Looking for best cordless drill to purchase

jhasafety1 · Jan 2, 2014

I have Ryobi drills that are 20 years old and still work. I would recommend looking at Direct Tool https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/ for new and refurbished Rigid Tools. I bought a Rigid Combo set which is a 18 volt drill and a impact driver with 2 batteries from Home Depot for around $170 and loved it. I went to Direct tools and bought the same set up for $99 on sale. Granted the warranty on refurb is different but have not had any issues with either set. I basically got the second set up for the price of a third battery. Comes in handy having plenty of tools around the shop. They also have Ryobi and a few other name brands. The same company make Rigid, Ryobi and one other.

txdon · Mar 18, 2014

Just bumping this post to get any new information that I might have missed. My Hitachi 18v drill finally got to the point of replacement now that the batteries have died and the drill side clips that hold the battery on the drill have broken (duct tape needed to hold battery now). When I bought the Hitachi an impact drill came with it and now I cannot live without one, but it will not hold the hex bit in anymore and it also needs replacing.

I'm leaning to the new impact brushless Bosh IDH182 so I can use 1/4 hex and 1/2 sockets without breaking adapters (and I have broken many). Thanks DFB for your #78 post.
I'm still searching for a compatible drill. I'd prefer 4aH Li battery but 2aH is ok.
Here is a Youtube review on the impact IDH182. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.
Bosch IDH182 18V Brushless Socket Ready Impact with 1/4" Hex and 1/2" Review - YouTube

IslandTractor · Mar 18, 2014

txdon said:
Just bumping this post to get any new information that I might have missed. My Hitachi 18v drill finally got to the point of replacement now that the batteries have died and the drill side clips that hold the battery on the drill have broken (duct tape needed to hold battery now). When I bought the Hitachi an impact drill came with it and now I cannot live without one, but it will not hold the hex bit in anymore and it also needs replacing.

I'm leaning to the new impact brushless Bosh IDH182 so I can use 1/4 hex and 1/2 sockets without breaking adapters (and I have broken many). Thanks DFB for your #78 post.
I'm still searching for a compatible drill. I'd prefer 4aH Li battery but 2aH is ok.
Here is a Youtube review on the impact IDH182. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.
Bosch IDH182 18V Brushless Socket Ready Impact with 1/4" Hex and 1/2" Review - YouTube

I own a compact 12v lithium Bosch drill and drill driver set. Extremely well designed and made. Comparable to Makita which is my personal gold standard.

DFB · Mar 19, 2014

Guess what ever you like best is best

Now that Bosch is a pretty cool setup. I would think they all might offer something similar in the future

Piped in here because just had an sale email from the HD if anyone is interested the Milwaukee 18v drill and impact combo 2 tools plus two XC batteries and charger $299 comes with a free 3.0 XC battery offer until 3/31

Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill/Impact XC Combo Kit (2-Tool) with Free M18 3.0 Ah XC Battery-2697-22-48-11-1828 at The Home Depot

Same offer with 2.0 batteries is only $229

Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Drill/Impact Driver Combo Kit (2-Tool) with Free M18 2.0 Ah Compact Battery-2691-22-48-11-1820 at The Home Depot

txdon · Mar 19, 2014

DFB said:
Guess what ever you like best is best

Now that Bosch is a pretty cool setup. I would think they all might offer something similar in the future

Piped in here because just had an sale email from the HD if anyone is interested the Milwaukee 18v drill and impact combo 2 tools plus two XC batteries and charger $299 comes with a free 3.0 XC battery offer until 3/31

Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill/Impact XC Combo Kit (2-Tool) with Free M18 3.0 Ah XC Battery-2697-22-48-11-1828 at The Home Depot

Same offer with 2.0 batteries is only $229

Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Drill/Impact Driver Combo Kit (2-Tool) with Free M18 2.0 Ah Compact Battery-2691-22-48-11-1820 at The Home Depot

That sound like a good deal, but what about a free Milwaukee reciprocating saw with their newer generation brushless drills and 4aH batteries? (For just $100 more.)
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18-Volt Brushless Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill/Impact Driver XC Combo Kit with Free M18 Sawzall-2797-22-2620-20 at The Home Depot

Then I look at for just $55 more than that for the newest release (Feb 2014) Bosch IDH182 series drill and impact drill with the 1/2 and 1/4 end and a Sawzall from Amazon . . .AHHHH . . .?. And for a limited time a free battery with the drill combo purchase!

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-CLPK233-181L-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Batteries/dp/B00HUCUK8S
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BJR182...-5&keywords=bosch+reciprocating+saw+bare+tool

IslandTractor · Mar 19, 2014

txdon said:
That sound like a good deal, but what about a free Milwaukee reciprocating saw with their newer generation brushless drills and 4aH batteries? (For just $100 more.)
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18-Volt Brushless Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill/Impact Driver XC Combo Kit with Free M18 Sawzall-2797-22-2620-20 at The Home Depot

Then I look at for just $55 more than that for the newest release (Feb 2014) Bosch IDH182 series drill and impact drill with the 1/2 and 1/4 end and a Sawzall from Amazon . . .AHHHH . . .?. And for a limited time a free battery with the drill combo purchase!

Bosch CLPK233-181L 18-volt Lithium-Ion Brushless 2-Tool Kit with 1/2-Inch Drill/Driver, Socket Ready Impact Driver, 2 Batteries, Charger and L-BOXX-2 - Amazon.com
Makita BJR182Z 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Reciprocating Saw - Amazon.com

Don't forget the standard Makita kit at only $290. Bullet proof. Makita LXT218 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 2-Piece Combo Kit - Amazon.com

txdon · Mar 19, 2014

No No not MORE choices!!! - and I need Sawzall also right away. My head is spinning.:hyper:

IslandTractor · Mar 19, 2014

txdon said:
No No not MORE choices!!! - and I need Sawzall also right away. My head is spinning.:hyper:

Rule of thumb: just about any of the Makita tools can be acquired "bare" without a battery or charger for $100-200. There are a few cheaper and a few more expensive examples. The Sawzall is about $160 but can be gotten cheaper by getting one of the four piece bundles. Check out Amazon.

I really love the Makita since I came back to it. I still have a 7v drill from thirty years ago that still works. Tough, reliable tools.

DFB · Mar 19, 2014

I have the Milwaukee hackzall in the 12v now and I think that is the coolest little tool. There's also an 18V version too and they have a sweet spot in between a full sized D handled reciprocating saw. Cut something easily with one hand if you need to...usually not so easy to do...especially on a ladder. Unless you've got a project lined up now and need something right away sometimes it pays to watch a bit. Both CPO and the HD seem to constantly change prices but stuff sells out fast too when they do so you have to ready to buy. There's also good deals found with Tool barn, Lowes and Amazon too.

Milwaukee just announced they're coming out with a new tool in the 12v brushless line and they have everyone guessing what it will be...maybe a circular saw? Grinder? I would like to a see 12v cutoff tool. I've put a heavy investment in the that smaller line recently it works for me and using the bigger 3.0 and 4.0 batteries can really enhance the tools.