Cordless power tool advice.

**Disco_owner** · 13th August 2008, 10:37 AM

I have the Ryobi 18v Cordless Drill with 2 batteries Kit ,came in a Grey box from bunning , I think I Paid 160 ish , i've dropped ; abused and misused the Ryobi c/less drill , Used it a lot when renovating my house. I'm so happy with the Ryobi I see no reason for me to switch to anything else , and as mentioned batteries are easy to obtain.

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**weeds** · 13th August 2008, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by stuee

I thought GMC canned the instant replacement policy. You can still get a free replacement but they have to have it inspected or something along those lines.

I used to work for a builder and they used GMC to lend to tradies and if they stuffed up they'd take them to bunnings and replace them. Bunnings then said nope one day they have to be sent away or someone come see the tools and they stopped buying gmc. Fine if its for home use but when time is money its no good.

My preference for middle range stuff is makita. Used plenty of that stuff and its all gone pretty well.

might be keeping my current gmc stuff for a little longer, thought the no questions asked deal would not last forever

**Utemad** · 13th August 2008, 10:58 AM

On the GMC warranty thing the reason they are stopping the straight replacement is that Bunnings are not doing them anymore (or have scaled back and will stop soon). It's all Ozito now at Bunnings and Bunnings are the sole distributor of Ozito.

Keep in mind when you buy power tools that nearly all brands have domestic and professional quality ranges. So don't buy a Makita drill for $99 from Bunnings or wherever and expect it to last like one of their $700 drills will.

I've got two 12v drills. One Ryobi and one DeWalt. Both are good at what they are designed for and both are still going at least 10 years later (admittedly they get little use these days). However the DeWalt will do a lot more than the Ryobi will.

**Aaron IIA** · 13th August 2008, 11:09 AM

Panasonic make a drill that is small, but more powerful than any larger drill that I have used. The battery lasts a long time too.

Aaron.

**catch-22** · 13th August 2008, 11:14 AM

In order of preference (cordless or not) -

Festool
Metabo
Makita

The first two are in a class of their own with a price tag to match.....but the power of the motors is unbelievable.

Makita make great products and have proven themselves for years..

**87County** · 13th August 2008, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Aaron IIA

Panasonic make a drill that is small, but more powerful than any larger drill that I have used. The battery lasts a long time too.

Aaron.

Yep after having the others, incl deWalt - Panasonic is the ONLY way to go for me...L

**muddymech** · 13th August 2008, 12:49 PM

i agree dewalt is a frighting price, however we have been using 18v dewalt stuff around the house for last year and im happy with it, we bought from the states though ebay, seven 18v tools with bag chager and tarnsformer for around $1200 plus invoice was ent separate

. think the guy still sells on ebay, do a search of the threads as a few others on here have used him.

**rangieman** · 13th August 2008, 01:03 PM

Why not get some cheap cordless tools 12-14v , Hard wire them and you never have worry about battery,s dying or charging them as they will just run off your aux battery in the car

I always carry a cordless drill an bits that i can plug in to my car , Ask schemzz it saved his butt

**samuelclarke** · 13th August 2008, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by catch-22

In order of preference (cordless or not) -

Festool
Metabo
Makita

The first two are in a class of their own with a price tag to match.....but the power of the motors is unbelievable.

Makita make great products and have proven themselves for years..

Agree with that!

Almost all my power tools are Metabo. Sure you pay for them, but their safety features are top class...for example with angle grinders I wouldn't use any other brand - they have a safety clutch that stops kick back, it's saved my skin a few times when cutting metal and stopped me from getting a broken arm on one occasion.

Also their battery gear has the option of 10 minute chargers.

malsgoing130 · 13th August 2008, 01:52 PM

I have owned and used Makita, matabo,milwakee and other 'famous' brands around building sites. All were cactus with in 18 months to 2 years and always because the batteries were cooked. To replace them (the batts) costs almost but not quite the ssame as a new tool with new batteries, so you guessed it new always! My last purchase was Panasonic 15.6 volt best tool I've owned, but alas 2.5 years later and batts are cooked. The problem now is that Panasonic is made in china and not quite as good as the 'older' models. Panasonic have(stand to be corrected) the highest amp hour of all the batteries and 'they ' say that the battery cells are made in Japan.
Now, Ryobi is pretty good really, I have the cordless saw and other bit and bobs that go with the 18v kit- very good value and charge up pretty quick, my opinion is that they are the best of the domestic range for the price, ok for light commercial use. 12v has the ability to work off car battery- very good option.
Mal

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