Oddbean new post about | logout
 Damn. I had no idea. 
 Neither did I. I learned though, after I recharged a consumer-brand battery for the sixth time in 24hrs and it bricked. Eventually I opened the case (three Phillips screws, one security, need extra-long shanks) and found the 18650 cells were fine (~4.1v). 

Five dollars worth of Chinese control board (specific to that tool brand) later, it was back in business. That was pre-COVID. Still works today, though I've replaced one of the cells.

Manufacturers all maintain separate brand identities for contractor and consumer tools. They're often (internally) identical, except for price - and DRM.

Buy a contractor brand from a tradesman-focussed store, not your big box hardware store. Buy once, cry once; or prepare to learn more about your tools than you wanted to :D 
 The “Heavy Duty” version of most things is worth it. I got a pedal-operated Dremel with a 1hp motor years ago and it works like a charm, with so much more torque and control over lower speeds 
 If you are in the US, what are some of the contractor brands that are worth it?