Makita 6347DWDE 18-Volt NiMH Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

Comment: The tools work fine but the batteries do not hold a charge after a couple of years, this is with intermittent use. Considering the replacement cost of the just the batteries the product is not a good value.

Comment: Let me say that the drill did perform well on all tasks: screw driving, drilling and hammer drilling. Problem was both batteries would no longer hold charge after eight months of use. They were most likely charge cycled about 25 times. I did use it alot for high current tasks such as lag screw driving and hammer drilling so the deep discharging my have something to do with it. May be a good tool for homeowner tasks. My Rigid 18 volt had better torque and the batteries are still working and its an older tool. I did notice newer Makita LiOn tools use a different style battery connection design thus your older tools (NiMH) can't use them. Rigid tools bought with NiMH batteries can be used with newer Lion batteries

Comment: This is my second 18volt Makita. First lasted 6 years of mid to heavy use and two sets of batteries before the trigger switch failed. 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!

Comment: It works great. I have used it for over four years and it does has never let me down. The extra battery is a must.

I would recommend this product to a friend.

Comment: 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'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. I bought this drill after my electric one died (couldn't handle the really hard stuff and burned out). I had doubts about a cordless drill, but not anymore. I don't use it every day. 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. 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 like having a case as I can store all the bits and such along with the drill. 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. And thank heaven it doesn't need a chuck key. It's very easy and satisfying to use. 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 would recommend it to anyone.