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New Cordless Drill

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sicklyscott

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Dec 29, 2009
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131
Hi Everyone -

My company has this rewards program where we get points as pat on the backs for a job well done. I'm at the point where I can buy $200 of gifts certificates. I've been watching Mike Holmes quite a bit recently and am in awe of those cordless drivers they use, I'm assuming that they're impact drivers, correct?

Anyway, to get to the point, I can get $200 of gifts cards; Sears, Home Depot or Lowes. I'd like to use the gift card towards a good cordless drill, one that will last a while. I'm not really interested in those packages with the circular saw etc., I really have no use for them. I'd be ok adding a couple bucks if it means a superior product.

What would you recommend?
 
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BigRed390

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Apr 30, 2009
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Chattanooga, TN
I've got the NiCad porter cable set from Lowes, complete with circ saw, sawzall, drill and a dinky flashlight. It was on sale for $129 when i bought it. Think it's $159 now. Anyway, if you catch it on sale again, you could get the whole set and buy an impact driver (there's a whole line of other stuff that uses the 18v battery system) for around $200. If you're a contractor and plan on using it daily, i can't comment, but i've used mine fairly heavily for "homeowner" use and it's pretty good stuff.
 
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sicklyscott

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Dec 29, 2009
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I'm not sure I'm using my terminology correct (nor am I sure I know what I"m talking about!). Let me try again....

There is a show on HGTV (yes I watch that channel) called Holmes on Homes. From the looks and sounds of it, their "normal" drills sound like they have a hammering action to them that helps them screw the screws into framing quicker/better. Now I could be mistaken, it could be the clutch making the sound.

I'm really just looking for a really good cordless drill, if it has the action I explained above (if it even exists), wonderful. If not, that's ok too, as long as it'll last me a while. I would say I'm a average home user, I build some shelves from time to time, I'll probably be redoing my bathroom and kitchen within the next year or so, that's really the extent of its use.

I have a Rigid sawz-all that I absolutely love, it's a great tool, I want my next cordless drill to be the same.
 
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mooman

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Jun 9, 2005
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CHICAGO, IL
Mike Holmes and his crew use DeWalt impact drivers for the most part.
For free, I'd get the makita impact driver (HD sells them). All you need to do is drive a 3" wood screw and you'll wonder what you ever did without one.
You could actually light a cigarettte or crack open a beer while screwing at the same time.
 
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mooman

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I think he uses the 14.4 volt version.
That 18 volt gets HEAVY.
That's why you should go with the Lion Makita version from HD.
 
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CamarosRus

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May 14, 2009
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Location
Renton, WA (Seattle)
MILWAUKIE or BOSCH 18 Volt Lithion Ion........

I have the 18 Volt Kit with BOTH Drill and Impact Driver

That's it!!!!!!!!

Do a search, weve been over this numerous times
 
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Slow Gray Mule

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Feb 23, 2010
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MS Gulf Coast
I have a DeWalt impact driver that I use all the time. It originally came with the heavy 18v NiCad battery pack. I recently replaced it with the 18v LiOn pack. Performs much better and isn't near as heavy. So Pay a little more and get the LiOn as others have suggested. I like the 18v XRP line by DeWalt because of the number of options for other tools that use the same battery. So that'd be my first choice.
 
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CamarosRus

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Renton, WA (Seattle)
JUMP all over that Northern Tool MILWAUKIE set...........

That was the Black Friday deal at HD...........but to get both drill and impact driver, two batteries and charger and REAL nice case (not Makita Cloth bag) for $200 and free shipping and NO sales tax..........

BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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pl_silverado

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BTG

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Oct 1, 2009
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Indy
BigK600 said:
I got this milwaukee set up its great.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200371376_200371376

Very light weight, and 18V power. I dont know if HD sells this combo kit?

Impact drivers are awesome, I use it more than my drill for driving screws.

Milwaukee, Dewalt, Bosch, Makita there all good can't go wrong with any of them.
Click to expand...

I have the same kit---I used to have a bunch of the cheapie cordless drills. Never again. This Makita set rocks. The impact driver is freakin awesome. I ran some screws through some treated 4x4's last weekend like they were butter. Spend the bucks and get the L Ion set. The batteries charge in less than 15 minutes. :thumbup:
 
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sanddrag

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Apr 11, 2009
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295
I'll definitely second how nice Li-Ion is, in any brand. Also, maybe it has improved, but I used to use Bosch drill transmissions in competition robots, and they were the most terribly designed gearbox I've ever seen.
 
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harvero

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Nov 16, 2009
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233
Location
Flemington, NJ
I added the Milwaukee 2691-22 18-Volt Compact Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit to my cart on Northern's site and it showed up with a $229 price, even though the item's listing showed the price for $199. Amazon still has the combo for $199.
 
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sicklyscott

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Dec 29, 2009
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alright, spoke to the wife last night and realized I'm just going to accept the rewards in HD gift cards. I can use them later this summer when i buy wood etc to build my workbench and reorganize the garage.

With that said, I'm going to either pick up the Milwaukee or the Makita. Any specific experience here?
 
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BlindViper

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York, PA
I use the makita lxt set daily this is the green set verses the white set. It has not missed a beat. It gets used daily, it has driven 4 1/2" # 14 screws without predrilling. . The green set also comes with clips that screw on to the drill and impact. These are priceless while working, but you can't use the pocket clips on the white ones. The 2 other crews I work with use the smaller white set. The only difference is the case, battery size (1.8mah vs 3.0) and and the 1/4 chuck. Even with the given specs of the batteries my impact will last well over 2 times that of the smaller battery doing the same work. The case the white set comes with is like a plastic fabric bag. Both of the other crews have broke the straps and the case itself is torn in multiple places. However my plastic case is perfectly find. The chuck on the white set you must move the locking collar to remove and insert a bit. The green set you only have to move the collar to remove a bit. To insert one you just push it in and it locks.

I also found that when I looked at the kits at home depot that the makita has the most power. At the time I had a dewalt 18v impact I feel it had more power. However with the trigger it was almost impossible to control it. That and I think the battery in the dewalt alone weighed more then the makita impact with the battery.

The hammer drill is good for cinder block or fresh concrete. The drill that is included with the kit is far better then my snap on, both dewalts, and the black and decker. The power is amazing, the check is extremely nice. I own 2 of the drills, 1 impact, 1 saws all, 4 batts, 2 chargers.
 
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TheDukeofDeere

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Mar 30, 2010
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IL
I have quite a bit of the Milwaukee M18 lineup.....

IMG_8287-1.jpg


I also have the 1/2" Cordless Impact and 1/2" Compact Cordless Impact.

So far, I really like the Milwaukee stuff. Got a four piece set (Sawzall, Circular Saw, Drill, Light, two batteries and charger, plus bag) for $279.99 on promo at Home Depot about the time Milwaukee released the M18 stuff.

At that time I was bouncing between getting a DeWalt set or the Milwaukee set. The Milwaukee set was just too hard to pass up for the price, especially since Milwaukee had converted that lineup to Li-Ion whereas DeWalt still had Ni-Cad batteries in there setup and you had to buy the Li-Ion separately.

Funny thing, about the same time, Milwaukee was running "Buy A Tool, Get A Tool Free" promotion. Therefore, with the kit I bought, then buying the two cordless impacts, I ended up getting the hammer drill, grinder, and another battery completely free.

The only tool I don't have, which is the main one you are looking at is the Impact driver. That set from Northern Tool seems like a great price for what you are getting. The only thing you might want to pick up, if the funds allow, is a full size battery (unfortunately, they aren't cheap, you might find a two pack on-line for a reasonable price). While the compact batteries are handy for short run-time applications and SUPER light, I don't know how well they would keep a charge when placed against a full size battery.

I would really like a compact battery, for small jobs, just to save on the weight, but to me, they aren't worth the price when I have 7 full size batteries I got to beat up first.

As far as performance, my little drill (not the bigger hammer drill) held up pretty well, when paired with good sharp bits. I drilled a good number of 1/2" by 8" holes in pressure treated timbers last summer with that small drill on one battery. I was amazed. I have also drilled a lot of hardened steel with that small drill and when paired with a good bit, the drill holds up well.

One final thought, the kits are where you save the most money. Also, look around, if you find another tool you want, but don't want to pay the "kit" price, you can find some on-line retailers such as, www.ohiopowertool.com which sell just bare tool kits.

All in all, you won't go wrong with any of the big name drivers. DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, they all have a fine product, just a matter of finding with the features you like the best and the one that is most friendly on the wallet.
 
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harvero

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Nov 16, 2009
Messages
233
Location
Flemington, NJ
So the fedex guy just dropped off my Milwaukee 2691-22 18-Volt Compact Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit from amazon. It came with two lithium ion batteries, not bad. But it's made in China :(. Are there any drills still made here?
 
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articsilber323

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Feb 2, 2010
Messages
278
Location
maryland
go with milwaukee there charger u can let the batteries stay on there and they will not over charge, i believe makita was having a problem with batteries overcharging and going dead if you left them sit on the charger to long
 
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rockchucker

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Mar 27, 2010
Messages
1,764
Location
Seattle WA
Milwaukee's are great Tools.


I personally have been using DeWalt for so many years though. It would be Expensive to change all of my Cordless tools now. I have a bunch of 14.4v and they have served me well over the years of Construction I have done. I opted to go with the 14.4 for the weight. They do lack power though. When the 18v Lithium Ion came out though I bought one. They are as light as the 14.4v. Works great day in day out. I drive quite a few 3"+ Deck Screws and both the 14.4 and the 18 do just fine. It is actually less stress on the wrists driving screws with the 18. More power means the less time holding. I run them in 3rd gear to do anything. Usually I would have to downshift at the end of the Battery with the 14.4 NiCad but the new Lithium 18v just stops all at once. It doesn't wind down like a normal Battery. Very cool.

Along with other tools in the line up this is my Daily Driver...lol

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UHOUU8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Comes with 2 Batteries.

All of my Corded Heavy Duty Tools are Milwaukee though.

Just my .o2
 
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