Harbor Freight Cordless Drill - Best Value?

[bikepoet]

I'm looking at buying a cordless drill to complement my 1/2" 2200/2600rpm corded drill. I'm trying to figure out what is the best value for my uses. The drills I'm looking at:

19.2V 1/2" 0-400rpm/0-1050rpm 20 clutch settings
$25 with coupon
http://www.harborfreight.com/192-volt-1-2-half-inch-drill-driver-kit-96526.html

18V 3/8" 0-900rpm 16 clutch settings
battery and charger can be used on other devices: sander/jigsaw/circular saw
and the battery slides on and clips, instead of just clips, less likely to fall out
$24 with coupon
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-3-8-eighth-inch-cordless-drill-with-keyless-chuck-67024.html

18V 3/8" (box says) 0-900rpm 6 clutch settings (advertisement says 0-550rpm)
with flashlight
$20 with coupon
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-cordless-drill-and-flashlight-kit-91396.html

18V 3/8" 0-550rpm 6 clutch settings, looks like above, but no flashlight
$15 with coupon
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-cordless-drill-66965.html

The 1st 18V had a better posi-click on the clutch settings, and I liked how the battery was interchangeable, but I was thinking, I probably would never use the other pieces. Who knows. As much as I probably wouldn't use those other pieces, I should probably have a corded version to not deal with the hassle of discharged batteries. After seeing the 19.2V, it is getting my attention, but I wonder if anyone has compared them all and is the 19.2V worth 66% more than the cheapie $15 one.

All of this comes after I had to twist my arm for about 50 screws to hang some stuff for my wife after she twisted my arm once. Not fair eh?

But I am planning on getting one of the 26" HF BB roller cabinets for $300, so maybe I shouldn't worry with the $15 stuff.

Any opinions on any of those above?

 

[Case IH]

a family friend who is an auto terch has the 19.2 one so it cant be too bad

 

[99_xc600]

I'm looking at buying a cordless drill to complement my 1/2" 2200/2600rpm corded drill. I'm trying to figure out what is the best value for my uses. The drills I'm looking at:

19.2V 1/2" 0-400rpm/0-1050rpm 20 clutch settings
$25 with coupon
http://www.harborfreight.com/192-volt-1-2-half-inch-drill-driver-kit-96526.html

18V 3/8" 0-900rpm 16 clutch settings
battery and charger can be used on other devices: sander/jigsaw/circular saw
and the battery slides on and clips, instead of just clips, less likely to fall out
$24 with coupon
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-3-8-eighth-inch-cordless-drill-with-keyless-chuck-67024.html

18V 3/8" (box says) 0-900rpm 6 clutch settings (advertisement says 0-550rpm)
with flashlight
$20 with coupon
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-cordless-drill-and-flashlight-kit-91396.html

18V 3/8" 0-550rpm 6 clutch settings, looks like above, but no flashlight
$15 with coupon
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-volt-cordless-drill-66965.html

The 1st 18V had a better posi-click on the clutch settings, and I liked how the battery was interchangeable, but I was thinking, I probably would never use the other pieces. Who knows. As much as I probably wouldn't use those other pieces, I should probably have a corded version to not deal with the hassle of discharged batteries. After seeing the 19.2V, it is getting my attention, but I wonder if anyone has compared them all and is the 19.2V worth 66% more than the cheapie $15 one.

All of this comes after I had to twist my arm for about 50 screws to hang some stuff for my wife after she twisted my arm once. Not fair eh?

But I am planning on getting one of the 26" HF BB roller cabinets for $300, so maybe I shouldn't worry with the $15 stuff.

Any opinions on any of those above?

Go with the second one, as it's part of the family that uses that same battery packs and it also includes the 1/4" impact driver.

 

[pattenp]

If you are looking for a cordless drill you plan on having and using for years to come then don't buy a Harbor Freight one. One main thing is that they are all NiCd powered and Lithium is the way to go. I've seen those Harbor Freight drills change to much from year to year and would worry about being able to get new batteries a few years from now, if the drill lasted that long.

 

[Kirbot]

I've used the second one.
It works.... but I wasn't at all impressed.

The first one might be worth a try.


If your willing to spend a little but more, get a reconditioned Skil like this.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00198PWO6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The 18v harborfreight isn't even in the same league.

 

[Kirbot]

If you are looking for a cordless drill you plan on having and using for years to come then don't buy a Harbor Freight one. One main thing is that they are all NiCd powered and Lithium is the way to go. I've seen those Harbor Freight drills change to much from year to year and would worry about being able to get new batteries a few years from now, if the drill lasted that long.

Lithium is nice, but it's not a must.
My dad has had an 18v Nicad Dewalt for about 8 years.
It's still going strong.

 

[pattenp]

I have both NiCd and lithium powered drills and drivers and I will not buy NiCd batteries anymore. I just like the life and performance of lithium better.

 

[pipsters]

I had a black and decker that I finally burned up, bought another one for $20 including 2 batteries, so now I have 3 good and 2 new batteries. Cordless drill batteries are so expensive these days it's generally cheaper to just buy them in a new set.

I figure for $15-$20 every couple years, a cordless is essentially a "throw away".

 

[vlpronj]

I figure for $15-$20 every couple years, a cordless is essentially a "throw away".

I was thinking that about the HF $15 drill; might pick up 2 or 3 - the extra battery would be worth the $15. I use two on a lot of small jobs, to avoid swapping bits.

 

[SMKS]

I have one, but it's not any of the ones you listed. Mine is ok, it works well for what I use it for.

But, I wish I had stepped up to a higher model. Mine has a super cheap charger. It just charges the battery and won't stop when the battery is full. I think the next step up came with a better charger that would shutoff when the battery was fully charged.

 

[bikepoet]

Lots of great replies! Thanks guys.

I do like the idea of a $15 throwaway, and I'm kinda thinking the flashlight isn't worth having a rechargeable battery on it since when I need it, it would probably be dead.

Seems like all of the chargers don't have the auto-shutoff, so it is a 5 hour charge and has to get unplugged. The cheapest li-ion I've seen were around $50, and I don't think I would spend $50 on electronics at HF.

I might go for the 19.2V. More voltage means more torque for when I need it most, right? (sounds like a truck commercial, doesn't it?). But then again... having two $15 drills so to not have to swap bits also makes sense. I wonder if the 5 torque settings is enough for what I would need. But I also wonder if the trigger switch would be sensitive enough for drilling plastic anchors into sheetrock, or if I should go with the low/high of the 19.2V.

 

[neonnblack]

I believe, correct me if im wrong but, amps are more important to torque than volts

And looking back the site does not show the amps

 

[vlpronj]

FWIW, I bought two - haven't had time to check them out yet. Couldn't pass up the 57 cent fillet knives, either; picked up 4. Cheap, but good enough to leave one by the twine box, etc.