Cheapest 'decent' cordless drill

[1982fxr]

I need a cordless drill mostly for drilling pilot holes and running drywall screws into plywood so i can hang things. I had a black and decker that was probably $40 from wal-mart 6 years ago and my dad beat on it for a month 'til the battery wouldn't hold a charge.

It was good for what i needed. Like to get out the door for under $40....

 

[Farmall450]

Used maybe?

 

[aka Larry]

Don't buy one from HF, ask me how I know. The only decent cheap one (cheap is relative BTW) that I know of is a Ryobi.

 

[cburnscrx]

I think you're going to end up with a Black and Decker again, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I have a B&D cordless screwdriver that runs circles around the Ryobi Tec4.

For under $40 I think this is what you're looking at.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Decker-20V-Lithium-Cordless-Drill-Driver/23903700

 

[TheGrooveking]

I would recommend is look at the Milwaukee M12, the reason I state this is unless you get a package deal on a Ryobi, by the time you buy the drill, battery and charger you'll be at or above the price for the M12 drill you can find online pretty inexpensively.

TheGrooveking

 

[Davefr]

Dig a little deeper and get this unless you're hung up on Li Ion:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251304759245?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Panasonic has always been "top dog" in cordless tools.

 

[rancherbill]

Get a new battery or send it and get it rebuilt.

 

[TheGrooveking]

+1 huge on Panasonic, believe or not I am still using the Panasonic 9.6 V drill I bought back in 1991, have had to replace a few batteries, but will report Panasonic does do drills right.

TheGrooveking

 

[firecracker]

Can't beat the Ryobi.

 

[1982fxr]

thanks fellas, I'm not sure I wanna buy a cordless used from craigs.

I looked the battery up quick and saw prices that seemed high, like $40-50+
It says HPB12 Power Pack on it. I thought, as suggested, for that price I'd end up with another B and D. Which i would be ok with...

ok, found a battery on amazon for $27 plus shipping, think I'd rather just buy a new drill at that price...

 

[BK13]

If'n you think your Pops might be beating the tar out of it again, might want to look at a Rigid with the lifetime warranty on the batteries...

 

[Monte]

"decent" and "cheap" don´t fit together

 

[zkling]

Under $40 for a complete "decent" cordless drill? Sorry but I don't think that is going to happen unless you get really lucky.

I splurged and bought a dewalt XRP or some letter combo ~14 years ago. My first power tool Was something like $150 back then, alot of money for a 11 year old. I still use it all the time, however the batteries are showing a significant shorter useful time between charge. The drill itself works fine though. Only a measly 14v compared to today's monsters, but will still put a 3/8" hole through steel without sweat.

I would recommend that you get yourself a nice drill, new, unless you find one SUPER cheap. Something about buying a used battery just doesn't sit well with me. Most of those batteries end up costing more to replace than the drill itself.

Then buy your dad a corded, used miluwakee or the like, something that he can beat the snot out of and not worry about breaking.

 

[Tucko]

I suggest you put your 40 bucks back in your pocket and use a handbrace and a screwdriver.

 

[toolstools]

Pony up and get a dewalt. 2 batteries. 107 with tax. Last drill you should need

 

[air]

I'll second that Harbor Freight cordless tools are JUNK. They ***** balls.

I like Makita.

 

[TwoInch]

Pony up and get a dewalt. 2 batteries. 107 with tax. Last drill you should need

those $99 dewault drills are a joke. they are bottom barrel drill,/drivers and are "stocking stuffer" "big sale" holiday dewault. they are not the decent mid level drill in the dewault line. i would stay away from them at one hundred dollars, there are better options in that price range.

 

[3xpendable]

I beat on ryobi tools for 8 years pro use everyday remodeling bathrooms. You cant go Wrong with them for good tools at a cheap price. If you put up a litter more cash you won't be disappointed with any dewalt. It will hold its own and so will the batts

 

[BK13]

You also might check and see what the Milwaukie M12 non-FUEL drills are going for. Around here, they are being closed out to make room for the newer models.

 

[cburnscrx]

Let's remember he's looking for a $40 drill to put drywall screws into plywood and to drill some pilot holes. I can do that with my B&D cordless screwdriver.

Walmart has a 20v Lithium Ion Black & Decker for $39.97.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Black-Dec...5869833-2&adid=1500000000000036337750&veh=cse

Get this and be done with it. It's not like he's building a deck with the thing driving lag screws into 4x4 posts. I've got the DeWalt 18v hammer drill, impact driver and regular drill, so it's not like I don't appreciate good stuff and the right stuff for the job. However, in this case a $40 drill seems about right.

 

[TOOL MASTER]

m12's are sweet

 

[diggerrick]

I bought an 18v Craftsman for $30 in the Black Friday sale last year.

I love it. I used it around the house all winter and it just finished my pool deck. Yesterday it drilled out the locks on three old file cabinets at work so we can actually use them.

I found it why it was on sale so cheap - Craftsman discontinued it and rebranded it Evolv.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-evolv-18.0-volt-cordless-drill-driver/p-00930856000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I bought two of the Evolv batteries and they work great also.

 

[cide1]

A $40 corded drill may be worth owning, while a $40 cordless has to cut a lot of corners to hit that price point. If I was in your position, I'd look at corded.

 

[monster1]

Can't beat the Ryobi.

What he said. I've beat the Hell out of my ryobi stuff and it comes back for more.

 

[Ign]

Under $40 for a complete "decent" cordless drill? Sorry but I don't think that is going to happen unless you get really lucky.

I splurged and bought a dewalt XRP or some letter combo ~14 years ago. My first power tool Was something like $150 back then, alot of money for a 11 year old. I still use it all the time, however the batteries are showing a significant shorter useful time between charge. The drill itself works fine though. Only a measly 14v compared to today's monsters, but will still put a 3/8" hole through steel without sweat.

I would recommend that you get yourself a nice drill, new, unless you find one SUPER cheap. Something about buying a used battery just doesn't sit well with me. Most of those batteries end up costing more to replace than the drill itself.

Then buy your dad a corded, used miluwakee or the like, something that he can beat the snot out of and not worry about breaking.

Yeah, what's the saying about the regret of poor quality lingering much longer than the momentary sting of paying for quality?

I bought a Milwaukee V28 in 2005. I needed Vaseline for a short while given the price of the kit back then was still around $400..........but damn if I haven't used the **** out of that drill and its' still going strong. JUST got some new batteries for it, updated to M28. I wouldn't be surprised if the drill gives me another 7 years of service before needing service.

And for the OP, I'd have to say Ryobi as suggested or Craftsman. But neither will be $40. The M12 stuff is going on sale right now as the Fuel hits the market, and I bet if you posted a "wanted" there's several members who'd sell you at least one regular battery and a charger. I've got batteries and chargers coming out the wazoo as I've purchased so many kits.

 

[Flatintoone]

Watching with interest. My Craftsman is done for after 5 years of occasional use.

 

[Iron Cat]

I cant recommend Skil drills.I had always used corded or pneumatic drills, so aside of seeing my co-workers use Dewalts an Craftsman I was basically clueless when it came to cordless drill quality.Now bare in mind when I purchased this Skil,i was looking for something cheap and it was for basic interior home repair (hanging a door, cabinet door etc..),something I could just grab an go without lugging a cord or hose through the house.45$ later I had the 18 volt Skil. About 2 months later the motor was so loose you could rock it back n forth roughly 1/4-3/8 inch. 2 months...Was it just a factory dud? maybe, maybe not.I can tell ya, I wont buy another 45$ Skil.

 

[toolstools]

Skils are 100% junk. Paper weights at best lol

 

[hell_fish_65]

I like the Craftsman 19.2v drill. I have abused mine and it still goes strong.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-C...814?pt=Drills&hash=item4ac711979e#ht_26wt_917

 

[cole_CT]

Go with either an 18v Ryobi or go with cburnscrx's recommendation of that 20v Li B+D.

 

[toolstools]

What's that old saying

Cheap,quality, convenient pic any two? Or something like that?

 

[4x4_G30_Sportvan]

Try the Craftsman Nextec 12V Li-Ion.

I REALLY like the NexTec Right angle Impact driver. I use it all the time for almost everything.

 

[boiler7904]

I keep seeing adds from Ace Hardware in the Chicago area where they are giving $40 trade in allowances towards new DeWalt 12V drills, drivers, and impact drivers. Might be worth taking a look at.

I have a Bosch 14.4V drill with case, charger and 2 ni cad batteries that I've considered selling lately. Also have a Bosch 12V impact driver (not the 12V max system) with case, flashlight, charger, and 2 ni cad batteries I'm willing to let go. Nothing wrong with either set. I just don't use them since I've received 12V max tools as a gift and bought into Makita's 18V system for larger jobs. PM if you're interested in either of the Bosch kits.

 

[Mr_Snips]

for occasional home use ryobi from HD isnt bad.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Minimum for me is Ridgid with lifetime battery warranty.

Move up from there is Hitachi.

Then onto the Big 3 of Bosch, Milwaukee or DeWalt.

Company supplies us tools including drill drivers and I would not get near a Ryobi unless used to put Ikea furniture together on weekends.

C'man a blip when it comes to power tools for anyone who uses them daily.

Cheap and good do not co-exist in this tool scenario sadly.

 

[cburnscrx]

Minimum for me is Ridgid with lifetime battery warranty.

Move up from there is Hitachi.

Then onto the Big 3 of Bosch, Milwaukee or DeWalt.

Company supplies us tools including drill drivers and I would not get near a Ryobi unless used to put Ikea furniture together on weekends.

C'man a blip when it comes to power tools for anyone who uses them daily.

Cheap and good do not co-exist in this tool scenario sadly.

Let's not forget what the OP said he needed this drill to accomplish. Drill pilot holes and put drywall screws in plywood. Basically assembling IKEA furniture.

I think it's refreshing that somebody isn't overbuying for a change, and I really did mount laundry room cabinets with a 3.6v B&D cordless screwdriver. Just wanted to see what it would do. I had to use hex bits and pre drill everything, but they look just the same as my kitchen cabinets.

 

[zkling]

What's that old saying

Cheap,quality, convenient pic any two? Or something like that?

A few of my favorites.

"Cry once" meaning at the initial outlay of cash, not when it breaks down later because it won't.

Marketing triangle

"Good, Fast, Cheap, you can only pick two"

 

[jjjrmx5]

Let's not forget what the OP said he needed this drill to accomplish. Drill pilot holes and put drywall screws in plywood. Basically assembling IKEA furniture.

I think it's refreshing that somebody isn't overbuying for a change, and I really did mount laundry room cabinets with a 3.6v B&D cordless screwdriver. Just wanted to see what it would do. I had to use hex bits and pre drill everything, but they look just the same as my kitchen cabinets.

Point taken but already known.


Thus the world of "disposable tools."

Walmart, HF and the big box retailers thank you.
Use it and toss it.

Not my creedo. Sorry.
I don't condone it nor support it.

Tools to "me" are a durable good. Not a buy and toss item.

 

[1982fxr]

I should have said "decent for what I need"...I literally only need this to drill pilot holes and put drywall screws into plywood so i can hang wrenches and such. I have 2 corded drills already that have enough power for the bigger jobs I do, so I'm all set there.

Just need a light duty cordless for the real light stuff. And luckily, my dad is back in Wisconsin, so this next drill will be safe.

We used to beat the **** out of those Craftsman 19.2's when i worked dairy construction. They weren't the greatest, but they did work. Even one of those would be total overkill for what I need. B and D looks likely. My old one probably would have lasted for 10 years were it not for pops lol.

 

[cburnscrx]

Point taken but already known.


Thus the world of "disposable tools."

Walmart, HF and the big box retailers thank you.
Use it and toss it.

Not my creedo. Sorry.
I don't condone it nor support it.

Tools to "me" are a durable good. Not a buy and toss item.

I get what you're saying, I really do. I have DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita. Heck, all my 18v tools are DeWalt. Hammer Drill, Drill, Impact driver, recip saw, jig saw. I have all those same tool corded and more, so trust me I understand.

I also have 1/3 sander in both B&D and Makita. Yes, the B&D is "disposable", but I am on #2 in 25+ years, some in a professional environment and some of those years seriously abused. So far I've spent less than $40 on the two of them combined. I also have the Makita, and it's very nice and has less vibration. That said, it needs the pad replaced and because of that I often reach for the cheaper B&D. If I did it all over again, I'd probably skip the Makita and just keep getting the B&D IF it needed replaced.

I think for what the OP is doing a Lithium Ion 20v drill can last him a LONG time. Maybe not forever, but I highly doubt we'll be using our same cordless tools 30 years from now anyway. I remember cordless tools 30 years ago, and I was definitely not impressed.