Dewalt or milwaukee drill/impact combo

[peter]

I'm in the market for a new drill/impact combo. I'm can't decide which one to get. I use and abuse my drill or impact just about every day for work "hvac". I have had many dewalt cordless tools for the past 15-20 years and for the most part been happy with them except the past 5-6 years it seems to me the dewalt tools have gotten cheaper in quality. I have alot of milwaukee tools and had no problems with them, But never had any cordless tools by milwaukee. I know nothing last forever but would like to get more then a couple years out of a drill. I will not buy another ridgid cordless tool ever as the one and only one I owned was garbage.
I know there is alot of trades people out here and would love to hear what you have had best of luck with. I am kinda stuck between the dewalt or milwaukee, but will consider others. Thanks

 

[MZEMS2]

A few years ago I would have said DeWalt, hands down. But it seems since DeWalt has come about that the other tool makers have gotten their stuff together. I think both are great lines of tools. With history in Milwaukee's favor though, I'd go with the Milwaukee. I think they've made some nice improvements

I was roaming the aisles of Menards yesterday ( ya can't go in there without visiting the hand tools aisle). I saw another "new" line of tools. (Maybe I just don't shop enough) Can't remember the name of it, but it was silver/black/white.....?? Seemed pricy, but I noticed everything was 18V Lithium Ion powered. That might be something to consider too

 

[700classic]

I have a Black and Decker 18v Lithium Ion cordless drill. Haven't used it enough to comment on reliability but it's lighter than other cordless drills that I've owned. Battery pack is more compact.

 

[favoritos]

Geeze AlumaDoo, I feel the same when I go into those isles. The cart must have some sort of auto steer that guides everyone to the tools. I'm guessing you were looking at their Hitachi tools

This thread brings up a great question. I wish I knew the answer. I have been running a Dewalt vs Makita impact over the last few days on 3.5" screws. So far, they have put in about 25# of those screws. The D gun is a lot heavier with the battery, but it is holding up pretty good. The M gun is either getting weak or the batteries are shot because it drives the screws much slower and needs recharging quicker. Running 18V Li batteries in both guns but the M is a year older with more driving hours.
I'm hoping to see some pro guys with some real answers on this topic. I'm just a guy with blisters.

BTW, has anyone seen the shiney SnapOn impact guns?

 

[Team Elkhorn]

A few years ago I would have said DeWalt, hands down. But it seems since DeWalt has come about that the other tool makers have gotten their stuff together. I think both are great lines of tools. With history in Milwaukee's favor though, I'd go with the Milwaukee. I think they've made some nice improvements

I agree with AlumaDoo, Dewalt stuff used to seem better than Milwaukee stuff but not so much anymore. Doesn't matter though, our guys at work destroy any brand quickly.

 

[polarisrider1]

I am wondering if the big box stores have a lesser grade of the name brand tools than say a True value or Ace hardware carries. I know it is true of flooring, plumbing and roofing products. A big box lawn mower, snow thrower, appliances are not the same. So maybe the tools are not the same quality. I have dewalt and Barwalt tools for my business and they work fine.

 

[Team Elkhorn]

I am wondering if the big box stores have a lesser grade of the name brand tools than say a True value or Ace hardware carries. I know it is true of flooring, plumbing and roofing products. A big box lawn mower, snow thrower, appliances are not the same. So maybe the tools are not the same quality. I have dewalt and Barwalt tools for my business and they work fine.

Maybe.
I carry three credit cards for work, Lowes, Home Depot and Menards. When I need something "yesterday", those are the three places I go.

 

[indy_500]

Milwakee seems to be getting better as Dewalt seems to be getting worse. My uncle just purchased the new 1/2" cordless Milwaukee impact for $380 for his farm, has TONS of power.

 

[peter]

I am wondering if the big box stores have a lesser grade of the name brand tools than say a True value or Ace hardware carries. I know it is true of flooring, plumbing and roofing products. A big box lawn mower, snow thrower, appliances are not the same. So maybe the tools are not the same quality. I have dewalt and Barwalt tools for my business and they work fine.

I can agree with that big box stores have cheaper stuff for example big box store calls the light switch co. and says we want 100000 light switches but we will only pay 5 cents per switch not 8 cents. Light switch co. says ok how do we make switch for 3 cents less to keep their profits up. Cut some corners use cheaper and thinner materials what do you know a cheaper switch that looks the same. Does this make sense?

Hey Indy, do you get discounts I will be passing by your area next week I still need to get a drill.

 

[markf419]

Have you ever considered Hitachi? I have Dewalt and Hitachi. I seem to abuse my Hitachis as they're less expensive than Dewalt and have never failed me, even from falls from 15 or so feet onto a driveway. My 6 year old 18v ni-cd fell from my 2nd story roof to my concrete patio 22 ft below and still works.

 

[sledheadprox2]

Milwakee hands down, use to think Dewalt was the best, that was 10-15 years ago.
Started buying Milwakee because they seem to hold up better.
Have a buddy that works for Fastenal say there all about the same they have cheapen everything up in the last couple years to cut the price of the tools.
If you look all the different brands have there cheap models all the way up.
Was working on a truck boxs this spring my milwakee 6 1/8 went out, had it for ever, got a 20$ menards special from a buddy lasted 5 minutes, but it came with spare brushes, what a laugh.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!!

Think Snow!!!!
booney

 

[indy_500]

Hey Indy, do you get discounts I will be passing by your area next week I still need to get a drill.

If I did, I would've bought the entire store out already

 

[tomxc700]

If I had to buy another new drill I would get the blue makita hamer drill and impact driver combo with the bigger 18 volt bat. I have the white kit with the smaller 18volt bat, its has good power and is nice and light. I use the crap out of it building pole barns, decks, and what not on every day and hasen't let me down yet. It has driven 100's of thousands 1 1/2" screws and the batteries charge if 15 mins or less. I have used every brand of drill made and millaukee was one of the biggest let downs if ever had in a new tool. Brand new out of the box the chuck only lasted for four screws then it busted into a bizillion pieces. I took that one back and got a different one and the same thing happened to that one. Needless to say I will not buy one of their tools again. Dewalt and hitichi have a problem with the batteries either going bad or the charger goes to crap. The list goes on and on, but the best two drills I ever had were a porter cable, and the current makita. I have heard good things about the new panisonic drills if you want to spend $500 on a drill. The blue makita combo kit at the home depot is under $300 which is a heck of a deal if you ask me. But thats just my 2 cents.

 

[groomerdave]

My bosch drill and impact have been awesome. Thousands of screws with each, even drowned the drill once in muddy water and still going strong (doesn't sound the same, wouldn't recommend it, but it happens!) Lowes has the combo for around $250. Just my two cents..
Think Snow! -Dave

 

[snoluver1]

If you want a good Dewalt tool you have to avoid the "Menard's specials". They are built to different standards. Bite the bullet and purchase from Grainger or similar company. Much higher quality. Also, if you want an impact, you have to get the one with the built in square drive, not the cheapy changeable shaft thing. I use my dewalt 3/8 drive 12 volt impact every single day for the last 5 years. Hasn't missed a beat yet. And I ask it to do a lot more than it was intended for! I abuse the crap out of that thing. Never had any expectation of it lasting as long as it has.

 

[lenny]

I guess I don't have a impact but right now I have Mil, Makita, Bosch cordless tools and I honestly use the snot out of them all. The oldest is the Makita and they are the 18v Li-io set up and still running very well. The Bosch is a very nice tool also and seems to be great quality. In just the last 10 days I screwed off 2 metal roof jobs and I gravitate towards the Makita, maybe because I have 2 new batteries and they run a long time. My helper has a new De Walt and seems nice also. I think they are all so similar it would be hard for me to say one way or another but like I said, the Makita it roughly 6 years old and just keeps going. I did have to replace the brushes and brush holder ring but that is typical wear, I bought the parts on line and did it myself, easy

 

[lenny]

yea,,,the Menards "tool shop" tools are a real hoot!

Milwakee hands down, use to think Dewalt was the best, that was 10-15 years ago.
Started buying Milwakee because they seem to hold up better.
Have a buddy that works for Fastenal say there all about the same they have cheapen everything up in the last couple years to cut the price of the tools.
If you look all the different brands have there cheap models all the way up.
Was working on a truck boxs this spring my milwakee 6 1/8 went out, had it for ever, got a 20$ menards special from a buddy lasted 5 minutes, but it came with spare brushes, what a laugh.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!!

Think Snow!!!!
booney

 

[raceinsnow]

I have the Makita 18 volt lithium ion drill and 3/8 impact with the bigger batterys and I love them.They take alot of abuse and keep going.The charger is very quick to charge the batterys.I have had this kit for 5 years now and I will buy Makita again.

 

[ezra]

I dont think any tools made in the last 15 yrs is worth a crap I still have and abuse a 20 + yr old old milwaukee skill saw and sawsall and also have new stuff from all the diff manufactures most sawzalls lucky to get 3 yrs skill saws 4 at best.
I think the dewalt batteries are the worst for life span. snap on cordless impacts suck.I don't know I have owned them all they all suck in fact for the tools I buy for workers to use and Carry when I am not around I but the ryobi 18v and that stuff lasts just as long as the ridged and dewalt stuff.the ridged stuff is 1/2 *** but if you take the time to fill out your paper work and send it in they will fix or more likely replace for you for life.I am on impact #3 and drill #2 replaced for free in just over 3 yrs

 

[carmaman]

Black and Decker owns Dewalt. It's their replacement line for industrial tools. They are the only manufacturer who's radio is also a battery charger. Their quality kinda sucks for the tradesman, but they're easy to find replacements for at any big box store. The Dewalt line of drywall tools is probably still the best. Milwaukee seems quite a bit better in quality and features, but they seem to be focusing more on the big box market quite a bit more than the earlier years, when their stuff was indestructible. The clutch on the Milwaukee drywall gun is way quieter than a Dewalt. I purchased a Makita set just over a year ago and they are still running strong and all my guys like them so far, but hands down, the most recommended brand of cordless tools by all of my tradesmen are the Panasonic line. The only problem is that you need to find a specialty tool house or building materials shop other than a big box store. Viking Electric carries a bunch of their stuff, but the closest store to you in in Kenosha,WI. Good luck