I could use a little help choosing an 18v drill!

[domoMKIV]

I have had a Kawasaki (Alltrade) 21.6v drill for about 2yrs now, it did its duty pretty nicely around the house. However, I will be doing a lot of mobile installs (GPS) in the near future (new job w/ AT&T contract) and I need something new that will last a full work day.
Nothing too crazy, 3/4" hole saw into a truck roof, sometimes 1 3/4", unscrewing/screwing interior screws, 3/32 bits into metal for GPS mounting.
This drill ALSO has to be used for around the house duty, which involves a decent amount of work sometimes (new kitchen cabinets install coming up!).

These are the handful I have been thoroughly looking into, hard to make a choice though when you can't REALLY use it. I will probably also be picking up a matching light and radio (can't use company vehicle radios, any other suggestions for a battery powered radio that lasts?).
I believe Milwaukee is the only one that has a small radio but I can't say I will go with them simply because of that. The radio isn't THAT important, I am sure I can find something else if I had to.
A perk for the Makita is the rebate for a free battery (2 w/ drill, 1 from rebate), always nice to have an extra $75 battery that could be used in a light or radio or other tool.

Dewalt DCD970KL
Ridgid ZRR861150
Milwaukee 2602-22DC
Hitachi DV18DL
Makita BHP454
Dewalt speaks for itself, Ridgid has a pretty nice lifetime service, milwaukee is about $50 cheaper than the others, Hitachi has a lifetime warranty and the Makita has a rebate right now for a free li-ion battery ($75 value).

I need/want something that will last and will not turn into a crybaby when it needs to do work.

edit: I found a few threads in a search. However, if anyone has specific insight on one of the particular models above, I don't mind hearing it.

 

[c_mccann]

I got the Makita a year ago, to replace my old, trusty Makita 18v and I have to say I miss my old Makita, and my bro's DeWalt is looking good.. I'm a Makita fan, but this one hasn't won me over yet.

 

[shampoop]

makita has a radio as well. If you plan on ever expanding your 18v LI collection i'd stick with milwaukee or makita. All of their products seem to be top tier quality and last a long time. Both brands also have a very large 18v lineup. I have an 18v LI makita impact driver and love everything about it.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Bosch, get the set , impactor and drill 18v Lith-ion with 2 batteries, charger and bag for $200.

Find Homebuilding just did the radio tests, Makita came in last, it quit working after a 36" drop, and the bosch took first place (you can shoot it out of a cannon and it does not skip a beat, and sounds good to). I have both of the above cordless bosch tools, as well the new 360 degree radio. Very pleased, I also have around 15 other older Bosch tools. After using bosch, the rest fell like low grade garbage in your hand. Especially Dewalt... The milwaukee isnt bad, has a better battery system, the bosch has more power and is smoother. A guy working for me has the new Milwaukee 18v lith-ion set.

 

[trythis]

Dewalt, ick, black and decker owned,they ruined porter cable tools, sold Delta to a foreign firm. I am biased against Dewalt, but some stuff they win on, mainly the 13 inch planer. They own too much and dumb down the "competition" that they actually own.

I have used their drills and do not like them. They get sloppy and the chucks are not so great. Dewalt's reputation is mostly good marketing, not the best tools.

I own a Makita, and its OK, but the medium grade Home Depot version I bought isn't as good as the high end four pole motor.

Milwaukee's feel better, have better torque, and seem to hold up better, with my buds that use them. When I replace my Makita, its gonna be a Milwaukee.

The real issue is the batteries. They will give out before the drill motors in most cases, unless you are tossing them off high ladders a lot. Look at replacement battery costs and make that part of your decision making, Milwaukee's are pretty damn high compared to Makita's at least.

The batteries all have little computers that tell the chargers when they are no good. One of my Makita's already gave out (3 years in), and at $99 for a new one, I will just buy a new drill kit when the second one dies out.


Make sure you get the 3.0 Amp hour battery kits if you need all day charges.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

i personally have had good experiences wiht my dewalt but it's older

you probaly will think this sounds stupid but i use my cman c3 line all day at work it's held up well so far

 

[peterbilr98]

i like milwakee they have done me well

 

[kc-steve]

Makita, no doubt.

Steve

 

[domoMKIV]

makita has a radio as well. If you plan on ever expanding your 18v LI collection i'd stick with milwaukee or makita.

I think Hitachi was the only one of the bunch that doesn't offer a radio. I didn't see one on the site anyway, may have missed it. Milwaukee seems like it is the only one of the pack that offers a SMALL radio. At $100 though, that is pretty crazy. I just need a small radio that will last so I can listen to FM in the trucks while I am working. The noise can't be audible past 10ft from the vehicle so major sound isn't important, just a good signal.

Bosch, get the set , impactor and drill 18v Lith-ion with 2 batteries, charger and bag for $200.

The milwaukee isnt bad, has a better battery system, the bosch has more power and is smoother. A guy working for me has the new Milwaukee 18v lith-ion set.

I was looking at a Bosch unit, 37618-01 to be exact. I need to check around to see if any stores have one that I can hold.

The real issue is the batteries. They will give out before the drill motors in most cases, unless you are tossing them off high ladders a lot. Look at replacement battery costs and make that part of your decision making, Milwaukee's are pretty damn high compared to Makita's at least.

Make sure you get the 3.0 Amp hour battery kits if you need all day charges.

That was initially what turned me on to the Ridgid and Hitachi, lifetime warranty/service including the batteries.
That is also what had me interested in the Makita, that rebate for a free battery.

I need to get my hands on a Bosch and see it in person, it is just a hard thing to make a choice on when you can't put any of them to real world use.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Lowes has them on sale (Bosch) and you can handle them there, as well the other brands. The milwaukee radio came in on the bottom too, it lost it sound and the case busted up when it was dropped.

 

[american lockpicker]

My uncle works for a phone company and uses a 18V nicad Bosch(swiss made.)

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

My uncle works for a phone company and uses a 18V nicad Bosch(swiss made.)

Ive got several swiss, check, and german made cordless bosches, but those are out of production, they are the ni-cads. The new ones are from Malaysia. I dont see a difference in quality though.

 

[whatsitsname]

I like the Bosch and the Milwaukee. I went with the Milwaukee at the end because the Milwaukee feels more balance and compact in my hands. Also the on board fuel gauge of the Milwaukee is a huge selling point. Of all the 18v drills I've played around with the Bosch feels most like a quality tool.

 

[The Motts]

Milwaukee seems like it is the only one of the pack that offers a SMALL radio.

Milwaukee's small radio only works with the M12 batteries.

 

[chewy7]

MIlwaukee M18's are nice drills

 

[danski0224]

Festool C12

I just picked up a Festool C12 cordless kit on sale. This model is being discontinued and replaced with a new T drill li-ion setup.

It is small and compact, and the initial impression is very good. Although it is 12v, I have a very difficult time stopping the drill chuck by hand. Note: it has a 1/2" chuck.

It has some pretty sophisticated motor controls that try to maintain motor rpm under load. It will also shut down the tool if the battery or motor is overloaded so it does not self destruct. This model does not have or need traditional motor brushes.

The kit has some rather unique attachments that no other manufacturer has- this is why I bought this tool. I have an old Makita 12v impact (not li-ion) and the old style Milwaukee 18v ni-cd kit. I think this Festool 12v drill will beat them both.

It appears to be 100% made in Germany.

It isn't cheap, there isn't a light or radio, but as a drill, I think it will kick some ****.

 

[kb2tha]

As I was reading down through this thread, I too was thinking Festool, although it isn't on your list. I do not own their drill, but I do have 4 other tools by Festool. Worth checking into if you don't mind spending the coin for quality.
Ken

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I was looking at a Bosch unit, 37618-01 to be exact. I need to check around to see if any stores have one that I can hold.

Ive been buying from this place for about 6 years... I just got the Bosch Power Box radio from them last week, usually the best prices on the web, less ebay used. The recon tools, Ive bought some, you cant tell them from new. $289 new $199 recon. They ship same day if you order early enough.

http://www.cpotools.com/bosch-37618...ugh-drill-driver/bshn37618-01,default,pd.html

I dont have the brute, Lith-ion, for I still have 3 18v Ni-cad Brutes, so I just bought the Lith-ion set (impactor & drill) because it was a deal, and I wanted the impactor. The new model 18 volt drill is as light as my old Ni-cad 12 volt as far as weight and is smaller in size.

One other thing I dont think the other brands stand behind, is dropping the tools. The old "brute" line was supposed to sustain (IIRC) a 40' drop. The radio I just bought, they are still advertising its durabililty. There are several videos on Youtbe of guys throwing and dropping their radios, trying to get them to fail.

 

[brianh]

I have used Makita drills for years they are great worth the extra money.

That said when I broke my drill from a long fall I bought a 18 volt RYOBI they have come a long way not as nice as a makita but better than dewalt I use just about it every working day

 

[american lockpicker]

Re: Festool C12

I just picked up a Festool C12 cordless kit on sale. This model is being discontinued and replaced with a new T drill li-ion setup.

It is small and compact, and the initial impression is very good. Although it is 12v, I have a very difficult time stopping the drill chuck by hand. Note: it has a 1/2" chuck.

It has some pretty sophisticated motor controls that try to maintain motor rpm under load. It will also shut down the tool if the battery or motor is overloaded so it does not self destruct. This model does not have or need traditional motor brushes.

The kit has some rather unique attachments that no other manufacturer has- this is why I bought this tool. I have an old Makita 12v impact (not li-ion) and the old style Milwaukee 18v ni-cd kit. I think this Festool 12v drill will beat them both.

It appears to be 100% made in Germany.

It isn't cheap, there isn't a light or radio, but as a drill, I think it will kick some ****.

It is 100% made in Germany including all accessories also its rated for driving 1,000,000 screws.

 

[danski0224]

Re: Festool C12

It is 100% made in Germany including all accessories also its rated for driving 1,000,000 screws.

If I like it, I'll probably get the T15+3 and a ni cd battery at some point.

 

[Lightfoot]

I bought a Ryobi 18v at HD a couple of years back. The batteries lasted about a year. Got replacement batteries this past summer on sale, and they are already showing signs of going bad. Damn batteries (on sale) cost nearly as much as the entire outfit when i bought it. No more Ryobi for me, My next one will likely be a Bosch or Dewalt.

 

[5lima30]

I have a Hitachi 18v NiCad set that I have had 2+ years still works great despite hard use. That being said my next set will probably be a LiOn Milwaukee or Hitachi impact driver. YMMV.

 

[granitestater]

I have several DeWalt cordless and corded tools. They work well and survived drops and hard use. I am not sure how long the battery lasts between charges. I think it depends on how fast you are running a variable speed drill and on which of the 2 speed settings on the top you have selected. I won't consider any cordless tools other than DeWalt because I have such a positive experience with them. I carry 6 batteries with me every day in case I am not able to recharge them as needed.

Other Garage Journal members may not have the same part numbers as you listed because manufacturers seem to make small changes every year.

Hope this helps.

 

[archirelic]

I'd say go with Makita. I've always had great experiences with them and actually just picked up a new 18v drill/impact driver combo set from Home Depot for 229, was 279. No radio though...

You could always get yourself an mp3 player; much more compact, has the ability to tune into stations, create your own playlists, etc.

And on a sidenote, I've had this 18v Black & Decker for prob. close to 10 years with the two original batteries and this ******* will not die!

 

[saturdaymechanic]

I have several DeWalt cordless and corded tools. They work well and survived drops and hard use. I am not sure how long the battery lasts between charges. I think it depends on how fast you are running a variable speed drill and on which of the 2 speed settings on the top you have selected. I won't consider any cordless tools other than DeWalt because I have such a positive experience with them.

+1 on the DeWalt for me as well. They are tough, powerful and get the job done. Battery life hasn't been an issue, then again, I don't use it all day every day. The drill just feels right when I'm working, the same for the circular saw.

Before I used cman and obviously it was an upgrade for me. Haven't used Bosch but I have heard good things about it.

 

[romoman]

Nothing beats one of these for interior screws http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...em_ID=76628&group_ID=19915&store=&dir=catalog

 

[Davefr]

Get a Panasonic

 

[CamarosRus]

I bought the M-18 1/4" Impact Driver AND 1/2" Drill Set for $200. (Search AMAZON)

Pics below are the impact...........

 

[Az Scooter]

I like my Hitachi. It works well, and you need the driver motor. It is the bomb, and works great. Get a small inverter, plug in the charger, and charge between jobs, or alternate batteries. It works for me.

 

[danski0224]

4th picture down

The "Professionally Made in China" makes it all good...

 

[hischj]

I love my porter cable set from lowes.

 

[simplec6]

I roll with a DeWalt 18v and it's earned it keep in my garage.

 

[c_mccann]

Panasonic's 18v has received some great reviews, any one here own one?

 

[justin85]

No Question, Milwaukee M18 line. I have the hammer drill, recip saw, circular saw, and light set, works great, good battery life, and really quick charging. They make tons of add ons, including radios.

You will regret going cheap, don't fall for the Porter Cable, or Ryobi sets because of the low price, and the Newer DeWalts sold in big box stores are ****.

 

[domoMKIV]

I bought the M-18 1/4" Impact Driver AND 1/2" Drill Set for $200. (Search AMAZON)

What are your thoughts on the products?

I appreciate all the opinions, its still a tough choice. I'm going to skip on the Ridgid. That is about the only thing I have figured out so far.
I have been to the store almost everyday of the week to get a feel of the Dewalt, Makita and Milwaukee for comparison. They all feel fine in my hands, can't really say I prefer one over the other as far as feel goes. The Dewalt feels a bit heavier than the others but not enough to bother me. The Milwaukee felt the lightest of the 3, it is a bit smaller than the others as well. I like the battery gauge on them. The Makita price went up about $30 but it still has that free battery offer ($75 value, easily).
I haven't been able to check out the Hitachi, the Lowes around the corner doesn't have it on display so I have to try a different store.

 

[rsieracki]

i first bought the hitachi 18v li ion 3 pc set (drill, impact, light) at lowes last week when i couldnt find the 3pc milwaukee m12 set at HD. similar money. then i wanted the m18 milwaukee impact (450 ft lb) and drill... in the end i ordered the the m12 today and will return the hitachi set and save for the m18 impact... the milwaukee radio has a battery charger in it, so once i sell off the extra chagers on ebay i should come out somewhat even and have all milwaukee stuff. i dont need the 18v drill (had a dewalt for years, great power, but at the weight and battery price its not something i like like as much as i once did), the m12 should be fine for most my drilling needs. i also have a hitachi 18v drill i got as an open item/display that i will use until i save $ for the 18v milwaukee set then sell the older stuff off.

sorry to get off topic but ive started researching like you did with similar needs and figured the m12 was good enough

 

[domoMKIV]

It was a tough choice but ultimately I decided to go with the Milwaukee. It came in today and I am pretty happy with it so far. The charger is gigantic but I am really enjoying the option of having AC/DC charge capability right out of the box.
I appreciate all the input/opinions you guys posted up!

 

[spv]

My Makita BHP452 is not really all that great. The quality is poor. It started dying about 2 months after I purchased it. It grinds and squeals whilst in use. It is only a matter of time before it totally gives up. I lost the receipt so did not bother trying to warranty. That being said, my large Makita Hammer Drill is an absolute beast and I cannot fault it at all. Shame about the BHP452 being a bit of a Lemon.

 

[zer0cell]

My vote is for the Milwaukee 18v hammer drill or the rigid... both have good warranties, are solid performers and priced well. The Milwaukee sometimes has some nice sales or deals going on too. I'm not saying they are the BEST in every category as I have not tested many of the other brands out there long enough to say for certain but when taking availability/warranty/specs/reputation into consideration I think I made a good decision and have not felt the need to switch brands whatsoever ever since I bought the Milwaukee like three years ago. None of the other brands the op mentioned are bad though from my experience...