New cordles drill

[psychometric]

It's time to put the 14.4V DeWalt hammer drill to rest. 12 years is enough. Now I'm in the market for a new drill. I don't need anything more than 14.4, but definitely want another hammer drill. Anyone have any suggestions? I hear the new DeWalts aren't like they used to be.

[hvac hero]

I have both Dewalt & Ryobi 18 volt cordless drills. Both of them have the hammer function on em & they will go right through brick.

[neophytes serendipity]

If I was buying new stuff today, I would seriously consider the new 18v LiIon Makita stuff. Less bulky than the new Milwaukee V28 and plenty of 18v power in a 12v equivalent weight.

There are plenty of good plain old carbide rotary drill bits that make quick holes in brick and the like. I have the Milwaukee 18v cordless hammer drill, and it never impressed me for anything larger than 3/16 Tapcons.

If I want to drill lots of holes in concrete and such, I will save my ears and wrist and use a rotary hammer.

[ascj]

I carry a impact driver and drill/driver drill with me. The impact driver for scres and lags....and the drill/driver for drilling only. I currently use 14.4v dewalts.

A few co workers of mine have the new makitas.....they are nice. The new makita 18v impact driver is awesome.

http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det&tag=BTD140

[renaissanse man]

Go with milwaukee and you won't be disappointed.

[k-fridge]

The Ridged has the lifetime battery warranty. I don't own any of them yet but that battery warranty means huge savings over a period of years.


Best budget system, Ryobi hands down. Not as powerful or rugged as the big guns but they work well and waaaayyy cheaper. You can buy 3-4 Ryobis for the price of one DeWalt. Plus two 18V Ryobi batteries are $36, one DeWalt 18V battery is $89.

[psychometric]

Originally posted by renaissanse man
Go with milwaukee and you won't be disappointed.
Alright, I bought a 14.4 milwaukee today. Came with the belt clip, handle, 2 batts and charger. Nice carry case too. Charged the batteries, but didn't do much with it. The thing is heavy, but steel gearing, etc. Funny, not made in China either. Made in Czech Republic!! A European drill, Who'd think it. Nice piece though, thanks for the input

[Gunslinger]

Just bought a ridgid hammer drill, sawsall , 2 batteriers, charger with lifetime warranty. The drill is powerful..518 inch lbs of torque, sawsall cuts like butter. 39 minute charging.Came with nice carry all bag with room for accessaries. $239.00

[gbfromsd]

I got that Milwaukee 14.4 too. Eats batteries faster than my old Makita but the chuck is way better. I havent ever spun a bit in it. Belt clip is nice too.

[corny]

Originally posted by ascj
I carry a impact driver and drill/driver drill with me. The impact driver for scres and lags....and the drill/driver for drilling only. I currently use 14.4v dewalts.

A few co workers of mine have the new makitas.....they are nice. The new makita 18v impact driver is awesome.

http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det&tag=BTD140

I saw some guys a while back using impact drivers to drive sheetmetal screws. Do these work well in hvac work ??? For shooting screws I mean.

I have a lot of equipment that is bolted together...make up airs and supply fans that have the access panels secured with nuts on threads and I use my drill with an adapter to remove the nuts...usually after breaking them with a socket and ratchet. I would like to get an impact driver and it would be a plus if it could be used to drive in sheetmetal screws also.

[brdman]

They do a good job driving any type of screws I've used.Alot of torque,you can toe nail drywall screws with amazingly ease.They don't slip on phillips either like some drills because of the circular impact design.

[brdman]

I agree with K_fridge,The ryobi can be bought for a 1/4 of the cost without batteries,charger if you already have something 18v ryobi,compared to three hundred and up. (at home depot). Thats what I would have bought if I didn't already have two different Dewalt contractor multi-tool 18v kits.For those who never used a impact drill/driver you don't realize what your missing!

[icyflame]

Go with the Ryobi, Couple of months ago our job site was ripped off during lunch break (Unusual occasion, GC bought lunch) Everyones tools missing except for a Ryobi cordless and a Ryobi Corded drills!

[garnerac]

Originally posted by icyflame
Go with the Ryobi, Couple of months ago our job site was ripped off during lunch break (Unusual occasion, GC bought lunch) Everyones tools missing except for a Ryobi cordless and a Ryobi Corded drills!

The thief was wise to leave the Ryobis!
Weve had numerous Ryobi's and will never buy another.
The batteries poop out after a few months and its always frustrating using them.
I have never been dissappointed with my Makitas. I have also bought a Ridgid drill and saw combo with lifetime warranties. So far so good. We ask our customers to buy quality work, hard to do quality work with poor quality tools!

[icyflame]

I have never been dissappointed with my Makitas. I have also bought a Ridgid drill and saw combo with lifetime warranties. So far so good. We ask our customers to buy quality work, hard to do quality work with poor quality tools! [/B][/QUOTE]


I know what ya mean...I feel the same way about my Dewalt, Porter Cable, Makitas and Millwalkee. I have never been more dissappointed and mad than the day they all walked.

[cubsfan28]

I've had my Ridgid 18volt for almost a year now and I couldn't be happier with it's performance. It's been dropped from a 12ft ladder a couple of times and luckily no damage. I've smoked a many of Dewalts putting on Fire Damper angles, but it hasn't phased my Ridgid yet, plus I like the dual charger.


Has anyone used the new 36 volt Dewalt drill? I like to know how much that sucker weights.

J.P

[corny]

Ive always heard it takes an act of congress to get replacement batteries from rigid....has anyone ever gotten their batteries replaced ??? What was the process ???

[garnerac]

You have to register each component in the combo. In other words register each battery seperatly, the drill, the saw, the charger, etc. Each has a serial #.
We'll see!

[brewchief]

I have had Rigid batterys replaced a couple of times, along with chargers, moters, and trigger switchs. I finaly replaced my 18v and 14.4v with a 12v makita impact,drill combo kit and could not be happyer. After all the problems I had with them I will never buy another rigid power tool. BTW to get batterys etc, replaced you have to go to a service center not home depot.

[Richard Kletty]

About 2 years ago I bought a Ridgid Recipro and also a Ridgid Hammer Drill. I had to have the hammer drill replaced because it died. So far this second one is fine but doesnt get a ton of use.

The sawzall went after a few months so I took it back and they replaced it no questions asked. Just a week ago I was cutting through a 2 x 4 and the entire casing of the sawzall blew out. Motor is busting through the casing.

So Ill be taking it back to the depot this weekend. I hear its a bit of a chore to get em replaced now so we'll see.


I wont buy anything Ridgid again.

Richard

[always learnin]

It's a real shame that nomatter what tool (cordless drill)sold in this country NONE are made in this country!!

[kim]

I had a 18V Rigid for a while. I never saw its legs, but it managed to walk away somehow. It was a good enough drill. Almost as good as the 14.4V Milwaukee I had. Left it on a roof over lunch. It must have jumped off. I know I would ahve seen legs big enough to climb a ladder. I found a good deal on a 18V Milwaukee combo set. Punched 2 holes threw cinder block and brick wall before my helper could get 1 hole with my corded black and decker hammer drill. Found a battery source for $69. That new lithium, they have is supposed to be better and lighter.

[self employed 1]

Panasonic is a little more money. however more slim, lite & powerful. also have awsome sawzall. cant buy them at your handy dandy home centers with the rest of the throwaway stuff.

[Rich]

Check this out!

Special Until Oct 31st you get two items
1 Roto drill, VERY SMALL and can get into tight places with an electronic clutch AND a back up cordless drill. Comes with two batteries and 30 day Panasonic love it or return it policy!

Best deal I found on the net was
Coastl Tool and Supply, $287.50 for both drills, carrying case, two batteries AND shipping. Took only two days to travel from Hartford to Ohio.

http://coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/ab/pana/ey7202gqw.htm?L+coastest+kxyb4389ffec03ec+11607522 45

The ratings are off the chart on this, and it fits into less than 9" with driver on it.

[duct dr]

Originally posted by Gunslinger
Just bought a ridgid hammer drill, sawsall , 2 batteriers, charger with lifetime warranty. The drill is powerful..518 inch lbs of torque, sawsall cuts like butter. 39 minute charging.Came with nice carry all bag with room for accessaries. $239.00

I had that kit and loved it until the switch on the drill messed up and ruined 2 of 3 batteries. Even though I got it fixed under warranty, I sold it and bought the 18 volt DeWalt kit. Now I won't use anything else. The 2 position blade holder in DeWalts Sawzall is a nice feature to have in tight places.

[Rich]

I guess they all have their own problems. Your problems with the switch is the reason I won't buy DeWalt. They have a KNOWN problem with switch's, and the electronic ones cost more too repair than the tool is worth.

Remember all those DeWalts 'reconditioned' units a few years back. It was the switch that failed. Our newer DeWalt failed with very little use, that is why I got this Panasonic.

Thanks for the heads up about the switch, I will watch it closely to prevent battery problems.

Rich

[duct dr]

Does anyone own or tried the 18 volt Bosch saws or drills? I was thinking of getting their kit but went with DeWalt instead.

[Rich]

I have the Boesch 12 volt 3310 and it has been in mud, rain, snow and everything else and it runs GREAT! I've had it for years. However, I didn't buy the newer drill because Im sick of those quick hand adjusted tightening chucks! I went with the Panasonic Roto because they lock in the drivers directly, and that kit included the panasonic regular drill.

Boesch makes (made in my case) a great product, it outlived three Black and Deckers which cost more. I just gave it to my wife for her once a year requirements. BTW, the battery held a charge without use for six months.