Lithium Ion Cordless Drill

[jeepkj02]

I'm in the market for a cordless lithium ion drill. Would really prefer to buy something Made in the USA, but have found none! Which one do you all recommend?

I'm looking at these drills:

Milwaukee V18 550 in/lbs 3.0 Ahr

$159.99 @ Amazon

Hitachi 18V 570 in/lbs 3.0 Ahr

$199.99 @ Amazon

A little over my budget, but another option

Makita BHP454 560 in/lbs 3.0 Ahr

$305.50 @ Amazon

Maybe I can find it cheaper on eBay or used.

 

[elect]

I really like my Milwaukee.

 

[FNFS2000]

Depends on usage, but if your an every day user stay away from big junk box store products. The lithium is an upgrade, but they still don't provide the charge cycles that old nicad packs from Metabo and other premium lines provide. (metabo does have a lithium line out now as well) not familiar with it yet still using my first metabo set, but black and decker(dewalt) milwaukee, bosch and the rest of the main stream lines rarely get passed 100 charge cycles before the batteries are garbage. Metabo is rated for thousands of charges, been using my set for years.

 

[usa#1]

I have the Makita hammer drill and also have the matching Makita impact driver. While the hammer drill is nice I rarely use it as I always go to the impact for driving screws etc. It's surprising how much power the impact has.

 

[speed bump]

What are you wanting to use it for?

 

[Moltar]

Depends on usage, but if your an every day user stay away from big junk box store products. The lithium is an upgrade, but they still don't provide the charge cycles that old nicad packs from Metabo and other premium lines provide. (metabo does have a lithium line out now as well) not familiar with it yet still using my first metabo set, but black and decker(dewalt) milwaukee, bosch and the rest of the main stream lines rarely get passed 100 charge cycles before the batteries are garbage. Metabo is rated for thousands of charges, been using my set for years.

The Hitachi's are rated at 1000-1500 charges.

 

[jeepkj02]

Not really an every day use. But when I do use it on occasion, I would like it to drill through metal (sheet metal up to 1/2"), wood or drywall. So I would like some power.

How well does lithium ion hold a charge? Compared to NiCad?

 

[wyndycity]

I have the Milwaukee drill you're contemplating and I think it's excellent.

It is a bit heavier than most cordless drills but there's no doubt it has great power and will take pretty much almost anything you throw at it. Just don't plan on drilling drywall screws to your ceiling with it unless you want a workout.

Even though The Milwaukee isn't the newer model 18V li-ion, I think that compared to the Makita, it's a great price for almost similar power.

 

[M Fan]

I recommend Bosch as my first choice. As you said, can't find any made in the USA, but at least the Bosch are made in Switzerland instead of China. After that, either the Makita or Milwaukee.

 

[jeepkj02]

I recommend Bosch as my first choice. As you said, can't find any made in the USA, but at least the Bosch are made in Switzerland instead of China. After that, either the Makita or Milwaukee.

Was considering that as well, but the battery is 2.6 Ahr, instead of the of 3.0Ahr the others. But it does have the most torque of any model I've seen.

 

[speed bump]

Not really an every day use. But when I do use it on occasion, I would like it to drill through metal (sheet metal up to 1/2"), wood or drywall. So I would like some power.

How well does lithium ion hold a charge? Compared to NiCad?

Well then eliminate hammer drill because I don't see anything about concrete in your usage plans. Other than the 1/2 metal or if you plan on running some big holesaws or spade bits everything you described will be fine with just your average 14v drill so given that I would look at either.

Milwakee Compact 18v drill. A bit lower power but it weighs next to nothing and has decent battery life.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WER5SE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or a kit like this Hitachi kit
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011917J2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jeepkj02]

Well then eliminate hammer drill because I don't see anything about concrete in your usage plans. Other than the 1/2 metal or if you plan on running some big holesaws or spade bits everything you described will be fine with just your average 14v drill so given that I would look at either.

Maybe not 1/2", more like 3/16" at the maximum.

 

[-B-]

go Hilti great service if you ever need it, also more power available look at the amp rating you will be surprised.

 

[Crasen]

Maybe not 1/2", more like 3/16" at the maximum.

I think any of the ones you are considering would be fine. Even my 18v Ryobi Lithium Ion drill will handle that.

 

[Flash21]

Milwakee Compact 18v drill. A bit lower power but it weighs next to nothing and has decent battery life.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WER5SE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Wow, that Milwaukee looks really nice. Out of 52 reviews on Amazon, it fairs 4.5 stars...not bad

Is this the competitor from Makita? It is 4.5 stars from 147 reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K6ILDW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

What model is the Bosch competitor?

 

[BigK600]

I have that Milwakee in the first post. I like it alot. I would get Milwakee, Makita, or Bosch. You really cant go wrong with any of those.

 

[FNFS2000]

How well does lithium ion hold a charge? Compared to NiCad?

You'll get longer run time, the biggest difference is longer shelf time. Which is great for occasional users. Most people that don't use cordless tools often will find that each time they do dust them off and decide to use them they are dead. nicad and the other hydride whatever they call it popular in makita continually die "on the shelf" while Lithium holds a charge much better when not in use. They will generally provide more charge cycles, but that depends on the brand. Someone mentioned Ryobi, you have to wonder about a tool that costs the same as just a battery from another brand... How many times will you be able to charge it?

 

[jeepkj02]

Thanks for the help everyone, really appreciate it!

I think I'm leaning more towards the compact drills vs the heavier hammer drills. If anyone has anything to add, feel free. Could use all the knowledge and experience possible

A lot of good info about Lithium Ion batteries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_ion

 

[NSXSOON]

For compact I think the best bag for the buck is this deal from Amazon on the Makita kit with the Impact Driver and Light:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V2BRM2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jerk_chicken]

The Bosch ones are made in CH? I'm seeing ones in Germany coming out of China and Taiwan. Hell, they're barely making the car parts in De anymore.

 

[jeepkj02]

The Bosch ones are made in CH? I'm seeing ones in Germany coming out of China and Taiwan. Hell, they're barely making the car parts in De anymore.

Sears had a Bosch cordless drill on display. IIRC, it wasn't made in Switzerland, I would have remembered if it was. I think it was made in Japan, not 100% positive.

 

[Monte]

Back in the days the Bosch cordless drills (with pistol handle) were made in japan. But nowadays ???
PS: the 36 volt and the "Brute Tough" drills are made in Switzerland (at least the models they sell in germany) the cheaper drills are mostly from malaysia , the really cheap green Bosch DIY models are made in ROC (IIRC).

 

[Mr_fixit]

In my opinion, most people seems to love the drill they have at that moment. With that in mind, I love my heavy v28 milwaukee, even though that's doesn't seem to be one you'll consider...

 

[Flash21]

For compact I think the best bag for the buck is this deal from Amazon on the Makita kit with the Impact Driver and Light:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V2BRM2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I was checking that out yesterday. Where is that toolguyd guy when you need him? Is that the best price around?

I wish it included a hard case, I prefer a blow molded hard case.