Need a new drill gun

[grillbilly]

 Have any of you had to replace your cordless drill/driver in the past year or so? My trusty old Makita just gave up the ghost and I'd appreciate recommendations for its replacement. I don't need contractor grade but I do tend to work them hard. I see some of the new ones are brushless, is that a huge advantage? Like to stay between 150-200 bucks. Thanks.

 

[Deleted]

I have both a Dewalt and Rigid 18 volt cordless drill. I have had both for about 6 to 7 years and I have pretty much used them both quite heavily over that time period.

I have not had any problems with the Dewalt at all. It just keeps going.

I have had to replace both Rigid batteries as the original ones would not take a charge any more. The drill had seen better days, but it is also still going strong.

The only way I have ever killed a Dewalt drill is by inadvertently dropping it from an unreasonable height.


Dewalt Drill

Rigid Drill

I think the key is ensuring that you have at least two batteries for either.

[grillbilly]

Right now the Dewalt is at the top of the list but the Milwaukee M18 looks good too.
 

[Cabin Fever]

My Makita just went belly up, too. Well, the drill is fine, the batteries went belly up. I purchased new non-OEM batteries and they did not last for more than a year. The new ones would not take a charge like the OEM batteries did. You can no longer buy the Makita OEM batteries for my drill, so I bought a new drill.

I bought the DeWalt 1/2" drill that uses the 20-volt MAX lithium batteries. It has worked out great for me. Batteries will hold a charge for a long time when not in use and when in use they power the drill for a very long time. I never had a drill with a light on it - I really like that add-on, too.

[grillbilly]

Batteries were what went on mine as well. Looks like a Dewalt will come home next trip into town.

[Deleted]

I would get a drill/impact combo kit...would never do without an impact driver again.

[michiganfarmer]

I repair these all the time. my first concern when buying a tool is making sure there is a warrantyu center near by. My next concern is choosing a good quality tool. I think Milwaukee is the toughest tool out there short of buying the exotic expensive stuff like Hilti, or Panisonic. Dewalt only has a one year warranty unless they come out wiht a service bulletin for a specific problem on a specific tool, then the warranty is expanded to 3 years. Ryobi is 2 years. Ridgid has a standard 3 years, and if you fill out the paperwork, you get lifetime. I think Makita is 3 years. Hitachi and Milwaukee are 5 years. I think MW is the toughest tool out there.