can't decide on cordless drill

[rusmannx]

damnit. i've always been a dewalt man, but instead this time i thought i would research some other products out there. i'm going to be finishing my basement and need a good cordless drill. i think i'll go 18v, but i need some help deciding.
i know some of you construction guys have some good advice.

listed by best "first impression"

Milwaukee 18v Loc-Tor (endorsed by.... reputation)
http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/web...product3_27_40027_-1_284282_281123_189329_362

Ridgid 18v (endorsed by a friend who is in construction)
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/R84015-18V-Drill

Dewalt 18v (with hammerdrill fucntion which i don't really need)
http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=8258

Hilti 15.6v (endorsed by a freind who installs home security systems)
http://www.hilti.com/holcom/modules/prcat/prca_navigation.jsp?OID=-17577

haven't really looked at makita (as i think it's a blue dewalt).
also haven't looked at panasonic, hitachi, etc.

 

[Tools R Us]

damnit. i've always been a dewalt man, but instead this time i thought i would research some other products out there. i'm going to be finishing my basement and need a good cordless drill. i think i'll go 18v, but i need some help deciding.
i know some of you construction guys have some good advice.

listed by best "first impression"

Milwaukee 18v Loc-Tor (endorsed by.... reputation)
http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/web...product3_27_40027_-1_284282_281123_189329_362

Ridgid 18v (endorsed by a friend who is in construction)
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/R84015-18V-Drill

Dewalt 18v (with hammerdrill fucntion which i don't really need)
http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=8258

Hilti 15.6v (endorsed by a freind who installs home security systems)
http://www.hilti.com/holcom/modules/prcat/prca_navigation.jsp?OID=-17577

haven't really looked at makita (as i think it's a blue dewalt).
also haven't looked at panasonic, hitachi, etc.

I would get Bosch, DeWalt or Hilti. Milwaukee/Ridgid is from Emerson, Taiwan now days.

 

[Brentbba]

18V is an absolute. I finally 'upgraded' from an old 9v to a Dewalt 18V and couldn't be happier with it.

 

[45Kevin]

My first cordless drill was a 9.6v craftsman. My second was a 14v Ryobi, then a 14v Dewalt and most recently I treated myself to the Milwaukee 18v combo set. My opinion of cordless drills is that they are only as good as their batteries. I have never bought a new battery because the price of a newer, technicely(sp) advanced drill was very little more that replacement baterries. I would have bought a cheap Ryobi this time if I didn't want the other cordlesss tools that came with my Milwaukee comb set, namely a circ saw that had a decent sized blade on it. If all you do is stuff around your house, buy a less expensive 18v drill. The batteries always wear out before the plastic gears and bushings. Consider a less expensive combo set. The cordless tools are so convienient and you only need one charger for all the tools.

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

18V Dewault. 10 years old. Been used and abused, that thing is tough.

 

[spressomon]

If money is not a problem and you want absolutely the best DC drill checkout Festool.

 

[FJ60Cam]

My 2 cents....

I've packed my cordless drills away for good since I got my Makita 14v impact driver. It's compact, tons of driving power, doesn't torque your wrists, has a cute little headlight, makes lots of noise, blah blah blah, etc. You have to buy quick connect drill bits, or a quick connect chuck if you want a chuck, but it's a small price to pay. Everyone that uses mine seems to end up with one (or one like it) sooner or later.


Cameron

 

[REZARF]

I would throw another vote in to look at the Bosch drill, they make quality stuff! I use just Bosch and some DeWalt stuff.

FWIW, Black and Decker is the same as DeWalt, with just a different skin on and a few better pieces inside. If it is just a single big project you might look into that as well.

Good luck, take lots of pictures!

Rezarf <><

 

[dfmorse]

Might look into the Craftsman 1/2"; I really like mine; especially after I modified it for external 18v power. Will drill a 7/16" hole in steel many times.

...

 

[rusmannx]

thanks for the tips guys,
i know if i get the dewalt i won't be dissapointed in the quality, the only real thing holding me back from it is the 1hour charge time for the batterys.

i never considered the bosch, but i'm looking at it now. i have to say it does LOOK sexy. i'm going to try to get my hands on one monday to see how it feels.

i'm not dead set against 18v, but i think the extra weight for the extra power might not be that big of a deal.

keep the ideas coming.

 

[MoJ]

I'm a huge fan of my Dewalt 14.4 XRP.

XRP is the heavy duty grade. I was initially going to buy a 18v model but the 14.4 XRP grade actually has more torque than the standard grade Dewalt 18v. IIRC it was less expensive as well. I've heavily used and abused it for 2 years with no problems. It came with 2 batteries so charging hasn't been an issue.

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail_listing.asp?categoryID=350

 

[Mike S]

DeWalt makes a great 18V compact model. I just bought one recently - very nice piece of gear.

M

 

[IBCRUSN]

Here is what the infamous Consumer Reports has to say

Cordless Drills

 

[bigbrowndog]

I have the Dewalt xrp 18v and the only thing I can fault is the clutch shift sticks sometimes and is hard to turn.Quite capable of screwing 90 mm roof batten screws .They need to be kept dry as they do not seem to like getting damp. My son is an electrician and has had 2 of the xrp 14V units they prefer it as it is lighter. The Hilti is a good product also though somewhat more expensive here.

 

[Kief]

My next cordless drill will be the Panasonic 15.6, I talked to a tool repair guy, he liked how they were built. Dewalt has made some junk. I am in the construction trades and having smoked a couple dewalts I am looking forward to the Panasonic. One thing it has is full torque at low speeds, less apt to strip out a fastener as you squeeze for more power. Everyone I have talked to who had one loved it and had the same batteries they started with which are more than the other brands it seems. The 15.6 has as much torque as the 18v. $200 on amazon.com delivered (last time I checked)

 

[rusmannx]

that panasonic is a bit more then i want to pay, but i've found that Bosch for a pretty good price, and it DOES look like a pretty sweet tool.
this one.
http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-detail.htm?H=175970&G=54647&I=67506

 

[brew8]

I have had lots of these and I prefere the 18 Volt Dewalt far and away the best, Larry

 

[Jim S.]

Have 2 panasonics. Have had the 1st one about 9 years. Compact in size, well ballanced. some of the others are nose heavy. Hang drywall with it. working overhead I appreciate the ballance. When installing cabinets gets into fairly tight spaces. Cheers, Jim

 

[rusmannx]

alright.
it's i've spent the day playing with all of the models, (couldn't find the panasonic) and it's officially down to the

HILTI 15.6v
http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/modules/prcat/prca_navigation.jsp?OID=-17947

and the

Hitachi 14.4v
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?acti...tId=118401-67702-DS14DMR&detail=cr&lpage=none

the hitachi is cheaper in the stores, but i've found the hilti on ebay at a competative price. the hilti has more torque, charges about at the same rate, and feels as good in my hand as the hitachi. the hilti however does not have an all metal chuck which for some reason really bothers me. they weight about the same, and are both balanced well.
if i DO decide to go with the hitachi (which i'm leaning towards) then i'm going to do a side by side with my friends HILTI.

that is all for now.

 

[MOfj40]

Bought a Hitachi corded drill about 2 years ago- it sucked. It was a higher end 1/2" hammerdrill model with all metal chuck. Gearbox chewed itself to pieces in about 3 weeks of moderate/repeated use.

Use a Milwaukee cordless at work- no complaints

Use a Rigid at the house- no compaints plus 1/2 hr charge.

Both cordless are 18v- huge difference in power if you can handle the extra weight.

FWIW.