My fifteen year old Makita is starting to show signs of fatigue . . . I started looking at replacements and the choices are staggering. I am interested in opinions from those that have ones they feel were a good unit for the money paid. Thanks,
Steve

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Steve
'87 300TD - 132K - Soon 4-Sale
'84 300D Turbo - 122K - Driving
'77 VW Type II - 77K - Restored
'08 250EX Ninja
English Bulldog (Brier) - My best friend. Passed away 12/02/04 while in my arms.

Panasonic, Makita or Milwaukee, in that order.................Default SUCKS!

You HAVE to go to a Woodcraft (or similar) store and look at the Fesstool. These things are unbelieveable. They are priced like the Mercedes of the tool world, but they also run like them.

No, theiy aren't cheap. They seem to never discount them anywhere. If you try one of them, you'll be looking for reasons to replace every power tool you have.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Festool is by far the best power handtool made, they even make drills for orthopedic surgery and I think the only difference between them and retail models are Stainless steel cases. BUT my lord they are ungodly expensive. I would have that tool bag under my pillow at night. I do think that the new Makitia's have passed Panasonic but for the next level down they are excellent tools.

i dont doubt the above posts but we have been reasonalby happy with our dewault.

just get the most torque and voltage you can.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I have one of those DeWalt drills and a saw too. The tools have worked out pretty well so far (6mo). My only concern is that the drill's motor brushes are, for all practical purposes, out in the open. Not a good idea.

The battery saw is the neatest thing I've used in a while. You ain't gonna rip 20' 2-bys with it but the thing is still daggone powerful and very, very handy. Wwe used the hell out of it when doing the forms for the cabin, before I had the electricity going.

Definitely go for the 18v model.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

[QUOTE=R Leo]I have one of those DeWalt drills and a saw too. The tools have worked out pretty well so far (6mo). My only concern is that the drill's motor brushes are, for all practical purposes, out in the open. Not a good idea.

[QUOTE]

Exactly they wear out fast in dirty conditions, Dewalt is also too heavy for my liking if you want to experience a better drill at a similar price Panasonic will knock your socks off.

For battery sawzalls and circulars Mill's are the best IMO.

I've been using DeWalt for several years now, not just the drill but also circular saw, recip saw, mitre saw, router and palm sanders. Never had a problem with any of them and most of them see a fair bit of use (just not the recip saw). The truth is you can't go wrong with any of the brands suggested in this thread, they're all quality tools.

I agree with Tom to get the most voltage *and* torque you can afford. More voltage doesn't necessarily mean more torque so read the fine print. I bought a 12v and its always been enough for my needs. However, if I did it again I'd probably go for a 14.4v because it would be nice to have a little more than I need, just in case. Also pay attention to battery charge time because not all tools charge at the same rate. I was building a deck last summer and was very happy for the 1 hour recharge time because it meant I could work constantly.

Jonathan

My uncle owns a remodeling business, and he exclusively uses Hilti/Festool.

The Hilti cordless drills are a little cheaper, and from my experience are very good and well made...I'd think the Festool would be a little overkill, but hey when it comes to tools and cars nothing is overkill!

Festool is German made I believe, and I think Hilti is based in Lichtenstein. Either way, both very well made tools.

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http://www.betten.mercedescenter.com...n_banner_1.jpg
1976 300D
190,000 Miles
Colorado Beige

1975 300D
Parts Car
78,000 Miles
Rustbucket
Also Colorado Beige

1984 190D 2.2 (Dad's)
156,000 miles
Champagne Metallic Clearcoat

if i had the money id get milwaulkie

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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

We have five Dewalt 18v drills in our fleet mechanic shop that are used and abused by my techs on a daily basis. The oldest is about 6yrs the newest 4 and all we have to do is replace a battery once in a while. In my book dewalt rules

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Keith Schuster
2006 E350 98K miles
2013 Ford Explorer 15K miles

I use all DeWalt stuff. It gets tons of use and last and last and last. The guy I work for has a couple 18V DeWalt drills, I like them.

Porter Cable are just as nice.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I've been happy with most of my Makita tools but not with their drills, battery or 110v. Most of the trades around here use Milwaukee drills and the only Milwaukee tool I have, a sawsall, is superb.


Jorg

I have both Makita and Hilti. I love the Hilti, its a superb drill. It has endless torque, and a great torque selector. Its fairly light weight, and is a durable MoFo. The only problem with it is the battery life. Its 3 years old, and even with new batteries, it just sucks up the power.

Now the trusty makita. Awesome battery life, bit heavier than the Hilti, and is also one durable MoFo. I dropped the Makita off the roof onto the concrete driveway, and just put hairline cracks in the casing. I have had this drill for like 8 years, and it is still using the original batteries. They hold great charges too. I use the original bit, but the slotted side is all F'ed off. The batteries seem to last forever in this thing as well. I stick the buffing pad on it, and use it to buff the roof of the car, as I feel its easier to control.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I worked in a shop for years and there were just about every kind of cordless drill/driver so I got to see and use many in a production scenario.

Festool is definately the best, but also the most expensive. Their saws and sanders are without peer as is the price. Festo also makes their dealers stick to list price so there is no discounting except when Festo authorizes it. The local tool distributor here in the Hamptons became a Festo dealer and he says the stuff flies off the shelves. But keep in mind this is also an area of the county where a good trim carpenter is charging $80 and hour.

If your budget can't take the Festo, the Panasonic is also very good. They are excellent quality and the price is not too bad. I have a 12V and a 15.6V that I have had for years and they are still going strong.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI