...the battery-powered kind (before all you Neanderthals jump in here)
I'm looking for a new drill. Right now, I'm using a B&D Firestorm 18V monstrosity. The batteries don't hold a charge, it's large, heavy the only good feature is the quick change between drill and screwdriver bit. However, since I got the PS-40 impact driver, I only use it for drilling. In addition to my drill press, I have a corded drill, so power isn't paramount, although 18V is nice to have.
The B&D drill was part of a kit that included a circular saw, reciprocating saw, sander, drill, charger & 3 batteries. All for $80. So I'm not terribly upset about having to replace it. I haven't used the other tools much, since they're basically worthless.
I looked at the Makita 18V drill, and it's very appealing. Small, light, two Li-Ion batteries, on sale for $172. In addition to a drill, a decent cordless circular saw would be nice, to trim a board during oh, say, a lumber run?
A reciprocating saw is not high on my priority list, but I wouldn't say no to it. The LXT406 kit has all these items for $350. I was hoping for just the circular saw and drill, but there's no kit for that. Plus, the saw requires 3Ah batteries, the drill kit comes with 1.5Ah. In other words, mixing and matching is complicated.
The Ryobi Li-Ion kit has the same components - circular saw, reciprocating saw, drill, worklight, charger + 2 batteries. I can get that one for $150 (eBay/ live search discount) - less than half of what the Makita costs. But, the drill is quite a bit larger and heavier than the Makita one. Of course, Ryobi also makes a 12V drill, but those batteries aren't suitable for a saw again!
Any experience with these items? Any other models I should consider? The DeWalts are decent, but nothing really stood out compared to the Makita. Ditto for the Milwaukee. I like the lifetime service agreement with the Ridgid (even the batteries are covered), but again, the drill is a little heavy.
I'm looking for a new drill. Right now, I'm using a B&D Firestorm 18V monstrosity. The batteries don't hold a charge, it's large, heavy the only good feature is the quick change between drill and screwdriver bit. However, since I got the PS-40 impact driver, I only use it for drilling. In addition to my drill press, I have a corded drill, so power isn't paramount, although 18V is nice to have.
The B&D drill was part of a kit that included a circular saw, reciprocating saw, sander, drill, charger & 3 batteries. All for $80. So I'm not terribly upset about having to replace it. I haven't used the other tools much, since they're basically worthless.
I looked at the Makita 18V drill, and it's very appealing. Small, light, two Li-Ion batteries, on sale for $172. In addition to a drill, a decent cordless circular saw would be nice, to trim a board during oh, say, a lumber run?
A reciprocating saw is not high on my priority list, but I wouldn't say no to it. The LXT406 kit has all these items for $350. I was hoping for just the circular saw and drill, but there's no kit for that. Plus, the saw requires 3Ah batteries, the drill kit comes with 1.5Ah. In other words, mixing and matching is complicated.The Ryobi Li-Ion kit has the same components - circular saw, reciprocating saw, drill, worklight, charger + 2 batteries. I can get that one for $150 (eBay/ live search discount) - less than half of what the Makita costs. But, the drill is quite a bit larger and heavier than the Makita one. Of course, Ryobi also makes a 12V drill, but those batteries aren't suitable for a saw again!
Any experience with these items? Any other models I should consider? The DeWalts are decent, but nothing really stood out compared to the Makita. Ditto for the Milwaukee. I like the lifetime service agreement with the Ridgid (even the batteries are covered), but again, the drill is a little heavy.
