Best Drill?

dyetrix06 · 01-05-2008, 04:14 PM

Hello, up next on my list of tools is a good, quality cordless drill. I'm looking for an 18v drill, and am currently debating between DeWalt and Makita's models......just wondering what your guys favorite drills are? Let me know, thanks!

Elton · 01-05-2008, 04:24 PM

my freind is in construction he's had every drill you could think of and he really likes these ones got lots of power there light and battery last a long time
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-6932FDW...578877&sr=1-17
now if u have to have 18v they come in that too
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BTD140-...579194&sr=1-30

hodgepodge79 · 01-05-2008, 06:10 PM

I love the hitachi line at Lowes. They build everything from hard-disk drives to 25-ton excavators...I figure they can make a good drill. I'd say get the 1/2" chuck. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...VF3&lpage=none

dirtyXplorer · 01-05-2008, 06:46 PM

I have always had good luck with my Dewalt (sp). The only downside is the $90 replacement batteries

Edit: I have the 18v (:

bballchrism · 01-05-2008, 06:46 PM

i have a 12volt dewalt and i love it and my friend 18 volt is even better

CJM · 01-05-2008, 07:18 PM

Dewalt, makita, bosch and hitachi and you cant go wrong. I went cheap though and got a 24V channel lock branded cordless at sams club for 50 bones. So far its very good. Ryobi believe it or not is great for a cheaper end drill too.

My corded drill is a makita, my grinder is makita, my circular saw is too.

linuxrunner · 01-05-2008, 07:29 PM

I had an 18v dewalt and used it heavy, drilled 10 holes in a 1/2in plate of steel with no cool down time and it never even hicuped (had to switch to new batterys a few times). It was running full for about 2.5 hours and still works great 2 years later

I have since picked up the 24v dewalt and man that thing will tear my arm off

http://www.dewalt.com/us/cordless/co...ems/24volt.asp

sdstud212001 · 01-05-2008, 07:36 PM

I have a craftsman 19.2V and I really like it. It even has an led light that points to the tip of the drill, at first I thought it was silly but now whenever I use someone else's drill w/ out the light it sucks.

linky http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...cordless+drill

az984Runner · 01-05-2008, 07:38 PM

I have a Dewalt 14.4v drill and I love it. So I imagine the 18v will be the same. I just built myself a work bench last night with it; drilling holes and screwing in deck screws. Three hours of constant use and no sign of letting up. Also the batteries can be charged and not used for weeks and they will still last forever.

dyetrix06 · 01-05-2008, 07:47 PM

Whoah, thanks for all of the responses! Seems like the DeWalts are pretty popular(of course!), but I am wondering about any other experiences with Makita?

CJM · 01-05-2008, 07:58 PM

I have two older makita cordless 9.6V. Thus far very good drills, never an issue. Oneof the original batteries from the early 90's just died.

Compare this to my porter cable 9.6V where now the batteries dont last long at all vs the makita.

youngbuck · 01-05-2008, 08:08 PM

I used to have a Hilti drill that I really liked. You could at least give them a look.

***waskillywabbit*** · 01-05-2008, 08:09 PM

Anything under 18V is a waste of money as the batteries just won't hold up over time.

I have a Milwaukee 28V that will drill a hole to China and keep going.

n8buddy · 01-05-2008, 08:16 PM

I have an 18V lithium Hitachi drill and it has the best power to weight ratio in my opinion. I also have a 14.4 drill from Hitachi that I bought a year ago. The clutch went out on it because i was using it for WAY to heavy work for such a small drill, but Hitachi replaced it for free regardless. Besides Hitachi, i would choose a makita over dewalt any day. My boss has had a makita 12 volt for about 5-10 years and still runs strong, wheras one of my co-workers just got a new 36 Volt dewalt (that thing could break your wrist no prob) and the 3 grabbers inside the chuck fell out within 2 weeks.

this is mine: http://www.hitachipowertools.com/sto...h=1,2,307,p561,

CJM · 01-05-2008, 08:18 PM

Make sure you get the proper powered drill for what ya need too. I was drilling into angle iron with a 9.6V drill one time b/c its all I brought with...it sucked...
Very easy to burn a drill out if you use one thats underpowered.

Anubiscougar · 01-05-2008, 08:19 PM

use a dewalt 18v impact gun at work. i use it every day for various jobs. Havn't had a problem yet, i drop it every few days too off my tool box(about 4ft high) and no problems. Batteries last a good while too, and charge times are very quick. It can even take off lug nuts. Other guys use the makitas, and like them.... i don't like them, they just don't feel durable to me.

***Corey*** · 01-05-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodgepodge79

I love the hitachi line at Lowes.

I put up a thread last year or so.
http://www.yotatech.com/f106/need-new-drill-soon-95540/

I went with the 18v Hitachi at Lowes.
It looks funky with the green and black pattern, but it is the nicest drill I have ever used.

I also bought the speed drills/chuck made by Hitachi that lets you change drill bits in a split second.

http://www.yotatech.com/50364681-post42.html

linuxrunner · 01-05-2008, 10:09 PM

18v is a good power to weight size, if you are looking for a drill that can really do it all i would look aroung 18v.

The only thing that sucks is when you have to hold it up over your head for long amounts of time... those 18/24v drills get HEAVY really fast!

chrishf12 · 01-05-2008, 10:18 PM

I have used Makita and Dewalt drills and both are great drills. You can't go wrong with either one.

b.miller123 · 01-05-2008, 10:30 PM

Back in the day, all the guys I knew had makita's (the guys that used them for work everyday anyways)

when i was in the military (1 1/2 years ago) all we used were DeWalt. We had both the 12v and 18v, the 18v was much better power-wise but weighed more, I hated the 12v because the battery didn't stick out enough (if you had anything in the chuck heavier than a tiny bit, it would tip over and break the bit, very annoying

) I don't know if they fixed that or not, but that 12v got some frequent flier miles in my shop.

One thing about the DeWalts: they are fricken tough, I can't even begin to tell you the abuse that those things went through, but I'll try: They were there when I got to that squadron and lasted the whole 3 1/2 years (only one 12v battery went bad) // ever use an 18v drill for a hammer? I have // they were used for at least a couple hours for metal work and anything else everyday, seven days a week, 365 a year // Don't even know how many time I personally dropped these things 10-15 feet off the wings of jets // used in rain/snow/freezing/sweat-your-balls-off hot, never a problem, not once

The military tends to abuse just about every tool that it's gets it's hands on, that's what happens when you put tools in the hands of 18-25 year old kids who probably don't know (yet) how to use them right, and they know that if they break, they don't have to pay for it, they just get a new one

Personally, I just bought a 19.2v Kawasaki for $30, I don't use it for much, just round the house stuff and random things on my truck, I don't really need a $200 drill that bad, if I ever do, I'll go with a DeWalt if I have problems with the kawasaki

01-05-2008, 04:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
dyetrix06 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 91	Best Drill? Hello, up next on my list of tools is a good, quality cordless drill. I'm looking for an 18v drill, and am currently debating between DeWalt and Makita's models......just wondering what your guys favorite drills are? Let me know, thanks! __________________ 1997 4Runner SR5 4wd 3" OME Suspension Lift 1" RB Body lift 285/75 BFG All Terrains Aussie Locker Up front

01-05-2008, 04:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toledo,Oregon Posts: 9,136	my freind is in construction he's had every drill you could think of and he really likes these ones got lots of power there light and battery last a long time http://www.amazon.com/Makita-6932FDW...578877&sr=1-17 now if u have to have 18v they come in that too http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BTD140-...579194&sr=1-30 __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto mom 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck Last edited by Elton : 01-05-2008 at 04:32 PM.

01-05-2008, 06:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
hodgepodge79 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Otero County, NM Posts: 191	I love the hitachi line at Lowes. They build everything from hard-disk drives to 25-ton excavators...I figure they can make a good drill. I'd say get the 1/2" chuck. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...VF3&lpage=none __________________ '87 DLX, E-Locker, Aussie, 30x9.50-15 Mesa CT(street) 34x9.50-15 TSL(trail), DougThorley Header.... Best Mod...Desert Pin-Striping (you can't buy that kind of work!)

01-05-2008, 06:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
dirtyXplorer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mile High Posts: 216	I have always had good luck with my Dewalt (sp). The only downside is the $90 replacement batteries Edit: I have the 18v (: __________________ 93 4runner SR5, V6 3.0 Auto, Pro Comp ES9000s, 14" Magnaflow, Aisin manual hubs 93 Ford Explorer, lifted, 35"s Last edited by dirtyXplorer : 01-05-2008 at 06:48 PM.

01-05-2008, 06:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
bballchrism Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: florida tallahasee Posts: 615	i have a 12volt dewalt and i love it and my friend 18 volt is even better __________________ 1985 4runner just painted Toyota red, marlin crawler bumper, bull bar, bikini top and 4 inch procomp lift, 33x12.5 bfg mt and black steelies

01-05-2008, 07:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
CJM Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 4,580	Dewalt, makita, bosch and hitachi and you cant go wrong. I went cheap though and got a 24V channel lock branded cordless at sams club for 50 bones. So far its very good. Ryobi believe it or not is great for a cheaper end drill too. My corded drill is a makita, my grinder is makita, my circular saw is too. __________________ 96' T100 SR5 4x4, ISR mod, Custom ABS snorkel, KC 57's Hella optilux el cheapo backup lights. Cobra 19III CB, Firestick 4ft antenna, Bilstein shocks. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

01-05-2008, 07:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
sdstud212001 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Split time between Flagstaff & Kingman AZ Posts: 1,503	I have a craftsman 19.2V and I really like it. It even has an led light that points to the tip of the drill, at first I thought it was silly but now whenever I use someone else's drill w/ out the light it sucks. linky http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...cordless+drill __________________ 1987 DLX 4X4 5 Speed: Electric Flex-a-Lite,SR5 guages,Yokohama Geolander A/T+ II,Pro Comp AAL, KC Slimlites, Bull Bar, Aux fuse box, Limo Tint, Marlin Crawler Bumper, painted shell, Sirius Wish List: Safari Rack,Bigger tires, SDORI BJ Spacers, 2001 Limited 4X4 Auto:Tundra 231mm brake upgrade, Brembo Rotors, Akebono Pads, 17" 2007 4Runner wheels, Yokohama Geolander AT-S,Sirius & Limo tint Wish List: TJM Front Bumper, KC Hilites, Safari Roof Rack, Thule Cargo Box, Rock sliders, Limo Tint

01-05-2008, 07:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
az984Runner Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 65	I have a Dewalt 14.4v drill and I love it. So I imagine the 18v will be the same. I just built myself a work bench last night with it; drilling holes and screwing in deck screws. Three hours of constant use and no sign of letting up. Also the batteries can be charged and not used for weeks and they will still last forever. __________________ 98 4Runner Limited 4x4 04 Camry SE

01-05-2008, 07:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
dyetrix06 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 91	Whoah, thanks for all of the responses! Seems like the DeWalts are pretty popular(of course!), but I am wondering about any other experiences with Makita? __________________ 1997 4Runner SR5 4wd 3" OME Suspension Lift 1" RB Body lift 285/75 BFG All Terrains Aussie Locker Up front

01-05-2008, 07:58 PM	#11 (permalink)
CJM Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 4,580	I have two older makita cordless 9.6V. Thus far very good drills, never an issue. Oneof the original batteries from the early 90's just died. Compare this to my porter cable 9.6V where now the batteries dont last long at all vs the makita. __________________ 96' T100 SR5 4x4, ISR mod, Custom ABS snorkel, KC 57's Hella optilux el cheapo backup lights. Cobra 19III CB, Firestick 4ft antenna, Bilstein shocks. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

01-05-2008, 08:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
youngbuck Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 183	I used to have a Hilti drill that I really liked. You could at least give them a look. __________________ 2001 Silver Tacoma Xtra-Cab TRD 3.4 16" Steelies w/ MTs, more to come... Ron Paul for President!

01-05-2008, 08:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
*waskillywabbit* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 11,511	Anything under 18V is a waste of money as the batteries just won't hold up over time. I have a Milwaukee 28V that will drill a hole to China and keep going. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC www.myspace.com/wabfab 6th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, May 22-25, 2009 WabFab Off-Road Salvation Army Online Kettle

01-05-2008, 08:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
n8buddy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Invermere British Columbia Posts: 18	I have an 18V lithium Hitachi drill and it has the best power to weight ratio in my opinion. I also have a 14.4 drill from Hitachi that I bought a year ago. The clutch went out on it because i was using it for WAY to heavy work for such a small drill, but Hitachi replaced it for free regardless. Besides Hitachi, i would choose a makita over dewalt any day. My boss has had a makita 12 volt for about 5-10 years and still runs strong, wheras one of my co-workers just got a new 36 Volt dewalt (that thing could break your wrist no prob) and the 3 grabbers inside the chuck fell out within 2 weeks. this is mine: http://www.hitachipowertools.com/sto...h=1,2,307,p561, Last edited by n8buddy : 01-05-2008 at 08:18 PM.

01-05-2008, 08:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
CJM Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 4,580	Make sure you get the proper powered drill for what ya need too. I was drilling into angle iron with a 9.6V drill one time b/c its all I brought with...it sucked... Very easy to burn a drill out if you use one thats underpowered. __________________ 96' T100 SR5 4x4, ISR mod, Custom ABS snorkel, KC 57's Hella optilux el cheapo backup lights. Cobra 19III CB, Firestick 4ft antenna, Bilstein shocks. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

01-05-2008, 08:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
Anubiscougar Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 97	use a dewalt 18v impact gun at work. i use it every day for various jobs. Havn't had a problem yet, i drop it every few days too off my tool box(about 4ft high) and no problems. Batteries last a good while too, and charge times are very quick. It can even take off lug nuts. Other guys use the makitas, and like them.... i don't like them, they just don't feel durable to me.

01-05-2008, 10:18 PM	#19 (permalink)
chrishf12 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 192	I have used Makita and Dewalt drills and both are great drills. You can't go wrong with either one. __________________ Chris 1990 4WD 22RE Pickup 5-speed 32x11.5 Trailmark A/Ts, 15x10 Mickey Thompson Classic II wheels Total 3 inch lift, 1.5 inch BJ Spacers, Tuff Country 3 inch Add-a-Leafs Custom Twister Exhaust, K&N filter with airbox mod Pioneer 6700 CD deck, Boss 300W Amp, Pioneer 6x9s in custom box Full Size General Lee CB Radio Ashtray Mod, Wilson 2000 Trucker antenna, Bugflector II & ventshades

01-05-2008, 10:30 PM	#20 (permalink)
b.miller123 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 536	Back in the day, all the guys I knew had makita's (the guys that used them for work everyday anyways) when i was in the military (1 1/2 years ago) all we used were DeWalt. We had both the 12v and 18v, the 18v was much better power-wise but weighed more, I hated the 12v because the battery didn't stick out enough (if you had anything in the chuck heavier than a tiny bit, it would tip over and break the bit, very annoying ) I don't know if they fixed that or not, but that 12v got some frequent flier miles in my shop. One thing about the DeWalts: they are fricken tough, I can't even begin to tell you the abuse that those things went through, but I'll try: They were there when I got to that squadron and lasted the whole 3 1/2 years (only one 12v battery went bad) // ever use an 18v drill for a hammer? I have // they were used for at least a couple hours for metal work and anything else everyday, seven days a week, 365 a year // Don't even know how many time I personally dropped these things 10-15 feet off the wings of jets // used in rain/snow/freezing/sweat-your-balls-off hot, never a problem, not once The military tends to abuse just about every tool that it's gets it's hands on, that's what happens when you put tools in the hands of 18-25 year old kids who probably don't know (yet) how to use them right, and they know that if they break, they don't have to pay for it, they just get a new one Personally, I just bought a 19.2v Kawasaki for $30, I don't use it for much, just round the house stuff and random things on my truck, I don't really need a $200 drill that bad, if I ever do, I'll go with a DeWalt if I have problems with the kawasaki __________________ As well as fear, Chuck Norris can also detect hope. For example: "I hope I don't get a roundhouse kick to the face from Chuck Norris." 1993 Ex-cab 4x4 3.0 5spd, 140xxx mi. and counting, AND YES, IT DOES HAVE A TAPE PLAYER