What cordless drill should I get?

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JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
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It time for me to get a new cordless drill because my old 9.6V Dewalt batteries die. 2 new batteries would cost $136 CAD, or lesser quality new 9.6V Dewalt cordless drill kit with 2 batteries & charger that cost $99. Or should I go for a new set up and get a 9.6V & a 18V system?

The Dewalt cells are not standard AA therefore it would cost about the same or more to replace the cells in the old battery casing. I'm also thinking of putting 8 AA cells in the casing because it would cost less and I get 2.4A instead of the standard 2.0-2.2A. Too bad that the 9.6V Dewalt battery casing isn't 1/4" deeper because I could fit 2 sets of 8 cells inside it.
 
jupiter57

jupiter57

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2001
4,600
3
71
I have several:
1: Older model Makita 12V. Light, dependable, 5+ years old, batteries hold good charge, but stays inside the home w/ little use.
2: Ryobi 18V. good power & torque, batteries don't last as long as I would like, but gets any job done provided you keep batteries charged.
3: Craftsman 14.4V, good, dependable and fairly strong. battery life excellent.
4: DeWalt 14.4V, the best in it's day, batteries are now shot, but it was the best while it lasted.

For my money, I would look into Advance Autos "Team Products" 18V cordless for $39.98, extra batteries are only $15.
It is nearly an exact duplicate of my Ryobi, which tells me the same factory makes both.
I bought one of the batteries and hacked it to fit my Ryobi, works just as well as the originals, so I know the batteries are good.

Just stay far away from their "Buffalo" line, these are the sloppiest, cheapest tools made, IMO.
 
AnonymouseUser

AnonymouseUser

Diamond Member
May 14, 2003
9,943
107
106
I have a 6yr old 12v Milwaukee that has been used daily and abused often. Best damn cordless drill I have ever owned, and I have owned Makita, DeWalt, and Bosch drills before buying this one. It has also outlasted several of my coworkers DeWalt and Makita drills (they purchased after I purchased my drill), as well as Craftsman, Ryobi, Hitachi, etc.

Sadly, the batteries (original) are starting to fade...
 
W

WW

Golden Member
Jun 21, 2001
1,514
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did you look at other rebuilders? maybe they can do it:

this place will do it for about $50 for two packs, depending on model number I guess:

http://www.batteryrebuilders.com/

they even upgrade the cells to 2400mah (probably from 1800 mah)

here's what they can do:

"DeWalt

DW9057, DW9061, DW9062, DC9071, DW9071, DW9072, DC9091, DW9091, DW9094, DW9095, DC9095, DC9096, DW9096, DW9098

We do not rebuild DW9050, DW9051, DW9048"
 
N

NascarFool

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2000
1,001
0
71
Go with a 12 or 14.4 volt. The 18 volt is a nice drill but it is rather bulky. I have a 12 volt at home and a 14.4 volt at work. The 14.4v is almost to bulky for HVAC work but not near as bad as the 18v.

*Edit*
Forgot to mention that they are DeWalt drills. :D
 
I

imported_Condor

Diamond Member
Sep 22, 2004
5,425
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0
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
I actually just got a new one from Sears. They have a really good deal on with a 19/2 volt Standard drill AND a right angle drill. All for $99. I had a craftman one previosuly that worked great for years but then the charger died and replacing it was almost as much as getting a whole new drill.

So far it works Great!

Here's the one I have:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product....okie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00911548000
Click to expand...

I had a set of the 19.2 v Craftsmen stuff already. I needed the 90 degree drill and watched the sales. The set came on sale for $69.00 on black friday and so did the 19.2 volt batteries. I got the drill set and a set of two extra batteries for $29.99 and $69.00. Gave me three extra batteries and an extra charger plus the two drills for right at a hundred. The regular drill is great, the 90 degree drill is only OK. Got some power issues with it. I would buy again.

 
J

JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
1,038
0
0

Thank for the replies.

I?m some what interested in the Milwaukee 18V or the 24V hammer drill because they feel more balance than any other drills that I have use, however locally they are price at $399 & $599 CAD respectively.

The old Dewalt is backup and running after I rebuilt the batteries with 2300 mah AA cells for a total of $46 CAD. I tried to source the 123 rechargeable cells locally but no one have it in stock therefore I went with the AA. Now the 9.8V Dewalt feel more unbalance because the bottom end (battery) weight less than before.

 
R

RCN

Platinum Member
Dec 31, 2005
2,134
0
0
I've been using Milwaukee 12Vs for years with no problems. When they die I'll probably move to 18v.
 
J

JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
1,038
0
0

My adventure in drill repair didn't pay off, because the problem is the charger.

After replacing the old 123 cells with new AA cells & charge it measure 11.7V when hot then the voltage quickly drop back down to 10.4V. And getting a new charger is about the same price as getting a new kit that come with a case, drill, charger, and 2 batteries.
 
SparkyJJO

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
I have a 18v craftsman professional kit and it is a great drill. Ryobi makes craftsman - my dad has the ryobi 18v and the batteries and charger are identical electrically-wise almost - my batteries have more life to them. His ryobi tho doesn't have as much guts as my craftsman but that is probably because I have the pro series and he doesn't, hence the reason for my batteries having more life to them.

Purpose of this long drawn-out post - Get craftsman or ryobi, pro kit preferably (unless you don't do much heavy stuff, I was drilling through 4x4's with auger bits at work)
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser

I have a 6yr old 12v Milwaukee that has been used daily and abused often. Best damn cordless drill I have ever owned, and I have owned Makita, DeWalt, and Bosch drills before buying this one. It has also outlasted several of my coworkers DeWalt and Makita drills (they purchased after I purchased my drill), as well as Craftsman, Ryobi, Hitachi, etc.

Sadly, the batteries (original) are starting to fade...
Click to expand...
Don't dispose of that drill, it's Lifetime warranted if it's as old as you say.

I went with Milwaukee for one reason... The Hatchet! Once you commit to a manufacturer, you're stuck with the tools they offer. Otherwise, you'll need batteries and charger for every odd tool you buy. Milwaukee has the recipricating saw down pat, and that's an important tool for me. They also had the Lifetime Warranty when I bought my set, but now only offer a 5 year warranty.
 
J

JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
1,038
0
0
Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
I have a 18v craftsman professional kit and it is a great drill. Ryobi makes craftsman - my dad has the ryobi 18v and the batteries and charger are identical electrically-wise almost - my batteries have more life to them. His ryobi tho doesn't have as much guts as my craftsman but that is probably because I have the pro series and he doesn't, hence the reason for my batteries having more life to them.

Purpose of this long drawn-out post - Get craftsman or ryobi, pro kit preferably (unless you don't do much heavy stuff, I was drilling through 4x4's with auger bits at work)
Click to expand...
Most of the work the drill is going to see is screwing 1/2 inch metal screws into 30-26 gauge sheet metal, and the odd time that it will have to screw 1 1/2 inch wood screw. For heavier work I use the 7 Amp corded Dewalt drill, 4.5 Amp Milwaukee hole-hawg, or the Hilti hammer drill.

I'm thinking of building up a set of cordless system (compatible with one charger) for the small jobs that only require a few holes in concrete & hole saw up to 2 1/2 inch. The corded pro equipment is great on bigger jobs, but it is a pain to drag out the cord for 1 or 2 holes.



 
I

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
0
0
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: Insane3D
I like the newer Makita 14.4V kits....got this for $200 shipped a year or so ago...

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Insane3D/Tools2.jpg
Click to expand...
Damn, that's a great deal. I paid $190 a month ago just for that drill!

NiMH > Nicad. That alone is a good reason to get this line of Makita.
Click to expand...


Yeah, and most NiMH batteries on other brands seem to be 2.0 or 2.2 Ah, not 2.6. On the deal, I know, I couldn't beleive it myself...the impact (which rules BTW) is $200 by itself...

http://www.toolbarn.com/product/makita/6935FDWDE/
 
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