Thought this might interest some of you:
From Consumer Reports Dec 05 issue:
“The $400 V28 0724-24 hammer drill we tested (right) has a lithium-ion battery that weighs no more than most 18-volt nicads and belts out more power–so much, in fact, that several minutes turning 3 1/2-inch heavy lag screws melted the solder inside two test samples and led to motor failure on a third sample. Four other drills that cost far less came through the same exercise unscathed. While none of the Milwaukee drill samples we tested posed a safety threat, the problem is especially disconcerting given their high price and heavy-duty emphasis. “
Justin Fink – FHB Editorial
Replies
I kinda think those samples would have failed anyway. When I picked my 18V hammer drill from a friend who works at Milwaukee Tool (he's a senior design engineer), I looked at the 2 2x12's standing up against the test building and counted 66 holes in each. They were from the 2-9/16" self-feeding boring bits which were drilled consecutively, from the same battery. 1 battery per board. He was there when they did the test. He also said he was getting rid of his corded circular saw since there was no reason to keep it after seeing what the 28V saw did. He works in the same area where they do the destructive testing, so when something interesting happens, I usually hear about it fairly soon after. My 18V hammer drill has been used for boring holes on headers, floors, top plates and sole plates so low voltage wiring could go from one floor to the next, and into several basements. Unless it hits a big knot or a bunch of nails, it doesn't stop. It has, however, come close to snapping my wrist like a twig on occasion. Usually, the first thing to overheat in a situation like overworking a drill is that the brushes and their housing cooks, so the plastic holding them softens and they lose contact with the armature.
Did they say what the diameter of the lags was and what they were driving them into? If they tried to drive them into something that wouldn't allow it, there's a good reason the drill would overheat. I have driven 6" lags into framing members without problems with my 18V.
He also said he was getting rid of his corded circular saw since there was no reason to keep it after seeing what the 28V saw did.............."
HF,
Sorry, but I would never part with my corded tools. When it comes time to replace the batteries after two years, it's cheaper to replace the entire kit, plus a corded tool won't die on you the way a battery powered one will.
BTW, what's your buddies name at METCO? I probably know him.
Jon
combo kits ~$700, 2 batteries, ~$150 .. however I have often thought that a plug in "battery pack shell" for working at a bench would be usefull now and then, one day I'll get around to it, just replace the batteries with a transformer ... dewalt has one for their 24 volt line
Edited 12/2/2005 8:41 am ET by wane
Thanks for the post Justin. I bought the 28V combo set on Black Friday (had a 10% off coupon, turned out to be about 650 or so for the hammer/drill, sawzall, circular saw and flashight with two batteries and a charger) to help finish a roofing deck job. It has performed great and am very satisfied with it. I did look for reviews and so far it is hard to find any since it seems so new. My only complaint is that the Clip-Lok System binded up on me, preventing me from releasing the drill from my belt with one thumb fifteen feet up in the air on a ladder. But I took it to the repair center and they are sending me a new one soon.
As for the motors and solder burning out I am not too worried. I trust their warranty and will be content to get 5 years of use out of these tools. At least they have a "heavy duty" warranty lol.
Handyman, painter, wood floor refinisher, property maintenance in Tulsa, OK
Consumer Reports does their best to test everything, but aren't always experts on everything. I know I've damaged my cordless tools by overloading them, there really is no difference between me overheating my 18 v, nicad, cordless drill by trying to drive 3 1/2" screws, and the testers overextending their tool. My first cordless skill saw had a reset buton that helped, but was always tripping when the going got tough, so reset buttons were abandoned, and we got to know how far and how long we could push a tool. It's going to take a while to people to figure out just how far we can push these new lithium battery tool combo's ..
Exactly right. I use their on-line subscription, and find that their testing is less valuble than their descriptions of prices and features of items. Makes comparison a lot easier when shopping for big-ticket items.It's woodworking...not rocket surgery!
I have been a CR subscriber since forever, but when it comes to tools they seem to have some kind of blind spot. I don't think I have ever read a tool review that made sense to me -- given what I know about tools. And this article on cordless drills is no exception. I don't own the Milwaukee 28v system, but my work colleague does, and I have had a chance to use the CS and the Recip saw in the kit rather extensively -- not so much the drill. I thought the CS was terrific -- sets a new standard for cordless CS. As gutsy as a corded model. The recip saw was ok, but I would not trade it for my corded model Sawzall. Didn't really use the drill too much, so I don't have an opinion. With the CR test, you have to assume there was some defect in the drill they tested.In sum I thought the 28v series was very good, but not enough so for me to pony up the dollars for the cordless convenience.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I have used consumer reports and loved them, but also seen some bad reviews, bikes rated by ease of pedaling, calling the AMC eagle a good buy, (found some old 1980 CRs at the inlaws...) but with appliances they are a good source of input
Jeff
I saw that article, and laughed at it. Actually, it made me mad. The title was something like Cordless Drills, and then they start talking about how the impact deivers are too loud, and the hammer drill imploded. Unfortunately they are comparing apples to oranges to tangerines. Drills are made to drill holes, and they can be used to drive screws. Impact drivers are made to drive screws, and they can be used to drill. And the hammer drill is in a diffeent class.
They test well, but they don't have a real-world feel.
Like the recent test of compact pickup trucks. Talked about radio controls, air bags, seat comfort ... everything except the size of the cargo bed.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I agree with fasteddie, the v28 drill is not an impact drill, it is a hammer drill. I went to the library to look over the article and the V28 isn't even in the list of cordless tools tested. They just gave it a blurb on the corner of the page, all by itself without the ratings they use (full moon, half moon, etc.). My v28 manual says that the capacity of this drill is 1/4" screws (dia.) Consumer Reports failed to mention the diameter of the lag bolts and if they exceeded the recommended capacity of the drill during testing. Now if they had tested the v28 impact drill using the lag bolts... .Handyman, painter, wood floor refinisher, property maintenance in Tulsa, OK