is this a good drill for the money?
- Thread starter BlahBlahYouToo
- Start date
jlee
Lifer
- Sep 12, 2001
- 48,518
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Originally posted by: JLee
For household duty, I'm sure it'd be fine.
I bought a Dewalt-- my old thread
didn't see which one you bought there.
so the 3/8" drive is not an issue? just drilling holes in walls, driving screws, etc.
What do you mean exactly by household work? Tightening screws? Installing drywall? Drilling holes larger than 1/4"? When I was in the market for a corded drill, I looked at the both ryobi and rigid drills (goes for $60 or so). Since I am in the middle of renovating my house, I went with the rigid because of the extra power (6 amps vs 4 amps) and the lifetime warranty. If you just need something lightweight for light use, the Ryobi would be fine.
alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
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a spade bit is a bit special as the shafts are all roughly the same size. For wood and metal twist bits which are a more common homeowner need, then the shafts tier up.
You will find between 9/16" and 5/8" that twist bits start to exceed the capacity of a 3/8" chuck.
mugs
Lifer
- Apr 29, 2003
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You can always use a spade bit with a smaller drill. Or even one of these: http://www.irwin.com/irwin/con...rod160002&search=false (If that doesn't work, just google Irwin Speedbor).
I doubt you'll have a problem getting by with a 3/8" drill, but if you're only going to own one drill I think it should be a cordless drill/driver. Especially if you're like most homeowners and you use your drill as a cordless screwdriver 90% of the time. Home Depot actually had their 18v Ryobi drill on promo last Father's Day for $30 (with a charger and one battery). Fantastic deal. It seems like they almost always have some kind of promo running with their Ryobi tools. Right now I think it's the drill + reciprocating saw + one battery and a charger for $70.
SphinxnihpS
Diamond Member
- Feb 17, 2005
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SphinxnihpS
Diamond Member
- Feb 17, 2005
- 8,368
- 25
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They can be downright dangerous on a drill without an electronic brake (such as the one in question).
I know you think that you don't care about cordless versus corded, but once you get your drill and realize how often you use it, you'll want a cordless model. With that in mind, you should look into getting an impact driver versus a drill, if it's just for household use. Impact drivers are smaller, lighter, and have more torque than a traditional drill. The only downside is you won't be able to drill as big of holes, but for most household work, this doesn't matter.
Cordless is nice, but you have to plan ahead and charge the battery before each use. And, if you wear it out, you have to sit around twiddling your dick waiting for it to recharge before using it again. Quite frustrating when you're in the middle of a project and your drill dies, and you have to burn daylight waiting for it to charge up so you can get back to work. If you do get a cordless, I'd also pick up a cheap corded to go along with it.
As far as boring large holes go, you can use the spade bits like others have mentioned (if going into wood) or hole saws even, but you will probably want the 1/2" if you need to drill larger size holes in metal. Although, you could maybe get by with a set of stepper bits for sheetmetal in a 3/8".
1/2" drills tend to be more powerful / full featured than a comparable 3/8" model though, and designed for heavier use in general. If I were in your shoes, I'd pick up a 1/2" corded drill, and a 3/8" cordless set if you need more portability. I own a 3/8" corded, and often wish I'd gotten the 1/2" instead.
As far as boring large holes go, you can use the spade bits like others have mentioned (if going into wood) or hole saws even, but you will probably want the 1/2" if you need to drill larger size holes in metal. Although, you could maybe get by with a set of stepper bits for sheetmetal in a 3/8".
1/2" drills tend to be more powerful / full featured than a comparable 3/8" model though, and designed for heavier use in general. If I were in your shoes, I'd pick up a 1/2" corded drill, and a 3/8" cordless set if you need more portability. I own a 3/8" corded, and often wish I'd gotten the 1/2" instead.
I got a cordless RIDGID. My dad who is in construction recommends Dewalt or Milwaukee.
you can get a good combo set like this
http://www.homedepot.com/webap...0003+90401+1600+502106
and they have a lifetime warranty even on the batteries.
you can get a good combo set like this
http://www.homedepot.com/webap...0003+90401+1600+502106
and they have a lifetime warranty even on the batteries.
zerocool84
Lifer
- Nov 11, 2004
- 36,041
- 472
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IMO cordless is infinitely more useful and easier to use for basic hosuework. No wires to tangle or worry about pulling on you. Yes you have to worry about batteries dying but just charge it after every use and buy an extra battery. For hardcore stuff that's different but for general housework, cordless is infinitely more convenient.
BoomerD
No Lifer
- Feb 26, 2006
- 66,258
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I have a set of cordless Ryobi tools. Cheap POS stuff, but ok for the average homeowner. (just don't expect the batteries to last long...they run out of juice quickly and completely die (won't hold a charge) much quicker than their stuff used to. Their newer Li-On batteries are supposed to be much better, as are the newer tools.
Their corded stuff is about the same build quality. Cheap, but suitable for the average homeowner.
Their corded stuff is about the same build quality. Cheap, but suitable for the average homeowner.
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