milwaukee vs. makita, etc.

[JHZR2]

Hi,

I recently bought an electric impact wrench... I bought a milwaukee because they offer a 5 year warrantee, which was the longest I found.

My parents need to do some drywall work - install some ceilings over old plaster, so we need to buy two drywall screwdrivers...

I have looked at makita. I know that a guy that I used to know who did this swore by the makita brand for drywall screwdrivers. However, makita only gives a 1yr warrantee, vs. milwaukee's 5 year.

Which is the best? Which brand would be reccomended? It doesnt have to be either of those.

I dont care if they have a NASCAR racecar, I dont care where they advertise, all I want is the best bang for my buck, and the longest lasting unit.

Any info would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

JMH

 

[Pablo]

Either will serve you well as will DeWalt for such home jobs. Shop th net.

My Makita 9.6V is over 15 years old, has been dropped from 15 feet to concrete and works like a champ. I just bought a new 2000ma/hr kickhienie battery and brought it back to life again (I've killed 3 batteries)

My Millwaukie 1/2" 120V drill has killer torque.

Just avoid Black and Decker and you'll be OK.

 

[JHZR2]

dewalt is black and decker...

All of our B&D stuff seems to last forever... granted its OLD!

Thanks,

JMH

 

[Pablo]

Dewalt is owned by Black and Decker - but yeah what I was referring to is standard B&D, if you have no issues with B&D then Milwaukee and Makita will be a treat!

 

[JHZR2]

well, like I said, our B&D stuff is old, metal, and made to last... Im sure quality has decreased to keep the products in wal-mart, etc...

Do you think one brand is actually better than another, or is it really in the deal that can be had?

Thanks again!

JMH

 

[Ryan00TJ]

Milwaukee has always served me well as well as Dewalt. No experience with Makita. Milwaukee's 5yr warrantee is very nice compared to 1yr.

 

[Pablo]

Cordless drill, I'm so hooked on Makita, because it has served me so well.

My problem now I'm thinking about 18V or 24V - so I'm sorry that I have not chosen myself!!

For corded drill, Milwaukee.

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

When moved five years ago I bought a vibration sander from B&D. It couldn't made it through roughing the paints of five softwood doors! If I wasn't busy I would drop it right back where I bought. May be more rugged metal and older units are OK but for small handtools thats my first and last B&D.

Here, Makita, seemingly is the preferred brand by the professionals. On the industrial sites I spot more Makita shops than Bosch, AEG or DeWalt. On very few supermarkets there are Makita's. This is not a comparison, just an observation.

 

[1sttruck]

I have an 3/8in corded B&D drill that I bought in the early 70s for $20, which still works fine after lots of abuse. I'd regreased it, and noticed that it has lots of plain bearings but also has hobbed steel gears.

I sheared the teeth off of a large spur gear on a 1/2in corded Skill drill when trying to use a hole saw, but it had cast gears. After that I bought a 1/2in Milwaukee corded drill, and it's like a piece of industrial art :^) If a bit catches you better have a good hold on the drill. I often use it for drilling screws, including long deck screws, as it has excellent speed control. It also works very well on large holes, steel, etc., and occasional holes in masonry.

A recent addition which to me perfectly complements the Milwaukee is a small, light 4000 rpm Makita 1/4in corded drill. It's like using a 'light saber' drill as it zips right thru stuff.

For home use I pick the model that you like best, as Makita and Milwaukee both should be able to provide long service.

 

[JHZR2]

quote:

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For corded drill, Milwaukee.

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So I guess that extends to a corded drywall screwdriver, eh? Seems the two units are very much the same thing...

Thanks!

JMH

 

[Pablo]

How much drywall are you hanging? I would go cordless and several batteries, but that's just me.

 

[Bret Chase]

The biggest problem I have with Milwaukee is that their tools are so ****ed heavy.. We've got a ton of milwaukee stuff at work, most of it (with the exception of the lousy 18v batteries) works great and lasts along time, but the weight of the tools can become quite tiresome. I've got a couple makita drywall guns.. I hate them.. I should have never bought the 6000rpm units. I already had to replace the clutch in one at nearly the cost of buying a new one. Everyone's 2300rpm stuff works fine in my experiance.

 

[JHZR2]

good info... regardless of manufacturer, Ill go with lower RPM...

In reading some reviews, the lower RPM stuff is usually geared for more torque anyway.

Pablo - dont the cordless ones get real heavy? How is balance? Seems theyd be more unwieldly compared to a corded unit. If I get cordless, Ill end up with a collection of tools that use the battery... It is a good ting for utility, bad for my $$$

Thanks again!

JMH

 

[T-Keith]

Milwaukee and makita are both good brands. I love my Makita cordless set. My father still uses his Milwaukee that's about 40 years old.

 

[Mamala Bay]

Probably the most comfortable and more balance cordless is the Makita impact driver(small and compact). It's a lot smaller than the cordless drill and is base on low torque drive. The 14v should more than handle the load.

You may need to find an adaptor for the drywall screws.

 

[Bret Chase]

if you're hanging sheetrock, spend the $99 for a corded screwgun... it's 100X better than using a cordless drill or an impact.. I know, I've got all 3. my Dewalt DW983 cordless was about $325 back when I bought it (3+yrs ago) and my Dewalt 14.4v 1/4" hex impact was $250 when I bought it last year. they're both great tools, but they suck for drywall. you need a depth sensitive clutch, not a torque sensitive one.

there's another possibility.. go old school and nail the drywall up.

 

[eljefino]

Bret's right. Most of you guys are talking about cordless drills but they really make a drywall screw shooting widget.

Spins the screws in then there's some collar or something that retracts the drive head so the screws don't get stripped. Maybe you can get a used one on ebay then resell it for about the same money when you're done with your project.

When you're drywall hanging in one room, plugging into the wall isn't the inconvenience you'd believe. Maybe have a cordless drill for the "akward" first couple screws on a 4x8 then a corded one for "finishing" the last couple dozen.

 

[tom slick]

I use and repair makita at work. their newer stuff is built well. their drills from 5 years ago are not nearly as impressive as far as build quality.

Milwaukee corded tools are the most heavy duty tools a common person will find. Their older cordless stuff wasn't quite as good. Their new stuff is excellent.

All of my personal power tools I buy now are Milwaukee.

cordless drills for drywall don't work as well as a corded drywall gun.

 

[GoldenRod]

"Which is the best? Which brand would be reccomended? It doesnt have to be either of those."
________________________________________________________________
If only all questions were this easy. Answer: when it comes to tools, it's all about ergonomics; whichever one is the most comfortable in your hand.

 

[Amkeer]

If your hanging sheetrock use the Milwaukee corded screwgun.