New Cordless Drill Required

Makita, although I'd got for nicad batts, li-ion will deteriorate unless you use them regularly, 2x1.3mah nicad batts is best for an occasional diyer.

I mean will it put screws into studwork all day? No. But it'll be plenty for the odd usage.
 
pitchfork said:
Makita, although I'd got for nicad batts, li-ion will deteriorate unless you use them regularly, 2x1.3mah nicad batts is best for an occasional diyer.
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Ni Cad need to be used regularly or they develop memory issues.

Li-ion are generally immune from that problem, & they tend to have more power, with regards to deteriorating, my Makita Li ion drill wasn't used for nearly 5 months. due to me having an appendicitis, but the battery was still fully charged & suffer no effect from not being used.

But, any battery will deteriorate over time.
 
Actually Ni-cad will sit on the shelf fine, the only problem with nicads is the memory effect but if you use it completely before charging then it's not an issue.

Li-ion needs to be used regularly to maintain effectiveness or there is a drop off in how much charge they can hold, additionally you can't run them til flat.

Batteries of either spec will have the same output, you don't get more power from one than the other, the drill converting the electricity into force is where the power is.
 
Insomniak said:
I think that model is the DHP456RMWX. If you look around you can get it with a 100 piece accessory kit for about £150.
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I checked when I got home last night, it is indeed a 456 model.
I did realise something though. I said it was the best tool I had ever bought, I think that has something to do with it being the most expensive tool I have ever bought (by at least 3 times the price)
 
Picked up the drill yesterday and put it straight to work screwing down boards in the loft. Really impressed by the driving power, so I decided to also use it to put up a new coat rack. The hammer mode worked perfectly and didn't struggle at all.

Although, yes I am an a DIYer, I'm basically having to renovate my entire house, whilst living in it at the same time. The drill and batteries will get plenty of use, don't you worry.
 
TheKnat said:
Picked up the drill yesterday and put it straight to work screwing down boards in the loft. Really impressed by the driving power, so I decided to also use it to put up a new coat rack. The hammer mode worked perfectly and didn't struggle at all.

Although, yes I am an a DIYer, I'm basically having to renovate my entire house, whilst living in it at the same time. The drill and batteries will get plenty of use, don't you worry.
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It's nearly Christmas, treat your drill to some Bosch multi construction bits,available as set or individual bits.

Four piece set covers most needs, but a 5mm is also useful for smaller size screws & plugs if you use them.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pow...struction TCT Drill Bit Set/d80/sd1350/p51204
 
I want a decent set of screwdriver bits for mine as the ones that came with it seem to get chewed up fairly quickly. Any particular brand that will last a good while with not-so careful use ?
 
Best I have used are Wera, but they are expensive.

I got some Milwaukee impact bits that are holding up fairly well in my impact driver. They do cam out much easier than the Wera bits, so need to be careful. I think any bit will get knackered if you cam out of the screw a lot. Thats why they have diamond coated ones etc that are designed to grip the screw better.
 
I have a Makita 18v Li Ion, and after some research read that as others have already said - the Li-ion batteries will loose their effectiveness if you don't use / charge them regularly.

I am a keen DIYer but like most people you wont use the drill that often. To help with this I bought the Makita Torch, 1 battery in the torch one in the drill, swap them when they go flat / charge them.
We keep the torch in a handy place so its used quite often, helping to cycle the batteries.
 
Mark A said:
Best I have used are Wera, but they are expensive.

I got some Milwaukee impact bits that are holding up fairly well in my impact driver. They do cam out much easier than the Wera bits, so need to be careful. I think any bit will get knackered if you cam out of the screw a lot. Thats why they have diamond coated ones etc that are designed to grip the screw better.
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Agree on the Wera bits, they are fantastic but so bloody expensive that i wont buy them anymore.
I'm using Dewalt Extreme Impact bits at the moment, just over £6 for 25 delivered from the bay.
 
For occasional diy the makita is fine, I wouldn't recommend one for consistent/industrial use though, the motors are relatively weak and prone to burning out.

Saying that most battery drills these days are complete plop, even metabo who imo make some of the best drills on the market are starting to use cheap, weak gearboxes (whole thing is made from a soft cast metal to save weight!).

We get around 5-7 years from the older metabo bsp/bsz models, while we're lucky to get 6 months from the newer bs18ltx's.

The major plus I will give makita is that spare parts are absolutely dirt cheap.

Edit: for bit sets, bondhus should last you a lifetime if they make them as well as their allen keys.
 
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pgi947 said:
For occasional diy the makita is fine, I wouldn't recommend one for consistent/industrial use though, the motors are relatively weak and prone to burning out.
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Depends how you use it, use it within it's capabilities, & your ok, can burn out any power tool, electric or battery if you overload them,etc.

I have both Bosch & Makita cordless drills both are probably 15 years old, both very well used,basially trade use, never burnt out a motor yet.
Just bought one of those £99 Makita from Screwfix, worked out cheaper than buying replacement ni-cads.
 
The key there is them being 15 years old, likely very well made (as is my 10 year old dewalt, on my 3rd set of batts but it still soldiers on).

I agree if they're used correctly it will last but won't take anywhere near as much punishment as an older drill, which I suppose we need as all our tools go offshore, so my view on suitability may be slightly warped :D

If you can afford it, hilti make some top notch drills, but is reflected in price.

Mark up on batteries is daft at retail level, get to know someone who works in hire or even better is a manufacturer agent, they may let a few slide at cost price :)
 
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