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I started with a black and decker( big mistake). Battery was dead by break. Changed to dewalt loved it. Got a good deal from Milwaukee. 18v for installs and 12v for service.

I have Dewalts, Makitas, Craftsman and Milwaukee. I like the Makitas the best. They seem to feel for comfortable, have a longer battery life, and are perfect for me.

Originally Posted by hvac wiz 79

I'm getting mixed reviews on charging technique. Some say run it till its dead, others say try to maintain full charge at all times. What do you guys do typically?

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I always run them dead so you dont waste a cycle half charging. The batts are rated for so many cycles/charges. If you charge your batts after draining halfway everytime. You would only get half the life out of them. Could be wrong though. Lol

3pt - sent this from his DUMB-PHONE

Milwaukee 18 volt lithium all the way, all I use, I have dropped drill from ladders and its been in water while performing cleanings on units. Light enough for service work and strong enough for installs.http://www.toolbarn.com/milwaukee-2601-22.html

Makita is the best I've used. Impact is the best tool. Use it for almost everything.

I'm certain it isn't just the fact my drill is a "dewalt" that it has serious balls compared to my makita. But wow at the difference in power. I'm able to zip screws through metals with no effort. I was waiting all week to encounter a panel with gigantic screw holes in which my 12x3/4 screws wouldn't bite. Friday night a had a bunch of carrier rtus with panels on the roof finally! I zipped new screws up and down those panels with no effort. I like the 3 speeds and this battery better last. I'm getting mixed reviews on charging technique. Some say run it till its dead, others say try to maintain full charge at all times. What do you guys do typically?

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I love my brushless makita impact extremely powerful and last and last and the trigger allows for precise control

i believe milwaukee also has a brushless impact now

Hey OldSchool.....It's the black and white one. Came with a green carry case(lunchbox). Yup they charge in 15 minutes and they do last long.

I suggest the drill you buy have compatible batteries to run other cordless tools that are available from what ever manufactuer you desire. I have a M12V Milwaukee Impact and hammer drill combo with the larger 12V batteries for longer run time and more torque and i love them for doing service They save me a great amount of time when disassmebling units. I keep a assortment of bit/drivers in my tool bag and this really prevents me from having to make many trips back to my truck to get another tool.

I also have Milwaukee M18 Fuel lithion Battery Drill/driver, Small circular saw wood and metal cutting blades, Wet Vacuum (great time saver, tremendous power, compact and well made), and another useful tool is the Hackzall. I find this useful when having to cut off motor shafts that are seized in blower wheels or other types of cutting thats needed to be donw in tight areas. I have about (5) M18 Batteries that keep their charge very well.

I also have a Go-power sign wave inverter to charge my batteries and other devices when needed. If you plan on using/buying other cordless tools now or in the future make sure the manufacturer of the cordless drill you aquire makes other tools that you may want. It always sucks having different size and brand batteries for all of your cordless power needs. I have the peace of mind knowing that i will have at least a few batteries that have a full charge.

Gravity is that the Black and white combo set that they offer?
I worked with a guy that used it and man it charged fast and lasted long. I am glad to see all this good feed back from Makita products.

I wanna buy the 9 piece Makita cordless Toolset
http://www.globalindustrial.ca/p/too...9-pc-combo-kit

<---makita 18v impact and driver. has 2 batteries and 15minute charger. it isn't the brushless one. i've had it since may and i love it.

There's a lot of good impacts out there now. Hard to go wrong. I'm hooked on Makita, but for no real reason other than they haven't let me down to go shopping anywhere else.

If you already have batteries and chargers for Makita stuff, I'd be hard pressed to not stick with it. I LOVE finally having all my tools one brand so I can swap batteries between everything as well as have a couple chargers going if needed.

Originally Posted by hvac wiz 79

I was looking at this site before and is it me or is this battery looking a bit fat? I ended up going with a dewalt 20v 3 speed brushless. It will get plenty of workouts this week so ill give some feedback

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It's the same 3 amp hour batteries I believe.... That dewalt brushless looks very nice too, sure you will be happy with it.

Originally Posted by Dchappa21

I'm in the same boat my Makita lithium impact driver has taken a beating and still going. But it's only a matter of time before it dies... I think I'm going with the new 3 speed brushless impact driver next. Hoping Santa brings it this Christmas.


http://toolguyd.com/makita-lxdt06-br...impact-driver/

I was looking at this site before and is it me or is this battery looking a bit fat? I ended up going with a dewalt 20v 3 speed brushless. It will get plenty of workouts this week so ill give some feedback

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I'm in the same boat my Makita lithium impact driver has taken a beating and still going. But it's only a matter of time before it dies... I think I'm going with the new 3 speed brushless impact driver next. Hoping Santa brings it this Christmas.


http://toolguyd.com/makita-lxdt06-br...impact-driver/

I've had a set of 18v, lith-ion, drill/driver Makita's for a few years that I really love. Unless something totally swung my attention away, I'd replace with a new set of Makita's. Their tough as nails. The size/weight ratio is perfect. Belt clips on both. When something has proven itself over the test of time, it's hard to change.

I have an 18 volt Dewalt impact that I like really well, especially since I got lithium ion batteries. Those are the batteries we can get thru work so you don't get much choice.

I have dropped it off the 6' ladder a few times and still works like a champ.

When my van got broken into a month ago they stole my drill. I then bought the ridgid combo pack R9600 with an 18v l-ion impact X4 and a Fuego drill driver to match with 3 batteries and a charging station for about $150 at home depot.
Great warranty, they do their job great, I stand by my purchase.

When my van got broken into a month ago they stole my drill. I then bought the ridgid combo pack R9600 with an 18v l-ion impact X4 and a Fuego drill driver to match with 3 batteries and a charging station for about $150 at home depot.
Great warranty, they do their job great, I stand by my purchase.

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/18V-Compact-Drill-and-Impact-Driver-Combo

i have seen co-workers go from dewalt, Hitachi,porter, rockwell and makita... still use my rigid x3.