Help me choose a drill
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Help me choose a drill
Here are the final contestants....*note* they are all cordless and current 08 models.
- Makita 18 volt lithium
- Milwalkee 18 volt lithium
- Ridgid 18 volt lithium
- Ryobi 18 volt lithium (heard they are pretty good now)
Just looking for guys who have experience with these particular drills. Notice I didn't put Dewalt in there because I have had 2 of them puke on me within a 4 year period.....one in the first year and the warrantee replacement just fell apart on me recently.....all light duty stuff too.
- Makita 18 volt lithium
- Milwalkee 18 volt lithium
- Ridgid 18 volt lithium
- Ryobi 18 volt lithium (heard they are pretty good now)
Just looking for guys who have experience with these particular drills. Notice I didn't put Dewalt in there because I have had 2 of them puke on me within a 4 year period.....one in the first year and the warrantee replacement just fell apart on me recently.....all light duty stuff too.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: PHOENIX
Originally Posted by xtrford
Notice I didn't put Dewalt in there because I have had 2 of them puke on me within a 4 year period.....one in the first year and the warrantee replacement just fell apart on me recently.....all light duty stuff too.
I just bought a Dewalt!
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: NY and VA
I've misused my 12v DeWalt for over 12 years, and my 14.4v for about 9. They seem to be holding up OK. A lot depends upon what you use them for. I also have a 7.2 Makita, 14.4 B&D Firestorm, 14.4 B&D, 18v Firestorm.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Not familiar with Ridgid or Ryobi, own just about every other brand of power tool, it's an obsession. Not a user friendly tool person. Needed a 1/2" chuck cordless drill, shopped around and came across a Craftsman package deal a 19.2V drill, including a 1/2" angle drill, came with 2 batteries, and coupon for a free LED light. Not particularly Craftsman power tool person but could not beat the deal and it has stood the test.
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Originally Posted by daveengelson
Not familiar with Ridgid or Ryobi, own just about every other brand of power tool, it's an obsession. Not a user friendly tool person. Needed a 1/2" chuck cordless drill, shopped around and came across a Craftsman package deal a 19.2V drill, including a 1/2" angle drill, came with 2 batteries, and coupon for a free LED light. Not particularly Craftsman power tool person but could not beat the deal and it has stood the test.
I'm really leaning towards the Makita and they seem to be flying off the shelf, it would just be nice to get some feedback from the FTE guys who seem to use them for multiple things including automotive.
I guess I can't harp too much on the Dewalt since I know of several construction guys running them without problems....I just had bad luck with mine.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Purchased a used 3/8' corded Makita drywall drill couple yrs. ago; also, refurbished corded Makita 3/8" angle drill and used them to remodel shop and both worked great. I was surprised with the power the small angle drill packs; also, has a small reach, good for tight spaces, came in handly drilling out spot welds on my truck. Tend to go for the most amps for the bucks. Also, if possible, prefer the 'dial in' variable speed, as opposed to varying speed by depressing the tripper. One feature like on the Craftsman, which I don't know whether other brand drills offer, there is torque level adjustment.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Los Alamos
I have had about as much luck with Mikita as you seem to have had with DeWalt..Mine was just craptastic.
Right now I have both a DeWalt (which has been nothing but reliable and solid) and a Hitachi, that I use for almost everything. If you can get past the way the Hitachi looks, they are great drills.
From your list of choices, I would not have any reservations about either the Milwaukee or the Rigid. Milwaukee makes solid, reliable tools, and I own several, just not the cordless drill. Rigid is the choice of a friend of mine who is a general contractor, and pounds on his tools. The down side to this is he gets new every house he starts, and gives his old ones away to his crew to use, so I don't REALLY know how long they last. I asked him once why Rigid, he said becuase every other contractor on the planet uses DeWalt, and he wants his to be different so his don't get picked up by mistake or on purpose..and they just worked well.
Theres my 2 cents.
Right now I have both a DeWalt (which has been nothing but reliable and solid) and a Hitachi, that I use for almost everything. If you can get past the way the Hitachi looks, they are great drills.
From your list of choices, I would not have any reservations about either the Milwaukee or the Rigid. Milwaukee makes solid, reliable tools, and I own several, just not the cordless drill. Rigid is the choice of a friend of mine who is a general contractor, and pounds on his tools. The down side to this is he gets new every house he starts, and gives his old ones away to his crew to use, so I don't REALLY know how long they last. I asked him once why Rigid, he said becuase every other contractor on the planet uses DeWalt, and he wants his to be different so his don't get picked up by mistake or on purpose..and they just worked well.
Theres my 2 cents.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: south jersey
i ahve the whole makita lithium ion kit and there great tools use them all the time and they are asome tons of power batts just go and go and there not to heavy. I have also heard good things about ridgid drills never owned one thou
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Originally Posted by 96ExtracabPSD
Panasonic, excellent cordless drills.
It came down to the Makita and Milwalkee, both put out the highest torque output and have the best (IMO) locking chucks....I went with the Makita.
Thanks to all for there input....wish me luck.
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One thing that I have found over the years is this, EVERYONE makes a good drill. The problem is the battery, price the battery. Last I knew you could buy 2 18v Ryobi batteries for $40. or 1 Snapon for around $75.
The drill is about useless without the battery!! Greg
The drill is about useless without the battery!! Greg