Milwaukee Vs. Porter-Cable Cordless Drill | What Is Better

Since cordless drills run on rechargeable batteries, users can work anytime and anywhere without worrying about a power cord. All you need is a fully charged battery pack, and you are ready to go work on any project for the day.

A cordless drill is everybody’s best friend when it comes to replacing screwdrivers and drywall installations or bolting down outdoor furniture on concrete. You can also make pilot holes to avoid splitting the wood when working on various carpentries.

What To Consider

Using the right drill will enable you to accomplish more things at home and work. Hence, you must know your options in finding the best cordless drill for your job.

Weight And Mobility

Cordless drills offer more mobility than corded tools. Devices with more voltage provide more power but have bigger batteries, thus weigh heavier. Although drills with higher voltage can work on more substantial jobs, they can sometimes strain your wrist and shoulders due to its weight.

You should look for a power drill with enough power to work on household and work projects, but is not too heavy to tire you much faster, especially if you are working on various jobs.

Power And Capabilities

Power drills are commonly available in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2-inch chuck sizes. The bigger the chuck size is, the better it is to handle more significant applications. Most power tool users also look for a machine that has a variable-speed drill with an adjustable clutch.

It gives you the versatility to use different bits to work on a wide array of materials, from softwoods to hardwoods and metals.

There are also some drills with keyed chucks, while some are keyless. You can loosen and tighten a keyless chuck quickly by hand, making it perfect if you want to finish a job faster. You will find this most helpful when you need to swap a drill bit to a driver bit repeatedly.

Other Power Drill Features

One of the features that will give you a lot of benefits is having a brushless motor. It offers higher running time and power while having a lighter and much quieter tool. Other add-on features you might want to look for in a drill are:

• Built-in light for better visibility of what you are working on.
• Rubberized and soft handle for a comfortable grip and prevent the tool from slipping off your hand.
• Extra battery and driver bit set for a complete drill package.
• A charger in case your cell runs out of power.
• Case or pouch for secure storage and portability.

Let’s Compare

If you are talking about power tools, Milwaukee and Porter-Cable are both reputable brands and highly-known in the industry. These two companies have a wide array of quality products, which they offer at competitive prices.

Although these two brands are known for durability and quality performance, they still have some differences. Let’s find out what these differences are by reviewing each cordless drill they carry.

Milwaukee 2407-22 M12 Drill Driver Kit

The Milwaukee M12 3/8” Drill Driver Kit performs 35% faster than other brands. This product boasts of an all-metal locking chuck for a superior bit grip. Plus, it is compact and lightweight and offers additional features that can make your work a lot faster and easier.

All-Metal Chuck

This tool’s all-metal single-sleeve chuck provides for an excellent bit grip for the convenient bit retightening. It also prevents you from losing bits while working. The Milwaukee M12 3/8-inch drill driver comes with a REDLITHIUM battery pack which offers more charge for longer working hours.

This drill can deliver a maximum torque of 275 inch-pounds and a maximum speed of 1,500 RPM, which is enough for your simple household repairs and projects.

Ergonomic Design

Aside from weighing only 2.1 pounds, this cordless drill is ergonomically designed for a comfortable grip. It means that you can spend hours working and holding this device without straining your hands, wrist, arms, and shoulders.

Further, it can easily be handled even if you have small hands and by both professionals or beginners. Other additional features of this power drill include a battery fuel gauge, and a built-in LED light. It also comes with a charger and carrying bag.

Five-Year Warranty

Milwaukee offers more extended warranty coverage compared to other brands. A five-year limited warranty covers this tool. Keep your proof of purchase and Milwaukee will repair or replace faulty parts free of charge. Plus, you can readily access tool guides and manuals from their website anytime.

Porter-Cable PCL120DDC-2 12V MAX Drill Driver

Porter-Cable PCL120DDC-2 is a dependable power drill that can efficiently complete any job in tight and dark spaces. Although some might find it a bit pricier than other tools, you can be sure of its top-performance on every home and DIY projects.

Compact and Lightweight

This drill is compact and lightweight, weighing only 2.4 pounds. You can comfortably use it in tight spaces and allow you to reach high places easily. Moreover, it doesn’t cause hand or arm fatigue even when installing overhead cabinets for an extended period.

Two Powerful 12V Lithium-Ion Batteries

The tool comes with two batteries; thus, you will always have a spare to work without stopping to charge a cell. The 12V lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and provide power longer than NiCad cells. This drill also comes with a charger that can fully charge your battery pack in 30 minutes.

These batteries can support the tool’s peak torque of 220 inch-pounds and a maximum speed setting of 1,200 RPM. This 3/8-inch power drill also has a single sleeve chuck with spindle luck that offers 20 different clutch settings. This feature allows you to have more control over the tool to prevent the screws from stripping.

Added Features

The installed LED light feature enables you to work even in dark spaces without straining your eyes. It also has a belt hook that comes in handy, whether you are left or right-handed.

For extra bits and screws, the tool has a magnetic bit holder placed on top of the drill’s motor area. Finally, this tool comes with a three-year limited warranty that covers faulty items and a one-year free service from the date of purchase.

FAQs

To guide you in choosing the perfect drill for you, here are some answers to the questions you might have in mind.

Can I Use A Cordless Drill On Concrete?

Some might have second thought using their drill on concrete. You can use a cordless drill to bore or drill holes if you need to hang a frame or a pot of plant on a hard cement wall. You need to find the right drill features, like battery power and torque settings, to be able to drill into concretes.

It would be best if you used a hammer drill in this case. It has a hammer setting that enables you to drill into harder materials like brick, and of course, concrete. Although it is possible to use a cordless drill on concrete walls, it might take you a long time to finish. The hammering motion of the drill hammer helps to drill holes a lot faster and easier.

How Do I Remove A Stuck Bit Due To An Overtightened Chuck?

If this happens, never instantly replace the chuck assembly. You can try to use a locking or groove joint plier with a cloth or rubber sheet. It will protect your tool’s chuck finish from any damages.

A strap wrench is also designed for this job. Put the drill in reverse and firmly grip the chuck with the pliers or wrench. You might need to do this on the maximum torque setting to dislodge the bit.

What Are The Numbers On The Cordless Drill For?

You will often see numbers on your drill from one to ten or one to 20. These numbers indicate the clutch that will deliver the torque range of the tool.

The higher the number, the higher the torque, and the larger the fastener you can work on. You can easily adjust the clutch setting by aligning the arrow to the desired setting and start driving or drilling.

Conclusion

You get the most out of your money with any Porter-Cable or Milwaukee tool. These reputable brand names are famous for the durability and quality of their products.

Choosing which brand is best for you will depend on your preferences since you can never go wrong with Milwaukee or Porter-Cable cordless drills.