Cordless Drills

[Rocket57]

I have a Makita 6337D 14.4v cordless drill. Had it about 5 years without any issues whatsoever except, you guessed it, batteries. The original batteries will last long enough to get most minor household jobs done. The replacement Makita batteries I purchased 3 years ago are pretty much useless. I just checked Amazon and they want $80 for 1 battery, $145 for two! I like the Makita, but not that much.
To make a long story short I have started looking at cordless drills. I don't want anything larger than 18 volt, I prefer a smaller and easier to handle drill. I want to keep the price down around $150. I have seen a nice Bosch 18v for $180, just a bit over my limit.
What do you use? Likes, dislikes? Battery life and replacement cost?

 

[tv1217]

Last one I bought was a Milwaukee for about $160. I worked at AT&T at the time and the one they gave us was a DeWalt and it wasn't good for much beyond driving screws and drilling through soft wood, so I used mine. I forgot it in the truck when they canned me. : (

 

[hornadylnl]

Free lifetime battery replacement.

Fuego 18-Volt Cordless Compact Drill/Driver-R86008K at The Home Depot

 

[nm0369]

There are several good brands out there, it really just depends on your needs. I have 18v Li-ion Makita tools at home and love them. They're lightweight and have plenty of power I've used Dewalt 18v XRP cordless at work for years, simply because that's what my company buys. My Dewalt stuff takes plenty of hard use and keeps going....it's quite heavy in comparison to Li-ion though. Overall, I'd be happy with any of the 18v Li-ion stuff from Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee or Dewalt. They offer so many different tools that will accept the same batteries...pretty sweet

 

[redneckmedic]

Ridgid... buy refurb get same lifetime warrenty

/thread

 

[Delmar]

I have had a 12 volt Porter Cable for over a dozen years and it still works fine. The batteries don't hold a charge like they used to though.

 

[Hammer]

I bought a Ryobi over 8 years ago. At the 2 year mark there was a recall on the drill, they sent me a brand new one. I've replaced the batteries once and still going strong. The 18v has much more torque than my Craftsman 3/8 corded drill.

Ryobi Power Tools

 

[cobber]

Don't carry them in NYC. A shovel might be acceptable (works in Chicago at least).

 

[atvdave]

I've used a few brands in my 50 years on earth.. Hands down it's a tie between Milwaukee & DeWalt.....

They take a licking & keep on ticken...

 

[Rocket57]

Free lifetime battery replacement.

Fuego 18-Volt Cordless Compact Drill/Driver-R86008K at The Home Depot

Not a bad deal. But what is a "3 Year Lifetime Service Agreement with Tool Registation"? LOL.
In the description it says " The Ridgid Compact Drill is backed with the Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement. Free Batteries. Free Parts. Free Service. For Life"

Is 3 years its expected lifetime?

 

[David202]

Rockwell Tools has free batteries for life as well. I have had a set for a year or so with light usage. Not sure how long they will last either, but they seem pretty sturdy and I liked the free batteries for life program.

 

[boogieman]

If you are just using it for light home use, you cant beat a black and decker for the price. Ive got a couple and never had any problems with them. Batteries are generally cheaper than other brands also.

If you are wanting to do heavier or more work go with a milwaukee

 

[CTS]

Lowes has a DeWalt 20v for $200 right now that just tears through things, it's a great deal. Also a fan of Makita.

 

[Dybber]

My bro in law works for a company that sells the major brands. Bosch comes out to show off their products and lets customers climb a 16' ladder and drop a Bisch drill to the concrete. The person that drops and and the drill breaks gets a brand new drill.

It took 60+ times dropping it from 16' onto concrete for it to finally break. Not that you would need to do that but shows how tough they really are.

 

[halfmileharry]

I used Makita and DeWalt for years. Great tools back then. I don't think they're made as well now as in the past.
I had a great Ryobi until my brother in law borrowed it and I haven't seen it since. I don't do heavy construction so I've been using an old Pawn Shop Black and Decker for a couple of years and it's a beast. Battery life is great, strong, good clutch and easy to use. I paid $10 bucks for it. 12v w/3 batteries and nail gun. Nail gun didn't work. Wire had come undone off the switch. Took about 15 minutes to re-solder on the wire and reassemble. Best $10 I've spent.

 

[hammer24]

I bought a Bosch Brute 14.4V about 6 years ago and that thing has seen countless hours of abuse. It is still as mean as the day I got it. It will still snap screws with the best of them if you don't watch it!

 

[Dr.Midnight]

When I first started my job, they gave me a Dewalt drill and it worked well. I was just recently issued a Milwaukee hammer drill, and that thing is awesome. It put the Dewalt I had to shame. Full disclosue, the Dewalt had some age to it, so I can't speak to how well a new one works. Regardless, I have to drill into/through some tough stuff at times like concrete and stainless steel, and that Milwaukee is the berries.

One of my co-workers has a Hilti drill that I have used a couple of times, and that dude is pretty wicked too.

 

[Work]

I personally prefer Porter Cable. Good sturdy brand that wont break the bank.

 

[churchmouse]

I have had Makita, Dewalt, Porter Cable and Milwaukee. Porter Cable was a good drill, Milwaukee has been the best and Dewalt sucks....period.

Hilti is OK.

 

[slimplmbr]

I've personally used DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ridgid, Bosch, and Makita (short time). All 18v. Milwaukee batteries went bad the quickest, about a year to 18 months, longest run time though. Bosch had the shortest run time and had 2 drills go bad hole sawing. Ridgid was ok middle of the road run time, never had a battery go bad, torque wasn't the greatest. Short time, too short to get a good decisionon it, I used the Makita I really liked it. Good run time on the batteries, better torque than the Ridgid. I've used DeWalt the longest for a reason, had one battery go bad after 3-4 years, better torque than the rest, run time 2nd to Milwaukee, and decent price.

I would go with DeWalt if I had to buy again. I wouldn't buy Milwaukee, the batteries suck. I wouldn't buy Bosch, doesn't seem like a heavy use drill. Ridgid would be ok for home use and maybe a little heavy use. I would probably buy a Makita also, what short time I got to use it, I liked it. Hope that helps.