cordless drills
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 1
Thanks for all the advice. I'm sort of thinking to use my old Craftsman drill to strip paint, and get a 12/14 volt cordless for small stuff around the house.
I knew I'd be able to get great advice about tools from a truck site!!
I knew I'd be able to get great advice about tools from a truck site!!
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: None of your business
Mike
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Take the advice about the "crappy chinese" tools with a little salt.....I bought a harbor freight 14 v many years ago, and used it a lot - even driving screws thry sheet metal roofing with a 5/16 socket head...would still have it except my boy borrowed it and dropped it off a stepladder and broke the trigger switch. So I spent $19.95 for an 18 volt + 9.99 for a second battery. Used it for several years until I let it get absolutely covered with drywall dust and the trigger mechanism gave up. So, I hurried off to HF & grabbed another one for $19.99. Now have 3 batteries and 2 chargers. These things aren't top of the line, the batteries run down in a couple hours of screwdriving, but the price can't be beat. And they have torque enough to drive the 3-1/2 inch torx head screws thru 2X4's....what's not to like. If we're talking professional use, yeah, you can justify the 80-100 dollar drills, but for around the house.........
George Washington: “A free people ought to be armed.” (Jan 14 1790, Boston Independent Chronicle.)
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George Washington: “A free people ought to be armed.” (Jan 14 1790, Boston Independent Chronicle.)
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster County PA
I use that Ryobi 1+ deal. Drill, little circ saw, recip saw and flashlight.
So far, so good for around the house projects.
Very good price on sale at Home Depot when I bought it for my own birthday present last year.
haven't built a deck with it or anything, but its done everything else I have asked of it so far.
So far, so good for around the house projects.
Very good price on sale at Home Depot when I bought it for my own birthday present last year.
haven't built a deck with it or anything, but its done everything else I have asked of it so far.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Dewalt all day....my 18.8 v dewalt will torque so hard it practically breaks my wrist if i let it.....if your just going to use it around the house.....go for the 14.4 or 12 volt.....but dewalt for sure....
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: None of your business
When I bought my Ryobi One+ contractor set it had the drill, sawzall, circular saw, corner cat sander, vacuum, flashlight, jigsaw, bag, and I think two batteries and a charger for $214. Two years and a basement later, they are still good as new.
I've added the hammer drill for about $50 and drilled countless holes in concrete. I'm 100% sure it could break my wrist. I also bought the 10 inch compound miter saw for $99 and used it on countless studs, over 200ft of casing and over 300ft of crown moulding w/o problems. It also cuts pressure treated 4x4s no problem.
Hopefully I'll be doing a deck this year and I expect no problems. There is no reason to spend big bucks on tools that you don't make a living with IMO. Many of my construction friends also have Ryobi One+ tools for thier home and Dewalt at work.
Mike
I've added the hammer drill for about $50 and drilled countless holes in concrete. I'm 100% sure it could break my wrist. I also bought the 10 inch compound miter saw for $99 and used it on countless studs, over 200ft of casing and over 300ft of crown moulding w/o problems. It also cuts pressure treated 4x4s no problem.
Hopefully I'll be doing a deck this year and I expect no problems. There is no reason to spend big bucks on tools that you don't make a living with IMO. Many of my construction friends also have Ryobi One+ tools for thier home and Dewalt at work.
Mike
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
Lithium batterys are great! Compare torque ft/lb when selecting your drill. I'm surprised Milwaukee has not been mentioned yet. I bought a Milwaukee 1/2" cordless drill/driver for the shop at work about five years ago. It's rated at over 400 ft/lb and with the lithium batterys there's no stopping it. For home use, I have a Hitachi 1/2" cordless with 375 ft/lb and I've been very happy with it.
I know everybody has high regard for DeWalt, but for the shop at work we do not buy DeWalt tools anymore. With the exception of our saber saw, every single DeWalt drill or grinder has failed in an untimely manner. (The saber saw doesn't get used that much and I dislike the funky blade lock system.) I have a 1/2" corded DeWalt drill for home use and have no complaints. But the same drill at work broke it's keyless chuck. Or I should say, we broke it.
Our longest lasting power tools at work are the Milwaukee corded and cordless tools and Makita corded grinders.
I know everybody has high regard for DeWalt, but for the shop at work we do not buy DeWalt tools anymore. With the exception of our saber saw, every single DeWalt drill or grinder has failed in an untimely manner. (The saber saw doesn't get used that much and I dislike the funky blade lock system.) I have a 1/2" corded DeWalt drill for home use and have no complaints. But the same drill at work broke it's keyless chuck. Or I should say, we broke it.
Our longest lasting power tools at work are the Milwaukee corded and cordless tools and Makita corded grinders.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
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From: None of your business
Mike
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
Likes: 2
From: NW burbs of chicago
It ran circles around his craftsman to the point where he packed it back up, returned it and bought a dewalt
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Southern Idaho
I run the rigid brand from HD and have absolutley no complaints, I dropped the drill from the top of a ladder onto concrete and said OS. I climbed down expecting to find pieces of it everywhere, but instead was supprised to find that it only scratched the plastic. As far as other brands I would only consider a Bosch or Milaukee. Just my opinion though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, Mn.
I Run the 18 V Milwaukee's in some of the worst commercial conditions around. 100% exterior, in the sand/dirt/rain/concrete every day.
I wouldn't buy anything else.
What ever brand You buy. Get LIon batteries. They've doubled the capabilities over NiCad.
I wouldn't buy anything else.
What ever brand You buy. Get LIon batteries. They've doubled the capabilities over NiCad.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
Lithium batterys are great! Compare torque ft/lb when selecting your drill. I'm surprised Milwaukee has not been mentioned yet. I bought a Milwaukee 1/2" cordless drill/driver for the shop at work about five years ago. It's rated at over 400 ft/lb and with the lithium batterys there's no stopping it. For home use, I have a Hitachi 1/2" cordless with 375 ft/lb and I've been very happy with it.
If your cordless drill could do 400 ft-lbs, you could easily take your lug nuts off with it--I guarantee you can't.
Jason
P.S. I like my 14.4V Porter-Cable hammer drill.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
In-lbs, my man, in-lbs. No cordless drill I've ever seen or read specs on can turn 400 ft-lbs. Even the cordless impact drivers only reach about 1200 in-lbs (100 ft-lbs).
If your cordless drill could do 400 ft-lbs, you could easily take your lug nuts off with it--I guarantee you can't.
Jason
P.S. I like my 14.4V Porter-Cable hammer drill.
If your cordless drill could do 400 ft-lbs, you could easily take your lug nuts off with it--I guarantee you can't.
Jason
P.S. I like my 14.4V Porter-Cable hammer drill.
You are most correct!