Hitachi Crodless Drill

[hockeyhead]

I use a 18v Dewalt hammer drill that is at least 9 maybe 10 years old with 2 batteries including the original. It gets used for all my projects at times all day. This includes building 2 decks, pole barn, storage room in pole barn, shed, and the latest, almost done replacing 1500sqft of carpeting with either ceramic tile or hardwood flooring in my 8 year old house, wife wants all carpeting out except the bedrooms. That drill screwed down the original sub-floor (was powernailed) plus another 1500sqft of rockboard or 3/8 plywood to keep thing level.
anyway I broke it last fall, drop it for the umpteen time, this time off a 6' step ladder, onto the basement floor. the chuck just freewheels. looked at replacing it the same. this guy at lowes told me about the Dewalt service center and they replaced the chuck, moter and switch for $99. They told me their max. repair bill is $99 on any Dewalt tool.
I don't make a living with this drill but as a DIY'er I like Dewalt

 

[hockeyhead]

I use a 18v Dewalt hammer drill that is at least 9 maybe 10 years old with 2 batteries including the original. It gets used for all my projects at times all day. This includes building 2 decks, pole barn, storage room in pole barn, shed, and the latest, almost done replacing 1500sqft of carpeting with either ceramic tile or hardwood flooring in my 8 year old house, wife wants all carpeting out except the bedrooms. That drill screwed down the original sub-floor (was powernailed) plus another 1500sqft of rockboard or 3/8 plywood to keep thing level.
anyway I broke it last fall, drop it for the umpteen time, this time off a 6' step ladder, onto the basement floor. the chuck just freewheels. looked at replacing it the same. this guy at lowes told me about the Dewalt service center and they replaced the chuck, moter and switch for $99. They told me their max. repair bill is $99 on any Dewalt tool.
I don't make a living with this drill but as a DIY'er I like Dewalt

 

[BlueRidge]

<font color="blue"> They also said that the Ridgid Rep shouldn't have said that, and they asked me for his name. </font>


Oh, I like that part! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'd say something about idiot salesmen, but I don't want to be redundant.

This thread is timely for me, as my Makita is dying. I work its predecessor HARD for 20 years or so, and it finally died. So I bought another Makita, and this one has been a turd from day one. Less power (despite being a 12v where the old one was a 9.6), and the batteries don't last as long. In fact, lately they don't last long at all. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

It's only a few years old.

 

[BlueRidge]

<font color="blue"> They also said that the Ridgid Rep shouldn't have said that, and they asked me for his name. </font>


Oh, I like that part! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'd say something about idiot salesmen, but I don't want to be redundant.

This thread is timely for me, as my Makita is dying. I work its predecessor HARD for 20 years or so, and it finally died. So I bought another Makita, and this one has been a turd from day one. Less power (despite being a 12v where the old one was a 9.6), and the batteries don't last as long. In fact, lately they don't last long at all. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

It's only a few years old.

 

[Henro]

Don't know if you have a COSTCO near you...

BUT last year I bought a 18 volt cordless drill from them, two batteries, charger, 3/8 capacity...and I have no complaints...all for a grand total of under $37. I think, but don't remember, that the brand name is Porter Cable (remember, I said I don't remember).

Anyway, I liked the thing enough to buy another one recently (daughter and son in law bought a house...old drill resides there now).

If you have a COSTCO nearby, check them out. Maybe they have the same drill for sale there. Heck, an 18 volt cordless, with two batteries (also has two speed setting (fast and slow but powerful) along with a variable clutch and keyless chuck...))

Just a satisfied customer. I think I saw the price this evening when shopping with the wife...$36 and change...guess I should buy another one as a spare for that price! Good drill... I pushed my first one to the limit and it just keeps on chugging...

 

[Henro]

Don't know if you have a COSTCO near you...

BUT last year I bought a 18 volt cordless drill from them, two batteries, charger, 3/8 capacity...and I have no complaints...all for a grand total of under $37. I think, but don't remember, that the brand name is Porter Cable (remember, I said I don't remember).

Anyway, I liked the thing enough to buy another one recently (daughter and son in law bought a house...old drill resides there now).

If you have a COSTCO nearby, check them out. Maybe they have the same drill for sale there. Heck, an 18 volt cordless, with two batteries (also has two speed setting (fast and slow but powerful) along with a variable clutch and keyless chuck...))

Just a satisfied customer. I think I saw the price this evening when shopping with the wife...$36 and change...guess I should buy another one as a spare for that price! Good drill... I pushed my first one to the limit and it just keeps on chugging...

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Rich,
Thanks for the clarification on RIGID ! So Im thinking that if I did the same thing with a Rigid as I did with my Dewalt I would be out of luck /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Plugged the spare battery pack in to the charger too soon! It cant be warm, guess I should have read the directions before using the tool /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Rich,
Thanks for the clarification on RIGID ! So Im thinking that if I did the same thing with a Rigid as I did with my Dewalt I would be out of luck /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Plugged the spare battery pack in to the charger too soon! It cant be warm, guess I should have read the directions before using the tool /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[hilld]

I purchased 2 of the Hitachi's you are talking about, a 14.4V and a 18V one. They are both good drills, if you are using them for drills and light screwing. They don't have the torque of an equivalent DeWalt or Milwaukee (I have those as well), guess that makes them $100 cheaper. I have run into problems trying to screw in lag screws with them where they won't finish the job, switch over to my Milwaukee and it finishes off the screws. No big deal, I just use them for decking screws and drilling holes instead.

I really like the clip on the housing that lets you hang the drill on your belt.

Hope that helps.

Derek

 

[hilld]

I purchased 2 of the Hitachi's you are talking about, a 14.4V and a 18V one. They are both good drills, if you are using them for drills and light screwing. They don't have the torque of an equivalent DeWalt or Milwaukee (I have those as well), guess that makes them $100 cheaper. I have run into problems trying to screw in lag screws with them where they won't finish the job, switch over to my Milwaukee and it finishes off the screws. No big deal, I just use them for decking screws and drilling holes instead.

I really like the clip on the housing that lets you hang the drill on your belt.

Hope that helps.

Derek