Which 18V Drill should I buy?

I have had Ryobi for years, abused and still working...


However, that said, the Makita's have the power and massive torque, it is all in the gearing and super efficient motor....


The Homey version is not bad either, lifetime warranty through HD, can't go wrong, I have one of their workforce tile cutters from years back, just keeps on working, good stuff...

 

Thanks to all of you for posting your feedback. However, there's still no clear leader. I've decided to but all 4 sets and run them through some tests at home. I'll be looking at the following:

1. Ergonomics
2. Practical use
3. Extras (radios, batteries, clips, etc)
4. Ease of use
5. Charge time
6. Battery life
7. Power/Torque
8. Warranty

Am I missing anything? Is there anything else I should be looking out for?

 

Read the reviews.
Oh, and anything that catches fire should be out.

 

I like Milwaukee

 

Buying all 4 sets and testing them is a little overkill, in my opinion. You said you're a DIY guy, not a pro, so most drills will probably suit you. Family Handyman (magazine) and several other companies have already compared many drills. FH chose DeWalt as their top choice.

 

HD has a deal going on right now. Buy a drill/impact set for $300 and get a bare tool or radio for free. Oh ya makita FTW.

 

I prefer Makita or Milwaukee. I currently have the Dewalt 4 pc kit from Depot and a two pc impact driver and drill from Milwaukee. I grew up using Makita's. I had the Dewalt set for years and like it but all of the tools in it are heavy as hell. I haven't touched them since I got the impact driver from Milwaukee. I needed to hang a single cabinet over my head in the laundry room. Didn't feel like building anything to hold it and I couldn't hold it up with one hand and fasten it to the wall with the other with my Dewalt. Not enough leverage. I bought the impact driver and it drove a 3" #1 Robertson one handed like butter, it was amazing. I also used it when building my deck to drive 8-10 3/8"x4" lags for the handrail posts. Worked great.

I love that thing.

 

I bought the rigid combo and the first time I used the drill it stripped the gear. They replaced under warranty and is fine now. The impact is great. But I also bought the 20v dewalt lithium impact and drill(hammer drill) and it's bad ass

 

The dewalt link you had was for a 20v. Just get the regular 18v kit with the 1/2" chuck regular and impact drills. You can get it on sale a couple times a year at ace hardwar or lowes.

I like my 18v dewalt, its been beaten to hell and back, still works...
Can't go wrong with dewalt or milwaukee

 

I have this set as well as the newest makita 3 speed brushless impact driver. The makita leaves the Milwaukee in the dust. I used and abused my Milwaukee set for over a year and now the brushes are shot. I should post up a comparison video later if i get the chance. When it was brand new the Milwaukee was awesome, but now it is slow and loud, and does not have as much torque as my makita.

 

One thing to consider is that the milwaukee set is not brushless. Brushless drills are a lot more powerful and efficient, but out of my price range.

 

If they're for homeowner purposes, brushless drills aren't worth the extra expense (IMHO).

 

That doesn't surprise me considering the price. I would expect the brushless Makita to be a damn nice tool. I use the hell out of my Milwaukee, had it for almost two years, and it hasn't missed a beat. I would think for a contractor/professional the Makita would be well worth the money but for a home owner or even someone who does a fair amount of stuff around the house the Milwaukee would be fine.

 

Milwaukee has a brushless 3 speed impact driver too and it blows my regular 18v makita impact out of the water.... got to compare apples to apples

I agree though brushless is expensive and not necessary for around the home occasional use but it kicks ass on the job site.

 

^all good points. If i only used my drill occasional, and didn't use it for work, rigid may be a good choice because of the warranty and price.

O.P. If your still considering makita, the set you linked (http://m.homedepot.com/p/Makita-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Compact-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-LCT200W/100596872) comes with a free LED flashlight at the home depots around here.

 

Get the Blue Makitas not the Black and White ones

 

I just bought the blue set for my dad for x-mas and got a free cordless skillsaw Have you had issues with the white ones? My buddy dropped his from waist height and the head completely seperated from the rest of the drill.

 

My 18V Makita set up is an impact driver , hammer drill , circular saw , reciprocating saw , flashlight and a 4' concrete vibrator

http://blogs.toolbarn.com/2006/11/makita-18v-lithium-ion-drills-white-vs-blue/

 

not gonna happen for $200

 

Was there a $200 budget ? Guess I missed that , my bad