revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Right people, I am contemplating a new drill, I’ve got an old ryobi, it’s ok, bit week at time’s so was thing to get something better, I’ve also got the impact driver.
I’ve seen twin set from various brand for around £200,

What’s a good system to get into?? Dewalt / milwaukee or makita?

Makita user here. Mainly because that's what I started off with first and added to the drill with jig-saw, tyre pump etc etc etc so have an investment in batteries and chargers!

Some say Makita ain't what it used to be but for domestic use it seems perfectly fine to me.

If I hadn't got committed to Makita I'd be tempted by Milwaukee but don't know if they have the same range of kit*. Dunno anything about DeWalt - other than their pants and safety shoes are pretty good.

(For gardening stuff I've gone with Stihl though).

* Edit. Yup, they do. Looks a bit more expensive but some of the multiple tool deals at Screwfix would look tempting if I didn't already have most of what I need.

Depends on how many other Ryobi things you have. If you have a few then you may as well stick with the system. Sign up to their emails and wait for a discount deal (they discount "something" on a weekly basis).

If you're deliberately thinking of changing system, then I'd suggest looking at how broad the different ranges are.

All the drills are pretty much a muchness, De-Walt makes the best first fix and second fix nailguns IMO, Milwaulkee and Makita the biggest ranges of tools so they're worth a mention.
Pretty much every manufacturer has a homeowner basic range and I reckon its worth getting something a bit more up the range.
I do rate Hitachi/Hikoki drills as some of the better ones but their range of other tools isn't the best.

demographic wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2025 4:52 pm I do rate Hitachi/Hikoki drills as some of the better ones but their range of other tools isn't the best.

Yeah. I'm a fan of their stuff, and haven't found a gap in their range when it comes to my requirements, but appreciate that overall they don't have the coverage of Milwaukee/Makita.

They also don't seem to crop up in offers from the discount sheds (Screwfix etc.) any more.

I was Makita for everything but two drills failed when using them in hammer mode. Sacked the third idea and bought Milwaukee. Cant remember where i got mine but it it was the Fuel version of this and it came with 5amp batteries

https://www.screwfix.com/p/milwaukee-m1 ... =OC2&gQT=1

Skads of Dewalt stuff here, no issues, corded & cordless.

I use Makita and Bosch professional. No problems with either, they both cost me around £100 when I bought them. The Makita drill has worked well for the last 5 years (site work, light engineering) and has a couple of impact drivers and a grinder to share its batteries. I have to say though I rate the Bosch as better, especially in "hammer" mode - it just seems to get through concrete much faster than the Makita. Lots of Milwaukee about, just be aware that most of the "trades" use Milwaukee Fuel, which is considerably better than their DIY range, and also considerably more expensive.

Ohhhh lots of different options here
Brushed or brushless?

Been looking at these

https://www.screwfix.com/p/milwaukee-m1 ... BHEALw_wcB

https://www.toolstation.com/milwaukee-m ... hwEALw_wcB

Brushless would be my choice.

(Having said that, I've never had to replace the brushes on a drill so, for domestic use, either is probably the answer ).

Count Steer wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 9:23 pm Brushless would be my choice.

(Having said that, I've never had to replace the brushes on a drill so, for domestic use, either is probably the answer ).

About 20 years ago I bought a cheap 7-9in grinder from Horrible Fright that came with spare brushes. Haven't had to change them yet & it only gets used for really dirty work.. like stripping cars to bare metal with #80 9in sanding discs etc.

Also this is a contender

https://www.ukplanettools.co.uk/dewalt- ... n-kit.html

Right,

Out of these 3 twin packs

https://www.screwfix.com/compare?produc ... 46PU,859VN

What set it’s better, stronger??? Powerful…. No real clue of what sets them apart

Well, the 3rd set has more oomph but 4Ah batteries. The second has the bigger batteries and less oomph. The batteries may be why the RRP of the second set is more.

On balance I'd go for set 3. Big batteries are nice but heavier. (I actually bought something like a 2Ah battery to add to my set of kit - it makes stuff feel about the same weight as mains powered and easier to use).

Drill set in column 1 will be referred to as Drill 1 etc. etc.

Drill 1 is lowest spec for drill, impact driver and battery

Drill 2 is best value (lowest price, 2 x 5AH batteries), slightly better specs than Drill 1.

Drill 3 is latest model, slightly higher spec than drill 2 but most expensive. Only 4AH batteries.

Your call...

Ok cool, how about the impact driver??

My current Ryobi has 4AH batteries and feel ok, not to heavy.
Also I’ve currently got 2 battery’s and never run out of juice.

So set 3 u less the driver is rubbish.

Cheers

formula400 wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:26 am Ok cool, how about the impact driver??

My current Ryobi has 4AH batteries and feel ok, not to heavy.
Also I’ve currently got 2 battery’s and never run out of juice.

So set 3 u less the driver is rubbish.

Cheers

IIRC the impact driver in set 3 has more Nm than the others so that's 'better' too.

Brilliant thanks


Cheers everyone

Set 3 cheaper as well

https://cpc.farnell.com/dewalt/dck266m2 ... cbEALw_wcB

formula400 wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2025 12:03 pm Set 3 cheaper as well

https://cpc.farnell.com/dewalt/dck266m2 ... cbEALw_wcB

Unless not bothered dont see and order the cheaper set with the 2ah batteries as they are different and not compatible with the full Dewalt range. I tend to use a site called Powertool Mate and your link is £5 cheaper