RDB85

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Trainee
I’ve been asked by work to get some power tools. Currently I’m using what the other engineers have. But I would like to get my own. I am after recommendations.
 
I would have thought this thread would have had more replies by now! lol Everybody on here loves tools it seems!


Or - oh no Superlec don't sell actual drills just bits by the looks of it. So yeah, just E2Go for drills sponsor-wise I think.
 
I use Milwaukee M18 and M12 tools for everyday work. Excellent relaibility and performance. The fuel series are the better ones, but if you're on a budget the ones labelled "brushless" sold in screwfix and toolstation are ok, just older models is all.
I'd also look at Makita and Bosch professional if you are looking at a platform to build a kit on.
 
I'm a DeWalt fanboy.
18v brushless stuff for me.

Milwaukee stuff is very good too The guys I know with it have nothing bad to say about it.

The Makita combi drills seem not to last, based on the opinions of others who have had them.

You can get some good deals on kits but make sure you check the exact model numbers in the kits as some key tools can have lower spec versions.
 

This one of 'em?
I'm not convinced a 12v SDS would be up to much other than very light duties.
I could be wrong though... It happened once before... a while back. :D
 
That will all depend on your budget. Just remember big brands like Makita, Dewalt, Millwaukee etc will all have different models ranging from budget normally sold in B&Q, Wikes etc then the middle range normally sold in Screwfix and then you have their top models normally online unless you live close to the retailer.
Most SDS drills will range from £100 up to around £600-£700 for the brands top models. Personally my favourite SDS of all time was a Hilti superb bit of kit, you then have the Makita 36v the Dewalt 54v's Bosch 36v all great bits of kit.
 
I'm not convinced a 12v SDS would be up to much other than very light duties.
I could be wrong though... It happened once before... a while back. :D

I have that little guy. Got it in a twin set with the 12V combi drill. Both are really good little tools with plenty of grunt used with their 6Ah batteries. I mainly use the sds for smaller masonry drilling, usually 5.5mm and it will go all day doing that. I have used it with 16-22mm masonry bits at 600mm long and it will just about cope with that, but it takes a while and drains the batteries quickly. The 18V sds is definitely the boy for that stuff.
The main reason for the 12V stuff is weight saving. I can use the 12V sds all day one handed no problems, but the 18V is much heavier.
 
Milwaukee looks good. Is the M18 Fuel range good? As I’ve found a Combi Drill for £250 online brand new. Should be £350.

Or would this be better:


I’ve also seen this Dewalt for £200 online:

 
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Milwaukee looks good. Is the M18 Fuel range good? As I’ve found a Combi Drill for £250 online brand new. Should be £350.

Or would this be better:


I’ve also seen this Dewalt for £200 online:



The Milwaukee M18 Fuel range is the best out there at the minute. The combi drills have the highest torque of any available combi drill and mine minces through joists no problems. the combi drill is the M18FPD2 or M18FPD for the previous version. I think they are essentially the same tool, just the newer FPD2 is slightly lighter and smaller.

£250 is just slightly on the cheaper side of the going rate for a new version Fuel combi with 2 x 5Ah batteries and a charger. I can find that deal at £270 on quite a few websites I have had tools from before.

The toolstation Milwaukee items there are older dated stock with a bit less power, but still good. I have that combi, bought it 6 years ago and still going good although I did have to replace the trigger once.

The DeWalt kit looks a good deal if you need an impact driver. Not used DeWalt myself though so can't comment on it really.
 
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel range is the best out there at the minute. The combi drills have the highest torque of any available combi drill and mine minces through joists no problems. the combi drill is the M18FPD2 or M18FPD for the previous version. I think they are essentially the same tool, just the newer FPD2 is slightly lighter and smaller.

£250 is just slightly on the cheaper side of the going rate for a new version Fuel combi with 2 x 5Ah batteries and a charger. I can find that deal at £270 on quite a few websites I have had tools from before.

The toolstation Milwaukee items there are older dated stock with a bit less power, but still good. I have that combi, bought it 6 years ago and still going good although I did have to replace the trigger once.

The DeWalt kit looks a good deal if you need an impact driver. Not used DeWalt myself though so can't comment on it really.

Thanks Andy. This the the Milwaukee Fuel one: Milwaukee M18 FPD2 FUEL Combi Drill

I would rather have an SDS than an Impact. So it’s older stock. There is one on eBay for £300. So I’m not sure what to do. As the Milwaukee Fuel one for £250 looks a bargain based on what’s they go for online.
 
Thanks Andy. This the the Milwaukee Fuel one: Milwaukee M18 FPD2 FUEL Combi Drill

I would rather have an SDS than an Impact. So it’s older stock. There is one on eBay for £300. So I’m not sure what to do. As the Milwaukee Fuel one for £250 looks a bargain based on what’s they go for online.
Got a link to the deal you're looking at ? Like I say £250 is good but only just cheaper than £270 .. which is readily available.
 
Can’t find it now. This any good:


Hmmm, yeah looks good, but cash convertors ? Never know where it's come from.

What you go for depends on your budget really

You could buy a Fuel combi but if you then still need a sds to match the batteries then it's another £200 for a body only sds. So around £470 in total.

The toolstation kit honestly looks quite good for the price, even if it is older models. If it's a starter kit and budget is key then go for that. The batteries will last for years if you ever fancy upgrading to Fuel stuff.
 
Hmmm, yeah looks good, but cash convertors ? Never know where it's come from.

What you go for depends on your budget really

You could buy a Fuel combi but if you then still need a sds to match the batteries then it's another £200 for a body only sds. So around £470 in total.

The toolstation kit honestly looks quite good for the price, even if it is older models. If it's a starter kit and budget is key then go for that. The batteries will last for years if you ever fancy upgrading to Fuel stuff.

It’s gone from Cash Converters, but your only saving £70 online. It’s a good saving but you don’t have a guarantee.

That same kit from Toolstation is £300 on eBay brand new. Ideally I have a budget of £200 - £300. As I’m just starting out.
 
It’s gone from Cash Converters, but your only saving £70 online. It’s a good saving but you don’t have a guarantee.

That same kit from Toolstation is £300 on eBay brand new. Ideally I have a budget of £200 - £300. As I’m just starting out.

If you register your tools with Milwaukee you get a 3 year warranty anyway.

This site has a clearance sale on if you fancied a browse

 
Not really but thought there might be some deals lurking about in the sale

I will see what I can find and post it up on here.
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Not really much in offer. I may try eBay and see about a kit.
 
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Hilti all the way! Although the price is a lot more it will outlast the other common brands and the service provided is second to none. My sds was 4 years old at the time and developed an intermittent fault. It was picked up, fixed and back at my door within 4 days and cost me £25 for the repairs!
 
Hilti all the way! Although the price is a lot more it will outlast the other common brands and the service provided is second to none. My sds was 4 years old at the time and developed an intermittent fault. It was picked up, fixed and back at my door within 4 days and cost me £25 for the repairs!

I would love Hilti but I dont have it, maybe when I am fully qualified and earning the big boys money, I can look at it.
 
I personally don’t think you can buy a buy a bad power tool these days. Even the Ryobi type stuff is actually OK. Don’t be fooled into buying Hilti or any of the really flash stuff.
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I would love Hilti but I dont have it, maybe when I am fully qualified and earning the big boys money, I can look at it.

Personally I don’t think Hilti are worth the premium. Unless you’re in some specialist drilling application and actually need a fancy core drill I think you’re largely paying for a name.

They used to have first rate for service but they’ve shut most of their local branches and their reps seem thin on the ground these days.
 
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@telectrix how do you find the AEG gear? Don’t think I’ve ever seen one in the flesh.
brill.had combi and impact for 11 years. had to replace motor in combi but that was due to abuse.4"hole saw in cement board. took all the teeth off the saw, took 25minutes to get through 8mm.
 
Milwaukee looks good. Is the M18 Fuel range good? As I’ve found a Combi Drill for £250 online brand new. Should be £350.

Or would this be better:


I’ve also seen this Dewalt for £200 online:


I have this dewalt pair, since February 2017, have a spark and apprentice working with me, so get plenty of use and still going strong, also have the 273 model sds, again no issues, bought at same time.
Also dewalt comes with a 3yr warranty too.

Mate has the M18 and it feels alot heavier than the Dewalt, and the chuck doesn't stay grippy for long, which makes it difficult to open to release drill bits, also their sds quarter turns to release bits, whereas the Dewalt us pull bavk to release.
Apart from that I don't believe there is any difference, heard they both use same motors and batteries, if that's true or not I don't know.
 
I have this dewalt pair, since February 2017, have a spark and apprentice working with me, so get plenty of use and still going strong, also have the 273 model sds, again no issues, bought at same time.
Also dewalt comes with a 3yr warranty too.

Mate has the M18 and it feels alot heavier than the Dewalt, and the chuck doesn't stay grippy for long, which makes it difficult to open to release drill bits, also their sds quarter turns to release bits, whereas the Dewalt us pull bavk to release.
Apart from that I don't believe there is any difference, heard they both use same motors and batteries, if that's true or not I don't know.

Thanks Phil. I may stick with Dewalt just because I like some of their range. Plus batteries are readily available. I may look at a Dewalt Combi and Impact. Then look at an SDS Bare Unit? Would you have any recommendations for a Dewalt SDS?
 
That must be a long time ago Tel, my 18v does 25mm holes with a metre long bit and a bit of light tracking work too, and can't fault it, at times I consider buying another body only for when we are busy.
 
That must be a long time ago Tel, my 18v does 25mm holes with a metre long bit and a bit of light tracking work too, and can't fault it, at times I consider buying another body only for when we are busy.
they must have improved then. mine was pre Li-Ion. metal halide or whatever. i retract my comment if you'll retract your not cool. :):):)
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i have... ... bin/skip.
comment retracted. apparently deWalt are OK these days.
 
I did also look at Metabo and Bosch Professional. I suppose when you look at it you have to consider the whole range. Milwaukee or Dewalt seem the popular choice. I found that kit on eBay with 10% off for £273 posted which seems good value. But then I found that Dewalt kit for £200. It then comes down to costing for the other drill whether it’s an Impact or an SDS including batteries which would be the most cost effective option.
 
The 2 brands with most options are makita and dewalt. Imo makita is not what it was back in the day.
So dewalt has to be the best option for choices of tool variety.

I have 2 combo drills, 2 impact drivers, sds, angle drill, electricians stapler, floodlight, angle grinder, multi tool and circular saw.

My mate with the milwaukee M18 range has sent his sds back for repair 3 times in 2019 and his combi drill is away at the minute and was away a few months ago for a new trigger switch, he thinks my multi tool is more powerful as well, personally I didn't like his as the battery goes in at an angle and doesn't stand up straight. So needs laid down every time.
 

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RDB85

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If you're a qualified, trainee, or retired electrician - Which country is it that your work will be / is / was aimed at?
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SDS and Combo Drill Recommendations
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Electrical Tools and Products
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