Lidl v. Aldi Cordless Tools

air wrote: »

I had a number of Workzone 18V and the later Ferrex 20V tools so stuck with those.

It turns out that they are made by Positec who make Worx, Erbauer etc. tools so they are compatible with the Worx 20V max range and the previous version Erbauer tools along with a few others.
This is useful because Worx sell pretty much every tool imaginable.
The later Active energy 20/40V system is not compatible with anything else that I'm aware of, but Aldi still stock tools on the older 20V system occasionally.

Lidl's current Parkside system has been around a while and they seem to stock more tools on a more regular basis than Aldi. Their list prices are that bit keener generally I think. They were supposed to have a 4Ah battery today for €30, although I couldn't locate one.

One final advantage for Aldi is that they do clear tools at very low prices occasionally.
I managed to pick up a fan with 2 batteries and charger, an impact driver with battery and charger plus an electric plane with battery and charger for a total of €75.
The plane alone was worth more than that.

All these 18V / 20V battery systems are essentially just 5 x 18650 lithium cells in a box with a connector and some rudimentary cell and temperature monitoring.
It would be great for everyone if the EU forced all brands to standardise on a single interface.

Do you recall how much the hedgetrimmer was? I have a hoover and a leaf blower with 3 batteries and 2 chargers. A guy on ebay is selling a parkside 20v hedgetrimmer for €80 (£65), box damaged and bare, so no battery or charger. The only place I see them for sale is USA at $30 bare.

Sorry I don't ever recall seeing a hedge trimmer, I'm not as familiar with the Parkside stuff but 80 bare sounds saucy if it's $30 in the US.

I have two tools from Aldi that use the Activ Energy battery.

lidl currently have an electric sander in stock which I need but wondering if the Parkside Sander tool they are selling in Lidl would work using an Activ Energy batter that I bought in Aldi?

Probably a silly question but the batteries look very similar

those batteries are significantly different - 5 terminals on the ROK, 4 on the Parkside as well as a different shape where they slot in.

thanks for that

I know the title is cordless tools but if you want proper power tools, either have them corded and running off the mains or petrol engine driven. IMHO.

I have a cordless screwdriver which is great but that's about it as regards batteries.

Sounds like Apple breaking the law with their chargers, we can't get enough power for our phone for USB-C yet our more powerful laptop has USB-C!

What extra technology can you put in a battery? The basic technology is the same, they can use better materials for more energy density but ergonomics means that they are all roughly the same size and weight. Common connections can be done, but then they can't lock you into an ecosystem and have to buy their expensive batteries instead of generic ones.

Grand, but I don't buy it. Batteries add weight to power tools, which makes them more tiring to use. Then there's the whole environmental aspect of the materials required in these batteries and what to do with them when they are knackered. Cordless power tools do have a place for sure, where it's hard or hassle to run a cable too, but as far as this DIYer is concerned, that's it.

Agreed, the cordless screwdriver is/was a really useful invention.

Don't Agree, I used to have a Corded Strimmer (Gave up on my petrol one 10 yrs ago) and a cheap Battery Powered Blower that lasted about 6 mins before dying, To edge and cleanup my grass was a pain in the ass as I had to unfurl a 50ml extension reel to strim and the blower did not last long enough. Now I have a Milwaukee Strimmer and Blower with a single 5 amp battery, I get the whole job done in 20 mins without any hassle and it turned what was a pain in the backside task into an enjoyable one.

LOL, I didn't realise you just pottered around the garden with your battery tools. When I do the first cut of the year on our river bank it takes 8 hours with a petrol strimmer. The thought of doing it with battery tools is laughable.

While I'm still awake how do you propose I cut the grass on my river bank? Do I use a battery tool and spend all summer on the job?

There are jobs that battery tools are excellent for, screw driving is one on them. I can put 200 (probably a lot) more 50mm screws in with one charge on a 4Amp dewalt XR battery, but for garden work the same battery system there just isn't the power their to get much work done. If you are pottering around in a back garden then fine battery tools will do the garden work for you but no way are Petrol tools on the way out particularly when battery tools aren't up to the job.

On the whole I find my circular saw lacks power. With a corded tool if you start to go off line you can just force it back but you need to be much more careful with a battery powered circular saw. However its dead handy and saves a lot of time the odd time I do use. Had it up on a roof last year and it made the whole job really easy.

One tool I wouldn't be without now is my battery powered angle grinder I haven't used either of my corded ones in a couple of years and find something for the battery one virtually weekly.

Apart from the obvious battery drill/driver I find a battery powered multitool really useful it is probably the best get out of jail free card I have in my tool box.

Nearest neighbor has all Milwalkee tools and they are excellent probably a little better than my DeWalt but there is quite a large price difference. Neighbor in the other direction has quite a collection of Lidl's battery powered tools and I can find no real fault with them. The only negative which Lidl have fixed recently is their earlier battery tools only had 2Amp batteries.

Don't think they fit otherwise this wouldn't be for sale https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165311945184