Time For A New Drill

Nick H

I'm definately Panasonic, got a 12v impact and a 15.6 drill/driver, superb in every respect and like teetor says the batteries go on and on. I was originally told that Panasonic are one of the leaders in battery development.

__________________
Dont give me problems, give me solutions.

joasis

I just got the Milwaukee V28, and I am impressed!...however, Dewalt with the 3 speed drill has an advantage. We use torx screws all the time, and the dewalt will drive them at mid range, or 1000 rpm or so. The Milwaukee demands low...quite a bit slower...but the skill saw and recip are superior.

__________________

Ron The Plumber

Ridgid 18V combo pack, a deal came out not long ago, Sawsall/Skill/Flashlight/Hammer Drill/Impact Drill/Duel Charger/Three Batts for 270, register all products on-line and get lifetime warranty on entire set, that means I'll never buy a new batt again. I love the set, I use the impact driver more then the rest.

pn70

Ron, the lifetime warranty sounds nice but the aggrevation one must go through to deal with a place like home depot would drive a person to say f' it and just go buy a replacement tool. I'd much rather deal with a place like fasteners or fastenal for buying and service. I'm not saying you will have isssues for sure but I simply lack patience with all of the home improvement superstores. Then again, if they will replace dying batterys without making you spend more than one hour on the phone, it might be a good buy. Keep us pdated on how the ridgid cordless tools work out for you.

GregS

What do you like better about the Mil skil saw? I find the advantage to the Dewalt is that it takes a full 7 1/4" blade when the Mil does 6.5. I can swap blades with my corded saw no problem.

Ron The Plumber

The way they deal with this is through an authorized repair shop, so happens we have one here in town, so all I will need to do is take warranty info in and they handle the rest, only thing I will buy for is freight. So no HD will be involved in the claim, as for the tools, I like them all.

I think Fox News this morning had a special on about power tools needed at home and eveyone they used was ridgid. Only ones they used that I don't have are the power caulking gun and the power planer.

joasis

The adjustable shoe on the recip, and the 2 speed feature is great. My Dewalt and the Milwaukee are both 6 inch saws, but the Milwaukee has a better rip guide, and the sole plate has more area...of course it has a lot more power, and I like the feel of the saw, Now, if they would have a 3 speed drill...it would be great. I have used Dewalt so long, I will probably never be satisfied.

__________________

pn70

Hey Ron,

I don't think we have an authorized repair place here in Michigan because last time I asked about getting ridgid tools serviced, I was told to bring it into HD. An authorized service center locally would make it much more appealing to the contractors. I do have the Ridgid TS2400 table saw and am very pleased with it so far, the fence rox!

TexasTimbers

gt, what did you end up getting?

I have owned all the major brands at one time or another and as technology has advanced of course brand comparison can't be accurate unless you are comparing ALL the brands latest oferings with the same technology i.e. you can't compare NiCd to Li-Ion etc.

Taunton's 2007 Tool Guide rates the Milwaukee as best in overall features and endurance. I bought the V28 to replace my old NiCd systems (I own cordless Milwaukee, Dewalt, Bosch, Hitachi and Mikita NiCds).
If you look in my tool trailer you will find all the staple brands and some that some of you have never heard of. I am not a "brand guy" because being one limits you to usually buying a tool that is not the best in that category. No single brand manufacters the best tool in each category.
I look at some guys collection of tools and all you see is Dewalt, or Craftsman (God forbid!) or this or that. I think to myself when I see that "Now here is a man of limited intellect or great blind loyalty.
A little harsh yes but it's the easy way out when buying tools, to trust one single tool manufacturer to proivide the best tool regardless of category.
Don't get stuck on brands name gt. Read USER reviews on Amazon/toolsofthetrade.com/Tool Review mags/ ask buddies like this forum etc. and THEN narrow down your choice and make your best selection.
Just my 2 coppers.

415moto

Dropped my dewalt 18v from a 10 ft ladder the other day. Right smack dab onto a cement floor. Still working like a champ.

Disaster

When you register online you can check for local service centers. I live outside Detroit and there were 3 service centers within 10 miles. Its even better if you can just drop in HD and get an exchange. That works sometimes...depending on the manager.

I like the idea of the lifetime warranty...especially on the batteries...but the Ridgid drill is really heavy. I'm thinking of getting a smaller drill for home jobs...like the 18V Makita, or 15.6 Panasonic. Feel silly reaching for a 8lb, 1/2 inch hammer drill to hang a towel rack.

atari

What's your favorite color?

If it's red then buy Milwaukee
if it's yellow then buy DeWalt
if it's green then buy Hitachi
if it's aqua then buy Mikita
etc...

There's been lots of good advice on this thread. I always try to buy something a little different then what everyone else is using.......that way it's not as easy for other people to "mistakenly" pick up your tools.

pn70

I was building workbenches today for a high performance shop and had 3 cordless drills working...my 28v milwaukee was drilling holes in wood, my 15.6 volt Panasonic was doing the countersinking and my 12 volt panasonic impact driver was running screws, lags and tapcons. I also used my Bosch corded hammer drill for drilling the tapcon holes because you cannot beat corded when it comes to drilling in concrete.

One drill alone would not cut it on jobs where everything is screwed and predrilled and it's very convenient to be able to designate tasks amongst the various drills having them setup with the proper bits.

My 15.6 volt panasonic is a serious workhorse over the 18volt dewalt, makitas and others but lighter and feels well balanced, my milwaukee 28volt ion is impressive for bigger jobs but not practical to use on every task and my 12 volt panasonic impact driver is priceless, my bosch 10.8v compact drill sleeps with me Hard to recommend just one drill when you know you need a few different types and sizes to be productive and efficient

TimNJ

I have Makita 18v. A friend that works with me has DeWalt 18v. I like the Makita over the DeWalt because the Makita is on a slight angle and it lets you get into corners easier.

CJKarl

I have the Makita Lithium -Ion 18. It rocks. Pricey but worth it. I bought one just for a large job I did and needed to set hundreds of 1/4" wedge bolts in concrete. It's lighter than my old DeWalt 12 and charges last for a LONG, LONG time.
Signed happy Makita owner.

__________________
There's Always A Market For Quality
http://www.kaufmannmasonry.com/

fiore22

I'd stick with Makita. They make some that have very compact batteries which I recommend. The bigger the battery the heavier the drill. Unless you are going to be drilling a lot of big holes I'd stick with the smaller drill...your wrist will thank you later.

Anthony Fiore
FioreBuilt Construction

karma_carpentry

I just ordered the 18v Makita impact. Anyone have the new Hybrid 4 function Makita? How is it?