Small cordless drill suggestions

[Easterlake]

I love my 18v makita drill but sometimes it is a pain to drag around especially if I'm on a ladder like I was today. I'm thinking about something in the 12v or smaller range to handle the smaller jobs. I know the newer 12v have a lot of punch to them. What are you guys using?.......thanks

 

[Apdl]

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/tools/cordless-tools/m12-cordless-system

My M12 Drill is a absolute MONSTER
Only Drill I own and it has not let me down
Even used it to dill in to cinder blocks for window wells

 

[Easterlake]

That's good to here. I have a Milwaukee jobsite radio and I was leaning on the m12. Thanks

 

[muibubbles]

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/tools/cordless-tools/m12-cordless-system

My M12 Drill is a absolute MONSTER
Only Drill I own and it has not let me down
Even used it to dill in to cinder blocks for window wells

+1 LOVE my milwaukee m12

 

[IndyGarage]

I have both the Milwaukee M12s and the similar Bosch units. They are great from a portability and versatility standpoint. You really can't go wrong with either brand, but right now the Bosch's are better.

Bosch introduced them to the market in about 2005 as 10.8 volts, then about eighteen months later Milwaukee came out with their M12's (which are actually 10.8 volts!) and the M12's at the time bested Bosch in several features, as well as power and speed.

Then in the fall of 2010, Bosch upgraded theirs (and now called them 12 volts, even though they are still 10.8 volts). The newest generation Boschs are more compact, much faster and more powerful than the Milwaukees. I expect Milwaukee will introduce upgraded models sometime soon and will up the ante again.

Makita and Dewault also brought out something similar last fall, so there are several choices now. One thing you'll want to take a look at is the other tools that share the same batteries - Both Milwaukee and Bosch have a very extensive line of companion tools, and there are quite a few tools that are unique to one or the other. That might tip your decision.

 

[toolman1967]

Just bought the 12 v Hitachi drill/impact combo for less than $100. Works great and keeps a long charge.

 

[fivespdcat]

I've got a Bosch ps30, great drill, but the ps31 is stronger and just about anything you would need for general use short of an impact.

 

[MattPersman]

i certainly hope the newer bosch version is better than the old ps20. I have that and it is real disappointing compared to the makita 10.8 in all aspects, power, speed, build quality.

I would like to try the new bosch and milwaukee but how many of these things do you really need lol?

 

[Easterlake]

i certainly hope the newer bosch version is better than the old ps20. I have that and it is real disappointing compared to the makita 10.8 in all aspects, power, speed, build quality.

I would like to try the new bosch and milwaukee but how many of these things do you really need lol?

I agree. I'm actually trying to decide if I "need" an 18v and a 12v. Since I already have a couple m12 batteries, I think ill try to pick up a "tool only" auction on ebay. Looks like I can get just the drill for $50 or so

 

[IndyGarage]

i certainly hope the newer bosch version is better than the old ps20. I have that and it is real disappointing compared to the makita 10.8 in all aspects, power, speed, build quality.

I would like to try the new bosch and milwaukee but how many of these things do you really need lol?

The new version of the Bosch PS20 is much more compact (a little ugly in my opinion) and much more powerful and faster than the original.

I haven't compared the newer Bosch to the Makita version, but I have compared it side to side with my Milwaukee M12 and it blows the Milwaukee away.

I would guess the Makita is closer in performance to the new Bosch than the Milwaukee - because the Milwaukee design is now 4 years old.

If you already own one, then I wouldn't bother buying one of the newer ones - unless the lack of power bothers you. The function of the tool hasn't changed much over the years, just the speed and power. These were designed for easy carrying on a toolbelt for occasional use - they don't replace the function of a tool with a full sized battery pack.

My favorite 12v tool of all time is the panasonic drill/driver with the full 12v 3.3 AH battery pack. That thing was pretty lightweight and packed a punch. Unfortunately, I gave it away when I bought my Milwaukee M12's, because I didn't think I would use it anymore - it's bigger than these compact tools, but did everything I need in a cordless drill/driver.

 

[jk47]

I purchased a Dewalt 12V Max drill/impact driver combo from Amazon for $175 shipped a while back. The belt clip on them might be just what you need when climbing a ladder.

Really can't go wrong with newer Bosch, Makita, Hitachi, and of course Milwaukee with their huge selection of tools in the M12 line up. I hope Dewalt starts to expand their 12V line.

Head on down to a local shop and try them out and go for what feels best in your hand, they all offer similar performance.

 

[IndyGarage]

Another thought.

I recently bought one of the Milwaukee M12 XC battery packs. I think they are way overpriced, but it makes the tools much more useful. I was about to give up on the hacksall before this and with the XC battery the hacksall turns into a useful tool. It has a whole lot more power and endurance than before.

It looks to me like the Dewault 12v Max tools went with a battery more like the M12 XC across the board.

 

[BigJohn20]

The new version of the Bosch PS20 is much more compact (a little ugly in my opinion) and much more powerful and faster than the original.

I haven't compared the newer Bosch to the Makita version, but I have compared it side to side with my Milwaukee M12 and it blows the Milwaukee away.

Which Milwaukee did you compare the Bosch to? The newer Hammer Drill and 3/8" Drill Driver have similar specs to the PS21-2A.

 

[evildky]

dewalt, I've never had a single problem with a dewalt (well ok the chuck kinda broke after 8 years)

honestly I've never heard a complaint about dewalt, and they don't have the charger/battery issues found on other brands

 

[sporty_drew]

Head on down to a local shop and try them out and go for what feels best in your hand, they all offer similar performance.

^^^This is what I did.

I thought I wanted a M12 from all the hype on here until I went and held a few and the M12 just didn't seem as nice feeling as others.

 

[Stuey]

Dewalt 12V Drill review <-- this has been my current favorite

Bosch 12V Drill review <-- second favorite

I've also heard good things about Makita, and Milwaukee.

 

[american lockpicker]

Festool

 

[bobemmerich]

I go for my Skil Model 2466 12v. packs a punch and the battery seems to stay good for awhile...and for smaller jobs, the iX02...Only problem is the 2466battery is 36 bucks.

 

[nitropowered]

Very happy with my 12v Max Dewalt

 

[KCM1582]

I love my Bosch ps21. The batteries last a long time and it has lots of torque.

 

[domain]

BOSCH PS 21-2a. Rocks my socks. LOL

 

[Stephenw]

I have a Milwaukee M12 that has been great.

I have a review on my blog here...

http://shopngarage.com/2010/05/milwaukee-12v-cordless-drill/

 

[Hammer1963]

Matco MUC108DD 10.8 V 1/4" drill. Infinium line of tools. Great power, battery life and very compact. This tool has more power than my 3/8" 12V Dewalt.

 

[Easterlake]

I found a m12 impact driver with case 2 batteries and a charger for $85 on CL yesterday. Near new.
Already sold the charger on ebay for $20. For $65 net I thought this was to good to pass up

 

[IndyGarage]

Which Milwaukee did you compare the Bosch to? The newer Hammer Drill and 3/8" Drill Driver have similar specs to the PS21-2A.

Hmm. I wasn't aware that the 2410 driver with a chuck is any different than the 2401 one without a chuck . It looks like they added some torque to it and a two speed gearbox - but it looks identical to the other one - that's a stupid move by Milwaukee, if someone like me that owns it can't tell the difference.

I wouldn't buy the 2411 Personally a hammer function in this size tool, or any cordless drill/driver is useless for me.

The ones I compared:

2401-20 Milwaukee - which is the original
and
PS21-2a Bosch - new one.

No comparison between the two - the Bosch blows it away.

I also compared the
2451-22 Milwaukee
and
PS41-2A Bosch

A little closer, but the Bosch is still much faster.


Based on the specs it looks like you're correct that the milwaukee 2410 would compare more favorably to the Bosch. I can tell you that based on my experience I wouldn't hesitate to use either brand.

Interestingly the batteries are are the same size and shape, but they intentionally made them incompatible with one another - even though the little rechargeable cells inside are the same.

 

[bmcdowell40]

I bought the Dewalt 12V Max Li-Ion Drill & Impact driver set @ Lowe's a couple months ago. It was on sale for $159, used my Lowe's card and got another 5% off.

They're very lightweight and will work a long time on a charge. The drill works great for general purpose drilling of wood and metal with a good bit. I haven't tried using it on concrete or brick, for that I have a 18V dewalt hammer drill.

The impact driver is absolutely awesome. I have used a regular cordless drill for driving screws for years. Now that I've used a cordless impact, there's no going back.