Makita 6011DWE2 3/8-Inch Cordless Driver-Drill Kit, 2-Speed, Variable Speed, Reversible

Yes, this is an older tool. I have had mine for what must be about ten years. For six of those years I have abused/dropped/thrown it almost daily. I ran into another older guy on a job last month who had the same one. Like me, he had been waiting for it to die so he could justify buying a new, bigger, sexier gun. Like me, he had been waiting for years. The damn thing is indestructable. Like a lot of Makita chargers, this one can be suspect, and I had to replace one. The best thing I have found is that with everyone going to 18+ volts, they are happy to give me their old 9 and 12 volt batteries. I have about 6 now. Some are tired, but I am NEVER without a juiced battery. Drives 3" screws fine, I attach a lot of 2x4's to hardwood floors, no big problem. If you consistently need more than 9 volts, you should probably use a corded tool anyway.
The balance is not a problem if you use a holster, but it won't sit upright on the floor which is sometimes useful.
It...Read more

As an owner of one of these drills, for $80 this drill is OK. This stick battery Makita is an old workhorse design. However, it is also old. It was old when the last reviews were written in '01. It's really old now. I think these came out originally around 1990.

So it's old. That doesn't mater if the thing still works. Well it does and based on power and specs it competes nicely again most other 12V drills for the same money. It's torque rating is better than many but still less than the 350 in-lb a late model DeWalt 12V drill (which costs more). The drill does have two speeds, two batteries and a quick charger, etc. It also has a well earned history of taking a beating and lasting for years.

However, it's also clear that when this drill was new people hadn't figured out "the best" way to do things yet.

There is a reason why almost all drills have the T handle vs the older pistol grip. The gear box speed selector is a rotary knob...Read more

I loved this drill when it came out, but it is outclassed by the newer Makita t-handle 12 and 14 volt drills. The newer drills have nicer chucks, chargers, batteries, and balance. I also like the more compact size of the newer drills.