I need a new drill

[archie]

i forgot, you should consider how the casing will hold up when you drop it off a 6 foot ladder. Especially a heavier cordless type. Most of the cheap corded generic stuff sometimes have similar components as expensive brands. Cordless drills need more scrutiny for battery life and casing. I put a beads of silicone on my cordless drill to absorb shock to the drill and hardwood floors in case of a fall. This silicone trick helps to keep the drill from sliding off an angled roof when working up higher.

 

[diesel junkie]

All the work sites over here use Dewalt or Makita anything else is like turning up in a mazda truck

 

[DuManchu]

Anything Milwaukee V28 Series - 28V Lithium Ion powa!!!

 

[fzj80kidpen]

A serious Tool Review I read had Panasonic as the Editor Choice this year.

 

[lt1fire]

Used to sell all these brands, we did all kinds of tests on all these drills. From my experience and from the 4 you put down it is milwaukee, dewalt, makita, hitachi.
but for just about the absolute best get a hilti or a snap on.

p.s. ever though about a good pneumatic drill

 

[sisukid1975]

buy a corded drill if you plan on using it in the garage.

x2. Even the best quality cordless lasts for about 3 minutes cutting spotwelds or doing anything on the soft steel of these cruisers.

FWIW my dad always bought milwaukee stuff. He has a drill, sawzall and grinder that's probably older than many people on this board, and he uses the s*** out of them, too.


If you go to any of the estate auctions around here when a farmer dies, the one thing you always see is ancient Milwaukee tools from the 40s or 50s that still work.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Start here.

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodwork...odWorking.com&channel=All FineWoodWorking.com

As I understand after further testing of the Lithium Ion batteries (Milwaukee's V28) they actually loose their overall power output due to fatigue after repeated recharging.

"Most manufacturers use nickel-cadmium batteries (usually referred to as NiCd, or ni-cads); a few have switched to nickel-metal hydride cells (Ni-MH). Ni-MH batteries are more expensive and more sensitive to cold weather, but they also have higher potential power ratings -- up to 3.5 Ah. NiCd batteries need less sophisticated battery chargers and operate at lower temperatures but also have a maximum power rating of 2.4 Ah. NiCd batteries also contain hazardous waste; Ni-MH batteries do not." (Taken from the following article.....) http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuideAllAbout.aspx?id=2995

The only two companies that I know of (been awhile since I last looked at buying a drill) that use Ni-MH are Panasonic & Makita.
Why does that matter you ask?

Because a Panasonic 15.6v will out perform any NiCd 18v time & time again. A lighter drill with more power that holds a longer charge. My daily use drills are two Milwaukee 18volts, & I love them. My shop drill is a Panasonic 18v. When my Milwaukee's eventually die it will be Panasonic's all the way.

Impact drills are super nice too. A little more spendy but a great tool.

 

[scottm]

A couple guys in my shop have Panasonics, they think they're the best they've used. I have to admit, they are nice, and more compact than my Bosch. I'd consider one if I hadn't just bought my Bosch.

 

[srplus]

I have a big 1/2" Bosch driver drill. The thing is the balls. It's got more than enough torque for steel drilling. I wish I had opted for variable speed, though. I would recommend the Bosch drills to anyone.

Mine is a variable speed, 1/2" and hammer option... it drills anything with the right bit... a whole lot easier than pulling out the extension cords, etc. I can usually get done what I need to do in less time than it takes to unwind and rewind a cord. I use it in the business on my ladder truck daily and it always does the trick.

Usually for steel I use large self tapping and drilling screws that are made specifically for thick steel. They will drill right into and thru 3/8" plate without having to drill pilot holes. The Bosch was the only drill out of 4 different models mentioned that will run these in without running out of gas. I have not tried Panasonic yet but have no need to switch.

 

[White Shark]

Panasonic is the fashizzle is you have the mizzle my nizzle. The Bosch is da sizzle then Milwaulee tha' thrizzle. All of 'em is the bizzle fo shizzle.

 

[Zimm]

the milwaukee has a portaband in the lineup!!! look at the other tools in the line for future purchases.

 

[cruzer]

I recently bought a house and needed a drill and other things... was leaning towards the craftsman stuff but for a bit more $$ i purchased Ridgid 18volt and like it a lot..oh and it has lifetime warranty on it...even the battery's so when they die you can replace them for free...well worth the money IMHO!

Also came with a 30minute recharger that can handle 2 batteries at onces

So far i am VERY happy with my Ridgid 5pcs tool set!


Stew

 

[lt1fire]

Rigid does make some good tools but most of the complaints I had on them were horrible turn around times on replacement parts... mostly due to the fact that they outsource every part of the tool so everything comes from a different country.... so it can take time. Great tool though
I'll say it again though best i've every used and the two highest ranking tools with all the contractors I delt with were hilti and snap on

 

[baxter650]

If yer talkin 120 jolt, i got a Millwaukee 1/2" Holeshooter, big torque in a 3/8" style drill. Have to be real careful with it cause it will trash your wrist. If you get one remove the trigger lock.

 

[atoyot]

It's looking like it's down to the Bosch Vs. Panasonic with maybe a Hitachi not far behind.

 

[fjwagon]

I got a milaukee cordless 14 volt with the hammer option and one that you plug in the wall. I have not hand any trouble with either of them. I will say this about the one 110 volt one......it will not stop turning.....you will start turning with it if it gets caught on something....found the hard way. But the bang for the buck people say Dewalt puts out a good drill. I used a Dewalt for one job and took it back.

 

[fjwagon]

Not a bad deal on the batteries. They will go bad even if you don't use them. The milwaukee batteries for my 14volt go for about 55 bucks. I've had it for about 4 years and I already replaced the batteries.

I recently bought a house and needed a drill and other things... was leaning towards the craftsman stuff but for a bit more $$ i purchased Ridgid 18volt and like it a lot..oh and it has lifetime warranty on it...even the battery's so when they die you can replace them for free...well worth the money IMHO!

Also came with a 30minute recharger that can handle 2 batteries at onces

So far i am VERY happy with my Ridgid 5pcs tool set!


Stew

 

[WristPin]

Snap-on fo shizzle.

+1. But, minus the fo shizzle part.

Snap-On kills all the other drills.

This is the drill you want.

this is the link to the Snappy page

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=19914&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Poriomania]

I like my Milwaukee, but have heard good things about Hilti, anyone here use them much?

 

[lt1fire]

I like my Milwaukee, but have heard good things about Hilti, anyone here use them much?

I've used them quite a bit they are like a twin turbo lexus.... smooth as fxxx but has a hell of a kick to it.