Buying a new drill (think I have narrowed it down)

[headshrink]

Old Drill (skip to next paragraph for actual question):
Well, my old drill is about dead. It was a Rigid 12V. It was my first real cordless tool (purchased in 2005), so I didn't really know what to expect... but was pleased to find these things do provide more torque than my old DeWalt corded drill (the basic $50 model, which was $100 when I bought it). I really liked the size, weight, and ergonomics of the Ridged, but if I had to do it again... I would NOT by the Rigid. The battery life was TERRIBLE. In fact, about 6mo. after I got it, I saw a review of drills in my Wood magazine... and the Rigid was one of the LAST in the review for battery life (I think Panasonic was first, oddly enough). Anyways, I'm gathering my birthday money to go buy a new drill since one of my Rigid batteries will no longer charge, and the other is limping.

Potential new drill:
I have been casually looking at the drills at HD over the years every time I go in. I currently have my eye on the Makita 18V LXT 1/2 In. Hammer Driver Drill Kit (Model # BHP454 ). Although the 12V served me well for light to medium duty jobs, I'm thinking I really do need to step it up a bit. I also like the addition of the Hammer Driver, which I know isn't the same as a dedicated hammer drill, but from what I understand it can help to prevent splitting when driving screws in some applications???. I also like the removable handle (a plus, but not a requirement), which would come in handy since the 18Vs are heavier. The little LED "headlights" are no big deal to me, but a construction guy that was next to me said he loves them for working inside walls.... makes since, I hadn't thought of that. He is a roofer by trade, and said this is the only drill he hasn't destroyed on the job. So, I am looking for thoughts and feedback.... This is about $280, which is a LOT of $$ right now, but I do have it as birthday cash, so it is possible right now, but I have been putting it off because I never have that much money lying around (especially that much extra when doing a project). There is also a non hammer driver version, but it costs about the same.

A good buy?

 

[BeanAnimal]

The Bosch Li-Ion stuff is pretty good. I would not purchase Makita based on personal experience. I used to love the stuff when 9.6V was the ONLY option.

 

[ebonline]

the bosch li-ion stuff is pretty good. I would not purchase makita based on personal experience. I used to love the stuff when 9.6v was the only option.

+1...

 

[polyp02]

First of all what are trying to do? If drilling through glass then I would not recommend do to its hammer action becasue if you push on the drill while drilling you will activate the hammer action and it will break your glass. The hammer action will pull and push as it drills very heavy duty stuff. I actually bought a Milwakee kit that included the drill with a hammer action driver for $240 on sale at Orchards Supply and so far I'm satisfied with it.

 

[headshrink]

First of all what are trying to do? If drilling through glass then I would not recommend do to its hammer action becasue if you push on the drill while drilling you will activate the hammer action and it will break your glass. The hammer action will pull and push as it drills very heavy duty stuff. I actually bought a Milwakee kit that included the drill with a hammer action driver for $240 on sale at Orchards Supply and so far I'm satisfied with it.

Good point about the glass.... I should have specified. It isn't project specific; it is just supposed to be my "everything drill."

 

[sonnus]

I know you're not interested in the Ridgid but I think you should look at the Ridgid 18v li-ion drill. It has a lifetime service agreement (included, no extra cost) and a HD rep told me it includes the battery! The drill also felt very balanced, compact and very sturdy.

Another very cool drill is the Milwaukee 12v compact drill. These things are awesome. There are a lot of them out from Bosch, Ridgid, ect. They all look the same to me and I'm sure they are all similar in performance. I've had this thing for a cople of years and is packs a strong punch. It'll drive 3"-#12 deck screws all day long. I've even used it to drill 3/8" holes through mild steel plate (that was pushing it though). I would say that these things are stronger than 12v full-sized tools from 10 years ago!

I personally use Milwaukee's 28v li-ion cordless tools. These things are incredibly strong and the battery is basically the same size as the 18v li-ion. I also have a Makita LXT that I'm not very impressed with.

And definitely stay away from any hammer drill, imo they are too complicated. These drills never last over a year for me and I never even use the hammer setting.

 

[headshrink]

I also have a Makita LXT that I'm not very impressed with.

What is your experience with it?

 

[sonnus]

What is your experience with it?

Honestly, it just seemed too weak with a short battery life. Mine is probably over 4 years old now (?) and it looks brand new because I never use it unless I have to. It was when they first came out so I wouldn't be surprised if they have improved them.

I have always purchased Makita cordless in the past. I still have my 9.6v cordless from 20 years ago and it still works fine. My Makita 12v ni-cad and 18v mh drills are also 10-15 years old and are still used daily. Battery life is pretty poor now but it's still adequate. I'm very hard on tools btw.

Did you get a chance to check out that first link I posted? That "lifetime" service agreement sounds just too good to pass up.

 

[sonnus]

btw, I've been in construction on and off for almost 20 years now and both my father and father-in-law are contractors. You always know which brands are the best by what everybody has. For cordless tools it was Makita (early 1990s) then Dewalt (late 1990s) then Milwaukee (2000s). Lately I've been seeing a lot more Ridgid tools out there, no doubt that warranty has a lot to do with it.

 

[headshrink]

I did look at the links, but couldn'd find the warentee info.

 

[jeepguy242]

the rigid DOES include the battery, ive traded mine out several times now, the batteries on these things stink, if you are using it around the shop, i suggest the bosh with a cord, i will never buy a cordless drill again due to the battery life, yes its convenient not having to drag a cord around, but how good is the convenience when you cant finish a project due to the batteries going dead all the time

 

[sonnus]

I did look at the links, but couldn'd find the warentee info.

Well if you fiind yourself back at Home Depot check it out. There is a small mention of it on the box but it is very vague. You'll need to talk to one of the HD employees to get the details. I alway head to the special orders or contractors desks at the front of the store. They seem to be the employees that know the most.

I also noticed that it's on sale right now...

 

[stugray]

I got a Makita BDF452 for Xmas, and it is the best cordless I have ever used.

No hammer drill though

Stu

 

[jmski333]

in my experience as a contractor bosche drills aren't very good. My dad bought two sets of the 36 volt ones and they are junk. Rigid and ryobi drills are ok if your on a budget and makita is 50/50.

I recently got a Dewalt XRP 18V hammer drill on sale from lowes for $170. Not it is usually $299 so dont expect to find as good as a deal as me but i must say compared to all the drills my co-workers use and all that i have used they all agree the XRP is by far the best with torque and battery life.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Yeah the DeWalt drills are pretty reliable (we own many of them) but the good ones are somewhat out of the OPs price range. It looks like he is looking for mid-size drills for general use, not 18V+ high capacity full size drills.

I also typed the wrong thing above. The Bosch drills apear to have gone downhill. I meant to reccomend the Hitachi Li-Ion mid size combo pack. Pretty decent drill and impact driver for $200. By no means do they match a big DeWalt XRP2 or the new DeWalt full size Li-Ion drills, but they are great for general use. We have not purchased them simply because the DeWalt Li-Ion batteries work with our older XRP drills so it makes no sense to switch brands.

 

[Miller_Time]

I would be very weary of the Rigid warranty. It is very vague and has MANY loop holes that allow them to break it. Also the warranty is actually for the lifetime of the tool, not your lifetime (so I've been told). Industry standard lifetime of a tool is 3 yrs. So in reality is around the same as most companies warranties.

I am partial to the Dewalts, they have never let me down and always are the front runners of their class. The dewalt will have all the power you need and reliablity to boot.

They have the big 18v XRP hammerdrill if you need the best of the best, at $299, or you could do their compact lithium 18v drill for $219 at Depot. I just got one of these and this thing is great! Small, lightweight, and powerful! Its become my drill of choice for sure!

I would take the Makita over the rigid, but I would say dewalt over all of them!

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

unless you drill a lot of concrete and set a ton of TapCON screws there is no sense owning a hammer drill...i would simply stick to a standard drill...i too am partial to the Dewalts, but also love my Milwaukee cordless as well...always found the Dewalts to very very touquey though

 

[TAB]

all cordless drills suck...just my $.02

 

[stugray]

"all cordless drills suck...just my $.02 "

Unless you always have both at your disposal....

Then cordless has it's place.
Cordless can never replace good old corded, but sure are handy when you need quick or "remote" ( in the attic ).

Stu

 

[super1man]

i like my Snap On Cordless 1/2 chuck and you only need one hand cant bet it. i also have a milwaukee 28v and milwaukee 12v, have had a few dewalt drills. but by far the best is my snap on cordless. has gone through alot and still keeps on ticking its about 5 years old batteries are starting to die but with them always on the charger i expect that. i work as a mechainc at a bindery and am always using my drill.