Cordless or Useless?

3/15/2009 at 10:50:46 AM

Hi Bill, I have Rigid 18v which is OK but not great. I've been doing home renos for about 7 years and while I don't need a cordless drill everyday I do use it & other cordless tools quite often. My fave believe it or not is the Ryobi Lithium Ion 18v. The kit is inexpensive, the batteries are great & cheap to replace when needed. They come w/ a 2 year warranty and have a battery power gauge built into them. They are also backwards compatible w/ all the other 18v Ryobi tools that I own. I work w/ lots of other contractors who are all about the name on their tools ie. Dewalt, Makita ect.. I can buy two sets of Ryobis for thed price of one of theirs, even when they are regular price $349.00.They had the combo kit on sale last week for $199.00. Unbelievable deal.James

3/20/2009 at 4:37:11 PM

Hey bill I use cordless all the time and I have found the 18V makita great it is small and compact and you get a charger and 2 drills. It has a little light for working in the dark. I dropped it about 10 times in 1 year and no problem yet. The other drill I use for many years was a Milwaukee and it was 12v and really old it lasted for 12 years and could really stand the were and tear that I put it through. I am not even sure if they still make those tools anymore. In fact I found it in my basement the other day so I put in the charger and I did not use it for 5 years. Still works and was definitely the best drill I ever used. Big though and heavy age must be getting the better of me. I let my step son try it and he is now using it all the time. Old drill 1991 still working and packing a punch. I told him I wanted it back before he wrecks it He gave me the finger and said it was a gift from me and I told him it is not a drill anymore a family tradition!

3/27/2009 at 11:43:55 AM

Makita, Makita, Makita,

Milwaukee or Makita are both great and take a beating. 18V or go home. I cannot speak for the new generation Milwaukee.

I purchased the Makita Hammer Drill and Driver,

Have now added the radio (great sound).

Great features include weight, switch controlled LED light, adjustable chuck up to 1/2" also holds the 5/32" drills tight. Great torque and function adjustment. Screws, drills, hammers.

I also have over the years owned, DeWalt, Rigid and Craftsman, and they all have there merits. Avoid any cordless manufacturer not listed and go lithium Ion.

But for an extra 100.00 bucks, Go Makita.

Get the HD, the battery is bigger and stronger and lasts longer between charge cycles.

Make your money count.

8/12/2010 at 3:17:22 PM

Hello, its not a matter of name, but I have been a contractor for over 20 years and recently upgraded my Millwaukie tools, my original drill lasted me over 14 years. I have used every make out there but swear by the Millwaukie. And let me tell you they are great, from their impact driver to the big 12" mitre saw. Nothing beats them.