still amazed so many people recommend milwaukee. the fairly compact new cordless drill i was using was horrible. i forget what model i can post that later probably this...[Link: milwaukeetool.com]


The battery removal i dont like. Sliding into and out of charger i dont like. The device itself didn't feel as good in my hand as dewalt and the chuck was shit. After moderate use it kept sticking and not releasing the bits. I had to use channel locks on it to loosen it after moderate use and them i had to clamp the chuck in a vise and bang on it in reverse to get it open. The led on it blows compared to my dewalt compact. The thing is going in the trash its not even remotely comparable to the dewalt. [Link: amazon.com]

between my experience with their new cordless cutoff wheel/grinder and this drill i won't be back to a milwaukee anytime soon.

The non Fuel line really isn't that great

I think Milwaukee has several different models of similar tools just like Dewalt and others.

If you're not buying the most expensive version, you're probably getting the consumer grade tool and won't be happy with it.

The high-end Milwaukee drill is about $200 for the drill only and about $350 for the kit with drill, charger and 2 batteries.

It's been bullet-proof for me even with lots of abuse.

Do they make a milwaukee fuel that is not a hammer drill? I don't need the hammer capability.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

Yes... you can get just the drill or the kit:

[Link: milwaukeetool.com]

[Link: milwaukeetool.com]

For the 18V Fuel models, there is an impact driver and a drill. The drill has a hammer mode and you can't get it without. EDIT: I guess they do have a Fuel that isn't a hammer drill.

You also might be surprised how much power the 12v Fuel drill has (way more than non Fuel because I have both). There is no hammer mode. I use it the most of all my power tools. The only thing it can't do is drill 1" holes with auger bits through studs.

Dewalt 20v all day long. Cant beat it. they have 2,3,4,5,6/Ah batteries. They have every tool you could ask for. The Dewalt oscillating tool is hands down the best cordless (or corded) tool on the market. The milwaukee oscillating pales in comparison. I am ALL in on the 20v

multiple drills and impacts, right angle drill, oscillating, sawzall, jigsaw, skill saw, lights, angle grinder, and a bad ass blower.

they are all used heavily and are awesome.

now they have some tools that use multiple 20v batteries for 120v cordless. compound chop saws and other devices

We have the 12v impact driver and I use it for all my tv mounts. It has no problem running the lags that come with all mounts.

My BIL spent 14 years at Bosch as an engineer. One thing he did teach me is that some manufacturers stretch the truth on things like battery voltage. Similar to how Sony lies about their amp power, many tool manufacturers lie about their battery power.

I used to use Dewalt. Had a full 18v set but the new hammer drill lasted 1 year.

I got the Gen 5x Ridgid set and love it. Lifetime warranty and works great!!!

Festool T18+3

I've had it for almost 5 years now and is hardly babied. Batteries have not lost a bit of their usability and the attachments are sooooo incredibly nice.

I was betting with my last ten years experience with the DeWalt 18vlt line when I made the jump to the 20vlt line last year.
I hope I wasn't wrong!

After a brief discussion at a job site today with a co-worker about drills (any brand)
not lasting more than 5 years,I'm bringing my 2008 DCD950 with a self feed 2-5/8" coring bit chucked up,a 2008 DCD9180 battery,and a piece of scrap 2X4 to work tomorrow.

At lunch,I'll let him prove to himself that it is still capable of doing the job!

As far as the 20vlt oscillating tool goes,it's FAR better than any I've ever used AND it's cordless!!

Ya I'm in the same boat. An entire suite of 20v dewalt products. Love them. Even have a set of 20v framing and finish nailers. Those are sick. Pricey though at $400 a rip.

Back at the shop today.

These are fuel models. Drill is 2703-20 1/2 drill/driver. 4 1/2" Grinder is 2781-20. I'd never purchase these items for myself. One of the chargers/batteries is sitting here flickering back and forth in error mode as we speak. Stuff can't be 2 months old.