DIY Cordless Combo?

[Drock93]

Looking to pick up a cordless drill and impact driver combo to do some projects next week. I'd like an impact that can drive 3" deck screws on occasion. Other than that nothing too extreme. I'd like to spend around $200 but can go over. After doing some quick research, it seems everyone recommends this combo:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V2DSE2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What do you guys think?

 

[pipsters]

Look at what you will be using it for, and if you like any additional attachments. Example - Ryobi (don't laugh, same batteries in Milwaukee and Rigid products) have a ton of addons like impact wrench, string and hedge trimmer, etc.

I have the Ridgid impact/drill combo, personally I like them but battery life can be short on the smaller 18v units. Great thing with lithium is they charge incredibly fast.

At this point however, I think I should have gone with the Ryobi set because I like all the additional equipment they offer. The thing about Ridgid is the fact that they will warranty their batteries for life, and I had a previous drill where the batteries went dead and that caused me to have to rebuy everything.

 

[IndyGarage]

Even the relatively cheap 12v ones will drive 3 inch deck screws. I wouldn't try to do an entire deck with one, but a few big screws is no problem.

I picked up the Makita 12v drill (with keyless chuck) impact, 2 batteries and charger for $99 at the box store last fall. They work great. My only complaint is battery life is relatively short. Milwaukee and Bosch also make competitive tools.

18V is a good tool for all around use - a little less compact than the 12v's, but a little more power.

That $199 Makita 18V set is pretty good, but it has the 1.5 ah batteries (low capacity) vs the 3.0 ah batteries in the $299 set. You can also find the brushless set with the higher capacity batteries for around $299 as well.

I bought my son the Dewault 20V set for $199 for Christmas and they are really lighweight and work great.

Good news is you can get really good tools these days. Bad news is the manufacturer has figured out how to change the batteries every few years and make you buy new ones.

I also have an 18v Milwaukee impact and an 18v Porter Cable lithium impact. The PC was at Lowes for $89 and I couldn't pass it up - it's great and works well with a 3/8 socket adapter.

 

[customh]

Milwaukee M18 is what I have and love them. I have brushed and they work fine, but I hear the brushless ones are quite nice. I know a guy who does work on electric hand tools for warranties and he said he wouldn't buy anything other than Milwaukee. I'd stick to 18v personally.

 

[Drock93]

I would only get the drill and impact cordless, everything else is will be corded. I'd also like to stick with 18V, the extra power is nice. Is it that big of deal to have 1.5ah batteries over 3.0ah for DIY? I would think 2 batyeries would fix this.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

For DIY, 1.5ah should be fine. The batteries should charge in roughly 30 minutes (give or take a bit for each respective brand), which is good if you're only using one tool at a time.

Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Hitachi, and Dewalt are all solid; there's some personal preference, but all should be more than adequate for homeowner projects.

 

[Jeffksf]

check out www.bigskytool.com for factory refurbs. Great tools for great prices especially for DIY home owners. I've bought several tools there and been more then satisfied.

 

[IndyGarage]

I would only get the drill and impact cordless, everything else is will be corded. I'd also like to stick with 18V, the extra power is nice. Is it that big of deal to have 1.5ah batteries over 3.0ah for DIY? I would think 2 batyeries would fix this.

Depends on how much you use them but the 3.0 AH batteries are a lot better.

The problem is that you have to try it to find out. What you could do is buy the 1.5 ah's and then pay the $100 for another 3.0 ah if the 1.5 don't do well. Then you have 3 batteries total, and that will be enough to keep you going.

 

[Davefr]

Looking to pick up a cordless drill and impact driver combo to do some projects next week. I'd like an impact that can drive 3" deck screws on occasion. Other than that nothing too extreme. I'd like to spend around $200 but can go over. After doing some quick research, it seems everyone recommends this combo:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000V2DSE2/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1362675496&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

What do you guys think?

If you're doing much in the way of decking then I'd use a electric decking screw gun. They'll drive the screw to a preset/consistent depth regardless of the torque.

 

[Drock93]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DN1T6M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Other than the 3.0ah batteries, what's the difference in this set compared to the one I originally linked? Would it be over kill for DIY?

 

[mayday0017]

Dewalt Lithium 20V $200 after $20 coupon, can't beat it!

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200586585_200586585

 

[ACepero]

+1 on brushless. Efficient and powerful.

 

[Drock93]

Dewalt Lithium 20V $200 after $20 coupon, can't beat it!

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200586585_200586585

I actually liked the feel of this one in store, but am worried about the power of the drill. Dewalt says it has 350 UWO, but what the hell is a UWO? I called Dewalt and they gave me some **** about how its a "more efficient way of calculating torque" and would not tell me the in/lbs.

 

[cburnscrx]

Even the relatively cheap 12v ones will drive 3 inch deck screws. I wouldn't try to do an entire deck with one, but a few big screws is no problem.

I picked up the Makita 12v drill (with keyless chuck) impact, 2 batteries and charger for $99 at the box store last fall. They work great. My only complaint is battery life is relatively short. Milwaukee and Bosch also make competitive tools.

18V is a good tool for all around use - a little less compact than the 12v's, but a little more power.

That $199 Makita 18V set is pretty good, but it has the 1.5 ah batteries (low capacity) vs the 3.0 ah batteries in the $299 set. You can also find the brushless set with the higher capacity batteries for around $299 as well.

I bought my son the Dewault 20V set for $199 for Christmas and they are really lighweight and work great.

Good news is you can get really good tools these days. Bad news is the manufacturer has figured out how to change the batteries every few years and make you buy new ones.

I also have an 18v Milwaukee impact and an 18v Porter Cable lithium impact. The PC was at Lowes for $89 and I couldn't pass it up - it's great and works well with a 3/8 socket adapter.

And that's one of the things I like about DeWalt. My old 18v DeWalt stuff will take the new lithium ion batterys. They didn't try to screw us with the new product.

 

[sargeX595]

I love my Dewalt 20V cordless set. It's light weight, feels great with plenty of power. I also have a Milwaukee 28V drill/driver but now prefer the Dewalt 20V.

Curt.

 

[shoturtle]

For the diyer, where the tool is not going to get abused on a daily bases. Any of the brands will work well. I would would with 18v ove 12v if you are going to do allot of long screws. There is really no advantage in paying the price for brushless for a occasional used tool imho, where you are going to really exceed you 200 dollar budget.

If you like the ergo of the makita, they are good tools. No reason not to get it over the other brands. Makita has always made good dependable tools.

 

[Drock93]

Which company do you guys think:

1) Makes the consistently best tools from top to bottom?

2) Has the best customer service?

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Which company do you guys think:

1) Makes the consistently best tools from top to bottom?

2) Has the best customer service?

Toss-up between Milwaukee and Bosch.

 

[shoturtle]

Bosch Makita and Milwaukee are all pretty good with CS. And their tools are top notch.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Check out CPO Outlets for decent prices in refurbished stuff.........they have been good with me with customer service/shipping etc.

http://www.cpooutlets.com/

 

[shocksandstrutz]

if you want decent tools with lifetime parts and batteries....buy the RIDGID combo pack (drill/impact) i have mostly ridgid hand tools and all of them have a lifetime warranty and now i do not ever have to buy those tools again....bam.....cant beat it

 

[Loudpipes66]

X2 on the rigid combo. For $199 and lifetime warranty it is a great deal. You can try to get Home depot to match a 20% harbor freight coupon, just clip one out and take it with you(it worked for me). I used mine for the first time on tuesday to drill 1/4 holes and drive self tapping screws into aluminum and was extremely impressed.

 

[Drock93]

I'm a bit leary of Ridgid. It was my previous set and saw little use but both batteries went out quick. When I contacted their customer service they claimed I had not registered yet I vividly remember doing so and had my receipt still.

 

[CTyankee]

Looking to pick up a cordless drill and impact driver combo to do some projects next week. I'd like an impact that can drive 3" deck screws on occasion. Other than that nothing too extreme. I'd like to spend around $200 but can go over. After doing some quick research, it seems everyone recommends this combo:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V2DSE2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What do you guys think?

The set you are looking at is more than capable of doing what you are looking to do. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. These threads have a way of going off kilter and way over thought.

Bottom line is there are plenty of different brands that are up to the task... and there are plus and minuses of each too. None of which are probably gonna make much of a difference in terms of the usage you are speaking of.

Here's some advice that might help you out.

Get an extra battery...Nothing will make an easy job a bigger pain if you only have 1 charged battery and you're using both the drill and driver. And yes even though the driver can easily drive screws without pre-drilling, you'll achieve neater and better results doing so.. i.e. not splitting the wood.

If your tool belt doesn't have a way for you to hang your drill or driver, buy a hook that will. Having both on your person will make life easier and save trips up and down the ladder.

Buy a storage container for drill bits and driver bits. Get a wide variety of each. Here's the case I use..one side for drill bits one side for driver bits.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/16351085?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem

Buy at least 1 box of different size screws from 1 1/4 - 3 1/2. Your choice of head type. I've used them all over the years and prefer using torx head. It's nice to have the right length fasteners before you start the job.

Hope this helps...

 

[Drock93]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think I've stumbled upon a great deal. Makita is giving away 1 free tool or battery with the purchase of a new LXT combo. I'm thinking of getting this one:

http://www.cpoindustrialpowertools....default,pd.html?start=6&cgid=makita-lxt-tools

Then I'd get one free tool, so basically 3 tools and 2 batteries all for $279 flat. I was thinking about picking the Makita Sawzall:

http://www.cpoindustrialpowertools....fault,pd.html?start=2&cgid=makita-top-sellers

If not that, my second choice of a combo would be this milwaukee:

http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...h-case/miln2691-22,default,pd.html&carousel=0

What do you guys think?

 

[fsdogwood]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think I've stumbled upon a great deal. Makita is giving away 1 free tool or battery with the purchase of a new LXT combo. I'm thinking of getting this one:

http://www.cpoindustrialpowertools....default,pd.html?start=6&cgid=makita-lxt-tools

What do you guys think?

On the above tool page, you could find the re-con set for 50 less, but 1 yr
warranty , instead of the 3yr for the new one

 

[shoturtle]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think I've stumbled upon a great deal. Makita is giving away 1 free tool or battery with the purchase of a new LXT combo. I'm thinking of getting this one:

http://www.cpoindustrialpowertools....default,pd.html?start=6&cgid=makita-lxt-tools

Then I'd get one free tool, so basically 3 tools and 2 batteries all for $279 flat. I was thinking about picking the Makita Sawzall:

http://www.cpoindustrialpowertools....fault,pd.html?start=2&cgid=makita-top-sellers

If not that, my second choice of a combo would be this milwaukee:

http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...h-case/miln2691-22,default,pd.html&carousel=0

What do you guys think?

The blue green makita are higher grade then the black and white. So it is a pretty good deal. Also I would go with the makita over the milwaukee, you get the larger battery. Which is worth almost 90 dollars each, and they last allot longer.

 

[johnachak]

+1 on the Makita combo. I love mine.

 

[Drock93]

Anyone know how that reciprocating saw of theirs is? Still not sure if I want the milwaukee just so I can get their sawzall.

 

[awdblazer]

i bought the ryobi from home depot and very happy with it
99 bucks for a 1/2 drill, 2 batteries, charger and bag
99 bucks for a 1/4 hex impact, 2 batteries, charger and bag

 

[pipsters]

I'm a bit leary of Ridgid. It was my previous set and saw little use but both batteries went out quick. When I contacted their customer service they claimed I had not registered yet I vividly remember doing so and had my receipt still.

If you still had your receipt you didn't register for the warranty. It's item #1 if 4 of the things you mail into them...

In reality the equipment will probably last - the thing that always goes out are the batteries. On Black Friday you can pick up a Ryobi Drill/Driver combo w/ 2 batteries for $99, sell the drill/driver on eBay for roughly $75 after fees, and walk away with two new batteries for $25. Those should last the year (if they don't I think they still have a warranty for some time period).

I fell into the Ridgid LSA as well, although I do have their 1/2" corded VSR which is nice, but really like all the Ryobi accessories. That being said I paid $129 for the Ridgid set that is now $199. Also Milwaukee batteries are the same batteries that Ridgid and Ryobi have (internally, not externally).

 

[Drock93]

So if I go with the Makita, as I think I will, should I get this combo with reciprocating saw:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203914...0051&N=5yc1vZc2ecZyg&R=203914699#.UTlx8Rw3vQ0

Or get the cheaper combo, and the Milwaukee Sawzall?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100596...d=10051&N=5yc1vZc2ec&R=100596872#.UTlx5Bw3vQ0

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202438...&N=5yc1vZc298Zzv&R=202438078#customer_reviews

 

[Drock93]

So if I go with the Makita, as I think I will, should I get this combo with reciprocating saw:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203914...0051&N=5yc1vZc2ecZyg&R=203914699#.UTlx8Rw3vQ0

Or get the cheaper combo, and the Milwaukee Sawzall?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100596...d=10051&N=5yc1vZc2ec&R=100596872#.UTlx5Bw3vQ0

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202438...&N=5yc1vZc298Zzv&R=202438078#customer_reviews

Of course I still may buy the M18 combo. I do like that Milwaukee has a 5 year tool warranty and 2 year battery vs Makita's 3 year tool and 1 year battery. The fuel gauge on the Milwaukee is cool too.

Only thing that worries me is the first review of this battery for makita. Many people claim the same thing that the batteries die prematurely after sitting. Is there any truth to this?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B000EDVTQM/R1BF8MTBW63KEF?cursor=1&sort=rd

 

[Jack Olsen]

Ridgid. Lifetime warranty on the tool -- and free replacement batteries for life. I don't know of any other manufacturer with that kind of deal.

I've been driving 3" deck screws for twelve days in a row with mine. I really like the 'feel' of the tools (which is important, 12 days into it), and they re-charge MUCH faster than I can run them down.

 

[Danglerb]

No consensus in this group on anything cordless so far, especially not impacts.

I like Craftsman C3 on the cheap end, and Milwaukee in the upper middle range.

Saws are either expensive or need cords IMHO, so all mine are corded.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

Ridgid. Lifetime warranty on the tool -- and free replacement batteries for life. I don't know of any other manufacturer with that kind of deal.

I've been driving 3" deck screws for twelve days in a row with mine. I really like the 'feel' of the tools (which is important, 12 days into it), and they re-charge MUCH faster than I can run them down.

^^^ exactly why i got them, i do a lot of side work and have abuse the hell out of these, and when the batteries die for good.....just take them in with the paperwork from my warranty acceptance and get new one.....then register those for lifetime too.....i just laid 600sq ft backerboard down for tile, drove screws in every 10in....only had to grab the other battery for the impact once to drive the last 4-5...and i didnt start with a freshly charged battery.....these things are great, i had dewalt before this and i like these much better

 

[bcradio]

I actually liked the feel of this one in store, but am worried about the power of the drill. Dewalt says it has 350 UWO, but what the hell is a UWO? I called Dewalt and they gave me some **** about how its a "more efficient way of calculating torque" and would not tell me the in/lbs.

Unit Watts Out

 

[bcradio]

If you still had your receipt you didn't register for the warranty. It's item #1 if 4 of the things you mail into them...

In reality the equipment will probably last - the thing that always goes out are the batteries. On Black Friday you can pick up a Ryobi Drill/Driver combo w/ 2 batteries for $99, sell the drill/driver on eBay for roughly $75 after fees, and walk away with two new batteries for $25. Those should last the year (if they don't I think they still have a warranty for some time period).

I fell into the Ridgid LSA as well, although I do have their 1/2" corded VSR which is nice, but really like all the Ryobi accessories. That being said I paid $129 for the Ridgid set that is now $199. Also Milwaukee batteries are the same batteries that Ridgid and Ryobi have (internally, not externally).

No you actually photocopy it and send in the copy

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

No consensus in this group on anything cordless so far, especially not impacts.

I like Craftsman C3 on the cheap end, and Milwaukee in the upper middle range.

Saws are either expensive or need cords IMHO, so all mine are corded.

I don't think there'll ever be a consensus on battery-op power tools here. The major brands are just too good to allow that to happen, so it really turns into a matter of personal preference - the ergonomics, the colors, what might be more readily available in a particular area or where someone shops at (Milwaukee seems to be a local favorite here in the trade supply stores). Everyone'll have their least favorite brand but it's hard to go wrong between Milwaukee, Makita, Hitachi, Bosch, Dewalt, or Ridgid. Toss Metabo and Festool in there for the Euro guys and things get really confused, add Panasonic (although their stuff seems to be essentially impossible to get in the US) and one's better off just picking a name out of a hat.

Unit Watts Out

Which, from what I was able to research, is a 100% ******** number that Dewalt won't release the technicalities on. Marketing, all of it.

 

[mooman]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think I've stumbled upon a great deal. Makita is giving away 1 free tool or battery with the purchase of a new LXT combo. I'm thinking of getting this one:

http://www.cpoindustrialpowertools....default,pd.html?start=6&cgid=makita-lxt-tools

Then I'd get one free tool, so basically 3 tools and 2 batteries all for $279 flat. I was thinking about picking the Makita Sawzall:

http://www.cpoindustrialpowertools....fault,pd.html?start=2&cgid=makita-top-sellers

If not that, my second choice of a combo would be this milwaukee:

http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...h-case/miln2691-22,default,pd.html&carousel=0

What do you guys think?

I just picked up the Makita LXT211 set this past weekend at Home Depot.
Here's the trick, they have an large card located in the tool departments near the comco kit that explains the free tool deal. On that card, they list the LXT211 for $269 instead of the $279 that the kit is priced on the shelf. I showed this to the manager and they adjusted the price for me without a problem.
Then, go to the Hot Deals section on here and print off the $10 off $50 Lowes coupon and hand that to the cashier. It worked for me.