Thread: New Cordless drill/driver advice

If you've got $500 to play with then look further than Bosch.

I just brought a Makita LXT 18v combo pack which I love!

Mine was abit pricy so try the 14.4v http://www.powertoolspecialists.com....roductsPage.do


Or I saw this, which is a bargin
http://www.powertoolspecialists.com....Source=home.do

Alot of the joiners I work with have the Panasonic 14.4v Drill / impact driver kits which are brilliant. So I would think a 21.6v would have a bit of guts. Plus you get change from $500!

Thanks Kyle,

Power tools specialists looks like a great store. I will drop in there. The panasonic looks good.

matt

Hi Matt,

Makita are doing a special at the moment with an 18v drill and driver for $499. You can get it from Sydney Tools (http://sydneytools.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=11635&bc=no) or a local stokist. I'm waiting for my local Nubco to get more stock in, then will be picking up one of these combo's. A lot of trades use them, and from the use I've had, they're great.

Xfigio

I would definately go the blue range over the green in bosch. I would also check out the AEG or Milwaukee tools for that application as they are backed by a 3year(aeg) & 5year(milwaukee) warranties. If you wanted nicd or nimh technology there would be some deals on industrial cordlesses you would pick up under the $300

Originally Posted by Xfigio

Hi Matt,

Makita are doing a special at the moment with an 18v drill and driver for $499. You can get it from Sydney Tools (http://sydneytools.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=11635&bc=no) or a local stokist. I'm waiting for my local Nubco to get more stock in, then will be picking up one of these combo's. A lot of trades use them, and from the use I've had, they're great.

Xfigio

A few guys I work with have this kit. Just remember that this model drill is more light duty ans is suited more for cabinetmaking ect. The drill struggles abit with spade bits and the 1.5 amp hr batteries don't last long.
I've got this kit http://www.powertoolspecialists.com....roductsPage.do and even with the 3 amp hr batteries the drill still does'nt last as long as my old Ni-NH Panasonic. The impact driver on the other hand seems to run forever on one battery. Most guys have bought a third battery to rotate.

For a DIYer I would get the biggest drill you can that will do everything.

VEK TOOLS, I almost brought the Milwaukee, it's a quality piece of kit, but the range of skins available for the Makita sold me.

With a $500 budget you'll have no drama finding something good.

Matt,

We evaluated 15 drills in the 14.4V class and the Hitachi DS14DL ranked #1, and the Bosch 37614-01 ranked #2. The Bosch costs about $75 more.
In the 18V class, we looked at 25 drills and surprisingly Hitachi came out on top again with their DS18DL. Milwaukee's 2610-24 ranked #2, but it costs about $100 more.

You should be able to buy a great DIYer drill for under $300.

Charlie at Best Cordless Drill

Thanks to everyone who has replied. Really good to get some non-biased advice. I have ended up buying the Panasonic EY7460LN2S 21.6V drill/driver from Power Tool Specialists in Melbourne. On sale from $695 to $399.

Matt

Good choice. When I was down there 2 weeks ago I had a look at it (was'nt on sale then).
Panasonic have always had excellent battery technology, the batteries on my old 15.6v Pana lasted almost 8 years of trade use. The week points on those drills were the chuck and trigger, but have been told these have been fixed on the new models.

Good luck with it.

Matt,

I'm curious did you buy your Pana 21.6v drill today at PTS?

I was there today and only just purchase the last one on the shelf when another gentlemen walks asking for the same model. Luckily there is still one left on display and he ended up purchasing it.

...Woodin.

Yep,

That was me. My wife bought it for me for my birthday.

matt

Hah! What a coincidence......Good luck on the decking and let us know how the Pana perform?

Bring me a smile when your wife said, "21.6V! do you need all that power?"

I believe all three of us responded in our mind, including Ben the saleman..."sh*t yeah!"

The old man and I had a bit of a spend for work and got a Hitchi dv18dl each... 18v cordless hammer/driver. We do installation work and make dining tables and I seriously doubt we'll ever have to get another drill given what these will do. At $600 odd bucks their a bit more pricey than what your currently thinking of but you'll get a lifetime of use out of it.

mattsalamonsen
im a bit picky on cordless tools and their batteries not lasting.
i rekon a corded drill will give you more guts but it will be a bit more heavier than a cordless. Makitec or Hithach would be my recomondation. but what some of the guys are saying about the panasonic i would bring that into consideration.
bonus with corded is you dont have to wait for a baterey(wrong) to charge.

My thoughts though.
Harrison

Takes about 30mins for my Hitachi battery to charge. Drill came with 2 batteries and charger so while I'm using one, the other is charging. Also there is no power drain with the Li-ion so you can leave it for a month and it will be just as charged.
But yeah the panasonic cordless drills sound good, and I did look at one of them, but I have used hitachi in the past and trust the brand. Everyone has personal preferance, just go with what you want.