Cordless Drill Recomendation

[danski0224]

Long time lurker and finally a home/garage owner....

My wife and I closed on our first home a little over a month ago, which means I'm going around trying to fix all the little things as we get settled in. Since this is our first home I haven't hoarded too many tools... yet.

I'm thinking a cordless drill is next on my list of things to get. I'd like something quality and reliable at a reasonable price (ya, ya, ya...). But seriously, I don't need anything that is construction site grade; just a quality drill that can be used around the house.

Any recommendations?

I would buy a combo kit- less $$ in the long run.

Hard to beat Ryobi for a fair product at a fair price, considering that most cordless tools available in the USA are made in China. Ryobi, Craftsman and Milwaukee cordless tools are all made by the same company.

If your use is limited, then I would look at a corded model. No dead batteries and much less money upfront. Even corded versions of once trusted names are made in China now. Hard to rationally justify a made in China premium brand/price over Harbor Freight junk at this point.

 

[Falcon67]

If you just need something for light work, a brand name 14.4V unit will work well. I built my 20x24 shop with a 20 oz framing hammer and a 14.4 Black and Decker. however, if you want a long term, "full homeowner" unit, get nothing less than an 18v, 19.2 better, brand name and lithium batteries. NOT cheap, but will last you a long while even with heavy use. I've worn out one Craftsman 19.2 C3 unit (took 6 years) and started on a second. The batteries fit the whole C3 line which is dang handy. The chuck on those units *****, so not everything is great with all units. A set is usually cheaper and you'll use the various tools maintaining the house, for sure. So pick a unit with a good line of accessories and tools that run off the same batteries. Batteries are not cheap with lithium probably cheaper in the long run but 3x more cost up front. In my C3 stuff I use the NiCads for lights and backup. The two lithium batts go in the drill and one in the saw or as a spare working unit. There is a big difference in charge life and power between the two types.

 

[billspit]

My DeWalt drill has been great. The Ryobi that preceded it was ****. At least the batteries were. Many years ago I used the heck out of Makita drills and they were great too.

 

[v7guy]

I was talking to my brother that runs the maintenance crew for an apt complex and he has had a lot of luck with the ryobi stuff.
I was skeptical, but he said he's gotten 3 yrs with the current set of tools and batteries. he's even dropped several tools from rooftops to concrete and they keep truckin along.
Another data point to consider.

 

[nate379]

I'm happy with this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IBHB62/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It is pretty heavy though. I have a CMan 19.2v for lighter duty stuff.

 

[Stephenw]

I just bought a Milwaukee 12V drill.

My review...
http://www.shopngarage.com/forum/index.php?topic=143.0

 

[portcity]

im also with the ryobi crowd. I have a dewalt, milwaukee, and ryobi kit. The ryobi is cheaper and last as long in my experience. In cordless its all about batteries. I got tired of buying 80 a piece dewalt and milwaukee batteries and tried the ryobi. They are 2 for $50, and have a 2 year warranty. Plus i can buy each tool individually fairly cheap if i ruin it. As a contractor, the only tool I have worn out is the cordless reciprocating saw. Now corded tools, thats a different story

 

[O RLY]

I was able to find the Makita 18v 1/2" Drill and 1/4" impact combo on line for ~$200. Came with charger, 2 batteries and a cool carrying case.

 

[lowendrider]

I picked up a 12v lithium ion Rigid that was mismarked at HD a couple of years ago for $78. Drill, 2 batteries, and a charger. Great little drill. Beats the heck out of my old Black and Decker 18v...although it still survives with a new battery for now.

 

[tcianci]

If your looking for a tool that's not contractor/job site grade, consider the Makita. Me and a co-worker both got burned by their 18V lithium ion ****. We bought our combo kits within a few weeks of each other, he is still using his, I finally gave up when everything but the circular saw had crapped out on me. I got the new Ridgid 18V Lithium ion kit. The first thing to quit on the Makita was a battery, then the high speed gear on the drill died, and so did my buddies, the chucks were junk too. We got the drills back from repair and they sound like **** but do work. Then we both had the battery chargers die, then my reciprocating saw croaked. I was fed up with them especially since I bought them to replace Ryobi stuff which had pretty light duty (but cheap) batteries. The Ryobi tools will serve you well, they have a great assortment of tools and the ones I had before the Makita set are still running, I gave them to another friend of mine. The Makita Lithium ion batteries didn't like the cold, they didn't like the heat and they didn't like being used.
I have been generally pleased with the Ridgid tools, the lifetime service agreement can't be beat, they cover everything but bits and blades! Unfortunately I have already had to replace a battery but the tools themselves are great. The circular saw is a 6 1/2 inch model, with the fastest blade speed in the bunch, it makes for really clean cuts. The reciprocating saw has a straight line and an orbital setting, the drill is a hammer drill too, the impact driver is the cat's pj's and the light is a 9 watt 110v fluorescent so you can get a replacement bulb anywhere.

The Ridgid stuff ain't cheap but stands to be the most economical in the long run. You would probably do real well with the Ryobi stuff.

 

[Indy_500]

I have an 18 volt Ryobi Cordless Drill along with the 7.5" circular cordless saw. It only came with 1 batter and charger but my mom got them at home depot on black friday for $50 so she just bought 2 so i got another battery. The other 2 i guess are backups. She looked at a second battery but they want $30 for those so that's why she just bought an extra. I got them for x-mas btw, boy isn't it great to get your tools free? Oh wait i think i'm the only one

 

[IndyGarage]

I just bought a Milwaukee 12V drill.

My review...
http://www.shopngarage.com/forum/index.php?topic=143.0

12v for a drill is enough for most home activities. I have the Milwaukee M12 and it works great - I have the drill/driver without the chuck and also the impactor, I use those about 90% of the time. I also have a Milwaukee V28 set, and that's way overkill for a drill, but necessary for the circular saw, impact wrench and sawsall. The 18V versions of those tools other than the drill are gutless.

Bosch makes a nice 12V drill/driver that is similar to the Milwaukee. I'd pick one or the other brand based on any other tools I might want to buy.

For the guy who suggested Panasonic cordless - that was my previous brand. 10-15 years ago they were the best - bar none. They still have the best batteries, and some of the features on my Panasonic drill from 1994 are still not on most drills today.

If I were just going to have a cordless drill only It would be a Panasonic - unfortunately they don't have the whole kit thing down like the other brands do - so I went with Milwaukee which is pretty good.

 

[Maddabe]

I've had the Porter Cable 18v ni-cd set from Lowes for awhile and so far it has passed with flying colors. For ~$130 you get the drill, circular saw, reciprocating saw, flashlight, 2 batteries and the charger. Flashlight isn't all that great, but everything else is excellent.

Agreed. I have the same drill. It has built 2000 linear ft. of privacy fence, hung drywall in a 24'x24' garage and many other jobs large and small. I've yet to have a single issue with it. I just wish I would've gotten the whole set instead of just the drill.

 

[Addrock]

Mini rant: I hate Ridgid power tools (plumbing tools are great). Have a ridgid 4 tool combo 3 of 4 switches made the tools useless. Designed by vacuum salesmen.

 

[njride]

I have dewalt but have used just about all the different brands.

If you are going to go with nicad batteries, get the dewalt 18v XRP. Make sure they are the xrp, the batteries in those last forever on a charge under heavy use, better than anything not lithium ION, and very good in cold wether as well. Also the compatible tool line is huge, the dewalt radio/charger is nice and the xrp bateries will work in the non xrp 18v tools as well

If you are going to go lithium ion the new makitas are seriously awesome. The set the guy pictured above is great. They are really well balanced and light, and the snubnose driver is great. I've had to borrow those a few times just to get in tight spaces. If I was gonna buy a new set thats what I'd buy for sure.

 

[Addrock]

I just bought the 3 aH version of the Makitas pictured above.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DNNT9W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have owned or used most brands. I have never saw so many stripped out gears as Dewalt, personally stripped one out. Batteries have been the downfall of many drills. I would like to try a Festool.

 

[rogsmart]

Got enough conflicting suggestions yet??

I like the Makita 18 volt drill/driver as suggested by several others. I've had mine for more than three years now and use more than any other tool I own. The weight and ergonomics are good and it has withstood any abuse I dish out to it. Also has Led light that comes on when you activate the drill, very handy in dark closets.

Whatever brand you go with with don't cheap out. This is an essential tool for any homeowner's toolbox and you should get a good one. I'd go with 18 volts as that seems to be a sweet spot for lots of power without weighing too much.

 

[njride]

I just bought the 3 aH version of the Makitas pictured above.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DNNT9W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have owned or used most brands. I have never saw so many stripped out gears as Dewalt, personally stripped one out. Batteries have been the downfall of many drills. I would like to try a Festool.

You have to make sure you get a dewalt with the metal gear box, some of the less expensive models use plastic and do have the tendency to **** the bed, at least thats what I hear from a lot of people on jobs.

 

[dittle fart around]

I've had Dewalt 18 volt tools for about 10 years. Picked up a combo pack with a drill, circular saw and reciprocating saw a couple of batteries and a charger. Can't remember what I paid. Had to replace the charger after the cat pissed on it and it's cheaper to buy a new tool with battery and charger than just the charger alone.

 

[gumbudah]

"Mini rant: I hate Ridgid power tools (plumbing tools are great). Have a ridgid 4 tool combo 3 of 4 switches made the tools useless. Designed by vacuum salesmen."
Did you do the registration for them when you purchased them? They are covered for life if you did.
I bought a set for that reason as well as they warranty the batteries for life too. Batteries go dead, send the kit back they go through everything and provide new batteries.
For they 18V stuff anyway.

 

[2manytoyz]

Many years ago, I had a garage addition put on my first house. The contractor building it was using Makita 9.6V tools. I was very impressed that it would bury screws all day, and even effectively spin spade bits. I had a crummy B&D cordless drill at the time.

Some of these are pushing 20 years, and are still in use.

Even though this series of tools are now discontinued, the batteries are still available.

Eventually I wanted more power. Particulary a cordless circular saw. I bought a Dewalt 18V combo kit one Christmas that also included a drill, 2 batteries, a charger, and a case. Just under $200.

Over time, I started buying "just the tools", no battery, no case, on Amazon, for a fraction of what an all inclusive kit would cost.

This is most of my collection, but I've added more since these pics were taken. I keep half a dozen batteries on hand, and 4 chargers. One is a single charger (came with the kit), one is dual batt charger, the last one will charge the 18V battery from a cigarette lighter outlet (DC-DC converter).

The downside to the 18V drills is they get heavy if drilling overhead for extended periods. Install soffets, you'll know what I mean! This is why I also keep a few batteries charged for the Makita tools too. 9.6V, 18V, the screws don't care, and either drill has PLENTY of twist to bury a 3" drywall screw into the side of a 2x4, until the head snaps off about 1/2" deep into the wood.

Point here is good tools last a long time. Also, a popular brand/model of tool will likely still have batteries available long after the manufacturer stops making that series of tools.

 

[Togorashi]

Panasonic 15.6v drill.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009KDGX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Best drill I've ever owned. My ex boss owns a cabinent shop and road crew. Has about 50 of these drills in service plus 20 or so retired for parts.

2nd. Best drill I've ever had. Love it.

 

[GMCAMARO]

I have found that these drills last for a couple of years or so, whether its the batteries or the mechanisms, they all break. The batteries are actually consumables.

I have lived with these things for around 20 years and the more I spend, the results are the same, dead in 2 or so years. I've owned them all Dewalts, Makitas, Black and Decker, Ryobi, what ever.

As a result I purchase the cheapest $30 or so piece. It lasts for a couple of years and then gone. They are tools, they are meant to be used not loved.

 

[Sundowner]

Right now, I'd say go with a dewalt. Maybe I'd say different some other time, but DeWalt is rolling out the new 20v stuff this month and the 18v stuff can be had for heavy discount.

I've had good luck with the brand and I still use my Black and Decker Professional (which later became DeWalt) 14.4v 996k2 cordless drill. I think I bought that back in 1995-ish.

Shame they don't make many pistol grip cordless drills anymore, most have gone T-handle. I also miss stick-shift station wagons, too.

 

[camarotoolman]

18v Dewalt. There is so much of it out there that it is cheap, easy to add extra pieces as you need them. Craigs ebay pawn shops Batterys such but you get get them on line reasonable priced.

 

[suntex01]

I bought my Bosch 18V drill, impact driver, sawzall, 2 circular saws and a hammer drill when it was on fire sale last year.

I loved it, and after all the abuse so far, its still doing good.

The only down side was when somebody stole my circular saw, hammer drill, and about six of my batteries, I couldn't afford to buy new ones. So now, I'm stuck with three batteries and four tools and three or four chargers.

I couldn't figure out who walked away with my tools...really pissed me off.

 

[Oldtymeflyr]

For 90% of my home owner work I use a small 12v Makita. A small 12v drill is handy and easy to use. One of the new 18v Lithium Ion drills would be a nice but expensive substitute.

For the other 10% I have a big old 18v Makita that I got for a great price. Its not as handy or convenient to use. It would not be my only drill.

If I needed a second drill its an 1/2" 120v hammer drill. Presently its a deWalt. Works well.

Once you have picked a line of tools, you are stuck because of the charger and the fact that the batteries will fit a lot of other tools. My 18v battery also drives a Makita yard blower quiet will.

I would buy a quality product and plan on it lasting 10-15 years easy.

Rick

 

[petee_c]

This thread was from 18months ago, but it got revived.

I was a B&D guy for my 1st 2 drills. (adequate for around the home stuff, like less than a dozen holes, hanging pictures, shelves etc.) 12v nicad. 1st B&D was green, the 2nd was orange, both took the same battery, and was the same as a dewalt 12v.

In February 2008, I started a big reno in the basement. Built a hometheater/ media room. I got a 18V Makita LiIon combo pack 3Ah (sawsal, impact driver, hammerdrill, flashlight) from costco for a decent price ($300-400cdn(?)). Love it. Since then, I've built a lot of stuff with these tools. Batteries hold a charge for ever.... always has enough juice, even after sitting on the shelf for months to get started on a project, while I charge the 2nd battery (about 1hr).

I build a rink in the fall, I frame it with 2x lumber, and use 2.5" #8 construction screws to put it together. I can drive a couple hundred screws in the morning before taking a break for lunch, no signs of fatigue on the battery. I just put it on the charger while having lunch and continue on in the afternoon.

P

 

[musgofasta]

10.8v Makita - Lithium-Ion Impact Gun. Does everything I could ever ask for. Now they makea a chucked version if you don't want the hex-bit quick connect.

I'll pick up the 18v Makita whenever I feel like I have a project big enough to warrant it.

 

[bhclark]

Standard homeowner use...buy any reasonably priced combo pack you like.
I've had the Ryobi kit (4 pieces for $99 on sale)
I own the 19.2 kit from Craftsman (about 20+ pieces you can add to the system)
Panasonic seems to make nice kits.
These "lighter duty" tools don't have the torque and long lasting power than the Dewalt tools will, but they are 25% of the cost.

When my Craftsman cordless tools can't get the job done, I plug something else in.

You really can't go wrong buying a $99-$149 combo pack at any of the major hdwe stores.

 

[BigJohn20]

Right now, I'd say go with a dewalt. Maybe I'd say different some other time, but DeWalt is rolling out the new 20v stuff this month and the 18v stuff can be had for heavy discount.

Don't expect the 18v stuff to be discounted for any reason besides the normal reasons.

The 20v MAX system is not replacing the 18v system. They are going to be two concurrent offerings. The installed customer base is too extensive to completely scrap the line.

 

[TWX]

Standard homeowner use...buy any reasonably priced combo pack you like.
I've had the Ryobi kit (4 pieces for $99 on sale)
I own the 19.2 kit from Craftsman (about 20+ pieces you can add to the system)
Panasonic seems to make nice kits.
These "lighter duty" tools don't have the torque and long lasting power than the Dewalt tools will, but they are 25% of the cost.

When my Craftsman cordless tools can't get the job done, I plug something else in.

You really can't go wrong buying a $99-$149 combo pack at any of the major hdwe stores.

I have the 19.2V set as well. I've got two drills (both still work fine, picked up an extra for one in the house, one in the shop), an electric impact, a lantern flashlight, a sawzall, and a 7 1/4" circular saw. The original two NiCad batteries failed after a few years- I bought one Lithium Ion and three NiCad. I actually generally prefer the NiCad, the power level is about the same, and the price is so cheap that one can buy three or four NiCad for the price of one Lithium.

I used one of my drills with a 15" 1/2" concrete bit to drill holes in my concrete walls for electrical. I used a similar length bit for wood/metal to drill through the floor to run some ethernet cable from one floor of the house to the other. I also used the drill, impact, and circular saw to build the lean-to shed that I put in at the old house.

Only weakness in the drill that I discovered is that since it's not a hammer drill, when we were drilling holes in the concrete slab to mount the compressor, we had trouble some of the aggregate in the concrete. I'm considering getting the hammer drill model at some point. I'm also considering the trimmer, the leafblower, and the maybe the chainsaw. The biggest complaints online for these particular tools are for battery life, but I have a lot of batteries and I have a fairly small yard, so when I'd need to do this stuff I would be able to finish with the job in a single session, even if it required changing batteries.

If you're not a professional, this kit works very well, is inexpensive, and has fairly cheap batteries. I certainly wouldn't show up to a jobsite with this stuff, but for around the house or when going over to the rental it works just fine.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I need to add to this for the Dewalt 18V owners. If you don't have a flourescent like pictured at the bottom, I highly recommend it. Whether you're working in a dark basement putting in a new electrical service, in the attic crawling around or working on the interior of a car, this light kicks ***. It gives plenty of light to work by and doesn't get hot enough to melt the carpet of a car.

 

[bhclark]

RE: the craftswman 19.2.
The only issue I've run into is with the reciprocating saw. It tends to burn through the battery in short order.
I've discovered that this might be due to my use of dull blades as much as the battery though......

They also came out with a portable radio. Not as fancy as the Dewalt, but one of the pieces I'd like to add to my kit.

I also have 2 regular drills, plus the impact. Don't have much use for a hammer drill, but wouldn't mind adding it either.

 

[roofster]

Dropped my Hitachi about 7' onto concrete cracking it and parts were about $70 to fix it. Instead, I picked up a no-name gray Chinese 3/8" cordless drill during Menard's post Christmas sale in 2009. Used the hell out off it putting up OSB in my pole barn and it still works great. Cost was $19 on sale IIRC, regular price something like 25 or 30. One day I looked at the parts diagram and it looked like its parts could be used to repair the Hitachi, but it works so well, I haven't tried yet.

Mine didn't come with the light, but I think this is it. The Hitachi was 14.4V IIRC .

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tools/drills/altocraft-18-volt-cordless-drill-with-light/p-1469394-c-9072.htm

 

[47p2]

My Makita cordless packed in today, the gearbox seized, a check on the net and I could buy a new gearbox for £36.00, another check and I could buy a complete cordless drill without the battery for £36.00 so a bit of a no brainer really and I ordered two new drills so I will have a spare.

 

[HVAC Phil]

I used Milwaukee for years for the durability. Last year i got the Porter Cable 18v kit for 159. I was highly impressed with this kit, i've beaten the hell out of them, no problems. Years ago i tried the Dewalt combo kit, what garbage. I burned up the drill and sawzall in a month. I use these tools everyday, hands down the PC blows the Dewalt away for a fraction of the cost. I couldn't tell you how many 2,3 and 4" holes i've drilled with the holesaws with the PC, just keeps going!

 

[2manytoyz]

I need to add to this for the Dewalt 18V owners. If you don't have a flourescent like pictured at the bottom, I highly recommend it. Whether you're working in a dark basement putting in a new electrical service, in the attic crawling around or working on the interior of a car, this light kicks ***. It gives plenty of light to work by and doesn't get hot enough to melt the carpet of a car.

I had the incandescent spotlight version initially. Went camping with friends, and he illuminated the campsite with one of these. It'll run up to 3.5 hours per battery, and give full brightness the entire time. Had to have one after that. The protective cover can be removed to give 360 degree light.

Whether decking a dark attic, wiring up power in a dark garage, using it at a campsite, working on a vehicle, it's pretty much my first choice of light.

 

[edl]

I just bought the 3 aH version of the Makitas pictured above.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DNNT9W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I would like to try a Festool.

you definitely should - i have a C12 - awesome little drill - you will be amazed - the front end pops off - two other front ends are right hand and jacobs chuck

http://www.festoolusa.com/products/cordless-drills/c12-cordless-drill-564178.html

 

[NUTTSGT]

I had the incandescent spotlight version initially. Went camping with friends, and he illuminated the campsite with one of these. It'll run up to 3.5 hours per battery, and give full brightness the entire time. Had to have one after that. The protective cover can be removed to give 360 degree light.

Whether decking a dark attic, wiring up power in a dark garage, using it at a campsite, working on a vehicle, it's pretty much my first choice of light.

Right on my freind, a well thought out flashlight, hats off to Dewalt.