Cordless combo kits?

**Leon HI** · 02-18-2009, 01:44 AM

Hi guys:
I am on the search for a new combo pack and i am facing a conundrum, currently i own a Makita lxt 18v hammerdrill/driver and impact set, i fried the drill already and one of the batteries died on me today. So, i am left with the impact and a battery and trying to decide wether to get a couple new batteries and a drill from Makita or switch brands.
So this are my questions:
What brand do you prefer and have experienced good reliability?
and, what is a reasonable life expectancy for this kind of tools under heavy use? 2 years?
This last kit i bought was about $400 and it performed very well but, it did not last much longer than a cheap hitachi i used to own.
Thanks.

**dgbldr** · 02-18-2009, 02:52 AM

If you're hard on tools, buy Ridgid. They have a lifetime warranty, including batteries.

I buy whatever fits my hands well, works well and is light weight. I own most brands. Each brand has good and bad tools, so I research each tool.

I worry more about how well it works for me and less about reliability. But I do have at least 2 of everything.

**davenorthup** · 02-18-2009, 03:16 AM

Originally Posted by dgbldr

I worry more about how well it works for me and less about reliability. But I do have at least 2 of everything.

Same here - except almost every double I have bought was bought to get more batteries. Some of my original 18V Dewalt cordless tools are reaching their 10 Year mark. Dewalt is not to popular; but suits me very well and I was married early to their 18V package for quite some time. I can get them fixed locally which is key.

**butcher** · 02-18-2009, 03:44 AM

Originally Posted by davenorthup

Same here - except almost every double I have bought was bought to get more batteries. Some of my original 18V Dewalt cordless tools are reaching their 10 Year mark. Dewalt is not to popular; but suits me very well and I was married early to their 18V package for quite some time. I can get them fixed locally which is key.

I am in this same situation and have had no problems. I dont even know if they fix them locally.

**kreg McMahon** · 02-18-2009, 04:01 AM

i have them all also, except for royubi or rigid. love the 18v makita sets, have the older blue and the newer 18v lion, the white and black set and it works great.

make sure they have a light and as said that it fits into your hand well.

**m beezo** · 02-18-2009, 05:23 AM

I went thru that a couple of months back. My Bosch stuff was dying and for the cost of a new battery and a new recip saw I could almost buy a new kit. Which I did after pricing stuff and watching sales and such.

I ended up with a Rigid Lion 18v kit. So far I have not had any problems but it has been about 4 months is all. The thing stays in my truck and I have noticed that the batteries when cold from weather do need to warm up. I do not know why everyone makes such a big deal about the Lion batteries because the tools seem heavy to me. I think without the battery the recip saw weights as much as any corded version. Circular saw has seen a lot of use and I use the drill to mix joint compound and paint and it seems to do pretty well.

As far as warranty, if you want lifetime you have to make sure you send in your warranty cards. And I was told that if you really get grumpy at HD they might give you a battery if you tell them one is no longer working. But they usually have to be sent in and you have to wait until they send you a new one.

**Leon HI** · 02-18-2009, 11:39 AM

MMMMM... how about milwaukee?
They got great reviews... and their kits are well priced.
By the way , i like Dewalt cordless but i just think that they are huge and heavy compared to others.

**Hickorywind** · 02-18-2009, 03:47 PM

Panasonic 14.4 li-on drill and impact driver.

**chuckwoodchuck** · 02-18-2009, 04:58 PM

The main thing that kills power tools is how you are using them. If you are mixing mud with a cordless don't expect long life. If you are doing hundreds of concrete holes with cordless it probably won't last long.

Right tool for the right job is my pet peeve to keeping my tools in good shape.

Makita has a 3 year warranty on the LXT tools. So your drill should be under warranty. Having a receipt always helps to prove a purchase date. I always keep mine for that reason.

**dgbldr** · 02-19-2009, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by m beezo

I think without the battery the recip saw weights as much as any corded version.

They normally do if they have the same power. Why wouldn't they?

A half horse (or whatever size) motor weighs the same wether it's fed AC or DC.

**Leon HI** · 02-19-2009, 10:55 PM

Today i picked up a Porter Cable set 18v , drill+saw+4 batteries+soft case = $178.- at Lowe's. :) Good Deal!!
When i can make it rain again i'll get something with all the bells and whistles, but for now it's just a weak drizzle so this gonna do just fine.

**joseph** · 02-21-2009, 09:49 AM

I advice you to look around ,check out other brands .new models and features .there are some great deals out there . keep the makita and one battery for a backup ,you will find it handy .odds are if the drill died and batteries are fried the impact has plenty of miles and will soon follow.
i bought the panosonic last time .hoping they are still the best as they once were .

**CrankyYankee** · 03-27-2009, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Hickorywind

Panasonic 14.4 li-on drill and impact driver.

Any feedback on this kit? http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...702#tabsection

I have been looking to replace my aging Makita 14.4v drills. I have heard good things about Panasonic in the past, just wondering if the quality is still there........

**joseph** · 03-27-2009, 10:23 PM

greg -i did the panisonic this time .i am hoping the extra cost= better tool .i kept my milwakee through 3 rebuilds of the impactor .and possible 2 dozen batteries [rebuilds] .so my expectation is that it will be built better inside.years back when 12v was it i had a panisonic ,it was far better then the 2 12v bosch i replaced it with .
the feature where you can vary the amount of power has come in handy ,brake a screw [easy with that much power] then drop the power down .

**jmerlie** · 03-28-2009, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by CrankyYankee

Any feedback on this kit? http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...702#tabsection

I have been looking to replace my aging Makita 14.4v drills. I have heard good things about Panasonic in the past, just wondering if the quality is still there........

I've got this kit minus the light. I love the drill but the impact driver is terrible. Cams out of screw heads constantly and requires way too much force for driving. It's gotten to the point where I just borrow my coworker's old blue Makita driver for any tough driving jobs (like overhead with one hand).

Battery life and charge times are terrific on both.

Have had both drill and driver for nearly two years of daily use on the job. No repairs needed to this point. Durability seems great.

When one of these goes or the batteries finally die I'll probably check out the latest version to see if Panasonic has improved the driver at all. If not I'll probably change over to Makita.

John

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