Best drill/driver set Not named Festool

iamnothim · Jul 19, 2015

My 21 yr old son is out on his own and asked to borrow my drill and driver. I couldn't part with my Milwaukee M12 set until I get a replacement set for myself.

Once again I looked real, real hard at the CSX and C15. I could not pull the trigger. Neither has the driver action of the M12 Impact Driver (which I love) so that would mean getting a T18 too. I am of the belief that a non impact drill is far more likely to strip a head in tough wood than an impact. I rarely strip a screw head with the impact. I can afford it, I simply can't justify a Festool drill for home woodworking. A C15 set and and the Installer Set is 70% of the way to a Kapex. [eek]

As such....I think it's between Milwaukee, PC, and Makita. I've had my set for a very long time and haven't seen what's new out there. I do like the little battery pack that's in the handle and doesn't protrude.

What's your 2 cents?

Zacharytanner · Jul 19, 2015

Milwaukee

nclemmons · Jul 19, 2015

Have you looked at Panasonic? I've had several of their drills with great success. Right up there with Festool in my experience.

Amazon stocks them. Might be a consideration for you.

Neil

HDClown · Jul 19, 2015

Milwaukee has the best system overall, lots of brushless, tons of tools, tons of tech.

I personally like the handling/comfort of Dewalt's 12V MAX drill, driver and impactor over the Milwaukee M12's (and ended up with the Dewalt's) but from an overall system, sticking with 1 manufacturer across 12V and 18V tools, Milwaukee would be the way I would go if doing it over again.

jaymon5 · Jul 19, 2015

+1 on the Milwaukee, the fuel (brushless) is the way to go

iamnothim · Jul 19, 2015

Interesting 2 out of 3 Milwaukee.
EDIT: 3 out of 4
I think I've had my set 10 years and there's nothing wrong with it. I don't recall replacing the batteries either.
Nellic..
I'll give Panasonic a look But ... they also make TV's and toasters. Milwaukee only makes tools and that's a hard one for me to get over.

nclemmons · Jul 19, 2015

Panasonic has made Hilti drills since 2009 I think. They also are Tesla's partner on their new gigafactory for batteries.

You won't find better battery technology.

I have not tried driving screws with their toaster. But their drills perform really well.

Milwaukee is a great choice and you have experience with them, but you asked for brands other than Festool

Good luck with your choice.

Throwback7r · Jul 19, 2015

I have been thinking this ever since I sent back the PDC as it was not all that. I don't like how the Milwaukee holds in the hand. Also know that they are made in china and I don't want to even start that debate. I will be watching this thread unfold as to see what others think.

iamnothim · Jul 19, 2015

neilc said:
Panasonic has made Hilti drills since 2009 I think. They also are Tesla's partner on their new gigafactory for batteries.

You won't find better battery technology.

I have not tried driving screws with their toaster. But their drills perform really well.

Milwaukee is a great choice and you have experience with them, but you asked for brands other than Festool

Good luck with your choice.

I had no idea Panasonic=Hilti Great power tools, no doubt.

mrboult · Jul 19, 2015

+1 For Panasonic drills being excellent. Very lightweight too.

Cheese · Jul 19, 2015

Milwaukee Fuel brushless...there are over 40 different tools available in 12V and over 50 available in 18V. They are also releasing a 9AH battery in January for the 18V product line so their battery technology is current or better.

I also wish their gear wasn't made in China and I would be willing to pay 30% to 40% more if the stuff was manufactured somewhere else. [2cents]

AlexThePalex · Jul 19, 2015

I'd also go for Panasonic if Festool is out of the question. Excellent drills and impact drivers.

Panasonic makes almost everything technology related, it is a huge company. They make cranes and diggers and train engines and thousands of things more.

They also own the best battery factory, and almost every quality brand does business with them for batteries. But they keep the very best for their own products.

sae · Jul 19, 2015

Cheese said:
Milwaukee Fuel brushless...there are over 40 different tools available in 12V and over 50 available in 18V. They are also releasing a 9AH battery in January for the 18V product line so their battery technology is current or better.

I also wish their gear wasn't made in China and I would be willing to pay 30% to 40% more if the stuff was manufactured somewhere else. [2cents]

The 9Ah is just a third row of batteries in parallel, instead of 2.

Kev · Jul 19, 2015

I'd look at Metabo - I'm not saying go there, just that I personally would look.

For me price has become quite secondary .. it's now an inconvenience if Festool doesn't make a particular tool - particularly cordless. Extra chargers, different batteries, different storage boxes all equal inconvenience for me.

To the extreme, I'd buy a Festool finish and framing cordless nailer combo without thought if they worked, ran 18V Festool standard Li batteries and came in a Systainer, same with a recipro and a portable Dynson style cordless vac.

In fact, you could even forget the Festool branding - give me battery compatibility, storage compatibly, DC where it makes sense and good service and warranty and you'll get my attention.

Kev · Jul 19, 2015

Alex said:
I'd also go for Panasonic if Festool is out of the question. Excellent drills and impact drivers.

Panasonic makes almost everything technology related, it is a huge company. They make cranes and diggers and train engines and thousands of things more.

They also own the best battery factory, and almost every quality brand does business with them for batteries. But they keep the very best for their own products.

Panasonic batteries are the premium choice in the e-bike world !

sae · Jul 19, 2015

The harsh reality is, most power tools nowadays are built to a budget, and to a lifespan. With the age of consumerism, price comparisons, and razor thin margins, tool manufacturers rely on repeat buyers moreso than ever before.

A friend of mine works QA at a large tool company, and you wouldn't believe the stories he tells about how many parts he's revised because it has lasted TOO long. [eek] And no, I can't tell you what company. The hope is the more premium items from Hilti/Festool/Metabo/Fein (and even the premium stuff from Bosch and Makita that are sold in big box stores but are priced at a premium and built in non-3rd world exploitative labor countries) don't have this lifespan constraint, but you honestly never know unless you're privy to the engineering process.

If you guys don't follow him already, there's a user on Youtube named AvE that does tool breakdowns where he completely disassembles a new tool for inspection. It's pretty eye opening to have him guide you through good and bad engineering and obvious corners that have been cut. I've learned a lot about the guts of power tools from him.

Oh, to answer your question, for a drill, I'd get a Makita if you want a wide breadth of tools in the same platform, or Metabo if you want really high quality drill and don't mind the extra premium (still not Festool or Hilti money, fortunately). Panasonic makes some really great drills supposedly, but their range of tools is severely limited if you wish to stay in one battery platform.

Holmz · Jul 19, 2015

Kev said:
I'd look at Metabo - I'm not saying go there, just that I personally would look.
...

They (Metabo) make them for the company that you hate, and their A10M is very nice.
The Milwaukee M12 looks the same, and should be considered (IMO).

I believe that all the "M" ones they take 1/4" gear rather than the 6-mm of the FT range.

jimbouk · Jul 19, 2015

Panasonic gets my vote. After that metabo then milwakee

Tyler Ernsberger · Jul 19, 2015

I used to use Milwaukee drills and used them every day for years. I started having problems with Milwaukee. The drill that I have now is on its third transmission and its second motor. I feel Milwaukee has lowered its quality. I have used the m18 fuel and think its a great drill, I have no idea how it will hold up to time.

I bought a t15 from the reconditioned sale, and its an awesome drill. I sold it when the PDC came out and now I use the PDC every day. Today I went through a 25lb box of 2 1/2 decking screws. Thats 2000 screws in one day and it did amazing. It was a hot day around 96 degrees and working in the sun it did awesome. Its by far one of the best drills I have ever owned. My next drill will be a cxs for smaller jobs. I like the t15 for its size but the pdc has more power and the hammer option.

As far as a impact drill. I think they are horrible. They are too noisy to work with all day. I only strips screws when the bit is either bad or not the right size for what I am working with. I know people love them and I own one and rarely use it. I only use it when I am doing auto repair or working on my mower.

Please take a look at the Festool drills. I use my tools professionally every day for hours and hours and so far I have been impressed. I really like the centrotec system and the right hand attachment is a life saver. Never really used the eccentric chuck when I owned the t15. If not festool I would take a look at Makita or Bosch drills. If you can find a Bosch that is made in Europe it sould be a good drill.

live4ever · Jul 19, 2015

Love my Milwaukee 18v and 12v Fuel kits. Have never lusted after the green offerings.

Best drill/driver set Not named Festool

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