cordless drill advice?

[BerninicaCO3]

Hey!

My sister is getting married in June, and is setting up a wedding registry.
She is asking me for my advice on drills: every homemaker needs one! Preferably cordless, which I understand, if only because of the magnetic stop!

Now, I love this set of mine, and I have too many uses for an impact driver to ignore!
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-1...mbo-Kit-2-Tool-LCT200W/100596872#.UUqUfByG18E

But it may be overkill for her.
Maybe she just wants a drill, any drill, and cheaper is OK

One question that i've had trouble answering is this... she will NOT be using it daily. Rugged dependability is not an issue. 3hr/ bajillion screw battery life is not an issue. But does nicad or lithium ion last longer?

For example, if you took a car battery, and let it sit for a year, not only will you have to recharge it -that's a given- ...there's a real chance that it won't charge at all. Sitting uncharged for that long can kill it for good.
So I'm not asking how long it holds a charge... recharging isn't an issue. A drill that will require $40-$80 new batteries every 3rd year because it's sitting wholly unused, is a real question.

Some people said nicad has "dendrite crystal growth that can puncture cells," but then other sources said a nicad battery could last 5 years, and li+ maybe only 3.

Well, nicad vs li+ is one question; but broadly, what's a good drill for the $?
IF she comes back and says she's looking for an $80 drill, what won't **** completely?


-Bernard

 

[Super Sport]

IMO lithium holds a charge much longer than nicad. I've had great experience with several different lithium batteries, nicad not so much.

The Craftsman C3 stuff is great for the average homeowner. Cheap, expandable, and offers both nicad and lithium batteries.

 

[03protege]

I love my Milwuakee M12 set and would buy them again.

If she is just looking for a screwdriver I prefer the Rockwell "3rill" sold at Lowes. It has a setting for screw driving, drilling, and Impact driver.

Both of these I have used extensively installing custom iron curtain rods in plaster, drywall, stucco, wood, and metal.

 

[dsimatt]

I love my Milwaukee m18 drill, and HD has them on special all the time for not alotta money, over you're gonna spend the money get her a decent one because nothing worse than trying to use a cheaply one.

 

[MattPersman]

I like my Bosch 10.8/12 volt (ps31) you can get it in a combo with the PS41.

I have had good luck so far with the Milwaukee m12 tools I have but I do not have the drill

These smaller drills are surprisingly good i would imagine them being more reliable than a cheapy

 

[Big-Foot]

The Makita LCT is good homeowner stuff and has the same batteries and charger as the LXT systems do. The LXT stuff is more expensive, but are built for more rugged use in the trades.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with Makita these days. They stepped up their game to kick **** and take names and have succeeded..

 

[Texican]

The Makita LCT is good homeowner stuff and has the same batteries and charger as the LXT systems do. The LXT stuff is more expensive, but are built for more rugged use in the trades.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with Makita these days. They stepped up their game to kick **** and take names and have succeeded..

I usually agree with you on Makita, however I bought a Makita LCT combo and both batteries and/or the chargers failed within one day of use. This was the LCT209 12v combo kit. Maybe I got a bad unit but to have both batteries and/or chargers fail within one day's usage was disappointing. It was a black Friday sale and unfortunately for me they were sold out and I couldn't try another set. I ended up with the Dewalt combo and have been happy so far.

 

[bimmerZ5]

if she's not going to use often, definitely get Li-Ion... NiCd batteries can die on their own sitting on the shelf for too long. Or at least, pull them out and use and recharge every once in a while. I cycle my NiCd batteries in my flash light for this reason since sometimes they don't get used as often (I have Li-Ion for my other tools) and I do use my flash light quite a bit so it forces me to use the NiCd and recharge them every now and then.

i find an impact driver will be very useful for a homeowner; especially if they plan to get any furniture that requires assembly like from IKEA. or even just putting up cabinets and stuff like that. a impact driver + drill set would be really nice, but you might need to demonstrate the value of it if she's not familiar.

also, for a homeowner, i might consider something with a good warranty. of all the big box store brands, I think Milwaukee (5yrs?) and Ridgid (lifetime) have the best. just remind her to register for the LSA if you go with Ridgid...

something like this would probably be great for her: http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1...Combo-Kit-2-Tool-R9600/203266851#.UUr2n6o25ko

Edit: the Ridgid "LSA" (Lifetime Service Agreement) also covers batteries... so that just might take care of the entire question about battery life for your sister.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Bernard: one more follow up... if you decide to buy at Home Depot, make sure you bring a Lowe's coupon or Harbor Freight 20% coupon.. many HD stores will take it and that can bring down the $200 to $160.

 

[Big-Foot]

I usually agree with you on Makita, however I bought a Makita LCT combo and both batteries and/or the chargers failed within one day of use. This was the LCT209 12v combo kit. Maybe I got a bad unit but to have both batteries and/or chargers fail within one day's usage was disappointing. It was a black Friday sale and unfortunately for me they were sold out and I couldn't try another set. I ended up with the Dewalt combo and have been happy so far.

Tex - not famililar with the 12v variety of the LCT, only the 18v Li-Ion at this point. Certainly sounds like you got duds there.. Charger issue?

 

[Stuey]

Budget?

I'd say look at Ryobi or Craftsman, or if just a drill, Bosch's 12V PS31 is nice and compact for $99.

 

[retrobuilder]

For household use a 12V is often better. Enough power plus for typical home projects.
Women often have smaller hands and the lighter weight is a plus. Less cost as well.

Get a drill driver with two batteries and a set of 1/4 hex drills and bits.

My wifes fave drill was her 9.6V compact Skil year back.

 

[PWC Repair]

I agree with the above. I just sold all my Craftsman 19.2 stuff cause I got new Porter Cable 18v stuff. Which I like way better than the Craftsman. I also Have a Makita in the shop and a little Great Neck 12v li-ion. My wife likes the little 12v better than all of them. Small and lightweight with good power.

 

[Automatic Slim]

dewalt 0825 fits well in the hand (18v). have driven 1000's of 3" screws with no problem as well as other tasks. if i didn't have 10 batteries would be tempted to go w/ that makita though too - but balls deep in dewalt and personally feel like they hit a home run with the 0825 impact driver - but need hex set to op.

 

[Texican]

Tex - not famililar with the 12v variety of the LCT, only the 18v Li-Ion at this point. Certainly sounds like you got duds there.. Charger issue?

Both batteries charged fine, I drained both mounting drawer and door hardware. I put them on the charger and both came back as battery error. The store was out of stock as was every other store within 50 mi. I have had nothing but great luck with Makita in the past but that set was a dud.

 

[skippy24]

For just homemaker use (tightening screws, basic installs, assembling modular furniture, etc.) you can't go wrong with this from Dewalt. It's lightweight and has more than enough torque for basic household chores.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_147880-70-D....2&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=dewalt+7.2&facetInfo=

 

[Trey T]

M12 Milwaukee 3-pc kit is a very attractive kit that comes with drill, impact, and multi-tool for $200 at HD. Multi-tool is a very popular tool for use around the house.

 

[pipsters]

i find an impact driver will be very useful for a homeowner; especially if they plan to get any furniture that requires assembly like from IKEA. or even just putting up cabinets and stuff like that. a impact driver + drill set would be really nice, but you might need to demonstrate the value of it if she's not familiar.

If you put Ikea stuff together with an impact driver not only will use strip out the hardware you will probably split the "wood" material in about 0.5 seconds

Impact drivers these days have a TON of power for such a small tool. A clutched drill is the way to go.

Lithium batteries will fail just like Nicad but they are a lot more expensive to replace when that happens.

18v is probably too big for someone just hanging pictures. Black and Decker had her in mind when marketing their lower level drills.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004443WVW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or $10 more for two batteries
http://www.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-DE...-2-Batteries-LDX112C-2/202891159#.UUs551ci-lg

In fact, that would be great for me even for around the house for real small stuff, might look into it!

I survived on a $20 BF special B&D for years

 

[skippy24]

For small household chores like assembling modular furniture, toys, tightening screw, etc. you can't go wrong with this:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_147880-70-D....2&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=dewalt+7.2&facetInfo=.

It's small, lightweight, and has enough torque for household tasks.

 

[acer66]

Looks like 12v should cover you needs,
I like Bosch myself but here I would just get whatever name brand is on sale.
I also would get one with a chuck and a case or no case might be a question.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

For the cost and durability, you really cannot beat the Ryobi 18 volt drill.

 

[bimmerZ5]

If you put Ikea stuff together with an impact driver not only will use strip out the hardware you will probably split the "wood" material in about 0.5 seconds

Impact drivers these days have a TON of power for such a small tool. A clutched drill is the way to go.

Lithium batteries will fail just like Nicad but they are a lot more expensive to replace when that happens.

I'd kind of have to disagree with you on that point. I've assembled many IKEA and other modular furniture for my kids rooms with the Dewalt 18V DC825B. Granted not the latest model, but a decent one that's lasted me several years. I've never had a problem, but I know when to stop impacting.

All batteries will fail. But for long term storage and infrequent use, I think the Li-Ion will be better suited than NiCd; the self drain rate is much slower with Li-Ion.

All that said, if the battery is the issue, under the OP's stated use cases, I really would go with the Ridgid with LSA so the batteries are covered.