Replies

1. 
   DrChops | Nov 28, 2005 06:51pm | #1

   hi paul,
   i don't use my tools hard everyday, as you clearly do (woodworking and some finish carpentry), but i have a ridgid and am quite happy with it. it's a bit heavy though, definitly noticeable after a couple of hours. i have contractor friends who do use their tools hard; two have milwaukees, and the other has a hilti.

   i'd be curious how your drills fail. does the motor quit? the gears strip? the batteries just give out?
   cheers,
   bert

   if it's worth doing at all, then it's worth doing well.
1. 
   UnclePaul | Nov 28, 2005 10:22pm | #3

   My most recent Dewalts' motor is failing. You hit the trigger and you get inconsistent power and a "motor is eating itself alive" smell. I've tried many different batteries in it so I know it's the drill. I've had many Ryobis. Batteries don't last, motors quit, gears shear off. I'm a sucker for that low price. I had an old 7.2V makita which I liked, but don't know about their newer cordless.

   I'd considered Hilti but the price seemed crazy. In the $350 range I think. Maybe I'll get to it eventually but I'd rather hear some testimonials before I make the leap.

   Thanks,

   -Paul

2. 
   PlaneWood | Nov 28, 2005 09:55pm | #2

   My PC 14.4V 1/2" portable drill is still crankin' along after 6 years of almost daily use.  I'm on my 4th and 5th battery set now.   It has seen quite a bit of heavy use and has definitely earned it's keep.

   I do not know if the current PC's are as good as they were 6 years ago.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   UnclePaul | Nov 28, 2005 10:31pm | #4

   A co-worker of mine had a PC 19.2V drill that he absolutely beat the !@#$%$ out of. It lasted him in the two year range. I think he went thru a few sets of batts. also. Does the 14.4V give you enough juice for what you throw at it? I use mine at a bench but also in the field for installs. Occasionally it gets tossed in a bag and on a plane for out of town jobs as well. Those baggage handlers can get medievel on a tool bag!!

   Thanks,

   -Paul

1. 
   PlaneWood | Nov 29, 2005 01:21am | #6

   I mainly use mine for wood screws and it has more than enough power for that.  With a full battery and set on high torque it will snap most screws if not careful.  Mine looks like crap with all the banging around it's gotten but it still works.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

1. 
   UnclePaul | Nov 29, 2005 03:17am | #8

   Mike,

   The uglier the better- no one will want to steal it.

   Thanks,

   -Paul

1. 
   cicero | Nov 29, 2005 08:34am | #9

   And don't forget to try impact driver.

    

   http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/welcome.pl?ref=froogle+page=/a/ab/pana/ey7202gqw.htm

3. 
   mike4244 | Nov 28, 2005 11:00pm | #5

   Look into the Panasonic drills, I know they make a 12 volt and a 15.6 volt drill. Not sure about 18 volts. I do not own one but have used them. They are by far the best cordless drills I have used. No other drill I used comes close. I own two dewalts, both are okay. I have used the bosch,porter cable, makita, hitachi and milwaukee. They all worked okay,they are chevy's compared to a rolls royce when comparing them to the panosonic. The chuck and the batteries are superior to the others. When the dewalt's go I'll buy a panosonic.

   mike

1. 
   UnclePaul | Nov 29, 2005 03:15am | #7

   Thanks Mike. I will look more into the Panasonic. What retailers carry that line?

   -Paul

1. 
   mike4244 | Nov 29, 2005 09:26pm | #10

   I am not sure who carries them in the stores. Do a google search and you will find online companies, maybe some local stores.You can also look for reviews on cordless drills,epionions for one.

   mike

    

4. 
   homespice | Nov 29, 2005 10:29pm | #11

   When I started in college as a "low man" on a carpentry crew in boston my boss made me go buy a 18v dewalt, I have had it since 1998 and have never had to buy new batteries, use it most days, most of the day. Have dropped it 6feet off a ladder onto plywood floors, and it is still running like a dream, starting to notice the batteries don't last quite as long as they used to.  Figures for coming on 8 years!  The biggest problem I have and what never seems to be adressed in new drills is when ever I REALY need it, the battery has JUST run out!  Now why can't anyone do something about that!

    

   Build yankee speak swedish

   Joel

1. 
   rbarlow | Nov 30, 2005 05:34am | #12

   I have a makita that's about 7years old with the orig batteries it's gets pretty good use and has never failed to impress me the batteries are finally starting to go but I will replace them and keep going and when it finally dies I will replace it with the new mxt or what ever new one is out at that time.  The good thing about mak is the nick metal hyd batteries they are lighter and last longer than the nicad's that most of the other manufacters use.  If I used a drill in the field not just at home for wwrking and household fixes, I would def look into milwalkees Lithion ion 28v best battery on the market right now.

2. 
   UnclePaul | Dec 01, 2005 03:38am | #13

   Hey Joel,

   Man, that's a long time for cordless! You must have gotten the best drill off the assembly line that day. I wonder if the Dewalts have just gotten cheaper (quality) over the years? I just burnt up a Dewalt in under 2 years!

   Thanks,

   -Paul

   PS. I gave up those New England winters for Sunny Florida, never look back...Go Pats!

1. 
   BMilton | Dec 04, 2005 09:02pm | #21

   Don't know how long the new Dewalts will last, but I have a 12-volt drill I got almost twenty years ago that's still going strong. It's time for new batteries, but the drill just keeps on going. I don't use it every day, but do use it several times a week.

   I now have a new 18-volt hammerdrill - hope that last as long!

       Doc Bob

1. 
   UnclePaul | Dec 06, 2005 01:15am | #22

   Thanks to everyone for the responses..........I guess they just don't make em' like they used to ( or should )!!

   -Paul

1. 
   nikkiwood | Dec 06, 2005 07:32am | #23

   I will put in another vote for the Panasonic stuff. I would be embarrassed to tell you how many drills/impact drivers I have, but none of them have ever failed. They are used very hard, and the batteries last for about 4-5 years. The only other cordless drills I see with any frequency around here are Dewalts, and all the users complain about short battery life. You hear that in these forums too.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   UnclePaul | Dec 07, 2005 03:26am | #25

   Panasonic keeps coming up as a top brand. I haven't been around them personally, but am looking to remedy that shortly.

   Thanks,

   -Paul 

3. 
   Ejc | Dec 07, 2005 02:59am | #24

   Well i'll put in another vote for the panasonics.

    I have been using cordless drills hard , daily for about five years now. My first year i burned up a milwaukee, second year a dewalt lasted bout four months, switched to Bosch, liked the drill a lot but the batteries wouldnt hold up. Then an electrician friend of mine told me to try the pany's. Had the 15.6 for bout two + years b4 it started acting up, then bought the 18v in spring of 2004  (may look like hell now ) Running like a champ still , if theres any drawback, its that the 18 is a bit heavy, I may go back to the 15.6 if this dies. When I say my drills are used hard, I install gutter screws all day every day, 6 days a week.

    

    Thats my .02            E

    

4. 
   UnclePaul | Dec 07, 2005 03:37am | #26

   Yeah.... if you're driving gutter screws with no problem, that's the drill for me. I can only imagine how long a Home Cheapo Ryobi would last in your tool bag!!!

   Thanks,

   -Paul

2. 
   papanick | Dec 07, 2005 08:27pm | #27

   Don't bet the farm on it.

   I just finally broke my 12v Dewalt Versaclutch. Dropped it one time too many, and the gears went bye-bye.

   Can't complain. Bought it in '93. But I've had my crews go through a bunch of 18V driver/drills in that time.

   I specifically bought 2 older used DeWalts to replace my 12V. A pistol handle and a t-handle.

   Of course, the fact that I have a DW9090 Supercharger that has kept all my batteries alive after so many years (even my 9.6V Makitas are still in good shape).

   My number one suggestion to anyone spending over $200 on a drill is to get an electronic fast-charger. They're worth it in the long run.The older I get, the better I was....

5. 
   mikegagne | Dec 03, 2005 09:13am | #14

   No matter which drill you use almost all are Panasonic clones. They invented and license the technology as well as make some of the motors and batteries. Makita, Hitachi, PC, and others are Panasonic so why not just use the Panasonic. They are well balanced, powerful have very good chucks to boot. I personally use the impact drivers now more than just the drills and am currently in a Makita 2.0 amp tool and a Panasonic 14.4v. I also have a Bosch 18v hammer drill for installing on concrete surfaces. The Panasonic rules IMHO. aloha, mike

1. 
   PaulT | Dec 03, 2005 05:24pm | #15

   I have both the Milwaukee 18V and the Makita 12V impact which is a deal at $199 because it also includes the 12V drill and 2 2.6 amp batts. As much as I like the quality and service the Milw has given me to date, I ususally grab the Makita it's light, the trigger is controlable. I use it for screws and drilling with quick realease bits.  It also has an LED light that if you put the trigger lock on you can use to light a small area w/o running the tool.  The LED is not a gimmick if you do any work in cabinets or dark places, under stairwells or closets where you need torque and illuminati this is a great feature.

   Good luck!

   Paul

1. 
   UnclePaul | Dec 04, 2005 02:04am | #17

   Well I may have jinxed it.......So I'm working away with the new Bosch drill, just like everyday, and I start to notice that electrical burning smell. Kinda like the way Moms old Singer sewing machine used to smell-(another story). The motor starts making some grinding sounds and some unusually large sparks shooting out  the little vent holes in the back. WHAT THE !@#$%^  is going on?!?!?

   Now some of you might be saying "this guy's brutal on his tools". Fact is I was just driving some 1-1/2" screws putting plywood carcasses together, no tool abuse at all.

   I guess it's Panasonic or bust! Talk about frustrating, though! At least it answers my original question about Bosch drills!

   Thanks,

   -Paul

1. 
   cicero | Dec 04, 2005 09:52am | #18

   I will post this again,its the latest Panasonic,I want one but to expensive out here.

   http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/welcome.pl?ref=froogle+page=/a/ab/pana/ey7202gqw.htm

2. 
   rbarlow | Dec 04, 2005 06:59pm | #19

   makita has a brand new lithion ion 18v hammer drill at hd.  it only weighs as much as a 12v wish mine old one would die so I would have an excuse to go get it.

1. 
   rwdare | Dec 04, 2005 07:34pm | #20

   What I don't understand is that you buy a drill, charger and 2 batteries for $150 - $200 and then the replacement batteries are $75 each!

   Dick

3. 
   DougF | Dec 08, 2005 06:59pm | #28

   FWIW, FWW did a 14.4v comparision within the past year and rated the Milwaukee best followed by either a Panasonic or a Rigid, I'm not sure which.  I just threw away a 14.4 Delta still under warantee (my second one) that is a piece of junk.  I'm planning to replace it with either the MIlwaukee or Panasonic. 

1. 
   UnclePaul | Dec 09, 2005 03:22am | #29

   That's interesting.........A co-worker brought in consumer reports. They tested cordless drills and found the Hitachi 18V the best followed by Panasonic 15.6V and Panasonic 18V third. The Bosch 18V which I just recently used and found to be junk was fifth, I think. Rigid drills were a ways down on the list.  I'm not sure what to make of the data. Seems that no matter what the source though, Panasonic comes up aces.

   Thanks,

   -Paul

2. 
   DougF | Dec 09, 2005 05:02pm | #30

   After more research, yesterday I bought a Panisonic 12v.  For the vast majority of my shop uses, 12v is more than sufficient.  If I need more than this I have other 110v drills.  I have to admit I thought hard about the Panasonic impact and drill combo kits.  They have 3 models ranging from $190 - $270 from Amazon. 

2. 
   UnclePaul | Dec 04, 2005 01:51am | #16

   Hey Mike,

   Didn't know that about Panasonic. I've just never come across them before. May have to try them next.

   Thanks,

   -Paul