#cordless tools

What's that? You want to hear a boring story about cordless tools and their batteries? Well boy have you come to the right place.

About 12 years ago I did some research into which cordless tools to get. Seemed like Dewalt 18v was a pretty good choice. They had a ton of tools that all ran off that battery and were reasonably priced and that was their main battery. Plus they weren't busy fucking over their customers like Milwaukee. That's a whole different story.

Anywho, I always thought for ease and convenience it'd be best to keep all my cordless stuff the same brand and battery, so I wouldn't have like 15 tools with 25 batteries and eight chargers.

Well it turns out that after the introduction of the lithium battery it's much easier, cheaper? I'm not sure, to make 20v batteries. Not that big of a deal. Dewalt was nice enough to make an adaptor and I figured once my 18v stuff wears out I can just buy 20v stuff. Easy peasy.

End of story right? Not even close!!! Did I only say boring? I should have said long too. Like way to long.

I wanted a pin nailer, a brad nailer, a finish nailer. Call it what you like. It's all the same thing. Now I could have, and maybe should have gotten a pneumatic nailer but I was dead set on a battery one.

Look as I might I never saw a Dewalt one for less than $250 and usually closer to $300 for just the tool only.

This Porter-Cable one was about half the price with a battery and charger. I have some Porter-Cable corded stuff that works well and it had good reviews, so I got it.

Plus it's my shop I can have as many damn tools, batteries and chargers laying around as I damn well please.

Stories over right? Not quite, but the interesting part is coming up and let's be honest. If you read this far you'll probably find this neat too. Or you're OCD about reading things and just have to finish stuff. I respect that too.

I only got one battery because it would have been cheaper to buy an extra battery than the two battery combo but I'm not going to do that because for once the internet didn't lie to me.

You can take a 20v Black and Decker battery modify it slightly, and also modify the Porter-Cable tool ever so slightly and the two will work together perfectly. You can also slightly modify the Porter-Cable battery and it will work in Black and Decker stuff.

So now I have four batteries for three and a half tools. Which I'm sure I'll get more of, because Porter-Cable sales a jig saw for like fifty bucks and Dewalt's is quite a bit more than that.

Now I'll have to look out for sales on B&D and P-C batteries, because you can never have to many.

The cordless power tool industry is no longer just about tools—it has become a fully connected ecosystem combining manufacturing, battery technology, global brands, and end-user applications.

Each layer of this system plays a different role in shaping the modern market.

🏭 Manufacturing is still the foundation

Most cordless tools in global markets are produced through OEM manufacturing networks, especially in Asia.

Factories in China play a major role in producing cordless drills, impact drivers, and lithium battery-powered tools for international brands and distributors.

A closer look at cordless drill manufacturers in China shows how advanced and competitive these production systems have become.

🔋 Battery systems define compatibility

One of the most important shifts in the industry is the rise of battery ecosystems.

Today, users are not just buying tools—they are buying into a battery platform.

This means compatibility matters more than ever. Different voltage systems and connectors determine whether tools can share the same battery.

A simple explanation of power tool battery compatibility helps clarify why battery platforms are now a core purchasing factor.

🧰 Products connect manufacturing to real use

At the product level, demand for cordless impact tools continues to grow rapidly, especially in construction and industrial applications.

One commonly used category is the cordless impact drill 18V, which represents the balance between portability, power, and battery efficiency.

🏷️ Brands shape market perception

While manufacturing and batteries define capability, brands define trust and positioning in the global market.

Buyers often compare specifications, durability, and ecosystem compatibility before making purchasing decisions.

An overview of top power tool brands helps illustrate how global companies compete in this space.

⚡ Final thought

The power tool industry today is built on systems, not standalone products.

Manufacturing, battery platforms, brands, and end-user tools are all interconnected parts of a larger ecosystem.

The global power tool industry is evolving quickly, driven by changes in manufacturing, battery technology, and global supply chains.

What used to be a simple hardware market has now become a highly connected ecosystem involving factories, OEM suppliers, battery platforms, and international brands.

Here are a few quick insights worth understanding.

🏭 Manufacturing is still the foundation

Most cordless power tools today are produced in Asia, especially China, where large-scale OEM factories support global brands and private-label businesses.

Many of these facilities are specialized in brushless motors, lithium battery systems, and cordless tool production.

A good overview of cordless drill factories in China shows how competitive and advanced these manufacturers have become in recent years.

🔋 Battery systems define everything

One of the biggest shifts in the industry is the importance of battery ecosystems.

Today, users don’t just buy tools—they buy into a battery platform.

That’s why compatibility matters so much. Different brands use different connectors, voltage systems, and internal communication protocols.

A simple explanation of power tool battery compatibility helps make sense of why not all batteries can be interchanged across brands.

📦 Wholesale market keeps expanding

On the business side, demand for OEM and wholesale power tools continues to grow globally.

Distributors are no longer buying single tools—they are sourcing complete product ecosystems including drills, drivers, and accessories.

Many companies now position themselves as wholesale power tool manufacturers, offering full OEM services and private-label solutions for international buyers.

🌏 Global brands still rely on distributed manufacturing

Even major global brands rely on multi-country production networks to balance cost, quality, and logistics.

For example, Makita operates manufacturing across several regions to support global demand and regional supply efficiency.

You can see more details about where Makita tools are manufactured and how global production is distributed.

⚙️ Final thought

The power tool industry is no longer just about tools—it’s about systems.

Manufacturing, battery platforms, wholesale supply chains, and global branding are all interconnected.

Why I Compared 40V and 18V/20V Platforms I set out to answer a simple but urgent question: is a 40V cordless platform truly a step up from ubiquitous 18V/20V systems, or mostly marketing? Many manufacturers claim big gains — up to 2x torque or longer runtimes — but for DIYers and professionals the real measures are weight, tool balance, and cost. I wanted hard answers. Over several weeks I ran…