Cordless Power Tool Question.

[Scaper-S2k]

Okay, I have a Makita set from about 8 years ago. 4" circular saw and a drill. Only 12v! But the drill is as powerful as the new mega volt ones. It will still snap off the heads of decking screws, unlike some new models.


Anyway, that kit was $119 and included 2 batteries, drill, saw, and charger. One of the batteries is done so I went to get another one.

Just the battery is $70!!! Robbery. I did not make the purchase.


Which brand is now 'THE' brand to buy? 18v Dewalt setup? Milwakee? Bosch?

[Ric]

Erich

IMHO Porter Cable is the top of the line. But I don't necessarily buy top of the line on tools I only use occasionally. I believe all the names you listed are fairly good and it will depend on which model you buy. No I never buy cheap tools they won't last the first use.

[Scott]

Okay, I have a Makita set from about 8 years ago. 4" circular saw and a drill. Only 12v! But the drill is as powerful as the new mega volt ones. It will still snap off the heads of decking screws, unlike some new models.


Anyway, that kit was $119 and included 2 batteries, drill, saw, and charger. One of the batteries is done so I went to get another one.

Just the battery is $70!!! Robbery. I did not make the purchase.


Which brand is now 'THE' brand to buy? 18v Dewalt setup? Milwakee? Bosch?

Erich,
I bet you've already bounced all the numbers (cost, torque, warranty, discount on multi tool pack) so you're just looking for the popular vote.
I prefer Milwalkee due to the increased torque over dewalt which is owned by black and decker, not that that's bad or anything.
What will you be using it for? I use my 1/2 impact drive for drilling through brick, cinder blocks, etc.. to run wire.

[Scaper-S2k]

Ric, I haven't looked at Porter Cable yet. I'll go see what they have. I do have a couple power tools from them that do okay.


What I REALLY liked were the new Makita's and Milwakee's. I think they must be owned by the same company because they have a combined shelf and add layout at Home Depot. They are now available with LITHIUM batteries. Suppose to be much lighter, and can be charged 2.5 more times that regular.

Makita's were 18v and Milwakee was a crazy 28v.

Both feel better built than the Dewalt, but the Bosch felt solid as well.

Hammer drill rated at 560lbs of torque on the Makita and a crazy 600lbs on the Milwakee. Only 500 on the Dewalt.


I really like the idea of the lighter and better Lithium batteries. But the sets are more expensive than the Dewalts because of it.




Scott, my use will not be daily of course. But ya know, that may change with the increased power and charge time of these units. Especially with the ratings of the Impach drivers they are showing. 1280lbs of torque? Seems hard to believe.

[Mike J]

I believe the porter cable has metal gears. Not sure but I think dewalt used to have metal also.

I have makita and dewalt...my dewalt took a drop from the top of a roof (single story). I climbed down picked it up and took it back up to use it no problems. I was using them all day for the most part and always went back to the makita because of weight.

[Ric]

Erich

I have a bunch of Dewalt power tools that are several years old. At one time they weren't bad. But to day they are just a upgrade of Black & Decker tools which is the same company. BTW Black & Decker were a good power tool 40 years ago.

I guess I am going on what my buddy and Mechanic tells me and buys. I have used his Porter Cable power drill and found it to have great power. It out does my 18V Dewalt by twice the power and battery life.

[buster57]

I have Porter Cable reciprocating saws, Milwaukie corded drills, an old 77 Skill saw that will out live me, but my 12� stationary saw, 14.4 volt and 18 volt hammer drills are made by DeWalt.
Out here, all the electricians use DeWalt. My DeWalt gear is great.
Actually, have really never had any major problems with any of my power equipment. The pro stuff is very high quality these days. Hard to go bad.

[jrservices]

Okay, I have a Makita set from about 8 years ago. 4" circular saw and a drill. Only 12v! But the drill is as powerful as the new mega volt ones. It will still snap off the heads of decking screws, unlike some new models.


Anyway, that kit was $119 and included 2 batteries, drill, saw, and charger. One of the batteries is done so I went to get another one.

Just the battery is $70!!! Robbery. I did not make the purchase.


Which brand is now 'THE' brand to buy? 18v Dewalt setup? Milwakee? Bosch?

Probably buy one cheaper than that on e-bay.

[Scaper-S2k]

Buster57, are your Dewalt cordless tools newer? The ones I looked at this week didn't seem as tough as I recall them being? Maybe I am wrong, or maybe the new Makitas and other high up brands are just much beefier this year. Not sure.


jrservices, ya know, that's not a bad idea. I'll have to check on that. Thanks.

[buster57]

My DeWalts are 6 months old. I use them for about a year then give them to my electricians
There are two different levels of the DeWalt 14.4 volt drills. One has a plastic covered chuck the other has 100% a machined chuck. The XRP+ is the series I use. There is about a $30-$50 difference. Both are `excellent but there is a noticeable difference.
The 18 volts are all pro series. This may be a West Coast deal, but I believe they out sell Makitas by a large margin out here.
On a different note, Milwaukee cross licensed Makita in the 1980s for drills. Makita now vertically designs and manufactures their power tools, but this may be why people notice some remaining similarities.
Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Porter Cable are all great tools. If you bought the one on sale you would probably never regret it!

[jrservices]

I saw several 12 volt batteries on there for sale, looks like a deal could be had, certainly less than 70.00.

[Ric]

The Dewalt Might be a good homeowner power tool.

I have a buddy that installs pool cages that are screwed together. He had been buying the Dewalt drills from Home Cheapo because of the free exchange on broken ones. Home Cheapo has cut him off because he has broken so many.