Tester’s Comments
Bosch DDH181-01. Only the Festool is lighter and shorter than the new Brute Tough model from Bosch. In addition to handling my trials with ease, the Bosch has a comfortable grip and side handle, a battery gauge, a well-placed headlight, and a solid warranty. It comes with a 30-minute fan-cooled charger that’s helpful for serious production work. As for nitpicks, there’s no belt hook, the clutch collar is a bit slick, and the rubber friction sleeve slipped out of the side handle twice when I removed the handle, making me think it could get lost. The batteries will supposedly perform down to -4°F, but there’s no easy way to confirm that in my coastal California environment.
DeWalt DCD980L2. This tool is part of the new 20V Max series, which is powered by 18-volt slide-type batteries that are incompatible with DeWalt’s other 18-volt lithium-ion platform. It costs less (at the moment) than the other models I tested, but it’s a strong three-speed performer with a fast 575-rpm first gear that I especially liked when using mid-size auger bits. The tool can also switch between drilling and driving without losing the clutch setting. The headlight stays lit for 20 seconds after you release the trigger, a welcome feature in the dark. On the downside, the side handle has a plastic grip, there’s no battery gauge, it takes up to an hour to recharge the batteries, and the belt hook is sold separately. The metal ratcheting chuck can jam in the fully open position, though you just have to turn the collar counterclockwise slightly to free it up.
Festool T 18+3. When I first saw the small and lightweight Festool, I thought it would get blown away by its brawnier competition. But it easily handled all my drilling and driving trials, with ample runtime and sensible protective circuitry. Its advanced brushless motor and fully electronic dial-operated clutch are very quiet, and you can switch between drilling and driving without losing a clutch setting. The tool has a battery gauge and a belt hook, and it holds spare driver bits. The complete set I tested features the unique FastFix chuck system, which includes the keyless chuck, an offset and right-angle attachment, and a Centrotec quick-change chuck that accepts only Centrotec drill, driver, and countersinking bits and bit holders (including a bit holder that drives standard 1/4-inch hex-shank insert bits). An optional depth-stop chuck is also available. You can buy the tool without the right-angle and offset attachments to save $125, but you’d still be spending a pretty penny while losing the versatility. Unfortunately, there’s no side handle for this tool, which makes controlling all that power unnecessarily difficult.
Hilti SF 18-A CPC. The Hilti is the longest and one of the heaviest models in the group. But it’s really a 21.6-volt tool, containing two extra cells in the battery pack. In use, it feels like a strong performer; sensitive protective circuitry should help extend its lifespan. It has a fuel gauge on the batteries, a three-speed transmission, and an extra-long and comfortable side handle that locks firmly in 15 positions. You can order it with either a plastic case or a big contractor bag that can store the tool with its side handle attached and plenty of big bits. But the tool doesn’t have a headlight – which one of my plumber friends would consider a deal killer – and there’s no belt hook available. Also, the drill costs $400, which is exceeded only by the more versatile Festool.
Hitachi DS18DL. Hitachi’s drill – with active protective circuitry – performed in the middle of the pack. The metal ratcheting chuck spins open and closed beautifully by hand for speedy bit changes, and you can store spare bits below the handle. But the tool has the only post-type battery in the group, which makes the handle uncomfortably fat near the base. The dim amber LED headlight is built into a bulky pivoting plastic belt hook and is powered by separate AAAA batteries. Hitachi’s specs indicate four speed ranges, but the tool actually has a two-speed transmission; flipping the white switch on the handle prevents you from fully squeezing the trigger in both gears, which supposedly gives you two extra speed ranges. Finally, the clutch collar gets so stiff it can be a chore rotating it to the drilling symbol.
Makita BDF451. This tool hit the market in 2005. It lacks electronic protection against overloading and deep discharge, and doesn’t have a battery gauge. But it does have bright dual headlights with a 10-second afterglow when you release the trigger, a drill/drive switch that preserves your clutch settings, a comfortable side handle, a reversible belt hook, and a removable spare-bit holder. Its three-speed transmission gives you two low gears, allowing you to find the sweet spot for drilling the biggest holes. The 30-minute battery charger is first-rate. Less impressive is the jumbo blow-molded case, which accommodates a phantom impact driver.
Metabo BS 18 LTX. Not only was this drill/driver noticeably less powerful than the other tools I tested, but it was the only one that ran hot and shut itself off during my grueling runtime trials. It spins up to 1,400 rpm in second gear, the slowest top speed available. Also, its chuck – like DeWalt’s – can jam in the fully open position, though you just have to turn the collar counterclockwise slightly to free it up. The tool has no belt hook, and it can be hard to tighten the side handle enough to prevent it from slipping. On the bright side, the Metabo is one of the shortest and lightest models, and it has a fuel gauge on each battery.
Milwaukee 2610-24. During my runtime trials, the Milwaukee repeatedly blinked off when I pulled the trigger, and the chuck stiffened up and become difficult to adjust. After I finished my testing, I shipped the tool to an authorized service center in Oregon, which promptly replaced the switch and tightened the chuck screw. The repair tech told me that this was the first time he had come across that switch problem, but he had seen lots of loose chuck screws on new Milwaukee drill/drivers. If you buy one, you might want to check that. Milwaukee also sent me a second tool, and I repeated my testing without a hitch. Troubles aside, I really liked this drill’s power and speed, and the fuel gauge on the batteries. But it’s the heaviest model, the side handle has a hard plastic grip and locks in just four positions, and you have to pay extra for a belt hook. Plus its charger is slow (60 minutes).
Panasonic EY7450LR2S. The “ToughIP” label on this model refers to the IP code created by the International Electrotechnical Commission to classify a product’s resistance to dust and water. According to Panasonic, this tool’s IP56 rating means that dust won’t interfere with its operation or impair safety, and that powerful water jets will have no harmful effects. The comparatively lightweight tool was a top performer in my performance trials and has sophisticated protective electronics, including overheat protection that will shut off the tool if necessary and then allow you to resume at 50 percent power until the motor cools. The base-mounted headlight turns on and off at the press of a button (you have to tap the trigger first before turning the light on) and shuts itself off after the tool idles for five minutes. That means you can set the tool down and use it as a temporary task light in a pinch, or leave it off when you don’t need it. Too bad there’s no onboard battery gauge or belt hook and its charger is among the slowest. Also, the tool tips forward more easily than the others.
The Bottom Line
Most of these tools do a great job of drilling big holes. For my general remodeling needs, the new Bosch Brute Tough is my top pick. It costs less than $300 yet has abundant power and runtime. It’s relatively short and lightweight, includes all the basic amenities except for a belt hook, and offers a ProVantage warranty that includes quick replacement of defective tools and batteries. It also accepts Bosch’s lightweight SlimPack batteries for jobs where maximum runtime isn’t an issue.
I wouldn’t buy the Hitachi, because of its numerous quirks; nor would I choose the Metabo, because it overheated when I pushed it hard. I loved the advanced and versatile Festool, but any tool that can power a 1 3/4-inch auger bit needs a side handle, and Festool doesn’t offer one. I would do just fine with any of the other five models. The best choice for you, however, depends on your needs.
Bruce Greenlaw is a JLC contributing editor.