Hi,
Time for a new cordless. I’m in between a Makita 9.6 6095, the classic. Or a Panasonic 12v. I’m leaning towards the Panasonic even though it’s about $60 more, but am curious on it’s reliability and ruggedness. The Makita has been proven over the years. I’ve had 3 and either lost or wore out the chargers after 10 years. The Panasonic wins every test by a long shot but I see no feedback of being in the field for 5 or so years.
Are they woth the $179? Any place to get better deal?
How they treatin’ ya?
Thanks,
N
Replies
panasonic takes a lickin .. and keeps on..
great battery life... if i didn't know anything else but the name .. Panaxonic would be a great choice.. if you can find a review.. it may shed some more light
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I'm on my second Panasonic 12 volt. The first had Ni-cad batteries and it took 5 years of hard use before they finally gave up. The drill and charger are still in good shape. I liked it so much I bought another panasonic 12 v. (Ni-metal) so I could use the new batteries in the old drill too. I've got nothing but good things to say after 7 years of use.
The Panasonic drills are wonderful tools. Yes, there is some incredible durability to those classic 9.6v Makitas with the stick batteries, but they are awfully primitive compared to the Panasonic. I wonder if the reason they last so long is that they cannot do as many different tasks well, so they get spared the abuse that befalls newer models. Or they may simply be an iron horse.
The newest Panasonic drills have unbelievable runtime, plus they are very compact and comfortable. You won't be sorry you moved up to Panasonic.
i was talking to one of the guys at woodworkers warehouse. he said panasonic is changing the battery on the 12v so expects the old style to go on salebobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's BT Forum cheat sheet
I had two panisonic 12v that were hand me downs from my uncle, they were about 5 years old when I got them, they lasted another 5 before they were shot and just retired them this year.
Great tools.
I don't know if your interested, but I just ran across this
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000056TAY/qid=1049521790/br=2-5/ref=br_ts_slwth_th_5/104-4257996-3611930?v=glance&s=hi&n=531572
The 15.x volt panisonic has gotten top honors in FHB and Tools of the Trade reviews.
I agree with BUIC and CAG. I have two panasonic 12 volt drills. The ni cad and the nimh. When the time comes I will probably buy another Panasonic.
I did have the low speed on the transmission go out and it was repaired under warranty and it seemed to take forever. It was six or seven years ago but my recollection is it took close to a month to get it back. At the time I was cursing myself for not buying a tool with a service center nearby like bosch, de walt or makita.
I have had no problems since then and the second drill has never missed a beat. They both have great chucks, very easy to snug down tight and they also require very few revolution to go from fully closed to fully open. The newer model has a 1/2 inch chuck which is nice.
My first one came with a rechargable lantern thrown in which has been a great light for using in crawlspaces, late night outdoor activities and power outages. Definitely try and find a deal where a lantern is included. It seems like tool crib does this periodically.
I would get a later model makita if Panasonic wasn't availible.
Karl
I have the panasonic 15.6,going on 4yrs now.
I have used it for framing in metal studs to hanging
cabinets and everything in between,very light
and compact, when the time comes I will replace it
with another panasonic.
Worked for a company about 10 years ago that bought Panasonic 12V's for all their employees. Back then, $280 for a kit if you purchased in lots of 12, Many take-offs of their design since. At the time, it was the best cordless I had ever used. Last I heard, at least 2/3rds of that lot were still going strong (different batteries though). Products change over time however. Lot's of stuff that used to be made to high standards is now made in China too. Possibly, but not necessarily to lower standards. Not that all made in China stuff is bad. Plenty of good stuff, plenty of bad. Just make sure that what you're considering buying is what the company used to produce in the past, or at least similar.
Jon