Best cordless drill for the money...

[Uncle Ben]

Hello, I wanted to see what drill brands/models you would recommend under the $150 range. I already have a Porter-Cable 18v Lithium impact driver, but I need to replace my 15+ year old Makita drill, which was a 9.6v

Since it served me so well for so long, I really just wish I could buy the same one, but it is no longer sold, and I don't know if the current Makita offerings are still of the same quality these days. I'm also debating whether to get a NiCad drill instead of Lithium, again since my old Makita drill was NiCad and the batteries have served me well up until now.

I've also considered a Porter-Cable 18v drill to match the impact driver that I just got as a gift for Christmas, but I'm much more concerned with long term durability and long term battery life than I am with having the drill and impact driver match.

Anyway, thanks for your input!

 

[Az Scooter]

I like the Milwaukee M12 that I have. It is lithium, which I find to be way better then the NiCad. If you are looking for an 18v, then I have no opinion for under $150.

 

[djjsr]

Imo, the best bang for the buck under $150 is the Ryobi 18v lithium.

 

[dink]

Festool CXS

 

[cookefab]

Get another Makita - the quality is the same as the other comparable offerings, and parts are easy to come by and cheap. About the only complaint I can come up w/ is that they don't make anything in Buford, Ga anymore...
The batteries are easy to recell compared to some others...

 

[SCscoutguy]

I have had just about all of the big names on the market and the Hitachi 18volt lithium ion slide battery by far has been the best drill for the money.
http://bigskytool.com/Hitachi_DS18D...ery_Driver_Drill_(Reconditioned)___i1285.aspx

 

[Stuey]

For less than $150, I like the Craftsman XCP (http://toolguyd.com/craftsman-xcp-heavy-duty-drill-review/). If you want something smaller, Bosch PS31 (http://toolguyd.com/bosch-ps21-ps31-cordless-drivers-drill-hands-on-review/).

Definitely get Li-ion whatever you do.

 

[antinym]

^^^ this guy knows tools.

 

[Greg_R]

I would consider a used (LiOn) Makita or Panasonic before getting a new drill @ $150.

 

[ReneJK]

Festool CXS

I agree w/ Festool , nothing else comes close IMO

 

[djjsr]

Where are you going to get a Festool for $150?

I'm interested!

 

[Stuey]

Do you have a link to the Porter Cable impact you received? As far as I'm aware they don't make any 14.4V models these days.

 

[Monte]

add $95.- then you have the Festool...

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I have several of the 18V Makita tools (drill, driver, light, leaf blower) and they work well for me. Of course, the batteries all swap...so it works out pretty well.

Phil

 

[Uncle Ben]

My mistake Stuey, my Porter-Cable is an 18v Lithium. I'll see if I can correct that in the orignial post. Here's a link:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If you want a "just like new" 12v Makita...3 batteries (dont quote me on the batteries, I know I had 5 at one time) and 2 chargers PM me.
Great drill, couldnt have asked for a better drill, it was actually my 2nd one of the same drill. Got so fed up with the frikkin NiCad batteries always being dead when I needed it, I bought a M18 Milwaukee setup and parked my Makita.

 

[supra90turbo]

My vote goes Milwaukee. M12 or M18, they're both awesome drills.

Next would be Ryobi 18v One+ lithium. Damn useful, these tools! I have a couple drills, sawzall, 5.5" circular saw, mouse type sander, etc. Very affordable, and tons of choices!

 

[Spudland_Dave]

My vote goes Milwaukee. M12 or M18, they're both awesome drills.

Without a doubt...if you want to save a few bucks, go with the "old fashioned" brushed motor drill & impact.
That being said...my M18 Fuel Drill Driver is simply stunning.

 

[shoturtle]

Silly question, while not just get porter cable drill. That way you can use the same batteries.

But I would say a compact drill the bosch ps31 is great.

 

[Jsf721]

I got tired of killing DeWalts (none Lithum) drills and went over to Milwaukee and never looked back. Just picked up the 18V Fuel brushless motor and I could not be happier. I also own the previous generation non lithium Hammer drill and it still works like a charm. Just left one at home and one ion the office. Been doing lots of work repairing the house since the storm and got tired of not having it where I needed it.

 

[shoturtle]

Not getting a fuel 18v for 150 buck.

 

[Stuey]

My mistake Stuey, my Porter-Cable is an 18v Lithium. I'll see if I can correct that in the orignial post. Here's a link:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

Ah, that's what I thought.

If you still can't decide on a brand I'd be happy to send you the review sample of the PC Li-ion 18V drill/driver I have. I probably won't be able to send it with batteries, but it should work with the ones that came with your impact. The tool would be free but I would ask for exact shipping reimbursement, which would probably be $15 or less. I'll look for it tonight just in case you do want it.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Stuey, I would gladly pay that shipping cost of the PC Li-ion 18V drill, and even if there is no battery I could use the battery I have for the impact and also buy a 2nd battery by itself. I'll send you a PM...

 

[Uncle Ben]

Shoturtle, to answer your questions, I am definitely considering a Porter Cable so my batteries would be interchangable, but I also wanted to see if there was a better option out there in my price range, so that's why I'm considering other options, but I agree with you, it makes sense to have the convenience of interchangable batteries.

 

[aaron h]

Stuey, I would gladly pay that shipping cost of the PC Li-ion 18V drill, and even if there is no battery I could use the battery I have for the impact and also buy a 2nd battery by itself. I'll send you a PM...

bad thing is those batteries are expensive. 70-90 depedning on if larger capacity EX model. The drill itself is only 139 and comes with two $73 lithium batteries

 

[805gregg]

Dewalt go with the one the pros use

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I have the Porter Cable 18v stuff. I picked up a combo set thinking it was cheap enough to take a chance on, but I didn't have any great expectations. I ended up fairly impressed and bought another different set to get more batteries / different tools. I have done a good handful of jobs with them inside /outside the house and automotive work (sawzall and grinder to cut out / replace a wrecked core support), and I feel you can't beat the performance for the price.

 

[shoturtle]

Uncle Ben,

Stuey's offer is nice. And you an use you thin packs with it. And if you need a fat pack. I would just order the 109 dollar hammer drill form cpo and get 2 fat packs with it. Then you will have the impactor, drill and hammer drill. And you can build the rest of the cordless with PC, and they are not to expensive as bare tool for their saws and other stuff.

PS
the new PC 20v stuff is interchangeable with the 18v stuff. But they charge way more for them. 179 for the drill.

 

[aaron h]

PS
the new PC 20v stuff is interchangeable with the 18v stuff. But they charge way more for them. 179 for the drill.

Lowes has one of each 20v the drill and impact for $169, but no display set up yet for them, just kind of thrown on the shelf.

I did not know they were interchangeble, you just sold me on the drill now, plus they look badass

 

[shoturtle]

The 20v is really a 18v, they just did what dewalt did with advertising their 20v which really is a 18v under load.

PS that is what I read on different sites.

 

[supra90turbo]

Not getting a fuel 18v for 150 buck.

Didn't say he would get a Fuel. Mine isn't, and I'm still very happy with it.

Milwaukee 2601-22 non-brushless m18 Drill/Driver
1/2" chuck, 400 in/lbs, 2 speed gearbox

New - $159, includes 2 batteries, charger, and hard case.
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...ault,pd.html?start=1&cgid=milwaukee-m18-tools

Factory Reconditioned - $129, includes 2 batteries, charger, and hard case.
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...r2601-82,default,pd.html&xsell=miln2601-22--0

 

[rick carpenter]

Whichever one you decide on, see if it's available as reconditioned. My Christmas present a couple of years back was a great deal on a recon'd Bosch 18v i/d. Never have had a problem with it.

 

[shoturtle]

Didn't say he would get a Fuel. Mine isn't, and I'm still very happy with it.

Milwaukee 2601-22 non-brushless m18 Drill/Driver
1/2" chuck, 400 in/lbs, 2 speed gearbox

New - $159, includes 2 batteries, charger, and hard case.
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...ault,pd.html?start=1&cgid=milwaukee-m18-tools

Factory Reconditioned - $129, includes 2 batteries, charger, and hard case.
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...r2601-82,default,pd.html&xsell=miln2601-22--0

forgot they have a non fuel m18 drill.

 

[shoturtle]

Whichever one you decide on, see if it's available as reconditioned. My Christmas present a couple of years back was a great deal on a recon'd Bosch 18v i/d. Never have had a problem with it.

cpo has allot of good deals on recondition stuff. I buy mostly recon and you really can not tell it is recon unless you look for the little R stamp into the rubber of the bosch tools.

 

[deter]

Imo, the best bang for the buck under $150 is the Ryobi 18v lithium.

agreed. best value. Also, when (not if) I drop the stuff off ladders I don't cry. I haven't been able to break one yet, and I'm ROUGH on these things. I have one I use to mix drywall mud with an 8" paddle

 

[Stuey]

Uncle Ben,

Stuey's offer is nice. And you an use you thin packs with it. And if you need a fat pack. I would just order the 109 dollar hammer drill form cpo and get 2 fat packs with it. Then you will have the impactor, drill and hammer drill. And you can build the rest of the cordless with PC, and they are not to expensive as bare tool for their saws and other stuff.

PS
the new PC 20v stuff is interchangeable with the 18v stuff. But they charge way more for them. 179 for the drill.

NO!

Whoever told you this is WRONG.

This is not where a horse + a donkey = a mule.

18V = square peg, 20V = round hole.

 

[Stuey]

The 20v is really a 18v, they just did what dewalt did with advertising their 20v which really is a 18v under load.

PS that is what I read on different sites.

Was this a blog or a forum?

Whoever is spreading this is misinformed. Yes, this brings the PC 20V branding in line with Dewalt 20V branding, but the products are different and in my opinion the differentiation is necessary since you're dealing with 18V Li-ion slide packs and similarly sized "20V Max" Li-ion slide packs.

 

[shoturtle]

bloggers.

 

[tncatadjuster]

M 12 Milwaukee, without a doubt the best drill I have had ever. The light weight and 12 volt will fool you into thinking its not big enough, but it is. At the end of a work session you'll be impressed, I really like the weight factor.

 

[Stuey]

M 12 Milwaukee, without a doubt the best drill I have had ever. The light weight and 12 volt will fool you into thinking its not big enough, but it is. At the end of a work session you'll be impressed, I really like the weight factor.

Wait until the brushless ones are available, which will be soon. 1/2" chucks in a 12V drill.