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DeWALT or Milwaukee

evanbaker08

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The gf wants to know what I want for. I was thinking about starting my power tool collection, but I can't decide what brand to go with. My dad always used DeWALT, so thats all I've ever used. On the other hand I see a lot about Milwaukee and that is what I'm leaning towards, so which set should I get.
 

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jetdawg

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Depends on what you want it for. For carpentry neither, makita. For electricians and plumbers milwaukee.
 

Skin

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Milwaukee has an overwhelming fanbase here so based on popularity the thread will go primarily in one direction. Milwaukee also has a much bigger assortment of tools with most brushless while Dewalt has just started down that path. Great choice purely by power and assortment.

That said I prefer 12V and 20V Max Dewalt. Based on my usage I find their tools have an edge in build quality. The rubber holds up to wear and tear and chemicals better, the plastic feels sturdier, the trigger switches last longer, and I prefer the Dewalt batteries.
 

BMack37

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I wouldn't get the Dewalts posted in the picture. You want the 20v line for Dewalt and the m18 for Milwaukee. Don't over look Makita, they have some great tools.

Personally I like Milwaukee but realistically, they're all damn good products.
 
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evanbaker08

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I'm beginning to lean towards a DeWALT 20v compact battery set. It will be used for carpentry. I might go back later and by the Milwaukee ratchet and impact for working on cars.
 

fourjeepin

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Re: Home Depot Clearance Thread 2015

I wouldn't get the Dewalts posted in the picture. You want the 20v line for Dewalt and the m18 for Milwaukee. Don't over look Makita, they have some great tools.

Personally I like Milwaukee but realistically, they're all damn good products.

+1. I am slowly switching from the Dewalt 18v line to Ridigid. The size and weight of the Ridgid (not to mention the lifetime warranty) is SO nice.
 

theoldwizard1

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I haven't really kept up with "what's new" in the cordless area, but I am VERY HAPPY to see that the new DeWalt XT drills have a 2 speed transmission. The low speed is great when you really need more torque (spade bits, hole saw, large twist bits in metal, etc).
 

red17

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Well, you brought me out of lurking around. This is my first post. I haven't had the opportunity to use the Milwaukee, but I received some 20v DeWalts as a gift and I love them. In the set was a reciprocating saw, circular saw, hammer drill, impact driver, and light and I've used them all around the house and building things in the garage. I even went and picked up the 20v DeWalt blower for yardwork. It came with a 5aH battery and charger that works with all my other tools. The batteries last forever, and the tools seem solid. Just my two cents, I'm sure whatever you decide will work great for you.
 

Voi

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I was thinking about starting my power tool collection, but I can't decide what brand to go with.

I'm beginning to lean towards a DeWALT 20v compact battery set. I might go back later and buy the Milwaukee ratchet and impact for working on cars.

Since you're just starting out I would advise to try to stick to one battery system for both. I have cordless tools from two brands and I do look forward to the day when I have just one.
 

Skin

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I would be looking at Makita or Milwaukee, not a fan of Dewalt they are always playing catch up

Don't know how you could say this, each brand has strengths/weaknesses. Milwaukee is one of the most rounded out there and DeWalt isn't too bad either especially if you factor in the stuff they make for MAC (which will eventually transition over). Makita on the other hand has one of the weakest line-ups for automotive related fastener tools.
 
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evanbaker08

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Since you're just starting out I would advise to try to stick to one battery system for both. I have cordless tools from two brands and I do look forward to the day when I have just one.

I'm talking a good ways down the road once I really have a collection. I think I'm gonna go with DeWalt because my dad gets a free set every so often from work and he has the big combo kits in all 3 battery sizes, so maybe I'll get the next set.
 

Voi

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I'm talking a good ways down the road once I really have a collection. I think I'm gonna go with DeWalt because my dad gets a free set every so often from work and he has the big combo kits in all 3 battery sizes, so maybe I'll get the next set.

That would swing my towards Dewalt as well. Just being able to have backup batteries and chargers would be great.
 

sam.coll

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Don't know how you could say this, each brand has strengths/weaknesses. Milwaukee is one of the most rounded out there and DeWalt isn't too bad either especially if you factor in the stuff they make for MAC (which will eventually transition over). Makita on the other hand has one of the weakest line-ups for automotive related fastener tools.

Very rarely see dewalt cordless tools used on building sites here although plenty of stores carry their products. I was under the impression the OP was looking at tools for carpentry related work.
 

brownsmustang

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I've been in industrial maintenance going on 20 years. For the last 10 of those every shop I've been in has used dewalt. One boss tried switching us to milwaukee but after burning up two drills we forced him to abandon that.

Scott
 

PC PaiN

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I love my Milwaukee cordless tools and really like their selection. Dewalt makes some nice stuff too though IMHO
 
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evanbaker08

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Dad works for Duke Energy. He repairs desiel generators. Dewalt is all they use and its all I've ever used and I like them just fine. I've never even touched a milwaukee though and they have a huge following on here thats the only reason I began to lean that way. To me it seems like a smarter decision to go with Dewalt.
 
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jetdawg

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Milwaukee is #1 in marketing to which they owe much of their success.

After pioneering much of the tech over the years Makita got lazy until recently.

Dewalt always in third place trying to play catch up. The lowest tech of the three.
 

Tenex

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I'm planning on going with Milwaukee, but I can't decide whether I want to go M12 or M18. The M12 kit is currently on sale through 12/31 if anyone is interested. Meanwhile the second generation M18 kit is twice as much.
 

cashishift

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http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QUZ020/?tag=atomicindus08-20

51TFWk3TmbL.jpg


Buy another charger and battery set for it, boom!
 

cashishift

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Milwaukee is #1 in marketing to which they owe much of their success.

After pioneering much of the tech over the years Makita got lazy until recently.

Dewalt always in third place trying to play catch up. The lowest tech of the three.

I am pretty disappointed that DeWalt doesnt have a Brushless Sawzall or circ saw yet.
 

CSRPenFab

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I have both, and both are very good. Overall, I do like the feel and balance of my Milwaukee li-ion drill over the comparable DeWalt.
 

Coach James

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Depends on what you want it for. For carpentry neither, makita. For electricians and plumbers milwaukee.

Why is Makita for carpentry, but the others are not? And Makita is not a choice for plumbing, but Milwaukee is? Again, why?

On job sites here, I see all three being used by all three trades.

OP, I think either of the two you showed would provide good service to you. Might be good to hold each one and see what feels best in your hand.

Coach
 

jetdawg

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Why is Makita for carpentry, but the others are not? And Makita is not a choice for plumbing, but Milwaukee is? Again, why?

On job sites here, I see all three being used by all three trades.

OP, I think either of the two you showed would provide good service to you. Might be good to hold each one and see what feels best in your hand.

Coach

It's not for but rather geared towards, no reason why you can't use for others except some brands have more trade specific tools. Go look at their lineups.

I am pretty disappointed that DeWalt doesnt have a Brushless Sawzall or circ saw yet.

Ya their lineup is pretty pathetic. Makita and milwaukee walk all over dewalt, not to mention dewalt tools though durable look like they were designed by children.
 

Inabox85

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I've always thought Dewalt is the default tool. If your not sure it's a good way to go. But I have Milwaukee. I belive there m18 line to just be better.
 

FigureItOut

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For whatever it's worth, I own 6 Dewalt 20V tools. As soon as I get the drill back from warranty service, I'm planning to sell all if it and rebuy it all in Milwaukee.
 

FigureItOut

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Why are you unhappy with the Dewalt
It's been quite a saga. I use the drill the most so when it started wobbling within a few months I bought another so I could still work while I sent it in. The new one developed the wobble within a week. I sent it in immediately upon getting the first back, and just swapped them in and out a couple times. I called Dewalt, and they don't care at all, just referred back to the service center.

Finally got one of them back with a new chuck. No change so it must be the spindle, inner case or some such thing. Next swap-out I get a brand new drill back. Date code on it is TWO YEARS older than the one I sent, essentially stealing my warranty time. Same problem on this one too, and Dewalt doesn't give a damn.

For reference, this is the DCD995, premium brushless hammer drill. I rarely use the hammer function. I've taken brand new half inch bits, clamped a piece of scrap onto my bench and drilled. It shakes the bench hard enough to open a drawer and start my **** can wobbling.

I figure I can sell it all for around $600, and between the current HD promotion and Amazon replace it all for around $850.
 

Robinson1

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The only thing Dewalt makes in the 20v line that I really like is the circular saw and jig saw. They are light and well balanced have good battery life and are surprisingly powerful. I do tons of exterior trim work and these are my go to hand held saws.

For drills and impact drivers I prefer Bosch. Having 2 battery systems on the truck is a pain at times but I've yet to pick up another cordless drill that feels as good as the Bosch models. You can feel the build quality when you pick up the tool.

That being said Bosch makes the worse pro grade circular saws on the market. Corded or cordless.
 

Skin

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It's been quite a saga. I use the drill the most so when it started wobbling within a few months I bought another so I could still work while I sent it in. The new one developed the wobble within a week. I sent it in immediately upon getting the first back, and just swapped them in and out a couple times. I called Dewalt, and they don't care at all, just referred back to the service center.

Finally got one of them back with a new chuck. No change so it must be the spindle, inner case or some such thing. Next swap-out I get a brand new drill back. Date code on it is TWO YEARS older than the one I sent, essentially stealing my warranty time. Same problem on this one too, and Dewalt doesn't give a damn.

For reference, this is the DCD995, premium brushless hammer drill. I rarely use the hammer function. I've taken brand new half inch bits, clamped a piece of scrap onto my bench and drilled. It shakes the bench hard enough to open a drawer and start my **** can wobbling.

I figure I can sell it all for around $600, and between the current HD promotion and Amazon replace it all for around $850.

Grass is always greener on the other side. The drills are built to be cheap and if you think you're going to see this leap in quality you're in for a surprise. If you need precision drilling or want something that's going to last at drilling large holes you should really get an old corded unit or a commercial metabo/bosch.
 
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anndel

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I have the 18v lxt Makita set for 5 years and still going strong. They're all good brands/products - Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Rigid, etc., so go with what will make you feel good about working a project.
 

kblee27

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I just got the M18 Milwaukee set delivered, but I really need the batteries more, for backing up my other right angle driver.

I also have 18V dewalt and will probably add a cordless vacuum cleaner later.

I think which system you go for depends on how many tools are available and useful to you.
 
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