Cordless Drill Questions.

[rogersmithiii]

Was at Home Depot, and was looking at some of the cordless drill deals for Father's Day. They had an 18 V Lithium Drill, two batteries, charger, and soft case for $179. They had a kit of the same drill with an 18 V Lithium impact driver for $199.

I can't believe that they can sell a normally $169 impact driver for $20. What am I missing?

Next, I can see a cordless drill coming in handy, but can see the thing being plugged into the wall for long periods of time without use. Will not using one of these every week destroy the batteries, so that the thing will be useless in a few years? Most cordless devices that I've used don't like to sit around for long periods of time without use.

Finally, any inputs on Dewalt vs Milwaukee vs Makita? The Makita was $179, the Milwaukee and Dewalt $199. 18 V Lithiums.


Thanks

 

[firebox40dash5]

First, was it the same drill in both sets? Some multi-tool kits come with cheaper drills than what they carry standalone. Honestly, most of the money is in the batteries anyway. The tools are cheap, and it's Father's Day sale time... rather sell you 2 tools cheap than sell you no tools at full price.

Sitting around unused isn't good for any battery, but lithium should be better than old nickel-based stuff. In theory the lithium chargers are "smart" and cut off when they're done charging, but I still make a habit of not leaving batteries on. But I've left them over a weekend, and I guess if damage were going to be done that oughta be enough to do it, but it never has.

I just switched from Makita to Milwaukee because of my poor experience with Makita's batteries. Just couldn't keep the damn things alive. I think I have 5 or so dead ones in under 3 years, with one going in under a month and another in under 3 months. At least Big Red has a 2 year warranty on compact batteries, 3 on XC packs. I know nada about Dewalt's 20V Max stuff.

I will say take a look at M12 stuff, but at $200 for an 18V combo there doesn't seem to be much savings at the moment. I've got the Fuel drill and impact, and they've got plenty of *** for my uses, and they're refreshingly light coming from 18V stuff. The combo of those would be a good bit more than $200 though.

Edit: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...mbo-Kit-2-Tool-2494-22/203111686#.UbeUNeeG3To
$160 for the regular drill and impact, if saving money is your thing.

 

[77thor]

I agree... look at those combo's closely and I think you'll find they are different model numbers...

I've got a DeWalt 20V Lithium Ion Compact Drill and love it.

I would expect to see some good sales on now for Fathers Day.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Lithium Ion batteries have a service life of 3-4 years. Whether they're used or not, they will die after those years have passed and the chances the same manufacturer hasn't moved on to something newer and different will play a role in determining whether it makes sense to buy more batteries or spend another $200 for two new tools.

That's why I got the Ridgid set at HD. It was a drill and impact driver, two batteries and a charger. The selling point is Ridgid's Lifetime Service Agreement which promises to repair the tool for as long as you own it, and -- more importantly -- to keep replacing the batteries for as long as you live.

Now, maybe there's some miracle technology around the corner that will put in fasteners better or drill holes better than the current stuff -- but I doubt it will be enough to get me to throw out the $180 (now it's $199 -- but watch for sales) I put into the Ridgid set.

Here are the economics, as I see them:

Dewalt 18V Li-Ion replacement batteries are $120 each. Milwaukees and Makitas are $99.

Ridgid's Li-Ion replacement batteries are free.

Also worth noting: the batteries are using up their lifespan while they sit on the shelf waiting for you to buy them.

 

[ovilla]

Go with the Rigid combo kit if you need everything. I really enjoy their cordless circular saw. Honestly, I've used it all day and only had to swap batteries once. It also comes with the drill/driver, charger and two batteries along with the lifetime warranty.


Folks buying Rigid tools, don't forget that YOU MUST REGISTER ALL TOOLS INCLUDING BATTERIES WITHIN 90 DAYS OF YOUR PURCHASE AND YOU MUST ALSO SEND IN THE UPC (ON THE BOX) OR ELSE YOU VOID THE LIFETIME WARRANTY!!! Anyway I know it may not be on sale but I was able to use my HF 20% off coupon on the combo set at Home Depot.

 

[cheechi]

any inputs on Dewalt vs Milwaukee vs Makita?

Yes. Bosch.

Whatever Lithium Ion kit you get, you'll get a baseline good tool with pretty good reliability if you only use it occasionally. My kit, I use it really hard at least every weekend for a few months at a time, then it sits for about 6 months with barely any use. Been doing it that way since 2008 and the originally batteries are still going fine. If you don't plan to use it often, keep the batteries inside the house. You don't need to really care about babying them, or use them to a certain % or whatever, just dont let them get crazy hot in the summer or freeze.

If you're surprised by those prices, the Ryobi drill & impact driver kit is still $99. If you don't use them much, or just for around the house, that's probably going to be your best option. They have more around-the-house stuff than the other brands.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The selling point is Ridgid's Lifetime Service Agreement which promises to repair the tool for as long as you own it, and -- more importantly -- to keep replacing the batteries for as long as you live.

Here are the economics, as I see them:

Dewalt 18V Li-Ion replacement batteries are $120 each. Milwaukees and Makitas are $99.

Ridgid's Li-Ion replacement batteries are free.

Plain and simple ... best reason to buy the RIDGID. Very reasonably priced for the lifetime tool. I'm thinking about getting my father one for Father's Day.

 

[Farmall450]

Lithium Ion batteries have a service life of 3-4 years. Whether they're used or not, they will die after those years have passed and the chances the same manufacturer hasn't moved on to something newer and different will play a role in determining whether it makes sense to buy more batteries or spend another $200 for two new tools.

That's why I got the Ridgid set at HD. It was a drill and impact driver, two batteries and a charger. The selling point is Ridgid's Lifetime Service Agreement which promises to repair the tool for as long as you own it, and -- more importantly -- to keep replacing the batteries for as long as you live.

Now, maybe there's some miracle technology around the corner that will put in fasteners better or drill holes better than the current stuff -- but I doubt it will be enough to get me to throw out the $180 (now it's $199 -- but watch for sales) I put into the Ridgid set.

Here are the economics, as I see them:

Dewalt 18V Li-Ion replacement batteries are $120 each. Milwaukees and Makitas are $99.

Ridgid's Li-Ion replacement batteries are free.

Also worth noting: the batteries are using up their lifespan while they sit on the shelf waiting for you to buy them.

Guess I'm getting me a Rigid...

 

[darkk]

I also bought the Dewalt 20 volt combo drill and impact, got the heavier duty impact for free a while back. Great deal...

 

[Regnar]

I have Rigid 18v and 12v Li-Ions and enjoy using both of them. Both set of batteries have lasted 3 years now.

 

[PugetDude]

Ridgid's Li-Ion replacement batteries are free.
QUOTE]

Sorta- you have to read the fine print! The tool has to be registered within a certain time frame of purchase and you have to have the original receipts. Batteries are sent off to a warranty service center- this isn't like a Craftsman walk-out-with-a-replacement-warranty. It's a major PITA, and designed as such to minimize their warranty exposure, IMO.

I have a Rigid 12V system that I won as a door prize at a golf tournament that has proven to be almost useless. Batteries don't last, I've replaced several at my cost- HD won't warranty them because I don't have the original purchase receipt or registration.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[55 CHEV]

I bought the Milwaukee 12v setup a few years ago and love it and I have just about acquired every tool that goes in the set since. My drill did go south a few months back and luckily I live close to a Milwaukee dealer, who sent the tool in for repair and had it back to me in 9 days - no questions asked. The tools are light weight and are balanced well. My decision was to have enough power to tackle jobs "cordless" and if more power was needed, then break out the air or electric drill. That being said, I know for sure I wouldn't grab the 12v setup and expect it to frame a house all day but for everyday basic jobs it gets them done just fine. The 18v was a little heavier than I wanted for smaller jobs. Just my .02

 

[firebox40dash5]

If you're surprised by those prices, the Ryobi drill & impact driver kit is still $99. If you don't use them much, or just for around the house, that's probably going to be your best option. They have more around-the-house stuff than the other brands.

Whatever you do, don't do this. BTDT. Normally I say you get what you pay for, but Ryobi is beyond worthless IMO. All the power of those plastic Fisher Price tools, and the batteries in your remote live longer. I got some as a gift, and the batteries were dead within 6 months. Pretty sure their game plan is to make the tools so ridiculously cheap you buy into the system, so when the batteries take a dump you're tempted to buy their batteries and make them the real money.