Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs Bosch

Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs Bosch

Long time reader of GJ, but not a frequent poster. I've read countless threads and did a lot of research on this particular topic and did a number of searches on GJ forum, but I still have a few questions that can be answered and of possible use to others.

I'm in the market to replace my old (4-5 years) Black and Decker 18V NiCad drill/driver that has served me very well, but the batteries are not holding their charge for more than 15 minutes of use and it's time to get a replacement. I need a hammer drill for light masonry work. I've also accumulated $350 in amazon gift cards and there's a $20 off on DeWalt and Bosch purchases of over $100 on select models.

So far I've looked at the latest brushless offerings with 4.0 Ah Lithium Ion batteries from;

DeWalt DCK296M2 4.0 brushless hammer drill/impact driver

Milwaukee 2797-22 M18 Fuel 4.0 brushless hammer drill/impact driver

and Bosch CLPK250-181L 2.0 brushless hammer drill/impact driver/wrench

I may also need a cordless 4-1/2" angle grinder and possibly an oscillating tool for work (currently I use Fein corded grinder and multitool) and the only con with DeWalt is that their current oscillating tool does not accept most common blades without an adapter and tool less blade change only works with DeWalt and Porter Cable blades.
Bosch has a new brushless oscillating tool, but just like the rest of their 18V offerings is not cheap ($230 for bare oscillating tool and $150 for jigsaw, grinder, circular saw each etc...) and this particular set comes with 2.0 batteries. One thing I like about the Bosch kit is that the impact driver accepts 1/2" sockets and while it may not be the most powerful impact wrench on the market it can come in very handy.
Milwaukee offering looks great and has good reviews. I have a buddy who got their new 18V drill/driver and is very happy with it. In the past I've dealt with DeWalt and Bosch power tools, but not with Milwaukee. Their other 18V tools are reasonably prices and more affordable.
My old jigsaw burned out on my last project and I'm also in the market for a new corded (or possibly cordless) jigsaw, but it can wait and I'm on a limited budget.

All 3 have their pros and cons. Any opinions and suggestions are welcome.

Thank you in advance.

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

I've spent over 4000 bucks in fuel tools in the last 12 months. I bought the best product i could, regardless of price.

I couldn't have made a better choice. Every single tool has been outstanding in performance and durability on the site.

Milwaukee fuel gets my vote.

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

Best Cordless Drills 2014 Edition

http://toolguyd.com/best-cordless-drills/

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

Between the three, well, truth is I don't think you can go wrong.

It really comes down to ergonomics and the other stuff in the line that you might want. Which fits your hands better? Sadly, none of the three use a normal 7 1/4" blade for their cordless circular saw (Makita does), they use 6 1/2'. Milwaukee obviously has the wider range of tools, but the others are adding more every month it seems. Bosch has the ability to shut off the light, and also has the cool hybrid impact wrench/driver thing. Bosch's radio/charger is, compared to the other two, dated and lame, but it's also down to $149 at Lowes. DeWalt's will charge both their 12 & 20vMax (aka 18v) packs, while Milwaukee's new jobsite radio/charger is the most expensive, but also has Bluetooth so you can have your phone (aka music source) on you while you work, and the music will cut out when you have a call. Yet it doesn't have the 120v outlets, nor can it charge their 12v tools...

Right there, with the radios, you can see the challenges we face. Which feature are you willing to live without, which must you have?

I wouldn't worry about the Oscillating tool adapter concern. My Bosch 12v also needs an adapter, no biggie.

I'm actually sort of struggling with the same question, but coming at it from a different angle. Why bother with a hammer drill? How much an I willing to spend? I can get the DeWalt XR Compact combo kit for $210, whereas the Bosch and Milwaukee kits are over $350. Of course, if I'm fortunate, I won't have to decide, what with Father's Day coming up and all...

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

Milwaukee M18 Fuel all the way. I have many M18 and M12 tools and the new Fuel versions are untouchable in my opinion. The M18 Fuel hammer drill has so much power it's unreal, yet it's very light and compact for such power.

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

I have a (brushed) Bosch drill and driver I like a lot. While the Milwaukee stuff is better spec wise, I like the ergonomics of Bosch (and Makita, to throw another brand in) better, and the driver's more than powerful enough for the wood screws I usually use it for. I do wish they had a more powerful 3/8 impact wrench. I keep eying the brushless 1/2 ones (with or without a hybrid 1/4 bit capability), but I keep thinking that 1/2 inch is too much for a cordless wrench...

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

donvito said:

but just like the rest of their 18V offerings is not cheap ($230 for bare oscillating tool and $150 for jigsaw, grinder, circular saw each etc...)

Click to expand...

the jigsaw is swiss made and the angle grinder made in Germany, which might explain the higher price.

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

I just recently committed to a 18v line brushless. Went with Milwaukee, best overall package (price, line offerings, performance).

I also have the Dewalt NON brush XRP 20v line, and I do not like it. Bad chuck out of the box, ok performance and ergonomics, but lacking in overall quality. IMO.

Bosch is always a good alternative for just about any tool. Its seems lately that they arent pushing the envelope as much? Im sure their brushless system will be a good option.

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

Thank you for all the advice. I see a lot of Milwaukee fans here.

Monte said:

the jigsaw is swiss made and the angle grinder made in Germany, which might explain the higher price.

Click to expand...

That would explain the price difference, thank you for that information. Would you happen to know CCO for the hammer drill, impact wrench/driver and oscillating tool?

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

for milwaukee as well

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

I work as a general contractor. You can't go wrong with any of your three options. My personal stuff is the Milwaukee fuel. I buy the Dewalt for my clowns because they seem to be indestructable. I avoid the Bosch because they always get stolen. All three of them are good tools.

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

I purchased DeWalt 20v max just prior to the release of all the "brushless" tools. Very happy with them, but now in the process of changing out to Milwaukee 18v fuel. As previously mentioned I don't think you can go wrong with the 3 choices.

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

I have milwaukee fuels and love them!

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

I buy Milwaukee tools both corded or cordless for the quality. I bought the M18 Fuel impact and I will be buying many more M18 fuel tools because they have a huge selection of tools which can be used with the same battery. Thus there is no need to carry the multitude of chargers and different battery types as once was the norm.
I bought the new radio with the 18 volt charger so now I am not even obliged to bring a charger with me as long as I carry the Radio and there ia an plug nearby.

Re: Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs B

donvito said:

That would explain the price difference, thank you for that information. Would you happen to know CCO for the hammer drill, impact wrench/driver and oscillating tool?

Click to expand...

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