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Cordless drills - Makita vs. Milwaukee vs. Dewalt

Discussion in 'Garage / Workshop' started by friction, Apr 27, 2012.

  1. Apr 27, 2012 at 9:29 AM
    #1
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Makita vs. Milwaukee vs. Dewalt

    I've just about killed my 19.2 Craftsman drill/driver, and I'm looking to upgrade a bit. I'm looking at a 18 or 20V, preferably lithium-ion, non hammer drill. DIYer here, not a professional craftsman whatsoever, but I will tackle projects like fencing, etc.

    I've narrowed my list down to the mentioned brands and, after reading reviews, I've shifted away a bit from my impression that Dewalt is the way to go. Any suggestions for a honeydo-list-tackler brand wise? I'm not going commercial grade but rather what I can pick up at HD or Lowes. I'll look to add bare tools as needed.

    I'll take your answers off the air. :)

    Thanks!
     
  2. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:14 AM
    #2
    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    Had nothing but good luck with Makita. Not a professional by any means myself but it helped put together two sides of this fence.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:16 AM
    #3
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Makita
     
  4. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:22 AM
    #4
    dexterdog

    dexterdog My pee parts itch

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    You can't really go wrong with any of those brands but only stick to those brands. I have Ridgids at work and they constantly fail. I have two Milwaukee 18v lithium ion hammer drills and they both have been worked hard without issue. My only complaint is my older Milwaukee is big but indestructible. My newer one is built solid and compact but doesn't seem as solid as my older one. This seems to be consistent with all of the new drills though.
     
  5. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:24 AM
    #5
    nwb3160

    nwb3160 Well-Known Member

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    go with the makita unless u can afford to get the dewalt xrp, the xrp model dewalts have metal gears and transmission where the other brands do not, Milwaukee is the exact same internals as a ridgid
     
  6. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:33 AM
    #6
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    I've never had any luck with the DeWalt batteries , they all died prematurely
     
  7. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:34 AM
    #7
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    I have a lot of Panasonic cordless tools , they've been great but I haven't tried any of the newer Panasonics
     
  8. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:44 AM
    #8
    Toyotacrawler

    Toyotacrawler She's got the jimmy legs

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    x2 on the dewalt batteries. I bought a Dewalt to replace a 19.2 Craftsman way back when I did electrical work. I wanted to upgrade much like the OP. Long story short, the Craftsman still works to this day and the dewalt is long gone.
    I've heard a lot of good things about Makita and even Hitachi.
    As for me, I'm sticking with the Craftsman for my drilling needs.
     
  9. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:48 AM
    #9
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Dewalt is nothing more than Yellow Black & Decker tools. Makitas dont seem to die.
     
  10. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:49 AM
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    The1youluv2hate

    The1youluv2hate Well-Known Member

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    milwaukee Or Makita
     
  11. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:51 AM
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    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    Why don't you want a hammer drill? Sometimes it makes all the difference in the world to be able to switch it to hammer and plow through a knot.
     
  12. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:52 AM
    #12
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So surprised recently regarding all the Dewalt hate...found quite a bit in reviews, too.

    I've killed a couple of Craftsman drills over the years, but they have been around quite awhile. Think I'm down to Milwaukee vs. Makita now as I can't justify spending big bucks on a "commercial" Dewalt.

    I appreciate the input everyone! Keep it coming if you so desire.
     
  13. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:52 AM
    #13
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Surprised the hell out of me, but I keep reading this.
     
  14. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:53 AM
    #14
    friction

    friction [OP] Well-Known Member

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    More professional than me, sir. You should see my crooked-ass fence. :eek:
     
  15. Apr 27, 2012 at 11:53 AM
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    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    I have a buddy who used to use nothing but Dewalt. Being as all his Dewalt tools have broken, he has since switched to Ridgid, and hasnt had one problem.
     
  16. Apr 27, 2012 at 12:11 PM
    #16
    VanCity4x

    VanCity4x Well-Known Member

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    Makita

    I have this set, kills over my dewalt set. The white set is lighter then the blue set and I think it has a little more torque, but other then that there pretty much the same.

    Ive killed/fried 2 makita batteries with extreme heavy use, returned them and got new ones, no questions asked.

    A buddy had the dewalt XRP hammer with the automatic chuck, blew apart the gears after 5 months. Now has the makita.


    [​IMG]
     
  17. Apr 27, 2012 at 12:17 PM
    #17
    YumaTRD

    YumaTRD The Church Of @ODNAREM San Diego Chapter 1904

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    I've had great usage out of the makita impact cordless drills. I used a 12v one for work every day for 5 years. The batteries finally gave in and then I upgraded the 14v lithium-ion. I have two years without any problems with the new setup.
     
  18. Apr 27, 2012 at 12:20 PM
    #18
    YumaTRD

    YumaTRD The Church Of @ODNAREM San Diego Chapter 1904

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    The charging base with these are a lot better than their old setup because it uses a cooling fan. the batteries charge quicker and are lighter than my first makita.
     
  19. Apr 27, 2012 at 12:26 PM
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    VanCity4x

    VanCity4x Well-Known Member

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    ^^^ Ya the battery charges in like 15-20 min, fastest charge time.
     
  20. Apr 27, 2012 at 12:33 PM
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    timbo805

    timbo805 Well-Known Member

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    Makita all the way! I work for a wrough iron company and i abuse my makitas to the limit, going strong after 1 year.

    [​IMG]
     
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