When I first saw the 18-volt powerhouse Makita 6347DWDE drill at this price -- which doesn't even include the significant manufacturer's rebate -- I thought it was too good to be true and quite possibly a misprint. I had to re-read the description and the fine print a few times before making my order.
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br /After owning this drill for six months and using it on a number 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.
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br /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.
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br /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 $$$.
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br /Note: Take a look at the Makita 784874-A 15-Piece UltraLoc Set as a great accessory for this drill.

I'm just your typical do-it-yourself home improvement user so I can't speak from a professional use level, but this drill has been a godsend. About a year ago, I bought a 18v Coleman cordless drill for about $10 after some discounts from HSN. I thought that for $10 it couldn't be that bad. Boy was I was wrong. First off, those NiCad batteries you find in the cheaper drills (skil, coleman, bd) are no match for the same or lower voltage of a NiMH battery. NiCad batteries quickly lose the remaining charge about half way through the battery. These NiMH batteries in the Makita, don't give up until the battery is almost completely dead. Though this Makita drill costs significantly more, the power and endurance of the battery is amazing. Screws that would bring that Coleman to a crawl are nothing for the Makita.
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br /The main reason for buying this drill is that I'm currently remodeling my bathroom and there hasn't been a task that has given me second thoughts about choosing the Makita. I've been driving 2.5" deck screws into 4"x6" lumber along with 200-300 other screws into 2x4 studs and drilling 3/4" holes with a spade bit through 2 stacked 2x4s without a hitch (not on one charge). It's true that the Panasonic 18V drill is rated the highest by Consumer Reports, but I'm more than satisifed with my Makita at $75 less.
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br /If you are planning on doing light and occasional drilling or screwing, a Coleman or other basic duty cordless drill will probably get you by. But if you plan on having your batteries last all day, boring holes in a variety of materials, sinking a variety of lengths of screws into limitless materials, then buy a quality drill like this Makita. I could've never done the bathroom remodel had it not been for the endurance and torque of this unit.

I run an electrical contracting business and have owned this tool for 1 year. Between myself and my workers we use these tools every day and have a good chance to see which models work best. And, we totally abuse them - from drilling in heavy studs/beams to setting screws and bolts for solar panels (sometimes the occasional nail gets pounded in with the drill base!).
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br /What I like:
br /- Great torque, can really chug along while drilling through heavy material
br /- Heavy, but rugged. Can take the abuse of being dropped and kicked around
br /- Forward/reverse button easy to manipulate
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br /What I don't like:
br /- The two speeds (1 2) don't always engage. I have to switch back and forth to make them engage (half the time).
br /- I would like to see a higher over-ride position, 16 is highest, but wimpy
br /- Battery life could be improved. Otherwise, buy an additional battery and stay on top of recharging them
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br /Overall, great value for the $$. I would love it if Makita added a hammer drill option to this model. One of my workers has the DeWalt 18V hammer drill which works quite well, but has less torque and battery life than the Makita.

As a trade professional, I use this drill more often and harder than most. I own, or have owned, Craftsman Professional 18v, Bosch 18v and DeWalt 18v drills. They're all in my truck, but I find myself always reaching for the Makita, as I find it the most comfortable to use and as powerful and long running as the considerably more expensive Bosch and DeWalt. The drill's clutch is top-notch for driving, but not overdriving, screws. The NiMH 2.6A batteries have a great run time and even the case is relatively compact and well made.
br /This is my second purchase of this Makita drill, and frankly, as the other drills( which I hardly use except when I need two or more drills at the same time) die, I'll be switching over to all Makitas. That will also give me the advantage of being able to interchange batteries between drills. You can't go wrong with this drill, and for you homeowners, it should last many, many years.

I have been using power tools professionally for the better part of 35 years and this Makita is a great, tough power tool. Those who can afford to nit-pik over specs that are meaningless in the field, well have at 'er. This is a tough, powerful, reliable tool that comes with TWO NiMH batteries and a full indicator charger that makes it an easy choice over the other equivalently priced 18v drills of a much lower quality. The plastic on my old one- it's a 10yr old 12v- is still in great condition and does not show the wear that some worry about on "plastic" chucks. Most all have 'em anyway and the plastic holds up to very hard professional field use. I expect to have this one in service for a long time too. I feel you can buy this one with confidence.
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br /daN
br /#==oO

Ive used the 12v version of this drill for years and got this as a 2nd to have a drill and driver without swapping bits all the time.
br /This 18v has incredible power and battery life. It comes with a 2nd battery which is a must. This one would would torque out of my hand before stalling.
br /There are 2 functional features that were better on the older drills: 1) The chuck is all metal now and a bit smaller in diameter then the old style making it harder to grasp and tighten (old style was rubber with nice nurls to grab. 2) The drill to driver switch has a small safety afety switch that has to be pushed in before you can activate the slide switch. Its a total annoyance as a simple slide switch as is on the older models would have been just fine.

Much better unit than my old BD Firestorm, as it should be for the higher price. The Makita is powerful, has multiple adjustments for torque, and the batteries hold a charge and charge fast when needed. Only gripe is that the plastic chuck components diminish overall quality and make me keep my fingeres crossed that the unit will hold up over time. Steel would have been much better there.

If you have read many of these tool reviews, you'll notice many seem to be spec-fights between brands rather than real-life use reviews. Whether a cordless battery specs at 2.5 rather than 2.4 Amp/Hour, a few more inch-pounds of torque, etc. It's all useless tripe, and I've learned from experience to ignore this stuff. I also care a lot less about whether a new locking chuck design is 'convenient' and a lot more about whether the chuck holds the darn bit tightly and securely without falling apart after a year. In the end, what really counts, to me, is whether the company is still making reliable, heavy-duty tools in the type of tool I'm considering. I don't like to take stuff back, either. From my experience, in cordless drills, Makita is doing the job.
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br /This is an excellent quality, heavy-duty cordless drill, with the usual big Makita motor, great cooling, ball bearings, tight and secure metal head chuck, long-lived batteries, and reliable charger. I bought it reconditioned, used it for many hard jobs, used and abused it, and have never had any problems. If I had, I wouldn't hesitate to switch brands - instantly - but I don't change just for the sake of it, and I have seen what happens to tool 'guinea pigs' - I let someone else take the first plunge.
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br /I can't review Makita's warranty/repair service because I've never, ever needed it with any of their cordless drills or saws, which is about the best warranty any tool maker could provide. Isn't that what it's all about?
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i have owned several cordless drills and makita has been the best for me. i've worked my way up from a 12 volt,to a 14volt for home and now a 18 volt for work. i'm sure i won't have to invest in another drill for a long time.

Getting the 18v Ni-MH for the same price the 12v NiCd runs at Lowe's should be a no-brainer for most sane people, and the extra battery just sweetens the deal. Makitas are built like tanks, sit well in the hand and the only other brand of drill I'd ever even consider dropping this much money on is Milwaukee--the rest just feel like cheap (yet expensive!) toys.
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br /The only thing I can find to complain about is the fact that they don't throw in the magnetic chuck. I mean really, who's NOT going to want that thing? Stick it in the dang case already.

We bought it for my dad for father's day. He used it to build a set of stairs. He used 2 and a half inch screws and it drove them really well. He over uses screws when he builds. A tornado couldn't tear what he builds apart. Anyway he was very pleased with the lasting time of the batteries and you've never seen anyone so happy to receive a gift. He has an old Makita that is only 9 volt and it lasted him over 30 years. He made many barns, sheds, and wood boats with it. He wouldn't choose anything but Makita.

This is my first cordless driver and I'm glad I didn't cut corners on it. We recently moved into a new home and many changes were required to make it our own including every lock, every bit of hardware on the cabinets, all switches/recepticles, etc. This things batteries last long enough to make sure you never need more than the two that come with it and they're NiMH so we don't need to worry about them losing power over time. The Jacobs chuck is effortless to switch from Phillips to standard on the included tip or to a drill bit while placing your bit in the on-board storage. Plus, it seems to be the only cordless tool that employed Americans in their production. Plenty of torque for 3.5" lag screws into studs, and delicate enough to drive screws into old/abused wood. Lot's of speed for driving a hole saw or through solid core doors and driving long screws like the ones in above-the-range microwaves. Oh, and no run-out, the chuck is laser straight.

Owned one of these drills for years. Liked it so much I decided to purchase a second one. Plenty of power and torque. I use the drills for construction and brick work. Always have been reliable. Dropped the first drill from single story roofs before and it survived without a problem. Battery housing cracked though which is the least I expected. Never had a problem shifting between the 2 speeds. Reasonably priced, you'll be impressed.Like any other cordless tool, rotate your batteries and keep them charged.
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br /M. Merrill

This is my third drill I have purchased in the last 6 or 7 years. I have evolved from a small Craftsman 19.6 volt cordless, to a corded Makits, to this. I found this drill on sale (about 2 years ago), along with a free Makita tool belt, and snatched it up. I couldn't be happier with it. I have built two fences with it along with the general odds and ends around the house. This drill has never let me down. The charge lasts a long time and it has good power.
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br /I think the most frequent compliment I get from friends that borrow it, is how balanced it feels compared to their 18 volts. To me, this is one of the most important features because the better balanced your drill is, the less fatigue you will feel on long projects. Plus it is easier to get the drill into awkward postions (like drilling back at myself, under an eave, while hanging over a roof.)
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br /I am sold on this drill and will look for a new one, like this, if this one ever breaks.

Bought the 6347DWDE a couple of months ago. While not a professional user, it does a good job on my projects. It seems solidly built and has plenty of power.

This is my 4th Makita cordless drill and as usual I am very impressed with it. I appreciate the feature that allows you to click from the clutch to drill mode with a flip of a switch versus having to turn the housing 360 degrees. i expected the power/strength of the drill to be strong since it is an 18 volt - no surprises here - very impressive. The only thing I would like to see is a little less weight. Every ounce counts when using a tool like this over the long term.

Great battery life
br /Excellent amount of power
br /Nice simple details - all metal chuck (and tightning rings)
br /Good weight and balance
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br /I would highly reco mmend this drill for household or and most shop use

I've purchased a couple of these drills and it's a love hate kind of thing. The torque, run time, clutch, ratchet chuck are all great!!!!Typical of Makita this is a quality product. BUT, after about a year or so of use, three of the four batteries are dead and won't hold a charge. So what have I done? Yuk, I've purchased another Milwaukee 1/2 in corded pistol grip for medium duty drilling and I've bought cheap Chinese replacement batteries on EBay for my old Dewalt. I've had to replace the gear box and sleeve motor bearings on my Dewalt but it keeps working. Now if only I could get cheap replacement batteries for my Makita, I'd chuck the Dewalt. The one thing I have yet to do is take the Makita battery apart and replace the individual cells. The Makita......, a great tool!!! but expect to buy $60 batteries every other year. Just one more thought. I've never used a Rigid drill but they offer life time warranties on their batteries. Just a thought.

I've had this drill a little over a month now, and no problems at all. Mixing concrete, thinset, large wood screws are no problem. Very powerful drill. My only word of caution to others would be the drills weight. It is heavy, and not cheap; like most decent power tools.

Makita rocks! For durability, reliability and portability, Makita can't be beat. This unit has been absolutely flawless. Power is incredible. It drove a 1/2"x3" lag screw deeper into wood farther than an AC DeWalt unit. Both were in low DeWalt reached halfway, the makita shortly past 3/4 of the length. NiMH batteries last decently and recharge fast. New Lithium Ion battery units (Makita LXT) have since dethroned this unit in overall charcge cycle duration, and also weigh less. I have owned this unit for 3+ years without the slightest problem.

I have only used it a few times, but so far I think it is a great drill. I've had no problems with charging or using it. It grips drill bits well and has great torque. It is a little heavy, but I manage that just fine because it does what it's supposed to do. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a solid, dependable drill/driver.

I replaced an older Porter Cable 12v NiCd drill with this Makita. Night and day difference. The torque on this unit is outrageous, it's light and it's made in the USA. Not a Home Depot trinket; this is a real tool.

Awesome replacement for my old cordless drill! Lots of torque and long battery life. Highly recommend it to others!

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!

This is my third Makita drill. So far, so good. But for the occasional user, this model may be too heavy. Makita could break into the home gym market: dual use dumb-bells!

I bought this drill to replace a Makita 9.6 volt. I had used the old one until the batteries died. I bought the 9.6 volt in a pawn shop and used it for years.
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br /This 18 volt is really great for my needs. I am a female with smaller hands. So, most of the higher voltage drills are to heavy for me to use for very long (short time with two hands). I appreciate the adjustable clutch.
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br /I have a Dewalt corded drill. There are times when I need to drill then drive without having to change accessory's so two drills are really handy. The Dewalt handle is so big and heavy. My fingers won't reach around it. The Dewalt does not have an adjustable clutch. You are suppossed to be able to adjust it with pressure of the fingers (ha).
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br /The short charging time on the Makita is great. I do not have to leave it plugged in for hours. I am really enjoying using my new Makita.

this power tool rocks! my dad was so sick of me borrowing his, he bought me my own. i love it. i feel like i own the world. once i borrowed my boy's BD and i nearly threw it out the window. makita all the way. plus its pretty ;)

Excellent, well designed, and well balanced tool. Delivers amazing power and torque - I never thought a battery-powered tool could have enough torque to twist it out of your hand! One definitely has to be careful when using large drill bits. I really like that it has a 1/2-inch chuck and has the power to handle 1/2-inch tools. The chuck tightens easily and stays tight - unlike another brand I've used on which the chuck continually worked itself loose. Seems very tough and able to handle serious work.

Just got this drill couple days ago, so at this point I can't speak to battery longevity. However, what I can say, if you know tools like I do, just picking up this drill and then listening to the sound of it, one can just tell it's a superior made tool, nothing chintzy about it. I would recommend this tool to anyone. I am impressed. Let me use it awhile and I'll comment on battery life. I was going to buy the 18v Lithium Ion drill by Makita, but I read too many battery complaints, so I stayed away from it and got this one.

I bought a few of these drill for my overseas brother from Amazon and popular auction site on internet. The batteries of these drill from auction die after one year of usage, but the one from Amazon still good. If you want to buy a brand new drill of this. I recommend you get it from Amazon. Hope this help.

This is a powerful and useful drill. I have only used this for medium work thus far, but it worked for 6 hours driving several hundred screws on a deck project and the battery showed no signs of tiring. It has a switch that quickly changes between drill and screw mode that saves time. The charger charges in slightly less than an hour.
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br /My only disappointment is that I have not figured how to get the charger into the kit carrying box.

This drill/driver is fantastic! It has torque and power to spare, long battery life, easy and quick recharging, and great balance/feel for an 18V. Haven't had it long enough to comment on battery life. It drives 3 1/2" deck screws into treated lumber with ease. Also, has a light touch to the trigger for working with smaller bolts. The perfect balance makes it seem much lighter than it is, and user fatigue isn't an issue. The case is quite large, but provides plenty of capacity for bits and drivers. A great value.
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br /Amazon price and free shipping are the deal. Plus, many experiences and a couple of returns with Amazon - all easy transactions.

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'm a weekend warrior, so my drilling needs are not that intense - but my Craftsman 9.6v wasn't cutting it. This 18v is great - I haven't used my corded drill since I bought it. Lots of torque settings (too many, probably, I have no idea when I should use some of the incremental levels). The NiMH battery is GREAT - I won't go back to NiCD if I can avoid it. A little heavy, but I guess that comes with the 18v.
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O.K. you can read and you know what you'll get. I looked hard but I couldn't get this package at $126 anywhere else...no where near $126. By the way the drill does work fantastic. First Makita and I like it.

I got this machine about a year ago and it's worked flawlessly. Plenty of power. In fact, I've never had an instance when the drill couldn't do what I've asked of it. It might be on the big and heavy side for those who are used to smaller cheapo cordless drills. I've had a 14.4V unit as well and was happy, so I decided to try out the next power up.
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br /The fit and finish is fine. Battery life is exceptional in my experience (for an 18V).

Great workhorse. Drill works to it's full power till the very end. This is my second one. I now have 2 for all my work.

I think its a great drill driver I use it everyday and it has lots of power and one battery lasts a long time

Great power. Came with two batteries, both fully charged. I had the 12V version and completed project ranging from demolition, drilling concrete remodling. After three years of extreme use, the motor finally died. I am guessing that if the 12V could last that long under extreme conditions, the 18V will be the last drill i ever have to buy.

I got tired of underpowered cordless drills. Rather than buy (expensive) batteries to bring my 9.6 V Makita back to usability, I decided to get this drill when Amazon had a good price on it.
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br /I've used it enough since I bought it to know that I made the right decision. I DO wish the case were a bit more compact as there's a lot of empty space in it and its bulk makes it a bit difficult for me to store.
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br /After several hours of use it can make the weary old muscles in arm/hand tired but it sure does the job compared to "off brand" higher voltage cheaper drills.
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br /I heartily recommend this for somebody who needs a drill that can work all day and has batteries that won't have a short life when only charged when you get the drill out to work.
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Powerfull light weight unit. Very quick charge on the batteries great for the work or home shop.

A little heavy to work with but it has power to spare. And with the rebate coupled with the discounts, you can't get a better cordless drill at this price

All women with little to no experience with tools will find this drill kit easy to understand and use. The only improvement I would suggest is providing an option to purchase additional bits.

I have tried a lot of cordless drills/screwdrivers over the years and always found them lacking in power or battery life. This packaged set is great for the home handyman or woman.

This drill is very handy and hs very good versatility. It recharging time is fast as well! I use it for drilling in dry wall as well as in concrete!

Bought this in Dec. 05 and was initially pleased. Will drive screws all day long. Unfortunately, I did not put a drill bit in until 3 months later. Damn intermittent 1/2" wobble at the end of the drill bit. No, I did not drop the tool. I treat my tools better than my wife.
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br /I thought I was buying a quality tool. Had to take time out of my day to visit an authorized service center. Now two weeks later, they still have my drill. New gears and chuck on order from Makita. I asked the tech if this happens often straight out of the box. He said he sees it from time to time, and it all depends on where the parts are made. He said I should have bought a Bosch.
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br /The gist of this review is to check your drill for wobble while you still can return it to Amazon.

I have found the drills to be very effective. The only problem that I have found is that the speed variation is very high.

This drill is actually a little heavier than I like but the price was right. I prefer the weight of the 14.4 volt units but this drill/driver works great. I have bought quite a few items from Amazon and have had very good experiences every time.

Excellent corkless drill. Able to work all day on one charge of the battery. My second Makita drill my first one is 25 years old and still working fine.

One of the best purchases I have made for personal use. Delivery prompt and professional.

Given that I'm upgrading from a 12 Volt Ryobi, maybe it's no surprise that
br /I was so blown away by how great this drill is. Battery life is long, and
br /power is really good. I feel like it was a good value for me.

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

Makita makes a good product, but once the market has been filled, what do you do. Makita decided to change the battery style. They are no longer interchangeable with the NEW 18 volt product. If you already own several Makita 18 volt products, then this one is a good buy. If it is your first Makita 18 volt - DO NOT PURCHASE IT!!! Your batteries will quickly become obsolete and what you will have is a good tool with no access to batteries. Much the same as Sears did with its 18 volt.

I always buy Makita for quality. This drill is no exception. For a little over the cost of a couple of batteries, you get the whole kit. Great value, great drill.

I recieved the first of these drills as a comp at my local lumberyard. I was fairly pleased with it, but it seemed to have less torque than my old makita 12v, which drove 3-1/2" screws like crazy. After about two weeks, however, I set the drill down to grab something else and when I turned around the drill was on fire, with a big cloud of black smoke pouring out of it. When I showed it to the mak rep at the lumberyard (who I just happened to run into) he was only mildly surprised, and got me a new one within a week, at no cost, no questions asked. Overall not a bad drill, but not what I expected from makita, based on my great experience with my old 12v.
Addendum:
Makita did replace my drill/driver, but after 6-7 months of moderate use, it seized up while drilling a small hole. I took it apart and I suspect that the motor locked up. I, a former Makita fan, am done with the brand (at least their cordless drills). Makita cordless drills suck. I have just purchased a new cordless variable speed trigger (very responsive) pistol grip (like a corded drill) cordless hammerdrill by Ridgid,with 100 more in/lbs of torque (VERY noticable, it drives 10" timberlocks or olys with ease) and I feel that I have got a lot for my money, and I hope that it will be more reliable than the Makita. I would change my star rating to none, but I can't figure out how.

Hey what can I cay, it's a MAKITA !!!!!, The best you can own !!!

I bought one of these Makita drills, took it out of the box, pulled the trigger and immediately saw that the chuck/spindle was misaligned. Put a drill bit in it and the tip wobbled all over the place. I thought Makita was better than this. Guess not.

This drill took the place of a small one of same bran and it does grate.