Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Jul 14, 2004 05:23pm | #1

   I'm partial to DeWalt, the 18v is a solid model,good balance , runs a long, long time between charges.

     Panasonic makes an  aconcentric drill with the chuck offset, to get in tight spots; a nice drill also.

2. 
   DB | Jul 14, 2004 07:19pm | #2

   Spent a lot of time researching this lately and bought the Makita MForce 14.4v.  If you need more torque and care less about weight, get the 18v version.  If you are primarily concerned about battery life between charges, get the Panasonic 15.6v or 12v - no one has yet matched their 3.5 amp/hour battery.  Makita is second best at 2.6 amp/hour and I find that to be more than adequate for my projects.  If I'm doing decking or something like that, I'll use a corded drill so I don't burn up my cordless.  I can't speak personally for the DeWalts although I always heard good things and they seem to be beloved especially among contractors, especially since they can share batteries easily with each other and between different tools, but for woodworking, I've heard the clutches on the XRP series are problematic and it is very easy to over-drive screws.  This may not be an issue for the non-XRP line.  Hearing enough people comment on the clutch issue plus the battery performance is not quite to the Makita level (although still good from what I have heard), I settled on Makita.  The feature on the Makita that I love is the clutch override feature - you can leave the clutch setting at whatever you prefer and with the click of a swith override it for drilling, then flip the switch to drive your screw.  I use that feature all the time instead of constantly changing the clutch setting.  They also have a promo right now where you get a pretty nice toolbelt for free also.  I initially bought a Bosch but I found their battery to be the weakest of the pro-grade drills and took it back.  I loved the single sleeve chuck but between the weak battery life and the lack of a smart charger, I took it back. 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/14/2004 12:24 pm ET by DB

1. 
   micanopy | Jul 14, 2004 08:07pm | #3

   Thanks much for the info.....especially on the Bosch. I'm going to check out Makita although I really liked the power of the 19.2 V system. Perhaps I'll try the 18V version of the Makita.......Anybody got a reference between the 14.4V & 18 V?

1. 
   ikor | Jul 14, 2004 09:57pm | #4

   For power, get the 18v Milwaukee LocTor...it rocks! (much stronger than the PC 19v and now with 2.6A batteries) I have the Makitas in both 14v and 18v and find myself using mostly my 14v due to the size and general handiness. In fairness, however, if you really "need" power in a small package for driving, get a cordless impact driver...12v is quite enough for most anything...and you will have about 4x as much punch as with the drill/driver combos. Makita makes a very nice one. You will need to get a bit holder as the impact drivers do not come with standard chucks like the drill / drivers...about $30 or so extra.

1. 
   Shopmole | Jul 14, 2004 10:03pm | #5

   Alll right don't jump on me:

   I get alot of use and abuse out of the Craftsman 18v hammer drill. Batteries last you long time.

   I'm not sure who makes it for them ,but I'm sure one of the big companies does.

3. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Jul 14, 2004 11:07pm | #6

   Butch,

   you didn't mention what your use was, but for driving screws, check out the hitachi 12V impact.  I use Bosch drills and haven't experienced battery problems.  I have, however, had battery life issues with Makita. 

4. 
   stevemorris | Jul 17, 2004 01:18am | #7

   i use 3 makita 14.4 drivers all day everyday as a kitchen cabinet installer and the oldest is about 7 years old

   i cant tell which is which

   all work flawlessly

   caulking is not a piece of trim

5. 
   Curtis | Jul 17, 2004 02:33am | #8

   Hello

   If power is what you are looking for in a cordless drill. look at hilti. there drills have more power then anyone . they use a different battery source, that gives more amps.

   Ive used one last week at work. and WOW!!! it beets my DeWalt, and my portercable hands down.

   Now the bad side, Its almost a $100.00 more than any drill on the market. (that Ive seen.)

   But "BOY" was that a nice drill. the weight is about the same as a 14 volt and the power beat my 19.2 volt. Now IF I CAN GET MY BOSS TO BUY ME ONE?? ;-)

   see you all latter.

   C.A.G.
6. 
   bill_1010 | Jul 18, 2004 08:21pm | #9

   In every review ive seen, panasonic tops out the lists.   I bought a panasonic 15.6 and im impressed.  Ill buy a panasonic again and again if need be.   The batteries are the best with makita second.  (panasonic makes 90% of most cordless batteries)  They use nimh batteries are are 3.5 amp/hr most others besides makita and panasonic use nicadium batteries.

   Dewalt cordless are junk, ive gone through too many of them, the batteries dont hold up. 

7. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 18, 2004 08:49pm | #10

   The thing I dislike about cordless tools is that you are pretty much forced to commit to one brand -- since none of the batteries or chargers are compatible with different brands.

   I went the Panasonic way years ago, and I can say their products are excellent -- but I have no idea how they might stack up with other brands. The batteries seem to last about 2-3 years, depending on how heavily you use them. And I have never worn out one of their drills. I did drop one off a ladder once and broke the drill housing -- which I was able to have replaced for $30.

   Also, replacement batteries are expensive -- about $80-90 , as I recall for the 15.6 volt. By the time you buy two new batteries, you can instead get a whole kit (2 batteries, charger, drill) for about $200. And that's why there are probably way to many drills laying around my shop.

   I would also put in a plug for the 15.6v drill/impact driver combo unit. If you want a driver that will handle big fasteners -- lags, or 3" drywall screws, this thing does the job effortlessly. But again, I don't know how it might compare to other brands.

1. 
   MajorWool | Jul 19, 2004 08:25am | #11

   I have a 6V Ryobi for ladder work. If (when) I drop it I won't cry. Its about 18 ft from my eaves to the concrete driveway, and I doubt any drill would survive that fall, so it may as well be a cheapie. ;-)