DeWalt vs Makita: Which Drill Reigns Supreme for DIY?

Hey folks! I'm in the market for a new cordless drill. I've been looking at the DeWalt DCD791 and the Makita XFD131. I do mostly DIY stuff - hanging shelves, assembling furniture, some light plumbing work. I've heard good things about both, but I can't decide. Any advice? Which one would you pick?

Paul, I've used both extensively on job sites. DeWalt has that slightly higher torque, but Makita is lighter and more compact. For DIY, either is fine. But if you plan to do more heavy drilling later, go DeWalt. Also, check the battery system - if you have other tools from one brand, stick with that to share batteries.

I gotta be honest, I bought a refurbished DeWalt and it's been a workhorse for years. But I also snagged a Makita on sale once and it was solid too. For most DIY, you don't need the top of the line. Look for deals, maybe last year's model. If you're just starting, a $99 kit will do the job. But if you're set on these, I'd go with whatever feels better in your hand.

I restore old furniture, so I need precision more than raw power. The Makita has a better chuck and the trigger is smoother for controlled starts. DeWalt's chuck can be a bit grabby. But honestly, both are top tier. If you can, try them in a store. And don't forget to consider the weight - if you're working overhead, lighter is better. Makita wins there.

Thanks all! I think I'll try to get my hands on both. The weight thing is a good point, Chris. I'm leaning Makita now, but I'll see how they feel. Appreciate the help!