Are cordless drills really worth it?

[eLiu]

Hi all,
I'm moving into a new apartment (from a dorm) so I'm picking up some tools to use around the house--shelving, maintenence, modifying furniture, etc. I'm a grad student, so I don't have a ton of money to spend (like $100 max, but really prefer to keep it around $60).

Is it really worth getting a cordless drill? They seem to be pretty expensive compared to their corded pals. I've definitely used cordless drills that were pretty weak torque-wise; I assume those were the cheaper variety. But I guess the convenience is that the batteries can be used in a bunch of different tools & it's nice & easy to do quick jobs without wires hanging around.

Also are Lion batteries a must?

So, cordless or corded?
-Eric

 

[aircooled]

Yes. Cordless is great.

 

[zinfamous]

Dewalt > *

budget-wise, though...no advice, sorry.

 

[BigJ]

For that price ($60)?

Looks like you're getting a Ryobi if you want cordless. They're convenient, but cheap corded drill/drivers are going to be much more powerful for the money.

Also zin, Dewalt is riding the coattails of the reputation it has built up over the years. They really aren't that great anymore.

 

[SSSnail]

Ryobi tools are not bad if you're just doing shits around the house. I bought a starter set with a circular saw and cordless drill with the bit set a few years back and they're still running great. The batteries lasts for quite a long time, and they come with two.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: BigJ
For that price ($60)?

Looks like you're getting a Ryobi if you want cordless. They're convenient, but cheap corded drill/drivers are going to be much more powerful for the money.

Also zin, Dewalt is riding the coattails of the reputation it has built up over the years. They really aren't that great anymore.

dont know about the dewalt part....the "newest" ones ive used are 6 or 7 years old and running strong after much use and many a drop *shrug* but youre dead on about what you can get for the money.

a cheap cordless is fine for home oddjobs, but not for anything requiring much power.

 

[dawp]

depending on what your willing to pay, then yes cordless are great, and with multple battery packs, even better. but if you have a lot of drilling to do, corded are better, batteries don't last forever, and even with multple ones, unless it's a quick charger and it's near by.

I have a cheap corded one because i didn't want to spend the money on a good cordless one.

this is the one I have

 

[SpiderWiz]

A Craftsman set that is in your budget.

 

[eLiu]

So it seems like the vote for cordless drills is pretty unanimous... and that's the feeling I get from other people I've talked to as well. I guess I'll shell out some extra money and get a nicer set.

-Eric

Edit: The two big stores in my area are Sears & Home Depot... is either one preferable?

 

[0]

Buy an 18V DeWalt.

 

[Wheezer]

Originally posted by: eLiu
So it seems like the vote for cordless drills is pretty unanimous... and that's the feeling I get from other people I've talked to as well. I guess I'll shell out some extra money and get a nicer set.

-Eric

Edit: The two big stores in my area are Sears & Home Depot... is either one preferable?

I *think* Craftsman and Ryobi are one in the same? (can someone confirm?)

I have a craftsman combo set and love it.

It really comes down to personal choice and most bang for your buck between the two.

 

[WolverineGator]

Cordless sucks unless you use it often. I've had 3 and the problem is the batteries die due to lack of use or failure to top up every few months.

 

[g8wayrebel]

Agree with wolverine. I have a Dewault set.
If you are going to use it regularly , they are great , but for infrequent use the batteries are going to kill you.
They run about $80(2) on sale. You can get a single , but you really need 2 to effectively work.
The batteries are designed to be charged and discharged regularly to be effective according to the Dewault
distributor on Page Ave in St Louis. If not used regularly , they won't hold a charge for squat.
I have to get a new set every year when i get around to projects in the summer and on vacation.
The convenience as a homeowner ( and honey do appointee at Mom's) keeps me buying them and using them , so yes it is worth it to me. I can take one case and have saw, hammer drill, saws all and my drill bit kit all at once.
If you get one , get to know the local dealer , they work with me on exchange so it isn't so expensive for me to get batteries.

 

[Injury]

Only get cordless if you can afford one with some power. Batteries may be part of the pain, but if you intend to do any major projects with it then you should consider power over convenience.

If you're going to get an underpowered cordless, you might as well just make it an motorized screwdriver and save yourself a few bucks because that's all it'll be good for.

 

[Christobevii3]

Originally posted by: Injury
Only get cordless if you can afford one with some power. Batteries may be part of the pain, but if you intend to do any major projects with it then you should consider power over convenience.

99% of the time I don't need to drill through steel or something heavy. For me, I just need a cordless then except for that one time every 5 years where I can borrow one from my dad.

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: WolverineGator
Cordless sucks unless you use it often. I've had 3 and the problem is the batteries die due to lack of use or failure to top up every few months.

Agreed. They seem to last me about 2-3yrs. When you need to replace the batteries, you'll find they cost almost as much as a new cordless (especially if you can find one on a clearance deal). Thus, I've been getting a new cordless about every 3yrs. The old ones still work fine, the batteries just don't last as long.

If it's something you are only going to use occasionally, anything decent will do. If you go with a cordless one, you'll likely find uses for it, that maybe previously you used a screwdriver or another tool. Alternatively, if you go corded, you may find you choose to avoid using it because of the hassle, but it'll be there if you need it.

In either case, beyond the basic features be sure to compare the chucks on the different models you are considering. The cheap chucks do a horrible job of holding onto round drillbits but do ok with the hex-style screw bits. I didn't think it mattered until I got a drill with a nicer chuck.

 

[Spineshank]

I have a Firestorm 18V that i got at the B&D outlet for like $80 and its pretty good.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Get a decent corded drill and then buy yourself a 50 foot extension cord (if you don't have one).
It may be less convenient than cordless, but over time, it will save you lots of money.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Originally posted by: Injury
Only get cordless if you can afford one with some power. Batteries may be part of the pain, but if you intend to do any major projects with it then you should consider power over convenience.

Listen to this man OP! Kick down a few extra bucks, and get the Craftsman 19.2v, at 400ft.in. of torque it is one of the most powerful cordless drills out there. If you don't have a good grip on it, the drill, drills you.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

<== remodels homes

If you use drills regularly, get cordless. If it is rarely, get corded.

If you get a cordless model, most of what you find at Home Depot and Lowes is junk. But for your use, that is fine. Just get the cheapest thing. I use DeWalt for one reason. My father in law does and keeping a standard battery for all your cordless stuff is a smart move.

Anyways, you probably should get a corded drill.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I have a ten year old Craftsman 12v cordless drill which has served me well. One of the two battery packs have died but I was still able to build a deck recently with it.

fwiw - I've used it pretty irregularly, sometimes not using it for a year and let the battery drain down. For the length of time I've had my drill and use I've gotten out of it, it's been a great investment. Cordless is the only way to go nowadays.

 

[andy04]

I have both, cordless lacks power and takes londer to drill, the corder drills in a snap, specially when were are dealing with metal or cement. Also a few times my cordless was out of battery when I needed it and the damn thing wont work directly with adapter, that when I bough the corder one.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

For occasional use, get a quality corded drill.
For daily use, get a quality cordless drill.
For professional use, get one of each.

 

[Ramma2]

If you're drilling a hole here and there, assembling some furniture every now and then, get a cordless.

If you're doing framework and need to drill 100's of holes to run electrical wiring, then get a corded.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: Ramma2
If you're drilling a hole here and there, assembling some furniture every now and then, get a cordless.

If you're doing framework and need to drill 100's of holes to run electrical wiring, then get a corded.

this. my vote is for corded. Ive had batteries die in the middle of a project numerous times on my cordless that would've left me stranded. But thankfully I have a corded one also. Also you get a lot more juice for the money with a corded. Corded is usually lighter than cordless also.

Corded is a 8 yr old craftsman
cordless is a 2 yr old ryobi