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My Dewalt 14.4 cordless drill is about 4 years old and needs new batteries. I can get them at Home Depot for $50 apiece. Can’t decide if I should spend $100 on batteries or add another $100 to it and buy the Panasonic 15.6. I also have the cordless 14.4 circular saw, but I rarely use it because the batteries have been weak for a while. I hear nothing but good about the Panasonic and really want one, but is it worth the extra $100? Help me out fellas, make my mind up for me.
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I had a PC 14 volt that was awkward and a bad buy and Dewalt 14 volt that I really liked. I wanted to buy another cordless so when I hang kitchens I wouldn't have to switch square drive bits, countersinks, and drill bits. The sales man talked me into the Panasonic 15.6 I now wish I had three instead. It's a great tool. I had my doubts, come on, Panasonic??? It had no other tools in their product line to speak of. But he had never steered me wrong before and whenever I purchased other tools we alwys agreed on which was best. Until some other manufacturer shows me otherwise it's now my cordless drill of choice.Spend the other 100$ and use your dewalt as a second drill if you need one.
*George, have you ever tried either a Chuck-Mate or a Jack Rabbit Drill/countersink/driver combination bit ? The way they work is: you chuck up a driver bit, and then the drill/countersink unit slips over it - you drill your hole, slip off the drill unit, then drive your screw.
*Yeah Phill I use to use those dual adapter gizmos. I found out it was easier for me to have another drill ready to go with the proper bit ready. I also prefer a countersink with the four tooth arrangement below the bit, this way I can use different size and different pre-depth(pilot hole depth before countersink contact) set countersinks depending on screw size and application/location. I like those dual bit/sinks but not for kitchen or cabinet installation. Personal choice.
*Get the Panasonic. You won't be sorry, except that you waited this long. I use a Jackrabbit and love it. It has the four-flute countersink, and comes in sizes for different screw diameters. Because I use it all the time, it is rare for me to need the second drill. (It can be really handy to keep your older drill around the house in case you need one when the good drill is on a job, or locked up in the truck.) My 15.6 Panasonic is one of the few tools I keep looking for ways to justify buying another one of. I love it like Blue loves his Stiletto.Bill
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My Dewalt 14.4 cordless drill is about 4 years old and needs new batteries. I can get them at Home Depot for $50 apiece. Can't decide if I should spend $100 on batteries or add another $100 to it and buy the Panasonic 15.6. I also have the cordless 14.4 circular saw, but I rarely use it because the batteries have been weak for a while. I hear nothing but good about the Panasonic and really want one, but is it worth the extra $100? Help me out fellas, make my mind up for me.