I have about $100 and am looking at reconditioned Makita's. Any
thoughts on these two:

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless MXT(tm) 1/2" 3-Speed Driver-
Drill Kit (6339)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...de-r_spec.html

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless 3/8" Driver-Drill Kit
(6236)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...be-r_spec.html

Upgrading from an old 15.6v Craftsman so I know I'd like just about
anything in comparison. The MXYT has the 1/2" chuck and A LOT more
torque. It's not that much heavier, but I wonder if it's overkill. I
have a newer DeWalt 1/2" corded impact driver so that would do my
"heavy-duty" projects. I just want something that's more portable.

Or any other suggestions for a good higher quality general-purpose
drill/driver?

Thanks!

wrote in message
...
I have about $100 and am looking at reconditioned Makita's. Any
thoughts on these two:

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless MXT(tm) 1/2" 3-Speed Driver-
Drill Kit (6339)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...de-r_spec.html

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless 3/8" Driver-Drill Kit
(6236)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...be-r_spec.html

Upgrading from an old 15.6v Craftsman so I know I'd like just about
anything in comparison. The MXYT has the 1/2" chuck and A LOT more
torque. It's not that much heavier, but I wonder if it's overkill. I
have a newer DeWalt 1/2" corded impact driver so that would do my
"heavy-duty" projects. I just want something that's more portable.

Or any other suggestions for a good higher quality general-purpose
drill/driver?

Thanks!

I can offer this. I am currently on my 9th cordless drill type tool over a
30 year period. There is nothing wrong with Makita and I currently have a
Makita drill and Impact and a 20 year old Makita 7.2 volt right angle drill.
Other brands were DeWalt and Panasonic. I have not been displease with any
of these brands of drills.
All that a side and with the exception of my Makita Impact driver all of
them have seemed to lack a "fast" speed for drilling. They will all drill
OK but I prefer a drill that spins faster for faster drilling. I do not
consider under 1200 RPM fast at all.
Of the two that you have indicated I would go with the bigger capacity drill
as it has a top speed that 30% faster than the other and it also has a 2.6
amp vs. 2.2 battery. The larger amp battery will last longer between
charges.
If you drill pocket holes you will appreciate the faster speed.

Or any other suggestions for a good higher quality general-purpose
drill/driver?

Thanks!

I have had a standard 14.4V Makita that I bought during a Builder's Square
going out of business sale which makes it about 10 years old. It looks like
a beat-up stock car but it works well. The batteries started pooping out
about 2 years ago and my wife decided it was on its last leg; so she got me
a new 14.4V drill and driver set for Christmas.

Bought an aftermarket battery for old faithful and it works just as well as
the new drill.

Yep - I'm a Makita fan! By the way, that little driver that came in the kit
is a good tool too. I built about 150 feet of cedar fence the spring after
I got it. Ran 1,800 to 2,000 screws with it and it held up well. I expect
it to be around for a while too.

RonB

"RonB" wrote in message
...

Yep - I'm a Makita fan! By the way, that little driver that came in the
kit is a good tool too. I built about 150 feet of cedar fence the spring
after I got it. Ran 1,800 to 2,000 screws with it and it held up well. I
expect it to be around for a while too.

A pal of mine used to be a Makita sales rep, they supplied him with tools to
give away, I suppose they were thinking of hardware store managers and so
on. Anyway, when he knew he was going to be leaving the company to pursue
his own business he gave me a 9.6v drill and a couple of batteries and a
charger. Years later that thing is still boring holes like crazy, I think
the batteries might be starting to go as they don't seem to run as long as
they used to, but the way that thing has worked it's going to have to cough
up smoke and break in half before I give up on it. At that point I'll have
to choose a system of cordless tools that all take one battery, and no Ryobi
ain't on the list. I'm leaning toward DeWalt, but Makita will be in the
running too, not to mention Bosch. Sell me a tool that stands up like that
and I'll keep on buying that brand until they convince me otherwise.

wrote:
I have about $100 and am looking at reconditioned Makita's. Any
thoughts on these two:

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless MXT(tm) 1/2" 3-Speed Driver-
Drill Kit (6339)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...de-r_spec.html

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless 3/8" Driver-Drill Kit
(6236)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...be-r_spec.html

Upgrading from an old 15.6v Craftsman so I know I'd like just about
anything in comparison. The MXYT has the 1/2" chuck and A LOT more
torque. It's not that much heavier, but I wonder if it's overkill. I
have a newer DeWalt 1/2" corded impact driver so that would do my
"heavy-duty" projects. I just want something that's more portable.

Or any other suggestions for a good higher quality general-purpose
drill/driver?

Thanks!
I bought a 3/8 reconditioned Makita with NIMH 12 v batteries for $95
last fall. Love it.

--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

We should limit congressmen to two
terms: one in Congress...

wrote:
I have about $100 and am looking at reconditioned Makita's. Any
thoughts on these two:

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless MXT(tm) 1/2" 3-Speed
Driver-
Drill Kit (6339)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...de-r_spec.html

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless 3/8" Driver-Drill Kit
(6236)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...be-r_spec.html

Upgrading from an old 15.6v Craftsman so I know I'd like just about
anything in comparison. The MXYT has the 1/2" chuck and A LOT more
torque. It's not that much heavier, but I wonder if it's overkill.
I
have a newer DeWalt 1/2" corded impact driver so that would do my
"heavy-duty" projects. I just want something that's more portable.

Or any other suggestions for a good higher quality general-purpose
drill/driver?

Between the two, the 1/2" seems to be a slam dunk. A fraction of an
inch shorter, 1700 RPM vs 1300, assist handle, more torque, only
downside I can see is that it's 0.2 pounds heavier, which unless
you're going to be holding it overhead all day would seem to me to be
negligible.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Great input thanks. I guess getting the "bigger" Makita at the same
price makes the most sense, since it's only .2 lbs heavier. (But is
5.1 lbs "too heavy"?)

I also saw this Bosch compact model that's the same price as the two
Makitas. Less power, but almost a pound lighter. Any reactions to
that?

Bosch Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless Compact Tough(tm) 3/8" Drill/
Driver (32614-RT)
http://bosch.cpotools.com/drills/3-8.../32614-rt.html

Thanks again!

wrote in message
...
Great input thanks. I guess getting the "bigger" Makita at the same
price makes the most sense, since it's only .2 lbs heavier. (But is
5.1 lbs "too heavy"?)

I also saw this Bosch compact model that's the same price as the two
Makitas. Less power, but almost a pound lighter. Any reactions to
that?

Bosch Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless Compact Tough(tm) 3/8" Drill/
Driver (32614-RT)
http://bosch.cpotools.com/drills/3-8.../32614-rt.html

Thanks again!

I own Bosch Routers, of all the drills I have used the only ones that broke
were Bosch, 3 so far. I may be weeding them out for the rest of you. ;~)

I've been impressed with the durable construction of the Bosch. I saw
a garage door installer drop one 9 feet to a concrete floor - the
drill went one way and the battery went another. He put the battery
back in the drill and kept working.

John

On Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:56:48 -0800, "DGDevin"
wrote:


"RonB" wrote in message
...

Yep - I'm a Makita fan! By the way, that little driver that came in the
kit is a good tool too. I built about 150 feet of cedar fence the spring
after I got it. Ran 1,800 to 2,000 screws with it and it held up well. I
expect it to be around for a while too.

A pal of mine used to be a Makita sales rep, they supplied him with tools to
give away, I suppose they were thinking of hardware store managers and so
on. Anyway, when he knew he was going to be leaving the company to pursue
his own business he gave me a 9.6v drill and a couple of batteries and a
charger. Years later that thing is still boring holes like crazy, I think
the batteries might be starting to go as they don't seem to run as long as
they used to, but the way that thing has worked it's going to have to cough
up smoke and break in half before I give up on it. At that point I'll have
to choose a system of cordless tools that all take one battery, and no Ryobi
ain't on the list. I'm leaning toward DeWalt, but Makita will be in the
running too, not to mention Bosch. Sell me a tool that stands up like that
and I'll keep on buying that brand until they convince me otherwise.

"John" wrote in message
...
I've been impressed with the durable construction of the Bosch. I saw
a garage door installer drop one 9 feet to a concrete floor - the
drill went one way and the battery went another. He put the battery
back in the drill and kept working.


A little word of advise here, batteries regardless of manufacturer do not
take well to being dropped. Although they show no apparent damage and
continue to work the fall shortens their life.

wrote:
Great input thanks. I guess getting the "bigger" Makita at the same
price makes the most sense, since it's only .2 lbs heavier. (But is
5.1 lbs "too heavy"?)

I also saw this Bosch compact model that's the same price as the two
Makitas. Less power, but almost a pound lighter. Any reactions to
that?

Bosch Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless Compact Tough(tm) 3/8"
Drill/
Driver (32614-RT)
http://bosch.cpotools.com/drills/3-8.../32614-rt.html

Thanks again!

If you're looking for something light and compact then you might want
to look at impact drivers. I was skeptical about them until I got
one. Only real downside is that they don't have a chuck for regular
drill bits.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

wrote in

oups.com:

I have about $100 and am looking at reconditioned Makita's.
Any thoughts on these two:

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless MXT(tm) 1/2"
3-Speed Driver- Drill Kit (6339)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...ls/14-4v_cordl
ess_drills/6339dwde-r_spec.html

Makita Factory-Reconditioned 14.4V Cordless 3/8"
Driver-Drill Kit (6236)
http://www.cpomakita.com/clearance_c...ls/14-4v_cordl
ess_drills/6236dwbe-r_spec.html

Upgrading from an old 15.6v Craftsman so I know I'd like
just about anything in comparison. The MXYT has the 1/2"
chuck and A LOT more torque. It's not that much heavier,
but I wonder if it's overkill. I have a newer DeWalt 1/2"
corded impact driver so that would do my "heavy-duty"
projects. I just want something that's more portable.

Or any other suggestions for a good higher quality
general-purpose drill/driver?

Thanks!

I don't know about the newer line of Makitas but I can
certainly vouch for the durability of the older stuff. I've
got a 9.6V drill/flashlight combo that's probably 20 years
old. This drill has been used/abused daily. I literally used
it as an impact by spinning up the motor and slamming it onto
a bolt to loosen it. I broke 2 gears ($11 each) and it still
runs well today. I'm due for another set of batteries and will
likely replace it instead.

Without question this has been one of the most durable tools I
have ever owned.

Larry