Cordless drill - Dewalt vs Milwaukee

[Cooper_day]

Which is the better cordless drill between Milwaukee M18 4.0AH brushless cordless combi drill and Dewalt DCD778M2T-SFGB 18V 4.0AH brushless cordless combi drill?

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[nicebutdim]

Milwaukee make several M18 brushless combi drills - as do all the big name brands - so it's difficult to compare without knowing which drill you have in mind. In general the more you pay, the better the drill - although there are plenty of people asking big money for entry level drills.

Probably the best way to answer this question would be to look at stats for each drill, paying particular attention to torque figure and gear/gearbox material. Respective manufacturer websites will likely be the most concise source of such information.

 

[Mikegh]

Milwaukee if I was buying myself

 

[nicebutdim]

Milwaukee if I was buying myself

That's personal preference, yet we don't even know which drill to compare. OP could be looking at several different drills of varying capability.

Personally I'd walk past them both and buy a Makita DHP486 or DHP481 ?

 

[Mikegh]

Good drill but expensive

 

[Cooper_day]

Milwaukee make several M18 brushless combi drills - as do all the big name brands - so it's difficult to compare without knowing which drill you have in mind. In general the more you pay, the better the drill - although there are plenty of people asking big money for entry level drills.

Probably the best way to answer this question would be to look at stats for each drill, paying particular attention to torque figure and gear/gearbox material. Respective manufacturer websites will likely be the most concise source of such information.

Those are the model that at the moment I am looking at:
M18 CBLPD-402C (Milwaukee)
DCD778M2T-SFGB (Dewalt)

 

[Electrics]

DeWalt wins most of the tests on youtube.

I went with them and i'm very happy with everything except the battery chargers which are crap. Just had my 18v XR cordless last 3 weeks on site on a single charge.

The Milwaukee stuff i've used is very good though.

 

[MJPD29]

Always milwaukee. Only ever had 1 dewalt drill and it was absolutely rubbish

 

[nicebutdim]

Those are the model that at the moment I am looking at:
M18 CBLPD-402C (Milwaukee)
DCD778M2T-SFGB (Dewalt)

Very little between the two sets.

Both supplied with 2x 4Ah batteries.
Both brushless motors.
Similar specs.

Milwaukee rate their drill for higher capacity in wood and masonry, but that means nothing. Both have metal gearing, which is likely to be some sort of sintered metal - not as strong as forged gearing, but considerable more robust than plastic.

Dewalt produces slightly higher torque, but there isn't a significant difference between it and the Milwaukee.

Neither are top of these manufacturer's respective ranges, but I don't think either drill would disappoint - what colour do you like better, red or yellow? I think that's what it comes down to.


Wait for a decent Makita deal ?

 

[Mikegh]

Both around 60nM , metal gearbox , electronic braking etc

 

[pc1966]

I got one of these sets (as well as a 1/2" impact driver to match, M18ONEIWF12-0 M18) but from another supplier for less at the time:

Error 410 | Screwfix

Thousands of products at low trade prices | FREE next day delivery available | 30 day money back guarantee on all orders.

www.screwfix.com

I have found that the impact 1/4" hex impact driver has had most of the use with hex-shank drills and the likes of 20mm / 25mm / 32mm hole saws.

It can be used for screws, etc, as well but you need to be really careful as even on the lowest setting it will trash smaller screws if used without care.

Edit: Think this was the supplier I used:

Milwaukee M18FPP2A2-502X 2 Piece M18 FUEL Power Pack

Milwaukee M18FPP2A2. Combi drill and 1/4 inch hex impact driver Milwaukee twin pack power tool kit. Generation 3 FUEL. Milwaukee cordless brushless drills and impact drivers combo kit. UK equivalent for US Milwaukee Tool 2997-22. Milwaukee 4933464269.

www.bigredpowertools.co.uk

 

[Electrics]

Wait for a decent Makita deal ?

Controversial statement but imo Makita's battery stuff has been garbage for years now. The actual batteries on them are atrocious and their chucks like to fail. Would never buy again after being a Makita man for over 10 years. They're now in the same league as blue Bosch for me - overpriced rubbish riding on a name.

If wasn't already locked into the DeWalt range i would go for Milwaukee. The advantage they do have is that all the stuff i've used seems very light whereas DeWalt is really heavy.

 

[nicebutdim]

Controversial statement but imo Makita's battery stuff has been garbage for years now. The actual batteries on them are atrocious and their chucks like to fail. Would never buy again after being a Makita man for over 10 years. They're now in the same league as blue Bosch for me - overpriced rubbish.

Much depends on the tool in question. Makita LXT drills range from the DHP453 with around 40Nm of torque and internals made from cheese, right up to the DHP486 with a wrist shattering 130Nm of torque and all metal gearing - how exactly do you manage to tar these two drills with the one brush?

If I go out tomorrow to B&Q and buy a cheap Dewalt combi, chances are that in 6 months time I'll have destroyed it - on that basis should I declare that all Dewalt tools are garbage? Of course not as these manufacturers are trying to cater to a market that runs from occasional DIYer to seasoned tradesman - if we consider ourselves part of the latter, we should be aware of the old caveat; 'you pays your money and takes your choice'. I'm happy with my Makita choices, as are many others, but plenty would be of different opinion and this is true for all manufacturers. As far as the OP is concerned, I'd like to think I've provided an unbiased opinion of the two drills which they asked about.

As for batteries; I've never felt let down by Makita 5Ah units. Not sure what more I can say other than having disassembled an old Makita battery, I found it contained Sony 18650 cells which were as good as it got at that time.

 

[SparkySy]

I replaced all my kit last year with Milwaukee going from Bosch blue, not been disappointed with it. The Milwaukee gear is great and so many options! Having said that a chippie I'm good mates with has bought all Dewalt gear and that is also impressive stuff! I think a lot of it is down to personal preference at the end of the day!

I used to have all Makita gear until I moved over to the Bosch. I think it had started to fall off in quality, this was probably nearly 10years ago now. Couldn't comment on the newer Makita stuff as I don't know anyone who uses it!
Sy

 

[pc1966]

Of course not as these manufacturers are trying to cater to a market that runs from occasional DIYer to seasoned tradesman - if we consider ourselves part of the latter, we should be aware of the old caveat; 'you pays your money and takes your choice'.

This!