Help me pick a drill

[liljoey112]

Hello all I am looking for some honest answers from some people to help me choose a drill for my father. I am Stuck between Porter Cable and Dewalt. I know that Dewalt might be the more popular brand I want to know i am not just paying for there name. The two sets i am stuck on is the Porter Cable PCCK602L2 and the Dewalt DCK283D2 I understand that porter cable also makes a brushless model as well, can anyone who owns these tools help me out please. Thanks Joe

 

[PugetDude]

Is your dad a tradesman or a DIY'er?
40+ hrs a week or a weekend warrior?
Is he drilling steel or drywall?

More information needed.

 

[gearhead1]

I have had nothing but great success with DeWalt. I have the same one and I think it is great.

 

[Marctrees]

Is your dad a tradesman or a DIY'er?
40+ hrs a week or a weekend warrior?
Is he drilling steel or drywall?

More information needed.

Good post.

Otherwise, if in the budget -

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341039

 

[pistolpete1313]

What is he going to use it for?

We use the dewalt brushed and brushless professionally and have nothing but great things to say from performance to durability and the wide range of tools in the line.

To muddy the waters, something I've considered and which would be great for around the home are the http://https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-2-Tool-12-Volt-Max-Lithium-Ion-Li-ion-Brushed-Motor-Cordless-Combo-Kit-with-Soft-Case/4736769

Great for around home and easier to carry around.

 

[liljoey112]

Is your dad a tradesman or a DIY'er?
40+ hrs a week or a weekend warrior?
Is he drilling steel or drywall?

More information needed.

Ops I meant to add this. He is not a tradesman but he is more then the once and a while DIY'er. So its a tough answer when he uses the drills he really uses them hes made decks, cabinets, work benches so I would call him more then an average DIY'er. Right now he is currently using the old Dewalts 14.4v XRP Drills He really likes them but they are aging fast.

 

[PugetDude]

...he is currently using ...Dewalts ...He really likes them......

Answered your own question.

 

[sberry]

Wayyyyy time for a new one.

 

[kctyphoon]

Here's the better question, what's the budget? Newer tools are lightyears away from those 14v nicad dewalts.. you can buy Milwaukee's 12v fuel impact driver and drill and it will run circles around those dewalts..

This is my recommendation.. consider what he has, what he actually uses, and if he has multiple cordless tools - REALIZE - that you are basically picking a new battery platform for him.. so don't base your purchase, on just THIS purchase.. it would be wise to consider the other tools he COULD buy later that will use the same batteries and charger.. my recommendation would be Milwaukee.. it will almost always be Milwaukee, simply because they offer a lot more choices in tools, andhave the most extensive line of leading tools revelant in today's marketet.. also, all batteries are not created equal.. Porter cable is cheaper for a reason.

Here is what I suggest - (brb)

1 - If budget allows - this set is $250 off until Christmas, but it's $399
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...n-Cordless-Combo-Kit-6-Tool-2696-26/203230032

2 - $199, this is a top of the line, industry leading brushless 12v set.. it's the M12 fuel drill, fuel impact driver, 2 batteries (one is an XC pack), charger, and FREE m12 ratchet, which is also one of the best among professional brands, and normally $100 by itself..
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...n-Ratchet-Tool-Only-2594-22-2457-20/205044694

Dammit - out of stock now.. here's another deal, with the m12 fuel 1/2" hammer drill, impact driver, and free m12 jigsaw.. same price - $199
http://www.homedepot.com/s/Milwaukee%20m12?NCNI-5


If you'd like to see what Milwaukee's M12 fuel can do, here's a demo against an 18v Makita, both using an 18" long ship auger bit...

Your next gift could be an m12 LED light, or circular saw, or heated jacket, or jigsaw, or impact wrench, or screwdriver, or (you see where I'm going with this?) be a good son, make the right choice.. lol.

All of HD Milwaukee M12 deals here - http://www.homedepot.com/s/Milwaukee%20m12?NCNI-5

All of HD Milwaukee m18 deals - http://www.homedepot.com/s/Milwaukee%20M18?NCNI-5

Just FYI - I actually have that brushless Dewalt set you're looking at, at work on one truck.. on my other work truck, I have Milwaukee's BRUSHED M18 drill and impact driver.. the Milwaukee is considerably stronger running small lags into a telephone pole side by side with each other, and that is the honest truth. This is the m18 set I have on that truck, and I own the fuel line of these at home as well..

M18 BRUSHED impact driver and hammer drill with the 3.0 battery packs - $249
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-Driver-XC-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-2697-22/203106552

$299 - Milwaukee's brushless (not fuel, same torque ratings as brushed- just brushless), drill, impact driver, free brushed circular saw
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...2-in-Circular-Saw-2799-22CX-2630-20/300508068

Tired of copying and pasting - just look at all the deals online - http://www.homedepot.com/s/Milwaukee%20m18%20combo%20kit?NCNI-5

Milwaukee tiers are as follows -
M18 fuel - top of the line brushless, (digitally controlled), with their powestate motors
M18 Brushless - digitally controlled brushless motors, same or similar torque rating as brushed tools, just with the new tech of brushless.
M18 - brushed tools.. tried and true technology, reliable, strong
There is no wrong choice here.. the brushed tools are great.

Ok I'm done, point made.. here is the Milwaukee site, you can look at all the other tools they make yourself. The site is very easy to navigate, and has no annoying pop up windows like Dewalts site.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/

 

[gdocktor3]

Dewalt brushless is the way to go hands down.

 

[lightning02]

dewalt all the way. id also buy him one bigger battery (5ah) to go with that kit as well for more demanding jobs.

 

[Catadj78]

Dewalt brushless is the way to go hands down.

I am more than happy with mine, I agree

 

[raiderhillbilly]

Dewalt

 

[itguy08]

Milwaukee M12 or M18 hands down. Best 12 or 18 volt system and better than B&D, err, I mean DeWalt any day. Depending on what other tools he may want to add their selection can't be beat. With a 5 year warranty you can't go wrong with Milwaukee.

 

[Adam.C]

I have the Bosch 12v driver driver kit with the little stick batteries. ($129 at Lowes). Did a bathroom remodel and a kitchen with that. Just love em. Yes, the 18v+ models are good. But do you need them? These are smaller, lighter, hold a charge a long time. You can buy a lot of extra batteries with the difference in price between these and a $300 set.

Best advice I can give is to buy decent tools, I think all the brands mentioned are decent. Then spend a little extra on good quality bits. Try to buy a set of USA made drill bits. The Chinese bits are made from bad steel. Sometimes they aren't sharpened correctly when new. Might as well chuck a finish nail and use that for a drill. Buy the best quality Phillips drivers you can get and replace them often. Do those two things and you'll be happy with whatever drill/driver you choose.

 

[bwringer]

One area where the manufacturers diddle things a lot is the battery capacity -- notice that the Porter-Cable set has 1.5AH batteries. For the same $150 budget, you can find drill/impact sets that have 2.0AH batteries, and that have more potential for future expansion. (And that don't look like a dog toy -- it's shallow, but I hate the way the Porter-Cable stuff looks -- white plastic that will instantly look awful with random rubber nubbins stuck all over.)

I was in pretty much the same spot a few months ago and ended up with an 18V Bosch setup -- 2.0AH batteries, and lots of other tools available that take the same battery.

However, if you can spend a bit more, I bet the DeWalt set would really make Dad light up because it's a familiar, trusted brand.

As others have said, the Milwaukee platform is also very, very nice, with a wide range of tools.

Personally, I'd lean towards DeWalt -- thinking back to my Dad, he would have really preferred a brand he was familiar with. And there are still tons of other tools available for the DeWalt platform, so you're all set for future birthday, Father's Day, and Christmas gifts. For example, a battery-powered circular saw is a real revelation for any woodworker.

 

[kctyphoon]

Just to clear things up, because it seems alot of people assume this. A tool that is BRUSHLESS does not make it more powerful than another tool that is BRUSHED - simply because it uses a brushless motor.

The only thing brushless will guarantee - is the motor being used to power the tool is an AC powered motor, that is digitally controlled - instead of the DC powered motor in a brushed tool.. that's all... it does not make them outperform other tools BECAUSE it is brushless.. it's just a different type of technology being used.

Alot of people seem to think this, and it is completely inaccurate.

 

[royesses]

Dewalt 20 volt max is very good. Your Dad will love it. I have one and it is my favorite drill. Get the biggest Lithium battery you can afford.4.0ah or whatever they are selling now.
Just my opinion based on experience.

 

[Cope]

Dewalt 20 volt max is very good. Your Dad will love it. I have one and it is my favorite drill. Get the biggest Lithium battery you can afford.4.0ah or whatever they are selling now.
Just my opinion based on experience.

I have all DeWalt 20V, and I am most happy with them. That said, there are plenty of people who are just as happy with Porter Cable. Bosch, etc. Buy whatever he can get batteries and other tools for easily.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I have used the DeWalt and they are nice. But I recently bought the Milwaukee M18 fuel set for about the same price and I have to say I feel it is the best of the ones I have used. It feels like it has more oomph but that could just be me and it felt better balanced to me.

I doubt he would be disappointed with either to be honest. I remebmer the M18 had a bit more torque listed on the specs when I bought mine but I don't remember the exact model of the DeWalt they had. It also looked to me like there were more tools available for the M18 platform so that might be something to consider if he would like to expand.

 

[jd_1138]

DeWalt is an American company with manufacturing in the USA. Milwaukee is Hong Kong. A non tradesman will probably notice no functional difference between DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch. I'd go DeWalt personally. 20v brushless or brushed if money is a concern.

 

[Cruzomatic]

Another vote for Dewalt!

 

[liljoey112]

Wow Guys thanks for all of the replies! I Like the M18 series but I cant even consider those because I have a 100 dollar lowes credit and Lowes does not carry the M18 Series. So I guess The Brushless Dewalt Wins! Hope they arent all Hype!

 

[jd_1138]

Wow Guys thanks for all of the replies! I Like the M18 series but I cant even consider those because I have a 100 dollar lowes credit and Lowes does not carry the M18 Series. So I guess The Brushless Dewalt Wins! Hope they arent all Hype!

No they're not hype. Going from an older 14v ni-cad to newer/more powerful 18v/20v tools will be like night and day for your dad.

 

[Dirtydan69]

DeWalt is ok but personally I think they are overpriced. I remember when before dewalt became what they are, when it was black and decker professional. The Bosch 12 volt sets are nice. I work the hell out of mine and after 5/6 years they are showing their age. But like I said I use them every day driving 3" screws as well as cabinet work. I'm a little frustrated with them for losing their luster but.......
Milwaukee is and always has been the go to tool line for pros.

 

[bwringer]

No they're not hype. Going from an older 14v ni-cad to newer/more powerful 18v/20v tools will be like night and day for your dad.

He'll love the DeWalts.


Honestly, when I upgraded my drill/impact set, the drill literally ripped itself out of my hand the first time I used it on material that put up a fight. It gave my wrist a pretty good tweak.

I was so used to the weaksauce worn out cordless stuff I had that the torque of a modern lightweight cordless tool snuck up on me. Wasn't ready for that!

 

[kctyphoon]

The dewalts aren't bad - for the same price the brushed Milwaukee's are better.. if I had more motivation I'd make a video showing that brushless Dewalt having trouble where the brushed Milwaukee breezes through it.. I have both models.. it's really the reason why Dewalt has a few models of brushless impact drivers, because their lower models were being outclassed..

Most people have NO IDEA what brushless actually means. They see it on a box and automatically think it must be better/stronger then other models. It's not always the case.. tool companies and retailers do a poor job educating their buyers.. many times that's on purpose...

My vendor just dropped off 9 more Dewalt drills today that were replaced.. we must be close to 30 or more so far this year.. I'll never get over Dewalt's signature "CLACKING" sound when you let off a drill at full speed.. that's the sound of metal gears coming to a slapping hault against each other.

 

[lightning02]

has Milwaukee fixed there chuck issues on there m18 drills?

 

[kctyphoon]

Posted for my own amusement
Yes, I know it's old... keep your pants on.

 

[kctyphoon]

has Milwaukee fixed there chuck issues on there m18 drills?

I've persoanlly never owned ANY cordless drill that didn't have some small degree of wobble when a long thin bit was being used.. on standard length bits I can't say I've seen a probelm with any though, regardless of make.. getting "lathe" like precision out of a cordless drill chuck is difficult..

 

[lightning02]

I've persoanlly never owned ANY cordless drill that didn't have some small degree of wobble when a long thin bit was being used.. on standard length bits I can't say I've seen a probelm with any though, regardless of make.. getting "lathe" like precision out of a cordless drill chuck is difficult..

i was more referring to the chuck locking up and/or not getting tight.

 

[kctyphoon]

i was more referring to the chuck locking up and/or not getting tight.

Couldn't comment on that.. there were a few guys complaining about runoff due to a slight wobble a wile back.. I have 3 Milwaukee drills and I personally haven't had that issue..

Dewalt had a BIG problem with that years ago after they changed their chucks. We had dozens that couldn't even drill a hole cause the bits would just fall out.

 

[lightning02]

Dewalt had a BIG problem with that years ago after they changed their chucks. We had dozens that couldn't even drill a hole cause the bits would just fall out.

yea thats the issue i seen and heard about on the gen 1 Milwaukee, not sure if they fixed it on the gen 2. i did see a couple of videos of guys with the gen 2 having issues getting it tight but not sure if it was user error or the chuck.

 

[DFB]

I have read most all those reviews and complaints personally never had a Milwaukee chuck issue either with any of the different current cordless M18 and M12 drills I have owned and used. On my Gen One Fuel I believe 1/16" is maybe the advertised low end bit limit and if your under that obviously its not going to tighten up. I know for sure mine doesn't close down completely tight.

One other thing I have experienced with the newer drills and their quick braking system and Hitachi was the worst I ever experienced for this was with repeated starts and stops the chuck would loosen and the bit would often fall out unless you routinely checked the ratcheting chuck for tightness. Was a total b**ch when I was on ladder and the drill bit just fell out.

On some of these you do really need to crank down hard keep a bit tight and still it might come loose. Ha...years and years ago I was marketing a early HF 18v drill at my flea mkt (and does anybody here even remember when they were Yellow like DeWalts and gosh when was younger and Carpenter Local Dewalt was the only one brand you better show up with then gawd forbid the Makita at those times and which I had I bought back then!

Anyhow this trades dude built like a tank tried to break the chuck by using all his strength to over tighten it. Didn't break but I did have to use two pair of Channel Lock pliers to get it loose again

Now I digrees here and never mind all my fun but bottom line is almost all bit holders are complete **** especially the cheap ones magnetic or snap lock. Almost none spin true and the longer the extension obviously the greater the exaggeration will be. I sat at my lumber yard counter one day after bringing in my Makita drill and went thru almost every $2.00 bit holder he had sold loose in counter display container to find one that spun even close to true.

The BEST ones I have had hands down have been Milwaukee's

 

[Derek420]

I would suggest the originator of the cordless drill and lithium drill Makita! I own the 18v white 1/2 drill and impact driver set and love it ,holds charge for a long time even with the compact batteries and is really expensive less than $180 maybe also they make good bits. Also which is way over kill and no ones mentions due to cost is Hilti and price isn't that bad but I have the 14.4v lithium set like makita and it is even stronger I'd say and truly is the top of the line notches above Milwaukee with a 20yr warranty but are reall a pro only brand and is like the Ferrari of drills and such but I sure love it but I bought used from pawn shop for $140 a steal.

 

[Evan(CA)]

If you are interested I bought an open box m18 fuel kit that comes with case, charger and 2 compact bateries but for an extra free I could upgrade them to 3, 4 or 5.0 PM me if interested, I'm always o[en to trades all well as I have more Milwaukee stuff than I know what to do with. Including a complete non fuel m12 set up, rapid combo charges etc.

 

[skruft]

If you mean cordless, I still have old DeWalt 18v and have been happy with them, so the 20v must be better.

Today a garage door repairman came to my house and I was surprised to see that he had two Ryobi drills, bright yellow, that looked like a truck had run over them but worked fine and seemed powerful enough. He drilled out two big rivets and drilled a large hole in the metal track with no problem anyway.

 

[Bacon!]

Here's the better question, what's the budget? Newer tools are lightyears away from those 14v nicad dewalts.. you can buy Milwaukee's 12v fuel impact driver and drill and it will run circles around those dewalts..

Actually, not so much for the drill. I still have a working Dewalt 14.4V and it's a lot stronger than you'd think. The clutch is good, variable speed good, not lacking in torque for what it's meant to do.

There's the issue of how worn out a tool that old is, whether it's a good investment to buy new NiCd packs today (or rebuild them which I've done to mine twice in past years), but in good working order, you won't find a $150 Li-Ion set that runs circles around it.

Those weren't like tools today where the drop in voltage was along with smaller tool, they were full sized 1/2" drills, strong performers. If they weren't, they wouldn't have lasted, people wouldn't still be using them.

My two other reasons for going Li-Ion were not having to recharge the batt packs before each use, and the large selection of Li_ion tools today that use the same batt packs from certain brands, BUT if the pack for my Dewalt 14.4V is charged up, I won't hesitate to grab it for use.

On a side note, a lot of the discontent I've seen people have with the old NiCd tools is user error. People would run them down trying to get that last hole drilled or screw, screwed, and end up damaging the batt pack by reverse charging the weakest cell in the pack, by trying to continue to use it in a nearly drained state.

Then they think "**** battery" when it was merely a matter of lack of education on how to get good life and performance out of NiCd, and/or manufacturers being too cheap to build battery cutoff circuits into tools in that era to shift the burden away from the user.

I'm stating this in the context of makes and models that used proper fast chargers instead of the cheap makes and models that used slow chargers which also cooked the battery every time it overcharged. Those were hopeless aggravation unless you felt like using a multimeter to check the pack charge state every 30 minutes it was on the slow charger.