(xposted from /r/homeimprovement)I have been using hand-me-down corded drills for the past decade on my house, and, while they are indestructable (one of them is a 25+ year old made-in-USA Craftsman), they are also heavy and just not as nice to use. My friend lent me her 12V Milwaukee drill this past weekend to do some minor tasks, and it just made a world of difference in terms of how easy it was to actually get out the drill and do the projects I've been planning. We are going to be looking at moving to a slightly larger house this Spring, and, with that, I would like to look at updating my tool collection.I would like advice on the best battery system to pick for a set of standard homeowner's power tools. Here are my questions:I'm looking at 12V drill first just for light duty around-the-house tasks, followed by an 18V tool system later on. Is it reasonable to have different manufacturers for different voltages? I've heard good things about the Bosch 12V drill.Which manufacturer has the best batteries for the best price? I've heard Makita batteries will shut themselves off after a number of charge cycles, and that some brand's batteries are just straight-up cheaper for similar kWh capacity.In your experience, which manufacturers have the most hassel-free warranties on their tools and batteries?Is there a material difference in quality of construction and durability amongst the major manufacturers?Made-in-USA would be nice but isn't strictly necessary. Aside from some of the Dewalt line, are there any other MiUSA brands?What would be your final recommendations for a 12V drill and an 18V system?Our buying price range will likely have us looking at houses that need at least a moderate bit of work, so I'm looking for a battery system that can expand to a decent number of drills, saws, sanders, etc. Plus, now that we have a kiddo, I have great plans to teach her how to grow food: I'm planning on building large planters for a backyard garden (those may not be necessary if we decide to decamp to the suburbs, but otherwise I'm not sure how much to trust Pittsburgh soil), as well as a small greenhouse and potential aquaponics / chicken / apiary facilities, depending on our environment and amount of space available.Real talk though: those are plans for the somewhat intermediate-distance future; while I'd love to take up woodworking some day and be generally more handy, I will likely only need tools for occasional use. I probably won't be undertaking large projects like elevated decks, framing / roofing, or standalone structures larger than a decent shed. While I'd be happy to pay a premium for quality, I won't need to rely on my tools day to day like a professional. via /r/DIY http://bit.ly/2ScRbXG
