cordless dill decisions

[Powerstroke 73]

well i have been in the market for a cordless drill for sometime now. I just cant seem to make up my mind. Drill will be mainly used for automotive work. I think i have narrowed it down to three- Snap on CDR8850H,ridgid R8611502K,or the Milwaukee fuel series. From the research i have done seems the Milwaukee products have the best reviews. The Ridgid products have the best warranty. I do have a student discount for Snap On so their drill is very similar in price compared to the rest i am looking at Really just looking for some real world reviews on these as far as durability, battery life, and overall ergonomics.

Thanks

 

[Ryan]

I've played with all of them. I'd go with the fuel 18v.

 

[Ford12508]

Havent used the snap on, but i use the ridgids daily, i have the milwuakees also. Milwaukees are definitely top of the line, but there is nothing wrong with the ridgids.

 

[T45]

Alot of the reviews online are done by guys drilling wood.

But just like drill-bits not everything is suited for every application.

I'm actually curious if some drills do better in some tasks than others.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Buy for warranty and a close service center.AKA Milwaukee or Ridgid(most likely)

 

[VersionOne]

Being that you're in the automotive industry, I'd go with the SO unit. It's also made in the US, which is a plus.

If you were a construction tradesman, I would've recommended the Milwaukee.

 

[Powerstroke 73]

Buy for warranty and a close service center.AKA Milwaukee or Ridgid(most likely)

Thats where i am at with the snap on unit. Driver is there every week so a if a problem was to arise it should be dealt with in a timely manner. But if im not mistaken its only a two year warranty on snap on cordless tools

 

[T45]

Milwaukee has 5 years warrantee (2-3 years on power packs)

$300/5 years = $60/year

$300/2 years = $150/year

The other plus is the ability to use the m18/fuel platform for other stuff.

Not sure what the turnaround time is on the warranty repair work.

The downtime and need for backup are other considerations to factor in.

 

[kctyphoon]

Milwaukee... This is a no brainer as you can easily move over to their impacts and use the same batteries.. Suprised you don't have MAC in the line up..

Although I have to say I was in a HD that had all the major cordless tools out and charged so you could play with them, and I was really impressed with everyone's line.. Even the rigid, which I've never thought highly of, was really nice to hold and sounded very nice running and stopping ( even better than the dewalt )

 

[GSteg]

If it's for automotive use, I would also add in the Ingersoll Rand D5140. I've used mine to drill all sorts of things and it never left me wanting more power.

 

[Powerstroke 73]

I think Mac drills are made by Dewalt, Right? As for the Ingersoll rand unit never put any thought into it but might just have to looks nice.

 

[DodgeMech]

my dewalt 20 volt is a beast...and it's not even the new fancy brushless version...

imo, these days, among the top 4 brands of power tools, it's basically down to what color you like...i like yellow/black more than the others...it was my high school's colors

 

[Powerstroke 73]

Want too thrilled with the new dewalt stuff. Seems there stuff is getting physically smaller and smaller. Now that isn't a bad thing but they just dont feel good in my hand. Maybe i am too picky.

 

[geojag]

I imagine most modern tools can handle what most people need them to do.

I am a fan of DeWalt. I know they are a yellow and black Black and Decker. But the 18V XRP platform has been around forever, you can still get batteries and tools. They have the longest running batteries (as in consistent platform) I am aware of. I have had several craftsman tools that when the batteries failed, replacements are no longer available. And there is a DeWalt service center nearby where I can get any parts that fail. These things and the fact that they do what I need them to do.

I have recently been picking up DeWalt 12V max tools when I get a really good deal on them, I hope that platform has the longevity of the 18V XRP.

We have Milwaukee 28V tools at work, and they are awesome. Just more than I can justify for personal use.

 

[DodgeMech]

dewalt is a step over b and d though...some stuff is even "made in US" whatever that means...i'm pretty sure the motors and batteries are chinese or jap though

 

[firebox40dash5]

Thats where i am at with the snap on unit. Driver is there every week so a if a problem was to arise it should be dealt with in a timely manner. But if im not mistaken its only a two year warranty on snap on cordless tools

1 on the tool, 2 on the batteries. Milwaukee also pays return shipping on warranty claims, so if you're cool with the kinda slow ride, they're on even ground with SO there.

Honestly, out of 2 other shops next to me, and several other tech friends, I have yet to meet anyone really happy with their Snap On cordless tools for very long. I don't think I even know anyone with one of their drills, but I know several whose impacts have been out for repair several times. After your year is up, IMO the $70 (or whatever number it is) flatrate repair kinda *****, when you consider it could have bought you at least half of pretty much any cordless bare tool somewhere else.

Cripes, right now you could buy the M18 Fuel hammerdrill and 3/8 impact for $10 more than the Snappy's list... and have 2 brushless tools, and half a dozen batteries.

 

[Hammer1963]

Snap-on or Milwaukee. Just happens to be what I have had the best luck with in the Automotive repair field

 

[redmed]

Maybe this site will help
http://www.cordless-drill-reviews.com/18v-cordless-drill.html

 

[Wanna Ride]

cordless dill decisions

I think they must all be cordless. I've never seen a corded dill.