Makita vs DeWalt Cordless Drills – Which One for Heavy Framing?

Been debating between Makita XPH14 and DeWalt DCD996 for framing decks. I do a lot of 8” lags into PT lumber. Read specs, but want real-world opinions. Which one holds up better over a year of abuse?

I've got both. DeWalt hammer drill mode is smoother, but Makita has way better battery life under load. DCD996 is a beast but eats batteries. XPH14 feels more balanced. If you're doing all day drives, go Makita. DeWalt if you need max torque for short bursts.

Don’t sleep on the chucks. I rebuild older tools, and the DeWalt chuck wear out faster when you drop em. Makita’s metal body can take a beating. Had my XPH07 for 3 years, still tight. For heavy framing, I’d pick Makita for longevity.

Just a safety note: if you’re doing lags all day, make sure you’re using impact-rated bits and eye pro. Both drills have enough torque to snap a bit and send shrapnel. Personally, I prefer the DCD996 because of the variable speed trigger control – less kickback when starting a hole.