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This is my second 18volt Makita. Ordered this one to replace it and then found a new trigger switch for the old one and have it working again.great to have two on hand. First lasted 6 years of mid to heavy use and two sets of batteries before the trigger switch failed.
It works great. I would recommend this product to a friend. I have used it for over four years and it does has never let me down. The extra battery is a must.
Oh, and I use it to plant bulbs, stir paint and drill 1" holes in railroad ties used to build raised gardens. It has definitely made my life easier. I had doubts about a cordless drill, but not anymore. I'm not a contractor, just an ordinary female person running a little farm, but it doesn't seem to mind neglect in between uses.At first, I wondered if the weight would be a problem, but it hasn't been because the drill is so well balanced. And thank heaven it doesn't need a chuck key. I've had this drill nearly two years and it has proved to be very powerful and reliable, plus the battery seems to last forever.
I bought this drill after my electric one died (couldn't handle the really hard stuff and burned out). I don't use it every day. It's very easy and satisfying to use. The drill has multiple power settings, the ability to switch seamlessly between driving and extracting which comes in handy when extracting the bit from a metal hole, and can switch between screw/drill settings. I've drilled through 1/4" thick metal, through 25-year-old treated oak fence boards and driven 3" long screws into ancient barn supports (think petrified wood) as well as more normal things. When the battery finally wore down after many, many months of no use interspersed with very hard use, the other battery took over instantly, still holding a full charge after sitting unused for just as long (not in the charger--it's not supposed to be left in the charger) and the original one recharged in under an hour.
I would recommend it to anyone. I like having a case as I can store all the bits and such along with the drill.
The charger charges in slightly less than an hour. This is a powerful and useful drill. I have only used this for medium work thus far, but it worked for 6 hours driving several hundred screws on a deck project and the battery showed no signs of tiring. My only disappointment is that I have not figured how to get the charger into the kit carrying box. It has a switch that quickly changes between drill and screw mode that saves time.
Haven't had it long enough to comment on battery life. The case is quite large, but provides plenty of capacity for bits and drivers. Plus, many experiences and a couple of returns with Amazon - all easy transactions. This drill/driver is fantastic. A great value.Amazon price and free shipping are the deal.
It has torque and power to spare, long battery life, easy and quick recharging, and great balance/feel for an 18V. It drives 3 1/2" deck screws into treated lumber with ease. Also, has a light touch to the trigger for working with smaller bolts. The perfect balance makes it seem much lighter than it is, and user fatigue isn't an issue.
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