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Cordless tools are a key part of building a tool set for home maintenance and DIY projects, but they also tend to be the most expensive. If you’re building a new tool set or upgrading from an older set, a combo kit will save you some money and allow you to start with the essentials and the batteries to get going on some projects. This Milwaukee nine-tool 18-violt combo kit is 45% off right now for Labor Day, and it’s a good place to start for new DIYers.
This set comes with the drill and driver combo that I use in my personal cordless tool set, and since it also includes several other tools and batteries, it’s a good deal at $599. You can expect to pay over $1,500 for each of the tools separately without the tool bag, so this is a good price for a wide variety of tools. My set of Milwaukee tools has lasted me over a decade with minimal replacements needed, and most batteries lasting more than ten years, so the durability of the tools means you’ll save money on replacing them over time as well.
This tool set comes with the necessary drill and driver that are the basics for any cordless tool set but it also comes with a circular saw and an angle grinder, making it possible for you to cut material like plywood, as well as grind off protruding screw tips and cut metal. This versatility makes this kit ideal for ambitious projects as does the high torque impact wrench that can be used in automotive projects like loosening lug nuts for changing a tire.
I find that the drill and impact driver are well balanced, making them comfortable to use for longer periods of time than some other brands, and the LED light that automatically turns on when I pull the trigger allows me to work in tight spaces with less than ideal lighting without needing a head lamp.
What’s included in this set
The Milwaukee 9-tool 18-volt combo kit includes a ½ inch chuck drill, a ¼ inch chuck impact driver, a ½ inch chuck high torque impact wrench, an angle grinder, a compact reciprocating saw, a work light, a mini blower, an oscillating multitool, a 3-amp-hour battery, a 1.5-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag.
I use most of these tools on a regular basis, but I think the oscillating multitool is the bonus that makes this set one of the best because of its versatility. You can use the oscillating multitool to cut and trim metal, wood, drywall, tile, and combination materials, as well as sand in tight corners, buff your surfaces, and remove grout and mortar.
Why Milwaukee is a good brand
Milwaukee has a more than 100-year history of producing power tools, with their first portable power drill being produced for the Ford motor company assembly line in 1924. They came out with their first line of cordless tools in the 1990s and have since become a favorite to pros and hobbyists alike for the durability of their tools.
I’ve been using their tools for more than a decade in my personal tool kit, and in addition to them holding up to a lot of use and abuse, the line of tools that the current battery system is compatible with includes more than 300 different tools including landscaping, woodworking, and metalworking tools. This means that with my set of batteries, I can get tools for many different jobs without needing to invest in a different set of batteries. Investing in a brand of cordless tools that can accommodate many different tools with their batteries can save money on the need for multiple battery sets, and you can explore new interests and expand your skill set without spending money on more batteries and chargers.
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