Favorite Brand for 18volt Lithium Cordless Drill?

[Hal72]

[deathwish2]

I haven't bought one yet, but would be tempted by the Ryobi based on price alone . . . but, then again when 'standard' batteries are 2/$40 and Li-Ions are $100 each . . . maybe I'm not so tempted. ;)

I abstain from the poll. }>

[Sachbvn]

Well I've been very tempted - I have not purchased one. I read reviews on 18v Lithium drills in a mag and then went and played with a Rigid 18v Lithium Ion at HD. HD did offer a 1 battery set up that was like $99 online only, I don't see that one anymore. Their 2 battery deal is $187. They are 30 minute charge times and everything on the drill is supposed to be guaranteed from life from Rigid, INCLUDING the batteries - which, in my opinion - if they follow through with that..... makes the decision for me.



Zac

[Apozorski]

My brother has the 18 volt makita. He bought the combo pack for school. The drill is light weight and powerful and the run times are longer than my Ni-Mh it seems. His drill and battery also weighs about as much as a 14.4v drill with a battery. The ryobi seems like a fairly decent value. I have been more name brand loyal but the Ryobi seems to worth a try.

[IamWood]

There was a time, years ago, where the only real choice for high quality battery operated drills was to go with Makita - that was back when the only battery operated device to be had was a drill (at least generally).

In my previous career, it was Makita or nothing.

As a homeowner, that needed affordable tools and was not reliant upon them for everyday use, I tended towards Ryobi.

Now there are a plethora of options, and I would still look for the best cost... mostly because I don't rely on it for my job.

I would certainly lean towards lifetime battery replacement - that is a hard deal to pass up. My only question would be "define lifetime". I know my buddy got screwed with a model line from Sears. Sears discontinued that line because of problems, and he can't even buy a replacement battery for the tool anymore.

[Sachbvn]

Well I have a hard time Sears would guarantee anything more than like a year or so w/o an extended warantee plan. I know as far as their hand tools go - you walk in with a broken ratchet from 10 years ago and you will walk out with either the same ratchet or a comparable one. I was standing in the store when someone brought a ratchet in from long ago - it was so long I'm not sure if he literally got a brand new ratchet w/o any extra cost, or if he just got a really good price on a brand new one.

You are right though - if in 10 or so years Rigid stops making 18v Lithium drills or we can no longer get the batteries for them, which is actually a possibility with technology improvements, I don't know what Rigid would offer up regarding their warantee.

I just take comfort in knowing that it is a pretty sweet drill and, if the battery craps out within the next couple years it is an easy replacement. As far as 10, 20 years... I will get their when I get their. I just know my 18v Craftsman hasn't seen all that much use and it doesn't perform as great as it used to. It's easily the battery, doesn't hold a charge that well. The drill itself is in great condition.


Zac

[tscheel]

Is my new favorite. Bought the drill/driver combo, and it works like a dream. It even has a fancy LED to put some light on things.

*****************************
Tyler Scheel
Fremont, CA
http://www.escheel.com

[IamWood]

I live in a pretty cold area and my garage gets REAL cold during the winter... I've killed pretty much all my battery tools in the past three winters being here.
The idea of a "lifetime" replacement for batteries is certainly something I will look for when it comes time to replace

[Hal72]

yeah, I love my maktia also:) but thinking of replace it with a Milwaukee.

[desperry]

All of my battery tools move from the garage to the basement for the winter.