallon hand held jobsite and work area vacuums to 12 gallon corded jobsite vacuums.
If you’re looking for a one handed lightweight jobsite vacuum for a quick clean up of a work area or just want to give your miter saw a vacuum then the DEWALT DCV517B 20V MAX 1/2-Gallon Portable Wet and Dry Cordless Vacuum will do the trick.
Supplied as Tool Only without battery or available as a kit the DEWALT DCV517B has a washable HEPA filter to trap dust up to 0.3 microns
Stepping up the capacity is the DEWALT DCV581H 18/20V Max Vacuum The DEWALT DCV581H Wet/Dry will run cordless on both DEWALTS 18V or 20V MAX batteries or corded from an AC electrical outlet.
With a washable reusable HEPA filter, 2 gallon capacity and 5ft hose the DEWALT DCV581H is a great option for slightly larger jobsite cleanups.
If you want to go to a larger capacity DEWALT jobsite vacuum then the only choice is corded. DEWALT corded jobsite and shop vacuums run from 4 gallon capacity all the way up to 16 gallons
DEWALT DXV14P 14 gallon Wet and Dry jobsite Vacuum
Typical of the features and range is the DEWALT DXV14P 14 gallon Wet and Dry Jobsite Vacuum specifically designed for ease of mobility around the jobsite the DEWALT DXV14P features a water resistant on/off switch which fires up the 6.0 HP motor to give you the ability to clean up large areas on you site or indeed in your workshop.
DEWALT DXV14P Features We like
- Long 20ft Power Cord to get to every corner of the job
- Easy Drain Tank
- Range Of Nozzles
- Blower Port For Added Flexibility
Craftsman Shop and Jobsite Vacuums
Craftsman’s jobsite vacuums range from 2 gallon cordless to 2.4 gallon and 4 gallon for home shop, garage small jobsite etc. thru to professional grade shop vacuums up to 16 and 20 gallons.
The craftsman range is limited to on cordless jobsite vacuum the well liked and highly rated CRAFTSMAN CMCV002B V20 Cordless 2 Gallon Wet-Dry Shop Vacuum. The CRAFTSMAN CMCV002B is certainly worth considering putting on your list of the best cordless tools for contractors as a handy backup to a larger jobsite vacuum
Craftsman 20v Shop Vacuum Review
A powerful and lightweight portable cordless shop and jobsite vacuum for quick clean up jobs.
CRAFTSMAN CMCV002B Features
- 35 CFM suction for dust, small debris, chippings and spillages
- 7% HEPA rated filter
- 7 foot 8 inch suction hose to reach those awkward corners
- Both wide and crevice nozzles
CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17607 16 gallon 6.5 Peak HP Wet-Dry Vacuum with Detachable Blower.
CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17607 Features:
6.5 HP motor for heavier duty jobsite and shop cleanup
- Fully detachable ‘walk around’ blower’.
- Large Flexible Hose
- Maximum wet vacuum drainage for fast wet vacuum emptying
- Complete range of accessories including 4 nozzles
Don't need the blower? Then the CRAFTSMAN CMXEVBE17595 16 Gallon 6.5 HP Heavy-Duty Shop Vacuum Wet-Dry Vac is the answer and you'll save money.
Stanley Jobsite Vacuum Range
The granddaddy of the power tool range as owners of Black and Decker, DEWALT, Porter Cable and now Craftsman Stanley offer a complete range of workshop and jobsite vacuums from 1 gallon small shop and remodeling project to 12 gallon jobsite vacuums.
Stanley do not have a cordless jobsite vacuum but their range of corded home, professional and jobsite vacuums offers remarkable value for money all backed by the Stanley name and huge research and development capacity.
Stanley SL18199P 12 Gallon 6 Peak HP Wet-Dry Vacuum 3 in 1 Shop Vacuum and Blower- Excess Bucket Water Level Power Cut Off
- Large Capacity Drain
- 22 Foot Cleaning Range With Combined Hose, Extension Cord And Wand
- Three In One Function, Dry Suck For Dust, Debris, Sawdust And Shaving. Wet Suction For Spillages And A Convenient Occasional Blower
Best Cordless Tools For Contractors – Keeping The Lights On
Jobsite Work Lights And Lighting
One of the big questions you might be asking yourself when you’re thinking about lighting up your home remodeling jobsite so that you can work when it’s dark outside is what are the best portable jobsite work lights and how many types of portable work lights are there?
The answer to that question is 100’s even 1000’s so we’ve done our best to narrow the choice down for you!
Best Led Work Light Rechargeable
The best portable work light category can be broken down into several sections. The main ones we need to look at are hand held work lights which for convenience should be rechargeable and LED. These are generally designed to illuminate specific objects and for lighting up small spaces.
Then there are general area work lights which are portable, can be moved around one handed and are designed to throw light on a specific work area
LED bulbs are much brighter then fluorescent of halogen and of course save you up to 80% electricity.
Work lights are not necessarily part of your best cordless tools list for contractors but when the sun goes down, if you don't have good jobsite lighting the work stops!
Best Led Area Work Light
Next up in this jobsite work light section are area lights. Area lights are designed to light up large areas of your jobsite and be portable as you move around the jobsite.
LED portable shop and jobsite area lights can free standing, be hung from a convenient overhead rafter or timber framework, or even tripod mounted like the DEWALT DCL074 20V MAX LED Work Light
Best Led Work Light Tripod
Throw a little more light on the work area with a tripod work light stand.
An LED work light tripod is designed to throw a large amount of light across a wide area in your shop or jobsite. The biggest hitch with rechargeable led tripod work lights is their cost.
They can be prohibitively expensive. A rechargeable led work light tripod can cost 3 and 4 times more than a corded tripod work light. So the solution is, if you have power outlets use a corded tripod work light.
A corded tripod light will give you much more lumens for the money!
Last but not least let’s take a look at temporary construction string lights. And before we go any further we can get the obvious out of the way. String lights are not cordless, you will need a 120V POWER OUTLET.
SOCKETED CONSTRUCTION STRING LIGHTS VS Led
There are two main types of temporary construction string lights, LED construction string lights and construction string lights with protective cages and bulb sockets.
Bulb or lamp socketed construction string lights are by their very nature heaver and will consume more power than LED lights.
Socketed incandescent jobsite string lights will also get much hotter.
LED construction string lights will last longer, don’t get hot are far brighter and many of the latest designs are also linkable to form longer light strings for larger projects and spaces whether indoors or outdoors.
Handheld Led Rechargeable Work Light Reviews
DEWALT DCL050 20V MAX Hand Held LED Work Light – Tool Only
The rugged and versatile DEWALT DCL050 20V MAX Hand Held LED Work Light has two brightness settings, 500 or 250 LUMENS which give you a maximum lighted work area or or setting for extended run time.
With a 140 degree pivotal head and either hanging with a 360 degree rotating hook or free standing the DEWALT DCL050 Hand Held LED Work Light is a highly rated handheld led rechargeable work light that should give you years of service.
Milwaukee 49-24-0146 M12 12-Volt LED Work Light Bare Tool
The Milwaukee M12 LED Work Light features a 160 Lumen Cree LED which gives twice the brightness of a conventional incandescent light.
With a sealed aluminum impact and weather resistant 90 degree rotating head the Milwaukee 49-24-0146 LED Work Light with M12 electronics delivers twice the run time with less heat.
Budget Handheld Led Rechargeable Work Light
ORHOMELIFE LED Work Light – 750 Lumens Rechargeable COB Work Light
Sometimes we review a product on the Woodworking Hobby Shop and we are surprised by the value offered. The ORHOMELIFE LED 750 LUMENS Work Light is one of those products.
With a mind blowing budget price this handheld led rechargeable work light offers features of branded handheld work light selling at 3 and 4 times the price.
The rechargeable COB LED delivers 3 1/2 hours of light at full brightness and close to 20 hours at low setting. Either hook mounted or freestanding with its 20lb magnetic base the ORHOMELIFE LED Work Light is an outstanding rechargeable cob led work light and offers remarkable value.
Rechargeable Portable Area Work Light Reviews
DEWALT DCL074 20V MAX LED Work Light – Light Only
The top of the range DEWALT DCL074 20V MAX LED Work Light provides a flood of natural white light from 5000 lumens. Use the DEWALT DCL074 LED Work Light as a free standing light close to your work area, hang the light above your work area or use the tripod which is sold separately.
The DEWALT DCL074 20V MAX LED Work Light works extremely well as additional lighting in a work area, space or room where you need supplemental or auxiliary lighting when natural light is needed for jobs such as decorating and paintwork.
Enegitech 20W 2800LM 4000K LED Work Light Battery Powered – Multi Battery Cordless Light
Now this is something different and incredibly innovative. A portable LED area work light that works off the batteries of your existing power tools!
The Enegitech 20W 2800LM 4000K LED Work Light is powered direct from an outlet power supply, its own Enegitech ETB1830B battery or power tool batteries from DEWALT, Black+Decker, Porter Cable 20V or Ryobi and Makita 18v batteries. Most of the batteries you have on your best cordless tools for contractors list will work with the Enegitech 20W 2800LM 4000K LED Work Light.
Talk about flexibility!
Featuring a 2800 Lumen LED, 360 degree rotation and various ways to hang and mount the Enegitech 20W 2800LM 4000K LED Work Light this really is a flexible way of lighting your work area
Best Budget Rechargeable Portable Area Work Light
Hallomall 15W 24LED Rechargeable Work & Shop Light with Magnetic Stand
When we shout out so often at Woodworking Hobby Shop ‘buy the best tools and shop equipment you can possibly afford' and ‘future proof your purchases' it's refreshing to be able to recommend a cordless rechargeable portable shop light that offers so much value as the Hallomall 15W 24LED Rechargeable Work & Shop Light with Magnetic Stand.
<style=”text-align: center;”>The 15W super bright 24-LED with built in lithium battery weighs in at only 2 1/2 lbs. and is waterproof to IPX5. With long run time, a back up power bank and magnetic feet when you need them the Hallomall LED Work Light Area Work Light is a bargain.
Hallomall 15W 24LED Rechargeable Work & Shop Light Video
Rechargeable Led Tripod Work Light Reviews
Milwaukee 2131-20 M18 ROCKET Dual Power Tower Light
The Milwaukee 2131-20 M18 ROCKET Dual Power Tower Light is an absolute blast to use with it's 5 second set up and height capability from 4 feet up to an extended 7ft.
Delivering a brightness of 2500 LUMENS the Milwaukee M18 Rocket Dual Power Light illuminates even the largest of home remodeling, home renovation and jobsites areas. You can lower the output to 1,100 LUMENS at medium setting, 700 LUMENS in low setting for extended use or for supplemental and auxiliary lighting.
For added versatility the M18 Rocket Dual Power Tower Light connect to a 120v power outlet. With an impact resistant head lens and LED's that should never need replacing the Milwaukee 2131-20 M18 ROCKET comes highly recommended. The only disadvantage with features, power and durability of the standard of the Milwaukee 2131-20 M18 ROCKET is the price.
It's not cheap, but then it should last a long, long time.
DEWALT DCL079R1 20V MAX LED Work Light Tripod Base
The DEWALT DCL079R1 20V MAX LED Work Light is another fully featured rechargeable Led tripod work light. With 3 settngs for brightness and a fully extended height of 7 ft the DEWALT DCL079R1 delivers up to 11 hours of shine time.
The DEWALT DCL079R1 20V MAX LED Work Light weighs in at 16 lbs so is reasonably easy to move around your shop or work area and is a complete kit with an included DCB206 20V MAX 6Ah Battery Pack and DCB115 20V MAX Charger.
Downsides? Like the Milwaukee the DEWALT Tripod Work light doesn't come cheap and unlike the Milwaukee 2131-20 M18 ROCKET The DEWALT DCL079R1 is not dual power.
Great Budget Tripod Work Lights For The Money – Corded
Best Budget LED Tripod Work Light
We have two budget LED tripod work lights for you to consider, the very budget friendly corded HOMCOM 10,000 Lumen Dual Head Weather Resistant LED Work Light and the PowerSmith PWL2060TS 6000 Lumen Weatherproof LED Dual Head Work Light with 9ft power cord
Let’s start with the HOMCOM Dual Head LED Work Light
The HOMCOM 10,000 Lumen Dual Head Weather Resistant LED Work Lights with Tripod Stand which is the slightly less expensive of the two corded tripod work lights on offer here.
The HOMCOM work light has a rugged folding weather resistant powder coated steel framed stand for use in or outdoors. The powerful LED lights with a total of 100W will give you 5000 LUMENS of brightness for your workshop and jobsite work area.
With an adjustable tilting head, a height range from just over 2ft and up to very near 6ft and a light weight portability of just 13 1/2 lbs. plus the added flexibility of being able to detach the light heads from the tripod stand to use as an area work light the HOMCOM Tripod Stand Work Light makes a powerful case for inclusion in your list of workshop and jobsite lighting.
PowerSmith PWL2060TS 6000 Lumen Weatherproof LED Dual Head Work Light with Heavy-Duty Tripod Stand
Slightly more powerful than the HOMCOM the PowerSmith PWL2060TS Dual Head Work Light illuminates your jobsite and workshop at 6000 LUMENS. The telescopic heavy duty stand height adjusts to 6ft and is suitable for indoor and outdoor usage. The lights are detachable from the stand when you don't need the tripod for added versatility.
The high power LED's are all forward facing to give you maximum illumination on your work area and have a 50,000 hour lifetime. A 9ft power cord and 2 year US based warranty and support complete the PowerSmith PWL2060TS package.
Both the HOMCOM Tripod Stand Work Light PowerSmith PWL2060TS Dual Head Work Light are recommended as budget LED tripod work lights for smaller home renovation, home remodeling and workshop projects and shouldn't really be considered for long term jobsite use.
Best Temporary Construction String Lights
Sunlite EX50-14/2/SL 50-Feet Commercial-Grade 5 x Cage String Construction Lighting
The Sunlite EX50-14/2/SL 50-Feet String Construction Lighting features 5 x cages per 50ft string. Designed for indoor and outdoor jobsite use you can connect several sets together to illuminate your work area.
The cages will fit either A19 or up to A23 E26 Base Medium Screw bulbs. Use either standard incandescent or LED bulbs.
The Sunlite EX50-14/2/SL String Construction Lighting is ETL Listed for proof of compliance to North American Safety Standards.
At first glance the Sunlite String Construction Lighting may look like a budget option but you have to consider they are sold without bulbs so factor in the cost of bulbs when you buy them.
Fit them out with LED’s however and they start to look really expensive.
So enter the Freelicht Construction String Linkable Job Site Lighting
Freelicht 40W 5000LM 50FT LED Construction String Linkable Job Site Lighting
Each Freelicht 40W LED Construction String will give you 5000 LUMENS of light from 5 x 1000 LM LED's with the capability to illuminate a huge area by stringing up to 22 sets together!
With a 5 year warranty, an anti glare cover, a fixing carabineer and ETL certification for your safety the Freelicht Construction String Lights pack a powerful lighting punch.
Available as a single 50ft string or save money if your buy a 2 x pack.
PowerSmith PTLK52-60 7200 Lumen Temporary Hanging Daisy Chain Weatherproof LED Work Light
PowerSmith offer a wide range of jobsite lighting and one of the most versatile products in the range is the PowerSmith PTLK52-60 7200 Hanging Daisy Chain LED Work Light. this great little light gives you a 360 degree 7200 LUMEN LED to light up large spaces.
If you're looking for a semi permanent lighting solution then the PowerSmith PTLK52-60 7200 offers great value and flexibility with 50,000 hour LED's that never need replacing. Connect several lights together or hang a single light from the spring loaded hook. Recommended.
Check the full range of PowerSmith LED Jobsite and Work Lights.
Best Cordless Tools For Contractors –
Construction And Home Remodeling
So now we finally get top the part of your home remodeling and home renovation project where we start to pull everything together. Demolition is all done. Site is cleaned up and ready to go.
It’s now time to look at any framing that needs completing, flooring, dry walling, cabinets that need fitting and final trim. This is where a detailed plan made at the start of your project will pay dividends now.
You’ll likely have some of the tools you need for the construction stage of your renovation in your woodworking shop. In fact most of the hand tools you’ll most certainly have.
If this is a long term project however you’ll most likely want to add some items to your list of the best cordless tools for contractors.
We’ve written about and reviewed both corded and cordless woodworking power tools extensively so check our comprehensive woodworking power tools run down and recommendations
Let’s start with the most obvious choice on your list of best contractor grade cordless tools and that would be the cordless circular saw or cordless circular saw and table saw combo.
Best Cordless Tools For Contractors –
Best Contractor Grade Circular Saw
Let’s face it, you’ll have a lot of lumber to cut so lets take as much sweat out of it as we can. We reviewed the best cordless circular saw the DEWALT DCS570B 20V MAX 7-¼-Inch Circular Saw with Brake was the winner
In our comprehensive review the DEWALT DCS570B 20V MAX 7-¼-Inch Circular Saw with Brake came out on top as best contractor grade circular saw.
With a long run time due to it’s powerful brushless motor, rugged lightweight design for all day working and depth and angle of cut adjustment the DEWALT DCS570B 20V MAX is difficult to beat.
Our choice of compact professional circular saw went to the Makita XSS02Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 6-1/2″ Circular Saw.
A superb compact saw with 6 ½” blade and all the design features that make Makita Power tools best in class.
Which brings us straight to the…
Makita XSH06PT 18V X2 LXT Lithium-Ion 36V Brushless Cordless 7-1/4” Circular Saw Kit.
Sporting 2 x Makita 18V LXT Lithium batteries for a combined 36V the Makita Makita XSH06PT will cut through over 600 crosscuts per charge in 2” x 4” SPF lumber and 320 cross cuts per charge in 2” by 10” SPF board.
A technically advanced cordless circular saw from Makita available as ‘saw only’ without batteries or as a full kit with 2 x 18V X2 batteries, a charger and a rugged carry bag.
Best Contractor Grade Cordless Miter Saw
Chop Saw vs Miter Saw
First of all let’s just consider the difference between a chop saw and a miter saw. The chop saw is far less versatile being able to move just up and down and make straight or ‘chop’ cuts.
The miter saw is much more all-around capable and is able to cut angled and in some instances even compound angled cuts.
They are much more accurate for making finer lightweight cuts in skirting or baseboards, crown moldings, architraves and molded trims when you’re finishing.
In our review of the best sliding compound miter saw we recommended the DEWALT DWS779 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw as best sliding compound miter saw overall because of its combination of features and price
The Best Sliding Professional Grade Compound Miter Saw however was the highly rated Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw. A truly outstanding saw for the serious remodeling and renovation project and professional contractors.
Shopping for a contractors cordless miter saw can be a daunting and expensive project so in this contractor cordless miter saw review we have tried to look at a balance of features, versatility and price
CRAFTSMAN CMCS714M1 V20 7-1/4-Inch Sliding Miter Saw Kit Review.
An outstanding lightweight sliding miter saw at just over 2lbs the CRAFTSMAN CMCS714M1 has been designed for portability, accuracy and miter cutting flexibility and will deliver up to 585 cuts in MDF baseboard on one charge with a 4.0Ah battery.
With the capacity to make 8” cross cuts and 5 1/2” cross cuts at 45 degrees the CRAFTSMAN CMCS714M1 is ideally suited for baseboard, nested crown trim cutting and finishing.
The carry handles make the CRAFTSMAN CMCS714M1 simple and easy to pick up and go when you’re ready to move around your jobsite pack the Craftsman CMCS714M1 into the truck and get to the next job.
With its high user ratings and great customer reviews at close to half the cost of other contractors cordless miter saws the CRAFTSMAN CMCS714M1 V20 7-1/4-Inch Sliding Miter Saw Kit complete with battery and charger would be another worthy addition to your list of the best cordless tools for contractors and is highly recommended.
Best Contractor Grade Cordless Miter Saw Review – High End Professional Miter Saws
Bosch GCM18V-08N 18V 8-1/2 In. Single-Bevel Slide Miter Saw – Saw Only
For the ultimate in jobsite portability, brushless motor power and German engineering the Bosch GCM18V-08N 18V 8-1/2 In. Single-Bevel Slide Miter Saw – Saw Only is an outstanding example of what can be done with a combination of well thought out features, portability and superb engineering.
DEWALT DHS790AT2 FLEXVOLT 120V MAX 12-Inch Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw Kit.
Surely DEWALT will be at the king of the cordless compound sliding miter saw hill for a while with the DEWALT DHS790AT2? Corded AND cordless with the FLEXVOLT® 20V MAX and 60V MAX batteries offering the ultimate in flexibility
Packed with features, power and an incredible cutting range at 56lbs in weight the DEWALT DHS790AT2 is not exactly the most portable compound sliding miter saw but there is no doubting its capabilities.
Make no mistake, the DEWALT DHS790AT2 FLEXVOLT 120V MAX 12-Inch Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw Kit is an expensive power tool. Highly Recommended if the pocket book will take it. It should last you a long time and power through all the tough home remodeling jobs you can throw at it. If you want your list of the best cordless tools for contractors to feature the very best contractor grade cordless miter saw then the DEWALT DHS790AT2 is it.
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Let’s finish this comprehensive look at the best cordless tools for contractors by looking at the additional best contractor grade cordless tools you might want to add to your shopping list
Best Cordless Tools For Contractors –
Best Cordless Nail Gun
Framing Nailer Vs Finish Nailer vs Brad Nailer
This can be confusing so let’s try and get this out of the way before we go using the wrong nail gun for the wrong job!
Framing Nailer – as the name suggest a framing nailer is for the framing and construction work on your project, build or remodel.
Used for heavier tasks for wall and partition frames, beams, fencing and decking etc. Framing nailers use 11 1/2 to 8 gauge nails.
Finishing Nailer – again as the name suggest a finishing nailer will be used for lighter work, non structural framing, door and window frames, assembly, heavier trim and molding work. A finish nailer uses 14 to 16 gauge nails.
Brad Nailer – The brad nailer comes into its own for fine finishing work where the heavier gauge of a finishing nail is likely to split the wood. The 18 gauge nail of a brad nailer is great for small molded trim, picture frames, decorative molding trim around windows doors and cabinets.
Which Type Of Nailer Should I Buy.
The answer to this question obviously is what type of nailing work will you be doing? If you’re a seasoned renovation and home remodeling pro then you’re probably going to want a framing, finishing and a brad nailer.
If this is your first project then a finishing and brad nailer combo kit would seem like the answer.
The only nailer combo kit we would be happy to recommended is the BOSTITCH BTFP3KIT Cordless Air Compressor Combo 3-Tool Kit with oil free compressor and the Bostitch SB-1664FN STRAIGHT FINISH NAILER, the SB-1850BN Brad Nailer and the BTFP71875 HEAVY DUTY CROWN STAPLER
The BOSTITCH BTFP3KIT Cordless Air Compressor Combo 3-Tool Kit is outstanding value for money.
We have reviewed the best random orbital sander for woodworking with the DEWALT 20V MAX DCW210B Orbital Sander and the DEWALT DCW210D1 20V MAX Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch, Cordless Kit coming out as winners.
The CRAFTSMAN CMEW231 Random Orbit Sander 3-Amp gets an honorable mention as a corded orbital sander option.
For the top 7 buys and the best detail sander reviews check our complete fully comprehensive rundown and recommended buys to add to your compliment of the best cordless tools for contractors..
Impact driver – Why Do I Need An Impact Driver
The cordless impact driver comes into its own when your project has a large number of screws and fasteners to drive in and drive in as quickly as possible.
A good cordless impact driver will get the job done without putting excess strain on your hands and wrists the end result being you can work longer and get more done.
When is the impact driver used? You’ll find an impact driver a real time and effort saver when you’re fixing panels to walls and ceilings, chipboard flooring in large areas like lofts and extensions and a cordless impact driver will be a life saver for large fencing and decking projects.
Important note to remember, to get the post out of your impact driver you need a powerful battery to really drive those big fasteners. 4Ah to 5Ah is highly recommended.
Best Contractor Grade Cordless Impact Driver Review
For all the best selling cordless impact drivers with ratings and user reviews check out the cordless impact driver best seller list at Amazon.
And the best impact driver bits set here.
Best Contractor Grade Cordless Drill
In our recent review of the best cordless power drill we looked at a range of cordless power drills from professional contractor grade power drills down to cordless power drills for the budget and home DIY use.
DEWALT DCD791D2 1/2-Inch 20-Volt MAX Cordless Drill
The drill that stood out as the best cordless power drill for jobsite and serious home remodeling work was the DEWALT DCD791D2 1/2-Inch 20-Volt MAX Cordless Drill.
The DEWALT 20V MAX battery system, a superb brushless motor and ½” chuck capacity this is a power drill worth of any jobsite and deserves a place in your list of the best cordless tools for contractors.
Click over to the best cordless power drill review to get all the details.
So if you have a contractor grade cordless drill and the best contractor grade impact driver and you’re also equipped with the best contractor grade hammer drill money can buy….
What else is there in on a list of the best cordless tools for contractors that you would need?
You would probably want to look at the best contractor grade cordless drill driver.
Why Do I Need A Drill Driver?
Specialist contractor grade tools are great, the hammer drill cordless drill and cordless impact driver all deserve a place on your list of the best cordless tools for contractors and in your power tools cabinet.
A cordless drill driver however is a superb ‘do it all’ power tool. With normally a keyless chuck, variable speeds and a clutch. So you can drill, screw fasteners and on some drill driver models you’ll find a true hammer function.
Two compact contractor grade cordless drill drivers stand out from a very crowded sector and those are the DEWALT DCD771C2 20V MAX Cordless Compact, 1/2-Inch Drill – Driver Kit and the DEWALT DCD791D2 20V MAX Brushless, 1/2-Inch Cordless Drill – Driver Kit.
The DEWALT DCD791D2 20V MAX is an extremely highly rated cordless drill driver with DEWALTS brushless motor which delivers up to 57% extra running time.
Compact and light weight with a high speed transmission and an LED light system including spot light mode the DEWALT DCD791D2 20V MAX is an exceptional cordless contractor grade drill driver and is deserving of a place on your list of the best cordless tools for contractors.
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Best Cordless Tools For Contractors – The Final Cut?
We have tried to layout a comprehensive buying guide of the best contractor grade cordless tools. What we haven’t done is looked at the topic from a major building site contractor view point.
This is a woodworking hobby shop site after all so we’ve concentrated on looking at the best cordless tools for contractors from the smaller general contractors view.
This is aimed at the guy or gal who lives and works in a local community and needs good quality power tools that will last him and serve his customers well. If that’s you then we sincerely hope we have helped in your choices and purchase decisions.
We have also aimed this contractor grade cordless tool buying guide at the home remodeler and home renovator.
Again whether that’s from a pro contractors view or you’re renovating and remodeling your home to live in or flip for profit we gave lots of thought writing this buying guide to the best cordless tools for contractors and tried to make sure we covered all of your bases.
Inevitably what comes in to play here are several things. Do you have a cordless power tool brand loyalty right now with a stash of one brand batteries or are you just starting out building up your shop inventory?
Budget will also obviously play a large part in your decision as will your long term plans.
Is this a smaller one off remodeling project, a full blown older house renovation, a whole house remodel or are you looking to build a business from buying, remodeling and flipping?
The possibilities are endless. Whichever situation you are in we hope this buying guide to the best cordless tools for contractors will serve you well. It will be continually updated so make sure you keep coming back. Let us know in the comments what your project is, tell us all about it and drop some pictures in there. Stay safe in the workshop and on the jobsite and as always, let’s make sawdust!
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