Thread: Cordless Drill/Driver Recommendations

Panasonic, Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, etc --- I know it comes down to personal preference but any thoughts .........


Justin

Milwaukee is my choice for everyday work but if I was only using it as a home tool I would choose craftsman!

I have a Milwaukee heat gun --- pretty well made as I think most Milwaukee tools are -- real work horses ----I think some are made in Germany but it's hard to figure out before hand where things are made ---- but made in Germany is a pretty good standard for me, made in Japan and U.S. are good also but it seems almost everything is being manufactured in China which might not be bad all together but it seems some companies are producing lesser grade tools because of it.

This discussion is really open to whatever direction y'all want to take it.


Justin

This may sound nutty, but the Rigid brand from Home Depot have a lifetime warranty (even on the batteries) - at least in Canada a year ago (haven't bought tools since). At the time, I couldn't find any other tool company with a warranty that even came close.

Hope that helps,

Mark

I've had luck with my 18 volt Ryobi kit that I got for a Christmas present several years ago. If I were to pick one before I got it, it wouldn't have been Ryobi. I just figured they were cheap, but since using it in some pretty heavy duty renovation projects I realize it can stand up to some abuse.

I don't think they're intended for everyday contractor work, which is what I used it for, but for around the house stuff I think it would suffice. Maybe I just got lucky with mine.

John

I forgot about Rigid! I know most of their tools that I've used were high quality but I have never tried any of their power tools!

I got a black and decker firestorm 18v last year and it's been great. It uses a universal battery that works on their lights, saws, etc, and they're pretty cheap to buy replacements. My drill came with two batteries and a dual charger. I don't know how often you'd be using it, but that was a HUGE value to me. My only complaint (and it really isn't a complaint) is that it's a tad on the bulky side and not as balanced as the more expensive ones. But, I got mine cheap compared to the other 18 volt drills, and its torque and rpm specs were almost the same as the $180+ drills.

I really like craftsman, but they have a tendency to discontinue batteries, making you buy a new drill plus batteries. I got to toss a perfectly good craftsman drill that way.

Past that, I haven't dealt too much with cordless drills. I'm an air kind of guy- Sioux drills are where it's at


EDIT: I just remembered I used to have a Ryobi. It's ok for smaller jobs, but the battery and power wasn't that great. It's been a few years, so maybe they're better now.

And Metabo, Fein, Festool, Hilti --- all high end expensive stuff ---- I guess I just want to talk about tools -----


Justin

I think some of the Rigid tools are made in Germany as well. They do seem a good value for the dollar.

It seems with the NiMh and Lithium ion batteries, a large part of the tool price is the battery , with the NiCd being the most reasonable in price

Anyone know the advantages to the NiMh and Lithium ion batteries?


Justin

I'm quite happy with my Dewalt 14.4.