Drill and impact driver, Milwaukee, Bosch, or Dewalt

[signcrafter]

Want to get a new drill and driver kit and probably pick up a radio of whatever brand I go with also. So which brand would you get? Milwaukee 18V fuel, Bosch 18V(think they are 18V), or Dewalt 20V?

 

[LB-1911]

It's your money go put your hands on them, which one feels the best in hand?

I went red from yellow in "08" and haven't been disappointed.

I'm sure this thread will trend along the lines of.....

Need Advice on 18V Brushless Hammer Drill & Impact Combo DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs Bosch
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=251110


Dewalt 20v v Bosch v Milwaukee Fuel 18v???
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181849

 

[Zeke]

I used a friend's Milwaukee non Fuel the other day and was extremely impressed. Small and very powerful. We were drilling old hard studs with a self feeding spade bit and the thing didn't even notice. The acid test was using a spur bit. All he said was to be careful, it would break my wrist.

I put it in low speed and it went to town me holding on with both hands. I don't know about the others but M gets my vote. I use an older Ryobi 14.4v and it's not even close. I think the little M drill only has a 1/2" chuck too!

 

[countryroad82]

If I were to go all one brand, as long as they make a small sized impact driver, I would go Milwaukee. I like a small 1/4 impact but don't know if they offer it. I have a bosche 10vt? impact driver that's small enough to fit in the weirdest of spots and powerful enough to break loose most stubborn bolts, but I do bodywork so I'm probably in a whole other world.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I sure like my Milwaukee.

 

[mx842]

I bought one of those Dewalt 20V tool kits several years ago when I started working on my pole barn build and that was the best $550.00 I ever spent. I figured that little 61/2" circular saw and the sawzall would be a throw away but damned if they didn't turn out to be amazing tools and I hardly ever use either of my plug in saws anymore. I never had much luck with any of the battery powered tools before as they all came up short until I bought this 20v system. I'm still using the same two batteries that came with the kit and after three years of hard use they still hold a charge as good as ever and I have dropped my little 1/4 impact and my drill driver out of my 14' high ceiling on to the concrete below several times and they never missed a beat. Would I buy these again.....well hell yeah! If I ever wear them out that is.

 

[Thumper68]

I voted other, I have been beating the hell out of my Ridgid 18v tools for 3 years, used for work and I couldn't be happier, plus when you register them you get the lifetime coverage on both the tool and battery, and it works I sent in a charger and my 1/4 impact. Both were back to me in under 30 days and work good as new.

They are also on sale right now.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-X4-18-Volt-Hyper-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-Combo-Kit-3-Tool-with-Radio-R9601/203810442

On a side note the new LION batteries also work on the older tools, I have picked up many at pawn shops, sales and auctions for pennies on the dollar.

All the brands you listed are good tools but you know as soon as you get a complete set they are going to come out with something new and the battery will not fit.

 

[Cruzomatic]

I like Dewalt. Works well for me.

 

[CobraChevelle]

I voted other, I have been beating the hell out of my Ridgid 18v tools for 3 years, used for work and I couldn't be happier, plus when you register them you get the lifetime coverage on both the tool and battery, and it works I sent in a charger and my 1/4 impact. Both were back to me in under 30 days and work good as new.

They are also on sale right now.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-X4-18-Volt-Hyper-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-Combo-Kit-3-Tool-with-Radio-R9601/203810442

On a side note the new LION batteries also work on the older tools, I have picked up many at pawn shops, sales and auctions for pennies on the dollar.

All the brands you listed are good tools but you know as soon as you get a complete set they are going to come out with something new and the battery will not fit.

^ this is why I don't invest alot into cordless. I have a couple m18 fuel tools and that is it. Ill stick with corded tools for most things.

If I am working in a area without an outlet alot then yea, cordless all the way. If I am making a living with those tools, then once again yea i would.

I am still using grinders, saws and drills that are older than me. Can't say that with cordless. Maybe that will change with new tech coming out.

 

[Caman]

I've got Dewalt at home, Milwaukee at work, and I've used a buddies Makita, all 18v, drill and impacts. By far the best of the bunch is Milwaukee as they feel like it has more torque. Dewalt and Makita are a close second. Bosch tools are nice but not enough experience with their cordless line to compare.

 

[cheechi]

Hard to argue against Fuel. That being said I used and loved the 18v XRP's for years but still bought a Bosch. I think they make the most comfortable 18v tools for me.

There is no close second to M12 anything else is just wasted money.

 

[ADSR]

milwaukee fuel

 

[soapii]

Love my DeWalt XR brushless drills and impact.

--Joe

 

[signcrafter]

Looks like Milwaukee is getting the tip of the hat.

 

[Farmall450]

Looks like Milwaukee is getting the tip of the hat.

There's a lot of love for Milwaukee on here. Personally, I'm a DeWalt fan...nothing wrong with Milwaukee either I just prefer DeWalt. Also, you can find sets of Assembled in USA DeWalt...I can't say that about Milwaukee.

 

[Kirbot]

Milwaukee Fuel for (arguably) the best available now.

Ridgid for the price and the warranty

 

[Nor'Easter]

Thought I had replied to this but I guess I'm losing it.

I ran a brand new Fuel M18 driver for a year and a half. Professional timber frame environment, 95% of use was driving structural wood screws 4-14" long, easily 1000's per day. Hot sun to sub zero temps.

It eventually lost it's oomph so I picked up the new kit from Makita since the rest of our crew runs Makita. I really wish I had never spent the $200 on the Fuel, the Makita has noticeably more power, and the breakout force is awesome.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Addrock]

Also Makita and Bosch.

 

[signcrafter]

I was at home depot today and was looking at the cordless tools and they had a few sets for 400 bucks that caught my eye.

The first was a ridgid Gen5X for 400, http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-G...on-Cordless-Combo-Kit-5-Piece-R9652/205883898. It has 4.0 amp batteries and permanent magnet motors. Not sure if that means brushless? But this seems like a good choice.

Then another ridgid X4 set for 400, http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-X...Ion-Cordless-Combo-Kit-5-Tool-R9651/202672255. I believe this set is a lower quality and the batteries are less amp/hours then the 4.0 5X batteries, but not sure. But the 5X above seems like the better buy out of these two kits.

Then the dewalt 20V max kit for 400, http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...Cordless-Combo-Kit-5-Tool-DCK530DM2/205865688. I'm not sure how many amps the batteries are or if the motors are brushless or permanent magnet like the ridgid?

The ridgid 5X kit looks really nice and I almost picked one up but decided to wait and make sure it's a decent set. Also I looked at the ridgid radio and it looks nice but I couldn't tell if it charges the batteries? It says it runs off the batteries or wall cord but didn't say anything about being able to charge batteries.

Any opinions on the ridgid Gen5X set? It's 100 bucks off right now.

 

[dutchgray]

I voted other, for Makita, had a heavy duty combo kit since 2008, one battery has recently failed and the drill lost its variable speed on the trigger (quite a common fault on that model) but its a tough piece of kit, used daily in general construction work doing a wide range of tasks. Their radio is well respected too, I don't have my own but there is usually a few on site at any given time.

 

[Duth62]

They're all plastic garbage. Buy the warranty---not the tool.

 

[signcrafter]

I'm really leaning towards the ridgid gen5x with the 4.0 amp batteries. It seems pretty nice for the 400 dollar price tag. Any reason not to get it and go with something else?

 

[LB-1911]

I'm really leaning towards the ridgid gen5x with the 4.0 amp batteries. It seems pretty nice for the 400 dollar price tag. Any reason not to get it and go with something else?

How do you like the balance and feel of them compared to your previous options?

If your just shopping $$'s buy 'em and don't forget to do the warranty paperwork / register online.


GEN5X 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit (5-Piece)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-G...3001rw&cm_mmc=CJ-_-6147012-_-11210757&cj=true

 

[alpaca]

Didn't read the thread but the 12v milwuakee blows the 12v dewalt out of the water as far as power goes. Only thing I like better about the dewalt are the lights.

 

[LordPsychon]

I've always liked my Bosch 12v system - simple, small, but powerful enough for my tasks. I do wish they had more options for tools though. I love my PC 18v system (in the minority here I fear) but if I had to upgrade/update I'd go Ridgid or Ryobi.

 

[jd.4955]

I have brushless Dewalt and I love them, but it's just whatever grip you like better


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[signcrafter]

To be honest they all feel about the same in my hand. Maybe a little difference but nothing major. Instead of feel I would like to get the best bang for my buck. The most powerful quality drill that will last for the best price.

 

[LB-1911]

To be honest they all feel about the same in my hand. Maybe a little difference but nothing major. Instead of feel I would like to get the best bang for my buck. The most powerful quality drill that will last for the best price.

New owner of the set your considering -

I just bought the Ridgid Gen5x set. It is a heck of a deal at $399. Some Home Depot stores accept HF 20% off coupons. Mine wouldn't, but when I hemmed and hawed they said how does $50 off sound. I haven't tried the saw yet. As said, the saw gets good reviews, and with the 4 amp batteries it should be strong.