This last Christmas my wife gave me the Makita LXT-437 combo kit. It was meant to replace my Bosch 14.4 and 36 volt sets (the tools were in a varying states of slowly dying). I just recently used the Makita's on my rental property installing a new back deck elevated 10 feet. I wasn't impressed with the power at all. In fact, my Milwaukee M12 set gave them a run for their money in everything but battery life. Build quality on the Makita set was lacking, too. Plastic chuck, lower power than expected and, although they outlasted my M12s, the 3.0Ah batteries were a disappointment.
So, I decided I wanted something different. I listed and just sold the set as lightly used on eBay for $240, so I lost about $100 on the set. Not the end of the world.
Now I am looking for something to replace them with. I have previous experience with Bosch. While built like tanks, they seem to be lagging behind somewhat in features and power. I am heavily invested in the Milkwaukee M12 line for light duty use (and something my wife can easily handle), so means I am seriously considering the M18 line for my full size. The M12s have lived up to and exceeded all my expectations and I would buy more in a heartbeat if they were to be stolen today.
So, that leaves me with whether or not to buy M18 and, if so, which set to buy. First off, is there any other brand that you would consider? I'm not a DeWalt fan since they have been cheapened, so I am not even considering the brand.
Next, if I do go with the M18, should I go brushed or brushless? Brushed is where the value is at, but I love the idea of the longevity/power of the brushless set. The brushless M18 brushless drill/driver set is $399 from HD and right now they are including an additional 4.0Ah battery free. The M18 brushed equivalent equivalent also comes with a free battery, but is $120 cheaper.
What to do? In either case I will be buying a bare tool circular saw to the set. So do I go brushed or brushless? What is your opinion? Or should I just go back to my tried and true Bosch?
Thanks!
So, I decided I wanted something different. I listed and just sold the set as lightly used on eBay for $240, so I lost about $100 on the set. Not the end of the world.
Now I am looking for something to replace them with. I have previous experience with Bosch. While built like tanks, they seem to be lagging behind somewhat in features and power. I am heavily invested in the Milkwaukee M12 line for light duty use (and something my wife can easily handle), so means I am seriously considering the M18 line for my full size. The M12s have lived up to and exceeded all my expectations and I would buy more in a heartbeat if they were to be stolen today.
So, that leaves me with whether or not to buy M18 and, if so, which set to buy. First off, is there any other brand that you would consider? I'm not a DeWalt fan since they have been cheapened, so I am not even considering the brand.
Next, if I do go with the M18, should I go brushed or brushless? Brushed is where the value is at, but I love the idea of the longevity/power of the brushless set. The brushless M18 brushless drill/driver set is $399 from HD and right now they are including an additional 4.0Ah battery free. The M18 brushed equivalent equivalent also comes with a free battery, but is $120 cheaper.
What to do? In either case I will be buying a bare tool circular saw to the set. So do I go brushed or brushless? What is your opinion? Or should I just go back to my tried and true Bosch?
Thanks!