[Poll] Need a new cordless drill

[biggestmuff]

My old, 7.2V, Black and Decker, Versapak, cordless drill's charger began failing a few years ago. Now both batteries are dead. I'm going to use this opportunity to purchase a new drill.

I'll be using it for driving and removing screws and the occasional drilling of wood, plastic and metal (rare). The old 7.2's battery life wasn't great for long jobs and drilling wood and plastic was a chore.

I don't buy drills everyday, so, which one, ATOT?

 

[Barfo]

Black & Decker 24V

 

[Chryso]

Other than Black and Decker those are high-end expensive brands. How about a Ryobi?

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: Chryso
Other than Black and Decker those are high-end expensive brands. How about a Ryobi?

Ah, forgot about them.

 

[Baked]

DeWALT products look really robust and well built. I'm going with the DeWALT DC900 36V 1/2" hammerdrill/drill/driver with 1/2" self-tightening chuck and patented 3-speed all-metal transmission. All metal gears FTW!

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: Baked
DeWALT products look really robust and well built. I'm going with the DeWALT DC900 36V 1/2" hammerdrill/drill/driver with 1/2" self-tightening chuck and patented 3-speed all-metal transmission. All metal gears FTW!

Wow. That one is nice, but I think it's a little much for my needs. :beer:

 

[amdhunter]

When I worked for Time Warner Cable, we swore by DeWalt, and I never got disappointed. :thumbsup:

 

[Capt Caveman]

What about a 19.2v Craftsman? You can usually get a great deal on them when they are on sale.

 

[KMc]

I've had my 9.6V Dewalt for over 10 years now and it has never failed me - ever. Only problem I have now is finding replacement batteries. I've looked at replacing it and I just think anything larger than 14 - 18V is overkill for my use, which sound similar to your requirements. Plus, the larger the battery, the heavier and bulkier they are.

 

[MotF Bane]

DeWalt 14.4. DeWalt makes really really nice toys. 14.4 means big enough for whatever you need, but without all the extra weight of the 18.

 

[Howard]

Can't go wrong with either DeWalt or Makita.

 

[Baked]

Ah ok, I think I found just what you need. I see it for $150 @ Amazon.com. Maybe you can find it cheaper else where.

DEWALT DC730KA Heavy-Duty Cordless 14.4 Volt Compact Drill/Driver

Technical Details

* 14.4-volt battery and frame-less motor delivers 410 unit watts of max. power for fast, effective drilling
* Dual speed drilling at 0-400/0-1,450 RPM for job-specific performance
* 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck to prevent bit slippage; all-metal gears for durability
* Just 8.2 inches long and 4.3 pounds for reduced operator fatigue and ease of use in tight spaces
* Includes one-hour charger, two 14.4-volt batteries, screwdriver bit, heavy-duty kit box, and 3-year warranty

 

[Twofootputt]

I've used both DeWalt & Makita at work. Both are good. I bought a small 18V Makita for home because I like the batteries & it was somewhat smaller & lighter.

 

[Yreka]

I have a 12, 14.4, and an 18V (I do cabenitry/woodwork as a hobby). I think 14.4 is the sweet spot for the average home-owner type projects.

12V is a bit weak, and any larger is too bulky For brand, I have a Dewalt and love it, but would also consider a Milwaukee. None of them are made in the US anymore AFAIK

You might be ok with the 12V though, as it works well for the things you have listed.. It really starts to peter out when using it on any high torque applications ( attaching a wire-wheel and cleaning metal surfaces, or using a hole-saw for example)

 

[oiprocs]

I just want a cheap cheap cheap drill.

I'm talking 50 bucks or less. Just to put together a bed frame and for small things (I also want to put locks on my door). I'm not looking to use it, just for when I do need one.

If there is nothing that cheap, I'll just get a screwdriver.

Oh, btw, for my project, one of the members had a B&D drill. It worked fine as far as I could tell.

 

[mugs]

DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee make superior tools. They also make expensive tools. If you're a contractor who uses a drill every day, buy one of those tools. If you're a homeowner who uses a drill every once in a while, there is no reason you need to buy one of those expensive tools. I would get the Ryobi 18v. Ryobi makes a lot of other useful tools that use the same batteries. For a homeowner, the batteries will probably be the first thing to fail on your drill. A set of two Ryobi batteries will run you $60. A set of 2 DeWalt batteries is $120. That's more than the cost of a whole new Ryobi drill, charger and two batteries.

I got my Ryobi 18v drill on sale for $30 with a charger and one battery. There's no way in the world you'll convince me that I would have been better off spending $200+ on a DeWalt drill.

The main downside to bigger drills is that they are heavy. I have a 9.6v DeWalt that I got on clearance that I use as a cordless screwdriver mostly.

 

[Kelemvor]

I like my Craftsman set where the batteries are interchangeable between all the tools. Very handy.

 

[KMc]

Originally posted by: Baked
Ah ok, I think I found just what you need. I see it for $150 @ Amazon.com. Maybe you can find it cheaper else where.

DEWALT DC730KA Heavy-Duty Cordless 14.4 Volt Compact Drill/Driver

Technical Details

* 14.4-volt battery and frame-less motor delivers 410 unit watts of max. power for fast, effective drilling
* Dual speed drilling at 0-400/0-1,450 RPM for job-specific performance
* 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck to prevent bit slippage; all-metal gears for durability
* Just 8.2 inches long and 4.3 pounds for reduced operator fatigue and ease of use in tight spaces
* Includes one-hour charger, two 14.4-volt batteries, screwdriver bit, heavy-duty kit box, and 3-year warranty

Dude, buy this.

 

[BoomerD]

For occasional homeowner use, Ryobi products are fine. I like their newest line with the Li-on battery packs...but they ain't cheap.
The top-of-the line 18 v. 1/2" drill will run about $200...not much less than a comparable Dewalt.

I can't find the link I used to have, but it was a listing of the very few companies (all in China) who actually make all the cordless tools.

IIRC, Ryobi's factory also makes Craftsman, Dewalt is made by the same company that makes several other brands, etc. None of the cordless tool companies actually manufacture their own products anymore. They're all subbed out and their brands put on at the factories.

 

[mugs]

FYI Home Depot currently has a special promo package of the Ryobi 18v drill and 18v impact driver + 2 batteries and presumably a charger. I think it was $99 or so. While supplies last. The impact driver is a very useful tool for driving screws.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: mugs
FYI Home Depot currently has a special promo package of the 18v drill and 18v impact driver + 2 batteries and presumably a charger. I think it was $99 or so. While supplies last. The impact driver is a very useful tool for driving screws.

what brand?

 

[iGas]

Get the cheapest one of the bunch for the recreational DIY person.

Or, Rigid because of the lifetime warranty, and that also apply to the batteries if you don't mind spending a bit more money.

Pro might want to look at Makita, Panasonic, Bosch, Dewalt, and Milwaukee.

[add]
Get a drill or one with hammer drill option for a homeowner instead of an impact drill, because drilling or hammer drill through concrete might be more pertinent than have high torque for large lag bolts.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: mugs
FYI Home Depot currently has a special promo package of the 18v drill and 18v impact driver + 2 batteries and presumably a charger. I think it was $99 or so. While supplies last. The impact driver is a very useful tool for driving screws.

what brand?

D'oh. Ryobi.

 

[sdifox]

Hitachi or Panasonic Li-Ions are nice.

Panasonic is probably overkill for your use.

Hammer Drill + Impact Driver

I bought that combo for 200. Don't know why it is 299 now.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Ryobi are complete rubbish. Their chucks are crap and their chargers/battery packs are not built to last.

Get a DeWalt.