Well, my 9 year old Dewalt drill finally quit and I get to buy something new. I was looking at the Panasonic 15.6 volt but was wondering if it is too big for woodworking. It will also be used for general purpose jobs around the house.
I was also thinking about the multi driver. Any input would be great. Thanks,
Lance
Replies
Many believe that Panasonic cordless drills and impact drivers are the best on the market.
Yes, a 15.6v is probably heavier than you might need for most household tasks, but there will be times when you are glad you have the extra power.
I would find someplace that sells these drills, pick up the 12 v, and compare it with the heft of the 15.6 v. If the latter is too heavy for you, I'm sure you will be satisfied with the former; it just won't handle some of the heavy duty stuff the larger one will.
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"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
I have a 14.4 volt makita with a 3/8" chuck. It came with two batteries and a flash light. I have been happy with the drill and if you have not used a flash light like this. It beats the heck out of one that takes to "D" cells. Anyway I have used the panisonics and they are nice to.
"I was also thinking about the multi driver"
LP,
I bought the 15.6v Panasonic multi-driver and haven't looked back since; best $300 I've spent in quite a long time. The weight trade-off compared to lighter drill/drivers or straight impact drivers hasn't even been a consideration, such has been my blissful satisfaction with this extraordinarily versatile tool.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask youself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I have the new Makita 14.4 volt with the1/2in chuck and the 2.6 Ah batts.(Model#6337DWDE). I tried every one out there and none could match the Makita. The new generation motor is very impressive.
The things I really like about it are. It's a very well balanced and ergonomic drill. When it's in your hand, it feels like part of it. The batts just go on and on. And the clutch is very accurate and reliable.
The drill drive lockout switch is one of the things that makes this drill a real pleasure to use.
I did by a Dewalt at the same time as the Makita to compare the XRP batts against the NMH Makita batts.(I knew I could return the Dewalt)
The test involved driving 4in lag bolt's into a very green pressure treated 4x4. I drove one with the Makita and one with the Dewalt, alternating continuously. The test ended when the Dewalt overheated and started smoking, It was almost finished It's second batt. The Makita was barely warm, and still on It;s first batt.
Just another opinion from a tool junkie
Cheers Walker1
Edited 7/21/2005 10:06 am ET by Walker1
To me at least, it seems like the Panasonic 15.6 has better balance than other similarly sized drills. While I don't need all it's power 95% of the time, it's nice to have when you need it. I haven't used a lot of other cordless drills but, from my limited experience, the Panasonic is a winner.
Matt
I've used a Panasonic 15.6 drill with an aconcentric chuck(offset to get in tight places). I've never been more impressed with a drill.
I just used my buddies new 12 volt Panasonic yesterday. Its great! Good power, nice clutch, nice weight & balance.
I have the Porter Cable 14.4 volt and its a brute compared. Of course its got a 1/2 inch chuck, just a different machine. Heavy but strong, more suited to deckbuilding.
My favorite is my $89 Hitachi 14 volt that I got at Lowes. It too came with the flashlight and 2 batteries, nice plastic case. Hard to beat it. Lightweight, plenty of power and it the one I always reach for.
Panasonic invented the technology and licenses it to almost everyone else. Did you ever wonder they all look alike? The impact driver is their latest coup. Ya may as well buy it from the originals..... aloha, mike
Edited 7/26/2005 1:57 am ET by mikegagne
Thinking in asembling just cabinets, you know, you have to put down the drill , most of the time, to go from one corner to the other, and such, what about this driver from
Metabo:
http://www.powergrip2.com/
I tried to look for some feedback in amazon.com. but i guess the tool is too new....
But i think it is very convenient, and to screw in predrill holes???
Manny
re: the Metabo Metabo makes a fine tool, and I think the ergonomic design of both models is terrific; from a quick look at your link, it appears one is a conventional drill, and the other is set up to only drive screws. They talk about the "most power in its class" -- but these are both 4.8V batteries, and that doesn't strike me as very muscular -- especially in a world where most cordless tools these days are somewhere between 12v and 18v. Also, they trumpet the fast recharge time (1 and 3/4 hours), which is about twice as long as most other batteries. I did not see any mention of what kind of batteries they're using -- Nicads, NiMh, or the new lithium (which so far are only used by Milwaukee in their new 28V line of cordless tools).The bottom line is I would be duly skeptical until I actually had a chance to try it. And -- I would buy it from a place that would take it back, if it turns out it does not have the necessary guts to do the job.********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
Check out the Milwaukee 14.4 "Lok-Tor" drill. Look for the one with the 1/2" metal one-piece chuck. I have one and it's more power than I'll ever need (even more than my Sears 18-volt did). Just make sure you don't buy the 14.4-volt Milwaukee at Home Depot. Looks similar, but it's not the same drill! Costs a little more, but a great quality tool.
I'd suggest you look at the Bosch 14.4 volt. The compact one with 3/8 chuck seems to run forever and is very ergonomically engineered. Fatigue is not a factor with extended use. I've seen it at Lowes for $140 with 2 bat, case & charger ... which you can snag, new on Ebay for $99 to $115 almost any week. The larger 14.4 volt model with 1/2 chuck is a workhorse, but seldom seen. It ranks a distant second in my shop, but great when you need it!
I retired a 12 volt Skill Top Gun (passed it on to my daughter); it had been my only one and a fine performer. It pre-dated the ergonomic designs, but was powerful enough for anything short of commercial homebuilding.
John in Texas
I fully agree about the Bosch 14.4 volt. My old DeWalt 14.4 finally gave out after many many miles (I never did like the charger). I was in the middle of a project so I went down to the Tool Supply. The salesman who I had dealt with before recommended the Bosch. I bought it and am pleased as punch with it.
Another vote for the Milwaukee 14.4 volt model 0516-20. I've been using it for years, only problem is needed second set of batteries, got the NIMH they just keep going and even keep a charge for a long time just sitting there. Enough power to drive lags into anything I've come across and the reversible battery position is occasionally helpful. They have newer models but I have no first hand knowlage of those.
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I replaced my Porta Cable with the Panasonic 15.6V drill. I don't use a drill all that much and I was hoping that the new type batteries would have a longer shelf life. Apparently, no one claims that is the case, but these are doing very well. I chose it based on a comparison test in FWW. When this one dies, I think I will get a cheap one and throw it away when it is used up because of the battery replacement cost. I don't care how they explain it, there is no way two new batteries should cost almost as much as a new drill with two batteries, a charger, and case. Since I always alternate between the two batteries which came with the drill, they will probably last about the same length of time. So I will end up needing two new ones at the same time. To answer your original e-mail: I do like the drill.
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