Cordless Drill Purchase

[Wolverine]

My dad is interested in a new cordless drill. He does'nt want anything too heavy. The drill is for occasional use around the house and on odd projects (he is retired).

He was considering either the:


1) DeWalt 14.4V XRP Model DC728KA

Price at Sears: $169.99

or



2) DeWalt 12V Model DC727KA

Price at Sears: $129.99






Who sells these models for a better Price??? Would ordering online be better???


Much appreciated!!!

 

[KeukaDan]

try eBay, there always seems to be a very good selection of new Dewalt tools cheap.

I have had great luck with Dewalt tools and definatley reccomend them. I wouldnt be to concerned by the members on here who bash them because many of them have never actually used them or had problems with them, they just dont like where they were manufactured, or who owns the company (black and decker).

 

[eschoendorff]

If you're looking for lightweight for your dad, would you consider Makita? Since you're in the area, you can check out a bunch of Makita stuff at Bridgewater Lumber (both in Bridgewater and in Saline, MI). Oh, and Menards in Jackson stocks Makita too. Just food for thought...

 

[KeukaDan]

I will actually chime in again on the makita, I have a 9.6v makita drill that has been great for me. I dont use it much now but it is my go to drill when I need something small and light. still running on its original batteries after 7 or more years and I have had 2 other drills have their batteries die on me.

 

[Fast Orange]

I'm going to recomend the 12V DeWalt-make sure you get the XRP batteries.They have a 3/8" chuck and have enough power to handle a 3/8" bit in mild steel,but are light enough to use all day for drywall screws.With commercial type use,the batteries usually last for 2 years or more-with occasional use they should go longer.
DeWalt drills are available with mid mount handles and pistol grip handles-I prefer the mid mounts because of the balance-easier on the wrist for horizontal use.

George

 

[kartracer55]

I agree with George... Get a dewalt XRP with the centered handle. I know the 18 is perfectly balanced, and the new line of 14.4's are as powerful as the older 18v's, and I use a 3 year old 18v for just baotu everything. Excellent drill

Jim

 

[danski0224]

Cordless drill + occasional use = short battery life

 

[Donzi4me]

I vote for the Porter Cable.

I've got a 12V combo drill and flashlight. Had for a number of years now, and love it.

 

[Katbird]

get him a nice dewalt. I own 4 of these and use them all of the time.

 

[Firescooby]

Well, I'll put my vote in got Ridgid.

I've owned deWalt for the last 8 years or so and they just aren't as good as they once were (like everything nowadays). My last drill last a little over a year and a half before the clutch started slipping. Plus a battery only lasts me on average 4-6 months, and I DO take care of them properly.

A few months ago I bought myself a new 18volt Rigid set. Pretty much identical to the 18v DeWalt set I bought last time. My only complaint with the Rigid vs. DeWalt is that the Rigid is noticably heavier. The warranty for the Rigid is awesome though. It is a lifetime warranty...INCLUDING batteries.

 

[Fast Orange]

If Ridgid is giving lifetime warranties on batteries,they won't be around much longer.The nature of a Ni-Cad battery is that it deteriorates a bit with every use/charge cycle. With 100% by the book use and charging,the largest # of lifetime cycles I have seen to be expected is 1000. In the trades,with hard use,this could happen in 1 to 2 years.
I think you had better check that warranty sheet-I just can't see what you're saying to be correct.

George

 

[jwith68]

Don't over look Bosch. I have an 18V Brute Tough, and it's been well worth the money. They have smaller, lighter weight models as well, in both 18V and 14.4v, IIRC.

 

[user name]

I have a couple of Craftsman 19.2 volt sets. Got them at a Sears Service Center refurbished. The kits each included the drill/driver, skill saw, reciprocating saw, 2 batteries/charger, and light. Paid less than $100 for each kit, and they were like new.
I got two because you can never have too many drill/drivers. They.ve got more power than I ever need. You couldn't go wrong if you've got a Sears Service Center in the area.

I am very happy with my purchases.
Hope this helps. BT

 

[Luckydevil]

How do you find Sears service center locations? I couldn't find anything in google or on the Sears website.

 

[user name]

www.sears.com

In the top right hand corner of the main page there's a link that says "Store Locator." On that page it gives you the option to look for service centers. BT

 

[danski0224]

If Ridgid is giving lifetime warranties on batteries,they won't be around much longer.The nature of a Ni-Cad battery is that it deteriorates a bit with every use/charge cycle. With 100% by the book use and charging,the largest # of lifetime cycles I have seen to be expected is 1000. In the trades,with hard use,this could happen in 1 to 2 years.
I think you had better check that warranty sheet-I just can't see what you're saying to be correct.

George

You forget about the wholesale and retail pricing. There is plenty of money in there to give away some batteries.

 

[Luckydevil]

www.sears.com

In the top right hand corner of the main page there's a link that says "Store Locator." On that page it gives you the option to look for service centers. BT

Thanks! I have three of them pretty close to me.

 

[Firescooby]

If Ridgid is giving lifetime warranties on batteries,they won't be around much longer.The nature of a Ni-Cad battery is that it deteriorates a bit with every use/charge cycle. With 100% by the book use and charging,the largest # of lifetime cycles I have seen to be expected is 1000. In the trades,with hard use,this could happen in 1 to 2 years.
I think you had better check that warranty sheet-I just can't see what you're saying to be correct.

George

I did double and triple check the battery thing. Even called corporate and they verified. It was killing me to buy new DeWalt batteries very 6-8 months when I was doing HVAC alot. I would try to get the 2 pack at Lowes when they would go on sale for $90.

The only hassle with the warranty is that after 90 days it muct be mailed in and repaired (tools themselves) and batteries must be mailed in and when they receive the old battery a new one will be sent out. Of course I can deal with that hassle for the money savings.

Like I was told on the phone, Ridgid main goal is to be the last power tools you'll ever have to buy. Of course like he said, they realize that people buy different tools and that if I have good service out of my Ridgid drill, impact wrench, trim saw, and sawzall that when I need a nail gun or something that I'll most likely go with Ridgid if I've gotten good service from the Ridgid drill and Ridgid company. To me, sounds like a good plan. Take care of the customers and they'll take care of you.

 

[Uncle Buck]

To bad HD is the only vedor for Ridgid, I hate Home Desperate!

 

[REFLEXX]

I'll put a vote in for the Ryobi ONE system. I've dropped the drill from 8-10 feet TWICE and it survived! batteries are chap and last well.

At HD, the entire kit which includes just about everything is like $170 (sawzall, drill, flashlight, 4.5" circular, 2 batts, charger, etc...)

Look at the cost of replacment batteries! I had a Milwaukee for years, but when the battery died, it was $80 for ONE replacment!!! that's a rip of for Ni-Cads! The Ryobi ones are $25, that's reasonable.

 

[eschoendorff]

I'll put a vote in for the Ryobi ONE system. I've dropped the drill from 8-10 feet TWICE and it survived! batteries are chap and last well.

At HD, the entire kit which includes just about everything is like $170 (sawzall, drill, flashlight, 4.5" circular, 2 batts, charger, etc...)

Look at the cost of replacment batteries! I had a Milwaukee for years, but when the battery died, it was $80 for ONE replacment!!! that's a rip of for Ni-Cads! The Ryobi ones are $25, that's reasonable.

Yeah, that's what I've got. So far, those tools have done everything I've asked them to do, but they are not gonna put Milwaukee out of business or anything.

 

[beltfeed]

Panasonic

I bet you didn't think of Panasonic. They have the #1 rated charging system and battery life of all the brands by consumer reports. We use a lot of Dewalts at work, and I like there 3 speed, 14.4 the best. The 18 volt is like having a car battery hanging on the thing. And the 12 volt runs out in about half the time as the 14.4. And the 14.4 weighs just a little more then the 12 volt and has a lot more poop. Make sure what ever you buy has a good gripping chuck, forward reverse buttons located proper. And a nice trigger, also look into battery type and charge time. I use Snap ons in race car **** because I can use the same batttery on there impacts and flashlights. So you may want to think if he will want more cordless tools in the future. Have fun shopping.

 

[z28toz06]

I bought 2 kits from home cheapo. drill, circular saw and flashlight with 2 batts and charger in each. 79.99. they don't owe me nothing! One of the saws and flashlights were stolen with a right angle drill from my business. Someoen walked out right in the middle of the day

I may buy a cordless impact from panasonic. I saw a 14 volt kawasaki in northern cheap recently.

 

[Fast Orange]

Firescooby-
With what your telling us about Rigid's warranty,a lot of cotractors will be going that way-I'll have to check thier stuff out-DeWalt batteries do cost a bit much.
Thanks,

George