My 20 year old Makita 9.6v cordless drill jumped of the ladder today and that hairline crack in the handle finally gave. Looking to replace it with an 18 volt: Makita 6343DWDE, DeWalt DW987K2 or Milwaukee 0622-24 Lok-Tor. Dewalt looks nice because of its 3rd speed 0-2000 but its the heaviest at 6lbs. The Milwaukee has the most torque at 495in/lbs but can’t find weight specs on their web site. The Makita has Ni-MH batteries but the lowest torgue at 404. The tool will be used for everything: drilling, fastening… Does anybody have any experience with any of these? or if anybody’s got the houseing for a Makita 6012 HDW they don’t need — nothin’ worse than having to get rid of a tool that’s helped you through 20 years hard labor, especially when it still works — just no way to hang onto it!
Thanks for any and all comments.
Jim
Edited 7/19/2003 1:53:02 AM ET by MBEAR9
Replies
Panasonic 15.6 multidriver.
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
yea the panasonic drill. Youll get more versitility with the multi driver however the drill is damn good. They come with 3.5 amp hr nmh batteries.
I like my panasonic, enough that i wont be hesitant to buy them again shall the need arise.
FHB gave the panasonic rave reviews, as does many of the panasonic converts on this board.
Milwaukee 18v is my workhorse, no complaints.
Mike
HAd my DW for a real long time and that thing never quits. Batteries last a long time as well. Found new batteries on Ebay for a whole lot less than in the stores.
It is heavy but there must be a reason for that. doesn't bother me at all. Its well balanced.
Check Ebay..I see good deals on them there, new.
Be screwed
andy
In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I must be a little wussie! Those big 18V are too heavy to hang off my appendages all day long.
I and crew all have the 14.4V Makitas. The batteries and chargers are all interchangeable that way. I must have seven batteries and three tools plus the crew's.
Normal actiovitiy will let it hold the charge all day.
Intensive steady work and it will run for two or three hours on a charge..
Excellence is its own reward!
Piff
If I hung it from my belt, "all day" I'd certainly go for something lighter but I never have a reason to hang it there that long.No wonder you have a bad back...now I'm picturing you with your chop box and wormer hanging from your belt too..lol.
The DW 18volt batteries are powerful all day for me. even doing small amount of drywall screwing (for larger screw jobs I use my screw guns. For floor screwing I use my DW rifle gun.
It simply amazes me how long my batteries last under heavy use although....there are two different batteries you can get...the ones I use are for extended time use and I just recently paid off of Ebay, for two of em about a hundred bucks total. HD gets almost ninty a piece....some mark up!
The batteries also go along with my indestructable DW battery charger/ radio. Best job site radio I ever owned and I've owned gazillions....First the antena's go and we hang pieces of whatever wiring is around on em...then they crack and before a few months are up its onto the next cheapie...This damn radio so rocks!
The only DW tool I'm not totally in love with cause I use it an aweful lot is their cordless saw...damn saftey buttons a pain in the azz.
I guess DW has it all figured out on how to keep me staying with their tools...next thing ya know they'll have a naked lady jumping out of a DW lunchbox......ahhhhhhh.....hey did I kinda hijack this thread,,,,,,sorry for the rant!
Be screwed
andy
In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
The appendages I meant were my arms. Only time I hang it off my tool belt are to climb a ladder.
Excellence is its own reward!
Suprised no one has offered up their old Makita 9.6 for you yet. I thought you would get some response on that. I wanted to send you my old one, but I gave it to the wife a year or so ago and she doesn't want to give it up.
If I were to buy a new drill today I think I would have to go with the Panasonic 15.6 volt Multidriver that Mr. T reccommended. I currently have two Panasonic 12 volt drills, the 12 volt wood saw, two chargers and six batteries - great power in a nice small, light package.
If you really want to go 18 volt - I heard a rumour that Panasonic was going to introduce a whole line of 18 volt tools this fall - can't quite imagine the power of an 18 volt Pani - should be interesting - the 15.6 seem to have plenty of power for my needs though.
Good luck,
Shoe
The 14.4V milwaukee 0616-24 has more torque than all the 18V ones except the milwaukee, and is lighter. also has carbide jaws on a good chuck. Picked up one a few months ago and the guys love it. too bad you just missed the sale they were having- free battery or vehicle charger, which ended on july 10th.
hope this helps. rich.
I'd have never gotten rid of mt dewalt 12v...perfect for me...perfect balance, handle, ergonomics, chuck...I loved it.
Because of that, I bought the dewalt 18v...it works well, but isn't the glove that the 12v was to me. I don't like the chuck, ot seems a bit too finicky for me. During use the reverse switch seems to accidentally get pushed just enough to require me resetting it.
I do have big hands, could be a factor.
i have 3 14.4 makitas and the oldest is 6 years old and its batteries are almost done
i install cabinets so those drills go all day
the drills them selves i cant tell which is the oldest, they all work great
if you go makita though, there are two 14,4 models, the better one is bigger, has bigger batteries and replacable brushes
and get the one with the flashlight, best flashlight ive ever seen
only problem i ever had with any of them, is the forward/reverse switch
caulking is not a piece of trim
Panasonic 15.6 drill and a Makita 12 impact wrench. Hard to beat this combination.
Ham
i recently got the bosch 14.4 compact, and i love it. i based the selection on longevity. the bosch has an excellent reputation for holding up. i agree with what piffin said about lightness, and remember an old article, i think from fine homebuilding, about a contractor who reccomended the smallest tool that would do the job. i also got the bosch sabre saw with a 14.4. the batteries are interchangeable, and i use a sabre saw sparingly for the most part so the cordless made sense for me. it was not much more for the 18.8 or the 24, but i liked the feel of the 14.4 better, if the job takes more than the 3 batteries i have then its time to get the plug in tools out.
Go with the Panasonic 15.6v It's got it all in that one little package.
Who Dares Wins.
Hey thanks everybody. I thought asking the question would make my decision easier -- but --.. Actually, I will check out the Panasonic, I'm borrowing my neighbors Dewalt, and thanks Steve for the Makita flashlight info. If i go non-Makita, I'll check into the flashlight. Would be a good use for my Makita batteries and charger. Thanks to ALL!
I have a Milwaukee 18v that I'm awfully fond of. Lotsa torque, and I like the reversible battery feature.
Last night I helped a bunch of guys knock down a set after a 2 week run of a play in the local theater. My Milwaukee ran long after all the Craftsman and Dewalt cordless drills had crapped out. Q: What do you call a lawyer with an IQ of 50?A: Your honor.
One more vote for the Panasonic multi-driver. Mine has been driving six inch screws without breaking a sweat for weeks now. I bounce tested it off an eight foot ladder onto concrete last night and it handled that with no problem too.
Once you use a cordless with an impact mode you will never go back to straight torque. Find your best internet deal and let Amazon beat it by 10%.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Wrecked Angle: read your post on the panasonic multi-driver and have a couple questions. I assume the impact setting is for driving any sort of fastner ie dry wall screws, Tapcons, lag bolts/screws correct? Also, the specs say: 2 spd gear box Drill 0-650 Impact 0-2200. Are you thus limited for drilling to just 650rpm? Also, does the 1/2 chuck really just "snap on"? Haven't been able to find one of these near me for hands on viewing - so i'm askin' Thanks
p.s. hope the nose is better.
Edited 7/21/2003 11:36:13 PM ET by MBEAR9
The impact mode is indispensable for a number of tasks, including the ones you mentioned. There are three nose options:
Option 1 - straight 1/2" square impact nose with no attachments. Awesome for any heavy torque application using impact sockets such as driving monster lag bolts or cinching the nut and washer down on base plate hold down bolts. It will bury the washer and nut if you want it to. I haven't tried it but I'm pretty sure I could change a flat with this little toy - it's that powerful.
Option 2 - Three jaw chuck. The three jaw chuck is an attachment that snap locks onto the 1/2" square drive nose and will hold any attachment you can chuck into it. You are not supposed to use this attachment in impact mode but I've broken that rule several times without a problem. The number one thing I've used this attachment for is to chuck a 1 1/2" fostner bit for drilling through single and double 2x's. I use impact mode for this little stunt and it will bore holes all day without a break. I've also used it for drilling in steel and it worked pretty well for that but I would prefer a little more speed in drill mode. I have switched over to impact mode when drilling in steel and as long as the bit doesn't encounter a heavy load the impact doesn't kick in. Then again, I also snapped a bit when it hung on the metal and impact did kick in. No more metal drilling than I do, I am probably better off just pulling out my standard old corded drill when I have something that calls for it.
Option 3 - Hex bit attachment. This is my most used attachment and it is slick. Again, it just snaps over the 1/2" square drive nose with a lock collar and holds any standard hex drive bit. In impact mode this tool will drive a screw as deep as you want to bury it until you either run out of bit length or it comes out the other side. I've been using it on six inch long, square drive panel screws and it is completely effortless. You can drive screws with one hand and drink a cup of coffee with the other if you're so inclined.
It also includes an 8 speed clutch (I think that's right - haven't used the clutch yet so I can't recall the exact number of clutch positions off the top of my head) that will give you plenty of finesse. All in all it is one of the most versatile and most often used tools I own. I can't imagine going back to the days before I owned it now that I've been using it for a while.
I'll wager you won't find a Panasonic Multi-tool owner with a complaint. It costs a little more than the average cordless drill (paid $299 for mine) but you essentially get a cordless drill and an impact driver for this one low price and you only have to carry and charge one tool.
Now, if you buy this bad boy would you mind e-mailing Panasonic and asking them to send me my commission check? :-)>Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
You shouldn't use the impact mode with the keyless chuck.
The impacts will super-tighten the chuck, and you will need two pair of channel locks to get the bit out!!!!
I found this out the hard way!!!Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
I've super tightened the chuck on mine several times. To release it I just hold the chuck with my left hand and kick it in reverse in impact mode. The impact rattles it loose every time within seconds. No problem! Of course, when it comes time to replace my three jaw chuck under warranty, uh... I've only heard that this works.
The manual recommends using a pair of pipe wrenches but the accompanying illustration shows them turning in the wrong direction. I think I posted the illustration here a while back - cracked me up.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Got a 14.4v Makita I've been pleased with. It's a recon unit from Tool Crib/Amazon. Came with 2 NiMH batteries and a flashlight. $129.99 including free shipping-not sure if they still have it.
MBEAR9,
I can't picture a 6012 at the moment, (I have a 6095 myself), but I was at a used tool store this weekend where the owner was trying to sell me a used 9.6 volt Makita drill that looked like mine, but seemed to have a longer handle and shorter snout (for a lack of a better word). Although complete, the motor did not work, but the casing was complete (albeit spray painted to heck). It is not pretty to look at. It was priced for $1.00. They are closed today, but I could call tomorrow and if it is the same model, I'd be happy to pick it up for you.
Tark
I'm also looking at some cordless drills to buy...........
Certainly appears that the panasonic is a top drawer unit.
But............
Does anyone have any feedback on the 12 volt or 14.4 volt Porter Cables?
I have a couple of PC 347 and 743 saws that I just love.
And a Tiger saw that rules.
Guess I am leaning toward a brand loyalty thing.
Anyway, let me know what you think about the PC drills.
Thanks,
BrianView Image
I have the Porter Cable 14.4 hammer drill and it seems to work really well, having my DeWalt Impact drill around can be handy for certain jobs but for 95% of things the PC is good. The Porter Cable cordless circular saw is pretty good too, did a bunch of 45 degree bevels in 2x10s with it the other day and it performed fine.
-Ray
I've got 4 of the HD 6012 15-20 years old. Only one of them is a little "sick". I think it's brushes have worn out. You're not serious about buying one of these old things are you?
tark: thanks for your generous offer to purchase the used makita. mine is definitely a 6012 -- purchased back in 1983. However, the more posts i read, the more research i do, the more i want a new tool. besides, having borrowed my buddies dewalt, the more i realize i want variable speed -- something the ol mack didn't have. You've given me the idea to check used tool stores though, finding a cheap body to drop the guts into would give me a second cordless. Any chance you're located in the midwest? Thanks.
Another vote for Panasonic 15.6. I've got the drill and love it. I went into the store intent on buying a Metabo (which is also a very nice drill) and woalked out with the Panasonic because of the size/weight/balance. After I got it home I read reviews where it outperfomed 18 volts across the board. Bonus!
One very nice thing about it is that it has full torque even when you back down on the variable speed trigger. It'll twist right around in you r hand until you get used to it if you've been using drills where they lose their torque when you back off on the trigger.
I bounced it from 30 feet three times before I snapped the nose off of it. They repaired it free.
Only thing I miss is on-board bit storage.
Steve
PS: after repeatedly throwing the bosch brute onto concrete at JLC show, I was pretty inpressed with that unit too...
There is some on board storage in the battery well. There is a slot for one bit right in the batter housing.
I'm located in Northern CA. The Panasonic sounds compelling though. . .