Milwaukee drill/driver combos--your thoughts?

[thebeekeeper1]

I'm quite brand loyal, so Milwaukee it is for me. That said, I need/want a combo set with the M18 drill and driver. Amazon has it for $246 plus shipping, but there is a discrepancy in the description. I found the same thing locally for $249 OTD, but it comes with the "contractors bag" rather than a hard case. I hate that.

Both say they are "red lithium" which I believe is the latest and greatest (?).

Neither are the "FUEL"--but they are MUCH more expensive, and not worth it for my anticipated use.

Also, the pic on the Amazon site shows a "5 Year" warranty, whereas the local one is five for the tool and TWO for the batteries.

Does anyone know why the discrepancies, and if there is any reason to avoid these?

 

[diggerrick]

The 5 year tool, 2 year battery warranty is correct. I just bought this combo kit from Rural King for $200:

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

Plus there was a 12% RK rebate at the time.

These are the first Milwaukee tools I've owned, and I like them a lot.

 

[May Pop]

I really like the kit also. 200 on sale often.Like Northern tool. Batteries charge fast and the driver will run screws through 100 year old lumber like nobodys business.

 

[Ign]

Yep, the warranty thing is just a typo; it's 5/2

As for a case vs a bag, I think you're just looking at marketing/packaging ploys. I hate the hard cases, just throw 'em away or into recycling when I get them. If I could have the option of a bag or case I'd be thrilled and choose the bag every time.

 

[bowlofturtle]

I've just been waiting for a good sale on the m12 stuff to give them a try.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Last Christmas Ace hardware had the best prices on M12 tools. So keep a watch on there fliers for pricing this December. They had drill or impact for $99 with 2 batteries and chargers. Cheaper than Ebay on bare tools and reconditioned.

 

[flippin]

Here's the same deal for my Canadian brothers. It's rare that a deal is cheaper ($189 can) up here in the great white north!! This dealer almost always has the best prices on Milwaukee in Canada. They are located just outside of Ottawa.

http://www.jccayer.com/product.php?productid=59

 

[Trey T]

Watch out for the new M18 LED flood light that's coming out. I'm very excited about it.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Okay, thanks much. I did get a reply from the Amazon seller and he says theirs does come with the bag, even though the pics are all of a hard case. I went ahead and got it locally for $229 (plus $20 sales tax), so I guess I didn't get hurt too bad. I did go to Rural King firsst and they had no combo sets in stock, save for one with four tools.

Here's a link to the one I bought. I see the price dropped from $246.22 since last night! Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F7BIMG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I appreciate the replies.

 

[Hogtown]

Could be mistaken but I believe some of the Milwaukee batteries do have a 5 year warranty. The compact batteries are definately 2 years, but the larger/full may have a 5 year warranty. Like I said... I could be wrong, but its worth checking into.

 

[diggerrick]

Yep, the warranty thing is just a typo; it's 5/2

As for a case vs a bag, I think you're just looking at marketing/packaging ploys. I hate the hard cases, just throw 'em away or into recycling when I get them. If I could have the option of a bag or case I'd be thrilled and choose the bag every time.

Me too. When I bought mine all they had was with the hard case, and the following week they got a few with bags, so I exchanged for the bag kit. No place to store extra bits and accessories with hard case, but the bag is kinda small. The bags that came with my Dewalt corded drills were a pretty nice size.

 

[diggerrick]

Could be mistaken but I believe some of the Milwaukee batteries do have a 5 year warranty. The compact batteries are definately 2 years, but the larger/full may have a 5 year warranty. Like I said... I could be wrong, but its worth checking into.

5 years on chargers, 3 years on the bigger batteries, 2 years on the compact batteries.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

If anyone cares, I did find a plastic case for the kit. Cheap too--$17.88 shipped!

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/330945692535?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649