Corded drills

[d.mcfarland]

Anyone buy or use a newer corded drill recently? I'm looking at the options for a relatively inexpensive corded drill. Looks like they are running about $50 for the ones that would suit my needs so anyone have any experience?

 

[Voi]

Anyone buy or use a newer corded drill recently? I'm looking at the options for a relatively inexpensive corded drill. Looks like they are running about $50 for the ones that would suit my needs so anyone have any experience?

I picked up a Bosch a few years back for drilling multiple holes with my pocket hole jig. It's fine, nothing special. As I recall it was on sale at Menards for well under $50.

Ryobi makes one with a clutch if you think you might need one.

 

[dbabicky]

A little more pricy but, I like my Dewalt 1/2" corded drill. I don't know what your requirements are but the Dewalt has never let me down.
If you don't need a heavy duty one I can't see why a Menards or Home Depot brand drill wouldn't work for you. I'm sure they are very durable for the average user.
I bought my Dewalt when I was a Maint. man at the Foundry, so I needed something a little more durable.

 

[ChrisLS8]

The only corded drill I have is my Bosch hammer drill and it's a beast, got it for free from a previous employer,

I've used the lower end Bosch mentioned above and they work just fine without the added grunt and features

 

[Davefr]

I would urge you to consider buying a used Milwaukee Magnum made in the USA vs the new junk from China.

Used corded drill go for pennies on the dollar and made in the USA Milwaukees are as reliable as gravity.

Check Ebay, CL, g-sales, flea markets, etc.

 

[gdocktor3]

Some of the most powerful corded drills I've used are Milwaukee. CPO sells remanufactured Milwaukee drills for around $70 that are basically brand new, but used will work just as well.

 

[Bessy]

Bought a big @$$ Dewalt corded drill for Dad a few years back at time. Ran me somewhere in the $75-100 range as it was on the sale table at Lowes (missing the screw that secured the depth rod. I had a friend who worked there and she managed to get the tool department to swap out the screw from another box for me (Thanks Jenn!)
The last time we pulled it out to use a hole hog while installing some soffit lighting, I heard Dad swear, as the teeth on the hole hog caught on something and spun the drill out of his hand, nearly breaking it in the process.

 

[SARG]

Bigsky tools has a 20% off sale on the Hitachi brand reconditioned.
I've bought several tools from them with no issues.
https://bigskytool.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=drills

 

[Technologyteacher]

I have a Hitachi that I've been pleased with. It had more amps than the dewalt

 

[c4cruiser]

I have a Black & Decker corded 1/2" drill that just sits in my cabinet. I don't think I have used it in 5-6 years. With the cordless drills available now that have equal if not more power, options such as lights, adjustable speeds/torque, and long-lasting batteries, using a corded drill seems like too much to deal with like finding an outlet and maybe needing extension cords.

Certainly nothing wrong with them and they can be had for not a lot of money. Might want to stay with a good name brand such as Milwaukee, DeWalts, or similar. For really cheap, light duty but functional, Harbor Freight has some that will work.

 

[woody 73]

I would urge you to consider buying a used Milwaukee Magnum made in the USA vs the new junk from China.

Used corded drill go for pennies on the dollar and made in the USA Milwaukees are as reliable as gravity.

Check Ebay, CL, g-sales, flea markets, etc.

I would like to see those corded drill going for pennies on the dollar around my area they are going for top dollar.

 

[American Locomotive]

Battery operated tools are nice, but when you have a 4" hole-saw trying to cut through steel, they just don't cut it. That's where the corded drill comes in.

I love my ancient U.S. made 850 RPM Milwaukee Magnum. I've never ran into a situation with it where I was wanting more power. It can be borderline unmanageable as it is right now, even with the side handle screwed in.

 

[bob15]

Just got this metabo yesterday in the mail....bit more than what you want to spend, but it is a sweet drill.

https://www.metabo.com/com/en/tools/drilling-screwdriving-chiselling-stirring/drills/be-1100-600582000-drill.html

You might want to look on e-bay for used Metabo's.

 

[WittHay]

Last year I got the Makita 1/2 variable speed. Nice drill and assembled in the USA
Use it mainly for drilling in metal with larger drill bits.

 

[ScottyB]

I heard Dad swear, as the teeth on the hole hog caught on something and spun the drill out of his hand, nearly breaking it in the process.

Haha I know the feeling. We used to use a corded drill at work with a 4 1/8" hole saw to put gooseneck in trucks. It will bite a turn you into a pretzel. More than a few times I had bruised thighs from the handle lol

 

[PureLeaf]

Just got this metabo yesterday in the mail....bit more than what you want to spend, but it is a sweet drill.

https://www.metabo.com/com/en/tools/drilling-screwdriving-chiselling-stirring/drills/be-1100-600582000-drill.html

You might want to look on e-bay for used Metabo's.

Hope it goes better for you than me. I have the 1100 and the 751. Dislike them both, and was even more unhappy with my experience in Metabo's customer service. I won't buy them again.

I've seen Makita Corded Drills in the 50 dollar price range. Maybe someone else can answer if the NOS Makita's were made in Japan?

 

[tonyciambrone]

A little more pricy but, I like my Dewalt 1/2" corded drill.

I also really like my 1/2 corded Dewalt drill, keyless chuck works well. Plenty of power and the trigger is sensitive to input for drilling in metal. While we're here I also really like my Dewalt corded sawzall, it lets me put the blade in both vertically and horizontally and it works like any other sawzall.

 

[scissorman]

I've owned a Makita, a DeWalt and also a Milwaukee and the Milwaukee is hands down the strongest drill out there.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I just checked eBay for used Milwaukee's and there are some, but slim pickings.

 

[PJNJ]

Another vote for used Milwaukee 3/8 or 1/2 Magnum USA made drill. I bought the 3/8 new about 12 years ago and it is the smoothest and strongest 3/8 I ever used. It was about $80 then but I'm sure a used one will be a lot cheaper.

I bought the 1/2 used at a garage sale about 5 years ago for $5. The chuck was frozen. After cleaning and soaking the chuck for a couple of days with PbBlaster, it loosened up and works great. Again very powerful.

Either drill is strong enough to probably break my wrist. Had the 3/8 bite me a couple of times. My wrist hurt for a few days afterward.

A nice feature on both is the easily accessible brushes for replacement. You don't need to take apart the drill to get to them.

 

[Davefr]

A nice feature on both is the easily accessible brushes for replacement. You don't need to take apart the drill to get to them.

The other nice Milwaukee feature is that the power cords are twist lock and easily replaced if they get worn out or damaged.

 

[PJNJ]

The other nice Milwaukee feature is that the power cords are twist lock and easily replaced if they get worn out or damaged.

Unfortunately not mine. The 3/8 and 1/2 both have a regular cord.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I use my Bosch SDS rotary hammer with a 3-jaw chuck from time to time. I don't need a corded drill often so that does the trick when needed.

 

[scissorman]

The other nice Milwaukee feature is that the power cords are twist lock and easily replaced if they get worn out or damaged.

AFAIK Milwaukee stopped using that feature years ago.

 

[pstemari]

I picked up a used US-made Magnum 1/2" that had that feature. Not certain how old it is, but it's definitely a beast


Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Cope]

I have Milwaukee 1/4" and 3/8" Hole Shooters (standard trigger) that have been awesome. Recently bought a 1/2" Magnum made in China. My son-in-law has used it a lot for large hole saws and says it's super. I also have a couple of HD 1/2" drills.

 

[American Locomotive]

AFAIK Milwaukee stopped using that feature years ago.

You can still get new Milwaukee tools with the "Quick-Lok" cord.

 

[McFarmer]

I would urge you to consider buying a used Milwaukee Magnum made in the USA vs the new junk from China.

Used corded drill go for pennies on the dollar and made in the USA Milwaukees are as reliable as gravity.

Check Ebay, CL, g-sales, flea markets, etc.

I second that.

I went to an estate sale for an electrican, table full of corded Milwaukee tools. Ten to fifteen bucks bought most anything.

 

[d.mcfarland]

All the new drills look almost identical. I'm curious if they are the same Chinese manufacturer.

 

[dodge610]

I had to replace my corded BD drill looked and looked then HD had the 1/2 dewalt on sale so i got it. Has all the power i will need and came with its own bag for storage. Not that the bag makes it any better just a nice touch.

 

[Schurkey]

Anyone buy or use a newer corded drill recently? I'm looking at the options for a relatively inexpensive corded drill. Looks like they are running about $50 for the ones that would suit my needs so anyone have any experience?

I bought a Makita angle drill a while back. Might be the DA3010F. I'm fairly pleased with it. I'd have preferred a slower maximum RPM via steeper gearing (more torque) although that's not a critical item.

You wouldn't get it for $50, but you do get the advantage of the angle gearing.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Also a strong vote for a Milwaukee 1/2" chuck hole shooter. Mine is over 20 years old and was bought used. I have hundreds of hours on it and it still gets borrowed by my son whose battery powered stuff doesn't work due to underuse. CPO remanufactured is where I'd shop for one. You won't regret it.

 

[Coach James]

Anyone buy or use a newer corded drill recently? I'm looking at the options for a relatively inexpensive corded drill. Looks like they are running about $50 for the ones that would suit my needs so anyone have any experience?

What are your needs? I have everything from 1/4 corded to SDS max corded drills. Your needs would help narrow down what would be best for you.

Coach

 

[d.mcfarland]

Your needs would help narrow down what would be best for you.

General household plus hobbies and interest. I have a cordless drill but it's not the newest or best. If I use a drill it's either for a 2 hole project or for something that a cordless drill won't last long enough. I will mention that I don't want to get another cordless version so that rules that out.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

An air drill will also bind and break your arm/wrist etc. I prefer air for any serious drilling aside from a drill press or mag base drill. For corded drills I like milwaukee.

 

[SantaAna12]

Any of the new upper tier 1/2 corded drills have a light?
My holeshooter is old and tired.

 

[Marctrees]

Any of the new upper tier 1/2 corded drills have a light?
My holeshooter is old and tired.

I don't know if there is one w a light, but there are w Blutooth capability, and work w Smartphone Apps.

Some are even WiFi compatible.

O, and I think if you search you can find Raspberry Pi and Arduino controlled ones.

You could always duct tape a "tactical Seal Team Six black ops Professional Grade" flashlight (from a TV Infomercial with the buy one, get one, just pay separate shipping and Handling) deal. to the top of your head, and control it w your Smartphone.

Or Apple watch.

Heck, you'll even get it to drill holes from your Office cubicle at your stand up desk, having lunch w your Vegan Falafel w bean sprouts and Hummus sandwich on Artisan Gluten free non GMO Fair Trade certified bread !!


I cannot understand or believe how America was built w/o those features.

Marc

(Otherwise, I suggest considering the possibility of reviving your old and tired Holeshooter, and pass it on to your next 3 generations)

 

[SantaAna12]

No need for BT......but knock yourself out.
A light would be just the ticket.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Some of the most powerful corded drills I've used are Milwaukee. CPO sells remanufactured Milwaukee drills for around $70 that are basically brand new, but used will work just as well.

I've got a newer hole shooter... plenty of drill for me, and I purchased it refurbished for less than the $70 if I recollect correctly.....

 

[jives]

I still use a 3/8" Skil corded drill that I received when I was 18 years old. It is now almost 40 years old. It has outlasted and outpowered the cordless drills. But it would be nice if it was a keyless chuck!

I'd get a 1/2" Milwaukee or Makita. It will handle what the cordless cannot, especially if it has hammer drill capabilities. Grew up using Milwaukee's at my dad's construction shop. They were the only portable tools they used.