Hey guys, I have looked these up on line, but I wondered if any of you have experience with different brands of cordless drill/drivers. I had a DeWalt for some years, but was disappointed in the life of the battery and the cost of replacing it. It seems almost as expensive as buying a whole new setup.
Do any of you have an opinion as to the better brands? I like the looks of the black-and-white Makita, and think the red-and-black Milwaukee looks pretty nice, but I don't know about reliability, longevity of the batteries, etc. I am thinking of going with a common system so future cordless tools can use the same batteries and charging system. Portable 12volt, or the more powerful, but heavier 18volt?
Thanks in advance.
Tom
Don't have any data on them, but Sears Craftsman has a nifty looking 20v outfit that you simply change the tool head! Saw the commercial, pretty cool idea.
-JD-
There is alot of change afoot. Lithium ion batteries are in. Smaller, lighter, and stronger. Last longer too.
Hard to tell what is best.
Nate
I am with you on the DeWalt tools and batteries, but have found that the nicad batteries just do not hold up and frankly disappointed in the DeWalt cordless drills because of the batteries.
And of course the lithium ion replacement battery is $100!
My Nicad batteries do not have a shelf life anymore and do not like it.
Otherwise, I really like the DeWalt cordless tools.
Keith
In other words, go with any well known brand that uses the lithium ion battery .
I use cordless drills to tap my maples and, while the Dewalts worked great, I've had many of the batteries fail suddenly. One day they worked great, the next nothing. I switched to Porter Cable (still NiCad) and have not had a single failure.
Of course, you never buy the batteries, you buy a new package on sale and you essentially get the batteries for free. I think I paid $109 for 2 batteries, a drill, a 6" skill saw a charger and a soft-side tool bag (Porter Cable)
The LiIon batteries are lighter and smaller but only seem worth it if weight is a big concern.
Just replaced my Porter Cable 12v NiCad with a new Ryobi 18v Lithium. The cost of replacing the 2 individual batteries is the same as buying buying a new drill with batteries, charger and case. The Porter Cable was a great drill and so far the Ryobi has been just as good.
I've got 2 Dewalt cordless drills. One is 16+ years old, and the other is about 8. I only bought the second one because the charger died. All 4 original batteries still work fine and hold a charge.
Two of the strangest things I've heard, and, not had a chance to confirm of late....
1. Ridgid tools has a MUCH better tool replacement warranty Including battery! (skeptical)
2. Nimh tools are supposed to be going the way of extinction due to some kind of
federal law due to how toxic the batteries are (thanks for training your guys at home despot in fear based sales!)
Neither have I had a chance to look into.... I'm still trying to kill my DeWalt
and the other one and trim saw I inherited from my dad.....
Good questions on your part!!
Got a DeWalt 18v hammerdrill a few months ago and it is awesome.
😉
I've gone for the 36volt Dewalt
One hour charge, Lion battery
Very, very satisfied with it
Used a Craftsman 12V cordless for over 5 years now.
Came with 2 batteries. Both still function and charge.
I like the variable speed and the High and Low gear switch.
Thanks/for the input, guys.
I have bought ryobi tools in the past. I think they can burn out faster, but the price might make it Moe's worthwhile.
I found out more about the makita b&w drill. It is a lower grade machine than the blue and black ones. The key I read was the batteries are 1.5 amp-hr vs the blue LXTs are 3.0 AH. The good newer Milwaukee batteries are 3.0 as well. Rigid isn't bad and has a better price. Their batteries have a lifetime warrantee. They say you need it though. They heat up a lot during charging and burn out faster. But I guess if you can replace them free, that might make up for it.
Anyway...for what it's worth ....
Oh/Yeah. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
I have 3 cordless drills:
12v Dewalt 3/8" hammer-drill, about 15 years old.
12v Makita 3/8 drill, about 10 years old.
36v Bosch 1/2" rotohammer, about 4 years old.
The Dewalt batteries got hard to find (not sure they're even made anymore), so when they died I bought the Makita. I've been disappointed in the life of the Makita batteries; they seem to die within a few years even with light use. I've tried both NiCd and NiMh. The Bosch only sees occasional use, but so far its lithium ion batteries are holding up well.
