First time drill buyer

[CtrlAltElite]

Have been using hand me down corded tools for years. Now that Im starting to do more, Im finding myself calling my father and friends to barrow their cordless drills. With that said Im looking for cordless drill set. I dont have a price point, but dont want junk. Im more a weekend warrior and may not use it every week.

Projects: remodel bathroom, build a shed, build a work bench, maybe do a garage (with help) and who knows what else.

These are what I was looking at:
-Hilti Combo $449 and for $100 I could get the Hammer/driver drill with impact instead of just the driver with impact.
-Bosch Kit for $239
-Milwaukee Combo for $259, $199 in store
-Makita LXT $279 comes with extra free battery.

Any benefit to a hard case over a soft bag?

My issue is I have a tendency to overspend on quality. "Buy once cry once". But I don't know enough about tools to know whats a quality drill and whats not. I know to stay away from B&D, Ryobi & craftsman. But it stops there.

 

[pipsters]

Keep in mind, at least in my experiences, the batteries are what goes out long before the hardware. Something like Ridgid, with lifetime free battery replacement, might be something to consider. It was for me. The same battery cells are used in Milwaukee and Ryobi 18v lithium batteries.

 

[Polski-Chevy]

I got the bosch combo you have listed for Xmas going on 6 years ago, I like em and no issues thus far.


Also, I like the new bosch drills, nice and compact.

 

[PinkLinc]

You can get a nice 18v NiCad DeWalt with 2 batteries and charger for around $100 if you keep an eye out. That's what I've got and it's perfect for the weekend type stuff.

 

[kts]

I bought the 'comsumer grade' Makita 18v cordless (the black and white one like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-1...act-Drill-Kit-LXFD01CW/202596894#.UVIFa1s4X4Y) a good 2+ years or so ago now and it's been solid. I would expect the 'pro grade' one you have listed to be even more awesome.

I don't use it every day but it probably sees almost weekly use between things around the house, garage, etc. Lately it's been getting a lot of use with a wire wheel brush for cleaning up stuff before I weld it, and also with an attachment to help aerate my homebrew before I pitch yeast. If it ever dies on me I'll replace it with the pro grade one you listed.

As for the hard vs soft bag I think it's personal preference. I kind of like the idea of a soft bag since I could probably slip a few more drill bits, wire wheel attachments, etc but I have come up with a good assortment of bits and attachments that fit in my Makita hard case that I have pretty much everything I'd need in the hard case.

 

[kevin47]

I would never buy a hand-drill with a key-less chuck...Their junk, plain and simple...Unless your a DIY'er around the house...

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I still like using my corded drills....

 

[CtrlAltElite]

So between the Bosch and the Milwaukee, which would you choose.

 

[shoturtle]

The hilti really is overkill on the price. They make excellent tools, but really not what a weekend warrior would need. The hilti are at the same level as the bosch brute line.

For a weekend warrior any of the 3 others would work great, more expensive really will not add anything for your proposed purpose as a weekend warrior. I personally use bosch. Get the one that feels best in your hand.

 

[LG63]

I would never buy a hand-drill with a key-less chuck...Their junk, plain and simple...Unless your a DIY'er around the house...

I was in the same camp until I bought a drill with a good keyless chuck. They do exist and work quite well. I have a Jacobs 500 series on my Makita and it works like a charm.

 

[balrog]

Take a look at the other types of cordless tools that each battery platform offers. You may want to expand your cordless tool collection when you start your DIY projects.

 

[jackfork]

Take a look at the other types of cordless tools that each battery platform offers. You may want to expand your cordless tool collection when you start your DIY projects.

Good advice. Both DeWalt, Bosch, and even Hitli offer bare tools, which is the tool only no battery, for most of their line. Others may as well but these are the 3 makes I have.