I have been using this excellent tool for various household repair and installation jobs for three months. In comparison to previous NiCad battery cordless drills I have used, the Ni-MH batteries supplied with the drill give considerably longer use time between charges. The drill is also much lighter than lower voltage NiCad battery drills I have owned such as Craftsman models. The torque is outstanding for a drill this size even when using three inch drywall screws in wood. I really like the feel and sounds of the drill, they just express quality like the muffled latch of a closing door on a Lexus sedan. The feeling that I am using a high quality tool has alone justified the higher price I paid for the drill. ... I am extremely happy with this purchase and the performance.

I bought this drill after borrowing my friend's for a fence project. It had more than enough power and charge for me to finish one line of fence without switching to a new battery. Loved the fact that the screws went in nice and easy. Even nicer was the size and weight - felt more like a 14.4 V drill than an 18V in my hand. I've had Makita tools before and most my friends swear by them so reliability and durability are a major bonus.

Only concern is that many of the new Makitas are made in China and Mexico - don't know how quality will be affected. But this drill's made in Buford, Georgia so that's a moot point. Get this drill

In truth, I would give this beautifully performing unit a 4.5 stars. But since the choice was between 4 or 5 stars, I figured 5 would be closer to the truth. I have used this unit daily for over a year with no problems whatsoever. It's charge lasts a long time under a good deal of abuse (drilling through metal etc). It's metal gears are very durable. The power is very good as well. I wish it did have 450lbs of torque, though. Our 14.4 volt Dewalt has a little more power. But it's not as durable. So a tradeoff I guess. I would take my Makita over the Dewalt though.

Love the drill...the other reviewers say it all...but click on the link to the 6347DWDE [it should be on this page] where the price is better and comes w/free shipping from Amazon!

Yes, I'm just reviewing this now after having the drill for several years (by the way I also still use my 9 volt Makita that I've had for about 15 years and never had a problem with). Again, I have to say Makita is the only way to go for cordless drills.

I love this drill, it is a little heavy but strong as bull!
You can't go wrong with a quality piece at a good price....no more junky ni-cad batteries too!

RM

When I first saw the 18-volt powerhouse Makita 6347DWDE drill at this price (only $125 after a $50 manufacturer's rebate and another $25 off promotion from Amazon) I thought it was too good to be true and quite possibly a mistake. I had to read the description and the fine print a few times before making my order.

After owning this drill for six weeks and using it on a couple of projects, I couldn't be happier. The battery pack has proved more than adequate in delivering plenty of power over an extended time period and and it's great to have the backup available just in case. Charging is fast and easy, too.

Despite the size of this drill, it is surprisingly light and well-balanced, comfortable to use even at odd angles and at arms length. You absolutely can't go wrong here.

The benefits of owning quality power tools go without saying. And Makita is a name you can trust. This is not a toy ... it is the real deal. Don't settle for good when you can have the very best. It's definitely worth a few extra $$$.

Note: Take a look at the Makita 784874-A 15-Piece UltraLoc Set as a great accessory for this drill.

I'm not the most handy person around, but I decided to build a playground border consisting of two stacked 4x4s. I needed a drill that could drill through two 4x4s to create holes for the spikes.

The big orange box store said to stay away from cordless drills. I was told they do not have the power of a corded drill. After reading the specs of the Makita 18-Volt Cordless drill and understanding the reputation of Makita tools, I ordered the drill.

After a few hours, I had my swing set border complete. I was able to drill through two stacked 4x4s without problem. The spare battery was great. When one battery was running low, I put it in the chrager and used the second battery.

The convenience of the cordless model will allow me to use the drill all aorund the house. When I need a screwdriver, I can pick the drill up and go right to work. No need to worry about an extension cord just change the bit.

The drill comes with two batteries, battery charger, a carrying case and a few bits. I'd recommend purchasing the Makita UltraLoc kit so you have screwdriver attachments. The total cost less the Amazon discount and Makita (...)rebate was (...). Comparable drills are selling for (...)or more. Overall a great value for a product that completes the job. Highly recommended.

The Shift Lock Drive System is the easiest clutch lockout I've ever used. Two 2.6 amp-hour batteries and the quick charger can keep you going with out delays. Balance and the light weight make this easy to use, the 18-volt power makes it a pleasure.

Disregard all unfavorable reviews...this drill is yet another work of art from Makita! Perfect ergonomics and balance, even with a hefty 18V battery you still get incredible control and precision, instead of sweating and straining to keep the darn thing perpendicular to the drilling surface as with cheaper drills. This is my second Makita drill, the first one was a smaller 14.4v which I'll pass on to my wife because it's lighter. I love America, born and bred, but gotta hand it to the Japanese: when it comes to anything electric (or gasoline-powered, for that matter) they kick our butts left and right! Sony TVs, Toshiba laptops, Lexus autos, Honda motorcycles...anything that doesn't blow up things and kill people, the Japanese simply have perfected. Have used DeWalt drills before, they were just a little bit better than Black and Decker (the mother company) which doesn't justify the big price jump. Porter Cable has good power but tends to weigh a ton and their chucks are spotty.Viva Makita!

Transmission broke after three months of use. Had to buy a Porter Cable while I wait three business days for mine to be repaired. Being a diehard Makita guy I should have learned by now that while their saws and such are great, the drills still need alot of work. Too expensive for homeowner use, and kinda weak to rely on for the professional.

I dont know about this drill/driver in particular but just wanted to add my views here for those of you who arent real familiar with this brand. I used to be in apartment maintenance using it to fasten down underlayment... door, window, trim and moulding work, masonary and metal drilling as well as doing numerous household and hobby projects. I have been using my Makita cordless for over 17 years and it still is working like a champ! Have kept it in an unheated garage or truck/van in sometimes near zero degree weather here in Michigan and even this didnt kill the batteries.The original batteries and charger still work although the batteries dont hold a charge like they used to. The quality of the batteries themselves are amazing to me. I just purchased an 18 volt drill simply because I couldnt pass up the deal and wanted to jump on the big high voltage bandwagon. (For me 18 volt is big!). The battery life and power didnt impress me on my new purchase. (I wont mention the name because I havent had it long enough for a fair review). I also have a small cordless Makita reciprocating saw I also am a big fan of. My Dad has a cordless trim saw and we love it as well. I have Dewalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, Craftsman Stanley and other corded and cordless tools and I am not saying which is best or better because it all depends. Its hard to say what the quality of Makitas tools are today as compared to when I made my purchases but I would definately buy another Makita anything if the price was right. I have used my drill more in the last 17 years than most will in a lifetime. Driving screws until it would stall year in and year out and it never wore out, never needed brushes. Now... if you are a professional drywaller or window/door installer and are constantly driving screws untill the clutch slips then you will probably wear out the clutch/torque adjust in a year to a few years but that is my speculation. I have seen contractors using them for just such work. My point is... dont be afraid to try Makita. If mine was dead and I was shopping for a new cordless, it would be a Makita. If I didnt buy Makita it wouldnt be because I was worried about the power or quality but only the deal I was getting. Some of the other manufacturers I mentioned have decent tools as well but Makita can hold its own against all of them and then some against some of them. Bearing all this in mind.... if I saw that they were being made in China then I would have some serious reservations... otherwise.... go for it.

This is my third makita drill so I consider myself biased. I don't use it all day but I need a quality drill for household repairs. The electric makita drill I've had now for fifteen years and it still runs fine. My second, I bought one of those 9 volt drills when the first cordless drills came out. I good drill but it's for light work. The batteries on this I've used all day without a recharge, alot longer than the models a few years ago. I've had problems with the chuck though. On many occasions the drill bit will come loose with smaller bits. The cap has come loose. Still it's put up with all the abuse I've given it.

After using the makita for 6 months it smoked and croaked. I was unscrewing deck boards and after a hour and 1/2 I noticed it getting warm then suddenly began to smoke. My work partner was using a Miluakee 18 volt and it kept at it all day.

I purchased this drill a couple of months ago and found it a pleasure to use. While I looks to be a similar size as other cordless drills, this drill is so well balanced that it does not feel big. The torque is great giving the power to drive long screws when needed, but sensitive enough to not strip out the heads. If I could, I would buy another to have a drill for both hands, but one is enough.