Semi OT: drill/driver combos

[isaeagle4031]

Its time for me to retire my Craftsman drill (at least put it on the backburner) as the batteries are starting to go. No complaints with it, but I've got the chance to upgrade and could really use an impact driver as well.

I'm considering these 2 but if anyone has other recommendations please post em up! I'm trying to keep the expenditure under $250 mark. I've got a full bathroom remodel I'm in the process of too!

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=203266851

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100596872

[winslow]

When I was doing car audio, there were really only two drills that I would use- Makita and Panasonic. The others weren't balanced right and too heavy.

[isaeagle4031]

I'm willing to give Makita another go round. I had some real issues with a couple of corded pieces a few years back. The Panasonics are nice, but I'm hoping to find something local just in case there is any issue.

[LouC]

I have a refurbed corded Makita with a 1/2" chuck and impact capability. It was pretty cheap, and when I need big boy power, I drag it out.

I know big battery monsters are the rage for contractors and the like, but I'm really happy with my refurb Bosch 12V Lithium mini drill. Handles 90% of what I need to do without breaking my wrist, or hoisting 5-6 lbs of drill. Much easier for delicate work and quite small. Surprising power. A bit too much chuck runout but for what I paid, I'm happy with it.

[Steve Henry]

+1 on the Bosch 12v Lithium. I just finished about 100 3" deck screws before changing batteries. And as Lou said, the light weight makes it very easy to use.

[djg]

I'm on my fourth Makita drill, the one in your combo. That's over a span of twenty five years of aircraft maintenance. I still have all the drills in working order, the batteries wore out, and as you know, it's cheaper to just get a new package deal.

[Deward Hastings]

Once you've used an impact driver (instead of an all-in-one) you'll never look back. I've got the DeWalt (because I got locked in to their 18V system years ago), but I also still use my first (must be over 30 years old) 7.2 Volt Makita drill . . . it's so "familiar" it's like an extension of my arm . . .

[estreet]

Check tool king.com.... the Makita set refurbed is $189+ shipping. I bought the same set 4yrs. ago refurbed, and have had NO problems. And I beat the crap out of 'em.

[markschrier]

I have a Panasonic 15.6V Drill/Driver that I bought at least six years ago, and it is still going strong.

I remember agonizing for months about what to replace my old Makitas with.

I was relieved to find that on the next commercial construction job site I went out on, all the electricians had them in their tool box.

The thing I really like is the even torque that is available at even the lowest speed of the variable trigger.

Don't know if they've kept the quality control up since then, but that's where I'd go first for a replacement.

Mark

[mmacoustics]

I have had several different cordless drills through the years. I think I would give the highest marks to my Hitachi. However, a friend gave me the Ridgid 18-volt last Christmas and I am quite pleased with it as well. They also seem to have an impressive warranty...

[duanebro]

I vote for the Makita set. Fast charging, light and powerful. If you look around you should be able to find a free battery when tou buy a set deal.

[isaeagle4031]

I'm probably going to stay with 18v as this will be my main drill. Seems most of the time when I need it, power is not within easy reach. Besides I do have a powerhouse corded (along with a 28V Milwaukee impact with battery connection issues). Thanks for the links. Anytime I can save money and still be ahead of the game is nice. Besides it gives me more cash for speaks

[dougjohnson]

I vote for the Makita set.

Me, too. -- Doug

[fastbike1]

Realistically, it doesn't much matter these days. They all do the job and all are priced competitively.

Asking for recommendations for tools is like asking for recommendations for speaker drivers, cars, wine, beer, and women.

[winslow]

No, not really. Some drills have horrible balance, very nose heavy and probably heavy to begin with. Others have no torque. Some are just plan large.

Big differences in them if you plan on using them once in a while.

Realistically, it doesn't much matter these days. They all do the job and all are priced competitively.

Asking for recommendations for tools is like asking for recommendations for speaker drivers, cars, wine, beer, and women.

[winslow]

After I got my Panasonic, my boss got the Makita Li impact set.

As much as I love my Panny, that Makita Li impact wrench...so nicely balanced and light. Well, I wanted one after that.

Best thing to do is go down to the stores and pick them up to see how they feel. You might think the cheaper one is the deal until you find out it is very uncomfortable to hold. Then again, you might like it the best. But I wouldn't buy a drill without trying one out first.

[6thplanet]

I bought the Makita set. I originally bought just the drill for $179, then less than a month later they had that combo drill/driver on sale for $199 (HomeDepot). I took the drill back and bought the combo and love it. We have the Milwaukee at work which is nice, too. The only thing I wish the Makita had was a power level indicator like the Milwaukee, nice to know about when the battery is about to quit...

[ROTECH]

Its time for me to retire my Craftsman drill (at least put it on the backburner) as the batteries are starting to go. No complaints with it, but I've got the chance to upgrade and could really use an impact driver as well.

I'm considering these 2 but if anyone has other recommendations please post em up! I'm trying to keep the expenditure under $250 mark. I've got a full bathroom remodel I'm in the process of too!

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=203266851

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100596872

That RIDGID is a great way to go. The only sensical upgrade would be to purchase one of the larger batteries. What I ended up doing was buying the compact 18v set with the drill, driver, sawzall and flashlight. Then I purchased the larger 18v Pro drill with the large batteries and metal chuck. This gained be another drill and 2 batteries for only $70 more than a single large battery.

As for performance, these are amazing. The first battery tool I have ever used where the cold does not affect the battery in any noticable way.
I also used the impact driver while assembling a timber retaining wall. Drove 12'' deckmate lags all day with one charge of the large battery. The small batteries are no joke either, the large are just simply amazing. Realistically I use my drills about 3-4 hours a week, and maybe have to charge them every other month.

[MagicO309d]

My 10 year old garden hose just popped a leak and I brought it back to Sears and they gave me a new one even without a reciept. Don't they do the same with drills?

[bolland83]

I haven't used the new Rigid stuff, mine is about 3 or 4 years old, still kickin, use it a t work every day. I will say however, that for the home shop, I got a Bosch kit that I really like, drill and impact with 2 batteries. 50% of the weight and about 95% of the power compared to the Rigid. Get's the job done just fine, and I got it on sale for $179, vs. my Rigid that was $265 just for the drill. To be fair, the Rigid is a hammer drill and the Bosch is just a drill/driver, so that may have a lot to do with the price and the weight. The Rigid warranty is hard to beat, that alone might be a deciding factor for you.

Edit: just looked up that Bosch kit, glad I got it on sale, regular price is $279.
Bosch combo kit
It appears they are having a deal right now that you can get two extra batteries for free with purchase of qualifying Bosch tools, hmm, that might be worth it actually. Looks like I might need to get that jobsite radio and score some extra batteries