Milwaukee 18V Li-Ion Combo Kit

[diggerrick]

I was going to buy the 18V Dewalt combo kit at Lowes for $199.99 until it was pointed out that was not really a great deal for 18V Ni-Cad. So now I am looking at this:

http://www.ruralking.com/tools/power-tools-accessories/power-tool-combo-kits/milwaukee-m18-cordless-lithium-ion-compact-driver-1-4-hex-impact-diver-combo-kit-2691-22.html

In stock at my local Rural King for $199.99.

Good deal or not?

 

[RTUmark]

If you watch closely, from time to time, Home Depot has been offering free battery if you purchase this kit. Gets you 3rd battery which is sweet.

 

[cole_CT]

I want to show you some alternative options, OP:
-http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-X4-Hyper-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-Combo-Kit-3-Tool-with-Radio-R9601/203810442?N=18g#.UhENmmSY64c
-http://www.reconditionedtools.com/factory-reconditioned-milwaukee-2691-82-m18-18v-cordless-lithium-ion-1-2-in-drill-driver-and-impact-driver-high-performance-combo-kit/milr2691-82,default,pd.html?start=1&cgid=combo-kits
-http://www.reconditionedtools.com/factory-reconditioned-dewalt-dck280c2r-20v-max-cordless-lithium-ion-1-2-in-compact-drill-driver-and-impact-driver-combo-kit/dewrdck280c2r,default,pd.html?start=3&cgid=combo-kits

Can't go wrong with these three. I have Dewalt 20v Max myself but the Ridgid seems like a great buy considering you get lifetime battery replacement once you register your kit online. The Milwaukee 18v kit is pretty much just good as the Dewalt kit and it may have a longer 5 year warranty and is less expensive in the link that I provided.
Good Luck

 

[diggerrick]

I want to show you some alternative options, OP:
-http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-18-Volt-X4-Hyper-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-Combo-Kit-3-Tool-with-Radio-R9601/203810442?N=18g#.UhENmmSY64c
-http://www.reconditionedtools.com/factory-reconditioned-milwaukee-2691-82-m18-18v-cordless-lithium-ion-1-2-in-drill-driver-and-impact-driver-high-performance-combo-kit/milr2691-82,default,pd.html?start=1&cgid=combo-kits
-http://www.reconditionedtools.com/factory-reconditioned-dewalt-dck280c2r-20v-max-cordless-lithium-ion-1-2-in-compact-drill-driver-and-impact-driver-combo-kit/dewrdck280c2r,default,pd.html?start=3&cgid=combo-kits

Can't go wrong with these three. I have Dewalt 20v Max myself but the Ridgid seems like a great buy considering you get lifetime battery replacement once you register your kit online. The Milwaukee 18v kit is pretty much just good as the Dewalt kit and it may have a longer 5 year warranty and is less expensive in the link that I provided.
Good Luck

The reman Milwaukee kit warranty is for 1 year from date of rebuild - that doesn't give me a lot of confidence for the $30 difference. A friend had a bad experience with the Ridgid "lifetime" battery warrant when they changed platforms after a couple years and quit supporting his. Looks like the $200 Milwaukee kit for me!

 

[MLB0611]

I have the 3/8 impact/ light combo, I love the gun and will soon be ordering the drill, and start to buy into the 12V stuff from them as well. very rugged for automotive repair use.

 

[smothers33]

i bought that same set about 6 months ago. i sold my old makita drill/impact driver kit to "upgrade" to the milwaukee set. after all i read about how good milwaukee was i was pretty pissed at my decision. the drill feels really cheap and i believe i read that the transmission gears were plastic and prone to breaking. i cant confirm that yet because the drill hasnt broken yet. but it defintely doesnt isnt as strong as the makita drill which was also a hammerdrill while the milwaukee was just a standard drill driver.
then there was the impact driver. that was the big dissapointment for me. not even 1 month after i bought the thing the trigger switch went out. i was an idiot and threw away the reciept which i need for the warranty. but i went to my local dealer and they told me even if i had the receipt it would be at least 3-4 weeks start to finish. i couldnt wait that long without it so i bought a S/O 3/8 impact to replace and whenever i get time ill order and replace the trigger switch myself and keep it at home for around the house stuff. honestly if i were you id spend the extra 30 and get the makita lxt218 set. even if the milwaukee didnt **** out on me i still would reccomend the makita. the drill is much more heavy duty, you get the standard size batteries vs smaller batteries, and the impact driver is lighter and and more comfortable than the milwaukee.
if you do go with the milwaukee i would at least go with the fuel line instead of that one you pictured

 

[macattak]

Not sure how you feel about Porter Cable, but Lowes has their 20v Li Ion drill/driver combo w/2 batteries for $179.

 

[98sierra]

I have the Milwaukee m12 1/4 drill driver an have been using it daily for over 2 years. It looks horrible but runs like it did the day I got it. Original battery too. My vote goes for the Milwaukee as well

 

[crazytrain]

I bought the Milwaukee M18 3/8 drive impact gun and love it, I use it everyday. I also just bought the M12 drill kit (Drill, 2 batteries and charger) at Home Depot. There was a special where I could get a 1/4 impact driver, Right angle drill or multi tool free. I got the right angle drill and think it will really come in handy at work.

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

I have the Milwaukee 18v li kit and have used it daily (I bring it home on weekends, much better then my corded mastercraft at home) for the past 3 months. The small batteries are nice and light but I have to trade them out regularly when I am using it hard. Which is fine because they charge faster then I can kill one, even going non-stop pre-torqueing tracks and undercarriage. The 1/4" impact consistently tightens fasteners to around 50-70 lb/ft depending on charge and has no problem breaking loose clean wheel bolts torques up to 85 lb/ft. The drill works well but has problems with screws longer then 2" in treated pine, the impact hardly blinks driving a 4" x 5/16" lag bolt. I am happy with it so far, but would like to get the 1/2" drive impact and a pair of the high capacity batteries.

 

[diggerrick]

I picked this up at lunch today and the second pack is on the charger. When I was comparing prices I noticed that some come with a bag (which I would prefer) instead of the hard case I got. Anybody with the hard case have any neat ways to store drill & driving bits, etc.?

FWIW: Looks, feels, & runs great, but "Made in China"