Cordless Drill Driver Recommendations
Bioman
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I am looking at the most recent crop of Drill Drivers; would like an 18v lithium model. So far I am thinking either Hitachi or Makita but am open to other suggestions…
Interested in hearing what your personal experiences says is worth looking at and what to stay away from.
I use my drill drivers for both furniture work, basic construction and around the house repairs.
Replies
Makita proven itself
We're super-happy with the Makita drill/impact driver set. It's the 18V Lithium ion set, but not the top-of-the-line battery choice. We've built an Ipe deck with it (~38'x8'), used the impact driver to dismantle and to build other stuff. It's been rock-solid and the battery life-per-charge has been fine for us. Some people need longer performance on a charge. Be sure, with Li-ion, to recharge when there's a decrease in performance, not waiting until it's dead to charge, which decreases ultiimate life of the battery. It only takes ~15 minutes to charge. The small size and light weight are great, and the little light is surprisingly useful (it comes on when you pull the trigger, stays on for a minute or so afterward).
and the little light is surprisingly useful (it comes on when you pull the trigger...
I noticed your reply about the light. My Ridgid.... even when not using the tool, the 'light glows' a bit. Leave the drill alone for a few days and the battery is dead when you try to use it!
Lowe's carries a Skil drill/driver that is Li-ion 14.4v and about $79. I can't kill it!!! I know everyone is excited about 18v, and so was I, but not excited about the prices. The 14.4v model is light weight, has a light when drilling. Has a power light bar which tells you how much charge is left, ... It holds a charge when not in use, and I have never run it down. I use for normaal shop activities, church building maintenance, etc. Even if you end up with a higher end 18 volt model, everyone needs one of these in their "ready to go" tool kit.
Jerry
I've got the Makita too
Ditto to Forest Girl plus some addition kudos. The compact size of the impact driver can be deceiving. I've used it to drive 5/16 x 12" lag screws into solid fir without pre-drilling. I tried that with my corded 1/2" drill motor and just about broke my wrist from the torque and ended up driving the final 2" with the Makita once the charge was complete.
The headlight is very usefull also.
Bret
The battery life on a Hitachi is poor
Bioman:
Go with the Makita. I have the Hitachi 18v drill. It was fine the first year. Now the drill loses power quickly because the batteries drain fast and need constant recharging. If I had it to do over again I would pass on the Hitachi and go Makita. As a side comment, I gave my oldest son my 12 year old 14.4v Dewalt drill back when I bought the Hitachi two and a half years ago. That Dewalt and its batteries are still going strong.
gdblake
Makita Might Just Be the One
I'm leaning that way, going to look tonight. Thanks for all the input.
and what to stay away from...
I have some Ridgid (bigbox) tools I like but not fond of my Ridgid hand drill with 18v lithium batteries. I'd say, the batteries suck!
I have older 12 volt that last longer! Maybe I just do not like how the battries run out of 'juice'. They just give up without warning that you should have changed batteries before starting the next operation. Maybe the same with all lithium battries?
Lifetime Warantee on Rigid
Will,
Don't the Rigid tools come with a lifetime warantee that covers the battery too?
driver choice
I have the makita and its a good drill. I used it till I bought the Festool T15+3 there's no comparrison between the two, but you will pay for the festool. I can't speak to the hitachi. If you are on a tight budget I'd go with the Makita.
Festool T15+3
How's the dust collection on the Festool drill, Bones? ;-)
On the last few installs I put the Makita set through a thorough tryout and thought it was excellent. I'm a big fan of using only one drill- not two. I use a quick change adapter and hex shanks. I found that for most operations, I only needed the driver (quick change built in). I used it for light duty drilling with no problem and without the impact kicking in. The light weight and small size are a definite plus. Also, how did I ever work inside a cabinet without that light that comes on when you pull the trigger?
I haven't tried the others, but would like to know how they stack up.
Bought Makita
Based on comments from all of you I went out and purchased a Makita LXT211 Lithium-Ion Cordless combo kit. It comes with the BHP452 1/2" Hammer Driver, BTD141 Impact Driver, charger and two 3 ah batteries. I like the weight and balance of these more than the Hitachi's I was originally looking at, although this was $100 more and should be more substantial. Thanks for all of the input from everyone.
Hammer drill?
Hmmmm, the hammer drill surprises me. What kinds of projects are you anticipating for that tool (just curious). We have a corded Ridgid HD that we used to break up some concrete.
My vote goes to...
I have to say I haven't really got any personal experience of either the Hitachi or Makita. However, I have two contractors in the family who are both big fans of Makita.
My vote would go to DeWalt as I've had good service out all their cordless range for many years.
For mains powered tools I have never been brand loyal - I read the reviews, opinions and try to get some hands on time so I get the tool that best serves my requirements regardless of brand. However when it comes to cordless tools I really do not want lots of different batteries/chargers that do not fit different tools. Therefore this factors large in my choice of tools.
I know DeWalt doesn't always get the best ratings, but I have a lot of their cordless stuff and I have not been disappointed so far, especially with the hammer drill/drive and impact guns - the either the Lithium AND/OR NiCad fit them too.
I have the Bosch 12V li-ion and it has plenty of power.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=bosch+12v+cordless+drill&cid=3571384908133298145&ei=xuMSTKiHCpCOjQSD0fCvAg&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p
I also have the Makita 18V li-ion impact driver.
9 out of 10 times I reach for the 12V Bosch.
One nice thing about the Bosch is that it has a chuck. I can put all my bits and drivers in it.
Several yrs ago when I first heard of the li-ion battery, I read an article of the Milwaukee - I think it was about thirty volts. Haven't heard of it since. Did it not prove out?
I googled 36V and there is a Makita and a few others. Milwaukee currently only has 28V.
I remember Makita had a cordless miter saw. http://www.shopwiki.com/_Makita+BLS712SFK+MAKSTAR%C2%99+7-%C2%BD+in.+Cordless+Slide+Compound+Miter+Saw+Kit?s=134688&o=298957178
Nope, hammer drill
Nope, the post stated specifically an impact driver and a hammer drill, showed that set in the picture. No argument from me, just curious -- there may be an advantage to that combination, I'd love to know.
I do know someone, though, who had a DeWalt hammer drill, and thought it was the same thing as an impact driver. He was struggling big-time installing feed mangers he'd made out of Trex, in a new barn. Trying to wedge that heavy hammer drill into small spaces where he couldn't see a d*mn thing. I loaned him the Makita ID and he was transported to 7th Heaven. Went out and bought one the next day!
OOps, I should have checked that a little closer. But by your own admission, folks do get confused on that issue. I once had a real good hammer drill ($300 Bosh). It was corded and it would really hammer. Gave it to the guy who built my barn. Don't see a whole lot of use for one now. Have never used an impact drill. Probably get one when I find a good deal. Like another poster, I hesitate getting a bunch of cordless tools, each having a different battery. So far, I haven't had such good luck with cordless tools. Both batteries, the charger and the drill itself have gone bad with the combo drill-circle saw combo. Haven't used the saw enough for anything to go bad on it.
Tink
I have the Makita 18V set - very pleaed. At the time of purchase, Bosch didn't have a comparable set on the market - maybe now? I have a corded Milwaukee that's been good too.
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