Replies

1. 
   bill_1010 | Jun 26, 2003 06:48am | #1

   im going to take a guess, look at the Amp Hour rating of the batteries.  Ive gone away from the dewalt brand (went panasonic for my drill replacement, they make 90% of all cordless batteries today) not all batteries have the same Amp hour rating and thats rating that best desribes your time between change outs.

   Most of the other manufacturers have decided to list the Amp HOurs on the battery to distinguish its battery life)

2. 
   Ricky_Yu | Jun 26, 2003 11:24am | #2

   WmP might be correct about a possible amp hour difference between the two, but you wouldn't know it from DeWalt's catalog or website. While they tout the XR+ as being a 2.4 Amp Hour battery, no mention is made for the XR other than the claim that it is 15% smaller and 10% lighter than the XR+. The XR+ is claimed to have 40% more run time than the XR.

3. 
   FrankZuccarini | Jun 26, 2003 04:20pm | #3

   Thank-you, Wmp and Ricky.

   As you can tell, it is hard to get all the data one needs to make an informed decision.  Simply having an amp rating for each unit would answer my question, but I cannot find this information.  I don't know if this is by neglect or intent on the part of DeWalt.

   Thanks for your help...................Frank

1. 
   Robbie | Jun 26, 2003 05:26pm | #4

   I very much agree with WMP about brand choice.  I was dead set on getting a new Dewalt cordless kit. 

   Then I read a comparison in FWW or FHB, it rated the Panasonic VERY highly and above the DeWalt.  Still skeptical, I asked a few people I know about the drill, including one that had both.  He laughed at me.  His points were that the Panasonic is 1) lighter;  2) better balanced and more comfortable;  3) A charge lasts much longer with the 15.6 V batteries.  Said he rarely needs a corded drill, even with the toughest of materials.

   I ordered the Panasonic kit from Amazon for $209.  Haven't been disappointed yet.

2. 
   bill_1010 | Jun 26, 2003 08:44pm | #5

   I was in the tool store today and couldnt find an amp hr rating on those dewalt batteries.  But i noticed even teh 18v only had 2.4 amp hrs. whereas my panasonic 15.6 had 3.5amp hr batteries.   Better drill better batteries....

   Unless youre dead set on dewalt, id recommend going to panasonic. 

1. 
   Ricky_Yu | Jun 27, 2003 11:30am | #6

   The Panasonic routinely win cordless drill surveys, but its seems as if it is only slowly catching on. I believe this is the result of two factors. One is the range of cordless products. The Panasonic line is pretty much limited to drills and circular saws. The rise in popularity of combo kits has given manufacturers who put out a diverse line of cordless tools an edge. Makita and DeWalt are two such examples. DeWalt sports a slightly deeper line-up in terms of tools and battery-charging options while Makita, like Panasonic, offers the superior nickel-metal hydride batteries.

   The second factor, I think, is more psychological. Ask me to name a worldwide manufacturer of a wide-ranging line of consumer products including great power tools and I would probably say "Bosch". To me, Panasonic is what I get if Sony is too pricy. Branding is important. I wonder if Panasonic is doing their cordless tool division a disservice by hitching these good tools to a name that had been associated with mediocre products in the past.

4. 
   FrankZuccarini | Jun 27, 2003 02:57pm | #7

   Gentlemen, thank-you all for your time and consideration.

   You've pretty much convinced me that Panasonic is the way to go, although my male ego will definately take a hit.  Being an engineer, however, I've got to go with the better product.

   Thanks....................Frank

1. 
   bill_1010 | Jun 27, 2003 03:34pm | #8

   Friends dont let friends buy dewalt.....

1. 
   FrankZuccarini | Jun 27, 2003 03:56pm | #9

   I'm sorry, but one more very important question.

   I just went to the Panasonic web site to check on this drill's specs, and it lists torque at 78 in lbs on high speed and 282 in lbs on low speed.  This is pathetic compared to Dewalt, or nearly anyone else.

   I then went to Amazon.com, and they list one torque value, at 390 in lbs, for the 15.6 V drill.  This is very comparable with DeWalt or anyone else.

   I have written to Panasonic for an explaination, but I haven't heard back yet.

   Can you provide any insight as to this descrepancy, and any personal observations about the drill's power vs the competion?  Something is missing here.

   Again, thanks................Frank

1. 
   bill_1010 | Jun 27, 2003 08:12pm | #10

   i havent had any problem with my panasonic as far as torque.  However ive gone to a makita impact unit for my screwing needs.

   I suggest you look at the panasonic multi driver.  Its both a drill and an impact unit.   Pretty much all the builders over at the taunton breaktime have given rave reviews of the panasonic multi driver or the drill unit.  Most have said they wouldnt go back to the other brands after going to panasonic.   I agree, and if i hand bought a makita impact wrench 2mos before the panasonic purchase id have sprung for the panasonic multi driver.  

   Panasonic multi driver has a replaceable drive unit that switches out from an impact mode (mega torque for your screwing needs) to a clutched drill unit for drilling holes.  I know panasonic's charger is top notch as are their batteries. Every review of the panasonic drills ive seen all put them at the top, from JLC, to taunton to the other wood butcher magazines panasonics rate high. Even compared to 18v cordless.

   Remember something about advertised specs, they are fudged like those 6hp 120v craftsman shop-vacs.....  I still wouldnt trade out my panasonic for a dewalt, makita or a bosch cordless driver.   But that makita impact wrench is just the cats meow... tapcons dont scare that little 12v monster.  since youre posting on a woodworking site im assuming youre not a builder, but no matter what cordless you chose there are some applications that cordless cant do. Thats why they have those but hole-shooters with torque that can break your wrists.  I still use my low RPM high torque drill for heavy duty hole-saw or auger/ship bits.  

   Also remember if youre drills are sharp sometimes you never use your drills potential torque.

1. 
   FrankZuccarini | Jun 27, 2003 11:20pm | #11

   Again, thanks.

   I hadn't considered an impact unit.  I don't know what I'd do with it other than the rare hole in masonry.

   If you are comfortable with the Panasonic's torque, I will probably still go that way.

   Regards.................Frank

2. 
   bill_1010 | Jun 27, 2003 11:33pm | #12

   The impact unit is ideal for ANY screwing application.   Impacts wont eat up your screw slots and spin them out.   The impact wrench is all i will use now when doing any screwing of any kind (besides drywall)  The impacts let you screw longer and screw more. Kinda like the viagra of cordless drills....

   So if you use screws of any kind around the house and are tired of drills stripping out your screws then you need to try an impact wrench it solves it.

   If i were you id buy the panasonic multi driver.   Do a search at breaktime and youll get positive results from the tradespeople there about them.