battery powered drills

[Mickey_Fx]

If the budget can afford it, take a look at the Panasonic cordless drills. Was unfamiliar with Panasonic tools until I bought mine. Couldn't be more pleased. I bought the 15.6V model with 3.5AH NiMH batteries. Drill come with a second battery pack and multi-voltage charger. Chuck brake is great for changing bits and speed controller provides full power regardless of speed.

On Amazon there are 180 customer reviews and 137 give it 5 stars. One reviewer that uses his commercially, daily, has had it for 2+ yrs and all is still working like new, even the battery pak still going strong.

Son has had a DeWalt for a number of yrs and battery paks have been an issue for him. He is now looking at the Panasonic's

 

[ryanbr]

I have the same comment about the dewalts, battery packs do not last more then a year. Rebuild the batteries and same thing 6 months later. I am currently in the market for a new cordless tool set so this thread came a great time for me!

My dewalt combo is a drill, skillsaw, and flashlight. I would like to replace all these tools, and maybe even add a recip saw to the mix. Didn't see many comments about Bosch tools, thoughts on them?

 

[ampsucker]

i'll vote for the makita and panasonic. i have the makita Li-ion setup and the quick charge is very nice. i did fry a battery just after a year (out of warranty) - i think due to droppage when the drill slipped off my belt. such is life. the li batts are expensive. best deal i found was at home depot on sale where i got a two pack for 99 bucks.

my BIL has a panasonic and likes it.

i also have a craftsman. the drill still works strong but the battery packs don't last more than about a year. two new batteries are more than a new drill. i purchased one anyway just so i could have a backup drill driver and it's nice to have one out in the barn and one in the truck so they are always handy when you need it.

as for charging an 18 volt batt with a 14 volt charger, unless the charger can sense the voltage and adjust, you'll never get a full charge on the battery. as other have posted, you need the charger to put out a higher voltage than the battery to drive the chemical reaction on the plates. (auto example is charging at 14 volts into a 12 volt battery). a 14 volt charge on and 18 volt battery will not even give it a half charge.


amp

 

[J_J]

I have the same comment about the dewalts, battery packs do not last more then a year. Rebuild the batteries and same thing 6 months later. I am currently in the market for a new cordless tool set so this thread came a great time for me!

My dewalt combo is a drill, skillsaw, and flashlight. I would like to replace all these tools, and maybe even add a recip saw to the mix. Didn't see many comments about Bosch tools, thoughts on them?

I use Bosch tools all the time. The Bosch tools are excellent, and heavy duty, and have lots or torque. Their one charger will charge all their batteries, from 12v to 24v.except for the Lithium series. It is hard to find used Bosch battery drills, I guess the owners just keep them.

 

[bowhunter543]

I buy harbor fright junk and when it dies, and it will, I just buy another one. I would absolutely charge it out side away from buildings. I believe the battery will get very hot and maybe melt.

Well I guess you can get two new drills then.

 

[JB4310]

I am currently in the market for a new cordless tool set so this thread came a great time for me!

Makita LXT702 18 Volt LXT Cordless Combo Kit

I live not far from this store, it's the most awesome tool store I've ever seen. saw this set when I was in there the other day and thought it was a good deal, though it isn't cheap. I paid close to $300. just for the drill.

I only have a cordless drill, (had different ones for 25 years) never believed in all the other cordless tools being stubborn and old fashioned. but even the kid that works for me has a cordless set for work on his house and side jobs. So maybe I've got to get with the times. I know some guys that don't even bring corded tools on a big job.

This is the drill I have, it's a little better than the one in the set listed above.

Makita BHP451 LXT 18 Volt Cordless Hammer Drill Kit

JB

 

[QRTRHRS]

If the budget can afford it, take a look at the Panasonic cordless drills. Was unfamiliar with Panasonic tools until I bought mine. Couldn't be more pleased. I bought the 15.6V model with 3.5AH NiMH batteries. Drill come with a second battery pack and multi-voltage charger. Chuck brake is great for changing bits and speed controller provides full power regardless of speed.

On Amazon there are 180 customer reviews and 137 give it 5 stars. One reviewer that uses his commercially, daily, has had it for 2+ yrs and all is still working like new, even the battery pak still going strong.

Son has had a DeWalt for a number of yrs and battery paks have been an issue for him. He is now looking at the Panasonic's

I understand that you can take the less expensive B&D packs and file a nub off so they fit the Dewalt.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have two Makita BHP451's and have never come across anything that I like as much. It's not just that it's very powerful, has a great keyless chuck and lasts most of a day on a battery that I like about it. I just love the little things like the built in belt clip that makes hanging it from my tool belt so simple and easy. There is a little light on it that is just about the greatest thing ever added to a drill. I can't even begin to count how many times I've relied on that light to see what I was drilling or screwing. Just today I drilled a hole into the side of a cabinet to run a TV Cable to another cabinet. That light lit up the space so I could center my hole in an area that I couldn't see anything without that light.

When I decided what I wanted, I looked online for the best prices. Then I checked ebay and saved over $100 buying it that way. If you know the model of what you want, ebay still has some good deals on it.

Eddie

 

[QRTRHRS]

I had really good service out of a Dewault 18V nicad driver/drill and a 19.2V PC driver/drill. When I decided to upgrade to new, I bought a Milwaukee combo mainly because the price was just a tad better at HD during Xmastime.

Lithium Ion had just come out and was still pricey so I went with the 18V nicad Milwaukee which included 3 batteries, driver/drill, sawzall, circular saw, light and radio. (The light and radio have gotten far more use than I thought they would.) That was at least five or six years ago and all work well but the driver/drill keyless chuck is slipping. My tools get used around the farm. They sit for a time then but get used hard when a project comes up.

About a year ago, I wanted to get a 1/4" slip chuck impact driver. The reviews that I came up with rated the Panasonic the best out there. For economic reasons and overall applicable use, I went with a 14.4V li Hitachi. This was my first Hitachi tool because I always felt that they looked too much like a pair of athletic shoes. After a lot of serious use setting up 3.5" deck screws, I give this tool an A. Great for metal siding and roofing screws too!

If you have the need to set a lot of screws, I strongly urge you to try one of these impact drivers.

 

[WarrenF]

It is all personal preference.....I have four Dewalts....two 18 volt and two 14.4 volt Drills. One 18 volt saw and one 18 volt sawzall. I use the drills every day all day. The one I use most often (14.4 volt) has been off the top of more than two roofs and still keeps going. I used to love the 18 volt models until I was not paying attention or in too big of a hurry....it caught on something and spun in my hand, whacking me in the mouth and knocking out a tooth. That hurt....my fault.

I just know that Makita is highly thought of by many I have worked sround, as well as Dewalt. My only gripe with Dewalt is this, many times you can buy a drill and two batteries for less than you can buy two batteries. That is why I have so many drills. I looked at the 36 volt, but thought to myself, if the 18 volt will hurt me like it did....the 36 volt would rip my arm off.