18v Cordless Drills

- Keep the 18V Makita Li-ion cordless drill?
Hi guys. I have just bought a new Makita 18V Li-ion cordless impact drill - for an arm and a leg. I decided fork out for something that will last me for years (with sensible battery rotation) for regular trade use. I haven't use it yet. My local hardware shop is having a Dewalt sale soon, where I could take it back for an 18V 3Ah (NiCd) impact hammer drill. Is anyone in a position to directly compare the two? Is there a difference in performance and/or build quality? There's almost no feedback out there on the new Li-ion Mak's, and certainly no comparisons with other brands, like Dewalt. Cheers.

A Makita has always been considered the cadilac of tools but because of price has seen limited production. The dewalt because of price and durability has been virtually adopted as the tool of choice for the construction industry. i currently own 2 14v cordless Dewalt;s and they have stood up to a 12 foot drop from a roof, installing over 10 lbs of 3" deck screws without a problem. My Makita cordless 18v i got for x-mas still sits in its box. Didnt really care for the fit in my hand for large projects and heavy use.

- Cordless Ryobi vs Makita?
I am not a contractor, but I do most all the work around the house from repairs to major work for the most part. I use my cordless drill quite a bit around the house when something needs done. My Makita 14v cordless batteries finally gave out after 6+ years. I love the drill and got a gift card for HD and was going to purchase a new Makita since buying 2 batteries alone is rediculously priced. I see that Ryobi has an 18v cordless tool kit out that includes a drill, circular saw, reciprcating saw, jig saw, flashlight and 2 batteries for the same price as the Makita drill alone. Any thoughts good or bad concerning the Ryobi? I don't necessarily need all the extra tools that come with the Ryobi since I have those tools already, but they are not cordless so they seem pretty cool. I just don't want to buy it if the batteries are going to die after a year or two or if the tools themselves are cheap. Also I am wondering if the 18v stuff is big and heavy compared to the 14v Makita? Basically Ryobi tool set or Makita drill??

A Hi Ineedinfo, I’m Ken with The Home Depot. Good question as both tools can get the job done. First thing I would consider is going with Lithium-Ion batteries Vs Ni-Cad. Lithium runs longer, charges quicker and starts in cold temperatures and weighs less. There are many quality brands of cordless tools to fit whatever your needs are. I have used Ryobi and Makita. Both work equally well. What it comes down to is what is best for you. You really need to go into the store and put one of each drill in your hand and take it for a test drive. When it comes to which drill is better, there are more factors than just price. Both the Ryobi and Makita have a light weight Lithium –ion drill. Both have quick charge Lithium-ion batteries. Both Ryobi & Makita have great combo kits. Although some will say the Ryobi is for DIYer’s and Makita is for contractors. I have seen a lot of contractors using Ryobi Lithium-ion tools. It’s a matter of choice and budget. I’ve attached a link that is a guide to buying cordless power tools. http://ext.homedepot.com/video/?bcpid=207606409001&bctid=374666604001. Lastly take a look at the warranties each company offers. Hope this helps. For information on The Home Depot community click here. http://bit.ly/ey44bq