Drill and Driver Question

[Andy Harris]

I know this is the Kreg users site but we all need drills and drivers to build with and need to replace mine.  Wanted to see if anybody used the Milwaukee Fuel M18 brushless drill and driver and recommends it?  I'm looking to replace some of my older Dewalt drills and am looking at the Milwaukke or Dewalt Brushless kits.  Any feedback from other users would be appreciated thanks.  Apologies again not a post about a Kreg tool!

[Neil H Boyd]

I use a Milwaukee 12 and have had good luck with it. I would replace it with another Milwaukee

[Don Foley]

I use Porter Cable's 18V system.  I received a kit with drill, circular saw, etc for Christmas several years ago.  Had no problems, so when I wanted a driver I bought the Porter Cable so I could use the same battery and charger.  I've had the driver for 2 years now and its been trouble free.  the other tools for going on four years.

[James P. Cottingham]

I got the Fuel M18 last year and I love it. The batteries last and last. It has plenty of power, sometimes too much. I have to push the clutch back or it will over torque. There is a switch on the drill that I use with the Kreg jig and bit. Provides more power to the drill and makes pockets holes quick and easy. The driver works very well, too.

[michael evans]

I use two Hitachi DV 18v 1.5ah, had these five years no sign of batteries going down. A medium priced drill which is reliable.

[Keith Bryan]

I have used probably every brand there is.  I currently have Ryobi, Milwaukee & Makita (all 18v).  I actually like them all. Ryobi is the lowest rated of these three, but what I mostly like is that their batteries are about half the price of the others.  I am semi-professional and use all my tools very frequently.  Have had these three specific sets (drills & impacts) for 3-5 years now.  All three continue to function as intended.  The Ryobi impact has a feature that I really like which is when you pull out the chuck, with one hand, it automatically ejects whatever you had in it.  Seems like the Milwaukee drills are hard for me to always tighten up enough.  But MIlwaukee is the top of the Milwaukee, Rigid, Ryobi line.   I have friends who love their DeWalts, etc.  Bottom line, I guess, is that they're all pretty good! 

[Albert Pellicano]

 Rockwell  makes an excellent drill driver imnpact called the 3rill . I don't think it is still in production. However they make a drill and impact driver in 20 volt and free batteries for 20 years! all the drill/ drivers are made3 in china . I have an extensive set of Milwaulkee drills both corded and cordless but the batteries are so expensive  knock off batteries made in china are available again for a much lower price but free batteries from Rockwell is a price that cant be beat. As for the quality of the tool is is slightly underpowered in the impact mode 100  lbs less than the dewalt but it drives screws and lag bolts with no problem . Not a significant difference that is noticeable . The price is less than the big name brands too.

[Kirt Stevens]

I manage a high-end construction supply store. I can tell you the Milwaukee Fuel (brushless) products are by far our favorite. We don't get many repairs or complaints. They are currently going though a model change where your getting 5ah batteries instead of 4ah. That's about 20% greater run time with no change in cost. The new drill and impact drivers have greater torque as well. On the drill for instance the torque goes from 750 in lbs to over 1,100.

The only issue I can see you having is the size. If you need the power there is nothing better. But being this is a cabinet type forum you might want to consider the xt248 hammer drill/impact from Makita. It's brushless, much smaller but with plenty of power and run time. You can get it with either 3ah or 4ah batteries. It's also a little less expensive ($329ish). Through the end of the year STAFDA type houses participating dealers are offering a deal where you can get 2 free 4ah batteries as well. It's on Makita web site if you want to check it out.

As far a quality goes it's Milwaukee Fuel 1, Makita (black and green tools)1a, DeWALT 3. The rest of the guys are down the line. Festool is really good but you have to take out a loan to pay for them.

[DrPcFix]

I bought into the Milwaukee 28V system.  It's great for framing and demolition but too heavy for woodworking.  So I also invested into the Makita line -- got an 18V set with a drill and a driver.  The driver is too powerful for driving Kreg screws but the drill works great as you can set the torque.  I got the bigger battery packs and they last all day -- charge up at night.

[Lawrence Katz]

I have both Milwaukee drill and a Makita drill. Both are excellent, but when it comes to weight the Makita is lighter and is suited to 95% of jobs. The Milwaukee is a lot heavier and is suited to heavier work. Probably as above excellent for heavy worksite jobs.
Torque settings on the Makita driver were fine. I built a 40sq m deck using the Kreg deck jig. Worked like a dream!

[Prof100]

Ridgid 12 volt drill and impact driver combo comes with two batteries (2 ah 4 ah)' charger and carrying bag. The impact has plenty of torque. If purchased at a Home Depot store you can register it for a lifetime service agreement which includes the batteries. Price varies based on seasonal promotions. $120 is standard with pre Xmas sales it drops to $99 for a few days. Spare batteries at Home Depot are pricey but it is the cost of a lifetime warranty. The same batteries are about half price if bought on-line but no lifetime warranty.

Warranty aside the combo is a great value.

Bill

[Gary roofner]

I use corded drill and bosh for driving