[Poll] Need a new cordless drill

[Kirby]

1/2 Milwaukee drill and an extension cord.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: scorpious
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.

Go to costco. They have two options for $25. Both 18v, both come with 2 batteries. I bought the Durofix one. Its most likely plenty for home jobs. I've had it for about 6 months, no problems, altho don't use it much (I do most things with a compact driver...more valuable than a drill around the house.)

 

[Dubb]

I have a dewalt 18v with a slight wobble for sale cheap. link below.

I think dewalt quality has gone down in the last 5 years or so. They got popular and they're just cashing in on the name now. The dewalt above was an OK drill for the price (had a coupon), but didn't feel top notch. I found a hitachi Li-ion on the lowe's clearance table, and it's hands down better than any of the recently made dewalts I've handled, and I'd probably put in on par with the makita Li-ions. the makitas feel more sturdy, but heavier than it needs to be. I haven't had a chance to try one of the newer porter-cables yet, but they usually make good tools

The contractors I work with (I'm an Archie) seem to have a few favorites : old dewalts, hitachis, makitas, and harbor freight no-name.

 

[middlehead]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
I like my Craftsman set where the batteries are interchangeable between all the tools. Very handy.

I've been eyeing that C3 line, but I don't appreciate the idea that you get two tools in a set for $100, but they come with NiCad batteries and you have to pay another $90 for a single LiOn battery.

The one I'm probably going to wind up with is the Craftsman 12V NEXTEC. $90 with a LiOn battery.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Dubb
I have a dewalt 18v with a slight wobble for sale cheap. link below.

I think dewalt quality has gone down in the last 5 years or so. They got popular and they're just cashing in on the name now. The dewalt above was an OK drill for the price (had a coupon), but didn't feel top notch. I found a hitachi Li-ion on the lowe's clearance table, and it's hands down better than any of the recently made dewalts I've handled, and I'd probably put in on par with the makita Li-ions. the makitas feel more sturdy, but heavier than it needs to be. I haven't had a chance to try one of the newer porter-cables yet, but they usually make good tools

The contractors I work with (I'm an Archie) seem to have a few favorites : old dewalts, hitachis, makitas, and harbor freight no-name.

The power tool business has become a cut-throat extremely low margin business. Even so I'd be surprised if dewalt is overall cutting corners...that's left to their owner's power tool lines, Black & Decker. (bought dewalt in the 60's) With all the different brands to choose from now, quality and reputation are the only things that are going to keep a company like dewalt in business.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
1/2 Milwaukee drill and an extension cord.

yeah I am old enough to remember those...

 

[MovingTarget]

Cordless!

If you already have an air compressor, you might want to consider getting a pneumatic drill. Those can be had really cheap at places like Harbor Freight. Portable air tanks are also cheap. You can refill those much quicker than you can charge an electric cordless.

 

[Safeway]

NOT Ryobi or Makita. Ryobi and Makita are the bottom-shelf brands. If you want a shitty drill, buy a Ryobi.

Go for a Dewalt or Milwaukee 18V. 24V is overkill for occasional use.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Hitachi beats DeWalt, Bosch and Makita in the price for performance area. Their tools are extremely well built, do the job and don't fall apart like the aforementioned. The big names are charging an arm and a leg for their name, but Hitachi gives you a good reliable tool at a reasonable price and their warranty beats all the others.

Look around construction sites and see what the big guys are using. In years past it was the big names, but now it's Hitachi.

If you want to buy anything from Craftsman you will be getting a sub mediocre product.

 

[JDub02]

Dewalt or Milwaukee. For occasional use, get a Li-ion version. The regular batteries won't hold a charge in storage ... and after a while won't hold a charge at all. I know because I have a 12v Dewalt that's a great drill, but needs new batteries at ~$50/each.

I'd recommend a plug-in drill with a nice extension cord for the occasional job and a cheap cordless screwdriver for all of the little jobs.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: Safeway
NOT Ryobi or Makita. Ryobi and Makita are the bottom-shelf brands. If you want a shitty drill, buy a Ryobi.

Go for a Dewalt or Milwaukee 18V. 24V is overkill for occasional use.

You don't have a clue. Ryobi is a great entry level tool, but it won't last or perform like a professional grade tool. Makita is one of the best power tools you can buy if you want to spend the money.

Your mommy must have dropped you on your head shortly after birth.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Hitachi beats DeWalt, Bosch and Makita in the price for performance area. Their tools are extremely well built, do the job and don't fall apart like the aforementioned. The big names are charging an arm and a leg for their name, but Hitachi gives you a good reliable tool at a reasonable price and their warranty beats all the others.

Look around construction sites and see what the big guys are using. In years past it was the big names, but now it's Hitachi.

If you want to buy anything from Craftsman you will be getting a sub mediocre product.

I dont recall seeing any hitachi...dewalt is what pros use.

 

[iGas]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
Cordless!

If you already have an air compressor, you might want to consider getting a pneumatic drill. Those can be had really cheap at places like Harbor Freight. Portable air tanks are also cheap. You can refill those much quicker than you can charge an electric cordless.

You still have a cord/tube to drag around, hence the cordless.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Safeway
NOT Ryobi or Makita. Ryobi and Makita are the bottom-shelf brands. If you want a shitty drill, buy a Ryobi.

Go for a Dewalt or Milwaukee 18V. 24V is overkill for occasional use.

Wtf, Makita should never be mentioned in the same breath as a ryobi.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: JDub02
Dewalt or Milwaukee. For occasional use, get a Li-ion version. The regular batteries won't hold a charge in storage ... and after a while won't hold a charge at all. I know because I have a 12v Dewalt that's a great drill, but needs new batteries at ~$50/each.

I'd recommend a plug-in drill with a nice extension cord for the occasional job and a cheap cordless screwdriver for all of the little jobs.

Li-Ion is for fools. You pay an extra hundred bucks, at least, for a tool that has a lower ah rating. Sure they hold the charge, but how often are you in such a hurry you can't stick your NICad battery in the charger for 15 minutes?

As for plug in drills, I have yet to see one with a clutch.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Hitachi beats DeWalt, Bosch and Makita in the price for performance area. Their tools are extremely well built, do the job and don't fall apart like the aforementioned. The big names are charging an arm and a leg for their name, but Hitachi gives you a good reliable tool at a reasonable price and their warranty beats all the others.

Look around construction sites and see what the big guys are using. In years past it was the big names, but now it's Hitachi.

If you want to buy anything from Craftsman you will be getting a sub mediocre product.

I dont recall seeing any hitachi...dewalt is what pros use.

Pro prostitutes, possibly, to power their vibrators, but contractors have been moving to the Hitachi brand for years.

Do you work in construction?

 

[Safeway]

I have all Dewalt 18V and 24V Lithiums. About 20 products. I love them all.

24V Lithium Saws-All for the win.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Hitachi beats DeWalt, Bosch and Makita in the price for performance area. Their tools are extremely well built, do the job and don't fall apart like the aforementioned. The big names are charging an arm and a leg for their name, but Hitachi gives you a good reliable tool at a reasonable price and their warranty beats all the others.

Look around construction sites and see what the big guys are using. In years past it was the big names, but now it's Hitachi.

If you want to buy anything from Craftsman you will be getting a sub mediocre product.

I dont recall seeing any hitachi...dewalt is what pros use.

Pro prostitutes, possibly, to power their vibrators, but contractors have been moving to the Hitachi brand for years.

Do you work in construction?

I see dewalt, milwaukee, and hitachi. Alot of it is like Ford, Chevy, and Dodge trucks. All of them are good ... but people usually have a favorite for some or no reason.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
What about a 19.2v Craftsman? You can usually get a great deal on them when they are on sale.

The 19.2V Li-IOn was on sale with radio, two batteries and a bag for like $150....


It's a great drill, single action chuck in 5/8"

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Hitachi beats DeWalt, Bosch and Makita in the price for performance area. Their tools are extremely well built, do the job and don't fall apart like the aforementioned. The big names are charging an arm and a leg for their name, but Hitachi gives you a good reliable tool at a reasonable price and their warranty beats all the others.

Look around construction sites and see what the big guys are using. In years past it was the big names, but now it's Hitachi.

If you want to buy anything from Craftsman you will be getting a sub mediocre product.

I dont recall seeing any hitachi...dewalt is what pros use.

Pro prostitutes, possibly, to power their vibrators, but contractors have been moving to the Hitachi brand for years.

Do you work in construction?

20 years in commercial construction and recall seeing maybe 1 or 2 hitachi power miter boxes but never any drills. B&D used to make a corded framing motor that had a clutch.

 

[iGas]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Hitachi beats DeWalt, Bosch and Makita in the price for performance area. Their tools are extremely well built, do the job and don't fall apart like the aforementioned. The big names are charging an arm and a leg for their name, but Hitachi gives you a good reliable tool at a reasonable price and their warranty beats all the others.

Look around construction sites and see what the big guys are using. In years past it was the big names, but now it's Hitachi.

If you want to buy anything from Craftsman you will be getting a sub mediocre product.

I dont recall seeing any hitachi...dewalt is what pros use.

I'm not sure what it is like in the Canadian East Coast or the US, but around here in the Canadian West Dewalt have cornered the carpenter market therefore you sees a lot of Dewalt around. Other trades around here tend to favor Makita or Bosch, while plumbers favor Ridgid/Milwaukee, Electricians/Instrumentation guys tend to favors Panasonic or Makita.

I have had Craftman, Master Craft, and Dewalt cordless tools, and they served me well but I upgraded to Makita & Bosch cordless after the batteries died.

The best small light weight corded drill that I own is a Dewalt, my favorite corded angle drill is Makita, my most powerful corded drill is a Milwaukee super-hawg, Bosch reciprocal saw, Dewalt circular saw (I like to get a smaller and lighter weight Makita, but the Dewalt refuse to die even years after years of abused), And, last but not least that I own are older Delta compressor, table saw and chop saw.

 

[Babbles]

I've had the 19.2V Craftsman for a few years and I really enjoy it.

Also, for what it's worth, years ago when I was unemployed I did construction for a little bit and I used my Craftsman cordless with no problem. Also as an aside I found that really most people just used whatever tools they could afford to buy; best bang for their buck. So the sort of attitude that Dewalt is what is used "professionally" doesn't seem to pan out, at least in my anecdotal experience. Keep in mind that most construction guys are sub-contractors who supply their own gear and such don't all go out and spend a shit ton of money on high end stuff.

 

[pontifex]

buy one at wal-mart, use it, and return it. it's perfectly fine! :roll:

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: pontifex
buy one at wal-mart, use it, and return it. it's perfectly fine! :roll:

Haha, :beer:

 

[Dubb]

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: Dubb
I have a dewalt 18v with a slight wobble for sale cheap. link below.

I think dewalt quality has gone down in the last 5 years or so. They got popular and they're just cashing in on the name now. The dewalt above was an OK drill for the price (had a coupon), but didn't feel top notch. I found a hitachi Li-ion on the lowe's clearance table, and it's hands down better than any of the recently made dewalts I've handled, and I'd probably put in on par with the makita Li-ions. the makitas feel more sturdy, but heavier than it needs to be. I haven't had a chance to try one of the newer porter-cables yet, but they usually make good tools

The contractors I work with (I'm an Archie) seem to have a few favorites : old dewalts, hitachis, makitas, and harbor freight no-name.

The power tool business has become a cut-throat extremely low margin business. Even so I'd be surprised if dewalt is overall cutting corners...that's left to their owner's power tool lines, Black & Decker. (bought dewalt in the 60's) With all the different brands to choose from now, quality and reputation are the only things that are going to keep a company like dewalt in business.

They're not cutting corners exactly, but banking on their name and well known brand to charge marginally higher prices. That yellow and black brand is huge, and it's introduction went hand & hand with dewalt's rise.

Basically, they've leveraged their brand to transition from a high end product to a mid range product at a mid - high end price.

Like I said, I see alot of old dewalts on job sites. The guys with new tools usually have other brands.