My fifteen year old Panasonic drill/driver has just died so I am in the
market for a replacement. A seperate impact driver would be useful so I
am looking at one of the combo packs.

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since it
is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I would
rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

Are the packs from the likes of Screwfix standard items or specially
engineered for the retailer down to a price point?

Andrew

On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:
My fifteen year old Panasonic drill/driver has just died so I am in the
market for a replacement. A seperate impact driver would be useful so I
am looking at one of the combo packs.

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since it
is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I would
rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

Buy into something that has a nice stable range of batteries that will
be supported for a good few years and work in a good range of tools. I
replaced my again Makita 18V NiMh combi drill and ID recently as I
decided it was time to make the move to 18V LiIon...

I quite like the new Mak chargers since they have active temperature
sensing and cooling. So you can stick a hot pack straight on the charger
and it will blow forced air through the pack to cool it and manage the
charging at the same time.


Are the packs from the likes of Screwfix standard items or specially
engineered for the retailer down to a price point?

They sometimes seem to have distinct model numbers to avoid having to
honour price match promises - but generally for the branded tools they
are the full spec.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since it
is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I would
rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

You can't have your cake and eat it. Buy a decent tool and every time
you use it you'll be thankful.

Bill

On 11/07/2018 04:26, Bill Wright wrote:
On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since
it is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I
would rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

You can't have your cake and eat it. Buy a decent tool and every time
you use it you'll be thankful.

Bill

This is why I am soliciting opinions on what people here consider to be
a decent tool. I would really rather not spend nearly £500 for something
like this
https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section/10518/sn/MILM18FPP3G502X
if I do not have to. Or is that what you are suggesting that I should
get? Just because it is the most expensive that I can find.

On 11/07/2018 09:38, Andrew May wrote:
On 11/07/2018 04:26, Bill Wright wrote:
On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since
it is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I
would rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

You can't have your cake and eat it. Buy a decent tool and every time
you use it you'll be thankful.

Bill

This is why I am soliciting opinions on what people here consider to be
a decent tool. I would really rather not spend nearly £500 for something
like this
https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section/10518/sn/MILM18FPP3G502X if
I do not have to. Or is that what you are suggesting that I should get?
Just because it is the most expensive that I can find.

Something like a mid range Makita set would usually be a much better
price. e.g:

https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.p.../MAKDLX2131JX1

(3x3Ah batts are probably more useful that 2x5Ah in that you can work
continuously if needs be)


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 11/07/2018 10:06, John Rumm wrote:
On 11/07/2018 09:38, Andrew May wrote:
On 11/07/2018 04:26, Bill Wright wrote:
On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since
it is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I
would rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

You can't have your cake and eat it. Buy a decent tool and every time
you use it you'll be thankful.

Bill

This is why I am soliciting opinions on what people here consider to
be a decent tool. I would really rather not spend nearly £500 for
something like this
https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section/10518/sn/MILM18FPP3G502X
if I do not have to. Or is that what you are suggesting that I should
get? Just because it is the most expensive that I can find.

Something like a mid range Makita set would usually be a much better
price. e.g:

https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.p.../MAKDLX2131JX1

(3x3Ah batts are probably more useful that 2x5Ah in that you can work
continuously if needs be)



+1. Unless you are a really heavy user, remember that the high capacity
batteries have the downside of greater weight as well as price. I have
an old pair of Maks that are NiCad. I've replaced the batteries with
cheap clones a couple of times. But I have never flattened a good one in
the time it takes the spare to recharge, only ones that are near to
their end of life. (If you are working away from mains the argument for
"small" batteries is slightly reduced).

On 11/07/2018 17:27, newshound wrote:
On 11/07/2018 10:06, John Rumm wrote:

Something like a mid range Makita set would usually be a much better
price. e.g:

https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.p.../MAKDLX2131JX1

(3x3Ah batts are probably more useful that 2x5Ah in that you can work
continuously if needs be)



+1. Unless you are a really heavy user, remember that the high capacity
batteries have the downside of greater weight as well as price. I have
an old pair of Maks that are NiCad. I've replaced the batteries with
cheap clones a couple of times. But I have never flattened a good one in
the time it takes the spare to recharge, only ones that are near to
their end of life. (If you are working away from mains the argument for
"small" batteries is slightly reduced).


And 3Ah, is actually a decent capacity anyway. My high end NiMH tools
were only 2.8Ah, and they did plenty of work on a charge.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 11/07/2018 10:06, John Rumm wrote:
On 11/07/2018 09:38, Andrew May wrote:
On 11/07/2018 04:26, Bill Wright wrote:
On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since
it is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I
would rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

You can't have your cake and eat it. Buy a decent tool and every time
you use it you'll be thankful.

Bill

This is why I am soliciting opinions on what people here consider to
be a decent tool. I would really rather not spend nearly £500 for
something like this
https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section/10518/sn/MILM18FPP3G502X
if I do not have to. Or is that what you are suggesting that I should
get? Just because it is the most expensive that I can find.

Something like a mid range Makita set would usually be a much better
price. e.g:

https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.p.../MAKDLX2131JX1

(3x3Ah batts are probably more useful that 2x5Ah in that you can work
continuously if needs be)


That wasn't one that I was considering. I was merely using it as an
example to challenge Bill's apparent assertion that one should spend as
much as possible.

In article ,
Andrew May wrote:
That wasn't one that I was considering. I was merely using it as an
example to challenge Bill's apparent assertion that one should spend as
much as possible.

It's a decision only you can make. Is a cordless drill from Lidl at £40
going to be good enough for most DIY - given it has a 3 year warranty? Or
is it better to pay 3 times that for a top brand?

Or would three cordless Lidl drills for the same money actually be more
useful? For those repetitive tasks where you're continually changing bits?

--
*Born free...Taxed to death.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 12/07/2018 12:09, Andrew May wrote:
On 11/07/2018 10:06, John Rumm wrote:
On 11/07/2018 09:38, Andrew May wrote:
On 11/07/2018 04:26, Bill Wright wrote:
On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money
since it is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up
and I would rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

You can't have your cake and eat it. Buy a decent tool and every
time you use it you'll be thankful.

Bill

This is why I am soliciting opinions on what people here consider to
be a decent tool. I would really rather not spend nearly £500 for
something like this
https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section/10518/sn/MILM18FPP3G502X
if I do not have to. Or is that what you are suggesting that I should
get? Just because it is the most expensive that I can find.

Something like a mid range Makita set would usually be a much better
price. e.g:

https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.p.../MAKDLX2131JX1

(3x3Ah batts are probably more useful that 2x5Ah in that you can work
continuously if needs be)


That wasn't one that I was considering. I was merely using it as an
example to challenge Bill's apparent assertion that one should spend as
much as possible.

Indeed I realise that, however my link was to something that was "high
end" enough to satisfy most users - but dropped some of the pricey add
ons that might be of more interest to contractors looking to reduce the
number of times some scrote pinches the tools out of the van!

My logic is that if you are buying a decent enough tool, then it will
last a decade or more. So in reality you are buying into a battery
system - since they will not last as long as the tools and probably get
replaced several times in the life of the tool. Going for a reasonably
well known manufacturer also adds the option to expand the tools you
have with relatively inexpensive "body only" tools added at a later stage.

I bought a top end Makita 18V combi in about 2003, with 3 x 2.8 Ah
batts, then added a body only impact driver a bit later. Both are still
going strong. I had replaced the batts once already, and they needed
replacing again - so I had to think about whether it was time to move to
the Li-ion, or splash out another £150 to £200 on batteries for those.

There were other things to mix into the decision for me: I had a couple
of 14.4V dewalt tools (small circular saw, and angle drill), which also
needed new batteries, and I was never totally satisfied with the
performance of those - especially in the saw.

Lastly there were some tools that I would like to have the option of
adding, but the choice of new tools for the old Mak battery system (that
they used for decades) was diminishing.

So it made sense for me to flog the DeWalt kit (and the new owner bought
some "compatible" batts for it), and invest in a new twin pack of drill
and ID. Then add a saw and angle drill. All in all it cost more than
twice what it would have cost to just replace the batts, but I gained
much more flexibility and a significant improvement in performance from
the saw and angle drill. Everything now plays with the same batteries
which makes life much easier.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 12/07/2018 12:09, Andrew May wrote:

That wasn't one that I was considering. I was merely using it as an
example to challenge Bill's apparent assertion that one should spend as
much as possible.

You're putting words in my mouth.

Anyway, do you really need cordless? Mains are far far better value and
much more powerful. My £100 700W hammer drill is far better than my £400
36V cordless.

Bill

On 11/07/2018 09:38, Andrew May wrote:


This is why I am soliciting opinions on what people here consider to be
a decent tool. I would really rather not spend nearly £500 for something
like this
https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section/10518/sn/MILM18FPP3G502X

If you don't need the throw away distance meter and bluetooth theft
tracker knock £200 from that price for the equivalent from a well
respected manufacturer such as Makita or perhaps a bit more for the
equivalent from Dewalt



--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 10/07/18 23:08, Andrew May wrote:
My fifteen year old Panasonic drill/driver has just died so I am in the
market for a replacement. A seperate impact driver would be useful so I
am looking at one of the combo packs.

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since it
is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I would
rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

Are the packs from the likes of Screwfix standard items or specially
engineered for the retailer down to a price point?

Andrew


Bosch blue 10.8V - the drill is surprisingly capable for a baby tool,
the screwdriver does everything up to 6mm into solid wood and the impact
is decent.

Batteries last a very very long time (had one for nearly 10 years)

On 11/07/2018 09:54, Tim Watts wrote:
snip

Bosch blue 10.8V - the drill is surprisingly capable for a baby tool,
the screwdriver does everything up to 6mm into solid wood and the impact
is decent.


I did wonder if the "large project" necessarily needed large tools.

PS

My Makita 10.8V set would _not_ put up with being called "baby" just
'cos they're compact, and they'd like to see you try calling Barry
McGuigan "baby"

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

On 11/07/2018 10:22, Robin wrote:
On 11/07/2018 09:54, Tim Watts wrote:
snip

Bosch blue 10.8V - the drill is surprisingly capable for a baby tool,
the screwdriver does everything up to 6mm into solid wood and the
impact is decent.


I did wonder if the "large project" necessarily needed large tools.

There is a whole world of innuendo there I am sure ;-)

PS

My Makita 10.8V set would _not_ put up with being called "baby" just
'cos they're compact, and they'd like to see you try calling Barry
McGuigan "baby"

I also have a 10.8V Makita set which I find really useful... having said
that, I would not want it as my *only* set - since there are jobs its
not capable of. Hence if going for one and only one set I would normally
suggest 18V unless there is some special reason to go for something else.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Andrew May wrote:
My fifteen year old Panasonic drill/driver has just died so I am in the
market for a replacement. A seperate impact driver would be useful so I
am looking at one of the combo packs.

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since it
is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I would
rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

Are the packs from the likes of Screwfix standard items or specially
engineered for the retailer down to a price point?

I'm very happy with my Screwfix 'Titan' 10.8volt pair, I've had them
four years or so npw and they show no signs of falling apart yet.

--
Chris Green
·

On 11/07/2018 14:14, Chris Green wrote:
Andrew May wrote:
My fifteen year old Panasonic drill/driver has just died so I am in the
market for a replacement. A seperate impact driver would be useful so I
am looking at one of the combo packs.

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since it
is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I would
rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

Are the packs from the likes of Screwfix standard items or specially
engineered for the retailer down to a price point?

I'm very happy with my Screwfix 'Titan' 10.8volt pair, I've had them
four years or so npw and they show no signs of falling apart yet.


Same here with various 14/18V Lidl and Aldi drills. 2 of the LIon
batteries failed within weeks of each other after c.3 years, although
replacements not too expensive at about £20

I started with a set of BQ own brand tools (ID, drill and angle drill)
for under £40 the lot IIRC. But of little use now the batteries have
failed - shame, they worked well.

New to Aldi is a 'brushless' drill:

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-brus...82864209100600

Not sure what brushless brings.

All of that said, I bought my partner a 12V Bosch Blue about 5 years
back - lovely to use and quite powerful - well able to drill into
masonry with an 8 drill bit for example. And batteries still seem to be
strong. But at £150 many times the cost of Lidl/Aldi.

--
Cheers, Rob

On Fri, 13 Jul 2018 07:49:11 +0100, RJH wrote:

New to Aldi is a 'brushless' drill:

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-brus...82864209100600

Not sure what brushless brings.

I've noticed two things about Aldidl power tools: small batteries and, in
the case of this drill, can't see the voltage anywhere.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On 13/07/2018 09:23, PeterC wrote:
On Fri, 13 Jul 2018 07:49:11 +0100, RJH wrote:

New to Aldi is a 'brushless' drill:

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-brus...82864209100600

Not sure what brushless brings.

I've noticed two things about Aldidl power tools: small batteries and, in
the case of this drill, can't see the voltage anywhere.

18V from the battery pic

--
Cheers, Rob

In article ,
PeterC wrote:
On Fri, 13 Jul 2018 07:49:11 +0100, RJH wrote:

New to Aldi is a 'brushless' drill:

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-brus...82864209100600

Not sure what brushless brings.

I've noticed two things about Aldidl power tools: small batteries and, in
the case of this drill, can't see the voltage anywhere.

Thought all batteries had to have the voltage etc on them? Never seen any
which didn't.

But don't you remember what you bought?

--
*I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 13/07/2018 07:49, RJH wrote:

All of that said, I bought my partner a 12V Bosch Blue about 5 years
back - lovely to use and quite powerful - well able to drill into
masonry with an 8 drill bit for example. And batteries still seem to be
strong. But at £150 many times the cost of Lidl/Aldi.


Like this £150 a pair?

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p30193

On 13/07/2018 09:29, dennis@home wrote:
On 13/07/2018 07:49, RJH wrote:

All of that said, I bought my partner a 12V Bosch Blue about 5 years
back - lovely to use and quite powerful - well able to drill into
masonry with an 8 drill bit for example. And batteries still seem to
be strong. But at £150 many times the cost of Lidl/Aldi.


Like this £150 a pair?

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p30193

That looks to be a good price - ISTR I paid £150 just for the drill and
2 batteries.

--
Cheers, Rob

"dennis@home" wrote:

Like this £150 a pair?
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p30193

Forgive what is probably a daft question but why does one of them not have a
chuck?

I've now looked at other impact drivers and none of them appears to have an
obvious chuck. But the one in that particular set seems to have an external
thread - if so, what is that for?

On 13/07/2018 23:26, Bert Coules wrote:
"dennis@home" wrote:

Like this £150 a pair?
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p30193

Forgive what is probably a daft question but why does one of them not
have a chuck?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHYlZFs1g-I

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 13/07/2018 07:49, RJH wrote:

New to Aldi is a 'brushless' drill:

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-brus...82864209100600

Not sure what brushless brings.


The main benefits touted are longer battery life per charge (i.e. less
heat generated / power loss in the motor), and more precise speed
regulation under changing load.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:
My fifteen year old Panasonic drill/driver has just died so I am in the
market for a replacement. A seperate impact driver would be useful so I
am looking at one of the combo packs.

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since it
is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I would
rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

Are the packs from the likes of Screwfix standard items or specially
engineered for the retailer down to a price point?


The packs from screwfix or toolstation from the well known reputable
brands are not engineered down to a price. They are usually the same
items as sold by other retailers but possibly with a slightly different
model number, sometimes indicating that it comes in a package with a
free set of drills, an extra battery etc.

The price often relates to the capacity and number of batteries so some
cost saving may be made depending on your possible use. With two tools
using a common battery do you actually need 3 batteries or will 2 do.
How often are you going to use the impact driver at the same time as the
drill (with hammer action and screwdriver settings)?
Do you need high capacity batteries or can you live with lower capacity
batteries which may not last as long and require more frequent charging.

On the better tools the batteries don't gradually degrade performance of
the tool as the battery discharges. On my Makita drill I get full
performance until around 10 seconds before the circuits in the battery
cut the power completely to protect them from over discharge. The
battery then requires a recharge before it will supply power again.




--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

In article ,
alan_m wrote:
On the better tools the batteries don't gradually degrade performance of
the tool as the battery discharges. On my Makita drill I get full
performance until around 10 seconds before the circuits in the battery
cut the power completely to protect them from over discharge. The
battery then requires a recharge before it will supply power again.

My Lidl ones - drill, jigsaw and circular saw, all using the same
batteries, do just the same. They were one of the ranges where you could
buy spare batteries from the maker, so I did.

--
*If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown too?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 11/07/2018 15:14, alan_m wrote:
On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:

The packs from screwfix or toolstation from the well known reputable
brands are not engineered down to a price. They are usually the same
items as sold by other retailers but possibly with a slightly different
model number, sometimes indicating that it comes in a package with a
free set of drills, an extra battery etc.


That's reassuring.

As a side note, I have been delving into the uk.d-i-y archives
researching this, in particular which brands are produced by whom. I had
forgotten just how knowledgeable Andy Hall was on this subject.

In article ,
Andrew May wrote:
On 11/07/2018 15:14, alan_m wrote:
On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:

The packs from screwfix or toolstation from the well known reputable
brands are not engineered down to a price. They are usually the same
items as sold by other retailers but possibly with a slightly different
model number, sometimes indicating that it comes in a package with a
free set of drills, an extra battery etc.


That's reassuring.

As a side note, I have been delving into the uk.d-i-y archives
researching this, in particular which brands are produced by whom. I had
forgotten just how knowledgeable Andy Hall was on this subject.

True - but remember things in this sort of field can change very quickly.
A well known once good brand can be sold and moved downmarket to
capitalise on the name.

--
*Money isn‘t everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 12/07/2018 15:24, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Andrew May wrote:
On 11/07/2018 15:14, alan_m wrote:
On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:

The packs from screwfix or toolstation from the well known reputable
brands are not engineered down to a price. They are usually the same
items as sold by other retailers but possibly with a slightly different
model number, sometimes indicating that it comes in a package with a
free set of drills, an extra battery etc.


That's reassuring.

As a side note, I have been delving into the uk.d-i-y archives
researching this, in particular which brands are produced by whom. I had
forgotten just how knowledgeable Andy Hall was on this subject.

True - but remember things in this sort of field can change very quickly.
A well known once good brand can be sold and moved downmarket to
capitalise on the name.


I get to use various makes and models of cordless tools at work. I am
now all Makita. I rate it higher than the Milwauke set that was stolen
from my van. Both the impact driver and combo drill seem to be better
balanced weight wise.



--
Adam

In article ,
ARW wrote:
True - but remember things in this sort of field can change very quickly.
A well known once good brand can be sold and moved downmarket to
capitalise on the name.


I get to use various makes and models of cordless tools at work. I am
now all Makita. I rate it higher than the Milwauke set that was stolen
from my van. Both the impact driver and combo drill seem to be better
balanced weight wise.

I'm certainly a Makita fan. But really couldn't have afforded the range of
power tools I have at their prices for DIY. Totally different for heavy
pro use.

--
*Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 10/07/2018 23:08, Andrew May wrote:
My fifteen year old Panasonic drill/driver has just died so I am in the
market for a replacement. A seperate impact driver would be useful so I
am looking at one of the combo packs.

What would anyone recommend? I don't want to spend silly money since it
is just for DIY use but we have a large project coming up and I would
rather have something worthwhile rather than just cheap.

Are the packs from the likes of Screwfix standard items or specially
engineered for the retailer down to a price point?

Andrew

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/dew...s-ebay-3005315

Possibly?