I’ve used neither. The Makita seems to be a bit more expensive. Any data points you can offer on performance, durability?
all the best
Buy whichever brand you can get the best deal on. Having used both brands for decades I can say both have their pros and cons. One thing to look at is maH rating. That’s the amount of power the battery stores and dictates how often you have to recharge under normal use. Go to a local hardware store or lumber yard and pick them up in your hand. See how each feels. The ergonomics can vary a lot and some folks prefer one over the other.
Bosch.
I’m a carpenter. I have tried both. Day in day out trade use. Makita all the way for me. Bosch is pretty variable. They make some great gear, but also some pretty average gear.
Same here. I own both Makita and Dewalt. Barely any difference, at all. I’ve had a two year old Makita cordless 18v drill with a stripped clutch under normal use, and also have a 20 year old Dewalt 12v drill that still works as well as the day I bought it. The worst thing about cordless tools is that a pair of replacement batteries costs about the same as a new tool.
I don’t know if the offer is still available, but about five years ago, Rigid had an offer that if you bought a kit of drill, battery and charger, they offered lifetime battery replacement. I’m on my third battery set. As for the tool, I really like it… I’ve broken the gearing on both Makita and Dewalt drills, but the Rigid drills are still working fine.
To get the longest life, remember that they all are light duty tools, to turn screws and drill small holes. Twist bits, not paddle.
To drill anything over 1/2 inch, I get a corded drill.
In my “real” job, I am an inspector for the department of transportation, and have just finished overseeing the construction of pontoons for a floating bridge in Washington. Our contractor exclusivley used Dewalt cordless tools, and Bosch corded. The dewalts seemed to hold up to some horrible conditions and blatant abuse by the construction workers. The Dewalts have won me over for sure.
which cordless tool do you buy for surfboard bulding?
Well, apparently this is an international raging debate. YouTube has a couple of dozen videos showing various tests. They are all over the map. Lots of data and personal pref’s passed off as information. I will buy based on price.
Thanks, all, for the input.
Idan, I use the drill for chores all over the house. I use it on my boards for driving a shaping drum for thinning the nose, drilling leash plugs, other misc stuff. Obviously not heavy duty work. I use the jig saw for cutting templates and occasionally foam outlines, though I prefer a hand saw for that. I rip 4X8 sheets of MDF into 1X8 strips for templates using the circular saw. I use the saws-all for cutting boards in half that have pissed me off and need to go in the trash. Very therapeutic. And, I use the zip saw for poking holes in the tops of my thighs after cutting holes in plywood.