cordless drill ,screw driver

[randall rosenthal]

after 25 years my original makita has finnally died. i'm looking for a compact , light weight, light duty replacement. who likes what?

[Matt Ocel]

I am a big fan of the impact drivers.
Makita 18v lithium, its small and powerful.

If i had to choose between a screw gun or impact driver, it would be the impact driver

[Michael Donahue]

If I didn't already have a drill and an impact driver, I'd seriously consider these. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100653595

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/d9/d93e123f-c76c-4c24-b219-cf3e28ac1fdd_300.jpg

[Matt Ocel]

If I didn't already have a drill and an impact driver, I'd seriously consider these. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100653595

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/d9/d93e123f-c76c-4c24-b219-cf3e28ac1fdd_300.jpg



Thats a good deal!
If your looking for light weight, light duty you probably can't beat it.

[Mikail Khan]

Li-ion is definitely the way to go.

The black and white 18V Makita LCT200 (http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LCT200W-Compact-Lithium-2-Tool/dp/B000V2DSE2/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1225032932&sr=1-38)is lightweight but powerful enough for most jobs.

I've never used the 10.8V makita.

The 10.8V Bosch has gotten good reviews. I see amazon/CPO bosch is selling the PS20 and PS40 as a kit for $179 plus $10 shipping.

PS20/PS40 (http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Cordless-Litheon-Impactor-Fastening/dp/B001EORVIA/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1225032446&sr=8-16)



MK

[John Thompson]

The pictures posted of the Makita 10.8 V Lithium combo palm drill-impact driver are on introductory sale at HD. It comes with 2 batteries and a charger for $179. Since I purchased it about 3-4 weeks ago.. the impact driver has not been far from my hand. It gets up under chest.. tables... etc.

If I wanted one larger (and I am consideriing that) I would go with the 18 V Makita Lithium as I am extremely impressed with the Makita 10.8 combo. And those words come from the mouth of someone who has never been thrilled with cordless since I purchased a POS drill about 8 years ago. I gave it away as it was that bad. I won't metion the brand as they have probably improved over the years with the quality of cordless tools.

Sarge..

[glenn bradley]

I just keep looking at the Ridgid 2 pack 12v for $129 (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100618256&N=10000003+90047+501461). I'm not normally a Ridgid fan but they have been doing some good things lately and this comes with the LSA. No impact but I rarely drive screws that way in the shop anyway; outside maybe, but not in the shop and I have larger tools for outdoors.

[Bill Huber]

I had a Bosch for a year and it really was a nice unit (PS20), had all kinds of power and was small and very handy.

I was going to get the new one which is 12v and when I was at HD looking for them the Milwaukee rep was there and gave me a really great deal on the Milwaukee 12v compact driver.

I sold Bosch that afternoon, the big thing with the Milwaukee is the chuck. It is the 1/4 hex but what is different then the Bosch is the fact that when you pull the sleeve out to take the bit out it stays out until you put a new bit in. This makes changing bits and drivers a one handed operation.

I use a countersink, clearance bit and a driver all the time at the same time. I just pop the bit out and put the next one in and it is very easy and fast.

I did look at the Ridgid which has a normal chuck but I didn't want the normal chuck, I have a chuck with a 1/4 hex shaft on it if I need it.

[Matt Ocel]

I use the 18v Dewalt when I am the carpenter guy on the job, and I use the 18v lith when I am hanging gutters, because of the compactness. Thats right, I am also a Hydro-Diverter-engineer.:D:D

[David Peters]

The cordless drill manufacturers have been offering fewer and fewer pistol grips in their lines, which is disappointing to me, since those are the only cordless driver drills I will ever buy. They simply can't be beat for one-handed operation, which is too important to be ignored.

Luckily, my favorite vendor of all powertools, Festool, makes the excellent C12. After owning dozens of Dewalts, Makitas, PC, and others, the Festool is in a class by itself. It might not be a good fit for you if you're looking for a value buy, but for people who prefer to pay a little more to buy a tool that will last a little longer, and provide a perhaps better user experience each time it's used throughout it's lifetime, IMO the C12 can't be beat.

[randall rosenthal]

thanks for all the replys....ill look at them all. forwhat its worth my makita lasted over two decades of constant ,but mostly easy, use

[Karl Brogger]

For something other than an impact, I really like the 15.6v Panasonic drills. I've been using them for about 7 years. I've only thrown away one out of the four I've owned/own.

Li-ion are sweet, stay away from anything ni-cad.

[randall rosenthal]

karl....my friend the cabinet maker agrees with you...im going to look at the rigid cause of the compactness which i like. this is a very light duty use tool...i have other drills for grunt work.

[Karl Brogger]

One of the things that sold me on the Panasonic was the length from the chuck to the back of the drill. Fits in alot of places the DeFalts and others don't, but compared to some of these new Li-Ion compacts its a beast. Even compared to the Makita impact I have they're huge.

For a general drill/driver I don't think there's anything better than the Panisonics. The one I threw away, the brake went bad thats all. I know what its from too, drilling holes with big hole saws and just letting go of the trigger. Now I use my hand as a brake and grab onto the body of the hole saw or the chuck and slow it down gently. Or, use one of them corded things if I'm in the shop.

[randall rosenthal]

karl....i mostly use it to drive short sheet rock screws into plywood for various reasons....opening and closing crates, etc. but some boat work also...thats why size is important. my newest still working drill is a 25 year old makita corded and still use a slow 50 year old half inch for the tough jobs.

[Jeff Nicol]

I have been using the Panasonics for about 6 years and the 2 that I own have seen some pretty rugged use! They have been dropped from 20 ft and keep on going. One is finally getting a little loose in the clutch but it still drills to beat the band! They are compact and balanced and very powerful at 15.9 volts on a NmiH battery. I have snapped a lot of screws off with them when not paying attention! So they get my vote! I think the have a 12 volt set with a impact driver and drill, not sure of the price.
I like the looks of the Makita black and whites so maybe for Christmas!

Jeff

[Vinny Miseo]

I just picked up a Hilti SID 144-A. It is super light and I use it every single day. One thing I love is the battery indicator lights on the back. You always know how much battery is left.

It is a little spendy, but I am hoping it will last the test of time.

[Bruce Wrenn]

I just keep looking at the Ridgid 2 pack 12v for $129 (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100618256&N=10000003+90047+501461). I'm not normally a Ridgid fan but they have been doing some good things lately and this comes with the LSA. No impact but I rarely drive screws that way in the shop anyway; outside maybe, but not in the shop and I have larger tools for outdoors.Last winter, I bought the single drill with two batteries for $103. Recently, when I saw the two pack, I bought it also. The two pack is cheaper than just two replacement batteries and charger.

[Pete Kurki]

I also have been trying to choose between many good options for a light drill for woodworking. I prefer using separate drivers (currently Bosch Liteon 10.8V series), but I figure the drill ought to be as good as I can get as long as it is cordless, and weighs less than 4 lbs. And since I am planning on sticking with it for 5+ years the price really is not a primary factor. I had almost decided on the Festool C12, when I saw this one:
http://tinyurl.com/6lu3gh
I will try to get my hands on one when I go to Europe at the end of the month. If I really like how it feels I need to decide if I want to bring one with me or wait for 1+ year for it to show up in the US market. Well, I have 5 drills now so maybe I can get by...

And yes... for me the tools are the most fun part of woodworking...
I'm not even ashamed to admit.

Pete