[orson]

Ok, I've been limping along with Frankenstein's bastard child cordless tool miasma for about 4 years now.

I finaly decided to bite the bullet and buy a new combo set. After much deliberation I decided on the newer style Milwaukee 18V XC lithium series.
http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/combo_kits/2691-24.html

I got a 4 piece: light, hammerdrill, sawzaw, circular saw w/ 2 batts and charger; bonus free impact driver tool only, and a mail in rebate for a free battery, total cost $550

I was really torn between this set and the Makita set because I already have a Makita Hdrill and impact w/ 2 batts and charger.

I bought the set a local True Value because this hardware store has a serious tool department, a huge rental and repair department, and records all your tool serial numbers in their computer when you purchase them and really goes to bat for you on warranty issues.

The head of the tool department sold me on the Milwaukees. He said they are built better, they stand behind their tools, and they are really going after the 18V cordless market and ramping up their offerings to compete w/ DeWalt and Makita.

[nail bender]

ive been slowly switching my cordless drills over to Milwaukee because of Dewalt battery life sucks (Makita not even a option),two reasons i havnt made the complete crossover,first milwaukee still hasnt come up with a cordless right angle which is a must for me as i do alot of cabinet installs,,,,the second reason is the Dewalt impact driver is hands down the best on the market for driving screws

cordless drills are the only cordless power tools i use,everything else is just a hassle to me and prefer to run a power cord

Rigid is another great option,they have really come out with some quality tools in recent times

never been a fan of Bosch or Makita

[woodworkbykirk]

true about the ridgid gear, im not much on their corded stuff but the prices on their combos cant be matched either can their warrenty. Batteries for life or whatever it is

[aggreX]

Originally Posted by orson

After much deliberation I decided on the newer style Milwaukee 18V XC lithium series

Good choice on cordless combo! Milwaukee just redesigned their M18 Tool+Lithium batteries for better performance and lighter weight. I use the drill/driver, impact and light primarily because the powerhog circular saw and recip can quickly drain the batteries during heavy use. The circular saw+recip are super convenient but I usually need the corded versions to finish the job.

[jiffy]

Sorry, I can't believe that Milwaukee has a good thing going when they have 3 versions of their Lithium in such a short time. V28-V18-M18 and the new M18 stuff is not compatible with the not so old V18. You have to wonder why so soon?

[valleyman]

Milwaukee does have a cordless right angle drill, but only in 28 volt.

[valleyman]

Sorry nailbender.
I see now you're talking about a cordless RA driver, not the big angle drill.

[WarnerConstInc.]

Nailbender, just but a C12 kit and you would have every drill you need in one convienant package!!