[dielectricunion]

Ive got an 18v makita that I really like. It doesnt have the nuts that my old junky ryobi does though... the ryobi gets used for lags, etc.

i had the same progression. I had a cheap ryobi combo and then bought makita lunch box cube.

Actually, although they dont quite have the same power as makitas - i used the ryobis for 2 years and then they got soaked by a commercial fire sprinkler. I gave them to a friend expecting to collect insurance money (never did) and he still has them working fine. He left them in an apartment that flooded last year and beats the sht outa them.

For like $100 thats pretty good!

 

[brhokel606]

I like the Makita but unless Im drive lags I use the drill/driver.

I think the impact is way over hyped and you lose the benefits of the clutch on driving screws.

Never used the clutch on the drill before to drive screws, it's all about the feel. I had a buddy use a impact driving screws before and was over driving everyone of them, he was dependant on the clutch too. He hates the impact, but I used mine alot, got used to the feel and can hit every screw dead on. Plus I think it's easier to hold into the screw head with impact.

 

[joe dirt]

I have 8 Hilti 14.4's, 3 Milwauki 18v, 2 dewalts 18v. The crew always go for the Hilti's first, they seem to last longer on the battery and have more power,

 

[JFM constr]

Joe - Are the hilti's brushless motor . Also do they have bigger ,more amp batteries . they sure cost more . also what does your crew use them for mostly . thankyou

 

[mstrat]

Joe - Are the hilti's brushless motor . Also do they have bigger ,more amp batteries . they sure cost more . also what does your crew use them for mostly . thankyou

The SID 18-A impact driver is indeed brushless, I've got both the 3.3Ah battery as well as the 1.6Ah hour. On the impact driver I prefer the 1.6 battery because of the size and weight. It feels right. There is no doubt that the 3.3 lasts longer and powers more. On the rest of my Hilti kit I prefer the 3.3 battery...the hammerdrill, the circ saw, the recip saw...all will drain the 1.6 in no time, but the 3.3 lasts long enough for the spare battery to charge.

Love my Hilti tools!

 

[soats]

The SID 18-A impact driver is indeed brushless, I've got both the 3.3Ah battery as well as the 1.6Ah hour. On the impact driver I prefer the 1.6 battery because of the size and weight. It feels right. There is no doubt that the 3.3 lasts longer and powers more. On the rest of my Hilti kit I prefer the 3.3 battery...the hammerdrill, the circ saw, the recip saw...all will drain the 1.6 in no time, but the 3.3 lasts long enough for the spare battery to charge.

Love my Hilti tools!

so whats the warranty on the hilti tools/batteries?
been looking at the fuel stuff because of the 3 yr on batteries.
currently using makita, and while i'm happy with the drill/impact. the 1 yr warranty on their batteries has me looking elsewhere.

 

[JFM constr]

cannot speak for Hilti but from using the makita platform for some 3 or 4 years I would think the Milwaukee would be a notiable up grade ..i have two of the drills and the chucks slip and loosen while in use .the milwaukee chuck sure seems better .
the impact driver after being subject to construction lags one time now hangs up on the bits .i notice in a review for brushless impact drivers in "tools of the trade" Milwaukee just about out performs everyone .actually always out performs the hilti . But look the review up yourself .
I 'think' ,that getting the one with the best run time will pay off in battery life ,the batteries being the biggest expense of these tools .though these new batteries do last alot better then the nicads.
just reread the review -.His discription of the hilti [SID18-A]he says"capable and strong second teir tool"

 

[mtb]

I have an older makita 18v and love it. I've tried (not owned) most of the others over the years and while I will admit, the makita is not the most powerful, it's always been the most comfortable to use, for me anyway.

I use it mostly for deck screws and roofing. Metal roofs with self tapping screws is the norm out here.

If I was primarily driving big lags I would probably go with Milwaukee for the power. Or use the proper tool, a corded impact gun. I have not tried the brushless makita, but mine does not have the guts for driving lags all day.

-dave

 

[poisonfangs]

Just picked up a milwaukee m18 impact/hammer drill combo. I love the smaller size of it compared to my older milwaukee. Love that new tool scent!

 

[JFM constr]

So how does the new one perform .what model .It is great to see them getting simintaneously more powerful yet smaller and lighter.
I do agree with previous poster ,how it fits/feels in your hand is important

 

[mstrat]

so whats the warranty on the hilti tools/batteries?
been looking at the fuel stuff because of the 3 yr on batteries.
currently using makita, and while i'm happy with the drill/impact. the 1 yr warranty on their batteries has me looking elsewhere.

Hilti does a 2 year warranty. That being said, I had an issue where the chuck broke on my hammerdrill, I called Hilti. They e-mailed me a return ticket about 10 minutes after the call. I dropped it by the UPS store with the pre-paid ticket they e-mailed me, and 3 days later it was back on my doorstep. It really was that simple for me!

 

[soats]

Hilti does a 2 year warranty. That being said, I had an issue where the chuck broke on my hammerdrill, I called Hilti. They e-mailed me a return ticket about 10 minutes after the call. I dropped it by the UPS store with the pre-paid ticket they e-mailed me, and 3 days later it was back on my doorstep. It really was that simple for me!

thats impressive:thumbsup:

 

[jiffy]

Problem is you pay for that Hilti service up front. If you know where the service center for almost any brand is they should take care of a broken tool in a short time. I know the big companies all seem to be relatively quick.

Also don't forget most companies have 3 or 4 models of each tool. Good, better, best. I hear people complain about power or run time and they bought the orange box special during Christmas with the 1.5ah batteries and low torque. Read the box.

 

[Calidecks]

Problem is you pay for that Hilti service up front. If you know where the service center for almost any brand is they should take care of a broken tool in a short time. I know the big companies all seem to be relatively quick.

Also don't forget most companies have 3 or 4 models of each tool. Good, better, best. I hear people complain about power or run time and they bought the orange box special during Christmas with the 1.5ah batteries and low torque. Read the box.

I just don't understand why there's a need for so much service. I've needed service on my milwaukee and Makita tools maybe twice in the last 6 or seven years, I certainly will not pay extra for such little benfit.

 

[brhokel606]

I just don't understand why there's a need for so much service. I've needed service on my milwaukee and Makita tools maybe twice in the last 6 or seven years, I certainly will not pay extra for such little benfit.

I couldn't agree more, over 15 years with Dewaly and I have had 1 issue with needing warranty work from Dewalt. I have the cell number for the head of Dewalt sales in this area, if I really needed it, I would just call him.