Hi All
Without entering the quality/longevity argument again, does the panel think that a 'quality' make has performance advantages over a cheapie?
In other words, would a 12v Bosch/Makita/Hitachi perform as well or better than say a £25 Argos/B&Q 14.4 volt jobby?
Obviously voltage isn't the only performance criteria, a two speed DD with a gearbox must have higher torque than a single speed, but will you get a performance advantage going for a 'quality' brand all other things being equal?
Generally better. There are all sorts of compromises that have to be made to get the price down. For example, the motor in the argos one will probably be smaller and less efficient. This means that though the argos one is a higher voltage, and all else being equal, would be higher powered, in reality, it's probably the other way.
The same goes for the gearbox, and the electronics. Cost cutting least to lower efficiency, meaning that batteries don't last as long as they might. Not to mention that the better tool may have more capable batteries in the first place - voltage isn't the whole story by any means.
Without any shadow of a doubt!
OK ignoring the longevity issues etc and focusing on the difference in useage:
Battery cell quality will dictate the torque, run time, and importantly the discharge curve. Better cells also tend to be better matched (i.e. one cell will have a discharge profile very similar to the next). Ideally you want all the cells to be perfectly matched so that they all discharge together, and you get full performance from the tool for almost all of the discharge of the battery followed by a "cliff effect" discharge at the end. A poor battery that has a few cells discharge several mins before the others makes for very unsatisfying performance (and also causes the battery to knacker itself in short order)
Better tools often have better fast chargers - some doing 15 or 30 min recharge rather than one hour.
Speed controllers are another big difference area. More finesse of control in general, and most importantly, significant torque available at very slow speeds.
Torque limiters tend to be more accurate and repeatable on the better quality tools, so you can set a limit and drive to it repeatedly always ending up with a screw set at the same depth.
Weight and compactness: odd one this. If you are comparing 12V quality with 12V budget the budget will tend to be bigger, but maybe lighter given the lower quality cells. However to match the performance you may need to go up a voltage or two which then raises the weight again.
Chucks: Decent ratchet action is nice - high end tools often have auto brake and spindle locks that mean they can be used one handed. Note however even some of the top end tools have been reducing chuck quality of late.
I commented on a fair bit on some of these in the FAQs:
The main difference IMHO is the quality of the cells used. Ie, the amount of current they can deliver. And they are the major cost of the tool.
Get your self a Ryobi Impact Driver. You will never look back. Go to B&Q, and try one. Most have them on display and just plug in the battery.
Absolutely.
You will get better batteries (the main cost factor), better mechanics such as clutch and gearing.
Motor controllers in the quality makes give greater precision and repeatability of control. There is nothing more irritating than having to squeeze the trigger to different amounts for identical operations and having the motor tend to run away.
There are ergonomic factors as well such as the balance of weight, comfort of handle and so on.
All of the makes that you mention are good. Personally, I prefer Makita out of these because I have found that they have consistency across the range in different models.
However, if you are looking for a really good 12v drill driver, my view is that the Festool C12 is the best on the market. The design, with the use of electronically controlled induction motor (brushless) is a first in a tool of this type and has won it several awards.
It ranks among my three favourite power tools.
Matt! You don't say! Makita? Gosh.
Yes I do. If you keep saving up, you might be able to afford one one day....
I have no desire to make rich people richer by buying overrated, overpriced products, when lower priced products are equally as good, or better.
That would be a reasonable approach when it is the case. Here it isn't.
This person has clearly no experience of using good quality tools.
** snip senilty by Richard **
It must be time for his cocoa.
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