what drill/driver combo should i get

[Snakebyt]

looking at both of these, any opinions?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...-Batteries-Charger-Tool-Bag-2691-22/100650378


https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...Ah-Batteries-Charger-and-Bag-R96021/309677694

will be using them in an auto shop.



leaning toward the rigid for warantee and larger battery...anyone got any imput?

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are going to be using them professionally, get Milwaukee M18 Fuel (those are not Fuel). More power.

 

[rharman]

Most important thing to me is the feel. When I left Craftsman, I tried a few different brands in the store. Went with DeWalt as they felt really good - well balanced in my hand.

Keep in mind you're pretty much marrying a platform when you start down this road...

 

[metlmunchr]

Considering the fact they're both made by the same company, I'd likely choose the Ridgid set for the warranty and larger batteries just as you said.

I'd disagree with any need for the Milwaukee fuel tools for your stated use of auto shop work. The fuel drill, AFAIK, is only available in a hammer drill version. Doubt you'd encounter much concrete in a car. The fuel impact driver has marginally more max torque but the bare tool without batteries or charger costs as much as either of the 2 tool kits you're looking at now.

If you were a carpenter or other construction worker, the fuel kit would make sense. Bigger batteries for hogging holes thru framing lumber or driving deck screws for half the day, or drilling for concrete anchors, but those aren't auto tech types of work.

I've had the Ryobi drill and driver kit for about 4 years. Also made by the same company (Techtronic) and with roughly the same power levels as the kits you're looking at. As examples of actual use, I've tapped 300 10-32 holes thru 1/4" steel plate with the drill on a single charge. I've used the driver to replace the front clip on my pickup on basically every fastener other than the bumper and it's braces. Did all the disassembly one day, put the battery on the charger overnight, and all the assembly the next day without needing to charge or swap batteries. So far, I've not seen a need for bigger batteries or more power, and I doubt you would either for your intended use.

If I was buying again, I'd still buy the Ryobi kit due to the wide selection of other reasonably priced tools using the same battery platform. Shortly after I bought the original kit, I needed to drill out a broken bolt on the front of an engine. Either remove the radiator and a/c condenser to get access for the standard drill, or buy a right angle drill. The bare right angle drill from Ryobi was $79, so I bought it. Since then, it seems like almost every job finds me using the RA drill to get to one or more spots where the standard drill won't fit. I don't think Ridgid has a RA drill in their lineup. Milwaukee has one, but it's a $300 monster made for running big forstner drills thru framing lumber.

 

[mc4life27]

Considering the fact they're both made by the same company, I'd likely choose the Ridgid set for the warranty and larger batteries just as you said.

I'd disagree with any need for the Milwaukee fuel tools for your stated use of auto shop work. The fuel drill, AFAIK, is only available in a hammer drill version. Doubt you'd encounter much concrete in a car. The fuel impact driver has marginally more max torque but the bare tool without batteries or charger costs as much as either of the 2 tool kits you're looking at now.

If you were a carpenter or other construction worker, the fuel kit would make sense. Bigger batteries for hogging holes thru framing lumber or driving deck screws for half the day, or drilling for concrete anchors, but those aren't auto tech types of work.

I've had the Ryobi drill and driver kit for about 4 years. Also made by the same company (Techtronic) and with roughly the same power levels as the kits you're looking at. As examples of actual use, I've tapped 300 10-32 holes thru 1/4" steel plate with the drill on a single charge. I've used the driver to replace the front clip on my pickup on basically every fastener other than the bumper and it's braces. Did all the disassembly one day, put the battery on the charger overnight, and all the assembly the next day without needing to charge or swap batteries. So far, I've not seen a need for bigger batteries or more power, and I doubt you would either for your intended use.

If I was buying again, I'd still buy the Ryobi kit due to the wide selection of other reasonably priced tools using the same battery platform. Shortly after I bought the original kit, I needed to drill out a broken bolt on the front of an engine. Either remove the radiator and a/c condenser to get access for the standard drill, or buy a right angle drill. The bare right angle drill from Ryobi was $79, so I bought it. Since then, it seems like almost every job finds me using the RA drill to get to one or more spots where the standard drill won't fit. I don't think Ridgid has a RA drill in their lineup. Milwaukee has one, but it's a $300 monster made for running big forstner drills thru framing lumber.

First off rigid and Milwaukee are made in the same factory and maybe the same
Workers build the tools but they are designed by two different companies. Watch a video by VCG construction on YouTube it explains that whole situation. Plus they are two different animals. The only things they have in common is in what tasks they can do.

Now I bet you never have owned a fuel tools? I can’t tell just by how you put them down I can tell you have done that just to explain to your self why you shouldn’t or couldn’t buy them and that it’s ok to settle on a lower grade of tool. I’m not even going to try and get you to open your eyes on this because you already have sealed them with your own thought with out ever owning some and used them on a regular basis. It’s all the same reason why some people buy snap on and others buy craftsman.

Now as far as the op goes. I would say look at the full lines and see what other tools in the line up would help you in the future and what you can afford. I would recommend the fuels, sure there a lot more power but mainly because of brushless. In some cases in an auto body shop there can be a lot of dust and I have seen brushed tools get trashed and fill with junk inside being in body shops. Now I personal am not a fan of rigid drills and impacts mainly just because of the heavy weight and how they feel in my hands. To me the Milwaukee and even the makita just feel right using them and for in my hands. I am a huge Milwaukee fan and I have a fat amount of tools and all fuel if they had that option. But I also have makita. Makitas are also great tools. I recently got the subcompact black impact and that thing is sweet.


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[joshmodelskidoo]

Milwaukee because the tool selection is way better and more automotive tools for when you decide you love cordless and want more tools.

 

[Rinspeed]

As I've mentioned before the Milwaukee M18 hold up very well compared to a lot of others. No experience with Ridgid but a lot of people like them. That's a good price on the M18 but I'm not sure I would buy from HD, they have a way of beating up their suppliers over pennies.

 

[ekimneirbo]

Best bang.......Kobalt at Lowes! Buy one for $100 on sale with a 2ah battery. Take it home and try it. If you don't like it, take it back and it didn't cost you anything.

While you have it look at the warranty........5 years
Batteries are guaranteed for 3 years see if anyone else does that.
Battery Prices Get a 4ah battery if you keep the drill (and you most likely will) for $50

Now see what these same things cost with the other brands and how long their warranties are. Had some Dewalts and got tired of the batteries going bad as soon as their 2 year warranty was up and the batteries were much more expensive. Battery life and battey cost should be major considerations, and the drill works great too.

 

[metlmunchr]

Now I bet you never have owned a fuel tools? I can’t tell just by how you put them down.

Maybe you ought to learn to read since I said absolutely nothing putting down Milwaukee's tools. The OP is a mechanic. Do you think he needs a hammer drill? Or that he needs 5 amp-hour batteries to drill half a dozen holes in sheet metal now and then? People buy different levels of tools based on their intended use, and, unlike some people here on GJ, most of the world doesn't care to spend twice as much as necessary to do the job just to have bragging rights.

I can tell you have done that just to explain to your self why you shouldn’t or couldn’t buy them and that it’s ok to settle on a lower grade of tool.

You should hang out your psychologist shingle since you've got me all figured out. FWIW, the most expensive tool I own says OKUMA on its nameplate and cost $231,000 so I'm fairly sure I can buy most any hand held drill I need regardless of price.

I’m not even going to try and get you to open your eyes on this because you already have sealed them with your own thought with out ever owning some and used them on a regular basis.

You might notice I didn't ask for your help or opinions at any point. I simply responded to the OP's post and suggested he look at what else is available in the same price range so he doesn't lock himself into a platform that offers few additional tools at prices less than multiple hundreds of dollars. Rest assured, you're free to buy every last tool on earth bearing the "fuel" label as I could care less. What I didn't see was anything from the OP stating that he was looking at kits in the $130 to $150 range, but really wanted to spend the better part of $400 for a kit.

In some cases in an auto body shop there can be a lot of dust and I have seen brushed tools get trashed and fill with junk inside being in body shops.

Most all dust producing tools used in body shops are air powered. Even if the OP happens to be working in a body shop, its doubtful he's going to chuck up a backing plate and grinding disc in his cordless drill so he can use it to grind on bondo. Body shop dust is sorta benign as compared to grinding dust generated in metal fabrication, yet brushed motor power tools have survived that environment for years.

If you had any understanding of how a brushless DC motor works, then you could list a lot of the advantages of brushless motors that have nothing to do with dust. Obviously, you have no idea.

 

[jonesg]

looking at both of these, any opinions?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...-Batteries-Charger-Tool-Bag-2691-22/100650378


https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...Ah-Batteries-Charger-and-Bag-R96021/309677694

will be using them in an auto shop.



leaning toward the rigid for warantee and larger battery...anyone got any imput?

you won't go far wrong with the milwaukee.
I tried a couple and bought them all.
Bought that exact drill/impact combo, very nice and been going strong for a few years now.
The little non fuel impact does lug nuts on my volvo.
Some of the best money you can spend on tools.

 

[dubdoc]

RIGID all day every day. They are the ONLY battery powered tools with a lifetime warranty on the battery and that is worth a fortune !

 

[sk farmer]

Maybe you ought to learn to read since I said absolutely nothing putting down Milwaukee's tools. The OP is a mechanic. Do you think he needs a hammer drill? Or that he needs 5 amp-hour batteries to drill half a dozen holes in sheet metal now and then? People buy different levels of tools based on their intended use, and, unlike some people here on GJ, most of the world doesn't care to spend twice as much as necessary to do the job just to have bragging rights.



You should hang out your psychologist shingle since you've got me all figured out. FWIW, the most expensive tool I own says OKUMA on its nameplate and cost $231,000 so I'm fairly sure I can buy most any hand held drill I need regardless of price.



You might notice I didn't ask for your help or opinions at any point. I simply responded to the OP's post and suggested he look at what else is available in the same price range so he doesn't lock himself into a platform that offers few additional tools at prices less than multiple hundreds of dollars. Rest assured, you're free to buy every last tool on earth bearing the "fuel" label as I could care less. What I didn't see was anything from the OP stating that he was looking at kits in the $130 to $150 range, but really wanted to spend the better part of $400 for a kit.



Most all dust producing tools used in body shops are air powered. Even if the OP happens to be working in a body shop, its doubtful he's going to chuck up a backing plate and grinding disc in his cordless drill so he can use it to grind on bondo. Body shop dust is sorta benign as compared to grinding dust generated in metal fabrication, yet brushed motor power tools have survived that environment for years.

If you had any understanding of how a brushless DC motor works, then you could list a lot of the advantages of brushless motors that have nothing to do with dust. Obviously, you have no idea.

great reply. now the milwaukee fans are even slamming the non fuel lineup of their own brand as being "sub par"

 

[M6erfan]

OP mentions nothing about what he is working on. Assuming automotive, Milwaukee. They have a much wider platform of tools useful in automotive work.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Choose the colour you like.

 

[anavrinIV]

OP mentions nothing about what he is working on. Assuming automotive, Milwaukee. They have a much wider platform of tools useful in automotive work.

He says he will be using in an auto shop....

 

[TailGunner3000]

Keep in mind you're pretty much marrying a platform when you start down this road...

I don't agree with this at all.

 

[jayemm]

My use is strictly DIY around home and I'm partial to the teal blue Makita cordless tools.I got the brushed drill and impact driver combo a few years ago and it's been great.They just feel like well designed quality tools.I've seen better sale prices more recently for the kits but would probably go brushless now that it's more popular and prices gotten better.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I agree, teal blue is much more tasteful than bright yellow like I have. Until lithium ion, I considered cordless tools more of a pita than tool. You would have to preplan the use a day in advance to recharge the battery, or just as likely, to buy a new battery.

 

[WinMod21]

looking at both of these, any opinions?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...-Batteries-Charger-Tool-Bag-2691-22/100650378

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...Ah-Batteries-Charger-and-Bag-R96021/309677694

will be using them in an auto shop.leaning toward the rigid for warantee and larger battery...anyone got any imput?

I've had that Ridgid combo for 2.5 yrs and have been quite satisfied with them.
• The batteries have always lasted surprisingly long periods, and typ longer than I expected.
• Both tools are comfortable to use and maneuver.
• The batteries & charger were also included in the Ridgid 'Lifetime Service Agreement' (LSA), when I bought them (don't know if they still are).

Btw, we started using Makita drill drivers on commercial jobs in the mid 80's; and progressed thru every subsequent 'best in class' drill/driver since then.

But if —as others abv ^ have said— Milwaukee has "a much wider platform of tools useful in automotive work", as @M6erfan pointed out, then it sounds like Milwaukee would probably be the better choice.
Moreover, I totally agree with those that recommend looking forward....at the platform 'lineup' of available batteried tools that you may be interested in adding to your future lineup.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

As someone else has mentioned, when picking a line your going to be marrying that platform. I do know people who have a variety of brands and different chargers/batteries, that would drive me crazy. So its always a good idea to consider not just the drill/driver but what else that battery can support you might want in the future.

I'm a bit old school however, I haven't been completely sold on cordless saws and lawnmowers etc. I prefer corded for a lot of things still, at which point I dont see "brand loyalty" as big of a deal, although I have corded angle grinders, I do find myself wanting a cordless one time to time.

One thing I will say which will probably put me in hot water with some folks here at garage journal, is I chose milwaukee becuase of things like the high torque impact. My dad has dewalt. One day my harmonic balancer fell apart on my old civic on my way to his house, I was able to get into his driveway. We fixed it that day, but to replace the harmonic balancer I have to take the crankshaft bolt out. His high torque dewalt could not do it, and we ended up having to go get my milwaukee, which took it right out.

I'm not bashing brands here, im just stating that alot of marketing numbers being advertised on the box are inflated and they may say better than other competitors with 50% more blah blah. Not always true in real practice, I only use my civic as an example as it was a recent experience.

Its not a dig at dewalt, as I actually like there saws better. Again that's a perk of using corded tools. I have a milwaukee angle grinder that I'm not a fan of its ergonomics.

Point is keep in mind of what kind of other tools you'd like to add to the lineup in the future as a drill/driver combo is usually the entry point into a battery system for most people.

My cousin went with kobalt that has seemed to held its own, i still like my milwaukee better, but they do have a killer light im jealous of.

 

[manwithtools]

Considering the fact they're both made by the same company, I'd likely choose the Ridgid set for the warranty and larger batteries just as you said.

I'd disagree with any need for the Milwaukee fuel tools for your stated use of auto shop work. The fuel drill, AFAIK, is only available in a hammer drill version. Doubt you'd encounter much concrete in a car. The fuel impact driver has marginally more max torque but the bare tool without batteries or charger costs as much as either of the 2 tool kits you're looking at now.

If you were a carpenter or other construction worker, the fuel kit would make sense. Bigger batteries for hogging holes thru framing lumber or driving deck screws for half the day, or drilling for concrete anchors, but those aren't auto tech types of work.

I've had the Ryobi drill and driver kit for about 4 years. Also made by the same company (Techtronic) and with roughly the same power levels as the kits you're looking at. As examples of actual use, I've tapped 300 10-32 holes thru 1/4" steel plate with the drill on a single charge. I've used the driver to replace the front clip on my pickup on basically every fastener other than the bumper and it's braces. Did all the disassembly one day, put the battery on the charger overnight, and all the assembly the next day without needing to charge or swap batteries. So far, I've not seen a need for bigger batteries or more power, and I doubt you would either for your intended use.

If I was buying again, I'd still buy the Ryobi kit due to the wide selection of other reasonably priced tools using the same battery platform. Shortly after I bought the original kit, I needed to drill out a broken bolt on the front of an engine. Either remove the radiator and a/c condenser to get access for the standard drill, or buy a right angle drill. The bare right angle drill from Ryobi was $79, so I bought it. Since then, it seems like almost every job finds me using the RA drill to get to one or more spots where the standard drill won't fit. I don't think Ridgid has a RA drill in their lineup. Milwaukee has one, but it's a $300 monster made for running big forstner drills thru framing lumber.

FYI, the M18 Fuel is available in drill only (non-hammer) we have 15 of these and use them for drilling an tapping many hours a day. Very good drill and quite compact - impressive torque:

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Drilling/Drill-Drivers/2703-20

Milwaukee has the widest selection of automotive cordless tools that I have seen. It's a good platform for the DIY of Pro, might be a few more bucks, but in the long....