New Drill

[DRH1175]

I am looking at buying a new cordless. I am torn I can get either the Dewalt 14.4 xrp Ni-cad or the new Makita Lithium ion 18V compact for the same price. What do I do?

[icechipper]

How often do you plan on using the drill? What are you going to use it for, odd jobs around the house or every day on the job? Do you plan on adding any other cordless tools in the future, if so get something that uses the same battery. Dewalt has alot of tools that use the 18V battery and they now have a Lithium battery that will work with the new and in the old tools too.

[sparcebag]

IMO Ya cant beat Porter Cable for power if thats what ya want,my 12V out preforms any 18V I've used it against,Corse Its a professional grade tool spendy close to 200 & batteries 60 each,It'll break screws before it stops (with a good batt) comes W/2 batt. one of my batts. is 9 yrs old and yet holding good charge the other died last year @ 8yrs old.

[DRH1175]

I will be a home use drill but I still like to buy the best. Both of those drills are at the $200 Mark. I have had good luck with dewalt tools in the past. But have heard that since Black and Decker bought them the quaility has been going down hill. Also the drill will be sitting a lot. I have heard that that is where the lithium Ion excel. They don't drain down on the shelf the like old battery technology of the dewalt. I have looked at so many drills. Prter Cable, Bosch, Hitachi, Ridgid. I have corded saws, etc... so I don't think buying other cordless tools will be a factor.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Do you travel (have cabin / fish house) where you might need the cordless part but not be able to plug it in??

I bought a Milwaukee because I could plug in a car charger for my electric impact wrench and drill for my lawn business.

This way I can zap the lugs off the mower without having to go to a shop.

Of course you could do the same thing with an inverter too with pretty much any drill.

[18 inch Crappie]

Dewalt hands down, I use the 18 volt every day for work and have no problems, I can drive a screw though 2 2x4's

[DRH1175]

I am leaning towards the dewalt. I was talking to a guy at Home Depot that seemed very knowledgable on the power tools and he said that the ridgid were far superior to the dewalt. Actually stating that Makita and Ridgid were on the top of the comercial scale where as the dewalts are towards the middle or the bottom of the comercial lines. But the dewalts seem to be popular among many that I have talked too. Thanks for the info. Would be nice to know that if dewalt expands their batteries in the future to Lithium Ion that they would also work in the current xrp drills. I think I am going to go dewalt I noticed that the torque output is also about the same with the 14.4 as some of the competetors 18v drills.

[18 inch Crappie]

Dewalt has a 36 volt Lithium Ion, that is junk I guess.

You can not go wrong with the 14v. On a side note I have a 1/2" Ridgid plug in drill that I love. So there cordless drills might be as good as well. Don't they have a Lifetime warranty?

[icechipper]

Dewalt does have a Lithium Ion out for 18V that works with the "old" 18v tools, only thing that is different is that it requires a different charger.

[walleyeseeker]

I am a contractor and own both the Dewalt and Makita. Hands down, I would go with the Makita. If I wasn't buried in Dewalt, I would can them all and switch to Makita for everything.

[DRH1175]

Well thanks to all. I really was looking hard at the makitas as well. But I found a killer deal online. 179.10 for the xrp 14.4 brand new free shipping and no tax. Had to take that deal. I know I will be happy.

[Roofer]

Both are good, but I doubt either is as tough as a Milwaukee. I've had my Milwaukee 18volt HD set for as few years now. I have dropped them off the roof onto concrete and they still work(not recommended:) )

The 14.4 volt may be a better choice though because it is a little lighter and handier in tight spots (home use). A fellow Contractor has the 14.4 Dewalt and it still works good after 4 years, but the drill is starting to get loose all over, but it does see some work and abuse.

[DRH1175]

Yes I love the Milwaukees but out of my price range. At almost $300 for the new V18.

[papabear]

Ive used Makita for years and will keep buying them. Just bought the compact 18v. You will love it. It has the power that dewalt has but is lighter and fits into areas easier and the light comes in handy.

[Pooh]

the lithium ion batteries are a much better battery in my opinion that the NiCd are. the lithium hold a charge much longerand seem to have more driveing power than NiCd do

[DinkADunk]

Quote:

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I will be a home use drill but I still like to buy the best.

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Festool, Hilti, Metabo or Panasonic.