Replies

1. 
   Greg_Brown | Mar 14, 2001 05:47am | #1

   *
   roger- you forgot to list the winner- panasonic IMO is hands down the drill to get- I have 3 12v 3/8 chucks- they are lightweight, well balanced, compact sized, and well powered( I should get an endorcement check for that, eh?)(or a free drill-15.6v!)

   check out how heavy the 18/19 v drills are if you chose to go that route-if you use your drill for any extended period of time you will want a light drill.
   try the panasonic-you may have to go to a real tool store to see them...

   gb

1. 
   lonecat | Mar 14, 2001 06:40am | #2

   *I've always used 12 volts, or 9.6 Makita before that. Never have wished I had a bigger cordless.

1. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 14, 2001 02:29pm | #3

   *Ditto Lonecat,I have 3 cordless, a 9.6 Makita, a newer 12volt P-C, and a 14.4 Makita with the Ni Mh batteries. The 9.6 is practically retired and handed down to my son. Got it 4 yrs or so ago and still works good.The 12 volt P-C is a good drill with good run time and torque, but it just doesn't have the nicely balanced feel of the Makita 14.4. Also, the P-C was replaced once by P-C for one that had several problems. It was however, an older model 12 volt.The Ni Mh batteries do have longer run time than the Ni Cads. The 14.4 Makita has about the same torque as the 12 volt P-C. You can really feather the switch on the Makita though.I find when I go to reach for a cordless, I always reach for the Makita.I've really never had a need for anything with voltage any higher than what I presently have.

1. 
   Bucksnort_Billy | Mar 14, 2001 02:32pm | #4

   *Roger, check out the 14.4V Milwaukee. Great balance, incredibly long lasting batteries, and a 1/2" chuck.I've seen it for around 160 bucks w/ flashlight at the big boxes.

1. 
   Ron_Rosa | Mar 15, 2001 04:17am | #5

   *I have the 14.4 volt De Walt it , "KICKS ASS" . Enough said. Not to mention its priced well, comes in a wonderful shade of yellow and if you act now you will receive this great collection of songs on two 8-trck tapes or LP's from the wonderful singing sensation of Leaf Garret absolutely "FREE" Yes thats right,Absolutely "FREE".

2. 
   Wes_S. | Mar 15, 2001 04:25am | #6

   *Roger, Thorough research will include the panasonic 15.6.1/2" chuck, compact, buttons w/in easy reach, oh yeah and power!Comparable to 18v.sFrom what I understand, panasonic used to(still do?)make motors for other drill manufacturers.I love mine... :)

3. 
   Greg_Brown | Mar 15, 2001 09:14am | #7

   *Wes- I was told at "The Woodworking Show" by the Panasonic rep a couple months ago was that Panasonic made the majority of the batterys for the different cordless tool makersgb

4. 
   Wes_S. | Mar 16, 2001 02:19am | #8

   *Thanks! Greg- I stand corrected.Used my panasonic to stir up a 5gal bucket-o-mud today :)

5. 
   Bill_Brennen | Mar 16, 2001 02:34am | #9

   *Panasonic all the way.

6. 
   Turbo_Sloth | Mar 16, 2001 03:50am | #10

   *I have not seen any Panasonic drills here at all (Ontario, Canada) that's why I never included it in my top three choices. They sound like a good machine though. Roger

7. 
   Phill_Giles | Mar 16, 2001 08:43am | #11

   *Checking http://www.panasonic.ca/ , they don't list "tools" as part of the Canadian product set from Matsushita.Rumour has it that the Sear's 15.6V cordless drill is made by Matsushita - without having seen a Panasonic drill, I don't know how to confirm that; or, to find out if it's the same as the 15.6V model that's popular in the US.

8. 
   Greg_Brown | Mar 16, 2001 01:36pm | #12

   *here is how the 12v Panasonics look (after a few years of gb abuse)gb

9. 
   Nick_Markey | Mar 16, 2001 10:11pm | #13

   *I've got a pair of 14.4v Makita's that are pretty nice. I had a DeWalt for a while and I'd never go back except for their 18v. I think that if I had to buy a new drill right now I might be interested in the 15.6v Panasonic. Everyone here that has one NEVER has anything bad to say about them. That's definately food for thought. The Craftsman drills are all made by Ryobi and they're not suited at all for industrial use. I'd stick with either Makita - great track record - or Panasonic - great reviews. Just my opinion - Nick

10. 
    jcallahan | Mar 17, 2001 01:56am | #14

    *Am I the only one that doesn't like the t-handle that almost all cordless drills use now?

11. 
    Turbo_Sloth | Mar 19, 2001 04:38am | #15

    *Thanks for all the replies! Since there are no Panasonics available here in Canada, the drill I purchased is an 18v Power-Plus 2.4ah Milwaukee hammer-drill with an all metal chuck. It has more perks over the Porter-Cable and the DeWalt for the price. I felt that DeWalt charged too much for the same machine (about 10% more). I do own several other corded Dewalt tools and love them, but their cordless stuff didn't cut the yellow mustard. I bought the PC 19.2 just to try it out (exact same price as my Milwaukee 18v), but I'm returning it, as it has a thick handle, which is uncomfortable when using for extended periods, its chuck doesn't compare to Red's all-metal (neither did Dewalt's), and there's no hammer-drill feature (same with DeWalt). I also noticed that the Porter-Cables battery is 2.0ah as compared to Red's 2.4ah (and Red's can be mounted on the drill two different ways - the other two don't have this feature), and the PC is not as well-balanced as the Red. Oh, and the Red has a nicer case too. So at the same price, the Milwaukee won. The most bang for the buck.Thanks again everyone for your input.I think my next purchase (not for awhile) will be a sliding compound mitre saw, probably the new Makita model...

12. 
    Mike_Maines_ | Mar 20, 2001 06:20pm | #16

    *jcalahan, I prefer L-shaped handles too, I miss my old makita 12v with the pregnant handle, that is, like the 9.6v but with an extra cell attached. Easier to grab and push hard. T-handles are comfortable until you have to use them, and they torque your wrist. You can get Dewalts in a 1/2" chuck with an L-handle, but they're heavier. MM

13. 
    jcallahan | Mar 21, 2001 02:08am | #17

    *Maybe it's just me but I feel like I have better control with a pistol grip. Miss my ole' black PC cordless. Mike, you wouldn't have a brother named Scott by any chance?

14. 
    Mike_Maines_ | Mar 21, 2001 04:57am | #18

    *Nope, my little brother's named Bill, he's a carpenter on Nantucket Island, Mass. Do you know a Scott Maines in Boston?MM

15. 
    jcallahan | Mar 21, 2001 10:02pm | #19

    *No, A Scott Maines in Maine.

16. 
    dangerruss | Mar 23, 2001 11:30pm | #20

    *I've never used one, known anyone who has, but.......Grizzly uses Panasonic batteries.Another mag Taunton prints has a pretty strong rec. on the Bosch. Again, consider broadening your options.

17. 
    Dale_Fast | Apr 07, 2001 01:46am | #21

    *I've had Makita for eons no complaints, Switched to DeWalt when 14 volt came out but for everyday, all day use those Panasonics are amazing- lightweight, compact and incredible batteries. If you have small hands or the wife uses your tools she'll claim this one her own.

18. 
    Ross_Welsh | Apr 10, 2001 04:29am | #22

    *jccallahan: I'm glad to see somebody else prefers the pistol grip. VERY few drills are made in this style any more. I had to replace an out-of-production Bosch pistol grip and had a hard time choosing. What I like about pistol grips is the ability to get right behind it and push. I put it in the palm of my hand, pointing with my middle and index fingers, then pull with the trigger with my ring finger. I don't think there is much differance between pistol and "t" grips when is comes to torqueing my wrist but "t"'s do tend to rock your hand back. Are there any engineers or designers listining? Please offer some more choices in the pistol grip style. Guess what?--- I chose a 12 volt Panasonic "t" handle. Panasonic is very good.

19. 
    lonecat | Apr 10, 2001 05:42am | #23

    *There's a lot of us out here who don't understand why nearly all the new cordless drills are that t-handle, doesn't make sense to me. Even that Senco driver is a t-handle. I've got a Dewalt pistol grip that isn't my best quality cordless, but its the one I reach for first every time.

20. 
    Greg_Long | Apr 15, 2001 06:45am | #24

    *My panasonics work well,powerfull, durable and well designed. just bought a Makita 18V works great, but batteries are hard to remove in the cold.

21. 
    Ray_Schwalb | Apr 18, 2001 02:00am | #25

    *Another vote for panasonic. I have 4 of them, and still haven't gotten a free one, not even a battery. 12 volts is (heavy) enough for me. Also have a 15.6 hammer drill with 1/2" chuck. Nice for holesaws, and a few tapcons. The panasonics are among the finest tools I own.

22. 
    Turbo_Sloth | Apr 18, 2001 04:14am | #26

    *It's too bad they're not available in Canada at all.Not at all. Nope, not a scratch.

23. 
    Mike_M. | Apr 18, 2001 05:17am | #27

    *Another vote for the pistol grip, although I broke down and bought the Milwaukee 14.4V with the T-handle. It's a nice drill, not too heavy, nice balance. I wish someone would make a 14-18V that has the same balance as the old 9.6 Makita. I don't use it often anymore because it just doesn't have the torque, but it's still my favorite. Mike

24. 
    kip_harris | Sep 06, 2001 01:43am | #28

    *hey t.s. ditto on the 15.6 panasonic you wont be sorry bear

25. 
    Russell_Holdredge | Sep 19, 2001 05:14pm | #29

    *I just saw an add for a 15.6 Panasonic drill driver that is also an impact driver. Didn't see a cost.

26. 
    Paul_Zind | Sep 20, 2001 03:06pm | #30

    *One more vote for Panasonic. I live in Ontario and bought two through mail order, one out of a small building material shop in New York State and a second one from ebay. They turned out cheaper than buying rebuild Dewalt 18 volts even including shipping and sales taxes.Anyone needing the company name in New York, let me know, the service was really fast and super friendly...I found them after Amazon refused to ship Panasonics to Canada.I have heard that there is a distributor in Vancouver somewhere but wasn't able to find them.Paul

27. 
    piffin_ | Sep 21, 2001 07:18am | #31

    *I'm suprised to find so much agreement on the Panasonic unit. Must be a great tool indeed. A question like this usually generates so many different opinions it's like asking what is the BEST weather for making love.

28. 
    Gunner_1750 | Sep 22, 2001 10:02pm | #32

    *That would be cold weather.

29. 
    Greg_Brown | Sep 23, 2001 11:44am | #33

    *summeror winter...

2. 
   Turbo_Sloth | Sep 23, 2001 11:44am | #34

   *
   I am looking to replace my 14.4 Wagner cordless drill. Round of applause. I need a serious machine, as I am starting to do more renovations and outdoor construction (decks, arbours, etc). My Wagner has become redundant with an increase in this type of work, and so the "Pinto must be replaced by the Mustang" so-to-speak.

   After researching (and considering availability and price... in my area) I've decided I have three to choose from:
   Dewalt 18v XRP
   Milwaukee 18v Power-plus (SUPER all-metal chuck!)
   Porter-Cable 19.2v

   All three have good ratings, but I need some input from "the field". Feedback from seasoned builders like yourselves, with years of tool-abusing under your collective belts.

   Bring on the objective reviews!

   Roger