Metal gear rechargeable drill drivers out there?

[Tallbald]

My 7 year old Bosch, after long hard use, has begun giving up the ghost. Looking over specs on new rechargeable drill drivers it's difficult to find many that the manufacturer states has metal gears. They describe the gear trains as "tough" and "rugged", but refrain from telling if the gears are nylon or metal. Anyone here care to share inside knowledge on a brand with metal gear trains in the , say, $150 price range? Father's Day sales are coming and there may be some deals to be had. If I knew what models to search for. Bosch and DeWalt have given me good service for many years, but times have changed with countries of origin.
Thanks. Don

 

[lipofsky]

Just an FYI, I am a High school wood shop teacher, we have been using Milwaukee Cordless drills for many years, actually the students have been abusing them for many years, We bought them from Contractor tool suppliers not the local box store. I did have one from the orange home supply that we still get decent service, but it is getting tired, it is about 5 or 6 years old. We have older ones that are the same model but were purchased from a regular Tool supply. they are working just fine. I have older model Dewals at home that are great a well.

 

[Tallbald]

Lipofsky do you think the Milwaukee drill drivers that have done so well are a completely different series from the series the big box stores carry maybe? Perhaps a model number from one of the ones you have good experience would let me do some backtracking. Thanks for your input too. Don

 

[eveled]

I recommend Milwaukee strongly. You pay but they are worth it. Big plus is battery compatibility. Same batteries fit in my drill sawzall circular saw and my propress gun. There are leaf blowers string trimmers chop saws. All with the same batteries.

I wish you were closer I’d give you my dewalt set.

 

[blume357]

I've been using the Milwaukee 18volts for a number of years and really like them. My one complaint is the hand tightening chuck on most of the drills require constant tightening. Also, I tried to go cheap on batteries last year and bought some off brand type through Amazon and had to send them back...you had to jiggle the battery in the drill to get it to work. Not sure if the gears are metal or not but then even if they are it would really depend on the type of metal used as to how well they hold up.
The impact driver I've been using for probably 10 years just started to act up. I think it actually has brushes and they are probably shot.

I bought my wife one of their string trimmer weed eaters last month, now that baby comes with one more big 18 volt battery... 9 amp hours...

 

[Tallbald]

Thank you friends. The information is very helpful. Last evening I tried another search for "meta gear cordless drills" and didn't expect it but Ridgid brand came up. One model said specifically it has metal gears, and if an owner registers the drill there's some lifetime service agreement they get that replaces batteries and anything else that messes up (if I understand right, but a buyer should read and ask for themselves).
I've always heard good reviews about Milwaukee brand for sure. I'm beginning to get an idea where to study, thanks to this thread.
Don

 

[blume357]

The problem with Milwaukee is if you go on line your mind will get boggled by the different number of drill/drivers they actually make. I have a friend who was looking into them a few years back and he started listing the choices and different ratings and specs and it was crazy.

Also, their batteries are great and they price them accordingly... seems they do go bad, I've had 3 die on me in the last year... well one I killed by dropping it off a 3 story building. So, that one really should not count. I usually keep 10 or 12 with me in my van.

 

[Taterman]

I have a Rigid and love it. Though I admit it hasn't gotten as heavy of use as some of the others have posted. Got it at HD several years ago.

 

[SAJohn]

Add me to the list on recommending Rigid. The lifetime battery is a great deal although Rigid makes it a bit difficult to sign up for it on their website.

There was a time when Rigid also made outstanding calendars.

 

[Jeepnik]

Some years back I switched to all Milwaukee cordless stuff for regular duty. Heavy use I still use Milwaukee but the 110v models. I use the heck out of them and so far nothing has failed. I don't know what the gears are made of but they do take a heck of a beating and keep working.

 

[powder smoke]

I use cordless tool literally daily! Tried them all over the years, Milwakee DeWalt Makita
personally I like the DeWalt powerful and above all the best batteries. Batteries are expensive you want lithium and that is where Dewalt stands tall their Batteries!
JMO Better off buying new tools than replacing batteries as the are expensive.
CPO Outlet .com is the best price on your cordless tools, they offer re-manufactured tool also. Good Luck. ps

 

[OVERLOADDED]

I rent impactors to a group of trees group of Amish workers
We build pole barns and steel building. They treat my tools bad. But the 18v Makitas are good, while the 20v DeWalt tools are even better. Have 6 impactors, 3 drills, 1 tire impactor, a circular saw, and a oscillator cutter. Great tools. Oh yes my wife has a blower also. Overloadded

 

[krw]

Around home, you will never wear out Dewalt 20V. Look on Ebay