Still looking...

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...0KA&lpage=none

http://images.lowes.com/product/028877/028877528540.jpg

This one looks good.
Was on Sears site again, and they have a new lithium ion 20v setup.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

Might head down to Lowes here in a bit and do some browsing.
I would imagine that Dewalt above is much better quality than the Sears one, although it does not have the newfangled batteries like the Sears one does.

To many frickin' choices

 

:xmas3: Ho ho ho, ho ho :xmas7:

I looked at the new lithium ion battery ones, not worth $100 more.
I looked at a unit just like mine that came with a screw in handle and the ion batteries, and it was $100 more.

I compared 14.4 volt models against the 18 volt models, and the chassis is the same size on each.
I must say technology has come along way too since I bought my old Craftsman 9.6 volt many years ago.
Having a keyless chuck is going to be nice
Yes, little things like this excite me :bounce2:

This Hitachi is state of the art.
It has a low-high position on top of the unit for your speed, plus the variable speed of course with the trigger finger.

Comes with a nice heavy duty case, charger that weights about 1/4th of my old Craftsman charger, and two 18 volt batteries, and a work light.
I doubt very much if I will ever use the light.

This sure is a funky color
I went with the Hitachi over the DeWalt I was looking at as it has a longer warranty, and the main tool guy in the department there seemed to like it better.
Plus it was about $18 less the than same comparable DeWalt one.

I also got a pack of Hitachi quick release speed drills, very nice.

Hitachi 18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Drill Driver Kit



Not shown in the drill bits picture is the quick release adapter that you leave in your chuck all the time.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...8-67702-728093



Can not wait to use this, I have some unfinished mods on the FJ to catch up on during Christmas break.
Good thing it did not come with a Sawzall, I might be tempted to turn the FJ into a pickup

Good review
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-DS18DV.../dp/B0009HAHDO

 

I take back about not using the included work light, just test it out.
It has a swivel head, and it is one bright mutha!

Having the rotating head can come in handy by setting the light on the ground and aiming it.
I am glad the kit came with it.

 

Corey, are you still happy with this drill?

I was looking at them at Lowe's today and was about to walk off with the DeWalt 18V non-XRP for $209. If you like the Hitachi then let me know...could save me some dough!

Thanks,

Fink

 

Being a former construction worker in home remodeling and additions, etc. Makita is #1, Bosch #2, Rigid #3, Porter Cable/Dewalt #4 (what I got), Hitatchi #5 and then comes the rest. Crapsman is way down the list, there stuff used to be good-junk now. Actually my old drill broke and I went out to sears to get a one one and didnt even bother-made of cheap plastic

That being said, I have compared my 9.6v PC to an 18v Hitachi, the battery lasts longer, it has about the same power but its heavier. It isnt a bad drill but I demand absolute perfection outta my stuff and I abuse the stuff afterall I stil do sidejobs in construction-you dont handle tools the same way if your doing home repair..dont got time if you gotta finish a job.

Harbor Freight stuff is like little use tools, dont expect them to last at all, and if you do use them alot expect to rewire the cord in the very least.

That being said-this is my next drill I want: http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BDF451-...6?ie=UTF8&s=hi

 

Now...what about from a college kids perspective? Only use will be minor projects on the Runner, drilling through thin metal, not very much wood and as long as it lasts for a few years I'm set.

Would Hitachi be an okay brand then? If so...SWEET. If not, I'll spend the extra cash and get the Dewalt I was looking at for $209.

Thanks for the input CJM, sounds like you know your tools!

Fink

 

I need a new drill also, the ole Makita is getting a little iffy it will even turn on.

We use Milwaukee's at work and for all the abuse we give them, they do seem to hold up fine.

 

I choose this over the Dewalt as stated above that the warranty is better on it than the Dewalt, and it was less money.

I am 100% happy with this drill.
I even saw a Hitachi nailgun with the same funky color yielded by Tori Spelling of 90120 fame last week trying to "nail" Chole on Smallville

So yes, I would buy the same exact drill in a heartbeat.
If I ever get some better weather here, I have an unfinished project to work on under the hood of the rig.

 

I've had the craftman 19.2 volt set (drill, sawzaw, skill saw and light) for 4 years now. I have used and abused them the entire time. An 18 volt dewalt can't touch my drill for power and run time. (I know this for a fact I've done many a side by dise comparison for unbelivers) That said milwaulkee, ridgid, dewalt are all higher quality tools. but for the price go with the craftsman cordless. Don't buy anything crafts man with a cord, they all suck. I pretty much stick to their hand tools and cordless items. I've been less than impressed with anything else they make. I've also had good luck with HF airtools but not much else.

 

I have a basic Craftsmen 18V... decent, was around 100, came with cutoff saw 2 batteries and charger, saw is junk, drill works for wood based projects, really light sheet metal work, its just doesnt go fast enough for metal... Next drill will def be a DeWalt Cordless, even for the extra money and (little) amount of use it really gets.

also, do remember that the Craftsmen guarantee DOES NOT apply to power tools!!! so why bother? if you're looking for cheap and good, my friend picked up a cordless skil drill for under 50 that works great, same as my cordless, but lighter i think

 

Well...I bought a drill.

I got the Hitachi 18V Pro-Grade Cordless Drill/Driver

I will be going back to get the drill bit set that Corey posted, they were sold out when I was there.

Corey, do you know if they make any Quick Change drill bits that are bigger than a 1/4"?

I can't really say how I like it yet...not very heavy and seems very solid.

Lowe's has a 90-day Return Policy! That's insane! So if I end up not being happy with it...no big deal!

The reason I ended up going with this one over the one Corey posted is because this one has more power, it was on sale and was more powerful than the comparable DeWalt one which was $10 more. The Hitachi's also have a 5 year warranty versus the DeWalt 3 year warranty. The guy at Lowe's says he just bought the Hitachi 18V multi-pack with the sawzall, light, drill and a few other things and he loves it.

I'll be able to review this better later on after I do a few mods with it.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Fink

 

I saw that model too there at Lowe's, it was a bit more $$$, and has the handle.

I felt the one I got though would be a HUGE improvement over my old 9.6v Craftsman, so I went with it.

I am new to quick change bits being the first time I have ever used them.
I like them a lot, but I do not know of any other sizes.

 

Okay, well I'll look around.

I think I need to exchange my drill for another one though.

The manual says that the red light on the charger should blink before and after the charging is complete. I plugged the charger in, no blinking light. Put the battery in, solid red light (correct indication for charging), red light shuts off, no blinking to indicate charging is complete. Weird.

I will just exchange it for the other one they had and see if that works better.

Later,

Fink

 

stay away from Harbor Freight that place sells you trash.

 

I do sheetmetal work (hvac) and I got a makita that is made is japan I cant kill this drill I am on my third set of batteries the chuck has been replaced and 2 sets of brushes I put this drill thru absolute hell and back not bad for a 7 year old drill MAKITA FOR LIFE. (japanese made ones anyway)

 

I have a Dewalt 3 speed XRP 14.4 drill. Killer drill. Tough too. It's been thrown across the room, dropped a million times, used, and abused but still works great. Came with 2 batteries and a quick charger. The 3 speed tranny is invaluable. High speed for drilling, and low speed for high torque apps. I used to do electrical work and used a lot of self tapping screws. I'd use the high speed to get it started, and low speed to tighten it down.

If I were to buy another drill, I'd get a 18v XRP 3 speed hammer drill.

 

I need a cordless sawsall now.
Need to see if Hitachi makes one, so I can use the same batteries as my new drill.

Cuttin' off the front end of of the FJ soon for a SAS.









































































Yeah right
Need one to cut my rear bumper as part of it will be reused for an aftermarket bumper such as the Warn one.

 

Arrrrrrgh
My Google search has turned up some matching green 18v Hitachi sawzalls, but you can not buy them separately I guess, you have to buy a combo kit.

That sucks since I already have the drill and flashlight.

 

I have gotten the floor model tools from Loews and Home Depot for less than the normal price. You can get the sawzall that way. they usually toss the batteries and cases so they sell the tools separate.
It would be a pain but you could by the combo and craigslist or ebay the extras.

 

See how much you could get for your kit on eBay and then see if it's doable.

Just a thought,

Fink