please help me pick out a new cordless drill

[jmh21586]

Like Ford versus Chevy.
Like Maytag versus Kenmore.
Brand verus brand.

I am a personally am a Milwaukee man. They have not let me down, both corded and cordless, and I've used them and seen them abused in some hard applications.

My company uses them and Dewalt. Both are good but Milwaukee's are quite a bit heavier.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Dewalt 18 volt, with the XRP battery. I use them in an industrial maintenance setting, and at home, I have almost everything in the 18 volt line. You could not pry them out of my possession. I just plugged my skil saw in last week for the first time in so long I had to hunt for it. I have 3 of the battery drills at home, one is the hammer drill, keeps from changing bits when I'm on a roll. I want Dewalt to make some more 18 volt stuff so I can buy it.

RJ

 

[Vernmotor]

3 sets of Makita drill- fashlight combo's ,9.6 volts...batterys JUNK...I am also looking buy something beside Makita ...

 

[OccupantRJ]

Vernmotor, The long version of your tagline, in case you never heard it, is

We the unwilling, led by the unknowing, have done so much for so long with so little, that we are now qualified to do anything with nothing!

RJ

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I just bought a Porter Cable 18v Lithium drill to replace my Dewalt 14v NiCD, $ was a factor in the replacement. Would of liked to of purchased a Dewalt with the Lithium batteries but they were over $50 more for the same set up.

I have found that I use the drill until the batteries are dead and then replace it, so with the Lithium they say you get 200 more charges on a battery pack so that made it an easy upgrade decision.

I have had this new unit for 2 weeks and have used it quite a bit, love the torque it has and it does have the light, a first for me.

 

[FoMoCoPower]

FYI Batteries Plus can rebuild your dead batteries for much less than new ones.

 

[mikester]

I started out with a 12V Dewalt. After a few years of normal use the batteries started to go. I went to HD and bought 2 new ones for $110. On the way home my buddy that was with me told me that I was crazy for spending that much on just batteries when for $20 more I could have bought the 18V Ryobi drill/trim saw set with 2 new batteries, charger and 2 new tools. DUH ! I turned around, returned the batteries, and walked out with new stuff. That was quite a while ago. I had to buy 2 new batteries and a new charger over the years. I dont know what really happened but I think the charger had a problem and toasted the batteries. I just bought the 18V sawzall a month ago and I also just picked up another drill for the garage. All this time Ive been using that old Dewalt out there and now after 3 screws or one good hole the things dead. If I had to start fresh I think I would look at the Ridgid stuff but to be honest the Ryobi tools have been just fine for the money.

 

[Hardware]

Whatever you get, make sure it Lithium-ion Batteries

 

[66pnl]

One option, you can take the batteries to a local battery supply house and have them install new cells to get you by until you choose. I do this and it costs half of a new battery. I have to agree the new drills out perform the old ones.

 

[KNS Autosport]

I have a 12 volt Dewalt XRP DCD910, I cant say anything bad about it and it has taken its fair share of abuse over the years

 

[sberry]

We use the 28 Mils, they replaced our corded drills. Very good and we run them hard and long.

 

[Vinko]

The Hilti cordless drills are nice. I would look at those too, before making a choice.

+ 1

 

[Torque1st]

I had a 12V Ryobi PRO model drill with flashlight for many years with the one hand chuck. But as others have said it was cheaper to buy a new drill than buy the batteries. When I went looking I found a DeWalt 18V XRP hammerdrill with a number of other tools and was offered a deal I could not refuse with a bunch of discounts. For $300 I picked up a set with tool bag including a screwgun, circular saw, impact, reciprocating saw, angle grinder, and flashlight with two batteries and charger. It has worked well for me. The drill has a one hand chuck and metal gears.

 

[VC-Racing]

I've got some Craftsman Professional stuff that's 10yrs old and all the batteries went out within a week of each other. The problem I have with Craftsman cordless tools is there is no interchangeability among them. Every year they make some change and that tool is obsolete in respect to the battery . The replacement batteries cost almost as much as the new tools. That's why I'm changing everything over to Dewalt. They've been using the same setup for years and the new battery technology and the old battery technology will interchange because no matter how old or new the tool is the same style battery paks fits.


I was in HD yesterday looking for a new salamander heater and low and behold they had the Dewalt XRP 18v 4pk(hammer drill, recip saw, circ saw, light , 2 XRP batts and charger ) for $379 , as I walked up to the display there was 2 kits left and there were 2 other guys looking at them debating , I grabbed 1 and the other 2 looked at each other and I thought they were going to fight over the last one. I also picked up a nice Dewalt bit kit for $20.

 

[Vernmotor]

Vernmotor, The long version of your tagline, in case you never heard it, is

We the unwilling, led by the unknowing, have done so much for so long with so little, that we are now qualified to do anything with nothing!

RJ

I knew there was a saying out there .But thats what came to my mind when I wote it LOL

 

[Vernmotor]

Found this on other site ??

http://www.consumersearch.com/cordless-drill-reviews

 

[RMS52]

I normally use a Dewalt 18V, with the XRP battery. For the larger jobs I have a DeWalt 24V drill.
Roger

 

[IMXCITD]

I was given a cordless Dewalt 18v many years ago for a gift.....I really like it and it's been great. I also have a Craftsman 19.2v set and bought and extra drill w/battery separate for that set......it's very nice for the $$$. Either way...you can't go wrong.

 

[sberry]

Depends on the needs, some can make it with Ryobi. If one is professional installer of some kind then it makes sense to start shopping up. I wire a house a while back, the guy has a nice 18V DW and when it came to heavy holes he was trying to be one step ahead with corded drill. Still used to a job like that being hard on cordless at best where mine with 120$ battery has twice life and the power. Cordless has made such a leap we do stuff with a drill we wouldn't have dreamed of 20 yrs ago. Who would have thought a bat drill would turn 6 inch ice auger.
Or turn holesaws.

 

[mossyboy6]

Ridgid.

Lifetime warranty on tools and batteries.

nuf' said.

 

[k0walski]

Ive had great luck with my milwaukee 18v li-ion I picked up last year. It's got a 1/2'' chuck, 5 year warranty, only weighs 6lbs, and is probably the most compact 18v on the market. HD has them for sale with an impact driver for $200. IMHO it can't be beat for the price.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[Kjbakke2]

i am pumped on makita's lithium ion stuff
not a bad price and great ergonomics
it feels like it was made for my hand

 

[tenorplayer23]

Points of reference:

www.consumerreports.org plus the last few Popular Mechanics issues.

See ya.

 

[ron in sc]

How about the bosch 37618-01. I believe it has metal clutch and comes with 2 lithium ion batteries. It's made in Switzerland as opposed to the less expensive models that are made in Malysia.

 

[mustangcrazy77]

i am pumped on makita's lithium ion stuff
not a bad price and great ergonomics
it feels like it was made for my hand

Seriously, with a drill/impact combo that can be had for $200 with a quick-charge and 2 batteries....that will be my next tool purchase.

 

[cashishift]

Ridgid.

Lifetime warranty on tools and batteries.

nuf' said.

Lifetime on batteries too? Good lawd.

Now if i'd known this before i became a DeWalt *****

 

[Falcon67]

I like my Craftsman 19.2 C3 stuff. I'm on the second drill, the first lasted about 5 years before I wore it out. I think I'm on year 3 with this one. The DieHard batteries are OK, the LiO are 10x better but cost big bucks. IMHO, almost none of them have a chuck worth a **** because they are all keyless. You'll have issues with that. Otherwise, my C3 drill is used for damn near everything - I don't even own a 3/8 cord drill any more because I don't need one. Drill holes, spin lug nuts on and off, as a speed wrench, mix paint - whatever. I have a big 1/2" cord drill in the bottom of the toolbox for jobs that need the max oomph. However, the C3 with a 1/2" bit and a fresh LiO battery will sprain your wrist if you are not prepared for the bite.

 

[Kjbakke2]

Seriously, with a drill/impact combo that can be had for $200 with a quick-charge and 2 batteries....that will be my next tool purchase.

yessir

 

[lawfarm]

I see you decided on a Milwaukee--and they're great tools. I can't criticize that selection. My first cordless was a DeWalt...back when they had just come out with the "powerful" 9.6volt.

Right now, I'm running Hitachi lithium ion, and I couldn't be any happier. My dad has the Milwaukee 18v, and while both are incredibly powerful, the Li-Ion has much longer run times. No comparison at all. Especially if you put the batteries in a 'high draw' environment (e.g. sawzall), the LI-Ion is a huge advantage. I'd strongly consider going Li-Ion over Ni-Cad.

 

[Smokey]

Changed from Porta-Cable (18v) to the Makita LXT (18v 3.0amp) version about a year ago and haven't looked back. I bought mine through that auction site as individual pieces and managed to save about 40% on what they wanted for the kit at HD. Lowes does not or did not carry it at the time.

BHP451 - 1/2 hammer drill, BTD140 - 1/4 impact driver, I've also picked up the 6/5 inch Circular Saw and a few more batteries. Nice piece of equipment.

Not to thread-jack, but has anyone tried to recondition/revive their NiCad batteries with a welder or 12v car battery?

 

[Crusty Nut]

Just an update, I got the Milwaukee set with the impact, drill and 18 volt lithium batteries. I love it so far after using it on a project over the last few days.

 

[CamarosRus]

To the top ................

 

[1969]

Panasonic cordless.

 

[Chris83]

I have a milwaukee 18 volt cordless and a rigid 18 volt cordless.. love the milwaukee but not a fan of the rigid as its now been sent back for repair a second time with barely any use on the drill..

 

[lawfarm]

I've posted on here a few times about my Hitachi Li-Ion cordless tools. I use the heck out of them, and they're great. Battery run times are better than my father's 18v Milwaukee, or my BIL's 24v DeWalt...and they're lighter and easier to hang onto all day. Even for high amperage, heavy duty usage (e.g. cordless sawzall), they really do the trick. I understand that they have a great warranty, but I've never had to use it.

They're a little ugly, but they really get the job done.

 

[rieferman]

I received this Milwaukee (drill, driver, hammer.. 1/2" chuck) for Christmas. (Edit: Home depot has them listed for $299 right now)

M18™ Cordless 1/2" Hammer-Drill Driver Kit 2602-22

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=2602-22&CategoryName=SC:+Hammer-Drills


I couldn't be happier.

Tons of power, and the hi/low speed setting is nice - sometimes you need more precision, sometimes you need the speed.

Batteries charge in an hour and last way longer than that. There's an indicator on the battery so you can test at any time how much juice is left.

1/2" chuck is important for me, lots of large bits when barn building.

Nicely weighted, reduces fatique.

Haven't used the hammer feature yet.

Tool fell from top of workbench.. bounced... no ill effects (not that I'll be trying to repeat that)

---
I have a milwaukee 11 amp corded sawzall too, and I've really put that thing through it's paces... I have to say, I'm fast becoming a fan of their products.

 

[octavio3311]

I picked up a Porter-Cable 18v drill & impact driver a month or so ago - bought them from CPO Tools! No compalints - great tool! My DeWalt has been bumped back to 2nd string!

 

[rburke65]

reiferman....How much?

 

[rieferman]

edited post above to show that Home Depot (as an example) has that Milwaukee drill for $299. Mine was a gift, so I'm not sure what was actually paid, but I can say I'd definitely pay that much after having used it.

 

[collmorgen]

Bosch is my choice.