I’m looking for a new cordless dril and I found a good deal on a hitachi 14.4V job. Any opions on this tool, or could anybody sugjest another one in the 12V range?
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The magazine recently had an article about 18 volts, but looks like your looking for something smaller. I have not used it but every article I have read about it lately strongly suggests the Panasonic 15. volt.
Are you using it to drill holes or mainly to drive screws, if your going to mainly be driving screws get a makita 12v impact driver. I got one christmass and I havent picked up my cordless since, other then to maybe drill the occasion hole.
I second that! The impact driver is just a great tool! I've never felt the need for an 18V...rather drag a cord, but my 14V Makita is pretty much a backup now.Jules Quaver for President 2004
I was going to get a 12 v makita since the one I have is on the fritz and so both tools would have same battery, but after realizing I only really need cordless for screwing I figure I can save the money and buy something else.View Image
CAG,
I've been using the Panasonic 15.6 for a month and a half and I love it. It's the perfect size/weight/balance that I love the most, then it's the sheer power of the thing. It develops full torque at even the slowest of variable speed. And the long run time of the 3.0 amp hour batteries is icing on the cake. The only drawback I've noticed is the lack of on-board bit storage.
I dropped it from 30 feet up yesterday with the temperature below zero, and all that happened was the extended bit holder bent.
Steve
I'll second seeing / hearing good things on the Panasonic. Struck me as odd, not the "name brand" I'm used to hearing. Buddy just got one and I had a chance to put paws on it today. Dandy little thing, plenty of juice. I've got the 14v Milwaukee. Haven't been able to say anything bad about it yet either. Reversible batteries add a little convenience.
" Clothes make the man. Naked people have litte or no influence in society" - Mark Twain
Any issues with charge life. As a DIY my drill may sit for a couple of weeks with out use. I read that the battery in the panisonic will discharge much faster than a nicad if it is not used. I also read that the battery has a lower number or recharges vs a nicad (this is important if you have to recharge it every time you need to use it).
You have to get an impact driver, well worth the price. At least try one first before buying.
I had my first problem with mine today, To much torque. I was driving screws with a star shape bit and the darn things kept breaking off after the second one I had get the cordless drill out, first time I've used it to drive a screw since christmass.
View Image
I'd avoid that $99. 14.4 Hitachi. Bought the 12V Hitachi last year and returned it to Menards 3 months later - P.O.S. I believe their high-end drills (18V) are of much better quality. I replaced the Hitachi with a Porter Cable 14.4 which is still selling for $139. at Lowes in my area. The PC has been great, no complaints. But as others have stated, if you can afford it, pick up the Panasonic 15.6. That's the drill I'd really love to own. Good luck with the search.
Regards
2 weeks ago bought another bosch 14.4 after reading the latest reviews in the Tools of the Trade mag Jan/Feb 03 issue. Pretty good reviews of the new generation of cordless drills. I'm not sure if it's available online but I think it is. Try toolsofthetrade.net
I've been using bosch 12v for the last 10 years and can't killl em I've got 4 of them plus 8 baterries. Down to 6 batteries. But what I liked about the bosch 14.4 Brute was it's the same unit as the 18, I think just a little lighter but it still has the 1/2 chuck which is great plus the drill speed is high which I like. I bought this one to try to replace corded drill for bigger work but still not so big it wont get used.
Clay
Ditto Bosch
Love the Panasonic.
Haven't used my Makita since.
Jeff
Sad day.
Dropped my Panasonic from 30 feet up for the third time in a month and a half. This time it snapped the front end clean off.
Now I'll find out how expensive the service is.
Has anyone got a good way of strapping your drill on so it won't get knocked out of the Monster Hook?
:-(
Steve
One more use for paracord. Keep a roll of it in the truck. If I'm up on a ladder and in fear of something flying in the wind, just a quick knot on a few foot length, and another to the belt. If the drill skitters off the edge of the roof, I guess it would smart when it whallops your leg, but pain goes away. That $250 for a replacement hurts a little longer. I'm always tying knots in extension cords, air hoses, etc. But don't tie it TO the ladder. :)" To the noble mind / Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind" - Wm Shakespeare, Hamlet, III,i,100
You could buy a drill holster. They seem to stay in that better then on the hook. Takes up more belt room, but most have some bit storage sleeves that are handy.
i bought the panasonic almost 2 years ago after reading rave reviews here. It is a fan-freakin-tastic tool. I am now hoping to find a cordless saw that uses the same batteries----it would be handy not to have to drag apower cord up on rooftop.
STEVENZERBY, I bought a shoulder cordless drill holster for 50 bucks from somewhere. It works pretty good. Fonzie
I got one of those bucket boss belt holsters, but I find the batteries make ith drill want to flip over and fall out. Maybe the shoulder hoslster is the way to go, but it's pretty tough to strap yet another thing on over/under all the layers that come and go when working outside in the winter time.
I'm thinking something like those retractable dog leashes, but not 16 feet long, could be made to work somehow.
Steve
Believe me I get it off as soon as I can-just like that girl and her safety glasses on "Home Time". I could easily forget that most of you guys have those big voltage drills-I still have 9.6 Makitas.
It's a good idea to look at the bigger picture and think about all the other cordless tools you might want. Then pick a make and battery size so you only have to stock one kind of battery, and you can use all your batteries in all your tools. I went with 12 volt Makita, but if I were starting over, I'd probably go for something stronger.
-- J.S.