Which Drill and Impact Driver set to get?

[bte0816]

I have been looking for an Impact Driver lately and for the price of just the driver it looks like I can spend a little more and get an 18v drill also. I might as well do that because I currently have an 18v nicad Hitachi 18v drill and want to change over to lithium batteries.

Can anyone recommend any of these or have suggestions as to other kits to look at? I'm not really brand loyal because I believe everyone makes some **** tools in their line up. Want to keep it below 250 if I can.

Thanks,
Brett

Milwaukee
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F7BIMG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Makita
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V2BRM2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Bosch
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GT0IXO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Robbie UK]

I'd take the Makita over the Milwaukee but the matching 18v Makita impact wrench (should that be a future upgrade path) lets the 18v range down a little but the set you show is great. Makita vs Bosch is more difficult as I prefer the Makita impact driver but favour the Bosch Drill.

Don't think you would be disappointed with either though, so pick the range that you want to stick with so you are not repeating batteries/chargers etc.

 

[TexasDmax]

In the HVAC business, my guys use these daily. We have had the same amount of luck out of the Makita and Dewalt. I would say that the Makita battery seems to last a little longer, but not much and it may depend on what we are using it for. Some of my guys have tried cheaper brands, but they never last. I had a Bosch battery drill for a while, but it burned up. We use Milwaukee sawzalls and big drills, but don't have any of the battery stuff. Get the Lithium battery, it is worth it to us. I have a 12 volt set, and it works great for me, since I dont do alot of heavy use, plus its lighter. All the installers like the 18 and 20 volt models

 

[bimmerZ5]

all of those are all pretty good, it's going to come down to personal preference. personally, i would also add in the Dewalt XRP 18V line or products too; they are decent and usually a little bit cheaper. The Dewalt XRP 18V products are made in Mexico with batteries from Japan. (I would avoid the newer 20V Dewalt, which really isn't 20V, and are made in China; i've heard 2nd hand stories that quality is lacking too)

another consideration might be to consider what other tools are offered in the collection. if you ever decide to expand on your power tools that use the same batteries/charger, you'll have a better selection.

personally, I've always liked the "feel" of the Bosch, but I don't own any. if my current powertools all die on me, I may go Bosch next time.

 

[ishiboo]

Depends, do you own a GM, Ford or Dodge?

 

[Keep]

I am a fan of the Bosch set. The free extended warranty if you register the tools does not hurt either.

 

[tonycastec]

Here's a different angle : check how many other tools the brand of your choice have that use the same battery. Then check how much replacement batteries cost.
The Ryobi "Plus One" system is great if you want a lot of different tools and lots of batteries.
Some of the premium brands require unique batteries with weird/proprietary shapes to lock you in to their inflated prices.
Another angle is to chose an obscure but necessary cordless tool for your trade and make sure your preferred brand has that tool. In my case I had to have a cordless caulk gun to apply NP1 sealant(very thick but wonderful stuff!).Ryobi was the best choice in 18v Lithium.
Then there is the miserable consideration of theft and damage. HF and Ryobi seem to be very low on the thieves list on my job sites.If a Ryobi slides off the roof it isn't so bad as a premium brand.

 

[karl1672]

We have a couple of the Makita LCT300W sets. My wife's a GC and beats the ^%$^ out of them. No problems. Good weight to power ratio.

 

[-Brent-]

I didn't choose, since it was a gift but I was given a 12v Milawaukee impact driver and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't hesitate on the 18v. I've heard good things about the Bosch, too.

 

[bigbarf48]

Dewalt 20v set

 

[Crusty Nut]

Milwaukee lithium 18Volts.

 

[ChrisF250]

I too am looking for a new set. I was close to pulling the trigger on the set below but I keep hearing bad things about milwaukee. I need to just pick one already and get it over with.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...-Hero-_-Milwaukee_2_Tool_Combo_Kit-_-Shop_Now

 

[bimmerZ5]

I too am looking for a new set. I was close to pulling the trigger on the set below but I keep hearing bad things about milwaukee. I need to just pick one already and get it over with.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...-Hero-_-Milwaukee_2_Tool_Combo_Kit-_-Shop_Now

if you're not in a hurry, i would wait for a sale. Milwaukee has been aggressively selling their power tools on promotion lately. that $200 set you list only comes with the half sized batteries, that's why it's $200. when you find the sales, you can get the same set with the full sized batteries for about $200, sometimes a little less depending on the promo. late last year, they had a "trade-in" promo that got you $100 off the sale price if you traded in a competitor's cordless power tool... my friend got a brand new cordless something from HFT for like $10 and traded that in to get $100 off the sale price.

 

[NastyNate]

I have been using the Makitas for 2 years now I think. I have dropped them countless times soaked them with water and use them 5-6 days a week for work. They get used most of the day and the 2 original batteries STILL hold a great charge, not like brand new but still great.

I have abused these things....

 

[shoturtle]

I would go with the bosch. It is a good tool. If you want to save a little. The drill is nice and smooth, and the impactor compact. CPO has a kit with the same 2 battery but with a free slim pack for 40 bucks more.

http://www.cpotools.com/bosch-clpk2...d.html?start=4&cgid=bosch-cordless-combo-kits

 

[kngelv]

all of those are all pretty good, it's going to come down to personal preference. personally, i would also add in the Dewalt XRP 18V line or products too; they are decent and usually a little bit cheaper. The Dewalt XRP 18V products are made in Mexico with batteries from Japan. (I would avoid the newer 20V Dewalt, which really isn't 20V, and are made in China; i've heard 2nd hand stories that quality is lacking too)

another consideration might be to consider what other tools are offered in the collection. if you ever decide to expand on your power tools that use the same batteries/charger, you'll have a better selection.

personally, I've always liked the "feel" of the Bosch, but I don't own any. if my current powertools all die on me, I may go Bosch next time.

Not entirely true. The 20V impact is made in China but all the rest are still made in Mexico. The batteries are all made in Japan. I sold my 18v XRP stuff to get the new 20V. The quality is the same and they are much lighter and more ergonomic. The impact is much nicer than the 18V the other stuff I have is roughly the same but more comfortable to use. BTW the Milwaukee and Makita are China made while the Bosch rotates between Malaysia and China. I say DeWalt or Bosch.

James

 

[oldwino]

if you're not in a hurry, i would wait for a sale. Milwaukee has been aggressively selling their power tools on promotion lately. that $200 set you list only comes with the half sized batteries, that's why it's $200. when you find the sales, you can get the same set with the full sized batteries for about $200, sometimes a little less depending on the promo. late last year, they had a "trade-in" promo that got you $100 off the sale price if you traded in a competitor's cordless power tool... my friend got a brand new cordless something from HFT for like $10 and traded that in to get $100 off the sale price.

I bought my first cordless in the mid 80's...9.6v Makita that was indestructible...great tool, but a little under-powered for what I needed. "up-graded" to an 18v DeWalt set-up and was never happy with battery life or power (I know, it was the old ni-cad battery unit). Pulled the trigger on the Milwaukee 18v set last year during the afore mentioned sales promotion and love it. With the larger batteries, you get a ton of use per charge. A little bit pissed when I discovered a couple of weeks after purchase/use the COO is China

 

[bimmerZ5]

Not entirely true. The 20V impact is made in China but all the rest are still made in Mexico. The batteries are all made in Japan. I sold my 18v XRP stuff to get the new 20V. The quality is the same and they are much lighter and more ergonomic. The impact is much nicer than the 18V the other stuff I have is roughly the same but more comfortable to use. BTW the Milwaukee and Makita are China made while the Bosch rotates between Malaysia and China. I say DeWalt or Bosch.

James

just for the sake of clarity, what part of what i wrote is "not entirely true"? as far as I can tell, you repeated what i said... except that I've heard that the new 20V system has had reliability issues. and I personally don't like the deceptive marketing of the 18V system as a 20V system just because the cells show 20V+ when fully charged. the number of cells are the same as the older 18V system, even the old 18V system showed 20V when fully charged.

 

[nateplumb]

I like the makita myself I use mine often. I bought them after seeing a contrator friend of mine get 5 years out of his and he is still using them daily and beats the crapout of em.

 

[LSU]

I love cordless drills/drivers.

Had lots of the major brands but I'm slowly going back to corded tools when practical.

Most of the work I do is in my shop or garage. Seems that just as soon as I get used to a new cordless set of tools, the darn battery won't hold a charge and the cost of the new battery justifies buying a new tool.

 

[bimmerZ5]

I love cordless drills/drivers.

Had lots of the major brands but I'm slowly going back to corded tools when practical.

Most of the work I do is in my shop or garage. Seems that just as soon as I get used to a new cordless set of tools, the darn battery won't hold a charge and the cost of the new battery justifies buying a new tool.

i guess it depends on where you buy your batteries. if you shop at the local big box, then yeah, they are going to be expensive. if you shop around, they are much more affordable.