I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
a deck as well as general everyday needs.
I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
Thanks in advance--
I have the DeWalt 18v hammer drill. It's three years old now, and is used
almost everyday on the jobsite. Sometimes drilling 1/2" holes in concrete
for anchors, sometimes driving screws through 2x material, sometimes
drilling and countersinking for more delicate work. Heck, I've even mixed
thin set in a 5 gal bucket with it for tile work and used it for ice
sculptures. It's held up unbelievably well. A real workhorse I'd recommend
without hesitation. --dave
"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
> pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
> it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
> have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
> a deck as well as general everyday needs.
>
> I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
> spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
> or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
> brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
> great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
> incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
> have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
> cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
>
> Thanks in advance--
I don't know about the cordless ones, but I have a Bosch
"bulldog" hammer drill (AC) that is incredible. It
goes though concrete like butter!
The only downside is that the specialized bits are more
expensive, but I have not worn any of the out yet.
As an example, I installed a pool cover last year
where I needed to drill about 40 -3/4" holes,
each 2 inches deep in 1 yr old (not green) exposed
aggregate concrete. Each hole took less than a minute with
little effort on my part - except holding the drill
plumb.
So, FWIW, I think Bosch makes a great tool.
Lou
In article <[email protected]>, TeamCasa <[email protected]>
wrote:
> All of my cordless are Milwaukee. One simple reason - all of the batteries
> are interchangeable. As far as quality goes, the three you mentioned are
> all decent and will give you good service.
> Dave
>
>
> "Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
> > pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
> > it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
> > have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
> > a deck as well as general everyday needs.
> >
> > I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
> > spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
> > or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
> > brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
> > great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
> > incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
> > have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
> > cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
> >
> > Thanks in advance--
>
>
All of my cordless are Milwaukee. One simple reason - all of the batteries
are interchangeable. As far as quality goes, the three you mentioned are
all decent and will give you good service.
Dave
"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
> pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
> it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
> have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
> a deck as well as general everyday needs.
>
> I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
> spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
> or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
> brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
> great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
> incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
> have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
> cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
>
> Thanks in advance--
Joe:
I've gone to Milwaukee cordless drills and other tools, good reputation and
above all the best warranty (now 5 years). You pay a little more but in the
long run it's worth it.
"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
> pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
> it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
> have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
> a deck as well as general everyday needs.
>
> I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
> spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
> or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
> brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
> great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
> incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
> have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
> cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
>
> Thanks in advance--
You didn't mention Porter-Cable, but I think they deserve a look. The 19.2V
cordless hammerdrill is a pretty well-built tool and has plenty of power. I
helped my friend install a gooseneck hitch in his truck, which involved lots
of drilling of bolt holes through the frame. It held up quite well.
Charlie
"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
> pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
> it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
> have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
> a deck as well as general everyday needs.
>
> I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
> spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
> or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
> brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
> great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
> incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
> have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
> cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
>
> Thanks in advance--
Just bought a combo package from Amazon (18v hammer drill +
reciprocating saw) for $316.99. Great deal. There's a $25 off
special until Nov. 4th I think. Looked around everywhere definitely
best price.
$289 for drill and $199 for recip. saw at Home Depot.
Prometheus <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> On 14 Sep 2004 09:23:39 -0700, [email protected] (Joe) wrote:
>
> >I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
> >pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
> >it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
> >have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
> >a deck as well as general everyday needs.
> >
> >I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
> >spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
> >or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
> >brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
> >great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
> >incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
> >have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
> >cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
>
>
> I'm happy with my DeWalt- after about four years, it's still doing a
> great job for me, and the batteries are still working fine.
The Dewalt batteries are glued shut so when the time comes to replace the
cells, it will be difficult and expensive. There are shops that can cut
them open and then glue them back.
The last time I checked, the Milwaukee and Porter Cable batteries were
sealed with screws. (Things change so check before you buy). You can
change the cells yourself (opening the case is half the battle).
I don't know about Bosch.
"Joe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
> pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
> it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
> have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
> a deck as well as general everyday needs.
>
> I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
> spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
> or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
> brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
> great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
> incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
> have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
> cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
>
> Thanks in advance--
On 14 Sep 2004 09:23:39 -0700, [email protected] (Joe) wrote:
>I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
>pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
>it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
>have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
>a deck as well as general everyday needs.
>
>I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
>spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
>or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
>brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
>great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
>incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
>have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
>cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
I'm happy with my DeWalt- after about four years, it's still doing a
great job for me, and the batteries are still working fine.
>> I'm looking to purchase a new 18V (cordless) drill/hammerdrill. I've
>> pretty much narrowed it down to Bosch, Milwaukee, and DeWalt. I need
>> it for framing/finishing work as well as drilling into concrete (I
>> have several concrete walls). I'm also going to be using it to build
>> a deck as well as general everyday needs.
>>
>> I've been looking around at drills/hammerdrills and am looking to
>> spend about $250. For that price, I can get a good Milwaukee, Bosch,
>> or DeWalt 18V drill. Is there a consensus about which one of those
>> brands makes the best all-around cordless drill? Milwaukee's have a
>> great reputation (but feel a little cheap), the Bosch drills look
>> incredible and also have a great reputation, and the DeWalts seem to
>> have feel well made but seem to have a poor reputation. With no clear
>> cut winner out of those three, I'm curious to hear what others think.
>>
>> Thanks in advance--
>
Check out this review from Tools of the Trade...
http://tinyurl.com/3jjya
They liked Dewalt best, then Bosch, and Milwaukee trailing with some
others in between.
Tools of the Trade is a great little magazine and site for tool
reviews.
HTH,
Paul
TeamCasa wrote:
> All of my cordless are Milwaukee. One simple reason - all of the batteries
> are interchangeable. As far as quality goes, the three you mentioned are
> all decent and will give you good service.
I researched my last drill purchase and I can't remember which magazine I read
it in now but I ended up with the Milwaukee 18V hammer drill kit. What an
incredible tool.
No regrets (and it replaced a 14.4V Dewalt).
--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
[email protected]
http://www.mortimerschnerd.com