Milwaulkee vs. Makita 14.4 Cordless Drill / Impact Driver

[Uncle Hook]

This appears to be a good time to buy a 14.4 volt cordless drill and impact driver. Ridgid, Makita, and Milwaulkee all have deals where a 1/2 inch drill and 1/4 inch impact driver (with 2 batteries) can be acquired for around $200.

Ridgid offers a free impact driver and 3rd battery by mail with a Home depot purchase of the Ridgid drill. Makita and Milwaulkee both have preassembled kits that include a worklight, impact driver and drill.

The Makita kit is highly regarded based on Amazon reviews and other positngs on this forum.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

There are fewer reviews of the Milwaulkee kit which I am leaning toward:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

Does anyone have experience or opinions of the Milwaulkee tools which are included in the combo kit?

Milwaulkee Drill:

http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/weba...123_189329_362

Milwaulkee Impact Driver:

http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/weba...126_189329_362

Fine Woodworking had highly rated a different model (0616-24) of the Milwaulkee Drill but I don't know how similar it is to the compact model (0612-22) offered in the combo kit.

Here is a Newwoodworker.com review of the Milwaulkee 0612-22 compact drill:

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/us/en/n...D?OpenDocument

[TheRic]

The Ridgid has a "Limited Lifetime Service Agreement". This does include the batteries. Main reason I went with Ridgid.

[bigsteel15]

The Ridgid has a "Limited Lifetime Service Agreement". This does include the batteries. Main reason I went with Ridgid.

If I'd known that, I certainly would have spent the extra $$ last year.
I am happy with my Craftsman though, especially for the buck.

[LarryG]

Hey Brian, how much you wanna bet that Ridgid lifetime warranty isn't good in Canada?

(Seriously: I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't ...)

[steve-u]

Interestingly the Milwaukee impact driver is rated at 740 inch pounds while the Makita is rated 1240 inch pounds. The Milwaukee 5 year warranty is a nice plus compared to Makita though. I don't know which I would choose. I already have a Bosch 12V Impactor that is sweet. --- Steve

[mater]

If you choose the Miwaukee try this one for $159.00.

http://www.heavydutytools.net/Script...?idproduct=467

Be sure to use the discount code.

[Uncle Hook]

If you choose the Miwaukee try this one for $159.00.

Thanks for the link to HeavyDutyTools.net. $159.00 with free shipping is a fantastic price. Home Depot is selling the Milwaulkee combo kit for $199.00.

[buckeye95]

That price of $159 is incredible for this combo. I paid much more than that for the impact driver only.

I have been extremely impressed with the Milwaukee 14.4 drill and impact driver I have. Both are excellent, well built tools. I don't see any way you can go wrong with this kit.

Pete

[Uncle Hook]

Thanks everyone. I decided to go with the Milwaulkee kit. The Dec 2005 issue of Popular Woodowrking rated the drill as best value. The $159.00 price for the drill, impact driver and flashlight made the value even better.