18 v cordless drill,which one?

[smifffymoto]

I need a new drill/driver(I use sds for masonary)as my trusty Bosch batteries have just about had it.I am inclined to stick with Bosch but having used a Fein multimaster and seen the build qaulity,I'm now looking at the Fein range but have no experience of the drills.
Simple question,have you used a Fein and if so what was it like.Other than that, what drill would you recommend,don't have a budget,it just has to be robust and reliable.

[bananaman1]

Never heard of fein before,but as you say looks well built.Any idea on price ?

Use dewalt myself,build quality is not as good as it was 10 years ago.But does the job .

B man

[scdan4]

screwfix have been punting out makita stuff on very good offers for a while.

Can't complain at all about the one I got - 80 quid, had previously retailed (yeah, i know! DFS syndrome) at 250 pounds.

Its solid enough to double up as an impromtu hammer (ahem) and has stood up well enough to my cack handed abuse for me to be impressed with it!

[sagt550]

I think the screwfix one did genuinely retail at £200 its just that they have changed the battery technology so are selling off the older Ni-Cd Makitas to be replaced with the Li-Ion ones...

[S70JPS]

I have swapped all my bosch battery powered tools for makita lithium ion. Expensive but the batteries last forever and charge in 15 mins. I drilled a 40mm hole in eight floor joists on one battery. Brilliant

[mk1fan]

S70JPS said:

I drilled a 40mm hole in eight floor joists

[BiggusLaddus]

mk1fan said:

S70JPS said:

I drilled a 40mm hole in eight floor joists

Potentially, yes!

How big are the joists and where did you put the holes? Please don't say 'about 8" deep and near the bottom, midspan'...

[JayZ4]

I needed an impact driver and a drill and ended getting off ebay. I was a little sceptical but the stuff is all brand new and I can't complain, well pleased with it.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BOSCH-18V-GSB-COMBI-DRILL-GD...

[S70JPS]

Obviously not that daft. Joists had to be drilled as part of a massive restoration project. Hence i have upgraded all my tools to industrial strength+ My joists with holes in.

[m4ckg]

what type of work will you use it for and what is your budget? I agree the Fein gear is very well made as I have the multimaster myself. I've never used the cordless so can't comment but Hilti is very good, Panasonic is nice to use and if you have the budget look at Festool

[smifffymoto]

Ooh,Hilti,a bit overkill for me I think but it is undoubtedly the best.Panasonic,don't know much about them.
I've just priced up a Bosch Gsr 18 lithium,here in France and in the UK.

France 360-390 euro
UK £ 120-130
Now that's some mark up.I. Will it until a relative can fit one in hand luggage

[-Pete-]

I've just moved from Bosch to Makita, the old drill had some problems and I've owned a few Makita tools which have always been brilliant. I also considered Hitachi and Panasonic, from what I've read about them they're also very good. Li-Ion is the only way to go, of course.

[Griff Boy]

I have to rate the dewalt tools myself, we use them all the time at work, and they last for ages and are really well built. Plus any service/repairs can be done pretty easily and locally.

The metal geared XRP range are especially good, if a little heavy.

Again, as others have said, by li-ion if you can, lasts for ages and recharges quickly.

[smifffymoto]

Thanks for the input chaps.I think I'm going to give the 21.6v Panasonic a go as all the family own at least one Panasonic camera.



Disclaimer
I know there is nothing in common between a camera and a drill but my head is spinning after an evening of internet searching and Panasonic is good gear.