I know..I know..this has probably been hashed over a thousand times but I’m looking to buy a new cordless drill today/tomorrw–thinking of a 14.4v–and looking at either the DeWalt or Porter Cable (hammer)–whats the deal with the DeWalt xrp line–has anyone had any exp. with them.
Also related (sort of) I got a dewalt a few days ago and started using it, and, where the plastic housing comes together at the back of the grip (there’s a little line where the two pieces meet) was cutting into my hand (that soft part between the thumb and the finger as you look at the top of your hand…does that make sense : ) , someone suggested duct taping the line….butttt it’s a new drill and it seems a shame to slap a piece of duct tape on it.
Any way any comments would be appreciated.
cje
Replies
Yep, that's the specific reason I first passed on the Dewalts. I think some models have now eliminated that coarse line on the handle. Another thing I looked for is the ease of the forward/reverse button access. Some models I had to really stretch my thumb to reach it and tho' possible with one hand I was looking for ease like a gunslinger. Some would take involving the other hand. The bosch line gave me what I wanted as weight was also a factor as well as manufacturer's backup and reputation. Makita is right up there next to bosch, IMHO of course. If you drive a lot of screws I would really be attentive to the location of the forward-reverse switch when making the decision as you'll be living with the drill.
Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
ppp pa pana panasonic
Just read in the news paper that Black and pecker have recalled "Firestorm drills" and one of their table saws.
Oh man that was just so funny I laughed out loud.Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
You laugh but I saw it.
Wednesday Montreal Gazette page C4.
Cordless drills pose fire risk.
I'll start a new thread and write all that is important.
weekend- I was laughing at your nickname for the manu.
I'm still learning how necessary it is to write distinct on these threads in order to convey a more accurate dialogue.
Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
Edited 8/22/2002 10:07:16 PM ET by rez
Oh okay. I can be slow at times.
But check out the new thread. Also I can't believe it made it through the censor.
I use a 12v Porter Cable. I don't push it hard and will grab a corded drill for heavy work but it has driven lots of screws and drilled quite a few holes without complaint. Surprisingly Sears brand have rated well in face offs especially because they are quite inexpensive.
I've had my DW 18 volt now for about four years and that thing takes a serious lickin' and keeps on tickin'
BE well
Namaste'
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
My crew has the DeWalt cordless kits, and they work OK. (The tools, that is. The guys work excellent.)
For what it's worth, I just replaced a switch on a DeWalt cordless drill for one of the guys and it cost me $60.
I have to wonder if DW is using the drill as a way to sell switches and batteries.
The Milwaukee 14v and 18v tools have been trouble free for about 8 months now. I'm happy enough with them, but would be equally inclined to buy Makita and P-C from now on. Never had a problem with a Makita tool. I've beaten them to death, but that's not their fault, and it was pretty hard to do.
However, you won't be seeing much new yellow plastic on my jobs.
DRC
Dewalt keeps getting a bad name on here , and maybe every where . Im still yellow when I unload . Ive had very few problems , but thats not to say that it wont happen tomorrow . My dewalts to me are balanced in my hand making them comfy to handle. I love the postion of the forward -reverse switch being able to keep trucking with out loosing my grip on the drill. This was an out standing design as with the fence on the Dewalt table saw . Both tools keep getting abuse on here but user friendly design might have been the reason they are the top sellers. But add campaign is outstanding also. I have had no problems with Makita either and it was my tool of choice before Dewalt. I still have several of the 'blue stream' and I dont hesitate to buy them in particualr tools. Makita cordless drills have always been excellent. The old ones didnt fit my hand and the swtch was underneath the drill. I also understand Sears are right in there and for an economical price.
Tim Mooney
After maybe four years, my Makita 14.4 has been showing signs of batteries weakening. Lot of us have seen too many timnes where you go buy a new battery and next week the other one goes bad so you double down, then in short order the charger goes to ****. By now you've spent 150bucks for maintaining an old setup.
So today I bought a new 14.4 Makita kit with the saw for 191 bucks. I couyld've had the kit with drill only for 12 bucks less so the saw only cost me 12
If it lasts another four years I'm a very happy camper.
I've got some decent use out of an old PC too.Excellence is its own reward!
My boss buys the Porter Cable set that comes with a case /charger/second battery/and the only good thing about them,a flashlight.On commercial jobs I work above lay-in ceilings a lot,and the flashlight is a great tool.Never have to be looking around for batteries and it's plenty bright. What SUCKS about them is the chuck.Drill through anything but plastic and the friction on the bit loosens the chuck.The only way to tighten the chuck up so the bit won't fall out is to f up the plastic chuck ring tightening it with channel locks.We have a couple of them at work and I've had everybody on the job try to hand tighten them and it's the same B.S.Try drilling into the top of a hot electrical panel and have the last little bit of extra friction as the bit breaks through loosen the chuck and have the bit or holesaw fall into the panel.If the manufacturers happen to watch this site for product feedback(Ha),"Mr. Porter Cable, you make a s*** tool,F*** Y**."
Pisses me off just thinking about them.Candy #### Playskool Tinkertoy pieces of crap.
And that's sugarcoating it.
Barry
Man, somethings wrong with that drill. Take it back.Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
Forget the primal scream, just Roar!
My DeWalt 14.4 has served well since I bought it right after they came out......but maybe I got tough carpenter hands?
Jeff.......Sometimes on the toll road of life.....a handful of change is good.......
Since you didnt return the drill, maybe you could file or emery cloth it down. If you are particular , you could use different stages of grit like I do the plastic wheels on the cub scout derby cars. I end up with 2400 grit paper . They are shiny as new when I done.
Tim Mooney
I haven't had any bad experiences with Dewalt.
I bought my first cordless drill, a 12v, back in...'94 or '95. Came with two batteries, one rolled over, the other is still going strong.
I've stuck with them. Just last week bought the 1/2" 18v hammer-drill and circ saw combo.
For me, they're phenomenally comfortable to hold...ergonomically excellent. Well balanced, and easy to hit the switches without having to look. The balance and comfortable grip on the tools are the biggest plus for me.
I know I'm in the minority...but hey, they work for me.
I am not a fan of Dewalt tools...however I do believe their 18v cordless drill is the best on the market. I`ve had mine aprox. six years and have yet to have a problem with a tool I use almost daily.
Were I to consider another cordless drill manufacturer, I`d look into the Makitas. I had a 9.6v for about ten years. After the batteries finally gave out I felt it was time for an upgrade, but I wouldnt hesitate to go back today.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Jay-
I use a Dewalt 18v drill and am happy with it, especially the spindle lock with ratcheting chuck.
I've also used Makita 9.6v for years- presently have two plus an angled version. These damn things just don't die and I've beat the crap out of them. Last pair of batteries that started goin' tits up, I just went and bought another kit for about $40 more than the retail for 2 new batteries. What the f**k.
Ken Hill
tits up? what the f**k?......ROFLOOOO...I have to agree though..At $75 a batterey look on Ebay
Be well
Namaste'
AndyIt's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Well--I took back the Dewalt--no hard feelings but the bad housing fit just pissed me off--I have an old 9.6 that I got about five years ago and It still works barely--it's been droped a number of times and the original batteries are held together with aluminum tape but they work --but you only get about 15 minutes of power before they die--wife uses it for around the house now. I went with the PC 14.4 with the hammer function and although I've only used it for hanging sheetrock it's good so far--although a bit heavy-- but as I'm really only doing work around my place I need a good all arounder--thanks for all the posts--very interesting.
cje
I've had a few yellow pieces of crap. Now i have the 18v Milwaukee set, works great. Lots of power, chuck works fine and the color makes it stand out from the subs yellow or blue ones.Greg
My first cordless was a Makita 9.6 good drill in it's day. Then went to the panasonic 12 v. , Still have it, good drill. Now I use the Panasonic 15.6. Great drill, best batteries made. Cushion grip on back of handle. I never had much use for a hammer drill after I got a rotary hammer (drills holes 4 times as fast with 4 times less effort, never seen a cordless one though), so personally I wouldn't buy a drill with hammer-drill function.
started out with the makita 9.6's and moved up ( i thought ) to the dewalt 18v. drills ( the whole pack). I have about 4 or 5 of their saw/drill/recip kits which my employees use, they have not lasted long. the guys used the battery tools for everything and they suffered. i will never buy those kits again because the batteries start going after about a year then the recip, then the trim saw. i cant say anything bad about the drill i just choose not to buy them anymore.
I currently am buying the hilti cordless drills they make 3ah models in both "t" and " pistol grip". if you ever have a chance just pick one up and feel the balance, i was sold. that and the 2yr warranty.
i am waiting for the festool drill to arrive( looked good for close work) it is a d handle, hard to describe. i will let you know all know what i think.
CJ,
I work on a framing crew and all our tools get HEAVILY abused. My boss recently replaced our tired old DeWalt corded drill with an 18-volt DW 1/2" cordless hammer drill, and it works great. We drilled the anchor bolts holes in pressure treated 2x4's for 1 1/2 houses on a single battery charge with an 11/16 spade bit. In fact, my boss has pretty much replaced the old corded drill with it, and he is badly anti-cordless! As for the molding line, if it bothers you, take a knife and scrape it flat...simple.