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**Chuck** · 07-10-2011, 08:07 PM

Thinking of taking the plunge and investing in a decent cordless drill. I was going to go w/ a Dewalt. Looking at the options in the big orange store the other day, I see there are a few battery choices, so I thought I should research a little more.

So, they have these new lithium ion batteries that are supposed to be the bee's knees. charge faster, last longer, smaller, lighter, etc. The catch, as always, is that they are a lot more expensive.

Anyway, I was checking out reviews online, and I see a lot of complaints on battery capacity on the Dewalt set I was looking at. Seems they have these "compact" batteries that are smaller and lighter, but they don't last so long between charges. They have a line of extended life batteries, but WHooo, dawgies, they are pricey. The same kit I was looking at, only with these extended life batteries, is $100 more. one of these batteries, bought separately, is $120.

So I thought I should check out the other brands. Makita has a similar set, as the Dewalt (the one w/ the short-lived batteries, which are 1.1 amp-hours), but it includes 3 amp-hour batteries. The Dewalt with the "extended life" batteries, which are 2.4 amp hours, is lots more.

So I thought I'd put it to the handy-men (and women) of the forums, cuz you know everything.
Is it wrong to assume that a 3 amp-hour Makita is going to drill out 3x the number of rivets than the 1.1 amp-hour Dewalt?
Other issues to consider?
what say you?

ROBERT CROSS · 07-10-2011, 08:28 PM

Got this set two years ago, really nice, the impact works well for the stabilizers, and the haha jack bars... ,Makita 18V Compact Lithium-Ion 2-pc. Combo Kit LCT200W

**CanoeStream** · 07-10-2011, 08:33 PM

I like the Ryobi I got a year and a half ago -- great battery power & life. But the chuck loosens any time I do work with any challenging loads. Never had these problems with two previous Makitas.

dznf0g · 07-10-2011, 08:34 PM

I also have the makita, 18V Lithium ion. Have had it about 3 or 4 years and use it a lot. Nice drill/driver. If you're not in a hurry, the big box stores occasionally run really good deals...primarily around Christmas. I don't remember what I paid, but remember it was a really good price at HD for the drill, 2 batteries, and of course charger and case.

dznf0g · 07-10-2011, 08:36 PM

Also my Makita rapid charges in about 15 minutes. By the time one battery is out of juice, the one in the charger is ready. I've never had to wait on batteries.

davidz71 · 07-10-2011, 08:40 PM

I have a Makita 6343D 18 volt that I have had for years. The original batteries eventually gave up the ghost and I bought 18 v. 2.2 amp hour replacement batteries from a battery company on line. They have worked great for the last 4 years. I've had Craftsman and DeWalt drills in the past but that Makita is so good that I would not consider another named drill.

polarlyse · 07-10-2011, 08:40 PM

I got the Ryobi impact driver. I like the extra uuumph behind the impact feature and I do have an older Makita drill that has served me well. The Ryobi comes with 2 batteries, charger and has the 1/4" locking tip for drivers and drill's. Works great for me.

Gonna try it this week on our AS. I'm sure it will make quick work of putting the stabilizers up/ down as needed

dznf0g · 07-10-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidz71

I have a Makita 6343D 18 volt that I have had for years. The original batteries eventually gave up the ghost and I bought 18 v. 2.2 amp hour replacement batteries from a battery company on line. They have worked great for the last 4 years. I've had Craftsman and DeWalt drills in the past but that Makita is so good that I would not consider another named drill.

I would consider no other brand also. I have so much respect for mine that I address him as "Mr. Makita"

Wabbiteer · 07-10-2011, 09:38 PM

I nabbed 12V Milwaukee driver and a 12V Rigid drill on 40% off demo models or somesuch - disappointing battery life and not much true muscle.. but handy size and run smother than a sewing machine.

I just gave up a $29 Sams Club "Kawasaki' neon green NiMH drill, passed it along to a friend in need, and wish I would've duplicated it again - 90 minute charge, lots of torque, too ugly to steal...

Hueytownalss · 07-10-2011, 11:13 PM

I have used many type cordless drill over the years and have taken a liking to Ryobi cordless drills. I owned a business where I used a cordless Ryobi to screw in literally millions of sheet metal screws. The bigger 18v drills were tiresome to use and only did the same as my smaller Ryobi. I know they appear to be acheaper brand but I have never had one to break down. The only reason to replace one is that the battery , after thousands of charges just wore out. Remember, these were used on MILLIONS of screws. I settled on the 12v version because of weight and comfort. I currently use this one nearly every day. It is about 2 Years old and still works like new.

Ryob HJP002K 3/8 in. 12 Volt Cordless Lithium ion Drill KiT. From home depot

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-11-2011, 12:28 AM

Hi, my first cordless drill was a Ryobi and it worked really well until I couldn't buy batteries for it. The problem with these cordless drills is that they keep changing the battery designs. Mine was a 9.6 volt; The later 9.6 volt battery was different. Now I have a 19.2 volt cordless drill from Costco with the name Kawasaki on it. I don't think it has anything to do with motorcycles or airplanes, but it works great. If I were to buy an expensive cordless drill, I would want to know that I can still get batteries for it. I have two Ryobi drills, one charger, and no batteries. This has turned me against Ryobi and most of the other brands as well. Good Luck on whatever you decide on.

batman · 07-11-2011, 12:29 AM

I have used my DeWalt 18v and Craftsman 18v for years. Just burnt out the DeWalt and needed a new drill. I used one of the new Makita sets and all I could say was wow what a difference. Light, powerful, ergonomic and the thing goes from dead to full charge in 15 min. So light I can drill out rivets all day long with this baby, and being much lighter I don't seem to break as many bits

. Here is a picture of them on the job 7/9 inside my 64 Safari.

Wsmith · 07-11-2011, 12:32 AM

The best battery drill I have ever seen is a Milwaukee Lithium Ion It is a professional drill that doesn't know it is missing a power cord.
For a drill to work on rivets I would look for one of the small lithium ion drills. Bosch, Mikita Roybie and Dewalt are all solid drills.

I have a couple of old Mikita 6010 9V that I have had for over twenty years and even have one battery from 1987 still working. They were used professionally for about two years driving thousands of screws, then as home drills ever since. I am thinking about buying a new drill for my Airstream possibly a Bosch

beckybillrae · 07-11-2011, 05:22 AM

I use a Bosch 12 Volt impact driver for most of my small jobs with the trailer. I have two batteries & switch them out. It's light & doesn't strip out any screws. For bigger jobs, I have a kit of Rigid tools that included an impact driver, drill, sawzall, circular saw, & flashlight. They're 18 Volt & came from Home Depot & have a lifetime guarantee. I had a drill burn up & they fixed it, free of charge. I like the Bosch the best cause it's so light & can handle most things.