Tell me all I need to know about drills....

[rudeguy]

I need a new cordless drill. I won't use it often but I want something that won't wimp out in my time of need.

Here's what I will use it for:

Automotive repairs. Mostly screws and nuts. I'm more of an electrical guy than mechanical. I won't be drilling through steel or using it to remove stuck bolts.

Household stuff like hanging pictures, putting together furniture...that's really about it.


Size is a big feature for me. I loved my Makita right angle drill but it died long ago.
I don't know how the voltage affects performance. Would a 14.4 work for general stuff or should I go 18 or above?

Of course I want to spend as little as possible.

 

[lokiju]

Sounds like some of the newer li-on smaller ones would be perfect for your needs.

Craftsman and Ryobi make some.

 

[Red Squirrel]

If you want power, go corded, otherwise an 18v cordless will still have a decent amount of power.

For what you'll be using it for think a cordless will do fine, though since you say electrical do you see yourself making holes through studs to pass wires? I find cordless drills wimp out on this, best to go corded and a hole is done in like 1/2 sec, literally. I was amazed when I bought my corded delta. So much power.

 

[iGas]

A 14.4V is more than ample to do most job around the house, however it would be wise to get a 18V drill when you need the extra torque.

Impact driver is best for driving screws.
Cordless drill & driver doesn't give you enought power or runtime for continous work.
Corded drill & driver give you much more torque and unlimited runtime compare to cordless but it not as portable.

IMHO, homeowner would do just fine with a 14.4V or 18V cordless driver, an supplement it with a small corded drill (1/2 chuck obivously).

PS. Keep in mind that cordless batteries requires charging now and again or the batteries will die if left in storage.

 

[rudeguy]

A 14.4V is more than ample to do most job around the house, however it would be wise to get a 18V drill when you need the extra torque.

Impact driver is best for driving screws.
Cordless drill & driver doesn't give you enought power or runtime for continous work.
Corded drill & driver give you much more torque and unlimited runtime compare to cordless but it not as portable.

IMHO, homeowner would do just fine with a 14.4V or 18V cordless driver, an supplement it with a small corded drill (1/2 chuck obivously).

PS. Keep in mind that cordless batteries requires charging now and again or the batteries will die if left in storage.

why 1/2 over 3/8?

I found this and it looks perfect if I can deal with the
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95877

 

[iGas]

why 1/2 over 3/8?

I found this and it looks perfect if I can deal with the
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95877

For the times that you need larger drill bits that are easier to find in 1/2" shank than 3/8" shank. Also for the few times that you might want to use the drill to mix thinset, drywall compound, paint, glue, etc... and finds that some better mixers are happens to have 1/2" shanks.

The toy in your link is for housewives, real work wouldn't use a corded toy like that. Because it look like it is poorly balance and for drilling and driving maybe up to 1 1/2" #8 or maybe #10 screws top.

Any cheap 4.5-8 amps corded drill with 1/2" chuck will be much better than the one in your link. And my favorite 3/8" is this DeWalt (I abused it for almost 20 years and it wouldn't quit) that I replaced the chuck with a 1/2" steel chuck from an old burnt out cordless makita.

 

[Meghan54]

I loved my Makita right angle drill but it died long ago.

After you said the above, why look at this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95877

Just go find another Makita. You'll know exactly what you're getting, you'll love it, and you won't have to continually wonder when the HF "thing" will crap out on you unexpectedly.

 

[rudeguy]

After you said the above, why look at this:






Just go find another Makita. You'll know exactly what you're getting, you'll love it, and you won't have to continually wonder when the HF "thing" will crap out on you unexpectedly.

because they are ~$150. I used it every day when I was doing car audio. Now I will use it a couple times a year max. Corded is sounding like a better idea now that I think about it. I won't have to worry about batteries.

 

[mizzou]

I'm pretty sure your never supposed to use a drill when doing any type of auto repair

 

[MotF Bane]

What's with all the 18V recommendations around here? You don't need that much power for around the house usage.

 

[grohl]

tools, generally my opinion is "you get what you pay for"

 

[rudeguy]

What's with all the 18V recommendations around here? You don't need that much power for around the house usage.

Its ATOT. I think I've pretty much sold myself on trying that one from HF. I'm going to do a window motor and some minor audio stuff this week. HF is pretty liberal about returning stuff if it doesn't work out right?

 

[bctbct]

You sound like a 12v or less type of guy.

 

[mugs]

Things you need to know about drills:
1. Many people will insist that anything less than a contractor-grade tool is not worth having. These people are trying to justify expensive purchases. People who spend a lot of money on something will usually convince themselves that it was a good purchase. A homeowner-grade tool will be good enough for most homeowners. It'll do the job you need it to do, and because you'll use it infrequently it won't wear out quickly like it might if used by a contractor who uses it every day. Consider this - batteries don't last forever, and the batteries for a contractor-grade drill usually cost more than a homeowner-grade drill.
2. Are drills typically used for car repairs? Doesn't seem like they are well-suited for that.
3. A cordless drill-driver is designed to be used as a drill OR a screwdriver. They allow you to set the maximum torque, they stop spinning when you let off the trigger, and they are easy to "feather" so you don't over-drive whatever you're driving. Corded drills are not well-suited for driving screws, but they're very well-suited for drilling holes.

I think Ryobi makes tools that are suitable for most homeowners. They have a ton of different tools that all share the same inexpensive batteries, and they usually have some kind of sale or special package deal. It'll get the job done. I've done a lot more work on my house in the last two years than most homeowners do in a decade, and my Ryobi tools haven't failed me.

A lower-voltage drill has the advantage of being lighter, generally at the expense of power. I have a 9.6v DeWalt that I bought on clearance, and while it wouldn't be good enough if it were my only drill, I like that I have it for when I'm not doing anything heavy-duty.

I also have a DeWalt corded drill ($60) that I use when I have to do a lot of drilling (and I like to use two drills rather than one of those quick-change things that lets you switch between drilling and driving).

 

[Soccerman06]

I'm pretty sure your never supposed to use a drill when doing any type of auto repair

There is a lot of stuff you use drills for: sockets, drill holes (rivets) for wires, screw in ground wires bolts... go out and learn.

Oh you cant go wrong with Milwaukee or Dewalt.

 

[PottedMeat]

why 1/2 over 3/8?

I found this and it looks perfect if I can deal with the
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95877

here's a 20% off coupon if need it:

www.harborfreight.com/hftusa/magpromos/popsci.pdf

 

[mizzou]

There is a lot of stuff you use drills for: sockets, drill holes (rivets) for wires, screw in ground wires bolts... go out and learn.

Oh you cant go wrong with Milwaukee or Dewalt.

i was thinking he was going to use it to get attach/detach bolts and stuff

yeah, you def need one for drilling holes and the such lol

 

[rudeguy]

here's a 20% off coupon if need it:

www.harborfreight.com/hftusa/magpromos/popsci.pdf

I can't get it to work

 

[PottedMeat]

I can't get it to work

try this one?:

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/common/displayPage.do?pageFile=boatus.html

 

[iGas]

Its ATOT. I think I've pretty much sold myself on trying that one from HF. I'm going to do a window motor and some minor audio stuff this week. HF is pretty liberal about returning stuff if it doesn't work out right?

It is for the few times that you need the torque.

I own a DeWalt 9.8V drill, Bosch 10.2V impact driver, Makita 14.4V drill & impact driver, 18V Makita hammer drill & impact driver.

9.8V drill was my favorite drill for hanging doors and for the odd small cabinet screws that I use it for. But, it was quickly replaced by my multi purpose 10.2V impact driver because the 10.2V impact have great torque, fast, smaller, lighter, and driving runtime is more than 4X of the 9.8V or more than 2X 18V drill (excelent tool for cramp quarter & over head work, the best for sheet metal work).

18V drill & driver is my companion for most of the tasks these days because it give the best balance of power & runtime. But, for the odd time I still go get my 10.2V impact driver or corded angle/drill from the truck because the larger tools wouldn't fit in a tight space.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Do you own a corded drill?

If yes, I'd look at a compact 10.8V or 12V impact driver which will do pilot holes in a pinch, and has the power and lightness to be good for working on vehicles.

If this is 'your only drill', get a 14.4V or 18V and don't spend less than $50, or more than $100.

 

[BoomerD]

FWIW, I abuse the hell out of my Ryobi set...and they just keep on going.

I would strongly recommend the Li-On models over the NiCad ones though.

I'm just about to the point of needing to replace the batteries in my 4 year old NiCad Ryobi 18v set.

 

[rudeguy]

try this one?:

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/common/displayPage.do?pageFile=boatus.html

I owe you a BJ

 

[edro]

I have a Ryobi 18V Lithium drill and impact driver.
They are awesome!

If you have never used Lithium before, you will love it.
The charge lasts a long time and it is very powerful compared to NiCd.

They are relatively cheap as well. I got the combo that was the drill, impact driver, flashlight, charger, large battery and small battery for $169 last year.

Plus, there are tons of cheap tools that work with those batteries.
(paint sprayer, jig saw, circular saw, radio, reciprocating saw, etc)

 

[BoomerD]

My only real complaint about my Ryobi drill is that the chuck won't close enough to use very small bits. I have to get out my corded drill for anything smaller than about 3/32".