What cordless drill should I get?

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DaTT

Garage Moderator
Moderator
Feb 13, 2003
13,295
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You want comfortable and balanced? Get your hands on a Rigid. Best cordless I have ever used/owned.
 

bctbct

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 2005
4,868
1
0
We use the Dewalt 14.4 s at work and they have performed very well. We used to use the Milwaukees, but about 2 years ago they changed something and we started having tons of problems with all the newer ones.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
81
I can't believe so many people are recomending ryobi. Yes they are cheap, but cheap isn't everything. I have personnaly tried just about every major brand out there (Millwalkee, Porter Cable, Ryobi, Craftsman, panasonic, skill, makita, etc) and of them all, the best deal for the money is dewalt.

If you want the just pain best without taking how much it costs and will last into it, then Porter Cable or Millwalkee are great choices. Millwalkee tools will take a good load of punishment before breaking, but they cost quite a bit more.

Dewalts are at the high end of the abuse range 9I have dropped drills out of 10' and 16' racking and only broke the case once on a 16' fall (about $20 to get a new case IIRC, it was a while ago)

When dewalts go, it is generally the battery pack or the motor (believe it or not, there are other parts besides those, which is what breaks on other drills) the motor is about $20 for a 12v $30 for a 24v last time I looked, so it is a cheap fix; and they don't go until you abuse the heck out of them or use them for forever and a day. My 9.6v is still going strong from '98. But to be fair, so is my 18v milwalkee sawzall. Everythign else from before then has bit the big one.

Make an informed decision before you buy. If you only use the tool infrequently, then a ryobi is probably enough. If you are building a deck and driving 3" wood screws or 5" lags then get a 18v dewalt. You won't be sorry.

 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
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Originally posted by: Evadman
I can't believe so many people are recomending ryobi. Yes they are cheap, but cheap isn't everything. I have personnaly tried just about every major brand out there (Millwalkee, Porter Cable, Ryobi, Craftsman, panasonic, skill, makita, etc) and of them all, the best deal for the money is dewalt.

If you want the just pain best without taking how much it costs and will last into it, then Porter Cable or Millwalkee are great choices. Millwalkee tools will take a good load of punishment before breaking, but they cost quite a bit more.

Dewalts are at the high end of the abuse range 9I have dropped drills out of 10' and 16' racking and only broke the case once on a 16' fall (about $20 to get a new case IIRC, it was a while ago)

When dewalts go, it is generally the battery pack or the motor (believe it or not, there are other parts besides those, which is what breaks on other drills) the motor is about $20 for a 12v $30 for a 24v last time I looked, so it is a cheap fix; and they don't go until you abuse the heck out of them or use them for forever and a day. My 9.6v is still going strong from '98. But to be fair, so is my 18v milwalkee sawzall. Everythign else from before then has bit the big one.

Make an informed decision before you buy. If you only use the tool infrequently, then a ryobi is probably enough. If you are building a deck and driving 3" wood screws or 5" lags then get a 18v dewalt. You won't be sorry.


DeWalt's are decent...but I think Makitas are better from my experience...mostly in balance and performance. In reality though, they are probably both pretty equal when all is said and done. I agree on Ryobi though...most people who swear by them don't use them for heavy stuff much...

However, tools are like the old Chevy vs Ford battles...once you have a brand you like, you will stick with it forever and always consider it "better" than others.

 

Sundog

Lifer
Nov 20, 2000
12,342
1
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Originally posted by: Evadman
If you are building a deck and driving 3" wood screws or 5" lags then get a 18v dewalt. You won't be sorry.

If you are consistantly driving 5" lag bolts than a regular drill is probably the incorrect tool IMO.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
0
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Originally posted by: Sundog
Originally posted by: Evadman
If you are building a deck and driving 3" wood screws or 5" lags then get a 18v dewalt. You won't be sorry.

If you are consistantly driving 5" lag bolts than a regular drill is probably the incorrect tool IMO.

Impact FTW! :p
 

JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
1,038
0
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I ended up with a Ridgid 14.4V drill because it have an attractive Limited Lifetime Service Agreement that includes all parts of the drill, charger and batteries.

The Ridgid is about 2X a heavy as the Dewalt 9.6V but the Ridgid won me over due to the attractive warrantee.

I'll let you all know how well the Ridgid perform in the next few weeks.

 

Sundog

Lifer
Nov 20, 2000
12,342
1
0
Originally posted by: JinLien

I ended up with a Ridgid 14.4V drill because it have an attractive Limited Lifetime Service Agreement that includes all parts of the drill, charger and batteries.

The Ridgid is about 2X a heavy as the Dewalt 9.6V but the Ridgid won me over due to the attractive warrantee.

I'll let you all know how well the Ridgid perform in the next few weeks.


The regular Rigid battery is OK. The Rigid MAX battery will last longer if you have the need.
 

freakflag

Diamond Member
Mar 22, 2001
3,951
1
71
Originally posted by: DaTT
You want comfortable and balanced? Get your hands on a Rigid. Best cordless I have ever used/owned.


Right on. Best bar none. Milwaukee is a close second. Ryobi/Craftsman are bottom of the barrel tools, however, they're cheap. Dewalt is garbage and Makita is overpriced.
Rigid or Milwaukee are your best bet if you want them to last. Plus, Rigid offers a lifetime warranty.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,151
635
126
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: Sundog
Originally posted by: Evadman
If you are building a deck and driving 3" wood screws or 5" lags then get a 18v dewalt. You won't be sorry.

If you are consistantly driving 5" lag bolts than a regular drill is probably the incorrect tool IMO.

Impact FTW! :p
Actually we were using a dewalt 7.2V cordless screwdriver to drive lags that long (predrilled of course)
 

JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
1,038
0
0
Originally posted by: Sundog
Originally posted by: JinLien

I ended up with a Ridgid 14.4V drill because it have an attractive Limited Lifetime Service Agreement that includes all parts of the drill, charger and batteries.

The Ridgid is about 2X a heavy as the Dewalt 9.6V but the Ridgid won me over due to the attractive warrantee.

I'll let you all know how well the Ridgid perform in the next few weeks.


The regular Rigid battery is OK. The Rigid MAX battery will last longer if you have the need.
I got my self the 14.4V Max HC batteries & dual port 30 min charger kit with 1/2" Jacob chuck @ 415 lbs torque drill. The 18V deliver 515 lbs & was only $45 more but was quite abit heavier.

I also looked at the Dewalt 14.4V XRP that deliver 450 lbs and slightly lighter however it only have single charger port @ 1 hour with 3 year warranty and price the same as the 18V Ridgid.

PS. What is the mah ratting for the Max HC 14.4V battery?


 

JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
1,038
0
0

The Ridgid X2 14.4V has done well for the last 2 days, and 3 inch deck screws didn't give it any problem at 2 setting. It is abit heavy for continuous work through out the day, but I got use to the weight by the seconday.

PS. My Ridgid perform well against coworker XRP Dewalts, Milwalkees, Panasonics, and Makitas in screw driving tests, however the Panasonics batteries life and weight is much nicer than the Ridgid (1 single charge Ridgid HC battery last me more than a day of wor).

<-- happy camper.


 

Sundog

Lifer
Nov 20, 2000
12,342
1
0
Originally posted by: JinLien

The Ridgid X2 14.4V has done well for the last 2 days, and 3 inch deck screws didn't give it any problem at 2 setting. It is abit heavy for continuous work through out the day, but I got use to the weight by the seconday.

PS. My Ridgid perform well against coworker XRP Dewalts, Milwalkees, Panasonics, and Makitas in screw driving tests, however the Panasonics batteries life and weight is much nicer than the Ridgid (1 single charge Ridgid HC battery last me more than a day of wor).

<-- happy camper.

Glad you like it. I hardly use my drill anymore. I bought the Rigid impact driver as I drive screws mostly. Very happy with the impact driver, escpecially for weight and use in tighter places.

 

JinLien

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2005
1,038
0
0
Originally posted by: Sundog
Originally posted by: JinLien

The Ridgid X2 14.4V has done well for the last 2 days, and 3 inch deck screws didn't give it any problem at 2 setting. It is abit heavy for continuous work through out the day, but I got use to the weight by the seconday.

PS. My Ridgid perform well against coworker XRP Dewalts, Milwalkees, Panasonics, and Makitas in screw driving tests, however the Panasonics batteries life and weight is much nicer than the Ridgid (1 single charge Ridgid HC battery last me more than a day of wor).

<-- happy camper.

Glad you like it. I hardly use my drill anymore. I bought the Rigid impact driver as I drive screws mostly. Very happy with the impact driver, escpecially for weight and use in tighter places.
The Ridgid is going back & I'm picking up the Makita 14.4V Impact Driver and Drill Combo Kit that include the 14.4v impact driver & drill for $284.81 USD.

The Ridgid perform well, however it was too large & heavy for all day over head use (was a choire in the last 2 days using the Ridgid for ducting in cramp space). The batteries didn't last as long as my old Dewalt, but the 30 min charger is more than quick enought to charge up the spare battery.

I'll see how well the little Makita impact driver perform in ducting work next week.


 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
As I wrote in a previous thread, I really like my little ryobi, but after framing a VERY large basement, I am going back to using our dewalt 14.4. I REALLY like the ryobi, but it jsut doesn't have the power, especially when you have a whole days worth of fire stoppers to put up.

That said, if you go with milwakkee, yo ucan't go wrong.



I was veru interested to see what you peopel thought of the 28v drillls from milwaukee/ryobi. How to they compare to a dewalt 14.4 or an 18?
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
I spoke to my dad (my boss) about this, and he gave me some perspective.


Perhaps ryobis are cheaper and a better value for the homeowner, but for him, he needs power and durability. His dewalts have been practically indistructable, and they havebetter torque, rpm, and weight ratios than most of the other stuff.

Basically, the dewalts help him get the job done a lot faster.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
0
0
Originally posted by: JinLien
Originally posted by: Sundog
Originally posted by: JinLien

The Ridgid X2 14.4V has done well for the last 2 days, and 3 inch deck screws didn't give it any problem at 2 setting. It is abit heavy for continuous work through out the day, but I got use to the weight by the seconday.

PS. My Ridgid perform well against coworker XRP Dewalts, Milwalkees, Panasonics, and Makitas in screw driving tests, however the Panasonics batteries life and weight is much nicer than the Ridgid (1 single charge Ridgid HC battery last me more than a day of wor).

<-- happy camper.

Glad you like it. I hardly use my drill anymore. I bought the Rigid impact driver as I drive screws mostly. Very happy with the impact driver, escpecially for weight and use in tighter places.
The Ridgid is going back & I'm picking up the Makita 14.4V Impact Driver and Drill Combo Kit that include the 14.4v impact driver & drill for $284.81 USD.

The Ridgid perform well, however it was too large & heavy for all day over head use (was a choire in the last 2 days using the Ridgid for ducting in cramp space). The batteries didn't last as long as my old Dewalt, but the 30 min charger is more than quick enought to charge up the spare battery.

I'll see how well the little Makita impact driver perform in ducting work next week.


Looks similar to what I got, but it looks like an older kit....the batteries are orange, and they are only 2.0Ah...my kit came with two 2.6Ah. I've heard people claim Rigid makes the most comfortable/balanced driver, but I've used them, and I'm not quite sure what they are being compared to because there are much better out there. The Makita set I got , in my experience is more balanced/comfortable than anything else I tried including Dewalt, Ryobi, and Rigid, and even Milwaukee...but that's just me.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: JinLien
Originally posted by: Sundog
Originally posted by: JinLien

The Ridgid X2 14.4V has done well for the last 2 days, and 3 inch deck screws didn't give it any problem at 2 setting. It is abit heavy for continuous work through out the day, but I got use to the weight by the seconday.

PS. My Ridgid perform well against coworker XRP Dewalts, Milwalkees, Panasonics, and Makitas in screw driving tests, however the Panasonics batteries life and weight is much nicer than the Ridgid (1 single charge Ridgid HC battery last me more than a day of wor).

<-- happy camper.

Glad you like it. I hardly use my drill anymore. I bought the Rigid impact driver as I drive screws mostly. Very happy with the impact driver, escpecially for weight and use in tighter places.
The Ridgid is going back & I'm picking up the Makita 14.4V Impact Driver and Drill Combo Kit that include the 14.4v impact driver & drill for $284.81 USD.

The Ridgid perform well, however it was too large & heavy for all day over head use (was a choire in the last 2 days using the Ridgid for ducting in cramp space). The batteries didn't last as long as my old Dewalt, but the 30 min charger is more than quick enought to charge up the spare battery.

I'll see how well the little Makita impact driver perform in ducting work next week.


Looks similar to what I got, but it looks like an older kit....the batteries are orange, and they are only 2.0Ah...my kit came with two 2.6Ah. I've heard people claim Rigid makes the most comfortable/balanced driver, but I've used them, and I'm not quite sure what they are being compared to because there are much better out there. The Makita set I got , in my experience is more balanced/comfortable than anything else I tried including Dewalt, Ryobi, and Rigid, and even Milwaukee...but that's just me.

We need to go into the store and try them since our 18v fell off the truck or something. It still works but we are indeed in need of a replacement. In addition, repalcing the ryobi with somethignbetter might be nice. It is usually good for small electrical jobs and such but it is getting old.

We'll give them all a good looking over, teh dewalts, the 28v offerings, skill, not milwaukee, rigid...etc...


wish us luck:p
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
19,446
0
0
Good luck!

Be careful of getting a bigger battery than you really need. I was tempted by the 18V Makitas, but the 18v battery actually added quite a bit more weight, but the torque difference between the two was small...

Oh, BTW, not sure if you guys know but DeWalt is made by Black and Decker...