If you could buy any cordless drill, which would it be?

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BloomingtonMike

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We are going to do a woodworking club cordless drill review tomorrow at lunch (monthly woodworking meeting). I am looking for input on what the forum community would purchase if you could buy any cordless drill and why. Especially here on FOG as I know NOTHING about teh Festool drills  ???  Also if you have cordless impact, and cordless screw driver preference please list that as well. Cordless battery models only please and preferably ones available in the US. Rough cost if you know that too.

Mikie
 
I've been happy with my Makita 18 volt lithium drills, I have both the compact and hammer drills.
I'm now eying their 10 volt lithium driver/drill set and that will probably be my next purchase.
I like the smaller size, less tiring to carry and use.
The Festool drill with its various chucks also looks interesting to me, that and the build quality.
 
erikfsn said:
I've been happy with my Makita 18 volt lithium drills, I have both the compact and hammer drills.
I'm now eying their 10 volt lithium driver/drill set and that will probably be my next purchase.
I like the smaller size, less tiring to carry and use.
The Festool drill with its various chucks also looks interesting to me, that and the build quality.
Click to expand...

Get it -- kick butt little combo ----- the quality of the Panasonics is  better but they don't make such a small little pair.  I just bought this combo about a month ago --- it's what I reach for these days.

Justin
 
I've had the T15 PLUS for a couple of months. I'm very very happy with it. Everything else is gathering dust. Second choice would be the T12. Third choice would be any Bosch, Makita, or Hitachi impact. Guess that doesn't narrow it down much. ::)
 
If I had to choose a non-Festool D/D, it would likely be the Panasonic, although I've had very good service from my Dewalt 14.4. (I'm on rebuilt packs now for a second life) But I love my Festool D/D (12v TDK) and would buy another one if it disappeared for some reason. It feels so comfortable in my hand and that's a big part of the equation for me. It's also why what "we" might choose may not be the best for someone else based on their hand size, etc.
 
I've had two Panasonic 15volt NiMH drill-drivers for several years.  I really like the Panasonic line.

However, I was recently looking for a small driver (only) to replace a B&D 3.6volt stick.

I looked at the Makita and the Panasonic, and liked them both, but went another route.

I got the little Dremel 7.2volt lithium.

This thing is tiny, and surprisingly powerful, yet VERY controlable because of its grip, variable speed and electronic brake.

The driver tool alone retails for about $65, but I got it as a duo combo with a Dremel Stylus (cordless rotary tool).  Price for the combo is currently a remarkable $76

So this may not be the one and only driver in a shop, but I have to tell you, it's going to be the first driver I reach for now that it's here.

Dremel Duo at Amazon

41BEVKUbqbL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

 
I purchased the Makita 18v Li drill last spring, a couple months before I discovered Festool.  I like the size and light weight compared to my old 12 v Porter Cable which went to my son.  The one thing I don't like about it is the chuck seems to slip too often or lose its grip on the bit.  Not good for a drill.  I would probably look at the Festool drills today and may look at getting one in the next year or so.

Best,
Todd
 
I have the older model Festool drill, three Dewalt 12 volt drill/drivers and a Dewalt 12 volt impact driver.  I have had the Dewalt tools for lots of years.  My favorite among my own collection is the Dewalt 12 volt impact driver.  I find the 12 volt tools have plenty of power, even for tough jobs like building decks.  I have had several Dewalt batteries rebuilt.  I hace no complaints on the life of the new batteries, and the rebuilt batteries give even better service.  The interchangeable chucks on the Festool drill are the best, IMHO.  I'm sure if I were buying today, I'd be looking at tools with Li-Ion batteries.
 
I've always had a Dewalt 18v hammer drill. I'm on my second one now. I've also the right angled drill, for going through floor joists when I run electric or data cables. Both take a real hammering, a few drops and they keep going. Equally, unlike FESTOOL, you can buy them at a discount...
 
Any cordless drill I wanted? That'd be the cordless combi and impact driver that Festool seem determined not to make  >:(

As it is I'll plough on with the 18v DW combi and impact driver, the old 14.4v DW combi, the CDD12 (my 'everyday' drill/driver), the Panasonic 12v SDS and the little plasticky 12v Bosch drill/driver.

As others have said, if I was buying from scratch today I'd look seriously at li-ion, probably a set of lightweight 10.8v plus a heavier duty combi and impact driver. Hey, maybe I'll get those anyway... :D
 
I have a couple Panny's collecting dust along with 2 bosch compact drivers, 18V set and mirad of other makita's. 
All this happened after I got the C12 complete kit.  There are 4 drills in that one little box, with enough power behind it to boot.

I would like to see a C12, 18V mak, panny and of course a HILTI all slug it out.  Dont waste your time with a cordless yellow tool.
 
We had a great turn out at the meeting today. The biggest comments came on the Makita impact and the Bosch 10.8 PS20 driver and PS40 impactor. A lot of talk about the quality of rebuilt batteries and Many in the group said they had great luck with having interstate battery rebuild them.

We did not have a Festool drill there - too bad. I will try and demo on in Feb at The Wood Working Show in Collinsville.

Thanks for all the input. It was very handy and I passed on a lot of your (all the forums) comments to my club. Thanks again.
 
I have settled on the Festool C12 and the Hilti 14.4 Lithium Impact.  I am not sure in todays day and age you can have just one.  the Festool is great for everything other than concrete and pressure treated lumber, the Hilti is great for concrete and pressure treated lumber.  I also like the light on on the Hilti impact.

thanks,

William
 
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