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Thread: Cordless drill match-up: Makita vs. Milwaukee

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  1. #1

    Cordless drill match-up: Makita vs. Milwaukee

    I'm getting ready to buy a new drill, and I've narrowed it down to two choices: Makita 18v Li-ion or Milwaukee 18v Li-ion. I like the fact that the MW has a bit holder, and by what I've heard, the batteries are a bit more reliable than the Makita. But the Makita seems to have gotten a lot of good press and charges a battery in only 15 minutes. So I need a bit of input here: which one would you pick?

    I'm a hobbyist WW'er, but stay fairly busy in the shop, and I want a good, tough, reliable tool.

  2. #2
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    For me, I would get the dewalt 18v xrp drill. In terms of durability and battery life IMO its the best one I have used professionally. Not really a fan of Makita, Milwaukee makes awesome sawsallz but never have I used their drills.

  3. #3
    If it were up to me I would get a Panasonic 15.6v NMH. More compact/comfortable/ergonomic. Plenty of torque, tough.

    Panasonics aren't commonly available at the borgs, but are well worth seeking out.

    -kg

  4. #4
    You might also want to look at Bosch. I have five different Bosch drills/impact drivers/hammer drills. All well made, the cordless charge up fast, hold a charge for a good long time, very ergonomic, nice cases...I've been very happy with Bosch power tools.
    Last edited by Glenn Howard; 08-06-2008 at 9:29 PM.

  5. #5
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    Try a Makita Combo

    I have the Makita and I am very happy with it. The Li ion batteries are great. Look at the drill/impact driver/flashlight combo which sells for around $250 on Amazon. I use my impact driver more than my drill.


    MK

  6. #6
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    If I was just buying a drill, I would probably go with Makita. But I like the total Bosch 18v cordless lineup so much, I would stick with that brand just for the interchangeability.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Groenke View Post
    If it were up to me I would get a Panasonic 15.6v NMH. More compact/comfortable/ergonomic. Plenty of torque, tough.

    Panasonics aren't commonly available at the borgs, but are well worth seeking out.

    -kg
    I was originally going to get the Panasonic, but by what I've read and heard, the Li-Ion batteries are better than the NMH, and the Pany doesn't have a bit holder, which is something I really like. Any idea how the two battery types compare?

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Broestler View Post
    I was originally going to get the Panasonic, but by what I've read and heard, the Li-Ion batteries are better than the NMH, and the Pany doesn't have a bit holder, which is something I really like. Any idea how the two battery types compare?
    Jim,

    On the NMH drills, there is a place to store a driver tip under the battery. It's not much, but since we usually use magnetic bit holders, insty-bits, quad-drives and the like, I've never missed a bit holder. I'm sure you could find an aftermarket holder that would probably be more effective/versatile than the on-board storage on some other drills.

    As somebody mentioned, Panasonic is one of the few companies that makes their own batteries. Whether those batteries are NMH or Li-ion, I think you can expect them to be among the best available.

    We have 8-PANY 15.6v NMHs, the oldest are ~10 years, the newest 1. I've replaced a couple chucks and a couple switches over the years, but we've recycled fewer than ten batteries in that time and we haven't had a single terminal failure. These drills are used/abused daily in an educational shop environment, but they are rarely used to drive deck screws all day long.

    Since the NMHs work for us and we have a few of them, I doubt I'll replace them unless I have to.

    I've handled Pany's Li-ion, its a 3.5lbs vs 4.8 which would be nice, the ergonomics are similar to their NMH drills (THE BEST afaic). Mak and Mil and Met are close. I find most Dewalt's and PC's to be very uncomfortable to use. I cannot fathom why the Rigid drills weigh 2x more than comparables from other brands. We have 6 old 12v Hitachi's which have been pretty goo, but the 18V Li-ion I bought last year was worthless and went back to the Borg it came from.

    I recently got a couple of Milwaukee's compact 12v Li-ion drivers and so far I'm quite impressed, for ~$100, I might get a couple more.

    $355 for the Pany 14.4 Li-ion drill/impact kit is not a bad deal.

    http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-EYC1...8247405&sr=1-6

    NMH
    Product Description

    This model features the longest running 3.5 Amp Ni-Mh batteries in the industry, compared to other 18 Volt tools. The drill/driver weighs only 4.8 pounds but delivers 390 in./lbs. of torque. Max. Torque (in.-lbs.): 390, Volts: 15.6, Chuck Size (in.): 1/2, Keyless Chuck: Yes, Clutch Settings: 18, Reversible: Yes, Variable Speed: Yes, Side Handle: No, Battery Amp/Hour: 3.5Ah, Battery Included: Yes, (2) 3.5Ah Ni-MH batteries, Charger Included: Yes, 55-minute charger, Case Included: Yes, Tool Weight (lbs.): 4.8


    Li-ion
    From the Manufacturer

    Panasonic 14.4V Li-ion Drill Driver Kit with Light. Panasonic's EY7440LN2L 14.4V Li-ion Drill Driver Kit is strong, fast, light and comfortable. The EY7440LN2L delivers 390 in.lbs power along with high speed resulting in greater efficiency for faster work for all of your drilling and fasening needs. It's lightweigh of 3.5lbs, compact style reduce fatigue, while its 14.4V 3.0ah Li-ion battery deliverys the run time needed to complete the days work. The EY7440LN2L 3.0Ah Li-ion battery pack is equipt with an "electronic performance monitoring system." The electronic performance monitoring system monitors each cell in the battery pack during use and also during charging to prevent overdischarging and overheating. The EY7440LN2L kit includes: 14.4V Drill Driver, 14.4V Light, 2 - 3.0Ah Li-ion battery packs, 1 universal charger, 1 carry case.
    Last edited by Kevin Groenke; 08-08-2008 at 9:05 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    I have an 18v Li-ion Makita and I too love it. Mine is this model:

    http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BHP451-...8080134&sr=8-1

    Although I bought it as part of this kit: http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LXT202-...3HXS3R1DD74G1X

    The above driver DOES have a bit holder, two in fact. Both on the right side.



    Makita also has this model, which doesn't have a bit holder. Perhaps this is the model you are looking at:

    http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BDF452H...8080134&sr=8-3

    I'm sorry, I can't comment on latter driver as I don't own it. But, I use my LXT202 kit on the job and around the house. It's always ready and drives what I need it to, from drilling holes into concrete for Tapcons (and then inserting said Tapcons) to hanging cabinets to.....whatever else I need to do.

    HTH
    Mark Rios

    Anything worth taking seriously is worth making fun of.

    "All roads lead to a terrestrial planet finder telescope"

    We arrive at this moment...by the unswerving punctuality...of chance.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rios View Post
    I have an 18v Li-ion Makita and I too love it. Mine is this model:

    http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BHP451-...8080134&sr=8-1

    Although I bought it as part of this kit: http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LXT202-...3HXS3R1DD74G1X

    The above driver DOES have a bit holder, two in fact. Both on the right side.



    Makita also has this model, which doesn't have a bit holder. Perhaps this is the model you are looking at:

    http://www.amazon.com/Makita-BDF452H...8080134&sr=8-3

    I'm sorry, I can't comment on latter driver as I don't own it. But, I use my LXT202 kit on the job and around the house. It's always ready and drives what I need it to, from drilling holes into concrete for Tapcons (and then inserting said Tapcons) to hanging cabinets to.....whatever else I need to do.

    HTH
    note that the one mark mentions above, which i have as well, is the higher end line of makita cordless stuff, they grey ones are lesser in durability, battery life, etc. the green ones cost more for a reason .

    that said if you're referring to the green makitas in your decision about which to buy, they are fine. will work all day under constant use, charge in about an hour, comes with 2 batteries so there's no downtime as long as you charge the dead one as soon as you take it out.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Broestler View Post
    I'm getting ready to buy a new drill, and I've narrowed it down to two choices: Makita 18v Li-ion or Milwaukee 18v Li-ion. I like the fact that the MW has a bit holder, and by what I've heard, the batteries are a bit more reliable than the Makita. But the Makita seems to have gotten a lot of good press and charges a battery in only 15 minutes. So I need a bit of input here: which one would you pick?

    I'm a hobbyist WW'er, but stay fairly busy in the shop, and I want a good, tough, reliable tool.
    Jim,

    I've been around for awhile and I remember with cordless drills were a novelty not the norm. In the early days Milwaukee and Makita were the heavy weights of cordless drills. In the late 1980's (1988ish) I purchasd a brand new Makita 9.6V cordless drill for the low price in the 80's of 250.00! It came with one battery and a charger, I remember telling my wife and she about flipped.LOL What I am trying to say is the Makita I purchased was built like a tank, and I still use it to this day. Through the yrs I have replaced the chuck with a keyless chuck, purchased a couple of batteries, and sent it out ONCE to have it tuned up, new brushes,ect. Back then these two companies built the Cadallics of cordless drills but over the yrs I am not too sure anymore. I purchased another Makita cordless drill about 4 yrs ago and I never use it, I still use my order drill. The new drill does not seem to have the torque of my older drill and it feels more like the cordless drills I could purchase at Sears for 99.00 that would come with a charger, two batteries and a flashlight. I think if I were to make a decision on a cordless drill today I would go and purchase the Craftsman and when it died just throw it away and buy a new one. These drills being produced in China today are throw away drills and are not made to be repaired, replacement batteries are expensive and parts are hard to get for them. It sadened me when Makita stopped producing their cordless drills in Japan and moved to Mexico, that was the time the Makita seemed to lose a little of its luster.

  12. #12
    I have a Milwaukee 14.4 V & a 18 V, both have NiCad batteries though if were to buy a new drill Panasonic would be my 1st choice they are the only company who builds their own batteries and have a great rep. from their users. The Milwaukee drills that I have are old enough to be still made in Germany and the 14.4 is my favorite drill and the only make that the battery can be reversed but since they are Chinese built now they are off my radar also have 3 Makita 9.6 V, a nearly bulletproof drill but unused due to lack of batteries but have no opinion about newer ones except they are also made in China.

    DeWalt's yellow color does match a bodily function and that is in my opinion the best thing you can do with a DeWalt tool (they are a Black & Decker company).

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Denny Rice View Post
    Jim,

    I've been around for awhile and I remember with cordless drills were a novelty not the norm. In the early days Milwaukee and Makita were the heavy weights of cordless drills. In the late 1980's (1988ish) I purchasd a brand new Makita 9.6V cordless drill for the low price in the 80's of 250.00! It came with one battery and a charger, I remember telling my wife and she about flipped.LOL What I am trying to say is the Makita I purchased was built like a tank, and I still use it to this day. Through the yrs I have replaced the chuck with a keyless chuck, purchased a couple of batteries, and sent it out ONCE to have it tuned up, new brushes,ect. Back then these two companies built the Cadallics of cordless drills but over the yrs I am not too sure anymore. I purchased another Makita cordless drill about 4 yrs ago and I never use it, I still use my order drill. The new drill does not seem to have the torque of my older drill and it feels more like the cordless drills I could purchase at Sears for 99.00 that would come with a charger, two batteries and a flashlight. I think if I were to make a decision on a cordless drill today I would go and purchase the Craftsman and when it died just throw it away and buy a new one. These drills being produced in China today are throw away drills and are not made to be repaired, replacement batteries are expensive and parts are hard to get for them. It sadened me when Makita stopped producing their cordless drills in Japan and moved to Mexico, that was the time the Makita seemed to lose a little of its luster.

    Hey something I forgot, if quality is paramount and you want a drill that will last you 10 yrs or longer think Festool. They have a really cool 12V cordless drill with some really cool attachments. Now the sticker shock, the drill retails for about 450.00, I know this may seem steep in the days off 99.00 drills, but like the Makita I purchased back in the 1980's for the price of a house payment and is still running today, this drill will probably still be running 20 years from now. They are a brushless drill, and are guaranteed by Festool to screw 1 million screws! I have told my wife I would like one for Christmas, we'll see what happens.
    Denny
    Attached Images Attached Images

  14. #14
    My Dewalt XRP has been a great performing drill. The Nicads need replacement every 2.5 years, but they are cheap on Ebay. It can take a pounding.

  15. #15
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    Bob....The batteries I had for my 18xp dewalt which were many I couldn't get 1 yr out of. I own the Makita now & like it a lot. I think the dewalt had more power-torque though. I like the light on the Makita comes in handy.

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