My father and I are carpenters and after about 5 years of hard use our cheap porter cable drills have finally shit the bed. Honestly for their value they lasted a long time and through many tough projects.
Now I am in the market for a new cordless set. I am not one to just go out and buy the hottest brand name. I need to see real proof that the product I'm buying is going to meet or exceed my expectations. After watching just about every 18v brushless review on the internet I was almost dead set on the Milwaukee M18 fuel $300 impact and drill kit combo. Until I stumbled upon Kobalts new line. It seemed they had everything that dewalt, makita, and Milwaukee lacked but for less money! The batteries have a low power indicator unlike makita. All the tools had belt clips unlike Milwaukee, they had more settings then dewalt. The kobalts also have quick release and metal chucks as well as double bit holders and of course led work lights built in. On top of that variable speed settings, impressive specs and 24V powerhouse batteries that cost tons less than the competition. I watched a video where a guy was removing lug nuts on his van with his Kobalt drill from the combo set, when he tried to remove them with the leading brands they failed miserably.
I am normally not one to buy products when they are first released but Lowes has put such an outstanding warranty on these products with a 5 year tool, 3 year battery and a 1 year no questions asked replacement I think they just may surpass Milwaukee for my new purchase. Also seeing some verified Amazon reviews stating that the milwaukees are Chinese now made and falling apart didn't help my decision to buy there brand. Apparently these reviewers were die hard Milwaukee owners who are now disappointed.....I don't want to be disappointed.
The bottom line for me is that Kobalt made sure to add every feature the competitors missed. Tomorrow we are going to lowes and checking them out. Hopefully they will be everything we have wanted and more. I look forward to a new tool set that will allow me to continue to put food on the table! I hope Kobalt is the one. If I'm not impressed in person I will probably shoot for the new compact makitas but after all the evidence and videos I think The brushless Kobalts are going to be the set for me.
