Thread: Which drill kit combo should I go for??

Originally Posted by leyton01

Looking to replace an AEG drill driver (great drill but batteries are RUBBISH).
Home DIYer but I like my power tools and want something reliable.
Looking for something powerful so I always have the tool for the job. Battery longevity is appreciated but not necessary.

I am looking to move to a drill dirver/impact driver kit and have narrowed it down to two options:

Milwaukee 2pc set:
SYDNEY TOOLS - Milwaukee 18V 2Pce Combo Kit 2
(just a link - not from that store)
Pros:
Good price at $390
Legendary Milwaukee quality
5 year warranty + 2 years battery!!

Cons:
Smaller battery (only 2)

Makita 2pc set:
Makita 18v Li-ion 2 Pce Combo LXT-COMBO-090
Pros:
3 batteries with the bonus offer - all 3.0Ah
Widely used in trade - reliable.

Cons:
Warranty not as good
Slightly dearer at $480

I am tempted to try the Milwaukees as that warranty is fantastic and they are priced well but I can't go past getting 3 x 3.0Ah batteries instead of 2 x 1.5Ah for only $80 more. There's your answer right there I reckon

Thoughts?

I wouldn't entertain the other one, by the time the warranty is up, I would have worn them out and got another one.

HazzaB

I love my Makita 18V Lithium tools. The batteries are great as well

Yeah I think after I typed out the question I came to that conclusion - shame I have always wanted to own some Milwaukee stuff.

Thanks for the help.

I have a heap of Mak 18V Lithium stuff that I am happy with, but on the other hand apprentice and cab maker at work have Milwaukee 18V Lithium kit up to two years old that they are happy with. Some recent comparative tests that I read about found that the Milwaukee had the most grunt and best battery life of the six brands of drill and driver tested. However they also tend to be bigger and heavier than the competition.

Look around, you should be able to do a combo with the 3AH batteries without much hassle.

The issue with Mak at the moment is that they seem to be trying to play market games and have so many models/bundles that it hard to find the same units in multiple stores to do a legit price comparison, every supplier seems to have exclusive models or bundles.

Originally Posted by malb

The issue with Mak at the moment is that they seem to be trying to play market games and have so many models/bundles that it hard to find the same units in multiple stores to do a legit price comparison, every supplier seems to have exclusive models or bundles.

Yeah tell me about it comparing and then trying to find someone with the combo you want is not easy. That's on top of the usual games they play with Bunnings (exclusing model numbers that are exactly the same as sold in other stores) .

I noticed latest Masters catalogue has a hitachi kit for $397 - 2 x1.5Ah batteries. No advantage over the Milwaukee and not as good warranty.

Milwaukee must believe in their stuff to give that kind of warranty.

I am a Cabinet Maker by trade and when it came time for me to purchase a drill driver combo I instinctively headed for Bosch as its all I have ever bought. You mentioned that you had the AEG drill/driver combo. Is it a newer model or a dating one?

When I priced the Bosch it simply wasnt justifiable in expense, I ended up going for the AEG Lithium Drill Driver combo myself and to be honest, I am very very happy with it. Everyone instantly dismisses it as a brand and states that it is rubbish and made overseas etc. At the end of the day I am putting in around 600-700screws almost every day at work assembling all the carcases in kitchens, bathrooms etc. It has never skipped a beat in 6months I did note about 2months into purchasing it that the batteries werent lasting as long as I expected. So I took the 4 of them into bunnings with my reciept and told them what was happening.

10 days later I had 4brand new batteries which are the new Lithium PRO series. with 50% longer life. I now get around 350screws to a 1.5A/Hr.

AEG are really making a big effort to bring up their quality in recent times. As far as value for money they cant be beaten and they also have the best cordless skin range on the market. For me when I am installing this is a MASSIVE factor when buying. They have circ saw, jigsaw, planer, recipro saw all in the cordless skin range if you want to get them and are a fraction of the cost of bosch makita etc.

Originally Posted by rodnathejeh

It has never skipped a beat in 6months I did note about 2months into purchasing it that the batteries werent lasting as long as I expected. So I took the 4 of them into bunnings with my reciept and told them what was happening.

This is my problem - the drill is great, heaps of grunt, never missed a beat but the batteries are terrible. First set lasted less than 12 months, I bought more. 2nd set lasted 6 months, 3rd set is failing at 4 months. A total of 6 batteries (4 in the last 7 months) is just not good enough considering the cost. I have seen their PRO range is out now - I can only think that this is to correct the problems of their lithium range and they will be phasing the old ones out. Guy at Bunnings told me AEG have more returns on batteries than any of the "premium" range of tools. As you pointed out - 2 months is pretty poor for batteries to start declining.

The batteries are really not cheap either - I figured now is the time to jump ship and go with a brand that has better batteries.

I have some Ryobi lithium garden gear and those batteries go as hard as the day I bought them 12 months ago. That is supposed to be what Lithium is about.

I might see if they can warranty these latest ones up to the pro series. Did you go to a Bunnings at the coast? Did they just do it out of good service or did you have to ask?

just to throw a spanner in the works I have the Milwaukee M18 combo but with 3ah batteries. I got a 1,5ah batter thrown in as a promo at the time. I bought it 6 months ago and love it. They are great to use. Feel solid, and plenty of power. To me some of the Makita stuff these days, especailly to cheaper models, don't feel all that solid, and doesn't seem as tough as some of the other brands at the same price bracket. Have u looked at Dewalt? they should have a similar pack at that price. they have more warranty that Makita too. It came down the the dewalt and Milwaukee when i was deciding.

Originally Posted by inferno6688

just to throw a spanner in the works I have the Milwaukee M18 combo but with 3ah batteries. I got a 1,5ah batter thrown in as a promo at the time. I bought it 6 months ago and love it. They are great to use. Feel solid, and plenty of power. To me some of the Makita stuff these days, especailly to cheaper models, don't feel all that solid, and doesn't seem as tough as some of the other brands at the same price bracket. Have u looked at Dewalt? they should have a similar pack at that price. they have more warranty that Makita too. It came down the the dewalt and Milwaukee when i was deciding.

oooh man - you are supposed to be making my decision EASIER!!
I always wrote off deWalt as oo expensive (and overpriced) but they have a Hammer Drill and impact driver for $480 (same price as makita) with a bonus battery by redemption (3x1.5Ah).

We have a new contender!

Couldn't find that Milwaukee combo anywhere - was the battery promo from Milwaukee or the store? Where did you get it?

here are a few combo's
MILWAUKEE CORDLESS TOOLS - Great Saving - VEK TOOLS

I bought it at the Wood Working show through VEK, but the extra battery was a promo Milwaukee was running at the time. Good luck!

Originally Posted by leyton01

Looking to replace an AEG drill driver (great drill but batteries are RUBBISH).
Home DIYer but I like my power tools and want something reliable.
Looking for something powerful so I always have the tool for

Thoughts?

what budget did you have?, there is so much choice at the moment

There also the Panasonic kits which are very popular, also the new dewalt xr lithium has been pretty popular & comes with bonus battery via redemption

DeWalt XR Lithium Ion Cordless Tools BONUS Battery Promotion @ VEK TOOLS | | VekTools BlogVekTools Blog

I've had Makita since forever but about 5 years ago I was at Alltools and they had an insane special on a Dewalt cordless so I bought it.
It's still going strong with daily use, the original batteries gave up after about two years and I bought a couple of aftermarket ones, they've outperformed the Dewalt batteries and were half the price.
It's an excellent machine.

Milwaukee quality and warranty almost swayed me a few years ago, but Makita's proven reliability and massive skin range (over 30) won me. 3 years on, zero complaints and the original batteries are still like new.

Originally Posted by rodnathejeh

AEG are really making a big effort to bring up their quality in recent times.

AEG are now owned by the same company that own Ryobi and Milwaukee and as such has been realigned to fit the middle range market between those two. AEG has also pretty much disapeared from every proper tool shop and seems to be heading the way of Ryobi with a Bunnings only deal.

Nothing against AEG. I've got the old blue Atlas Copco owned AEG drill and sander, 15+ years old (trade use) and still going strong.

To answer an earlier question the limit is $500 (strict - otherwise I walk away with a Festool and have to explain to the wife)

I think I have found the perfect combo.
DeWalt DCK280
Exclusive to Bunnings (of course... so they can avoid price matching)
Drill Driver/Impact driver combo + 2 x1.5Ah batteries + bonus battery by redemption
$399

It ticks all the boxes - almost equal best price of all the kits, 3 batteries, 3 year warranty (1 year battery) quality brand plus I have some Bunnings credit to use up.


Anyone want to buy an AEG drill?