@DeformedTree Yes, I get that people don’t want multiple battery platforms but, as ScotF says, Mafell now share their battery platform with around another eight manufacturers, including Metabo, which mean cheaper, similar batteries are available.
It also depends on the amount of use a tool gets. We buy a lot of Makita stuff still, firstly because it’s a nice happy medium for site tools, quality but, at sensible prices. Also at the last count, we had something like 40+ 18 volt batteries, mainly 5ah and a few 6ah.
We operate a good few 36 volt tools, so having multiple batteries and chargers is a must (in my opinion) especially from a professional angle. One of the few site tools we have left that are not cordless are, a couple of table saws. Even our 240mm grinders are all cordless, mitre saws, reciprocating saws, circular saws, drill/drivers, track saws, a couple of extractors, more or less everything. If Makita bring out a 36 volt table saw, I’d buy two instantly.
I haven’t noticed any lack of power or downside, apart from making sure we have plenty of batteries charged, or charging.
I’m used to that though.
Even in the workshop now, I find myself getting irritated by trailing leads.
The reason you don’t see people committing to a battery system from Festool or Mafell, is simply because their range of cordless tools is quite limited, more so Mafell than Festool. Neither come close to range that Makita provide though.
I have spoken to many of the top manufacturers, and lot of the development in power tools now, is geared around cordless, and powerful long lasting batteries. It’s the future, and not just for power tools many household appliances use cordless tech wherever possible.
I’ve embraced it, and lots of trades over here, including me, would always choose cordless over corded, provided there’s no power or performance loss.
Progress and evolution, nothing gets in the way of that.
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