Cordless drills, Makita or DeWalt?

[Texas Diesel]

Cordless drills, Makita or DeWalt?

 

[klenger]

I've always been partial to Makita, but it might be because I like to color better. I have an old 9. 6v cordless drill that I bought almost 20 years ago and it has been beat to death, but still works perfectly.

 

[Boomer II]

Milwaukee works for me

 

[evldsl]

Cordless drills, Makita or DeWalt?

I bought at Home Depot the new makita LXT with the new 18 volt 3. 0Ah Li-ion Batterys. Part #BHP451 drill, BL1830 battery. The drill mode's are hammer, drill, and screw. This drill lets you know when your batterys are low and adjusts due to a chip set in the battery and this allow's the battery to last ( run ) longer then any other battery on the market. It's not cheap.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I'm partial to the DeWalt cordless. I own 2 of them and have had them smoking at one time or another(drilling 4" holes in 1/8" aluminum). As long as I let them cool down they'll work just as hard the next time.



I think all of the top names build a good product. Pick your favorite color.



Jeff

 

[HeavyHauler]

I just ordered a Milwaukee V28 (28-volt) Hammer-Drill kit from Amazon. Milwaukee has a free tool rebate going on for a few more days. I was after a cordless impact gun to begin with, and with the free shipping and $25 off promo from Amazon, I'm going to end up with a new 28v Hammer-Drill w/case, Impact Gun, 2 batteries and a charger for under $350.



I thought that was a pretty good deal considering the 28v impact gun kit is well over $400 by itself.



I've got a 18v Dewalt XRP drill that has served me very well. Another family member has now taken it over though. I think I'm gonna have to put a lock on these new tools. :-laf



I'm with everyone else - pick your favorite color. I've got some other Milwaukee tools that are really good and with the promotions they have going on right now, I couldn't pass it up.

 

[benhall]

I've had nothing but DeWalt and have not had an issue with them.



FYI, DeWalt's are made by Black and Decker.



Ben

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Black and Decker bought DeWalt.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Makita: Made in China

DeWalt: Made in Mexico

The more Mexicans we can employ IN Mexico, the less will cross our borders illegally to look for work here.

Mexico is not our nations enemy, but China is.

Would prefer to buy AMERICAN, but when there is no choice, I at least like to support a country that is the least of a threat to us.

I bought the 18Volt 6-pack of DeWalt tools recently and love it. Have had a 14. 4 volt DeWalt drill for years and no problems after lots of hard use and still the original batteries.

 

[WDixon27]

i've loved my 18v milwaukee bag-o-tools that i got a couple years ago, the nicad batterys crapped out sooner then expected but after some shopping i got a new pair on ebay for slightly more then the home center price for one, id love to get the new v28 set but $700+ is a bit much

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Black and Decker bought DeWalt.

My wife used to work for DeWalt. Black and Decker has owned the DeWalt name for quite some time.



If you are trying to insinuate that DeWalt is poor quality because Black and Decker owns them you couldn't be farther from the truth. The poor reputation Black and Decker has with their drills etc. is due to people over working them. My grandfather has owned several Black and Decker drills and has NEVER had problems with them. He uses them per their design, which is a homeowner's drill to be used occasionally to drill some holes in wood and light metal. If I were to take that same drill and use it like I do, it wouldn't last but a few hours.



Jumbo Jet, I'm not trying to pick a fight, just want to give my opinion.



Jeff

 

[Alphacowboy]

I have 5 Cordless Ridgid Drills of which 2 are 18v Hammer drills. I have many other Ridgid tools, and all have been very good to me, and have been beat up pretty good from daily use. I have had Porter-Cable, DeWalt, & Makita, cordless drills, and out of those, by far I like the Ridgid stuff better. Now, I havent got to use the Milwakee or the Bosch, but I have heard those two are the cats meow.

 

[jwoelfle]

Hitachi... beats the pants off the Dewalts and Makitas I've had in the past. No experience with Milwaukee.

 

[GiesJ]

Texas Diesel - what are you using the drill for? I have a nice 14. 4 Dewalt but don't do any major boring with it. I dislike the big 24v drills. Better off with a Mil. Holeshooter and probably lighter too.

Anyway, the point of my post - if you like high quality tools, check out this german company - Festool.com. They are very spendy but the 12 v they make would be a perfect cordless for everything not super hard core. and it is a brushless motor. It's a sweetheart - http://www.festoolusa.com/easier.aspx but they aren't giving them away ($$$).

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I've heard good things about the Hitachi tools. Haven't had a chance to use any yet.



I hate to hijack but while we are on the subject of cordless drills, does anyone watch Ask This Old House? I want to know what brand of drill that is that Tom Silva uses. The purple-ish one with the finger guard and is small and looks more like a right angle drill than a regular drill/driver. Anyone know anything about those?



If I'm outta line here someone smack me around!



Jeff



Edit: Crap! It looks like I should have waited a few more minutes and checked out the festool link that was just posted!

 

[Texas Diesel]

GiesJ, just general purpose drilling, wood, steel, drivning screws etc. My Makita did it all until I broke it.



The Festool looks interesting, especially the brushless motor. Wonder if it uses ball bearings throughout. Doesnt say and the parts diagram only lists part numbers, not descriptions. But being German it almost certainly does.

 

[GiesJ]

When I picked up a Festool 12v I was amazed at the balance and the power. If I didn't have my Dewalt 14. 4 XRP (which by the way, I really like) I would be saving pennies for the festool.



The whole article is great but page three addresses drivetrain - http://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/C12_technical_review.pdf

 

[Jumbo Jet]

My wife used to work for DeWalt. Black and Decker has owned the DeWalt name for quite some time.



Jumbo Jet, I'm not trying to pick a fight, just want to give my opinion.



Jeff

BTW - it's still DeWalt for me. Got to support that #17 team! When my son wants to buy me a tool, I ask for a DeWalt.

 

[Texas Diesel]

So many choices...



A 3 phase brushless motor



I want one of each.

 

[MSalvatore]

Anyone have experience with hilti drill's?