My old Dewalt 12V DW945 batteries finally took a dive after 13 years of light to moderate use. I’m going to replace it with an impact driver/ free drill combo. I’ve read some of the recommendations here and I was seriously leaning toward Panasonic but also looking at Makita. I’m looking at the Panasonic EY7201GQKW ($217.44) and the Makita 6980FDWDEX ($198.99). The Panasonic has 3.5 Ah batteries and the Makita has 2.6 Ah batteries.
Sway me,
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
Replies
I have a Makita and have had no problems with though I've never heard a bad thing about a panasonic either.
Have you looked into Makita's litioum ion line?
Lithium Ion's are still a bit too pricey for me.John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
John, I have the panasonic 12v impact and their 15.6 drill motor. I think they are combo'd up in a nice package price. One charger does both. Get their 12v lite too, burns bright and long. Nice addition.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Calvin,
I'm leaning toward the Panasonic. They're running a special right now with a mail in rebate to get a free drill body with purchase of an impact driver. I know that the Makita and the Panasonic are both excellent choice. I've heard that the Panasonic batteries are legendary. And with the 3.5 Ah vs. 2.6 Ah of the Makita's I'd expect some more run time.
Thanks,John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
I certainly am happy with the chuck and the batteries. They do hold a charge a long time. Like shoe says, that lamp is a nice addition. All I have to judge them against were the old 12 v Milwaukee's, not built ford tough.
best of luck.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
i wuz saving up for a makita when i went to home depot. got a ridged for 139.00 plus a drill and 2 batt. i more then happy
I checked out their website and didn't see that deal. They only showed a 14.4 V driver for $179. For the deal you got, I'd probably jump all over it also. I've heard some good things about the Ridgid tools.
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
I bought the Ridgid also. I was not happy with the battery life. Then some lowlife stole it out of my truck.
I went out and bought the Makita. I thought the LED light was going to be a novelty, but you would be surprised at the number of times it has come in handy.
I now have a Ridgid 14.4 battery and charger that I have no other use for. I don't want to toss it because you never know if you will ever need it. Maybe the thief will feel guilty over the holidays and return it?
I have Panasonics - both the EY65somthing and the newer 7201 can't quite justify getting the newest Digital one, yet.
Have been very happy with the Panasonics - also have their old 12 volt saw, a lantern and 4 different 12 volt drills - all excellent power to weight ratio, with great batteries.
If you do go Panasonic you might want to check out
http://www.7corners.com/7c_store/showmfglist.cfm?DID=1&CATID=8&ObjectGroup_ID=84&mfg_id=4
Best pricing I have seen on the lantern, which I thought I would never use, but actually it comes in very handy in my remodeling work.
You will be happy with either the Panasonic or the Makita - both very good. I however prefer the Panasonics.
Happy shopping,
Shoe
I have the Dewalt (for about 8 months now) and am super impressed by its torque and versatility. I have a few other Dewalt tools and the radio so interchangable batteries is a bonus.
Have a good day
Cliffy
I also have the DeWalt. It is quite impressive. The only issue is it will twist a deck screw in two if you don't backoff when it pulls up tight. I don't have any problem recommending it as a purchase.
Dewalt was good to me in the past, but I keep hearing complaints about the new batteries. With the price of batteries these days, I have to buy some that I know will last. I still have one Dewalt DW953 that I've only had for a few years and it's been good. I have 4 batteries with 3 of 4 still good.
Panasonic here I come.John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
Panasonic make batteries, their tools are always at or near the top of the heap for battery run time and life cycle. In fact many other tool manuf's have Panasonic cells inside their battery cases.
Makita makes tools and has done so for many years. The R&D and engineering behind their tools is formidable. The motors are tough and the all-metal gears close to indestructible (sorry Dewalt fans, not so for your plastic-geared drills).
You make the choice: fabulous batteries vs jobsite proven tool design.
I have a dewalt 14.4 impact because I already had about 7 batteries from my other Dewalt tools, and like to keep em all the same (the batteries die before the tools, so if they are all the same, you could share batteries depending on what you need for a particular job). That said...what else is in your tool box (battery wise).
Both are excellent. I have always heard and read great things about the Panasonic batteries, and FHB tool reviews seem to back it up. But then again I have not heard or read any thing bad about the Makita (especially 12v) drills/impacts.
Only thing I would look at is the chuck. A friend of mine has Panasonic drills, and the chuck seems to have "micro threads" or something. It takes longer to tighten/loosen them than any of my tools. I do not know if this is a quirk in his drills, or if all panasonic tools are that way. Took some getting used to.
I bought the knew litium/Ion the day it came out and have had nothing but good luck with it after brining it to work andthe guys used the kit they bought the kit we now have 3 makita kits floating around the jobsite. litium ion just th feel of it is amazing the handle is totally redesigned fits like a glove. try one out befor you make your choice it is well worth the extra money!!!
I have the Milwaukee and love it. I would highly recomend it.
Headstong, I'll take on anyone!
Edited 12/8/2005 12:08 pm ET by Jemcon
What about Milwaukee?? Was working in the crawl space the other night using my 0616 cordless...driving #8s...tight spot with all the plumbing...thought about the impact. Local stores don't stock Milwaukee impacts...any thoughts or comments on a 14.4 V Milwaukee impact?? Thanks all.
rustbucket
That's the one I have. I think it's the best thing since sliced bread. I have 2 drills the impact driver and 8 batteries. Don't hesitsate, buy it.
Headstong, I'll take on anyone!
My choices in order would be Hitachi, Bosch, Panasonic, Makita. Hitachi because they have great reviews, I have one and love it. Bosch seems to be always reliable, none of my Bosch tools has gone bad. Panasonic has a fantastic reputation, but I have always though of them as being too expensive. I always used to hate Makita tools but find myself inching that way, the new Makitas with the NiMH batteries are almost too good to pass up.
JLC recently reviewed impact drivers...check this out http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlconline.storefront/439910cb001d62cb27177f000001059f/UserTemplate/82?c=8410bc1be382026eda93b557ea118a79&p=1&t=1
I find the makita has better low speed control than the panasonic
How did you find this article? I was looking around the JLC website and I can't find any other articles. Is it from one of their online subscriptions, but it's not secure if you know where to look? I subscribe to JLC, but I didn't see this article in the magazine.
-Don
Must be for non-subscribers...
jlconline.com/jlc-online toolbox/browse toolbox/drills-drivers/related tool articles/cordless impact
Found it after I cleaned my safety glasses...UCanDo...Happy Fridays!!
rustbucket
Edited 12/9/2005 2:17 pm ET by rustbucket
A vote for Makita. Very nice tool.
I have never had a Makita tool fail me. Even the old 9.6v stuff I have is still going strong.
Here's an answer everyone will laugh at: Ryobi, at Home Depot. 18V, part of their line of tools that handle the same 18V batteries. I now own four of the impact drivers. They are terrific, cost a big $69, batteries are twenty bucks if you want more. I'm not a tool cheapskate by a long shot: bought the 28V Milwaukee Lith-Ion set as soon as it came out, and love the set. But for running screws -- and we go through plenty of them -- I just love the Ryobis.
Nothin' wrong with the Ryobi - hammer the crap out of it and toss it, get a new one. Works good, I have a 18v Ryobi sawzall. Does what I need it to do.
Before too long, I bet either Milwaukee or Ryobi will be dropped as a brand name, since the same co. owns both.
I didn't know Milwaukee owned Ryobi (or vise versa). I doubt either name will be dropped. Milwaukee is to Ryobi as DeWalt is to Black and Decker.
I third that vote for Ryobi. I'm a total clutz with tools, and have dropped mine on concrete many times... from a ladder... or a rafter. Still going strong after a year of use. Only disadvantage is that it is a might heavier that the others... but it also has more torque, I believe.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
I'm not laughing. Have a 1998 - 12v Jobsite drill / driver, one original battery still surviving. Been rode hard and sometimes put away wet.
The Jobsite was a 12v 2 speed model that is no longer made, I would buy another in a heartbeat. Bought the 14.4 last year as I was worried the 12v was going to die - still going.
Heard a Consumer Reports radio bit - gave Ryobi 18V a best buy rating. Maybe have to try it if the 12v ever dies.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
I have had the same Ryobie driver for about a year It has never failed to do all I want it to do. I bought a Dewalt 18V on E Bay for what I thought was a deal but by time I bought batteries and a charger I could have done better at Home D.
I really like the Ryobie better than the Dewalt.
Let em laugh.
Lazaro...isn't Milwaukee just up the road from you...maybe you'll benefit from where you're located. Me...looks like I have to special order again...model...#9083.
rustbucket
I bought the 15.6 volt Panasonic drill several years ago when the only batteries they had were the 3.0 amp versions. After several hundred pounds of screws, dropping it off the roof a couple of times, twisting some 1/4 lag bolts in two, the drill and both batteries are still going, although one of the batteries doesn't last as long as it used to. I found one of the 3.5 amp versions on EBay and added it to my collection and now I can put screws in all day without stopping.
I recently invested in the 18 volt version of the Panasonic - but I usually pick up the 15.6 volt because it does just about everything I need and isn't quite as heavy.
Thanks for all the input. I took the plunge yesterday and ordered the Panasonic. The Makita was a close runner up, but the supposed better batteries from Panasonic sealed the deal. I want to always buy tools that last the longest AND perform the best. I've been drooling over Panasonic drills for a couple of years now( thank goodness for GFI's), but had to wait until mine died....and it finally did. I hope I made the right choice.
Thanks,
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
You won't regret the panasonic purchase.There are (I think) two battery manufacturers. Panasonic and Sanyo (I think) I know Panasonic makes batteries for alot of other mfg. They test them all and keep the best for their own tools. That's one reason their tools have the best batteries. It will be interesting to see how lithium ion batteries change the market place of at all. They don't necessarily have any more amp hours, but they weigh less, so you can get more volts and no more weight.
john, did you get the 12v? with the panasonic factory special of a 12v drill motor?
They also have a rebate of some sort. Check out the panasonic site.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Calvin,
UPS dropped off the 12v Panasonic this evening, I've already topped off the batteries on the charger, and filled out the rebate form for the free drill. I'm a happy camper. Look out I'm ready to screw....drive screws that is.
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
I have the Makita 12v and love it. It's like a toy and has plety of torque for whatever. I went for the smaller 12v because the reason I wanted it in the first place was for size.
I have heard the Panasonic is quite the tool. I have used the Dewalt and Milwaulkee and they are are all about the same.
I see you got the Panasonic - never had but bet they're good. I like the 12 volt Makita ( @ they're great for cement screws) but boy do I go through #2 phillips bits! I'm trying a new gold colored bit now. Anybody found bits that will stand up to these impacts?
I have a 12V Makita and love it. Forget about dropping it on concrete- my FIL kicked it off the roof and it went down 1.5 storeys onto my neighbour's car's roof. Tool's still going strong, though the neighbour's car is a bit worse for wear. Fortunately the neighbour let me fix the car roof for her myself or my FIL's help would have come at a pretty steep cost!
One NiMH battery kakked on my after less than a year. The other's still going strong.
Don't bother going beyond 12 V to get extra torque- it's worthless because the tooling won't stand up to it. The shear/fatigue resistance of the little hex drive shanks on the tool bits isn't sufficient to survive the torque and impact my 12V Makita puts out on a long term basis. Of course the tips go first on screwdriver bits- I've snapped or shattered tips on quite a few good quality Lee Valley #2 Robertson (square drive) bits. But when you go to higher torque tools like 3/8 socket drive bits for lag screws etc it's the hex shanks on the bits that snap, right at the thinnest section- the little groove which the driver uses to hold the hex shank into the "chuck" on the impact driver tool.