Thread: 18v power tools

Originally Posted by mikee

My Makita 13mm 18v brushless drill is only 5 years old and on 3rd or 4th chuck, drills oval holes. Not had hard use either
My 23 year old panasonic drill had had a hiding and I only replaced it with a Makita because battery was buggered and replacments not available and the rest of they guys I work with run Makitas so we can "borrow" batteries if needed. Would not buy another

No sure about the latest Makitas. They don't always rate that well in comparison reviews. And I have older Makita (although corded) disk grinders and they have been bullet proof. I sense that battery Makitas may be underpowered compared to their equivalent competitors.

Having said that I still have and use a wee Makita drill bought in the mid 80s. At that stage that drill was the industry standard, mainly as not much else around. It is a very flat compact drill which I have found good for drilling holes near edges in the likes of cupboards. The OEM battery is still hanging in there.

My other drill, which is a variable speed hammer Ryobi industrial line (yeah, don't laugh) is around 23 years old. It is a reasonably powerful drill but not too heavy and great if up a ladder which cannot be the case with some of the behemoths now available on the market.
I have had the battery repacked once by Simpower which also increased the capacity and extended the life of the drill.

Unfortunately, the drill is now emitting bad smells and I have started to look for a replacement which will include a brand change. May go cheap as my usage now retired is low.